Comment on "Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: A case report".

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurotoxic encephalopathic state, manifesting clinical symptoms of headache, altered consciousness, visual disturbances, and seizures. Although several diseases have been identified as causative of PRES, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Song et al recently published "Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: A case report" in the World Journal of Clinical Cases, highlighting and discussing the role of hypercalcemia in PRES as related to uncontrolled hypertension. To build upon this case description, we provide further insight into the possible underlying mechanisms of PRES through this commentary.

The Frequency of Multifactorial Syndromes in Geriatrics of Tuzla Canton Population.

INTRODUCTION: There are four main multifactorial syndromes in geriatrics the so-called "4N", which specifically occur at elderly patients. Listed syndromes often occur related, and they can be the cause and the result of many other syndromes at geriatric patients. OBJECTIVE: determine the difference in the assessment of the level of immobility, instability, dependence, urinary incontinence ("4N") in elderly groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research included total 200 elderly respondents experimental group made of elderly persons (>65 years) living alone. Control group included elderly persons living in a family environment. Universal geriatric questionnaire was made for this research. For fast orientation the redone questionnaire was used for our conditions: examination in clinics for usual elderly problems "Short list for examination". For the assessment of the mental abilities reduction at elderly we used "Short portable mental status questionnaire" (SPMSQ). RESULTS: In total sample the research included 200 elderly respondents, 45% in experimental group and 55% in control group. The average age (±SD) was 75,4±6,2 years in the experimental group, while in the control group the average age was 74,9±5,6 years. We notice nearly equal distribution of falling risk according to groups (50%, 47%). In total sample there were 62% mobile, 22,5% limited mobility, and 4% immobile. Dependence frequency was more represented at examination group respondents (p=0,002). Dependence chances (OR) were 2,05 times larger (95 %CI=1,12-3,75) in examination group than in control group respondents. Frequency of urinary incontinence problem is significantly represented at all our respondents (42,2% v.s. 35%). CONCLUSION: Permanent gerontology and geriatrics training is needed both family medicine doctors and other experts in the field of elderly health protection and preventive health measures, pharmacotherapy, palliative care, especially about four main geriatrics syndromes at elderly.

[Structural changes on hands as predicative factors of structural changes in the cervical spine and atlantoaxial joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Strukturne promjene na sakama kao prediktivni cimbenici strukturnih promjena na vratnoj kraljeznici i atlanto-aksijalnom zglobu u bolesnika s reumatoidnim artritisom.

Determination of changes in the cervical spine of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important. Although they are often clinically asymptomatic, during exercise therapy complications, or even death, may occur. The aim of the study was to determine the factors which indicate changes in the cervical spine and atlantoaxial joint (AA) in patients with RA, as well as the association between those changes and changes occurring on the hands. The study included 80 patients with RA who were divided into two groups according to the duration of the disease (up to 10 years and more than 10 years). Structural changes in the hands and cervical spine were monitored by ordinary radiography. Structural changes in the cervical spine were found in both groups of patients without a statistically significant difference between them (p = 0.165). The AA joint was more often deformed in patients with a longer duration of the disease (p = 0.012). The changes on the hands were worse in patients who had the disease for longer than 10 years (p = 0.002), and they correlated with AA subluxation (p = 0.002) and luxation (p = 0.004), as well as with an erosion of the cervical s pine (p = 0.000). According to our findings, in order to recognize changes in the cervical spine, patients with RA must be regularly monitored radiographically, and monitoring should be mandatory in patients who had a longer duration of the disease as well as those with more advanced structural changes on the hands.

[Changes in social relations as a consequence of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis]. / Promjene u socijalnim odnosima kao posljedica reumatoidnog artritisa i osteortritisa.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) suffer from a lot of pain, have difficulties with movement, so it is therefore logical for them to have less social contact, i.e. socializing with friends and family. Aim of the study was to examine social relations of the patients with RA and OA, and to establish the reasons for such relations. Survey conducted 55 patients, 29 patients with RA and 26 patients with knee OA. From all patients data from domain of social contacts have been taken. They filled in self-evaluation scale for depression by Zung-SDS, and functional ability was assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire HAQ (for RA) and by Laquesne index (for OA). Most patients in both groups narrowed the number of people with whom they socialize 82.8% RA patients and 80.7% OA patients and now they socialize with the closest family. Able to socialize are 31% RA patients and 53 % OA patients. Daily pain cites 71% RA patients and 64% OA patients. Depression is present by most of the patients, 82.8 % RA patients, and 73.1% OA patients. Functional ability is decreased by all patients, slightly more by RA patients. Most examined patients narrowed the number of people with whom they socialize, where RA patients feel more unable for going for visit. The reason for decreased social contact is not just reduced functional ability, and daily pain, but also depression that is present in high percentage in both groups, more and in higher level by patients with RA.

[The effect of physical therapy on the most severe forms of knee structral changes caused by osteoarthritis]. / Ucinak fizikalne terapije kod najtezih strukturnih promjena na koljenima uslijed osteoartritisa.

In the most severe form of structural changes on knee caused by osteoarthritis non-surgical treatment provide minimal results and a question of its purpose is being raised. Aim of the study was to examine the possibilities of physical treatment of patients with the most severe degree of structural changes caused by knee osteoarthritis. Examination was conducted on 60 patients that were on physical treatment because of the knee OA. Structural changes are evaluated by Kellgren-Lawrence scale, functional ability by Lequesne index, and pain by Visual analog scale. Physical treatment lasted for 4 weeks. After the physical treatment there was a significant improvement of functional ability (p = 1.78E-07), but the size of improvement was reduced by the level of structural changes. It was significantly lower in IV class in relation to III and II class (p < 0.05). Physical treatment has lower affect by patients with the most severe form of structural changes caused by knee osteoarthritis, but it still can help patients to ease the appearance of complete dependence on other people's help.