Mortality trend of cutaneous melanoma in Montenegro from 1990-2018.

OBJECTIVE: Every year, melanoma claims over 20,000 lives in Europe. In Montenegro, as in Europe, numerous campaigns have been initiated to raise public awareness about the importance of melanoma prevention and its early detection. Thus, accompanying current diagnostic and therapeutic protocols, new methods of melanoma diagnosis and treatment have been implemented. Studying the trend enables the identification of the groups most burdened by mortality and assesses whether there has been a change in trends based on interventions aiming to reduce mortality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the mortality trend from cutaneous melanoma in Montenegro for the period 1990-2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have utilized national data on the causes of death from melanoma, code 179 from the ninth and C43 from the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases, categorized by gender and age groups. The study utilized various regression techniques, including Joinpoint regression in the Joinpoint Program, Poisson regression, and linear regression in the SPSS 26th Program, to describe the trend. RESULTS: In Montenegro, during the period from 1990 to 2018, a total of 281 individuals died (51.6% male and 48.4% female). This ranks as the 13th leading cancer in terms of mortality among all cancers. The average age-standardized rate was 1.1 deaths per 100,000 (1.2 for males and 1.0 for females).  The number of death cases has been increasing on average by 3.3% annually [average annual percentage change (AAPC) (95% CI) = 3.3 (1.7-4.9); p<0.001] on an overall level and by 5.4% annually among males [AAPC (95% CI) = 5.4 (3.6-7.3); p<0.001] due to the rises in the age groups 55-64 years and 65-74 years with an average annual percent change of respectively 3.2% [AAPC (95% CI) = 3.2 (0.8-5.8); p=0.012] and 5.4% [AAPC (95% CI) = 5.4 (2.7-8.1); p<0.001] overall level, and 4.8% [AAPC (95% CI) = 4.8 (2.4-7.3); p<0.001] and 7.5% [AAPC (95% CI) = 7.5 (4.9-10.2); p<0.001] among males. For females, an increase of 1.1% was recorded, which was not statistically significant [AAPC (95% CI) = 1.1 (-0.8-3.0); p=0.255]. Furthermore, there was a noted increase in the rates at an overall level [ß (95% CI) = 0.027 (0.008-0.046); p=0.007] and in the age group 65-74 years [ß (95% CI) = 0.249 (0.090-0.407); p=0.003], as well as among males at an overall level [ß (95% CI) = 0.052 (0.025-0.079); p<0.001] and for age groups 45-54 years [ß (95% CI) = 0.102 (0.011-0.193); p=0.030] and 65-74 [ß (95% CI) = 0.410 (0.144-0.676); p=0.004]. In contrast, the rates for females remained constant. The three age groups most burdened by melanoma skin cancer mortality are 65-74 years (23.5%), 55-64 years (21.7%) and 75-84 years  (19.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of regression analyses indicate a significant rise in both the number of death cases and mortality rates overall, specifically among males in Montenegro. In females, however, the increase in the number of death cases and rates is not statistically significant. Preventive campaign activities should be redirected towards the most vulnerable groups in terms of mortality, namely males and the elderly population.

Trend of breast cancer mortality in Montenegro, 1990-2018 - Joinpoint regression.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed breast cancer mortality data overall and by age groups in women in Montenegro, to determine if there were any changes in trend for period 1990-2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study gathered data on breast cancer mortality in Montenegro obtained from Vital Registration System. Annual data on breast cancer mortality were extracted for period 1990-2018 and analyzed using World Standard Population age-standardized and age-specific rates and Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: In 2018 in Montenegro, breast cancer accounted for 4.64% of all deaths in women and for 19.78% of all cancer deaths in women. In terms of total cancer mortality, it ranked first among women. Age-standardized rates ranged from 11.41/100,000 in 1990 to 20.46/100,000 in 2016. Joinpoint regression showed no one joinpoint for the entire population of all women and age groups. In the observed period, breast cancer mortality rates significantly increased in the women in Montenegro [average annual percentage change (AAPC) = 1.44%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9-2.0]. The most affected age group was 55-64 years. CONCLUSIONS: There is a growing breast cancer mortality trend in Montenegro. It is necessary to create specific programs for urgent action, in order to reduce this undesirable trend. At the same time, support from the competent institutions is needed for increasing screening coverage and better prevention of breast cancer in the target population.

Acetabular component position of the noncemented total hip endoprosthesis after previous Chiari pelvic osteotomy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the validity of acetabular component position of the noncemented total hip endoprosthesis after Chiari pelvic osteotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 75 patients operated on at the Institute of Orthopedic Surgery "Banjica" in the period from 1990-2009. The first group consisted of 39 patients (46 hips) who underwent Chiari pelvic osteotomy and also later the implantation of a noncemented total hip endoprosthesis. A control group consisted of 36 patients (47 hips) who underwent total hip arthroplasty due to degenerative hip dysplasia. RESULTS: In the previously operated patients the centre of rotation of the hip was on the average placed more proximally, while in the control group of patients the position of the acetabular component was closer to the anatomical one. In the group of patients after Chiari osteotomy the mean acetabular cup abduction angle rated 41.8°±9.8°, while in the control group this value was on the average higher (45.4°±8.6°). DISCUSSION: There was a significant difference between the studied groups in relation to the distance between the acetabular component of endoprosthesis and the acetabular teardrop (t=-2.763; p=0.007). No statistically significant difference was determined in the mean value of the angle of acetabular abduction component of endoprosthesis between the studied groups of patients (t=1.878; p=0.064). CONCLUSIONS: Acetabular component position of the total hip endoprosthesis was not compromised by anatomic changes of the acetabulum caused by Chiari pelvic osteotomy.

Pharmacodynamic action of a commercial preparation of the mushroom Coprinus comatus in rats.

The pharmacodynamic effect of a 7-day oral treatment with a suspension of Coprinus comatus at doses of 0.835 and 1.670 g/kg in rats was studied. Changes in body weight, bile secretion and hypoglycaemic action were examined together with antipyretic activity and paw oedema tests. Such treatments resulted in a significantly lower increase in the body weight of tested animals (15.73 ± 8.36 g/rat in the untreated group, 8.44 ± 8.23 g/rat (p < 0.05) and 3.18 ± 7.93 g/rat (p < 0.05), for C. comatus 0.835 and 1.67 g/kg, respectively). Hypoglycaemic action was evident only in the glucose load test (6.79 ± 0.61 to 9.70 ± 1.16 (p < 0.05) in the untreated group and 6.47 ± 0.35 to 7.27 ± 0.76 for C. comatus 1.67 g/kg). Histological examination of pancreas cross-sections suggested certain protective functions of the mushroom suspension in alloxan poisoning. In the antipyretic test, a significantly lower increase in body temperature was observed in the mushroom-pretreated rats. In the paw oedema test, no decrease in oedema induced by formalin injection was observed following treatment with C. comatus.