Body Mass Index and Late Adverse Outcomes after a Carotid Endarterectomy.

A cohort study was conducted to examine the association of an increased body mass index (BMI) with late adverse outcomes after a carotid endarterectomy (CEA). It comprised 1597 CEAs, performed in 1533 patients at the Vascular Surgery Clinic in Belgrade, from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2017. The follow-up lasted four years after CEA. Data for late myocardial infarction and stroke were available for 1223 CEAs, data for death for 1305 CEAs, and data for restenosis for 1162 CEAs. Logistic and Cox regressions were used in the analysis. The CEAs in patients who were overweight and obese were separately compared with the CEAs in patients with a normal weight. Out of 1223 CEAs, 413 (33.8%) were performed in patients with a normal weight, 583 (47.7%) in patients who were overweight, and 220 (18.0%) in patients who were obese. According to the logistic regression analysis, the compared groups did not significantly differ in the frequency of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death, as late major adverse outcomes (MAOs), or in the frequency of restenosis. According to the Cox and logistic regression analyses, BMI was neither a predictor for late MAOs, analyzed separately or all together, nor for restenosis. In conclusion, being overweight and being obese were not related to the occurrence of late adverse outcomes after a carotid endarterectomy.

Body mass index and early outcomes after carotid endarterectomy.

As the existing data on the correlation of adiposity with adverse outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are inconsistent, the aim of the present study is to examine the correlation of an increased body mass index with 30-day complications after carotid endarterectomy. The cohort study comprises 1586 CEAs, performed at the Clinic for Vascular Surgery in Belgrade, from 2012-2017. Out of them, 550 CEAs were performed in patients with normal body mass index (18.5-24.9), 750 in overweight (25.0-29.9), and 286 in obese (≥30) patients. The association of overweight and obesity with early outcomes of carotid endarterectomy was assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Overweight patients, in whom CEAs were performed, were significantly more frequently males, compared to normal weight patients-Odds Ratio (OR) 1.51 (95% confidence interval- 1.19-1.89). Moreover, overweight patients significantly more frequently had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus-OR 1.44 (1.09-1.90), and more frequently used ACEI in hospital discharge therapy-OR 1.41 (1.07-1.84) than normal weight patients. Additionally, the CEAs in them were less frequently followed by bleedings-OR 0.37 (0.16-0.83). Compared to normal weight patients, obese patients were significantly younger-OR 0.98 (0.96-0.99), and with insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus-OR 1.83 (1.09-3.06) and OR 2.13 (1.50-3.01) respectively. They also more frequently had increased triglyceride levels-OR 1.36 (1.01-1.83), and more frequently used oral anticoagulants in therapy before the surgery-OR 2.16 (1.11-4.19). According to the results obtained, overweight and obesity were not associated with an increased death rate, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, myocardial infarction, or with minor complications, and the need for reoperation after carotid endarterectomy. The only exception was bleeding, which was significantly less frequent after CEA in overweight compared to normal weight patients.

Comparison of Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, version II and Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form in detecting nutritional risk among community-dwelling seniors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to compare Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, version II (SCREEN II) and Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form (MNA-SF), where each is used to identify nutritional risk prevalence among community-dwelling people aged 65 years and above in Bosnia and Herzegovina. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. Nutritional risk assessed using the nutritionist's risk rating, anthropometric measurements, functional indicators, cognitive parameters, SCREEN II and MNA-SF. SETTING: The municipalities of Foca, East Sarajevo and Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred twenty-one community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of high nutritional risk per nutritionist's risk rating, SCREEN II and MNA-SF was 26, 60, and 7 %, respectively. With the nutritionist's rating score ≥5 as the criterion, the MNA-SF cut-off point of ≤11 (indicating any possible risk) had poor sensitivity (55·7 %), specificity (46·6 %) and AUC (0·563; P = 0·024). When the criterion of >7 was applied, good sensitivity (95·3 %) and specificity (88·9 %) were obtained for the MNA-SF cut-off score of ≤7. AUC for this comparison was 0·742 (considered fair). Cut-off points of <54 (AUC = 0·816) and <50 (AUC = 0·881) for SCREEN II (indicating moderate to high risk) corresponded with good sensitivity (82·2 %; 80·9 %) and fair specificity (72·1 %; 75·0 %). CONCLUSION: MNA-SF may have a limited role in nutritional risk screening among community-dwelling seniors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. SCREEN II has promising results in regard to validity, but further studies are warranted.

