Use of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) Questionnaire to Assess Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Healthcare and Administrative Staff in 5 Oncology Institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND Providing oncology services during a pandemic can contribute to mental health challenges among healthcare workers. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in healthcare and administrative staff in 5 oncology institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in 2020 during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional observational study enrolled 175 healthcare and administrative workers from 5 oncology institutions in BiH during December 2020. Data were collected using a questionnaire that captured general information about the participants and a DASS-21 questionnaire. RESULTS Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (P=0.003, P=0.011, and P=0.022, respectively) among participants with comorbidities connected with increased risk of severe illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with participants without comorbidities. There was also a statistically significant difference in the levels of stress among participants from different cities (P=0.031). Supplement intake and educational level were significantly related (P=0.012). High levels of stress and anxiety were accompanied by high levels of depression among participants (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The findings from the present study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on depression, anxiety, and stress levels in oncology staff in BiH. Monitoring these levels and providing interventions and support to oncology staff are increasingly important for their wellbeing and retention at a time of global crisis in healthcare.

2020 consensus guideline for optimal approach to the diagnosis and treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The HERe2Cure project, which involved a group of breast cancer experts, members of multidisciplinary tumor boards from healthcare institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was initiated with the aim of defining an optimal approach to the diagnosis and treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer. After individual multidisciplinary consensus meetings were held in all oncology centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a final consensus meeting was held in order to reconcile the final conclusions discussed in individual meetings. Guidelines were adopted by consensus, based on the presentations and suggestions of experts, which were first discussed in a panel discussion and then agreed electronically between all the authors mentioned. The conclusions of the panel discussion represent the consensus of experts in the field of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The objectives of the guidelines include the standardization, harmonization and optimization of the procedures for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, all of which should lead to an improvement in the quality of health care of mentioned patients. The initial treatment plan for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer must be made by a multidisciplinary tumor board comprised of at least: a medical oncologist, a pathologist, a radiologist, a surgeon, and a radiation oncologist/radiotherapist.

Epidemiological, clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer in patients treated at the Clinical Center of Tuzla University.

AIM: To investigate hospital morbidity and incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Tuzla Canton between 2000 and 2004, as well as mortality incidence and degree of disease progression. METHODS: A total of 383 patients were enrolled in this study, all of them with CRC. Pathohistological analyses were performed in all patients after colonoscopy. Afterwards, the patients underwent surgery and obtained material was also pathohistologically analyzed in order to perform the Astler-Coller classification and the classification of the location of CRC. RESULTS: In the period 2000-2004 in the Tuzla Canton there were 383 newly diagnosed patients with CRC. The average age of the patients was 62 ± 12 years, and the incidence was equally distributed per genders. Rectal tumour was noted in 145 (37.9%) patients, and in 238 (62.1%) tumor was found elsewhere in the colon. Average incidence of the CRC was 15.73/100,000, with a dramatic increase in incidence in 2003 of 27.40/100,000. The average mortality incidence during the study was 6.89/100,000, and the largest number of the patients (339, 88.6%) was in an advanced stage of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a significant increase in the number of newly detected cases of CRC in the Tuzla Canton during 2000- 2004, which implies the need for initiating a National Early CRC Detection Programme.

What is the optimal treatment for appendiceal mass formed after acute perforated appendicitis.

We read with great interest the editorial article by Meshikhes AWN published in issue 25 of World J Gastroenterol 2011. The article described the advantages of emergency laparoscopic appendectomy compared with interval appendectomy as a new safe treatment modality for the appendiceal mass. The author concluded that the emergency laparoscopic appendectomy was a safe treatment modality for the appendiceal mass, and might prove to be more cost-effective than conservative treatment, with no need for interval appendectomy. However, we would like to highlight certain issues regarding the possibility of percutaneous catheter drainage to successfully treat the appendiceal mass, with no need for appendectomy, too.