Medicina
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To determine the incidence and variety of microorganisms of positive urine culture in patients of intensive care units of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital and to estimate the risk factors for colonization, development of urinary tract infection, and outcome during the period of 2003-2004. ⋯ Positive urine culture was found in 3.9% of patients, three-quarters of them were due to urinary tract infection. Rods were the predominant pathogens in urinary tract infection. E. coli in urinary tract always resulted in urinary tract infection. Catheterization of urinary bladder resulted in urinary tract infection or colonization. Each day of urinary bladder catheterization increased the risk of development of urinary tract infection by 21.7%. Rods in urine culture were associated with lethal outcome. Development of urinary tract infection increased the risk of lethal outcome 5.5 times.
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The aim of the study was to determine the association between smoking and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. ⋯ Our data suggest that smoking is a significant risk factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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To determine the colonization rate of Staphylococcus aureus in burn wounds and to assess the variation in the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus strains to antibiotics. ⋯ Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen isolated from burn wounds. On the first day of hospitalization Staphylococcus aureus isolates were obtained from 25.3% of patients; 12.5% of patients with burn wounds had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the end of the first week of hospitalization and 66% of patients--after two weeks and later. The resistance of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus to gentamicin, tobramycin, and clindamycin decreased. The resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to clindamycin decreased and to ciprofloxacin--increased.
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Comparative Study
The evaluation of bone mineral density based on nutritional status, age, and anthropometric parameters in elderly women.
To examine the relationship between bone mineral density and nutritional status, age, and anthropometrical data in elderly women. ⋯ It was determined that the nutritional status of elderly women, assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire, reflects bone mineral density. It was found that women's age and anthropometric data, reflecting fat reserves in the body (body mass index, skinfold thickness), are significantly related to low bone mineral density.
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The aim of this study was to develop a specific questionnaire, designed to evaluate health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with congenital or acquired anomalies of the upper extremity. ⋯ Two versions of questionnaire were developed: one for parents of children and adolescents aged 5-18 years and another - for adolescents aged 11-18 years. Both versions consist of seven scales: self-care, daily activities, sports activities and hobby, self-image, emotional, social health, and patient's satisfaction with treatment. The testing of questionnaire reliability was performed by estimating a Cronbach alfa coefficient which varied from 0.80 to 0.97 for different scales of questionnaire designed for parents. The item-scale correlation was from 0.44 to 0.89. There was a statistically significant difference among separate items for all scales (p<0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.84 to 0.89 for all scales. Cronbach alfa coefficients of scales of questionnaire designed for children varied from 0.83 to 0.95, and item-scale correlation was moderate to strong. A statistically significant difference among separate items for all scales was obtained (p<0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient varied from 0.79 to 0.86. The Pearson's correlation coefficient between questionnaires developed for parents and children was calculated, and strong correlation between corresponding scales was found. Sensitivity to changes was tested, and t-test was performed. A statistically significant difference in all scales was found (p<0.001).