Proton Pump Inhibitors and Oncologic Treatment Efficacy: A Practical Review of the Literature for Oncologists.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly used anti-acid drugs worldwide, including among cancer patients. However, drug-drug interactions between PPIs and other agents may lead to decreased drug absorption with possible reduced therapeutic benefit, or even increased toxicity. Unfortunately, only scarce data exist regarding the safety of concomitant PPI use with anti-cancer agents.

Antibiotics, cancer risk and oncologic treatment efficacy: a practical review of the literature.

Antibiotics have been extensively used to treat infectious diseases over the past century and have largely contributed to increased life expectancy over time. However, antibiotic use can impose profound and protracted changes to the diversity of the microbial ecosystem, affecting the composition of up to 30% of the bacterial species in the gut microbiome. By modifying human microbiota composition, antibiotics alter the action of several oncologic drugs, potentially leading to decreased efficacy and increased toxicities.

Which patients with diabetes should undergo ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?

Objective: To estimate the daytime ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) value corresponding to the target office blood pressure (BP; 130/80 mmHg) for diabetic patients and to identify which patients with diabetes may benefit from ABPM.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. ABPM (Spacelabs90207) and office BP were measured.

[Inadequate blood pressure control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Background: There is evidence indicating that blood pressure control is more effective in reducing macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) than glycemic control. However, the reduction in BP to levels recommended by international guidelines is difficult in clinical practice.

Objective: To assess the percentage of patients with both type 2 diabetes and hypertension (HBP) assisted in a tertiary hospital with adequate blood pressure control and to determine the clinical and laboratory factors related.

Late afternoon blood pressure increase is associated with diabetic retinopathy in normotensive type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Aims: To identify if the variability of blood pressure (BP) is associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in normotensive type 2 DM patients.

Methods: Sixty-five normotensive type 2 DM patients that had 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) were grouped according any degree of DR.

Results: Fourteen (21%) patients had DR.

Does bacteriuria interfere with albuminuria measurements of patients with diabetes?

Background: Urinary albumin is the main parameter employed to diagnose diabetic nephropathy (DN). The exclusion of bacteriuria has been recommended at the time of DN diagnosis. This approach has been debated and information on this suggestion in patients with diabetes is scarce.