International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science

A REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GERD, 2015-2025

2026-01-06T19:38:43+00:00

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Between 2015 and 2025, advances in understanding its multifactorial pathophysiology have driven significant changes in pharmacological management.

Aim: This review summarizes key developments in GERD pathophysiology and evaluates significant pharmacological advances from 2015 to 2025, including comparative safety profiles, limitations of current therapies, and emerging treatment directions.

Methods: A structured search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and major open-access databases was performed using keywords related to GERD, pathophysiology, proton pump inhibitors, P-CABs, prokinetics, neuromodulators, and novel therapies.

Results: Proton pump inhibitors remain first-line therapy but show variable efficacy in non-erosive disease and refractory symptoms. Newer agents such as potassium-competitive acid blockers, modern prokinetics, alginate-based formulations, neuromodulators, and mucosal protectants offer therapeutic benefits in selected phenotypes. Comparative analyses highlight the importance of optimizing long-term PPI use and monitoring potential adverse effects. Advances in diagnostics and improved understanding of sensory and functional mechanisms have enabled more individualized treatment strategies.

Conclusions: Pharmacological management of GERD has evolved substantially over the past decade, shifting toward mechanism-based and patient-specific therapy. Future progress will depend on integrating high-resolution diagnostics, refining reflux phenotypes, and developing novel treatments that target mucosal integrity, hypersensitivity, and non-acid reflux.

DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND SOMATIC MANIFESTATION OF ENDOMETRIOSIS: AN UPDATED REVIEW

2026-01-09T19:37:34+00:00

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition affecting millions of women worldwide. It involves the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, which leads to significant symptoms and a marked decline in quality of life.

The aim of the Study: The purpose of this work is to present the most recent knowledge on the diagnosis, treatment methods, and somatic symptoms of endometriosis. The analysis covers publications from 2020 to 2025 and focuses on evaluating current medical approaches as well as identifying areas that require further development to improve prognosis and the daily functioning of patients.

Materials and Methods: A structured search of publications from 2020–2025 was conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using keywords related to diagnostic methods, therapeutic options, and the somatic and psychosomatic symptoms of endometriosis.

Results: Our review highlights that while invasive laparoscopy remains the diagnostic gold standard for endometriosis, advanced imaging techniques like transvaginal ultrasound and MRI are increasingly crucial, particularly for deep infiltrative disease. Despite these tools, significant diagnostic delays persist due to non-specific symptoms and the lack of sensitive non-invasive biomarkers. Current treatments involve hormonal therapies and surgical removal of lesions, but these approaches face challenges such as side effects, recurrence risks, and complications. Crucially, endometriosis is recognized as a multisystem disorder with diverse somatic manifestations including gastrointestinal, urinary, and systemic symptoms like chronic fatigue, alongside significant mental health impacts and increased risks for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers

Conclusions: The collected data indicate that endometriosis is a multisystem disorder, and its effective management requires collaboration among specialists from various fields. Such an approach enables better tailoring of therapy and improved symptom control. A major challenge remains the long diagnostic delay, which still ranges from several to more than ten years. Advances in modern imaging techniques and the development of sensitive biomarkers may substantially shorten this period and allow earlier intervention.

ALTERNATIVES TO STATINS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

2026-01-09T19:46:26+00:00

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Elevated levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol lead to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications. Statins are the mainstay of hypercholesterolemia therapy, but in some patients, therapeutic goals are not achieved or side effects occur. It is necessary to develop alternatives to statins for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Drugs that act on other stages of cholesterol synthesis are being sought. Publications covering observational studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and meta-analyses on alternative therapies for hypercholesterolemia to statin treatment were analyzed. The following were described: cholesterol absorption inhibitor (ezetimibe), ATP citrate lyase inhibitor (bempedoic acid), PCSK9 inhibitors (evolocumab, alirocumab) , siRNA against PCSK9 (inclisiran), ANGPTL3 inhibitors (evinacumab), ANGPTL4, ANGPTL8 and ANGPTL3/8 complex inhibitors, fibrates and nutraceuticals (plant sterols, fermented red yeast rice extract (Red Yeast Rice, RYR) , berberine). The impact of these drugs on patients' lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk was discussed. Attention was also drawn to the need for individualization of hypercholesterolemia therapy.

Aim of this study: The objective of this study is to summarize the latest reports on alternative therapies for hypercholesterolemia to statins.

Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted using the professional PubMed database. Searches included combinations of the keywords: “hypercholesterolemia,” “ezetimibe,” “bempedoic acid,” and “PCSK9 inhibitors.”

HIRSCHSPRUNG'S DISEASE- DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND NEW THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES

2026-01-09T19:56:12+00:00

Hirschsprung's disease (HD, HSCR) is a congenital disorder of intestinal motility characterized by aganglionosis. It is the absence of ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses of the large intestine. It leads to peristalsis disorders and functional obstruction. The disease most often manifests itself in the neonatal period as delayed meconium passage, abdominal distension, vomiting, and symptoms of obstruction. Confirmation of the diagnosis requires a rectal biopsy with histopathological evaluation. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the aganglionic segment of the intestine and restoration of the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract. The choice of surgical method depends mainly on the surgeon's preference and the experience of the center. A common complication is Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC), which may occur before or after surgery. Research is currently underway on the use of cell therapy in the treatment of HD. The review presents the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and current therapeutic strategies for Hirschsprung's disease, with particular emphasis on recent reports from the scientific literature. We highlight also new directions in research and therapeutic perspectives.

Aim of this study: The objective of this study is to summarise the latest information on Hirschsprung's disease, including research on cell therapies and treatments aimed at tissue regeneration.

Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted using the professional PubMed database. Articles published between 2018 and 2025 were included. The searches included combinations of the keywords: “Hirschsprung's disease,” “pediatric surgery,” “aganglionosis,” and “stem cell therapy”.

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, FATIGUE, AND WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: IMPACT ON EMPLOYMENT RETENTION

2026-01-09T20:56:10+00:00

Multiple Sclerosis significantly impacts employment retention due to its early onset and progressive nature, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of contributing factors beyond physical disability. This narrative review explores the profound influence of cognitive impairment, fatigue, and the efficacy of workplace accommodations on maintaining employment for individuals with MS. Specifically, this review synthesizes current literature to delineate how these non-physical symptoms frequently precipitate job loss and absenteeism among people with MS (pwMS). Beyond merely physical limitations, factors such as fatigue, cognitive decline, and mental health issues are significant predictors of reduced working hours and early retirement for individuals with MS (Pokryszko-Dragan et al., 2022). These non-motor symptoms can create a complex "vicious circle" that adversely affects vocational status, often intertwining with mental health challenges that independently influence professional activities (Pokryszko‐Dragan et al., 2022). The diverse manifestations of MS, encompassing motor, sensory, and cognitive deficits, along with chronic fatigue, significantly impede work performance and overall quality of life (Pokryszko-Dragan et al., 2022; Valadkevičienė et al., 2024). While previous research has identified disease severity, fatigue, and cognitive impairments as key predictors of employment outcomes, persistent limitations in generalizability stem from sample variability, socioeconomic factors, and diverse healthcare systems (Iron et al., 2025). This narrative review aims to comprehensively address these gaps by synthesizing evidence on the multifaceted interplay between cognitive impairment, fatigue, workplace accommodations, and their collective impact on employment retention in MS. Understanding these intricate relationships is critical for developing targeted interventions and supportive strategies to enhance vocational longevity for individuals living with MS (Moccia et al., 2022; Pokryszko‐Dragan et al., 2022).