Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies. Numerous studies suggest an association between resilience and quality of life in colon cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore the ...association between resilience and quality of life in people with colon cancer.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 200 subjects at the Oncology Clinic of the University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Data were collected in the period between April 2019 and June 2021. A socio-demographic questionnaire specifically designed for this study, a CD-RISC-25 scale for assessing resilience, and a WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire for assessing quality of life were used for collecting data.
A statistically significant positive association of resilience with all domains of quality of life was found. The mental health domain contributed the most statistically significantly positively to the level of resilience. Patients who were not married had a statistically significantly higher level of resilience compared to married, divorced and widowed patients. No statistically significant difference was found in resilience levels relative to other socio-demographic factors and cancer stage. Patients treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy had a statistically significantly higher level of resilience compared to patients treated with other therapeutic methods.
Higher level of resilience statistically significantly contributes to a higher level of quality of life in people with colon cancer.
Multidrug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) represents TB which is simultaneous resistant to at least rifampicin (R) and isoniazid (H). Identifying inadequate therapy as the main cause of this form ...of the disease and explaining the factors leading to its occurrence, numerous social determinants that affect the risk of developing resistance are highlighted. The objectives of the study was to identify independent factors of MDR-TB among tuberculosis patients.
Case-control study was conducted from 1st September 2009 to 1st June 2014 in 31 healthcare institutions in Serbia where MDR-TB and TB patients were treated. TB patients infected with MDR- M. tuberculosis and non MDR- M. tuberculosis strain were considered as cases and controls, respectively. Cases and controls were matched by the date of hospitalization. The data was collected using structured questionnaire with face to face interview. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis (MLRA) were used to identify determinants associated with MDR-TB.
A total of 124 respondents, 31 cases and 93 controls were participated in the study. MLRA identified six significant independent risk factors for the occurrence of MDR-TB as follows: monthly income of the family (Odds ratio (OR) = 3.71; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.22-11.28), defaulting from treatment (OR = 3.33; 95% CI = 1.14-9.09), stigma associated with TB (OR = 2.97; 95% CI = 1.18-7.45), subjective feeling of sadness (OR = 4.05; 95% CI = 1.69-9.70), use of sedatives (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.02-7.65) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 4.51; 95% CI = 1.07-18.96).
In order to reduce burden of drug resistance, strategies of controlling MDR-TB in Serbia should emphasize multi-sectorial actions, addressing health care and social needs of TB patients.
Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) are estimated to be the cause of death in about 19% of all children younger than 5 years globally. The outbreak of coronaviral disease (COVID-19) caused by ...SARS-CoV-2, increased considerably the burden of SARI worldwide. We used data from a vaccine effectiveness study to identify the factors associated with SARS CoV-2 infection among hospitalized SARI patients. We recruited SARI patients at 3 hospitals in Serbia from 7 April 2022-1 May 2023. We collected demographic and clinical data from patients using a structured questionnaire, and all SARI patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. We conducted an unmatched test negative case-control study. SARS-CoV-2 infected SARI patients were considered cases, while SARS CoV-2 negative SARI patients were controls. We conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis in order to identify variables associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We included 110 SARI patients: 74 were cases and 36 controls. We identified 5 factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity, age (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01-1.07), having received primary COVID-19 vaccine series (OR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.09-0.88), current smoking (OR = 8.64; 95% CI = 2.43-30.72), previous SARS CoV-2 infection (OR = 3.48; 95% CI = 1.50-8.11) and number of days before seeking medical help (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.64-1.02). In Serbia during a period of Omicron circulation, we found that older age, unvaccinated, hospitalized SARI patients, previously infected with SARS CoV-2 virus and those who smoked, were more likely to be SARS-CoV-2-positive; these patient populations should be prioritized for COVID vaccination.
Personality traits as alexithymia and type D personality may impair health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim of ...this study was to evaluate personality traits in patients with IBS and IBD and their impact on HRQoL.
The subjects (40 patients with IBS, 40 with IBD and 40 health control subjects) completed SF-36 questionnaire, TAS-20 and DS14 scale.
Patients with IBS and IBD had higher results on TAS-20 and DS14 scale when compared with healthy controls. Also IBS patients had higher scores than IBD patients. Higher scores on TAS-20 and DS14 scales in IBS and IBD patients correlate with lower HRQoL. HRQoL was poorer in IBS and IBD patients than in healthy control subjects.
Alexithymia and type D personality in IBS and IBD patients are associated with lower HRQoL and psychological interventions should be considered.
