Preoperative Hypoalbuminemia as a Predictor of Severe Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Whipple Pancreatoduodenectomy.

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) known as Whipple procedure is still one of the most complex abdominal surgeries used for treatment of periampullary tumors. PD is often followed with postoperative complications (pancreatic, biliar or intestinal fistula, haemorrhage, intraabdominal abscess, delayed gastric empting. Severe postoperative complications (SPC) can be reason for reoperation and reason of bad outcome of treatment and life treathening condition. Objective: To investigate predicitive value of preoperative hypoalbuminemia for severe postoperative complications (SPC) in patients who have undergone Whipple pancreaticoduodenetomy (PD). However, no similiar study has been ever reported from our country until now. Methods: In this retrospective-prospective study, 100 patients who have had Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignant periampullary tumors at the Department for Surgery of University Clinic Center Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina were enrolled, from january of 2009 to decembre of 2021. All patients were preoperatively analysed according to serum albumine levels and presensce of hypolabuminemia (serum albumine levels <32g/l). Serum albumine biochemical test were done 1-2 days preoperatively. Clavien Dindo classification was used for determination patients with SPC. Patients who did not have SPC belonged to (I-II) Clavien Dindo group of patients while those who had SPC belonged to( III-V) Clavien Dindo group of patients. Results: Out of 100 patients who have undergone pancreaticoduodenetomy, in 55 (55%) patients postoperative complications were noticed. Mortality rate was 18 (18%) and reoperation has been done in 20 cases (20%). SPC were noticed in 19 patients and most often were: delayed gastric emptying (20%), pancreatic fistula (13%) and intraabdominal collections (9%). Hypoalbuminemic patients had a significantly higher rate of severe postoperative complications ( p<0.05). Using hypoalbuminemia-SPC correlation analaysis, there is confirmed statistically significant correlation between hypoalbuminemia and SPC (ρ= 0.236; p<0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative hypoalbuminemia can be used as predictor and prognostic factor for severe postoperative complications after Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy. Identification and optimization of serum albumin level prior to Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy may improve surgical outcomes.

Hemorrhage after adenotonsillectomy in children: tertiary center experiences.

BACKGROUND: Adenotonsillectomy is the most commonly performed surgery in the pediatric population. Hemorrhage after adenotonsillectomy, which can occur at any time postoperatively, is one of the most serious complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of hemorrhage in children after adenotonsillectomy and to compare postoperative hemorrhage with regard to age and sex. METHODS: A cross-sectional longitudinal study was conducted at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic, University Clinical Center Tuzla, and included all children of both sexes, aged 3 to 15 years, who underwent adenotonsillectomy during a 1.5-year period. RESULTS: A total of 201 children aged 3-15 years underwent adenotonsillectomy, 113 males and 88 females, which corresponds to a ratio of 1.28: 1. Adenotonsillectomy was performed in 147 (73.1%) patients and adenoidectomy in 54 (27%). In the overall sample, there were 19 (9.5%) subjects with postoperative hemorrhage. Primary hemorrhage occurred in 9 subjects (47%) and secondary hemorrhage in 10 subjects (53%). Significantly more female subjects had postoperative hemorrhage. In the group of subjects with hemorrhage, the mean age (standard deviation) was 8.45 (3.3) years. Tonsillar lodges are common sites of hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The frequency and causes of hemorrhage after adenotonsillectomy in our study are partially comparable to the world data.

Epidemiology of neonatal sepsis caused by multidrug resistant pathogens in a neonatal intensive care unit level 3.

