Changes in the level of knowledge of diabetes among elderly with diabetes in Slovenia in the period 2011-2020.

AIMS: To achieve better treatment decisions, type 2 diabetes patients need to be empowered also through knowledge increase. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of knowledge and overall perceptions of type 2 diabetes within the elderly diabetic patients before and after the National Diabetes Prevention and Care Development Programme 2010-2020. METHODS: Diabetes knowledge test was used in two cross-sectional studies in 2011 and 2020 where the samples of type 2 diabetes patients 65+ were surveyed. Besides descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and general linear model were used to compare the level of knowledge. RESULTS: The comparison reveals that in the last decade the general knowledge about diabetes has not significantly changed (U = 16942, p = 0.809). The average scores in 2011 and 2020 were 7.98 ± 2.41 and 7.96 ± 2.36 respectively. The average level of knowledge has slightly worsened for patients in the age group 80+, while it remained approximately the same in the other three age groups (65-69, 70-74, 75-79). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that despite the National Diabetes Prevention and Care Development Programme the knowledge of elderly diabetic patients in Slovenia remained at the same level or worsened.

Comparing Quality of Life of General Population and Orthopedic Patients in Slovenia.

OBJECTIVE: To our knowledge this is the first study presenting descriptive EQ-5D health profile and VAS scores for orthopedic patients in Slovenia. Furthermore, EQ-5D-3L population norms for Slovenia are presented. The aims of this study are (1) to provide population norms for EQ-5D-3L in Slovenia according to age and sex and (2) to compare different groups of orthopaedic patients' health state among themselves as well as to the general population. METHODS: Data on orthopedic patients' preoperative health status assessment were recorded (n = 1118). The health status of 4 groups of orthopedic patients was analyzed and compared using EQ VAS and the EQ-5D descriptive profile. The results were compared with Slovenian population norms, which were calculated using the EQ-5D valuation set database from year 2000 (n = 708). RESULTS: As expected, a higher proportion of patients than the general population report problems on all dimensions. The opposite is true only for mobility and anxiety/depression dimension for shoulder surgery patients. Hip endoscopy patients have the lowest health-related quality of life (HRQoL) out of all patient groups using EQ VAS and EQ-5D descriptive profiles. CONCLUSION: The population norms presented will be useful for many researchers trying to compare HRQoL among various patient groups or the general population. Separate use of the descriptive profile of the EQ-5D is informative when assessing HRQoL in orthopedic patients and is in line with VAS values. The results can support further studies on health needs assessment as well as decisions on funds allocation among groups of orthopedic patients.

EQ-5D studies in nervous system diseases in eight Central and East European countries: a systematic literature review.

BACKROUND: Guidelines for economic analyses of health care technologies require local input data for reimbursement decisions in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The aim of this study was to systematically review and analyse the available empirical studies using the EQ-5D instrument as a measure of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with neurological diseases. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed up to 1st April 2018 to identify relevant studies in eight selected CEE countries. Original articles reporting on studies of neurological diseases using the EQ-5D instrument were analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-six articles, describing the results of 38 samples of patients and a total of 13,005 patients were included in the review. Most studies were from Hungary (44.4%) and none from Romania or Slovakia. EQ-5D utility scores were reported in 33 (91.7%) articles. In multiple sclerosis (MS) being the most represented disease, the average utility scores ranged from 0.49 in Austria to 0.80 in Poland with a weighted average of 0.69. EQ VAS scores for MS ranged from 39 in Czech Republic to 72.0 in Poland, with weighted average of 59.1. MS patients, together with epilepsy and essential tremor patients, estimated their HRQoL among the highest. CONCLUSIONS: EQ-5D research activity in neurology has been increasing through the years in studied CEE countries. There are clinical areas with the significant social burden, such as a migraine or meningitis, that are completely lacking data, other areas, such as stroke or epilepsy, with very scarce data.

Causes of Differences in The Uptake of Cardiac Implantation Electronic Devices in Slovenia in Comparison To Other Countries.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to analyse and present the causes of the differences in crude utilization rate in cardiac implantation electronic devices, specifically pacemakers and automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, across 5 European countries, with a specific emphasis on Slovenia. METHODS: Based on the results of the analysis of the uptake of cardiac implantation electronic devices across countries studied in MedtecHTA project, the targeted interviews were conducted to explain the factors that impact the differences and explain data in Slovenia. RESULTS: The reasons for the differences in crude utilization rate across 5 European countries were multiple: the first group of differences refers to the coding system and linkages between coding and financing of health care. The second group of reasons can be qualitatively ascribed to the economic situation, financial situation in health care, and its impact on decision-making. The last reason is the non-existence of the golden rule for optimal crude utilisation rate. CONCLUSIONS: It is evident that the differences in the uptake of cardiac implantation electronic devices among the countries are of organisational nature: they refer to the system of coding, the importance attached to correct coding practices, the link between coding and financing of health care as well as the availability of private clinics and private insurance. According to the interviews, the economic development of the country also impacts those differences, whereas the differences in clinical practice and guidelines are claimed not to play a role in the explanation of the differences.