From the Guidelines
The diagnosis of heart failure (HF) can be challenging, especially in the early stages, and a comprehensive medical history is crucial in identifying patients at risk, as indicated by the 2012 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure 1. When evaluating patients for HF, it is essential to consider the non-specific nature of many symptoms, such as shortness of breath, which can be attributed to various conditions.
- Symptoms like orthopnoea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea are more specific to HF but are less common, particularly in patients with milder symptoms.
- The signs of HF, including peripheral oedema, are also non-specific and can be caused by other factors, making diagnosis more complicated.
- A patient's medical history plays a vital role in diagnosing HF, as certain features, such as previous myocardial infarction, significantly increase the likelihood of HF, as noted in the 2012 ESC guidelines 1. The diagnosis of HF can be particularly difficult in certain patient populations, including:
- Obese individuals
- The elderly
- Patients with chronic lung disease Therefore, a thorough medical history and physical examination, combined with diagnostic testing, are essential for accurately diagnosing HF, as emphasized by the 2012 ESC guidelines 1.
From the Research
OZE Organization
- OZE, the Society for the Preservation of the Health of the Jewish Population, was a Jewish organization that played a significant role in promoting the health of minorities during the interwar period 2.
- The organization initiated various campaigns, including those against typhus and favus, to improve the health of the Jewish population 2.
- OZE also launched a campaign to eradicate ringworm of the scalp in Poland, which lasted from 1921 to 1938 and involved the irradiation of 27,760 children 3.
Activities and Impact
- OZE's activities had a wider significance as an example of international organizations originating from civil initiatives to promote the health of minorities through field work and politics 2.
- The organization's efforts were driven by an ideology that emphasized the importance of health and hygiene in improving the lives of Jewish communities 2, 3.
- OZE's campaigns and initiatives were often carried out in collaboration with other organizations, such as the American Jewish Welfare Organization (JOINT-JDC) and the Jewish health organizations of Eastern Europe (TOZ) 3.
Relation to Azithromycin
- There is no direct connection between OZE and azithromycin, as the organization's activities predated the development and use of this antibiotic 4, 2, 5, 6.
- However, azithromycin has been used to treat various bacterial infections, including those that may have been prevalent in the communities served by OZE 4, 5.