In the last 50 years, several clinical and epidemiological studies during have shown that increased levels of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) are associated with the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. The discovery of β-Hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), that possess LDLc-lowering effects, lead to a true revolution in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Statins remain the cornerstone of LDLc-lowering therapy. Lipid-lowering drugs, such as ezetimibe and bile acid sequestrants, are prescribed either in combination with statins or in monotherapy (in the setting of statin intolerance or contraindications to statins). Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors and protein convertase subtilisin/ kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are other drug classes which have been investigated for their potential to decrease LDLc. PCSK9 have been approved for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The present narrative review discusses the latest (2019) guidelines of the European Atherosclerosis Society/European Society of Cardiology for the management of dyslipidemia, focusing on LDLclowering drugs that are either already available on the market or under development. We also consider "whom, when and how" do we treat in terms of LDLc reduction in the daily clinical practice.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, destructive and deforming arthropathy, characterized by symmetrical erosive synovitis and multisystemic injury. Despite the progresses of pharmacological therapy for RA, many patients continue to have active disease with the risk of developing disability. A number of non-pharmacological therapies are used in addition to the regular treatment of RA. On October 7th, 2008, American Physical Activity guidelines were released, based on the latest physical activity techniques, with impact on the health of people with arthritis, grouped under the acronym SMART. A comprehensive management program for RA includes patient education, psycho-social interventions, adequate rest, exercise, physical and occupational therapy, nutritional and dietetics counseling, interventions to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and immunizations to reduce the risk of complications from immunosuppressive treatment. The objectives of this program are: disease stabilization, preventing deviations, deformities and ankylosis, combating retractions and stiffness, partial or complete restoration of motor functional capacity of patients. For achieving these goals, the treatment must adhere to the following general conditions: to be initiated early, to be continuous and complex. In conclusion, education and counseling of the patient are important for the management of RA. The physicians should explain to the patient all the treatment options and develop with him a longitudinal treatment plan, which includes the association of the pharmacological therapy with the non-pharmacological one.

Crîşmaru et al.: Severity prediction for Clostridium difficile infection with ATLAS scorenew data from a less developed country (Romania). BMC Infectious Diseases 2013 13(Suppl 1):O21.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a consequence of the atherosclerosis of large arteries located distal to aortic arch. The most common symptom is intermittent claudication. The most commonly used screening tool of BAP in primary care is the ankle-brachial index (ABI), especially recommended for patients older than 70 years or between 50-69 years, if they are diabetics or smokers. Management of PAD include smoking cessation, exercise, treatment with statins, antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel, possibly cilostazol in patients without heart failure. Surgery is recommended for patients who do not respond to drug therapy.