BACKGROUND: Spasticity is a common feature in patients with disruptions in corticospinal pathways. However, the term is used ambiguously. Here, spasticity is defined as enhanced velocity-dependent stretch reflexes and placed within the context of deforming spastic paresis encompassing other forms of muscle overactivity. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims at evaluating the clinimetric quality of clinical outcome assessments (COAs) for spasticity across different pathologies and to make recommendations for their use. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify COAs used to assess spasticity. An international expert panel evaluated the measurement properties in the included COAs. Recommendations were based on the MDS-COA program methodology based on three criteria: if the COA was (1) applied to patients with spastic paresis, (2) used by others beyond the developers, and (3) determined to be reliable, valid, and sensitive to change in patients with spasticity. RESULTS: We identified 72 COAs of which 17 clinician-reported outcomes (ClinROs) and 6 patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were reviewed. The Tardieu Scale was the only ClinRO recommended for assessing spasticity. One ClinRO-Composite Spasticity Index-and two PROs-Spasticity 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale and 88-Item Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale-were recommended with caveats. The Ashworth-derived COAs were excluded after evaluation due to their focus on muscle tone rather than spasticity, as defined in this review. CONCLUSIONS: The Tardieu Scale is recommended for assessing spasticity, and two PROs are recommended with caveats. Consistent terminology about the various types of muscle overactivity is necessary to facilitate their assessment and treatment. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

• MeSH
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care * standards   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Muscle Spasticity * physiopathology   diagnosis   etiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

The COVID-19 Pandemic contributed to accelerating the process of using information and communication technologies and digital technologies in healthcare management and delivery within healthcare systems. At that time, the Czech healthcare system faced the same problems as other European systems and struggled with a temporary limitation of direct provision of healthcare services. It was solved by switching to telemedicine. The Czech healthcare system used telemedicine to a minimal extent until then. Despite adopting the law on healthcare digitisation, it is still one of the countries with a lower level of digitisation of healthcare processes. The article presents the results of an exploratory expert investigation focused on the implementation and development of telemedicine in the Czech Republic. The conducted research aimed to identify problems related to the implementation of telemedicine in practice, place them in the broader framework of the healthcare system and structure them, propose possible solutions, and identify the future challenges of telemedicine in the Czech Republic. We based our study on the results of a three-phase QUAL-QUAN-QUAL research. Data collection in the first phase took the form of individual semi-structured interviews with patients (25) with practical experience in the field of telemedicine, followed by the second quantitative phase of the questionnaire survey with patients (650). The third qualitative phase included semi-structured interviews with experts (17) with practical experience in telemedicine. The introduction and expansion of telemedicine require several fundamental changes. These include adjustments to the legislative environment and changes to the technological infrastructure, organisation of care and work. Several barriers have been identified at the healthcare system level, healthcare providers, healthcare professionals and patients.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pandemics * MeSH
• Delivery of Health Care organization & administration   MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Interviews as Topic MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Telemedicine * organization & administration   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

INTRODUCTION: In a previously published randomised, placebo-controlled trial, 800 mg/day of pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulfate (CS) was shown to be superior to placebo in reducing pain and improving function over 6 months in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of the current post hoc analyses was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of CS compared with placebo in a European perspective using individual patient data from this clinical trial. METHODS: Patients with knee OA randomised to CS or placebo were followed up at 1, 3 and 6 months. The algo-functional Lequesne index was used to derive the EuroQol Five-Dimension Five-Level (EQ-5D-5L) score based on a validated formula. The EQ-5D-5L scores at each time point were used to calculate the changes in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) with the area under the curve method. Costs were assessed using the average price of CS in the countries where the original study took place and where CS is currently marketed. The costs of CS in three countries were then used (i.e. the Czech Republic, Italy and Switzerland). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) threshold for CS to be considered cost-effective was set at 91,870 EUR per QALY (equivalent to the usually recommended threshold of US $100,000). The study used an intention-to-treat population, i.e. patients who received one dose of the study drug, and imputed missing values using the basal observation carried forward method. RESULTS: No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the CS group (N = 199) and the placebo group (N = 205). The mean cost of CS for 6 months of treatment was 194.74 EUR. After 6 months of treatment, CS showed a mean ICER of 33,462 (95% CI 5130-61,794) EUR per QALY gained, indicating cost-effectiveness compared with placebo. The acceptability curve for cost-effectiveness shows that the CS treatment is likely to be cost-effective compared with placebo, with a 93% probability when the ceiling ratio is set at 91,870 EUR per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the role of CS as a cost-effective therapeutic option in the management of OA. However, further studies taking into account the use of other healthcare resources are warranted for a more complete understanding.