Aim Steady progress in intensive treatment worldwide has increased the survival of immature neonates, but with multiple invasive procedures, which have increased the risk of infection, thus the bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiology of multidrug resistance pathogens as causative agents of neonatal sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods A retrospective cohort study conducted at the Intensive care unit of the Paediatric Clinic of Tuzla over a three-year period (2016-2018) analysed epidemiology of neonatal sepsis caused by multidrug resistance pathogens. Statistical analysis applied standard methods, and the research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution. Results Of the total of 921 treated neonates, multidrug resistance (MDR) pathogens among causative agents of neonatal sepsis were found in 22 neonates (2.38%) with no gender difference. Prematurity and low birth weight were confirmed as the most significant risk factors. From the maternal risk factors a significant difference was found in the first birth and in vitro fertilization. Clinically, MDR sepsis manifested frequently as late onset sepsis, with longer hospital stay and higher mortality. The findings of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and coagulation disorders were significant. Gram negative bacteria were frequently isolated, in particular Acinetobacter, which showed the greatest resistance to antibiotics. Conclusion Neonatal MDR sepsis is a threat to life, it complicates the treatment, increases costs and mortality. Outcomes can be improved by preventive strategies, earlier and more accurate diagnosis and rational use of antibiotics.

Model "P" in gender prediction based on the mastoid process.

Aim To determine the degree of accuracy in determining the sex of the skull based on classical morphometric analysis of the mastoid process. Morphometric analysis excluded a subjective approach expressed in osteoscopic analysis. Methods The study was conducted on a sample of 100 macerated skulls of known gender and age from the second half of the 20th century, including the Bosnian population. Of the 100 skulls, 50 (50%) were male and 50 (50%) were female. Male skulls were on average 60 (47-71) years old and female 57 (43-76) years old. At each mastoid process, 3 measurements were made: mastoid length, mastoid width (medio-lateral diameter) ML) and anteroposterior diameter (AP) of the mastoid process. Results Using the univariate method, we found a significant difference between length, width, AP diameter and size of mastoid processes as well as between gender (p <0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed statistically significant differences in AP diameter of the mastoid process (p<0.05). Conclusion The created model "P" ("P"=exp [X]/1+exp [X]) for sex determination based on mastoid process showed sensitivity of 82% correct prediction for female skulls and 65% accurate prediction for male skulls. This discourse with respect of population standards grants most effective anthropological proof and as such may be suggested for forensic expertise based on human skull.

Secondary Prevention of Osteoporosis Through Assessment of Individual and Multiple Risk Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a chronic progressive bone disease where the bone tissue resorption exceeds its regenerative capacities. Such a process leads to the reduction of bone mineral density (BMD), and distortion of trabecular microarchitectonics, which creates the basis for an increased fracture risk on a "low trauma" for osteoporosis patients. The notion of low trauma implies a stressor that will not cause a fracture in a healthy person under normal circumstances. BMD is a strong predictor of future fractures. However, many fractures occur in persons with BMD values beyond the defined osteoporosis threshold, and BMD measurement only partially identifies the part of the population with increased fracture risk. Also, it is known that risk factors are influencing the bone mass reduction as predictors of future fractures, and their association may lead to an increased fracture risk irrespective of the bone mass and T-score. AIM: The 10-year individual risk assessment for osteoporotic fracture and the analysis of impact of individual and multiple osteoporosis risk factors on the degree of osteoporotic fracture risk. METHODS: The research is a retrospective-prospective study which analyzed 120 patients divided into two groups: 1) asymptomatic patients with known risk factors for osteoporosis in the age group of 40-65 (n=60), 2) asymptomatic patients with known risk factors for osteoporosis in the age group of 65-90 (n=60). FRAX® algorithm was used as a tool for the 10-year hip fracture risk assessment, with prior approval of the Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield from the United Kingdom. Fracture risk assessment was calculated using the online FRAX® calculator. High risk is defined as the hip fracture risk higher than 3% or the risk of a "big" osteoporotic fracture higher than 20%. Results are expressed as mean values with a standard deviation. A comparison between tested patient groups was made applying the student T-test. RESULTS: 32% of patients of average age of 65.8±12.6 years are under high hip fracture risk, 28% of patients are under the hip fracture risk higher than 3%, and the risk for 0.03% patients is higher than 20%. Patients with high fracture risk are of advanced age, female, with lower body weight and height values, lower bone mineral density (BMD) and T score values than patients who are not under a high fracture risk. A positive family anamnesis to osteoporosis and fractures, earlier fractures, smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, and use of glucocorticoids are risk factors that are more represented in patients with high fracture risk and osteoporosis. The impact of the majority of individual risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture is moderate, and their joint effect is significant. The contribution of individual risk factors to the overall 10-year fracture risk depends on the type, number and association of risk factors. CONCLUSION: This research is a contribution to the resolution of polemics among authors, i.e. a dilemma whether persons with multiple clinical risk factors for osteoporosis with T score values beyond the defined threshold for osteoporosis are candidates for therapy with bisphosphonates, and a dilemma whether persons without any clinical risk factors for osteoporosis with T score values within the defined osteoporosis threshold require therapy with bisphosphonates, or only monitoring is sufficient.

Progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) taken in early pregnancy predicts the pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization procedure.

Earlier data suggest a relationship between PIBF concentrations and the outcome of pregnancy. The aim of the study was to compare serum and urine concentrations of PIBF in women with successful pregnancy after IVF with those of women without pregnancy after IVF procedure, and to evaluate the potential relation between PIBF and the outcome of pregnancy. Urine and serum were collected from 120 women, undergoing IVF. 87.5% of patients had primary infertility. 69.2% faced female causes of infertility: 10.8% tubal cause, 11.7% ovulation disorder, and 46.7% other causes of infertility. 30.8% of patients had male factor of infertility. Among non-pregnant women (42) mean concentrations of PIBF in urine and serum were significantly lower (15.8 ng/mL; 148.4 ng/mL) than in women with positive beta HCG value (78) (19.1 ng/mL; 225.9 ng/mL). In 49 patients pregnancy terminated with a term delivery, in 10 patients with pretem delivery, while in 19 patients the pregnancy terminated with a miscarriage. PIBF concentrations in urine (13.9 ± 2.8 ng/mL) and serum (124.6 ± 46.7 ng/mL) samples of women with miscarriage were significantly lower of those with preterm delivery (180.6 ± 54.4 ng/mL; 18.1 ± 4.4 ng/mL) and of those with term delivery (20.4 ± 8.5 ng/mL; 208.7 ± 114.3 ng/mL). Successful pregnancy after IVF procedure is predictable by measuring of urine and serum PIBF concentrations and could be important for predicting of early implantation and pregnancy outcome after IVF procedure and maybe to protect the risk pregnancy.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin in patients with sepsis.

Aim To investigate predictive value of procalcitonin in diagnosis of sepsis in predicting positive blood culture, and possibility to predict final outcome in septic patients. Method This prospective study involved 106 hospitalized patients who met two or more criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). In comparison to Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein and lactate levels were used to predict final outcome in septic patients (recorded as 28-day survival or non-survival). Using Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for diagnostic value and accuracy of different parameters with the best sensitivity and specificity for given cut-off values. Result Fifty-two out of 82 patients with documented sepsis had positive blood culture. Procalcitonin showed the best predictive value for both diagnosis of sepsis and bacteraemia with the cut-off value of 0.57 ng/mL (AUC 0.99) and 4.68 ng/mL (AUC 0.94), respectively. Serum lactate level showed the best 28-day mortality predictive value with the cut-off value of 3.25 mmol/L (AUC 0.95), and procalcitonin with the cut-off value of 15.05 ng/mL (AUC 0.92), followed by SOFA (AUC 0.92), CRP (AUC 0.84) and APACHE II score (AUC 0.83). Conclusion Monitoring of PCT in SIRS-positive patients raises possibility to distinguish between patients with sepsis and those with non-infectious SIRS. A significant correlation between PCT and SOFA, and APACHE II score in non-surviving septic patients indicates that PTC combined with clinical score could be useful for assessing severity of infection.

