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Introduction. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), constitute a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive system. The etiology of these conditions is complex, resulting from the interaction of genetic factors with environmental factors, lifestyle, and intestinal dysbiosis. The diagnosis is established based on clinical examination and general and specific paraclinical examinations (fecal calprotectin, digestive endoscopy). The most frequent intestinal complications are strictures for both IBDs, and in CD, fistulas and abscesses, especially perianal ones, may occur. There is no curative treatment for IBD; pharmacological therapy includes immunomodulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies. Quality of life. To quantify patients’ quality of life more objectively, various questionnaires have been developed and implemented. Patients with IBD have significantly lower quality of life than healthy individuals. Multidisciplinary team. As IBD are chronic pathologies with a long and unpredictable course, they require high-quality management as early as possible from the time of diagnosis. The key to achieving the best outcomes is the multidisciplinary patient-oriented care. Conclusions. Evaluating the quality of life of patients with IBD is essential for several reasons. A multidisciplinary team, involving the family physician, gastroenterologist, psychologist, or other specialists, is essential for providing quality care to these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron deficiency anemia is a pathology caused by hemoglobinosynthesis disorder, with a significant decrease in iron deposits in the body. Iron deficiency has several important causes, among which we mention: inadequate intake of iron, early childhood growth and development, pregnancy – by increased need, small but repeated bleeding, abundant menstruation, metrorrhages, fibroids, gastric or duodenal ulcer, hemorrhoidal disease, oncological pathology, malabsorption syndromes, inflammatory bowel diseases, parasitosis etc. Iron deficiency anemia can be isolated or may be in the context of chronic diseases (chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel syndromes, cancer) etc. Anemia can be asymptomatic for a long time. The symptoms that may appear are not specific: pallor, fatigue, lethargy, dizziness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sweating, palpitations, insomnia. Clinical signs can highlight angular cheilitis, atrophic glossitis, dry skin, diffuse alopecia and soft nails. Decreased intelligence, depression and decreased immunity can also be due to iron deficiency. In the human body there are about 3-4 grams of iron. Ferritin is the main storehouse of iron in the body. To diagnose iron deficiency anemia, there are necessary laboratory tests for the value of hemoglobin, perform serum ferritin – the most important test, along with transferrin saturation and serum iron, since iron deficiency can exist independently of the presence of anemia. Serum ferritin loses its strength in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in case there is concomitant inflammation, being an acute phase protein. Iron deficiency anemia always has a cause, being very important to diagnose the underlying disease and treat it. The treatment of iron deficiency anemia is carried out depending on the severity of the anemia and depending on the patient’s condition, with oral, parenteral preparations or even blood transfusions. The treatment follows a serum ferritin value above 50 ng/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a higher interest to grow knowledge regarding gastrointestinal microbiota in canine and feline patients. Microbiota gathers more than 500 species of bacteria, viruses, fungus and archaea. This article intends to review and highlight recent research and discoveries regarding the digestive microbiota and its roles in several body functions, such as: metabolism homeostasis, defense against pathogens, education of immunity answer, synthesis or facilitation of a wide range of key nutrients essential for health from food, mental health maintenance, obesity, and dermatology. Through these essential roles, microbiota can directly or indirectly influence the majority of host’s physiological functions. Most studies highlight dysbiosis as a starting point or cofactor in leading to several pathologies, such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic enteritis, atopy, deficient immunity answer, metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression in humans, or aggressivity in dogs. The preservation of a healthy microbiome proves to be an essential element for health maintenance and disease prevention, or for disease treatment in either humans or pets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing. It is currently the third most common cancer, after lung and breast cancer. Despite the increased incidence, recent advances in early detection, performing the screening according to the recommendations and treatment options have reduced colorectal cancer mortality. The role of the family doctor is to advise and to identify non-modifiable risk factors (age, male sex, race, family history, inflammatory bowel disease) as well as modifiable ones (tobacco consumption, low-fiber, high-fat and highcarbohydrate diet, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity), in order to avoid these risk factors by developing a personalized plan for the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer depending on the individual risk. Genetic testing and a more comprehensive family history documentation by the family doctor can enable those with a hereditary predisposition for the colorectal cancer to take preventive measures. Applying evidence-based prevention strategies reduces the prognosis of colorectal cancer and reduces mortality. Colorectal cancer has an increased survival rate if diagnosed early and treated properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the pediatric population constantly increases. In Crohn’s disease, the most common symptoms in the pediatric population are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss; extraintestinal manifestations may include arthralgia, foot-and-mouth disease, and erythema nodosum, which are generally associated with increased disease severity. Here, we proposed to review the most important aspects of IBD to facilitate early detection and management in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]