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Spadafora L, Comandini GL, Giordano S, Polimeni A, Perone F, Sabouret P, Leonetti M, Cacciatore S, Cacia M, Betti M, Bernardi M, Zimatore FR, Russo F, Iervolino A, Aulino G, Moscardelli A. Blockchain technology in Cardiovascular Medicine: a glance to the future? Results from a social media survey and future perspectives. Minerva Cardiol Angiol 2024; 72:1-10. [PMID: 37971710 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5683.23.06457-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The leverage of digital facilities in medicine for disease diagnosis, monitoring, and medical history recording has become increasingly pivotal. However, the advancement of these technologies poses a significant challenge regarding data privacy, given the highly sensitive nature of medical information. In this context, the application of Blockchain technology, a digital system where information is stored in blocks and each block is linked to the one before, has the potential to enhance existing technologies through its exceptional security and transparency. This paradigm is of particular importance in cardiovascular medicine, where the prevalence of chronic conditions leads to the need for secure remote monitoring, secure data storage and secure medical history updating. Indeed, digital support for chronic cardiovascular pathologies is getting more and more crucial. This paper lays its rationale in three primary aims: 1) to scrutinize the existing literature for tangible applications of blockchain technology in the field of cardiology; 2) to report results from a survey aimed at gauging the reception of blockchain technology within the cardiovascular community, conducted on social media; 3) to conceptualize a web application tailored specifically to cardiovascular care based on blockchain technology. We believe that Blockchain technology may contribute to a breakthrough in healthcare digitalization, especially in the field of cardiology; in this context, we hope that the present work may be inspiring for physicians and healthcare stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Spadafora
- Department of Clinical, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy -
| | - Gian L Comandini
- Department of Engineering, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Economics and Law, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giordano
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alberto Polimeni
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Francesco Perone
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Villa delle Magnolie Rehabilitation Clinic, Castel Morrone, Caserta, Italy
| | - Pierre Sabouret
- Heart Institute and Action Group, Pitié-Salpétrière, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
- National College of French Cardiologists, Paris, France
| | | | - Stefano Cacciatore
- Department of Geriatrics, Orthopedics and Rheumatology, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Cacia
- Cardiology Unit, A.O.U. Renato Dulbecco, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Matteo Betti
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bernardi
- Department of Clinical, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Adelaide Iervolino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Aulino
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Vanselow S, Hanitsch L, Hauck F, Körholz J, Maccari ME, Meinhardt A, Sogkas G, Schuetz C, Grimbacher B. Future Directions in the Diagnosis and Treatment of APDS and IEI: a Survey of German IEI Centers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1279652. [PMID: 37868971 PMCID: PMC10588788 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1279652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The diagnosis and treatment of inborn errors of immunity (IEI) is a major challenge as the individual conditions are rare and often characterized by a variety of symptoms, which are often non disease-specific. Ideally, patients are treated in dedicated centers by physicians who specialize in the management of primary immune disorders. In this study, we used the example of Activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS), a rare IEI with an estimated prevalence of 1:1,000,000. We conducted surveys by questionnaire and interviewed physicians at different IEI centers in Germany. Methods We queried structural aspects of IEI care in Germany, diagnostic procedures in IEI care (including molecular diagnostics), distribution of APDS patients, APDS symptoms and severity, treatment algorithms in APDS, the role of stem cell transplantation and targeted therapies in IEI with focus on APDS. We were especially interested in how genetic diagnostics may influence treatment decisions, e.g. with regard to targeted therapies. Results/discussion Most centers care for both pediatric and adult patients. A total of 28 APDS patients are currently being treated at the centers we surveyed. Patient journeys vary considerably, as does severity of disease. Genetic diagnosis continues to gain importance - whole genome sequencing is likely to become routine in IEI in the next few years. According to the experts interviewed, stem cell transplantation and - with new molecules being approved - targeted therapies, will gain in importance for the treatment of APDS and IEI in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Vanselow
- Infill Healthcare Communication, Königswinter, Germany
| | - Leif Hanitsch
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, corporate member of Freie University, Berlin and Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Hauck
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Dr. Von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Körholz
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
- University Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria-Elena Maccari
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Meinhardt
- Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunodeficiencies, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Georgios Sogkas
- Clinic for Rheumatology and Immunology, Center for Internal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover, Germany
| | - Catharina Schuetz
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
- University Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bodo Grimbacher
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
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Vanselow S, Wahn V, Schuetz C. Activated PI3Kδ syndrome - reviewing challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208567. [PMID: 37600808 PMCID: PMC10432830 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS) is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI) characterized primarily by frequent infections, lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity. Since its initial description in 2013, APDS has become part of the growing group of nearly 500 IEIs affecting various components of the immune system. The two subtypes of APDS - APDS1 and APDS2 - are caused by variants in the PIK3CD and PIK3R1 genes, respectively. Due to the rarity of the disease and the heterogeneous clinical picture, many patients are not diagnosed until years after symptom onset. Another challenge is the large number of PIK3CD and PIK3R1 variants whose functional significance for developing APDS is inconclusive. Treatment of APDS has so far been mostly symptom-oriented with immunoglobulin replacement therapy, immunosuppressive therapies and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxes. Additionally, allogeneic stem cell transplantation as well as new targeted therapies are options targeting the root cause that may improve patients' quality of life and life expectancy. However, the clinical course of the disease is difficult to predict which complicates the choice of appropriate therapies. This review article discusses diagnostic procedures and current and future treatment options, and highlights the difficulties that physicians, patients and their caretakers face in managing this complex disease. This article is based on cohort studies, the German and US guidelines on the management of primary immunodeficiencies as well as on published experience with diagnosis and compiled treatment experience for APDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Vanselow
- Infill Healthcare Communication, Königswinter, Germany
| | - Volker Wahn
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine at Charité University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Catharina Schuetz
- Medical Faculty of The Technical University (TU) Dresden, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
- University Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
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Skweres-Kuchta M, Czerska I, Szaruga E. Literature Review on Health Emigration in Rare Diseases-A Machine Learning Perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2483. [PMID: 36767849 PMCID: PMC9915846 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The article deals with one of the effects of health inequalities and gaps in access to treatments for rare diseases, namely health-driven emigration. The purpose of the paper is to systematize knowledge about the phenomenon of health emigration observed among families affected by rare diseases, for which reimbursed treatment is available, but only in selected countries. The topic proved to be niche; the issue of "health emigration in rare diseases" is an area for exploration. Therefore, the further analysis used text mining and machine learning methods based on a database selected based on keywords related to this issue. The results made it possible to systematize the guesses made by researchers in management and economic fields, to identify the most common keywords and thematic clusters around the perspective of the patient, drug manufacturer and treatment reimbursement decision-maker, and the perspective integrating all the others. Since the topic of health emigration was not directly addressed in the selected sources, the authors attempted to define the related concepts and discussed the importance of this phenomenon in managing the support system in rare diseases. Thus, they indicated directions for further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Skweres-Kuchta
- Department of Organization and Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Cukrowa 8 Street, 71-004 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Iwona Czerska
- Department of Marketing Research, Faculty of Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 118/120 Komandorska Str, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Szaruga
- Department of Transport Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Cukrowa 8 Street, 71-004 Szczecin, Poland
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