• MeSH
• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis MeSH
• Cost-Benefit Analysis * MeSH
• Osteoarthritis, Knee * drug therapy   economics   MeSH
• Chondroitin Sulfates * therapeutic use   economics   MeSH
• Quality-Adjusted Life Years * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Italy MeSH
• Switzerland MeSH

Článek představuje analýzu nizozemské praxe eutanazie v rozmezí let 2002–2023 s přihlédnutím k otázce, jak lze nizozemské zkušenosti využít v české diskusi o péči v závěru života a usmrcení způsobené lékařským zákrokem (eutanazie, asistované sebeusmrcení). Představujeme komplexní obraz typických pacientů, kteří eutanazii podstupují, jejich motivaci, prostředí, ve kterém eutanazie probíhá, a vztahu mezi lékařem, který eutanazii vykonává, a pacientem, který ji podstupuje. Na základě analýzy ukazujeme, že i pokud eutanazie zůstane nadále v České republice nelegální a nepraktikovaná, může být její analýza zdrojem reflexe a zlepšování paliativní péče, zejména v oblasti lepšího pochopení přání a potřeb pacientů v závěru života, role lékaře při umírání, významu místa, kde pacient tráví závěr života, a role duševního utrpení. Článek také ukazuje relevanci komplexní znalosti nizozemské praxe eutanazie pro českou diskusi o usmrcení způsobené lékařským zákrokem.

The article presents an analysis of the Dutch euthanasia practice in the period 2002–2023 with an emphasis on the question of how the Dutch experience can be used in Czech discussions about palliative care and physician-procured death (euthanasia and assisted suicide). We present a comprehensive picture of typical patients who undergo euthanasia, their motivations, the environment in which euthanasia takes place, and the relationship between the physician who performs euthanasia and the patient who undergoes it. Based on the analysis, we show that even if euthanasia remains illegal in the Czech Republic, analysis of euthanasia practice can be a source of reflection and improvement of palliative care, particularly in the areas of better understanding of patients’ wishes and needs at the end of life, the role of the physician in dying, the importance of the place where the patient spends the end of life, and the role of mental suffering. The article also shows the relevance of a comprehensive knowledge of Dutch euthanasia practice for the Czech discussion on physician-procured death.

Využití biografických informací v oblasti zdravotní péče představuje posun směrem k individualizované péči. Tento přístup staví na poznání životních příběhů, hodnot, zvyků a zájmů, což umožňuje zdravotníkům lépe pochopit potřeby a preference lidí s demencí. V období hospitalizace, kdy se ocitá člověk s demencí mimo známé prostředí, bývá ztráta pocitu autonomie jedním z nejvýznamnějších stresorů. Práce s biografickými údaji může nejen pomoci zmírnit stres, ale také podpořit navázání komunikace a budování důvěry mezi člověkem s demencí a personálem. Vztah založený na respektu a důstojnosti je základem pro poskytování péče, která je přizpůsobena konkrétním potřebám člověka s demencí.(1) Individualizace přináší do péče kvalitu a hloubku, i když může být časově náročná. Naproti tomu unifikované přístupy sice zjednodušují procesy, často ale postrádají osobitost a kreativitu, které jsou pro individuální přístup nezbytné.(2) Každý člověk s demencí má právo na stejně kvalitní péči jako člověk bez tohoto syndromu.(3) Pouhé odborné znalosti nejsou vždy dostatečné pro zajištění optimální péče. Často máme tendenci si myslet, že je důležitá pouze přítomnost a že se nás minulost již netýká. Když se nad tím však zamyslíme, musíme si přiznat, že minulost nás nikdy zcela neopustí, ať už si to uvědomujeme, nebo ne. Je přítomná i v našem „tady a teď“ a často se propisuje do chování a každodenních zvyklostí a rutin právě u osob s demencí. A tak se nabízejí otázky: Je to pak ale ještě minulost? Jak s minulostí zacházet, aby byla přínosem v péči u osob s demencí?

The use of biographical information in healthcare represents a shift towards personalized care. This approach is based on understanding individuals’ life stories, values, habits, and interests, allowing healthcare professionals to comprehend their needs and preferences better. During hospitalization, when a person with dementia is placed in an unfamiliar environment, the loss of autonomy often becomes one of the most significant stressors. Working with biographical information can help alleviate stress, support communication, and build trust between the person with dementia and the staff. A relationship founded on respect and dignity is essential for providing care tailored to the specific needs of a person with dementia.(1) Personalization brings quality and depth to care, although it can be time-consuming. In contrast, standardized approaches may simplify processes but often lack the individuality and creativity necessary for a personalized approach.(2) Every person with dementia has the right to the same quality of care as a person without this syndrome.(3) Professional knowledge alone is not always sufficient to provide optimal care. We often believe that only the present matters and that the past no longer concerns us. However, when we reflect on it, we must acknowledge that the past never entirely leaves us—whether we realize it or not. It remains present in our „here and now“ and often manifests in the behaviors, routines, and daily habits of individuals with dementia. This raises important questions: Is it still the past? How can we work with the past to make it beneficial in the care of individuals with dementia?