Emergency Room Treatment of Hypertensive Crises.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate efficiency of hypertensive urgency treatment using inhibitors of α1-adrenergic receptors and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors-ACE inhibitors in the Emergency Room of Outpatient Hospital and Polyclinic "dr Mustafa Sehovic" Tuzla in relation to age, duration and severity of hypertension. METHODS: The study was conducted from June 2011 to May 2012 and included 120 patients of both sexes diagnosed with arterial hypertension, aged 40 to 80 with verified hypertensive urgency. The patients were divided into two groups: the control group treated with sublingual captopril and the experimental group treated intravenously with urapidil. RESULTS: The results show that the largest number of patients belonged to age group from 60 to 69 years (34,16%), and the average age was 58 (11). The largest number of patients (38,0%) had verified hypertension for 11 to 20 years. The average systolic/diastolic artery blood pressure at reception was 213 (19) / 130 (4) mmHg. The average systolic/diastolic artery blood pressure after the first dose of 12,5 mg captopril in the control group was 177,42 (10,91) / 112,33 (3,50) mmHg, while after the first dose of 12,5 mg urapidil it was 179,25 (16,62) / 110,33 (8,78) mmHg. The average systolic/diastolic artery blood pressure after the second dose of 12,5 mg of captopril in the control group was 152,00 (6,32) / 95,50 (3,76) mmHg, while after the second dose of 12,5 mg of urapidil it was 152,55 (7,17) / 95,29 (5,04) mmHg. CONCLUSION: Urapidil is more efficient in hypertensive urgency treatment, since the decrease of middle artery pressure (MAP) in the group treated with urapidil was statistically significant (p<0,001). No statistical significance was found between the efficiency of urapidil and the patient's age, while captopril was more efficient in older patients (p=0,02). Also, no statistically significant difference was found between the efficiency of captopril and urapidil in relation to duration of hypertension.

INFLUENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN CHILDREN ON ANESTHESIOLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS APPEARANCE DURING ADENOIDECTOMY AND ADENOTONSILLECTOMY.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity in children is becoming from year to year enormous medical and socio-epidemilogical problem according to increasing number of overweight and obese children. Overweight and obesity in children mostly affects on cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine system disturbances. Adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy belong to group of most often done operation in children population. Anesthesiology complications during adenodecotomy and adenotonsillectomy in children are known as very disturbing and dramatic. METHODS: Retrospective-prospective study includes 162 children, both genders, 3 to 12 years old, who are hospitalized and operated (adenoidectomies and adenotonsillectomies) on Otorihinolaryngolic clinic of University clinical centre Tuzla in the four year period. Purpose of the study is to show the influence of overweight in children on appearance of anesthesiology complications such as difficult intubation, bronchospasm and laryngospasm. Body mass index (BMI), which is used as universal measure, is adapted with gender specific scales of National statistic centre of United States of America. All children with BMI over 25 are referred as overweight and those over 30 as obese. These children categories were compared to those with normal BMI according to anesthesiology complications incidence. RESULTS: Overweight in operated children is noticed in 21%, and 11% of children was obese and there wasn't distinction between boys and girls. Anesthesiology complications are evaluated in 12 of them (7.4%). Total analyzed sample show significant connection and influence of overweight with appearance of anesthesiology complications. Separate comparison for two types of operations is indicating that during adenoidectomies there hasn't been noticed connection between overweight and anestehesiological complications, while in case of adenotonsillectomies direct and significant correlation is proven. CONCLUSIONS: According to increased risk of anesthesiology complications in overweight and obese children during adenodectomies and adenotonsillectomies it is important for anesthesiologists to do much serious preoperative evaluation of obese children, and to be more prepared for every of possible unwished supersize during perioperative period.