Translation, adaptation and validation of the youth attitude to noise scale (YANS) questionnaire into serbian language.

CONTEXT: Several language variations of YANS have been published. There is a rationale in grouping languages where one variation is usable for several countries. The people of four ex-Yugoslavian countries do speak practically one language whatever its present name. AIM: To make a Serbian version of YANS which would be usable in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Translation and test-retest survey in a secondary school. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The translation process was performed according to the relevant guidelines through a standard procedure: English-Serbian-English-Consensus (people fluent in English)-Pilot assessment (20 students). The survey was performed in a Belgrade high school. Test YANS was completed by 244 students (response rate 98,8%, males 44%). Retest YANS was carried out among 60 randomly chosen students from the primary sample (response rate 96.7%, males 58%). In the statistical analysis we used the Olsen's model of classification as well as previous validation of YANS. A reliability measure for analyzing survey items was Cronbach's alpha. Determination of the mean differences between test and retest with respect to normal distribution of data was performed with the Student's paired t-test. RESULTS: Factor analysis between items grouped into four factors showed no significant association, except for a weak but negative one between two specific factors. The internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.721 and assessed as acceptable. The test-retest comparison did not reveal any significant differences. Mean overall YANS score was 2.76, which is higher than on testing in Sweden, very similar to the Brazilian one, and lower than in Belgium and China. CONCLUSION: Serbian version of YANS is a valid and reliable research instrument. It may also be used in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Association of overweight and obesity with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with atherosclerotic diseases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics, including inflammatory markers, according to the nutritional status of patients with verified atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 1045 consecutive patients with verified carotid disease or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Anthropometric parameters and data on cardiovascular risk factors and therapy for hypertension and hyperlipidemia were collected for all participants. RESULTS: Carotid disease was positively and PAD was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI). Negative association between obesity and PAD was significant only in former smokers, not in current smokers or in patients who never smoked. Overweight and general obesity were significantly related to metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001), lower values of high - density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001), increased triglycerides (p < 0.001), hyperglycemia (p < 0.001), self-reported diabetes (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), high serum uric acid (p < 0.001), increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.020) and former smoking (p = 0.005) after adjustment for age, gender and type of disease. Antihypertensive therapy seems to be less effective in patients who are overweight and obese. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, overweight and general obesity were significantly related to several cardiovascular risk factors.

Statistical Challenges in Development of Prognostic Models in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Comparison Between Existing Models - A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Based on advances in the diagnosis, classification, and management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a number of new prognostic models have been proposed. The aim of this study was to review and compare different prognostic models of DLBCL based on the statistical methods used to evaluate the performance of each model, as well as to analyze the possible limitations of the methods. METHODS AND RESULTS: A literature search identified 46 articles that proposed 55 different prognostic models for DLBCL by combining different clinical, laboratory, and other parameters of prognostic significance. In addition, six studies used nomograms, which avoid risk categorization, to create prognostic models. Only a minority of studies assessed discrimination and/or calibration to compare existing models built upon different statistical methods in the process of development of a new prognostic model. All models based on nomograms reported the c-index as a measure of discrimination. There was no uniform evaluation of the performance in other prognostic models. We compared these models of DLBCL by calculating differences and ratios of 3-year overall survival probabilities between the high- and the low-risk groups. We found that the highest and lowest ratio between low- and high-risk groups was 6 and 1.31, respectively, while the difference between these groups was 18.9% and 100%, respectively. However, these studies had limited duration of follow-up and the number of patients ranged from 71 to 335. CONCLUSION: There is no universal statistical instrument that could facilitate a comparison of prognostic models in DLBCL. However, when developing a prognostic model, it is recommended to report its discrimination and calibration in order to facilitate comparisons between different models. Furthermore, prognostic models based on nomograms are becoming more appealing owing to individualized disease-related risk estimations. However, they have not been validated yet in other study populations.

Anxiety and depression in patients with vocal fold nodules, edema and polyps.