Starting point: Preventive programs for older adults should focus on promoting aging in their place of residence. A safe household without barriers is one condition for maintaining a high quality of life and supporting self-sufficiency. The occupational therapist plays a key role in evaluating the home environment and supervising follow-up interventions. Aim: This review study aims to clarify the role of occupational therapist interventions in the home environment of older adults and describe the most common and significant risks and subsequent modifications to the environment to create a safe home and prevent falls based on best practices. Methods: This is a review of published literature between 2013 and 2024 using the PRISMA methodology. The electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and PubMed were searched. Results: Of the 198 sources, 10 studies met the analysis criteria. Risky areas in older adult homes and possible interventions to increase safety are clearly listed. The areas with the greatest security risk are the bedrooms, bathrooms with toilets, and stairs. Various obstacles, including carpets, objects placed at an inappropriate height, a low toilet, or insufficient lighting, were among the most common causes of falls. Conclusions: Studies point to the importance of promoting self-sufficiency and raising awareness regarding aging modifications to the homes of older adults.

• Keywords
• domácí prostředí,
• MeSH
• Equipment Safety MeSH
• Safety MeSH
• Ergonomics MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Accidental Falls * prevention & control   MeSH
• Research MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH

Cosmetic/aesthetic surgery has increased in popularity, reflecting the increased consumer demand. Modern women feel compelled to meet near-impossible standards of beauty. Most of those who undergo cosmetic/aesthetic surgery are (middle-aged) women. Women are often under pressure to meet near-impossible standards of beauty. This study examined cosmetic/aesthetic surgery attitudes and perceptions among 516 Czech middle-aged women. It assessed the perception and attitudes towards cosmetic/aesthetic procedures of middle-aged Czech women and determined the possible factors influencing their level of acceptance through a quantitative survey. The research findings are based on an online questionnaire survey. Based on our analyses, we revealed that acceptance and attitudes towards cosmetic/aesthetic surgery among women can be influenced by the variables such as marital status, place of living, fear of ageing, the importance of physical appearance, occupational status, and partner’s influence. This study provided a first general look at the situation around cosmetic/aesthetic surgery in the context of the Czech Republic. However, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the acceptance and attitudes towards cosmetic/aesthetic surgery in the Czech Republic, further research should be conducted across the country to assess the attitudes of the wider population (for example, different age groups).

• Keywords
• anti-aging medicína,
• MeSH
• Esthetics * psychology   MeSH
• Physical Appearance, Body MeSH
• Cosmetic Techniques * psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Beauty MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Attitude MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Socioeconomic Factors MeSH
• Plastic Surgery Procedures methods   psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Zachování funkčního hrtanu a dosažení dlouhodobé remise je základním postulátem léčby pacientů s maligními nádory hrtanu, a to i pokročilých stadií. Rozvíjeny jsou proto nechirurgické protokoly léčby a hrtan zachovávající chirurgické postupy. Totální laryngektomie je historicky základní výkon laryngeální chirurgie, jehož význam s rozvojem výše uvedených postupů klesá. Přesto jsou stále skupiny nemocných, kteří mohou profitovat z jejího provedení. Rozhodující jsou lokální i celkové charakteristiky tumoru a pacienta. Velikost tumoru, destrukce a nefunkčnost struktur hrtanu, infiltrace štítné chrupavky včetně zevního perichondria případně extralaryngeální propagace jsou faktory, kdy je předpokládaný efekt nechirurgické léčby nedostatečný nebo by vedl k zachování nefunkčního hrtanu. K výkonu také indikujeme pacienty, u nichž pro kontraindikace nemůžeme využít orgán šetřicí protokoly nebo je vysoké riziko komplikací této léčby. Totální laryngektomie má stále své místo v rámci záchranné chirurgie a u specifických malignit, u nichž není efektivní nechirurgická léčba (nejčastěji sarkomy). V této práci je představen náš pohled na indikaci totální laryngektomie v současnosti, který vychází z doporučených postupů a zkušeností s multidisciplinárním klinickým rozhodováním.

Preserving a functional larynx and achieving long-term control is the basic postulate of treating patients with malignant tumors of the larynx, even in advanced stages. Therefore, non-surgical treatment protocols and larynx-preserving surgical procedures are preferred. Total laryngectomy is historically the basic procedure of laryngeal surgery still with the best survival outcomes in advanced laryngeal cancer, but with significantly lower quality of life following surgery. Nevertheless, there are still groups of patients who can benefit from this implementation. Local and overall characteristics are important for the recommendation of treatment. Tumor size, destruction and dysfunction of laryngeal structures, infiltration of the thyroid cartilage including the external perichondrium, or extralaryngeal extent are local factors when the expected effect of non-surgical treatment is insufficient or would only lead to the preservation of a non-functional larynx. We also recommend patients in whom organ-saving protocols are not suitable due to contraindications or there is a high risk of complications. Total laryngectomy still has its place as part of salvage surgery in failure of non-surgical treatment and for specific malignancies for which a non-surgical approach is not effective (most often sarcomas). We present our current view on the indications of total laryngectomy, which is based on international recommendations and our experience with multidisciplinary clinical decision-making.

