ACHAIKI IATRIKI | 2020; 39(3): 124
Letter from the Editor
Dear colleagues,
Ιn the current issue, you will find emerging new data on the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. The editorial by Sirokosta et al. describes the association of diabetes mellitus type 2 with COVID-19, concluding that infection leads to worse outcome in these patients. Moreover, the review by Leonidou et al. provides an overview of the information currently available in the literature and the ongoing guidelines concerning the main treatment options of COVID-19 and briefly reports special considerations for children.
In addition, this issue includes the editorial by Matheakakis et al. which discusses the emerging role of extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells as appealing candidates for various therapeutic applications including tissue repair and regeneration, treatment of autoimmune disorders and cancer. The editorial by Plachouri et al. focuses on the management of biologics’ administration in chronic plaque psoriasis and emphasizes on the fact that further studies are necessary to assess the use of these agents in special patient populations. The last editorial by Papasotiriou et al. addresses the impact of blockade of renin angiotensin system in the acute kidney injury and discusses the related risks and benefits.
Moreover, this issue includes two reviews. The first review, by Konstantopoulou et al. critically appraises the recent findings regarding the role of psychotherapeutic interventions in the management of a wide range of chronic diseases. The review by Iliopoulos et al. presents the current medical literature on the management of obstructive colon cancer and illustrates the guidelines and treatment proposals in palliative and curative settings, as well as the individualized decision algorithm in order to determine the optimal treatment for the patient.
Two original studies are also included in this third issue. The original article by Mantzoukis et al. determines the incidence of mitral annular calcification in patients with chronic end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis and detects any correlations with demographic factors, comorbidities and characteristics of the dialysis process. Another original study is also included in this issue, by Mantzoukis et al., which demonstrates the possible correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin levels and the severity of coronary heart disease as expressed by the SYNTAX score.
Dear colleagues, we are continuing the fight against the virus. Many wishes on behalf of our editorial team.
C. Triantos
Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine
and Gastroenterology Faculty of Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, University of Patras
Editor-in-Chief of the journal “ACHAIKI IATRIKI”