PURPOSE: To compare the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety among patients with vocal fold (VF) nodules, polyps and edema. At the same time the aim was to analyse association between severity of distress and the level of vocal handicap as well as to identify other factors related to severity of depression and anxiety in these patients. METHODS: To all participants were given five questionnaires: (1) questionnaire on socio-demographic and some other characteristics of patient; (2) Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI); (3) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) 1 (State Anxiety); (4) STAI 2 (Trait Anxiety); and (5) Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients were included in this study. Mild-to-severe depression, according to BDI was present in 79 (38.6%) patients. Mild-to-severe state anxiety and trait anxiety were present in 199 (97.1%) and 200 (97.6%) patients, respectively. Only 10 patients had VHI-10 score ≤ 11. Multivariate analyses showed that there were no significant differences in the level of depression and anxiety between patients with VF nodules, polyps and edema. The VHI-10 score was significantly higher in patients with VF edema in comparison with VF nodule patients (p = 0.001), as well as in comparison with VF polyp patients (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study identified a high prevalence of psychological and vocal distress among patients with vocal disorders. Severity of depression and anxiety did not differ between patients with VF nodules, polyps and edema, and it was not related to the level of vocal handicap.

Profile and reference values for body fat and skeletal muscle mass percent at females, aged from 18.0 to 69. 9, measured by multichannel segmental bioimpedance method: Serbian population study / Perfil y valores de referencia del porcentaje de grasa corporal y masa muscular en mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 18, 0 y 69, 9 años, medido por el método de bioimpedancia segmentaria multicanal: estudio en población serbia

Profile and standards for the diagnostics of percent of body fat and muscles were defined on a sample of 1924 women from the Republic of Serbia, aged 18.0 to 69.9, where the body structure of subjects was measured by applying multichannel segmental bioimpedance. Total sample was divided into six age groups, for the purpose of the definition of standard with regards to age. When it comes to body fat percentage results have shown that the average value of the total sample was 28.51±9.26 %, and between the range of 23.81 and 39.94 % for age groups 18.0-19.9 yr and 60.0-69.9 yr, respectively. Regression analysis results have shown that the constant of body fat percentage increase by trend of 3.417 % per decade, and that 25.1 % of mutual variance trend was explained by the model, with prediction error of 4.55 %. With regards to the percentage of skeletal muscles in the body, the results have shown that the average value of the total sample was 39.30±5.25 %, and within the range of 42.25 to 32.58 % for age groups 18.0-19.9 yr and 60.0-69.9 yr, respectively. Regression analysis results have shown that the constant of the skeletal muscles decrease by tend of -2.016 % per decade and that the model explained 23.8 % of mutual variance trend with prediction error of 8.08 %.

El perfil y estándares para el diagnóstico del porcentaje de grasa corporal y masa muscular fueron definidos en una muestra de 1924 mujeres de la República de Serbia, con edades comprendidas entre 18,0 y 69,9 años, donde la composición corporal de los sujetos fue medida por bioimpedancia segmentaria multicanal. La muestra fue dividida en seis grupos, con el propósito de definir los estándares respecto a la edad. Respecto al porcentaje de grasa corporal los resultados han mostrado que el valor promedio de la muestra fue de 28,51±9,26 %, y entre los rangos de 23,81 y 39,94 para los grupos de edad de 18,0-19,9 años y 60,069,9 años, respectivamente. Los resultados del análisis de regresión mostraron que la constante del porcentaje de grasa corporal aumentó 3,417 % por década, y que un 25,1 % de la varianza fue explicada por el modelo, con un error de predicción de 4,55 %. Con respecto al porcentaje de masa muscular, los resultados han mostrado que el valor promedio de la muestra fue de 39,30±5,25 %, y entre los rangos de 42,24 y 32,58 para los grupos de edad de 18,0-19,9 años y 60,0-69,9 años, respectivamente. Los resultados del análisis de regresión han mostrado que la constante de masa muscular decreció -2,016 % por década y que el modelo explicó 23,8 % de la varianza con un error de predicción de 8,08 %.