• MeSH
• Laryngectomy * history   methods   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Larynx, Artificial MeSH
• Larynx surgery   pathology   MeSH
• Organ Sparing Treatments methods   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Laryngeal Neoplasms surgery   diagnosis   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Hospital admissions for advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) are associated with increased mortality, disability, a decline in quality of life and significant economic costs. Being admitted to the hospital usually indicates a triggering event that disrupted a previously stable condition, leading to decompensation or complications of ACLD. The most acute and severe manifestation of this imbalance is acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), a syndrome representing a critical juncture. Reliable prognostic stratification of patients admitted with ACLF could facilitate the systematic delivery of tailored care, ranging from palliative care to intensive interventions like extracorporeal liver support devices and prioritised liver transplantation. Disease-specific prognostic tools, such as the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, are effective but have limitations, particularly in reflecting a patient's potential for recovery. The concept of the body's functional reserve in the context of ACLD/ACLF is gaining attention, with the Liver Frailty Index (LFI) potentially emerging as a recommended diagnostic tool. METHODS: Patients were selected from our cirrhosis registry (RH7). The LFI serves as an indicator of the patient's prognosis. The LFI measurement takes place at two time intervals: on the patient's admission and after 7 days of hospitalisation. RESULTS: Our RH7 registry included 154 patients (15.1%) who were diagnosed with ACLF. The primary cause of the underlying ACLD was alcohol-associated liver disease in the majority (79.8%) of cases. The mean value of LFI at admission was 4.50 (± 0.94). When patients with liver cirrhosis were categorised into three subgroups based on the LFI on day 7, survival exhibited a statistically significant decrease (p≤0.05) across all three ACLF grades. This decline in survival was observed from the 'improved LFI' cohort, through the 'stable LFI' group, to the 'worsened LFI' group. CONCLUSION: The impact of day 7 LFI on the survival of patients with ACLF is notable. Nevertheless, it does not markedly enhance the predictive capability of the LFI assessed on admission. Consequently, the initial LFI on day 1 continues to be the most valuable and commonly used instrument for promptly recognising individuals with ACLF.

• MeSH
• Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure * mortality   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Hospitalization * MeSH
• Liver * physiopathology   MeSH
• Frailty * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Severity of Illness Index MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Slovakia MeSH

BACKGROUND: The development of child's lifestyle occurs within regular 24-hour movement patterns under the guidance of parents. Accelerometer-based monitoring allows for the capture of these 24-hour movement patterns of behaviour. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal whether active participation in organised physical activity (OPA) contributed to the achievement of the World Health Organization's (WHO) 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines (24-hMBGS) among 3-10-year-old children, considering the influence of parents' movement behaviour and families' material background. METHODS: The 24-hour movement behaviour (24-hMB) of 348 child-parent pairs (with at least one parent) was continuously monitored for 7 days via ActiGraph accelerometers placed on the non-dominant wrist. Children's adherence to the WHO's 24-hMBGS was analysed using logistic regression analysis. The socioeconomic status (SES) of families was measured using the Family Affluence Scale. Body mass level was determined according to body mass index gender- and age-specific WHO reference data. Univariate analysis of variance/Pearson's chi-square test was used to test differences in sedentary behaviour duration/excess body weight between active participants and non-participants in OPA. RESULTS: Active 3-10-year-old participants in OPA, compared to non-participants, were significantly more likely to meet at least two of the 24-hMBGS (77.7% vs. 66.4%, p = 0.008), had significantly shorter daily sedentary time (by 30 min per day, p = 0.001), and a significantly lower prevalence of excessive body weight (10.26% vs. 24.87% p < 0.001). Engaging in OPA significantly (p < 0.01) helped 3-10-year-old children achieve at least two of the 24-hMBGS, regardless of their gender, age, excess body weight, or family SES. In addition, a mother's non-excessive body weight and achievement of at least two of the WHO's 24-hMBGS significantly (p < 0.05) contributed to children attaining at least two of the WHO's 24-hMBGS. CONCLUSIONS: Even in young children, active participation in OPA tend to contribute to a healthier lifestyle profile, characterised by shorter sedentary behaviour and lower excess body weight, with a significant influence from the mother's movement behaviour.

• MeSH
• Accelerometry MeSH
• Exercise * MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Parents MeSH
• Sedentary Behavior * MeSH
• Guidelines as Topic * MeSH
• Sleep MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH