Rom. J. Prev. Med., Volume 2, Issue 1 (03 2023) – 6 articles

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide in patients older than 60 years. Because of the aging population, it is of great importance to diagnose the disease early to help the patients get access to treatment. In its incipient stages, patients are usually asymptomatic, but the advanced disease can progress very fast, and it severely affects visual acuity. Over time there have been proposals for screening programs for patients with AMD, but at the moment there are no programs in most countries. The disease burden is significant because there is no cure for late AMD, especially for dry AMD. The management for most of the early and intermediate patients affected consists of antioxidant supplements and risk factors reduction. Anti-VEGF injections are the mainstay treatment for patients with neovascular AMD, which can improve and stabilize vision but can’t cure the disease. In the last decade there have been some technological advancements in what concerns the diagnosis and also the management of the disease, so for patients with AMD there is now more hope than ever in every stage of the disease. Full article

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) affects 1 of 200 to 400 neonates who do not receive vitamin K prophylaxis. VKDB is classified by cause (idiopathic or secondary) and type (early, classic, late). The late type of VKDB is the least common and most severe with a mortality rate of 20%. AAP recommends that all neonates should receive a single dose of vitamin K1 soon after birth, which includes 0.5 to 1.0 mg of intramuscularly administered vitamin K1 or 1 to 2 mg of oral vitamin K1. Intramuscular administration is preferred and has more benefits than oral administration. The oral prophylaxis administration is controversial and in our Country is not available. Full article

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "oral health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Oral health, an important component of general health, involves more than the existence of healthy teeth, it refers to the entire oral cavity and has profound implications for the body. Good oral health allows the realization of the person's social (socialization, communication) and economic functions. Although the oral health status of the population around the world has seen a marked improvement, oral diseases continue to be a major public health problem, especially in communities belonging to disadvantaged social groups in developed and developing countries, which still face increased levels of oral health impairment. Full article

Prostate cancer represents one of the most frequent cancers affecting men worldwide. Screening for prostate cancer remains an essential strategy in reducing mortality and morbidity and also in improving the quality of life of men affected by this pathology. On the other hand, there is a fine line between screening, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer and overdiagnosis with unnecessary biopsies. In this direction, many strategies have been carried out, the first evaluation stratifying men into low-risk and high-risk for prostate cancer. Low-risk male patients should undergo an evaluation every eight years, while high-risk male patients are recommended to be evaluated every two years. The aim of this paper is to describe the target population for prostate cancer screening, as well as different methods of prostate cancer assessment and monitoring, in order to ensure the optimum healthcare for male patients. Full article

Lynch syndrome, formerly known as Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), characterized by a defective DNA mismatch repair, is the most common autosomal dominant hereditary predisposition to several malignancies. LS patients typically exhibit an elevated risk of developing multiple primary malignancies with early onset. The most commonly involved organs are those with an accelerated cellular turnover. The colon and endometrium are the most commonly affected sites, however, the spectrum of neoplastic involvement extends beyond these organs and can involve the entire digestive tract, ovarium, urothelium, skin, and breast with varying incidences depending on the specific pathogenic variants affecting the MMR genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM). A conservative estimate suggests that the prevalence of mutations associated with Lynch syndrome in the general populations is 1 in 279 individuals. Over the last 25 years, significant advancements have been achieved comprehending the biology of cancers related to Lynch syndrome, alongside developing strategies for cancer prevention, risk mitigation, and targeted therapies. In Western countries, advancement in medical research and practice have led to the establishment of national programs that offer comprehensive approaches to diagnosis, screening, and targeted treatment options for Lynch syndrome patients.Romania lacks an oncogenetic program, which means that this disease, despite its personal and familial impact, remains opportunistically diagnosed. It is the most prevalent hereditary autosomal disease with oncological manifestations and yet no screening programs or targeted treatment protocols are available for Romanian patients with Lynch Syndrome.The Romanian healthcare system needs to align with the oncogenetics models of the Western world, which provide tailored screening and treatment programs for patients and their families. This article underlines the international position regarding prophylactic measures, diagnostic and treatment programs for Lynch syndrome and aims to motivate Romanian healthcare professionals to take action. Full article

Fetal exposure in utero to environmental factors and maternal factors can lead to epigenetic changes that have a lasting impact on metabolic programming in the developing organism. These changes may be either temporary or permanent and can have significant implications for the health of the individual later in life. In this context, prenatal screening is an essential component of prenatal care, providing valuable information about the health status of the developing fetus and allowing healthcare providers to identify potential health risks to both the mother and the baby. Various screening methods are available, including ultrasound scans, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), and biochemical markers. During prenatal care, various conditions are screened for, including preterm birth, preeclampsia, diabetes, fetal growth restriction, chromosomal abnormalities, thrombophilia, infections, and thyroid disease. However, the most crucial screening test during pregnancy is for congenital abnormalities, which affect approximately 2% of newborns. While each screening method has its own advantages and limitations, combining multiple methods may improve the accuracy of detecting fetal abnormalities and provide a more comprehensive picture of fetal health. Full article