The prevalence of polyvascular disease in patients with carotid artery disease and peripheral artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease remains the major cause of mortality in the Western World. AIMS: We aimed to assess the prevalence of polyvascular disease in patients with carotid artery disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD), and to determine the risk profile of patients with polyvascular disease. METHODS: The study included 1045 consecutive patients presenting to our department with carotid disease or PAD. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters, and data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected in all patients. On the basis of medical history, patients were classified into those who had only symptomatic carotid disease or symptomatic PAD and those who had symptomatic polyvascular disease. RESULTS: Carotid disease alone was reported in 366 participants (35%), PAD alone, in 199 (19%), and polyvascular disease, in 480 (46%). Compared with carotid disease, PAD was more often a component of polyvascular disease (P = 0.002) and was combined with a higher number of other atherosclerotic diseases (P = 0.02). Compared with patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease in only 1 territory, patients with various types of polyvascular disease more often had hypertension (P from 0.03 to <0.001), dyslipidemia (P <0.001), high­sensitivity C­reactive protein levels of 3 mg/l or higher (P = 0.005), and more often were current smokers (P <0.001) or former smokers (P from 0.03 to 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We showed a high prevalence of symptomatic polyvascular disease in patients with carotid disease or PAD. The risk profile was worse in patients with polyvascular disease than in those with a disease in a single vascular territory.

Available prognostic models for risk stratification of diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients: a systematic review.

The International Prognostic Index (IPI) has been used for risk stratification for a long time in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Based on new clinical and biological prognostic markers, many new prognostic models have been described. This review aims to present the progress in development and validation of these prognostic models. A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify studies that proposed a new prognostic model in DLBCL. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. The IPI, revised IPI (R-IPI), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-IPI were the most studied prognostic indexes, externally validated and commonly used to compare to other models. Despite an increasing number of prognostic models have been proposed lately, most of them lack external validation. Further studies, that combine biological and clinical markers with prognostic significance, are needed to determine the optimal prognostic tool for more personalized treatment approach to DLBCL patients.

Relationship between socioeconomic and nutritional status in the Serbian adult population: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status is a well-known risk factor for obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between socioeconomic and nutritional status in the Serbian adult population. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on data from the 2013 National Health Survey performed in Serbia. METHODS: The study population consisted of adults aged ≥ 20 years. Face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements were conducted by trained staff. Associations between body mass index and sociodemographic variables were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Out of 12,461 subjects of both sexes, 36.4% were overweight and 22.4% were obese. The prevalences of overweight and obesity differed significantly between the sexes, regarding all sociodemographic characteristics. Among women, educational attainment was associated with lower risk of being overweight (odds ratio, OR = 0.82; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.69-0.98 for medium-level and OR = 0.77; CI: 0.62-0.97 for higher education) or obese (OR = 0.68; CI: 0.57-0.82 for medium-level and OR = 0.41; CI: 0.31-0.54 for higher education). In contrast, medium-level (OR = 1.28; CI: 1.08-1.52) and highly educated men (OR = 1.39; CI: 1.11-1.74) were more frequently overweight than were those with low education. Among men, grade I obesity was positively related to the richest wealth index group (OR = 1.27), while the opposite was true for grade II obesity among women (OR = 0.61). CONCLUSION: This study showed significant socioeconomic inequalities in nutritional status between men and women. Continuous monitoring of socioeconomic patterns relating to weight is important, especially with further exploration of the link between education and obesity.

Relationship between socioeconomic and nutritional status in the Serbian adult population: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status is a well-known risk factor for obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between socioeconomic and nutritional status in the Serbian adult population. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on data from the 2013 National Health Survey performed in Serbia. METHODS: The study population consisted of adults aged ≥ 20 years. Face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements were conducted by trained staff. Associations between body mass index and sociodemographic variables were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Out of 12,461 subjects of both sexes, 36.4% were overweight and 22.4% were obese. The prevalences of overweight and obesity differed significantly between the sexes, regarding all sociodemographic characteristics. Among women, educational attainment was associated with lower risk of being overweight (odds ratio, OR = 0.82; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.69-0.98 for medium-level and OR = 0.77; CI: 0.62-0.97 for higher education) or obese (OR = 0.68; CI: 0.57-0.82 for medium-level and OR = 0.41; CI: 0.31-0.54 for higher education). In contrast, medium-level (OR = 1.28; CI: 1.08-1.52) and highly educated men (OR = 1.39; CI: 1.11-1.74) were more frequently overweight than were those with low education. Among men, grade I obesity was positively related to the richest wealth index group (OR = 1.27), while the opposite was true for grade II obesity among women (OR = 0.61). CONCLUSION: This study showed significant socioeconomic inequalities in nutritional status between men and women. Continuous monitoring of socioeconomic patterns relating to weight is important, especially with further exploration of the link between education and obesity.

