A matter of priority: equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines

We need to publicly debate what we mean by “equitable access” to COVID-19 vaccines, whether the prioritisation of individuals should take place at a global level or be decided by countries, and what allocation criteria and mechanisms should look like.

Links between biodiversity and human infectious and non-communicable diseases: a review

Biodiversity has intrinsic value and a fundamental role in human health. The relationship between them is complex, and the specific sustaining processes are still not well understood. In view of the rapidly evolving landscape, this literature review investigated scientific evidence for specific links between biodiversity and human infectious and non-communicable diseases to characterise identifiable relationships.

Role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in hormone-dependent cancers

The main feature of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) is their ability to suppress T-cell activation and function, which leads to immunosuppressive activity in the tumour microenvironment. Higher numbers of circulating and tumour-infiltrating MDSCs have been observed in a large number of patients with various types of tumour, and are linked to poor prognosis, especially in hormone-driven tumours. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the recruitment of MDSCs in prostate cancer confers resistance to canonical endocrine therapies, opening a new approach to the treatment of hormone-driven cancer patients.

Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis – a stepwise therapeutic approach

Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometarcarpal joint, also called rhizarthrosis, is a common finding in the second half of life. It has a higher prevalence in females and is of growing importance in ageing societies. A variety of conservative and surgical treatment options are known, including conservative treatment up to joint replacement. Without treatment, rhizarthrosis can lead to disabling pain and loss of hand function. The goal of this overview of treatment options is to present a stepwise approach that can be initiated by any physician.

Recidivism in Switzerland: the influence of custodial sanctions

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the greater Bern region (Bern-Mittelland) 2010–2014

Administratively collected data in clinics and insurance companies constitute a convenient data source for epidemiological studies. In conjunction with the capture-recapture method an approach with comparatively low effort and costs for the surveillance of chronic disease can be provided.

Early advance care planning in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: results of a systematic intervention by a palliative care team in a multidisciplinary management programme – a 4-year cohort study

Early initiation of advance care planning is feasible in most ALS patients during a routine consultation, and relevant treatment issues can be discussed. All ALS patients should be offered the opportunity to write advance directives as completion was not associated with disease severity.

Continuous versus routine EEG in critically ill adults: reimbursement analysis of a randomised trial

In a Swiss Diagnosis Related Groups billing system applied to critically ill adults, reimbursement largely depends on duration of acute hospital stay, whereas continuous EEG and lack of seizure/ status epilepticus detection also contribute to the bill. This differs from the USA, where charges are directly increased by continuous EEG.

Trends of incidence, mortality and survival for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia / small lymphocytic lymphoma in Switzerland between 1997 and 2016: a population-based study

During the last 20 years, treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma has advanced, with improved clinical outcomes in randomised controlled trials, but no data have been published from Switzerland to assess effectiveness of recent healthcare advances in CLL/SLL on a population-based level.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in an inpatient population in the Swiss Canton of Basel-Country

Vitamin D deficiency was a common finding in this cohort, affecting all age groups and occurring in over half of the values measured. As current guidelines recommend vitamin D concentrations >75 nmol/l, only 22.1% of measured values indicated adequate vitamin D levels. This issue should be addressed in order to improve quality of life and reduce medical costs.