Glasgow prognostic score in patients receiving chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer in stages IIIb and IV.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is disease with very low 5-year relative survival rate. For patients with non-small cell lung cancer, roles of current treatments are to prolong survival time and to improve quality of life. AIM: The aim of the work was to compare values of Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) before application of the chemotherapy medication with response to chemotherapy and toxic side effects associated with chemotherapy in patients treated with cisplatin-etopozid (PE) and cisplatin-gemcitabin (PG) in stages IIIb and IV of NSCLC. Testing role of Glasgow Prognostic Score as a possible predictor of response to therapy and toxic side effects of chemotherapeutic protocol was another aim of this work. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 60 patients in stages IIIb or IV of NSCLC, with ECOG < or = 2. The patients were divided in two groups. First group contained 30 patients treated with chemotherapeutic protocol using cisplatin-etopozid (PE), and the same number of patients in the second group were treated with cisplatin-gemcitabin (PG). RESULTS: Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) evaluation before the chemotherapy inclusion showed values of 1 (43.30:53.30), then 2 (40.00:36.70) and the lowest 0 (16.70:10.00) which supports the pathological values of GPS in developed lung cancer, i.e. most patients had pathological GPS value in both protocols (83.30:90.00). Monitoring of toxic side effects and response to chemotherapy was done after each cycle of treatment. DISCUSSION: Results of this study revealed importance of GPS in selection of patients for treatment with chemotherapy. Patients with lower values of GPS treated using PE chemotherapeutic protocol had weaker response to therapy. CONCLUSION: Coefficient of correlation for therapy response in both chemotherapeutic protocol, compared with values of GPS before treatment, were not statistically significant, therefore GPS cannot be considered as a predictor of therapeutic on chemotherapy.

Clinical presentation of hypertensive crises in emergency medical services.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence and clinical presentation of hypertensive crises in the Emergency medical services of the Community Health Centre "Dr. Mustafa Sehovic" Tuzla in relation to age, sex, duration and severity of hypertension, as well as the prevalence of accompanying symptoms and clinical manifestations. METHODS: The study was conducted between November 2009 and April 2010 and included 180 subjects of both sexes, aged 30-80 with a diagnosis of arterial hypertension. All subjects were divided into two groups: a control group, which consisted of subjects without hypertensive crisis (95 subjects) and an experimental group that consisted of subjects with hypertensive crisis (85 subjects). RESULTS: The study results indicate that female subjects were significantly over- represented compared to men (60% vs. 40 %, p=0.007). The average age of the male subjects was 55.83±11.06 years, while the female subjects' average age was 59.41±11.97 years. The incidence of hypertensive crisis was 47.22%, with hypertensive urgency significantly more represented than emergency (16.47% vs. 83.53%, p<0.0001). The majority of subjects in the experimental group (28.23%) belonged to the age group of 60-69 years of age: 26.76% urgency and 35.71% emergency. The most common accompanying symptoms in hypertensive subjects were headache (75%), chest pain (48.33%), vertigo (44.44%), shortness of breath (38.88%) and nausea (33.89%). The most common symptoms in subjects with hypertensive crisis were headache (74.11%), chest pain and shortness of breath (62.35%), vertigo (49.41%), and nausea and vomiting (41.17%). CONCLUSIONS: Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting were significantly over-represented in subjects with hypertensive crisis (p<0.005). Clinical manifestations of hypertensive emergencies in almost all subjects included acute coronary syndrome, and only one subject had acute pulmonary edema.