Awareness and knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors among medical students.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of medical students in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors as well as to assess the impact of medical education on their knowledge and recognition of the importance of implementation of preventive measures. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 514 students in the second year of studying at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, Serbia (younger students response rate 79.57%) and 511 students in the last year of education (older students response rate 90.21%). For data collection, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used, which included two types of questions about CVD risk factors and questions about the student's attitude. RESULTS: Older students knew significantly more about CVD risk factors than students who were at the beginning of their medical studies; however, more than half of the older students did not know the correct answers about CVD risk factors. The only exceptions were questions about "bad" and "good" cholesterol, metabolic syndrome (MSy) and lipid lowering therapy in high risk subjects. Physical inactivity, obesity, type 2 diabetes, smoking and hypertension were not ranked highly enough as important CVD risk factors. Compared groups of students did not significantly differ in attitude scores. The majority of them recognized CVD as the leading cause of death, had normal weight and knew their own blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of medical students from Belgrade about CVD risk factors should be improved.

Outcome of orthograde endodontic retreatment--A two-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Endodontic retreatment is a complex intervention that requires detailed analysis of possible reasons for failure, and flawless practical execution of the procedure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the outcome of endodontic retreatment based on clinical and radiographic criteria after a two-year observation period. METHODS: Clinical study included 49 teeth indicated for endodontic retreatment based on periapical index (PAI). All teeth were divided into two groups. Group I comprised teeth without any periapical lesion (PAI score of 1 and 2) while Group II consisted of teeth with visible periapical radiolucency (PAI score of 3, 4, and 5). Endodontic retreatment was completed in two visits with inter-appointment medication of 2% chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide for two weeks. Outcome of endodontic retreatment was evaluated 12-24 months after final obturation. RESULTS: Endodontic retreatment was successful in 93.3% in Group I after 24 months. In Group II, successful treatment and complete healing was found in 52.9% of teeth, whereas 14.7% of teeth showed only partial healing. However, clinical symptomatology was not present in any of the cases. Considering the absence of clinical signs and subjective symptoms, retreatment was successful in 67.6% of cases where chronic periapical inflammation was present. CONCLUSION: Endodontic retreatment was successful in high percentage in teeth with and without periapical lesions.

Comparison of different anthropometric measures in the adult population in Serbia as indicators of obesity: data from the National Health Survey 2013.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to compare different indicators of obesity in the Serbian adult population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. A stratified, two-stage, national-representative random sampling approach was used for the selection of the survey sample. Data sources were questionnaires created according to the European Health Interview Survey questionnaire. Measurements of weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were performed using standard procedures. Anthropometric measures included BMI, WC and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). SETTING: Data for the study were obtained from the 2013 National Health Survey, performed in line with the EUROSTAT recommendations for performance of the European Health Interview Survey. SUBJECTS: Adults aged ≥20 years. RESULTS: According to BMI, out of the whole studied population (12 460 adults of both sexes) 2·4 % were underweight, 36·4 % overweight and 22·4 % obese. Using WC and WHtR as measures of adiposity showed that 22·5 % and 42·8 % of participants were overweight and 39·8 % and 25·3 % were obese, respectively. Men and women differed significantly in all variables observed. Overweight was more frequent in men and obesity in women regardless of adiposity measure used. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of strong correlations between BMI, WC and WHtR, substantial discrepancies between these three measures in the assessment of overweight and obesity were found, especially in some age groups. Which of these anthropometric measures should be used, or whether two or all three of them should be applied, depends on their associations with cardiovascular or some other disease of interest.

