Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Aim To evaluate the case series of the patients operated with percutaneous fixation by the navigation system based on 3D fluoroscopic images, to assess the precision of a surgical implant and functional outcome of patients. Methods A retrospective study of pelvic ring fractures in a 2-year period included those treated with the use of the O-Arm 2 in combination with the Stealth Station 8. Pelvic fractures were classified according to the Tile and the Young-Burgess classification. ⋯ The median follow-up was 17.5 months. The patients were satisfied with their health condition on SF-36. Conclusion The use of the O-arm guarantees great precision in the positioning of the screws and reduced surgical times with excellent clinical results in patients.
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Aim To assess concordance of eight frequently used serology-based scoring indices for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with transient elastography (TE) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in order to determine serum indices with the highest concordance and clinical usability in clinical practice. Methods In this prospective study, 63 CHC patients were included and TE results were compared with eight non-invasive indices. The diagnostic performance of these tests was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves with kappa index calculated for the concordance analysis. ⋯ Fibrotest cut-off at >0.50 was concordant with TE for presence of significant fibrosis in 30 (out of 45; 66.7%), FIB-4 cut-off at <1.45 was concordant for absence of significant fibrosis in 13 (out of 18; 72.2%) and Goeteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI) cut-off at >1 was concordant for presence of cirrhosis in 16 (out of 22; 72.7%) patients, but not for exclusion of cirrhosis. Conclusion Serology-based scoring indices had moderate overall concordance with TE. We propose that FIB-4 score, Fibrotest and GUCI be used in routine practice to exclude and diagnose significant fibrosis and diagnose cirrhosis, respectively.
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Aim To investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. and B. hominis among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients in two different outpatient clinics, Haji Adam Malik General Hospital and Primary Care Centre of Padang Bulan, Medan, Indonesia, between two interval periods. Method Cryptosporidium spp. microscopic examination, as well as Jones' medium for B. hominis, were conducted in the Parasitology Laboratory, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was done in the Multidisciplinary Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara. This was a cross-sectional study, involving 54 diarrheic HIV positive patients (44 males, 10 females). ⋯ Conclusion The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among HIV patients was still relatively high. CD4 count showed a significant relationship with Cryptosporidium spp. infection, but not with Blastocystic hominis. Microscopic examination is still the most reliable technique to diagnose the parasites in faecal samples.
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Aim To describe experiences of patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods This qualitative research was conducted using a phenomenological approach, and participants were selected via purposive sampling. In total, 14 patients with COVID-19 were selected (nine women and five men) aged 20-60 years. ⋯ Conclusion Mental strains were the most important issues in the patients with COVID-19, which were interwoven with concerning physical manifestations. Most of the participants used self-medication and spiritual resources to cope with the disease. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out proper planning by healthcare personnel to psychologically and spiritually support these patients, while alleviating physical manifestations of the disease.
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Aim To evaluate the pattern of indications and a spectrum of colonic pathology, and to determine appropriateness of indications for colonoscopy in order to improve patient selection for colonoscopy. Methods This retrospective study includes 294 patients who were referred to the Gastroenterology Department from a primary care physician in order to approach endoscopic examination. Study data included patients' anamnestic data (comorbidities, positive family history, performed radiological examinations) an indication for the procedure, and colonoscopy findings. ⋯ There was no significant association between anaemia and any of the colonoscopic findings. According to EPAGE II criteria indications were appropriate in 187 (63.6%), uncertain in 67 (22.8%) and inappropriate in 40 (13.6%) patients. Conclusion This study confirmed a slightly larger number of uncertain and inappropriate indications for colonoscopy compared to other studies that examined indications for colonoscopy, which can be attributed to a high number of patients with functional bowel disorders.