The frequency of hypertension crises in the emergency medical service department in tuzla.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate a frequency and clinical presentation of hypertension crises due to age, gender, duration and seriousness at Emergency Medical Service Department of the "Dr Mustafa Sehovic" Health Care Center Tuzla. METHODS: The research was conducted in the period between November 2009 and April 2010 and involved 180 examinees of both genders, aging between 30 and 80 years of age with the diagnosis of arterial hypertension. The examinees were divided into two groups: control group consisting of examinees without hypertension crisis (95 examinees) and experimental group consisting of examinees with hypertensive crisis (85 examinees). Descriptive statistical methods were used in the statistical data processing. RESULTS: The research results showed that there had been significantly more female examinees than the male ones (60% vs. 40%; p=0.007). The average age of male examinees was 55.83±11.06 years of age, and the average age of female examinees was 59.41±11.97 years of age. The hypertension crisis frequency was 47.22%, where the hypertensive urgencies were statistically significantly more present than the hypertensive emergencies (16.47%vs.83.53%; p<0.0001). The largest number of experimental group examinees (28.23%) belonged to the age group of 60 to 69 years of age; urgency 26.76% and emergency 35.71%. The largest number of examinees with hypertensive crisis (49.41%) appeared in the period between 6.00 p.m. and 11.59 p.m. The largest number of emergency group examinees (69.01%) had been treated for arterial hypertension for ten years, and the examinees from the emergency group (42.86%) had been treated for 10, 11 and 20 years. The average blood pressure value at the hypertensive crisis examinees was 204.82/126.58 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of hypertensive crises in the Emergency Medical Service Department is high and it reaches 47.22%. Hypertensive urgencies were significantly more present in terms of statistics than the hypertensive emergencies (83.53% vs. 16.47%; p<0.0001).

A better level of HbA1c control achieved by family medicine teams, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by using diabetes mellitus type 2 recommended guidelines.

AIM: To evaluate HbA1c level for diabetic type 2 patients after the implementation of guidelines for diabetes mellitus (GDM) in primary health care settings. According to recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology and European Association for the Study of Diabetes, HbA1c ≤ 6.5 % is considered as optimal level. METHODS: A retrospective analysis randomly selected medical records of DM type 2 patients who were older than 18 before and after the review. Nineteen Family Medicine Teams (FMT) reviewed every second record (46 per FMT) in the family medicine facilities in Zenica two years prior and after the introduction of the Diabetes Mellitus 2 Guidelines. All noted values of HbA1c and all FMTs have been divided to those which reached an optimal level of HbA1c ≤ 6.5 % and those with an inadequate level (non-optimal level of HbA1c p< 6.5 %). RESULTS: Records of 853 patients with type 2 diabetes were analyzed. A total number of HbA1c recorded in the FMT medical records increased significantly after the GDM implementation from 103 (12.1%) to 318 (37.3%). A significant improvement towards an optimal level of HbA1c was noted after the implementation GDM by all FMTs together (7 vs. 92; 6.7% vs. 28.9%; p<0.0001). Only FMT 4 and FMT 14 (2 vs.19; P < 0.05) reached the optimal level of HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Family medicine teams improved the level of HbA1c according to the recommended guidelines for diabetes mellitus after their application. Quality variations of care extended to diabetics have been noted in individual family medicine teams.

Influence of surgical therapy on serum values of alpha 1-antitrypsin in patients with head and neck tumors.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate serum concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in patients undergoing surgery of head and neck malignant tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing surgery because of head and neck tumors in the years 2007-2008 were analyzed. Serial determinations were performed in all patients in three times: preoperative day--A1AT1; first postoperative day--A1AT2, and thirtieth postoperative day--A1AT3. Concentrations of A1AT were determined by nephelometry method. RESULTS: The patients' age varied from 39 to 86 years, 46 male and 4 females. Serum values of A1AT in patients with stage III and IV are statistically significant elevated after operation (and after one month), but in patients with lower stages (I and II) there were not. In patients with laryngeal malignancies recorded statistical significant elevation of serum values of A1AT postoperatively (and after one month). Other tumor locations did not recorded the same results. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that measurements of A1AT may have an ancillary role in the diagnosis and monitoring of head and neck tumors.

Clinical and epidemiology characteristics of urinary tract infections in childhood.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections in children, and usually it appears in early childhood. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence and distribution of urinary tract infections in childhood, and to analyze clinical presentation of urinary tract infections in children. In the retrospective study were included 164 children, of both genders, who were treated in Primary Health Centre. Medical history were analyzed from all children who have presence of bacteria in urinary sediment. Urinary tract infection was found in 7.74% (164/2118) children, 11.26% (115/1021) of girls and 4.47% (49/1097) of boys. The biggest frequency was found in age group 3-6 years were UTI was found in 9.80% (74/755) of all children. Some of non-specific symptoms were found in 73.18% (120/164) children, and specific symptoms for UTI were found in 35.98% (59/164) children. The most common symptom was fever, which was found in 54.9% (90/164) children. UTI is common bacterial infection causing illness in children. It may be difficult to recognize UTI in children because the presenting symptoms and/or signs are non-specific, particularly in younger children.

