Pancreas Matters - Vol 6 No 2 - 2023

Introduction

Microbiome changes in the gut with anti-infectious agents

Over the last decade there has been an “explosion” of interest in the human microbiome. Understanding of the interaction between human health and the bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi residing in our gastrointestinal system continue to grow. Helicobacter pylori with its association with digestive diseases including peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and “Idiopathic” thrombocytopaenia has highlighted how trying to manipulate at least part of the microbiome can result in beneficial effects.

Screening and treatment of depression in patients with pancreatic cancer

The diagnosis of a life-threatening disease would generally have a psychological impact on most people. Such a diagnosis will have many implications and would demand various ways to adjust to this reality. The literature indicates that depression commonly occurs before and after the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC). Increased awareness and screening for depression are important with these patients because the impact would have a negative influence on quality of life as well as on the progression of the illness.

Ethics: Employment and HIV

One of the key concerns for employees diagnosed as living with HIV is how safe their jobs are. Apart from the possibility of stigma and discrimination, they are also concerned about what would happen about their health. Employers, on the other hand, are concerned about the impact of absenteeism on their operations, as well as increased demands on employment social security, such as disability cover and pension/provident funds.