Tinnitus is a frequent condition that indicates the sensation of sound in the absence of a corresponding external stimulus and can significantly impair the quality of life. The main risk factor for developing tinnitus is hearing loss. The diagnosis of tinnitus is based on history, assessment of tinnitus severity, clinical examination, and audiological tests. The main purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between the presence and level of hearing loss and the characteristics of tinnitus in patients with bilateral subjective tinnitus. Total number of 50 participants, 20 men, and 30 women were included in the research. Demographic data, data on hearing impairment obtained by tone audiometry, and data on difficulties caused by tinnitus obtained in two questionnaires - Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) were used. Age above 30 years is significantly associated with tinnitus with hearing loss. Hearing impairment is also significantly more often associated with an auditory TFI index >6.7, a total THI index >20, and an emotional THI index >3. Hearing loss was noted in 76% of patients. Tinnitus represents a significant burden for patients, therefore it is important to assess the impact of tinnitus on daily activities and quality of life.

Background and Objectives: Minor otologic procedures in adults are often performed under local anesthesia, either via injection or topical application, thereby avoiding general anesthesia-associated risks. This study aims to compare pain levels with the use of a lidocaine spray versus lidocaine injections. Materials and Methods: Fifty adult patients underwent local anesthetic myringotomy and ventilation tube placement, 30 unilaterally, and 20 bilaterally. Lidocaine injections were administered to 29 patients, and 21 received a lidocaine spray. Postoperatively, they were asked to mark their perceived pain level on a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0–100 mm), verbal rating scale (VRS, 0–3), and numeric rating scale (NRS, 0–10). Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, continuous variables were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and VRS outcomes were analyzed using binary logistic regression. A p-value ≤ 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: Pain levels were low in both groups, although consistently lower in the topical lidocaine group. The average VAS score was 23.14 mm (±14.69) for injection versus 9.76 mm (±11.41) for topical anesthesia (ANOVA, p = 0.002), while NRS scores averaged at 2.41 (±1.57) and 1.19 (±1.17), respectively (ANOVA, p = 0.009), indicating significantly lower pain with topical lidocaine. Logistic regression of the VRS indicated the same trend, although it did not reach statistical significance (OR = 0.153, 95% CI:0.017–1.389, p = 0.095). Conclusions: Lidocaine spray was associated with lower pain levels compared to lidocaine injections in patients undergoing myringotomy and ventilation tube placement. Our findings suggest that topical anesthesia may represent an effective alternative, offering a less invasive approach and reducing the needle-related psychological distress of patients.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory dermatosis often accompanied by itching and sleep disturbances. Various treatment options exist, including antihistamines (AHs) even though current clinical recommendations do not mention them. This prospective study measured and recorded salivary melatonin at two timepoints in three groups of participants: those not treated with AHs, those who discontinued H1-AHs, and those for whom H1-AHs were introduced. Also assessed were disease severity (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis/SCORAD and Eczema Area and Severity Index/EASI), pruritus severity (Peak Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale/NRS), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index/PSQI). Initially, EASI scores significantly negatively, linearly correlated with salivary melatonin levels (p = 0.009). At the second measurement, SCORAD correlated with EASI, NRS, and PSQI (p < 0.001; p = 0.022, and p < 0.001; respectively). EASI correlated with NRS and PSQI (p = 0.003; p < 0.001). In those who discontinued AHs, AD severity indicators significantly increased (SCORAD, EASI, NRS) (p = 0.012; p = 0.012; p = 0.010), while in those for whom AHs were introduced, a significant decrease was observed in SCORAD, EASI, NSR (p = 0.012; p = 0.012; p = 0.010). Those who discontinued AHs showed increased AD severity indicators (SCORAD, EASI, NRS), whereas participants for whom AHs were introduced showed decreases in the same scores. The results support an association between melatonin levels and AD severity, as well as AHs' significant treatment efficacy in AD.

Background and Objectives: Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors provide substantial cardiovascular and renal benefits, but concerns regarding urinary tract infections (UTIs) may limit their use. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and management of lower UTIs among patients receiving SGLT-2 inhibitors compared to other patients and to identify associated risk factors in primary care. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 5764 adults from four family medicine practices from November 2024 to October 2025. Patients were categorized according to lower UTI occurrence, complexity, and SGLT-2 inhibitor use. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, treatment duration, urine cultures, and antibiotic therapy were analyzed. Results: Lower UTIs occurred in 567 patients (9.8%), of whom 30 (16.3%) were taking SGLT-2 inhibitors, and were more frequent among women and patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urolithiasis, and permanent urinary catheters. Except for urolithiasis, all these factors were also independent predictors of lower UTI development in the logistic regression model. In contrast, patients taking an SGLT-2 inhibitor had 43.8% lower odds of developing a UTI, though this may reflect temporal relationship bias. SGLT-2 inhibitors were prescribed to 24.2% of patients with type 2 diabetes, while their use for CKD and heart failure was limited. Family physicians managed 90% of uncomplicated and 64% of complicated lower UTIs. Urine cultures were performed in less than one-third of these patients. Nitrofurantoin was prescribed as the first-choice antibiotic regardless of UTI complexity, predominantly by family physicians. Hospital specialists more often choose fluoroquinolones, followed by cephalosporins. Conclusions: Despite increased lower UTI incidence among patients receiving SGLT-2 inhibitors, their use was not associated with lower UTI development. Urine cultures were insufficiently utilized in patients with UTIs, and they were predominantly not treated according to the latest guidelines. SGLT-2 inhibitors were also underused, particularly for CKD and heart failure, suggesting a potential gap between recommendations and clinical practice.