The Impact of Physical Activity on Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

The prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is increasing, partly due to a lack of physical activity. In a cross-sectional study with 18,216 pupils (5th, 6th, and 8th grades) from four Croatian counties using the forward bend test (FBT; presumed AIS), the prevalence of AIS and its correlation with physical activity were evaluated. Pupils with presumed AIS were less physically active than their peers without scoliosis (p < 0.001). Abnormal FBT was more prevalent among girls than boys (8.3% vs. 3.2%). Boys were more physically active than girls (p < 0.001). Pupils with presumed AIS were less physically active than their peers without scoliosis (p < 0.001). A higher prevalence of presumed AIS was found among inactive or just recreationally active schoolchildren than among those engaged in organized sports (p = 0.001), girls especially. Pupils with presumed AIS were less active and had fewer weekly sports sessions than their peers without scoliosis (p < 0.001). Notably low prevalence of AIS was detected among pupils engaged in soccer (2.8%, p < 0.001), handball (3.4%, p = 0.002), and martial arts (3.9%, p = 0.006), while it was higher than expected in swimming (8.6%, p = 0.012), dancing (7.7%, p = 0.024), and volleyball (8.2%, p = 0.001) participants. No difference was detected for other sports. A positive correlation was found between time spent using handheld electronic devices and the prevalence of scoliosis (rs = 0.06, p < 0.01). This study confirms the increasing prevalence of AIS, particularly among less athletic girls. Further, prospective studies in this field are required to explain whether the higher prevalence of AIS in these sports is due to referral or other aspects.

Type I persistent proatlantal artery associated with fusiform subclavian artery aneurysm: Report of one case.

We report a 61 years old male presenting with a right cerebral infarction, along with a type I persistent left proatlantal artery (PA), which is a form of primitive carotid-basilar anastomosis. The patient had an absence of the ipsilateral vertebral artery (VA) and hypoplasia of the contralateral VA, while the basilar artery was supplied by the PA. Other vascular anomalies present were a fusiform aneurysm of the right subclavian artery, and an A1 segment aplasia of the hypoplastic anterior right cerebral artery, which originated from the anterior communicating artery. To our knowledge these anomalies were not described previously.

Type I persistent proatlantal artery associated with fusiform subclavian artery aneurysm: Report of one case / Arteria proatlántica persistente tipo I asociada a un aneurisma fusiforme de la arteria subclavia: Presentación de un caso

We report a 61 years old male presenting with a right cerebral infarction, along with a type I persistent left proatlantal artery (PA), which is a form of primitive carotid-basilar anastomosis. The patient had an absence of the ipsilateral vertebral artery (VA) and hypoplasia of the contralateral VA, while the basilar artery was supplied by the PA. Other vascular anomalies present were a fusiform aneurysm of the right subclavian artery, and an A1 segment aplasia of the hypoplastic anterior right cerebral artery, which originated from the anterior communicating artery. To our knowledge these anomalies were not described previously.

Relationship between Age and Thickness of Carotid Arteries in a Population without Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis.

The intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis associated with risk factors for atherosclerosis and a predictor of vascular disease. The aim of the research was to determine the correlation of IMT and age, and above normal IMT values in healthy adults in Slavonia (eastern Croatia). The study included 275 subjects of both sexes, aged between 20 and 79, who had no clinical manifestations of vascular disease or presence of major risk factors for atherosclerosis (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking). Ultrasonic measurement of IMT in the B-mode was performed on far walls of the carotid arteries on both sides at three locations (common and internal carotid artery, carotid bifurcation). At all three sites of measurement a high correlation between the IMT values and age was found in both sexes, including the maximum for IMT of carotid bifurcation (men r=0.92, women 0.91). Upper normal values (75th percentile) IMT of common carotid arteries were determined for the ten year age groups. It is the same for both men and women in age groups both 20-29 and 30-39 (0.41, 0.46 mm). On the other hand, in age groups 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79 upper normal values for men are 0.57, 0.62, 0.77 and 0.96 mm, and for women 0.50, 0.57, 0.71 and 0.81 mm. Our study in healthy adults in Slavonia (eastern Croatia) established a clear con- nection between carotid IMT and age, which implies a need for taking the age as an essential factor into account when conducting researches that involve the IMT.

Association between socioeconomic status and obesity in children.

