The article presents the results of a randomized, open, comparative study of the effect of carbocisteine lysine salt in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with frequent exacerbations. The results demonstrate that carbocisteine lysine salt facilitates sputum properties (decreased purulence and improved expectoration), reduces the need for bronchodilators, increases exercise tolerance, and reduces frequency, severity and duration of exacerbations.

Pulmonary hypertension unites a group of disorders characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance leading to right ventricular failure and cor pulmonale. Particular interest to the problem of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is explained by the improvements in the diagnosis of PH concomitant with other diseases.

The pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is explained by chronic inflammation leading to bronchial obstruction. The mechanism of COPD determines the key role of bronchodilators in the basic therapy of the disease, among which β2-agonists occupy an important place.

According to the global and Russian medical care standards, intranasal glucocorticosteroids (InGCS) are included in the treatment regimen for acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). The medications are recommended as monotherapy in milder forms of the disease and in combination with systemic antibiotics in uncomplicated moderate to severe ARS. This is explained by the fact that in most cases ARS has viral rather than bacterial etiology. The author reviews a considerable number of studies demonstrating the efficacy of InGCS in ARS as a potent and safe anti-inflammatory treatment. It is emphasized that of all drugs in the group only Nasonex has ARS without signs of severe bacterial infection as registered indication.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) is a chronic progressive disease leading to microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. Specific vascular complications are associated with 4 to 5-fold increased cardiovascular mortality of patients with DM type 2 compared with the general population. Large randomized studies support the importance of glycemic control in reducing the risk of progressive diabetic vascular complications.

There is a lot of both Russian and foreign literature on hemostatic disorders in diabetic foot [1-3], while at the same time, some aspects of the problem still remain unclear [4, 5]. That is why further studies of hemostasis in diabetic foot syndrome are required.

Diabetes mellitus (DM type 2) is a chronic, progressive heterogeneous disease. According to the WHO, the number of patients with DM type 2 is nearly 370 million people. In 80-90% of cases [1] DM type 2 is associated with obesity. Abdominal (visceral) fat distribution which is typical of DM type 2 is characterized by dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hypertension [2]. The combination of obesity and DM type 2 greatly aggravates the course, increasing the cost of treatment and rehabilitation. Despite numerous efforts in healthcare, compensation stage is registered in less than one third of patients with DM type 2.

Graves' disease (Basedow's goiter, exophtalmic goiter) is a systemic autoimmune disease resulting from the production of stimulating antibodies to the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor; it is clinically manifested in lesions of the thyroid gland (TG) and thyrotoxicosis syndrome combined with extrathyroidal pathology (endocrine ophthalmopathy, pretibial myxedema, acropathy).

The paper is devoted to gallstone disease and cholecystectomy associated with asymptomatic gallstones. The pathogenetic mechanisms of postcholecystectomy syndrome without clinical evidence in patients after cholecystectomy, as well as methods for diagnosis, are described. The section on the treatment of postcholecystectomy syndrome reviews recent data on the use of drugs with the highest level of evidence and recommendation. The article also tells about the results of own research devoted to the improvement of motor-evacuation function of the biliary tract and bile lithogenicity after cholecystectomy in patients with gallstone disease.

The introduction of potent antisecretory drugs and eradication therapy (ET) of Helicobacter pylori (HP) [1, 2] in the last decades of the XX century has dramatically changed the pathogenic concept of such HP-associated gastric diseases as chronic gastritis (CG) type B and duodenal ulcer disease (DUD), as well as their treatment. In the nearest future we are likely to witness further improvement of the therapeutic methods suggested in the twentieth century. [3, 4].

Until the middle of the XX century, a large group of drugs called antacids played the key role in the treatment of acid-related diseases. Antacids have long been used to relieve heartburn and pain in the upper gastrointestinal tract. It would seem that with the development of pharmacology, emergence of new effective drugs like histamine H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) included in the standard treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and ulcer, antacids could lose their relevance. However, that is not happening. We will try here to answer such questions as why physicians continue to widely use antacids in daily practice; what are the new features of the drugs which expanded the indication spectrum.

It is not for nothing that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is called the "disease of the XXI century": it is characterized by very high incidence and affects people of different age groups. Increased incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus has led researchers to identify the chain of pathological changes: GERD - Barrett's esophagus - esophageal cancer. The diagnosis of the disease is complicated by atypical extraesophageal manifestations which are often associated with diagnostic errors and inadequate therapeutic measures. This in turn increases the percentage of GERD complications, especially in socially active young patients who usually do not comply with doctor's recommendations concerning lifestyle changes, having as a result a further complication of the disease.

Functional bowel diseases, in particular irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are not sometimes taken seriously by many general practitioners. However, high incidence of IBS, the associated therapeutic challenges and a significant life quality deterioration make it a relevant issue.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) is a typical patterns of functional gastrointestinal diseases. Antidepressants are firmly established in the therapeutic recommendations for the patients; however, the effectiveness of serotonin and norepinephrine selective inhibitors (SNRIs) is practically unexplored. There are results of own studies covering 55 patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (IBS and FD). Patients were given a SNRI drug - duloxetine (Cymbalta) at 60 mg daily. A significant reduction in the severity of pain and other clinical symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract, and associated, emotional and psychological symptoms, was demonstrated after 8 weeks of the therapy. Clinical remission was achieved in 75% of patients in six months, and in 25% within 6 months of the treatment. In 67% of patients the achieved effect persisted for a year after withdrawal.

The article is a detailed discussion of the causes and mechanisms of vertebral pain syndromes. Differentiated approach to therapy based on the stage and pathogenesis of the underlying disease is proposed. The advantages of combination drugs (diclofenac and B vitamins) in the treatment of patients with back pain are described.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is continually causing labor losses, while its incidence, prevalence and mortality are growing [1], which makes it one of the most pressing healthcare problems today. Despite active development of innovative medical technologies, drug therapy of COPD remains ineffective, while treatment is costly and the quality of life of COPD patients is poor [2]. Improvement of ways and methods of COPD treatment is one of the major challenges in pulmonology today.

Topical therapy in cosmetology and dermatology is a relevant issue due to an increase in the population demand for qualitative care. Appearance plays an important role in life, while skin condition can say a lot. Happy and healthy person has healthy and nice-looking skin - the result of a healthy lifestyle, adequate nutrition and good care. The past decades, due to various reasons, saw a worldwide increase in the incidence of skin, hair and nail diseases.