Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2020
ReviewTHE USE OF ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY AND OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA.
The use of electroretinography (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) has currently expanded beyond ophthalmology alone. The aim of this review is to present the results and knowledge acquired by these two methods in patients suffering from schizophrenia. Reviewing the studies applying ERG and OCT methods in the field of psychiatry, one can conclude that results of the research imply morphological and functional changes of retina in patients with schizophrenia that are not consistent. ⋯ Neurons in the eye use the same neurotransmitters as neurons in the basal brain structures that are most affected in schizophrenia, according to the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia. Unlike neurons in the basal brain structures, the neurons in the eye are in vivo available to ERG. Using the aforementioned tests together with clinical diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia, the subgroups with different prognostic and therapeutic specificities within schizophrenia as a group of diseases might be identified more precisely.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2020
Randomized Controlled Trial Observational StudyEFFECT OF PREOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC SURGERY.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative respiratory rehabilitation on functional capacity, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU), duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and total hospitalization, as well as to estimate arterial blood gas (ABG) values in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Nineteen patients were included in the randomized observational study, divided into two groups: group A (intervention) and B (control). Preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation was performed in group A, and only postoperative rehabilitation in group B. ⋯ The length of hospital stay significantly correlated with preoperative rehabilitation in group A (r=0.885; p<0.0001). There was no difference in ABG parameters between the groups. The study showed that preoperative respiratory rehabilitation had an effect on reducing duration of MV and length of total hospitalization, and improved functional capacity.
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The world is struggling to deal with the corona pandemic. Effective therapies are still awaited due to the lack of understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of the disease. Bearing recent research and clinical observations in mind, the authors propose a novel physiological mechanism of COVID-19 and explain development of COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 related hemoglobinopathy. ⋯ In this review, the authors recommend laboratory experiments to prove these hypotheses. The proposed physiological mechanism has significant therapeutic implications. If proven, the authors suggest the use of exchange transfusion as adjunct therapy and development of anti-CD147 drugs.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialCOMBINED TREATMENT WITH BEVACIZUMAB AND TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR MACULAR EDEMA DUE TO RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of combined intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone in the treatment of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. A prospective randomized trial was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Osijek University Hospital Centre in Osijek including 51 patients divided into three groups depending on the drug received. The first group received 1.25 mg intravitreal bevacizumab, the second group received 1 mg intravitreal triamcinolone, and the third group received a combination of 1.25 mg bevacizumab and 1 mg intravitreal triamcinolone on the same day. ⋯ A positive trend regarding visual improvement was observed in the group receiving combined treatment in spite of the lowest initial visual acuity, highest value of macular thickness and longest mean duration of symptoms. In conclusion, combined treatment with bevacizumab and triamcinolone for the treatment of retinal vein occlusion is more potent, safe, efficient and cost-effective. It can also be recommended because fewer injections are needed in patients undergoing treatment for macular edema.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2020
NUTRITIONAL RISK SCREENING IN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL PATIENTS AT THE RIJEKA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTRE.
Malnutrition is usually related to some diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, chronic liver disease and malignant tumors. It is characterized by weight loss, protein deficiency, and deficit of specific nutrients. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of nutritional risk among 160 gastrointestinal patients by use of the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) score at hospital admission and discharge. ⋯ There were 53.1% of patients with recognized malnutrition at admission that received nutritional support, whereas at discharge 34.4% of patients at risk were not dietary supported. Malnourished patients were significantly older, had lower body mass index, longer hospital stay and higher rate of malignant diseases than properly nourished patients. Regular screening for malnutrition should be conveyed in hospitals as to provide appropriate dietary support for all patients at risk.