The perception of obesity among people has not changed significantly regardless numerous public educational programs. Reasons for obesity pandemics are numerous and complex, but can be mostly resumed to life-style changes. The aim of this research was to determine connection between socioeconomic factors and obesity with children of our region. Study included pupils aged 7-8 from 19 first grades in 8 primary schools in Osijek-Baranya County. Body height and weight were measured and socioeconomic data status were collected. Socioeconomic status included data on marital status, educational level, employment, number of children in the family, kindergarten attendance and urban/rural location and also smoking habits of parents. BMI was calculated as a parameter for obesity assessment according to Croatian reference values. Total of 372 children were measured. There were 6.5% of overweight children (BMI between 90th and 97th percentile) and 2.4% of obese children (BMI above 97th percentile). The prevalence of obese children in our research was 8.9%. Obesity is not influenced by rural/urban residence, marital status of parents, number of children in the family, mother's education, or by parents' smoking habits. Positive correlation between obesity and father's education and parents' unemployment was found. Available literature data, same as our study, did not show consistent association between socioeconomic factors and obesity with children. Contradictory results of different studies can be a result of a small sample, difference in study design and different criteria for defining categories within investigated socioeconomic factor.

Subclavian fusiform aneurysm causing partial subclavian steal syndrome. Case report.

We present a 55-year-old man with repeated transient symptoms of vertebrobasilar arterial pathology. Physical examination detected no signs that would indicate the stenosis of the proximal subclavian artery segment. Ultrasound detected hemodynamic disorder of right vertebral artery, which correspond to a partial subclavian steal syndrome. Angiography shows fusiform aneurysm of ipsilateral subclavian artery in which central part is the base of hypoplastic vertebral artery. In the literature are rare reports of cases of partial subclavian steal syndrome caused by aneurysmal expansion of subclavian artery.

Influence of health education regarding correct diet on anthropometric indexes in children.

Obesity is one of the leading public health issues in the world whose significance lies, not only in its prevalence, but also in its consequences i.e. diseases that gradually develop in obese people. The aim of the study was to determine obesity prevalence among school children and the influence of health education on its prevalence. Study included pupils of 19 first grades in 8 primary schools of Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia. Body weight and height, waist and hip circumference were measured. Parameters for assessing obesity: body mass index (BMI, according to Croatian referral values), waist circumference (WC), waist and hip circumference ratio (WHR) and waist circumference and height ratio (WHtR) were measured. In order to determine whether the health education of pupils and their parents influences children's anthropometric indexes, health education regarding correct diet, obesity and its consequences and the need for life style changes in terms of daily physical activity was conducted in four primary schools. Pupils of other four primary schools were measured as a control group. Prevalence of overweight children according to BMI before education was 8.9% (6.5% of overweight and 2.4% of obese children). In intervention group of children, according to BMI, there was no decrease in proportion of obese after the health education was conducted and prevalence was 2% before and after the education. On the second measurement, pupils in control group showed increase in proportion of obese from 2.9% to 3.5%. According to weight circumference and height ratio before education there were 10.2% of obese children. After six months, there was an increase in proportion of obese to 11.3%. According to this index there was an increase in proportion of obese in all groups of pupils regardless of gender and conducted education. This study shows that in school-based obesity programs it is necessary to apply more intense interventions with another type of methodology; program should be conducted continuously during longer period, otherwise this condition will continue to rise.

Basilar artery occlusion treated conventionally with good outcome.

It presents a case of a 39-year old woman with acute symptomatic occlusion of basilar artery proximal segment, which was manifested by severe neurological symptomatology and deficits. The patient was treated conventionally (anticoagulant, then antiplatelet agent therapy) with excellent short-term and long-term outcome. In spite of serious acute neurological symptomatology of basilar artery occlusion, proximal localization of the occlusion, fluctuating symptomatology flow, younger age and development of collateral circulation can suggest a good outcome in conventionally treated patients.

Enuresis in school children from eastern Croatia.

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of nocturnal incontinence (NI) in 6-to-7-year-old children from eastern Croatia, to determine the factors associated with NI and to evaluate parental perception of the problem. From May to September 2004, the parents of 3,011 children were asked to complete an anonymous validated questionnaire. The overall prevalence of reported NI was 1.2% (35/3011). All of the cases were cases of secondary NI. NI was significantly more frequent in boys than in girls. Family history of enuresis was present in 68.6% (24/35) of enuretic children. Only 17.1% (6/35) of parents expressed some concern about the effect of the researched problem on their child's future development. The frequency of NI in this study group is much lower than that reported in other European countries. The reason for this is still not known, although parental perception of this problem is certainly a significant factor. Further investigations are needed.