Since war activities, the previously mixed population of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, live in segregated parts of the town based on ethnicity. The aim of this study was to examine differences in ...health risks and health status between populations of the two parts of the town. Health status of 300 randomly selected primary care patients was evaluated by practicing family physicians in two main primary care centers in West and East Mostar. Each group consisted of 150 patients. Data were collected between December 2013 and May 2014. Patients were evaluated for smoking habit, alcohol consumption, body mass index, blood pressure and laboratory measurement of fasting glycemia. Family physicians provided diagnosis of chronic noninfectious diseases (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, malignant disease, depression, and alcoholism). The two groups differed according to age, income, employment status, and rate of alcoholism and hypertension. Alcoholism (OR= 4.105; 95% CI 2.012-8.374) and hypertension (OR=1.972; 95% CI 1.253-3.976) were associated with inhabitants of West Mostar, adjusted for age, employment and income status on logistic regression. In conclusion, ethnic differences between inhabitants of the two parts of the town might influence health outcomes. These are preliminary data and additional studies with larger samples and more specific questions considering nutrition and cultural issues are needed to detect the potential differences between the groups.
Depression has been associated with various cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. In depressive disorder, hyperactivity of the ...hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and changes in the immune system have been observed. On the other hand, somatic diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 are now perceived as important comorbid conditions in patients with depression. The pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and depression is complex and poorly researched; however, it is considered that the interaction of chronic stress, psychotrauma, hypercotisolism and disturbed immune functions contribute to the development of these disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome regarding the HPA axis dysfunction and altered inflammatory processes. Literature search in Medline and other databases included articles written in English published between 1985 and 2012. Analysis of the literature was conducted using a systematic approach with the search terms such as depression, metabolic syndrome, inflammation, cytokines, glucocorticoids, cortisol, and HPA axis. In conclusion, the relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome is still a subject of controversy. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the possible causal relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome and its components. Furthermore, it is important to explore the possibility of a common biologic mechanism in the pathogenesis of these two disorders, in which special attention should be paid to the immune system function, especially the possible specific mechanisms by which cytokines can induce and maintain depressive symptoms and metabolic disorders. The data presented here emphasize the importance of recognition and treatment of depressive disorders with consequent reduction in the incidence of metabolic syndrome, but also the need of regular search for metabolic disorders and their treatment to avoid all of these adverse effects and maybe reduce the incidence of depressive disorders.
Although the description of the PTSD clinical picture dates from history, our professional community has known for about two decades. PTSD is clearly defined in the 10th International Classification ...of Diseases, World Health Organization and IV Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Together with panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific and social phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is one of the large groups of anxiety disorders. A superficial approach, we could conclude that in the relation with PTSD is all clear. It was also found that PTSD is often associated with depression, anxiety disorders, and excessive drinking, substance abuse, and personality disorder, dissociative and other disorders. It is true that our knowledge of PTSD from year to year is larger and larger. However, regarding PTSD, there are many uncertainties, doubts and controversies. Is PTSD a disorder, illness, rent or a passing phase in the development of various diseases? In recent years, there are many studies that are trying to illuminate different aspects of PTSD. Numerous clinical, neurobiological, psycho physiological and MR volumetric studies indicate many uncertainties related to PTSD. About psychotic PTSD is more frequently discussed and written. Whether PTSD is or its symptoms or complications during periods of decompensation may have the character of the psychosis and the psychosis within PTSD or a co-morbid diagnosis? It is certain that about PTSD there are many uncertainties and doubts, that the investigation should continue and that PTSD is a paradigm for new psychiatry.
The aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HIV infection among TB patients, knowledge, self-perceived risks and testing practices related to HIV.
We performed cross-sectional study ...from 10 May to 15 July 2011. Cluster sampling method was used to select 27 hospitals where 289 TB patients were consecutively recruited. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression methods were used to identify the factors associated with correct comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
HIV prevalence among TB patients was 0.3%. Only 25.2% of the respondents presented comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The percentage of correct answers to all questions related to knowledge about HIV/AIDS increases with educational status (χ
= 5.42; p < 0.05) and decreases with the age of respondents (χ
= 8.53; p > 0.05). The independent predictors of correct comprehensive knowledge were living without partner (OR = 4.45; CI = 1.59-12.95) and self-awareness of HIV risk (OR = 4.43; CI = 1.20-16.52).
HIV prevalence among TB patients is higher than among general population in Serbia. The level of comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS is low. There is a need for continuous implementation of public health strategy to successfully manage HIV and HIV/TB co-infection in Serbia.
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