Croatian medical journal
-
Croatian medical journal · Dec 2020
Prevalence of somatic comorbidities among coronavirus disease 2019 patients in Croatia in the first pandemic wave: data from national public health databases.
To determine the prevalence of common somatic comorbidities among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patients in Croatia in the first pandemic wave, and assess the differences in clinical outcomes depending on the presence of comorbidities. ⋯ COVID-19 patients who died in the first pandemic wave in Croatia were more likely to suffer previous somatic comorbidities. This corroborates the findings of similar studies and calls for further research into the underlying disease mechanisms, hence providing ground for more efficient preventive measures.
-
Croatian medical journal · Dec 2020
Adherence to epidemiological measures and related knowledge and attitudes during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in Croatia: a cross-sectional study.
To assess the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and related knowledge and attitudes during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in Croatia. ⋯ Croatians had good knowledge and neutral to moderately positive attitudes about PPE use. Nevertheless, health authorities need to promote positive attitudes about PPE use in order to retain trust and compliance with epidemiological measures.
-
Croatian medical journal · Dec 2020
Epidemiological and clinical features of Croatian children and adolescents with a PCR-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019: differences between the first and second epidemic wave.
To describe epidemiological and clinical features of Croatian children and adolescents with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019. ⋯ A large proportion of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive children/adolescents were asymptomatic. The associated disease was predominantly mild, comparably so in the first and second pandemic wave.
-
Croatian medical journal · Dec 2020
The analysis of waiting time and utilization of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in Croatia: a nationwide survey.
To assess the variation in the waiting time for diagnostic imaging (DI) services among Croatian public hospitals and the utilization of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. ⋯ The waiting times for CT and MRI were exceptionally long regardless of the hospital category, with highly varying utilization. Croatia performed more exams per scanner compared with other EU countries, but not significantly so. High-level hospitals' utilization was significantly higher than that of low-level hospitals, and CT utilization was significantly higher than EU average, while the difference for MRI utilization was not significant.
-
Croatian medical journal · Dec 2020
A validation of the Croatian version of Zarit Burden Interview and clinical predictors of caregiver burden in informal caregivers of patients with dementia: a cross-sectional study.
To validate the Croatian version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and to investigate the predictors of perceived burden. ⋯ The Croatian version of ZBI is reliable and valid. Our data confirm that ZBI is a multidimensional construct. Caregivers may benefit from individually tailored interventions.