Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Aim To determine the value of IFN (intzerferon)-α in the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to correlate IFN-α with values of non-specific biochemical parameters of inflammation (C-reactive protein, leukocytes values, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumins and globulins). Methods Research included 55 patients with SLE diagnosis and a control group consisted of 25 healthy subjects (during period 2019-2020). IFN (Interferon)-α and non-specific biochemical parameters of inflammation were obtained using standard protocols. ⋯ A statistically significant correlation between the values of IFN-α and globulin was proved (r=0.315; p=0.019). No significant correlation was found between other non-specific biochemical parameters and IFN-α values. Conclusion Increased IFN-α values were observed in younger patients, and the correlation between IFN and globulin was proved.
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Aim To investigate infl uence of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and proatherogenic risk factors to improve the accuracy of pneumonia severity index (PSI) in the prediction of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) outcome in healthy individuals. Methods A retrospective observational cross-sectional study conducted at the Clinic for Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis "Podhrastovi", University Clinical Centre Sarajevo, included 83 patients with the diagnosis of CAP during the period March 2019-March 2021. Once diagnosed with CAP, PSI score was calculated and according to its value the need for hospital treatment was identifi ed. ⋯ Diastolic blood pressure, lymphocytes, eosinophils were signifi cantly lower in patients with high risk of CAP (p<0.05;) compared to patients with low risk of CAP (p<0.01). The optimal cut-off value of NLR for CAP patients was 3.089 with an estimated area under curve (AUC) of 0.664. Conclusion Proatherogenic parameters such as age, systolic blood pressure and leukocytes in combination with neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio could improve accuracy of the pneumonia severity index in community acquired pneumonia outcome.
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Obstetric shock (OS) has been defined as a life-threatening cardiovascular collapse syndrome associated with pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium (obstetrics causes), and is the most significant cause of high maternal mortality (MM) throughout human history. Shock in obstetrics (SIO) refers to indirect causes of non-obstetrics causes in pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium (polytrauma, aesthetic incidents, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular incidents, other septic syndromes). ⋯ Surgical treatment of septic shock includes exploratory laparotomy (laparoscopy), ectomy or resection of the necrotized organ, abdominal lavage with multiple drainages, continuous peritoneal drainage with lavation, extensive triple antibiosis per admission or per antibiogram and thromboprophylaxis. OS seems to remain a permanent miasma in practical clinical obstetrics, which we will not be able to influence, because we have obviously caused today's increase in MM from haemorrhagic OS by iatrogenic increase in the number of caesarean sections, especially elective ones.
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Aim Results of ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as the compatibility of cytological findings with histopathological diagnoses (the "gold standard") in the diagnosis of nodular thyroid lesions are inconsistent. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the validity of FNAC, as well as the compatibility of findings with histopathological diagnoses. Methods The study included 92 patients who underwent FNAC and later surgery and histopathological assessment with a final diagnosis. ⋯ Conclusion The results confirmed the correctness of the algorithm in which, following clinical or ultrasound confirmation of nodular thyroid lesions with suspicious changes, FNAC is indicated. The FNAC results should guide a clinician to further diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Certainly, in case of suspected follicular/ Hurthle cell lesions one should be vigilant and aware of the fact that in these cases malignancy is defined by the invasion of blood vessels and/or the capsule, which FNAC is unable to detect.
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Aim Given the impact of vascular comorbidities (VC) on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of multiple sclerosis (MS), we examined the incidence and correlation of VC and risk factors for vascular disease in people with MS (PwMS) compared to the general population, and the impact on the physical disability of patients. Methods Cross-sectional study involved 100 patients with MS and 50 healthy people from the general population, matched by sex and age. The values of demographic, biochemical, and anthropometric parameters, the presence of VC and risk factors for vascular diseases in both groups, and clinical parameters in PwMS were analysed. ⋯ Total body weight and BMI were statistically significantly higher in the control group (p=0.000). The increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was associated with higher levels of total (p=0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p=0.003), and activated partial thromboplastin time APTT (p=0.002). Conclusion In PwMS it is necessary to pay attention to the higher frequency of smoking than in general population, and the impact of total cholesterol, LDL and APTT levels as significant parameters that affect physical disability.