Beyond Candidiasis: The Hidden Face of Cytolytic Vaginosis

Cytolytic vaginosis (CV) is an under-recognized cause of vulvovaginal symptoms, characterized by lactobacillus overgrowth, epithelial cytolysis, and low vaginal pH. Its clinical overlap with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) often leads to misdiagnosis and prolonged ineffective antifungal or antibiotic treatments.A 28-year-old woman, previously healthy, presented with cyclic vulvovaginal burning, dyspareunia, and increased non-adherent discharge,…

Phytophotodermatitis: A Phototoxic Cutaneous Reaction Worth Recognizing – Case Report

Phytophotodermatitis is a non-immune, inflammatory phototoxic reaction caused by topical absorption of plant-derived photosensitizers, such as furocoumarins, followed by ultraviolet exposure. Diagnosis is essentially clinical, and management is primarily preventive. This case emphasizes the importance of thorough history-taking in Primary Health Care (PHC).This case report was based on clinical observation and detailed anamnesis during a…

How is the therapeutic limitations of other specialists addressed from a primary care perspective? Regarding a case involving pain management.

Family medicine has been recently perceived as a mechanism that regulates access to specialists, despite the vital role in the patient's life. This is especially true when requires pain management or emotional support for patients with therapeutic limitations.A 91-year-old man, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in 2024 , treated with radiotherapy and controlled until its…

How effective and feasible are natural language processing applications in general practice, at identifying at risk populations (for screening) from electronic health records?

Media reports propose a time when artificial intelligence (AI) programs will supplement or replace doctors. Whilst this may seem outrageous, programs with AI capacities are already embedded in the clinical workflow of a digitally enabled practice. For example, warnings when contraindicated medications are prescribed utilises simple if-then logic and natural language processing (NLP) software. Similarly,…

Addressing alcohol use in primary care: from screening to management – an interactive clinical decision workshop

Alcohol consumption remains a major public health concern across Europe. A 2024 WHO-supported analysis of drinking patterns across the EU, Iceland, Norway and Ukraine identified six distinct patterns shaped by beverage preference, prevalence of heavy episodic drinking (HED) and proportions of lifetime abstainers. Across clusters, higher HED rates and increased alcohol per capita consumption are…

Telemonitoring in primary healthcare units: a new tool to improve access and communication

Telemonitoring enables continuous and remote access by healthcare professionals to clinically relevant data, supporting informed decision-making. The implementation of these tools has demonstrated greater benefits compared with conventional care for several highly prevalent chronic diseases in primary healthcare settings, such as hypertension and diabetes. The development of projects that promote closer surveillance, combined with health…

Professional pathways of General Practitioners in XXX: typology, temporality and influence on medical practice

The professional pathway of general practitioners (GPs) develops through internships and employment during medical studies, followed by ambulatory practice. Trajectories – occurring before, during, after medical training – show considerable diversity. No study has fully described these pathways or analyzed links between trajectories and modes of practice in general medicine.This study analyzes the professional pathways…

Maternal obesity and overweight

Over the past few decades, overweight and obesity have been rising, with no signs of slowing down. In spite of being an important risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases, these conditions can cause additional complications in pregnant women and, consequently, in their children.The aim of this review was to evaluate the prevalence of maternal…

Food as medicine, food as poison – Case report: Pomegranate extract triggering acute mixed hepatocellular–cholestatic liver injury (DILI)

Background: Herbal preparations, nutraceuticals, and concentrated food extracts are increasingly consumed by patients who perceive them as natural and therefore safe. However, many of these substances significantly influence drug metabolism—most notably through cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein inhibition—and may contribute to drug-induced liver injury (DILI). With rising multimorbidity and polypharmacy, interactions between prescribed therapy and food-derived…