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Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be a worldwide health concern, requiring effective strategies for risk reduction. This article explores the extensive collaboration between medical therapy and lifestyle modifications in the management of CVDs, aiming to interpret whether a single approach holds the key to reducing major cardiovascular events. In the realm of pharmaceutical therapy, statins, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and antiplatelet agents have shown significant effectiveness, as evidenced by landmark trials such as Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) and Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE). Concurrently, lifestyle adjustments, encompassing physical activity, dietary changes, and management of stress, emerge as indispensable elements in cardiovascular care. The article discusses the pivotal role of patient adherence, tailored approaches, and the synergistic impact of combining medical therapy and lifestyle modifications. Challenges, such as socioeconomic disparities and uncertainties in lipid management, underscore the need for ongoing research and precision medicine. Digital health interventions offer novel avenues for personalized care. Despite advancements, uncertainties persist regarding the optimal balance between medical and lifestyle interventions in lowering major cardiovascular event risks. This article emphasizes the ongoing evolution of cardiovascular care, highlighting the imperative need for evidence-based guidelines tailored to individual patient needs.
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Introduction Hemophilia is an uncommon, X-linked recessive bleeding condition characterized by a lack of either factor VIII or factor IX. It is more prevalent in men. Due to the substantial impact inhibitor development has on patient prognosis, the primary treatment for hemophilia is the transfusion of recombinant factors. The aim of our study is to investigate 40 adult patients with hemophilia in terms of their clinical profile, clinically relevant risk factors for inhibitor development, therapy-related aspects such as treatment duration, factor requirements, transfusion frequency, presence of inhibitors, and complications. Methods This cross-sectional observational study involving 40 patients of hemophilia over 12 years of age was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, presenting complaints, bleeding episodes, hemophilia type, and medical history were gathered over a one-year span. Patients were stratified into mild, moderate, and severe groups based on their respective levels of factor activity. Various parameters, including the frequency of factor therapy, percentage of factor concentrate, inhibitor presence, and disease and therapy-related complications, were analyzed. The distribution of patients across these parameters was calculated and illustrated using pie charts. Results Nineteen out of 40 patients were from 20 to 40 years of age. The majority of cases (n=24), however, had been diagnosed before the patients reached the age of 10. All patients were male, and half of the patients (n=20) suffered from mild disease. The most common site of bleeding was the knee joint, and 33 cases had one to 10 bleeding episodes per year. Thirty-two out of 40 patients needed less than 40 factor vial transfusions, whereas eight needed more than 40 factor vial transfusions. Two cases of severe disease were positive for inhibitors of factor VIII, whereas one patient was found to have a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Conclusions Hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder, has primarily been studied in pediatric populations. This study, however, shifts the focus toward adult individuals. Our cohort consisted exclusively of male patients, with the predominant group diagnosed with hemophilia A and falling within the age range of 20 to 40 years. Most patients had been diagnosed before 10 years of age. The primary complication observed was joint bleeding, with the knee joint being the most commonly affected site. Approximately two-thirds of cases had a history of minor trauma necessitating factor replacement, yet only 5% exhibited the presence of inhibitors.