Factors influencing medication adherence among patients with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in Greece and Cyprus: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: . Aim: To examine the level of medication adherence among individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Greece and Cyprus and assess the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables affecting it.

Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was administered to adult patients attending hospitals and treatment centers in Greece and Cyprus.

Impact of Reductive Stress on Human Infertility: Underlying Mechanisms and Perspectives.

Antioxidants have a well-established effect on general health and are essential in preventing oxidative damage to cells by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are thought to be neutralized by these substances, which include polyphenols, β-carotene, and vitamins C and E, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, recent data indicates that consuming excessive amounts of antioxidants may have side effects.

Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation's Impact on Sexual Function in Female Patients with Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity, Sexual Dysfunction, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently results in both urinary and sexual dysfunction, which significantly impairs quality of life. Conventional treatments for bladder dysfunction often prove insufficient, leading to the exploration of alternative therapies such as percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). This study aimed to assess the impact of PTNS on sexual function and bladder symptoms in female MS patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Integrative Assessment of Seminal Plasma Biomarkers: A Narrative Review Bridging the Gap between Infertility Research and Clinical Practice.

Infertility represents a significant global health challenge impacting millions of couples worldwide. Approximately half of all infertile couples exhibit compromised semen quality, indicative of diminished male fertility. While the diagnosis of male infertility traditionally relies on semen analysis, its limitations in providing a comprehensive assessment of male reproductive health have spurred efforts to identify novel biomarkers.

Culture of Human Embryos at High and Low Oxygen Levels.

One of the parameters potentially affecting the in vitro growth of preimplantation embryos is the oxygen concentration in the culture environment. An increased oxygen concentration causes the generation of ROS which in turn can cause damage to the cells and seriously disrupt the embryonic development. Previous studies have assessed oxygen concentrations in the fallopian tubes of several mammals of between 5 and 8%, while the oxygen levels in the uterus were found to be even lower; similar measurements have been confirmed in humans.

Evolution of Minimally Invasive and Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing: An Overview.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has become a common supplementary diagnοstic/testing tοol for in vitro fertilization (ΙVF) cycles due to a significant increase in cases of PGT fοr mοnogenic cοnditions (ΡGT-M) and de novο aneuplοidies (ΡGT-A) over the last ten years. This tendency is mostly attributable to the advancement and application of novel cytogenetic and molecular techniques in clinical practice that are capable of providing an efficient evaluation of the embryonic chromosomal complement and leading to better IVF/ICSI results. Although PGT is widely used, it requires invasive biopsy of the blastocyst, which may harm the embryo.

Association of Obesity with Telomere Length in Human Sperm.

Telomere attrition and mitochondrial dysfunction are two fundamental aspects of aging. Calorie restriction (CR) is the best strategy to postpone aging since it can enhance telomere attrition, boost antioxidant capacity, and lower the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since ROS is produced by mitochondria and can readily travel to cell nuclei, it is thought to be a crucial molecule for information transfer between mitochondria and cell nuclei.

Sperm Mitochondrial Content and Mitochondrial DNA to Nuclear DNA Ratio Are Associated with Body Mass Index and Progressive Motility.

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a risk factor in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. According to the energy requirements, oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain work together to produce ATP in sufficient quantities in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. Abnormal mitochondrial activity causes fat accumulation and insulin resistance as cells require a balance between the production of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the mitochondria and the dissipation of the proton gradient to reduce damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Mental Health, Work Presenteeism, and Exercise in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Chronic diseases, such as IBD, can lead to anxiety and depression which can have a significant impact on productivity at work [presenteeism]. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression/anxiety, presenteeism and exercise levels among IBD patients.

Methods: This was a multicentre study whereby adult IBD patients, in clinical remission, were asked to answer a questionnaire anonymously.

Implementation and Short-term Adverse Events of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: An International Web-based Survey.

Introduction: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine clinical trials did not include patients with immune-mediated conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. We aimed to describe the implementation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among IBD patients, patients' concerns, and the side effect profile of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, using real-world data.

Methods: An anonymous web-based self-completed survey was distributed in 36 European countries between June and July 2021.

ECCO Topical Review: Refractory Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic disease with variable degrees of extent, severity, and activity. A proportion of patients will have disease that is refractory to licensed therapies, resulting in significant impairment in quality of life. The treatment of these patients involves a systematic approach by the entire multidisciplinary team, with particular consideration given to medical options including unlicensed therapies, surgical interventions, and dietetic and psychological support.

ECCO Topical Review Optimising Reporting in Surgery, Endoscopy, and Histopathology.

Background And Aims: Diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] requires a lifelong multidisciplinary approach. The quality of medical reporting is crucial in this context. The present topical review addresses the need for optimised reporting in endoscopy, surgery, and histopathology.

Coexistence of Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency syndrome and Lynch syndrome in a family of seven : MSH6 mutation and childhood colorectal cancer - a case series.

Purpose: To present a case series of two fraternal twin girls who passed away from brain and colorectal cancers attributed to Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency syndrome (CMMRD). A review of literature for CMMRD-related pediatric malignancies is also presented.

Methods: The two girls were diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11 and 13 respectively.

Quality of Care Standards in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: a European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Position Paper.

The management of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is complex, and requires tight control of disease activity, close monitoring to avoid treatment side effects, health care professionals with expertise in IBD, and an interdisciplinary, holistic approach. Despite various efforts to standardise structures, processes, and outcomes,1-8 and due to the high variability at the local, national, and international levels, there are still no clear definitions or outcome measures available to establish quality of care standards for IBD patients which are applicable in all contexts and all countries. For this reason, the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] supported the construction of a list of criteria summarising current standards of care in IBD.

ECCO Guidelines on Therapeutics in Crohn's Disease: Surgical Treatment.

This article is the second in a series of two publications relating to the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] evidence-based consensus on the management of Crohn's disease. The first article covers medical management; the present article addresses surgical management, including preoperative aspects and drug management before surgery. It also provides technical advice for a variety of common clinical situations.

No effect of fenugreek, bergamot and olive leaf extract on glucose homeostasis in patients with prediabetes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Introduction: The main pathophysiologic mechanism of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is insulin resistance, which exists several years before T2D diagnosis. The term 'prediabetes' applies to patients with insulin resistance but without overt T2D. The improvement of glucose homeostasis in these patients may prevent or delay the development of T2D and its complications.

European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation Topical Review on Complementary Medicine and Psychotherapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] increasingly use alternative and complementary therapies, for which appropriate evidence is often lacking. It is estimated that up to half of all patients with IBD use various forms of complementary and alternative medicine during some point in their disease course. Considering the frequent use of such therapies, it is crucial that physicians and patients are informed about their efficacy and safety in order to provide guidance and evidence-based advice.

Pancreatic Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multisystemic disease, and pancreatic manifestations of IBD are not uncommon. The incidence of several pancreatic diseases in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is more frequent compared to the general population. Pancreatic manifestations in IBD include a wide heterogenic group of disorders and abnormalities of the pancreas and range from mild self-limited diseases to severe disorders.