Relationship between health behaviour and body mass index in the Serbian adult population: data from National Health Survey 2013.

OBJECTIVES: To determine relationship between health behaviour and body mass index (BMI) in a Serbian adult population. METHODS: Study population included adults aged 20 and more years. A stratified, two-stage national representative random sampling approach was used for the selection of the survey sample. RESULTS: Regarding BMI, out of the 12,461 subjects of both sexes, 2.4 % were underweight, 36.5 % overweight and 22.4 % obese. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that both in men and women, risk factors for obesity were former smoking, irregular eating breakfast and low physical activity level, while in women only risk of obesity was associated with alcohol consumption. In both sexes, risk factors for overweight were former smoking and low physical activity level, and in women additionally those were alcohol consumption, irregular eating breakfast, always adding salt to meals and consumption of 2-4 portions of fruit daily. Smoking and irregular eating of breakfast in men were risk factors for underweight. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, irregular breakfast consumption, adding salt to meals, frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption were related to BMI in adult Serbian population.

Changing body structure components and motor skills in Military High School students within one year.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND/AIM. Proper growth and development ofadolescents in the morphological, functional and psychosocial aspects is the imperative of the educational process. The aim of this study was to determine the status and changes in the indicators of morphological characteristics, motor skills and lifestyle habits among the students of the Military High School in Belgrade. METHODS: The study included 217 students aged 15 to 18 years (from the first to the fourth grade). The two measurements performed at the intervals of one year were used to determine: the body structure by means of 10 variables and motor skills by 4 variables, while life habits were determined by 25 variables. RESULTS: The differences in the indicators of morphological characteristics were recorded in all the groups, being the highest in the first year of schooling. During the period of growing up, a reduction of fatty component in percentage values was found, as well as an increase of muscle mass. The progressive growth of motor skills in the first, second and the third grade was recorded in the manifestation of power, and endurance improved only in the first year. In terms of dietary habits, there was no difference among the groups. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicate proper morphological and motor development and the formation of lifestyle habits. The data obtained will serve as a basis for health and functional prevention and upgrading in terms of improvement of the process of military education.

Quality of life after peripheral bypass surgery: a 1 year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) after aortobifemoral bypass. METHODS: QoL assessments were completed by 78 patients, 61 (78.2 %) men and 17 (21.8 %) women. QoL was measured, using Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36), before surgery and 1 year later. RESULTS: QoL significantly improved after revascularization in about two-third of patients with PAD. Improvement was present in all the SF-36 subscales with the exception of the score for mental health which significantly decreased after operation. Mean SF-36 scores, which were for almost all subscales significantly decreased in patients with PAD in comparison with reference populations, after operation reached or exceeded values of the populations with which they were compared. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study 1 year after revascularization QoL in patients with PAD was significantly improved in comparison with QoL before operation. Long-term follow-up is needed in order to assess duration of this beneficial effect of bypass surgery.

Association between C-reactive protein, anthropometric and lipid parameters among healthy normal weight and overweight postmenopausal women in Montenegro.

OBJECTIVE: Although C-reactive protein (CRP) is among the best cardiovascular disease risk predictors, data regarding the association of CRP and menopause are controversial. In this study, we measured CRP by a high-sensitivity method (hsCRP), cholesterol, lipoproteins, and triglycerides in normal and overweight postmenopausal women. METHODS: Body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hsCRP, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides, and lipoprotein (a) were measured in 30 normal weight and 60 overweight healthy postmenopausal women. RESULTS: Significantly higher triglyceride and hsCRP levels (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001 respectively), together with lower HDL-c levels (P = 0.001) were found in overweight compared to normal weight women. In the overweight group, positive correlations of hsCRP were observed with age, body mass index and WC (P = 0.016, P = 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) and a negative correlation was observed with HDL-c (P = 0.007). In the normal weight group, positive correlations were found for hsCRP with age and WC (P = 0.023 and P = 0.014, respectively). WC was the best predictor of hsCRP level in both groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Elevated hsCRP levels in conjunction with abnormal lipid profiles may be strongly associated with weight gain in postmenopausal women. Efforts to reduce obesity and inflammation in this group may help correct abnormal levels of hsCRP and lipids.