Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN VOJVODINA.
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with chronic hepatitis C and how depression and anxiety correlate with respective health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains, sociodemographic factors, and clinico-epidemiological characteristics. This prospective study involved 150 patients with chronic hepatitis C awaiting interferon treatment for hepatitis C and 150 healthy subjects. All individuals enrolled in the study completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. ⋯ Unemployment was associated with a higher degree of depression and anxiety. There was no association identified between duration of the disease, route of hepatitis C virus transmission, existence of cirrhosis, and depression or anxiety. The findings of this study can assist in developing a standard protocol for the management of chronic hepatitis C that will include psychological assessment and support.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
VISUAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA TREATED WITH DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT IN ROUTINE CLINICAL PRACTICE.
The aim was to evaluate visual outcomes of the real-life usage of dexamethasone (DEX) implants in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients and evaluate the possible additional visual acuity (VA) gain with combined treatment. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of DME patients treated with DEX implants. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline and one year were compared. ⋯ No difference in VA gain was found between the eyes receiving monotherapy and the eyes receiving combined treatment. In conclusion, DEX implant therapy was effective in gaining vision in DME patients. No additional VA gain was achieved with combined treatment.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
Case ReportsDEEP SEPTIC PELVIC THROMBOPHLEBITIS - A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION IN POSTPARTUM PERIOD.
Deep septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is a rare but potentially devastating complication in the puerperium. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of this postpartum complication is essential. We report a case of a 23-year-old multipara, who presented with persistent high fever and abdominal pain two days after delivery. ⋯ Streptococcus pyogenes group A was cultured from cervical swab. Treatment consisted of broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and low molecular weight heparin. She was dismissed for home care symptom-free fourteen days after delivery and referred to hematologist to diagnose the possible causes of thrombophilia.
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Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of myocardial repolarization defined by a prolonged QT interval on electrocardiogram (ECG) that can cause ventricular arrhythmias and lead to sudden cardiac death. LQTS was first described in 1957 and since then its genetic etiology has been researched in many studies, but it is still not fully understood. Depending on the type of monogenic mutation, LQTS is currently divided into 17 subtypes, with LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3 being the most common forms. ⋯ The initial diagnostic evaluation of congenital LQTS includes obtaining detailed personal and multi-generation family history, physical examination, series of 12-lead ECG recordings, and calculation of the LQTS diagnostic score, called Schwartz score. Patients are also advised to undertake 24-hour ambulatory monitoring, treadmill/cycle stress testing, and LQTS genetic testing for definitive confirmation of the diagnosis. Currently available treatment options include lifestyle modifications, medication therapy with emphasis on beta-blockers, device therapy and surgical therapy, with beta-blockers being the first-line treatment option, both in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
ReviewMICROSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS FOLLOWING ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT: A SINGLE INSTITUTION ILLUSTRATIVE CASE SERIES AND LITERATURE REVIEW.
Microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling are both effective management modalities for intracranial aneurysms, whereas recent procedures are mainly directed towards endovascular treatment because of its minimally invasive nature. However, such a treatment has been associated with a bigger risk of recurrent aneurysmal growth and re-bleeding urging a selection of optimal strategies to overcome these hazards. ⋯ Considering the results reported in this paper, it seems that careful selective microsurgical neck clipping with/without aneurysmal sac resection and coil extraction remains the preferred management option for recurrent intracranial aneurysms, resulting in high obliteration rates, long-term occlusion stability, and low morbidity/mortality. In conclusion, to bring a satisfactory outcome, the multidisciplinary management of recurrent intracranial aneurysms after endovascular treatment should be adjusted to aneurysm morphology/size/location, and individualized according to patient needs.