Biochemical markers of iron status in hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary lack of iron in patients on hemodyalisis is the main cause of inadequate answer on therapy of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). Therefore, it is very important to follow the status of iron in these patients. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our study were to define the value of hemoglobin content in reticulocytes as predictor of functional iron deficiency on hemodialyzed treated patients with erythropoietin (rHuEPO) then evaluate the eficiency of using the value of hemoglobin content in reticulocytes in administration of iron HD (Patients on hemodialyzed ). PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a prospective study which included 53 patients treated on chronical hemodialysis and continuing hospital peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), all patients were given additional iron therapy intravenously in order to keep the level of ferritin between 300 microg/l and 500 microg/ and transferrin saturation over 20%. The patients were both male and female randomly chosen. The following parameters conected to iron deficiency were compared in this study. The study was taken in the period from august to december 2008 at University Clinical Centar Tuzla. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study included patients from chronical HD programme in therapy with rhEPO, iron intravenously, than patients on CAPD also in therapy with rh EPO and intravenously iron and patients on chronical HD with intravenously iron without rh EPO therapy. There wasn't any significant difference between numbers of male and female patients that were examined and in control group. In this study the following parameters conected to iron deficiency were compared. There wasn't any significant difference in values of seruum ferritin, Ret-he and hemoglobin between the examined and control group. Still, it's clear that members of the examined group had higher values of these parameters comparing to the control group. If we would use criterias like the saturation transferrin and the level of ferritin as referent standard we would have 26/53 (49.1%) patients with iron deficiency in the whole sample. CONCLUSION: Following chematological and biochemic parameters in examined patients on HD are giving us essential information for planing and leading an adequate erythropoietin therapy. For the maximum effect of rhEPO therapy, an adequate compensation of iron is necessary.

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis pattern in clinically N0 non-small-cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgical resection.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, clinical data and patterns of mediastinal lymph node metastasis (pN2) in non-small-cell lung cancer patients who underwent systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection (SMLND). We retrospectively studied 140 consecutive patients [125 male and 15 female, mean ages 54.61 +/- 9.23 years (range, 21-75)], underwent SMLND and major lung resections due to non-small lung cancer (NSCLC), from January 2005 till December 2009. Preoperative clinical staging for mediastinal lymph node metastasis was negative (cN0) in all patients. SMLND was defined as a complete removal of mediastinal lymph nodes. Clinicalpathological data were compared according to the pN stage. Lymph node metastasis to the mediastinum was confirmed in 13 (9.28%) patients. In squamous cell cancer pN2 were in 8 (5.71%) cases out of 82 cases with cN0. On the other side in the adenocarcinomas pN2 were in 5 (3.57%) cases out of 48 with cN0. Unvaried analysis revealed central tumor site as predictive factor for mediastinal lymph node involvement. The upper mediastinal compartment was infiltrated in 12 (8.57%) cases, middle in 8 (5.71%) and lower in 3 (2.14%) cases. Pneumonectomy was the most performed surgical procedure in pN2 patients. We concluded that SMLND improves pTNM staging in lung cancer patients who underwent major lung resections with central location of the tumour.

