Barriers in inflammatory bowel disease care in Central and Eastern Europe: a region-specific analysis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic immune-mediated diseases with a high incidence and prevalence in Europe. Since these are diseases with associated disability, they require complex management and the availability of high-quality healthcare resources. We focused on the analysis of IBD care in selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) targeting the availability and reimbursement of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, the role of IBD centers and also education and research in IBD. As part of the analysis, we created a questionnaire of 73 statements organized in three topics: (1) diagnostics, follow-up and screening, (2) medications and (3) IBD centers. The questionnaire was filled out by co-authoring IBD experts from individual countries, and then the answers and comments on the questionnaire were analyzed. We identified that despite the financial burden, which still partially persists in the region, the availability of some of the cost-saving tools (calprotectin test, therapeutic drug monitoring) differs among countries, mainly due to variable reimbursement from country to country. In most participating countries, there also remains a lack of dedicated dietary and psychological counseling, which is often replaced by recommendations offered by gastroenterologists. However, there is adequate availability of most of the currently recommended diagnostic methods and therapies in each participating country, as well as the implementation of established IBD centers in the region. © The Author(s), 2023

Rare Benign Focal Lesions of the Liver: Report of 2 Cases and Literature Review

Introduction: Benign lesions of the liver are very common findings, usually randomly discovered, especially during examinations for other indications. The frequent use of imaging modalities may be responsible for the statistical increase in the incidence of these findings. Case Presentation: In this publication, we present the cases of 2 female patients with benign liver lesions, the occurrence of which is considered rare, and only a few dozen cases have been described worldwide. In both cases, clinical symptoms, diagnostic approach, and surgical treatment are presented. Conclusion: Due to increasing availability of imaging methods, the occurrence of previously considered rare benign liver lesions increases as well. In many cases, the malignant potential of these findings remains unclear. Decision-making process should include a multidisciplinary board

Atopy Patch Test in the Diagnosis of Food Allergy in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) is one of the most common chronic allergic diseases in children. Among the allergens found to be relevant in AEDS, aeroallergens and food allergens are the most important. The exposure of these patients to their relevant protein allergens can trigger an exacerbation or maintain the disease. AEDS is frequently associated with food allergy, which complicates the management in approximately 40% of these children. Atopy patch test (APT) can help in detecting food allergies in children with AEDS. The earliest publication on patch testing in eczema was described in 1937 by Rostenberg, but the first controlled clinical trial was provided by Mitchell in 1982. APT with food allergens were introduced into clinical use in 1996 by the group of Isolauri. APT test is performed epicutaneously with typical immediate-type allergens (aeroallergens or foods). As a number of apparently minor test modifications greatly influence the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the APT, the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD) has developed a standardized APT technique. APT has developed into a valuable additional tool in the diagnostic work-up of food allergy in infants and children with atopic dermatitis

Bronchial Asthma and Obesity in Childhood

Bronchial asthma and obesity is among a group of multietiologic complex diseases which influence each other in their origin, and development. The impact on the patient‘s quality of life and prognosis is significant, health costs included. Because of the increasing prevalence worldwide, there has been an increase in the amount of studies dealing with reciprocal associations between asthma and obesity

Young and Exhausted

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic enceph-alomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a complex [...