Correlation between interleukin 6 and interleukin 10 in acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to analyze (i) ratios between pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stable angina pectoris (ii) as well as correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 in AMI and (iii) correlation between IL-6 and lipoproteins in AMI.The total of 71 patients were enrolled in this study, 41 of them with AMI (study group) and 30 with stable angina pectoris (control group). The concentrations of cytokines and lipoproteins were measured from blood samples. Pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios were calculated by dividing concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines with IL-10. In statistical analyses we used descriptive statistics, normality tests and analysis of correlation.IL-6: IL-10 ratio is significantly higher in AMI than in stable angina (P < 0,001), TNF-alpha: IL-10 is also higher in study group but the difference is not significant. We found positive linear correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 (r =0,43; p = 0,015) and negative linear correlation between IL-6 and high density lipoprotein HDL (r = -0,47; p= 0,008) in AMI.IL-6: IL-10 ratio is higher in AMI than in stable angina. There is linear correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 and IL-6 and HDL in AMI.

Effectiveness of diabetes flow sheet in controlling blood pressure: should family medicine teams in Zenica use recommended guidelines?

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) is one of the important parameters for controlling Diabetes Mellitus (DM). European Society of Cardiology recommended optimal level for DM BP < 130/80 mmHg. AIM: We wanted to assess the level of BP for our DM patients after using specific guidelines for DM. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective medical record (audit) has been conducted among 853 DM patients older then 18 years. We checked patient charts among 19 FM teams two years before (May 2003-May 2005) and two years after (May 2005-May 2007) implementation of the DM guidelines in Family Medicine (FM) clinic in Zenica. We divided FM teams based on their patients BP values; optimal level of BP < 130/80 mmHg; suboptimal level when systolic BP 130-140mmHg and diastolic 85-90 mmHg and that with inadequate level with BP>140/90mmHg. RESULTS: 853 DM patient charts were analysed, 46 per FM team. Average age of DM patients was greater than 60 years and average age of doctors was 46.6. Percentage of BP inadequate level was smaller after implementation of DM guidelines in most of FM teams. For optimal level BP < 130/80 mmHg, significant improvement was seen after implementation of DM guidelines for: 6/19 teams (p < 0.0001), 2/19 teams (p < 0.001) and 2/19 teams (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: After implementation of BP guidelines for DM patients, BP can be improved in patients treated by FM teams and guidelines should be used.

Possibility of simplification of APACHE II scoring system in the prediction of the outcome in critically ill patients with perforative peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Simplification of APACHE II scoring system in the prediction of the outcome in critically ill patients with perforative peritonitis can be a useful and a cheaper model than the standard APACHE II system. We tested APACHE II and SAPS I scoring systems and variables of arterial pH, pO2, pCO2 and HCO3, cholesterol and albumin in the prediction of the outcome in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospective study involved 145 patients of both sexes with perforative peritonitis. The main outcome of this study was peritonitis-related death. APACHE II and SAPS I scoring systems were calculated on the admission (during the first 24 hours). Cutoff points were specified and all values greater than the cut-off points were taken to predict death. Sensitivity and specificity are graphically shown for the different values of cut-off points. They are presented with the ROC curve. Variables of arterial pH, pO2, pCO2 and HCO3 were tested with Feed-Forward Artificial Neural Network which had 4 hidden layers with 8 neurons in the layer. We used Levenberg-Marquardt method for training, and 16 variables for the entrance in the network. We tested correlation between cholesterol and albumin levels with the patient outcome. RESULTS: APACHE II ROC curve demonstrated that its discriminatory ability was better than the SAPS ROC curve. The area under the curve was 0.86 for APACHE II score in comparison to 0.83 for SAPS score. This illustrated that APACHE II is significantly better (P < 0.01) at determining of outcome. Use of FeedForward Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for analysis of variables such as arterial pH, pO2, pCO2 and HCO3, showed that withdrawal of these variables lead to the decreased power of prediction of APACHE II scoring system. Measurement of the correlation between the cholesterol and albumin levels and the patient outcome revealed that there was no significance between these parameters, as the level of correlation for cholesterol and albumin was -, 1, and -, 14, respectively. CONCLUSION: APACHE II has better prognostic power than SAPS scoring system. Withdrawal of variables such as arterial pH, pO2, pCO2 and HCO3, reduces the prognostic power of APACHE II system.