Trends in incidence of lung cancer in Croatia from 2001 to 2013: gender and regional differences.

AIM: To provide an overview of the lung cancer incidence trends in the City of Zagreb (Zagreb), Split-Dalmatia County (SDC), and Croatia in the period from 2001 to 2013. METHOD: Incidence data were obtained from the Croatian National Cancer Registry. For calculating incidence rates per 100 000 population, we used population estimates for the period 2001-2013 from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Age-standardized rates of lung cancer incidence were calculated by the direct standardization method using the European Standard Population. To describe incidence trends, we used joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: Joinpoint analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in lung cancer incidence in men in all regions, with an annual percentage change (APC) of -2.2% for Croatia, 1.9% for Zagreb, and -2.0% for SDC. In women, joinpoint analysis showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence for Croatia, with APC of 1.4%, a statistically significant increase of 1.0% for Zagreb, and no significant change in trend for SDC. In both genders, joinpoint analysis showed a significant decrease in age-standardized incidence rates of lung cancer, with APC of -1.3% for Croatia, -1.1% for Zagreb, and -1.6% for SDC. CONCLUSION: There was an increase in female lung cancer incidence rate and a decrease in male lung cancer incidence rate in Croatia in 2001-20013 period, with similar patterns observed in all the investigated regions. These results highlight the importance of smoking prevention and cessation policies, especially among women and young people.

Trends in the Outpatient Utilization of Antipsychotic Drugs in the City of Zagreb in the Ten-Year Period as a Tool to Assess Drug Prescribing Rationality.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine distribution and trends in the outpatient utilization of antipsychotics to evaluate the rationality of antipsychotic drug prescribing during the ten year period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The epidemiological method of descriptive and analytical observation was used. Data on drug utilization from Zagreb Municipal Pharmacy were used to calculate the number of defined daily doses (DDD) and DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/TID) using the World Health Organization Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical methodology. The ratio of typical versus atypical antipsychotics served as an indicator on assessing the rationality of the utilization. Data on the use of anticholinergics in the treatment of neuroleptic side effects were also included. RESULTS: Outpatient utilization of antipsychotics showed a declining pattern from 14.17 in 2001 to 8.42 DDD/TID in 2010. The utilization of atypical antipsychotics increased by 60% (from 3.68 to 5.89 DDD/TID), while the utilization of typical antipsychotics decreased by 76% (from 10.49 to 2.53 DDD/TID). The drugs showing the largest increase were olanzapine (from 1.21 to 2.78 DDD/TID) and quetiapine (from 0 to 0.68 DDD/TID). The typical/atypical antipsychotic ratio changed from 1:0.4 in 2001 to 1:2.3 in 2010. A 2.3-fold decrease was recorded in the utilization of anticholinergics (from 2.05 to 0.91 DDD/TID). CONCLUSIONS: Total consumption of neuroleptics significantly decreased. A decrease was also recorded in the utilization of anticholinergics. Study results pointed to two favorable features, i.e. low use of typical antipsychotics and the ratio of typical and atypical antipsychotics. Implementation of the new clinical guidelines for nervous system disorders and updating of the list of reimbursable drugs with the addition of new ones contributed to the observed improvement in the prescribing patterns during the study period. Using the WHO ATC/DDD methodology and rationality indicators in the assessment of trends in the outpatient utilization of psychopharmaceuticals over a ten-year period proved efficient in the evaluation of prescribing rationality.

Comparison of Psychotropic Drug Prescribing Quality between Zagreb, Croatia and Sarajevo, B&H.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper was to compare outpatient consumption and quality of psychotropic drug prescribing between Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina 2006-2010. METHODS: Data on drug utilization from Zagreb Municipal Pharmacy and Sarajevo Public Pharmacy were used to calculate the number of defined daily doses (DDD) and DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/TID) using the WHO Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical methodology. RESULTS: Total utilization of psychopharmaceuticals increased in both cities; however, it was higher in Zagreb than in Sarajevo throughout the study period. The utilization of psycholeptics increased in Zagreb by 2.4% (from 74.5 to 76.3 DDD/TID) and in Sarajevo by 3.8% (from 62.4 to 64.8 DDD/TID). The utilization of anxiolytics decreased in Zagreb by 2.1% and in Sarajevo by even 18.7%. The utilization of antidepressants increased in both cities with predominance of SSRI over TCA utilization, greater in Sarajevo (96.6%) than in Zagreb (10.2%). The anxiolytic/antidepressant ratio decreased by 11.1% in Zagreb (from 2.87 to 2.55) and by 58.7% in Sarajevo (from 5.66 to 2.34). Outpatient utilization of antipsychotics increased significantly in Sarajevo, predominated by typical ones, whereas in Zagreb the utilization of antipsychotics was stable, predominated by atypical ones. CONCLUSIONS: In Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, there was an obvious tendency to follow western trends in drug prescribing, as demonstrated by the increased use of antidepressants and reduced use of anxiolytics. Despite some improvement observed in the prescribing quality, high use of antipsychotics with dominance of typical antipsychotics in Sarajevo points to the need of prescribing guidelines for antipsychotics.

Smoking behaviors and lung cancer epidemiology: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. According to the latest available data, in the year 2012 Croatia was among 20 countries with the highest incidence of lung cancer. Although tobacco smoking is a proven cause of lung cancer, recent data show that more than one quarter of adult inhabitants of Croatia are everyday smokers. The purpose of this study was to present epidemiology and treatment modalities of lung cancer in the Department for mediastinal tumors, Clinic for lung diseases Jordanovac, and to make a comparison between the available data from Croatia and the rest of the world. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study cohort included 212 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients who had referred to our Department from January 2012 until December 2012. Features such as age, gender, cytology and histology of the tumor, stage at diagnosis and applied therapy were evaluated respectively. RESULTS: Approximately two-thirds of all newly diagnosed lung cancers occurred in men. Out of the study cohort, 12.3% were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 87.7% were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The majority of the patients diagnosed with NSCLC had adenocarcinoma (47.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (33.9%) and large cell carcinoma (15%). Only a small number of patients diagnosed and treated for lung cancer in our Department had never smoked tobacco. The majority of those patients were women and the most common histological type found was adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: The number of patients who had potentially operable disease at presentation was around 10%. That is why, in most cases, therapeutic options were confined to palliative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Attention should be directed to an early detection of lung cancer patients, which could provide better treatment options and improve overall survival.

Distribution and trends in outpatient utilization of generic versus brand name psychopharmaceuticals during a ten-year period in Croatia.

BACKGROUND: Drug costs increasingly pose a burden upon the otherwise inadequate health care resources and rational drug utilization is an important segment of every national health policy. Optimal patient care should be the goal of rational pharmacotherapy, whereby the economic burden of treatment is just one of the elements to be considered on choosing appropriate therapy.The aim of this study was to determine distribution and trends in the outpatient utilization of generic versus brand name psychopharmaceuticals and to evaluate the rationality of prescribing psychopharmaceuticals during a ten-year period. METHODS: Using the World Health Organization Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical classification/Defined Daily Doses (ATC/DDD) methodology, the number of DDD was calculated from data collected from pharmacies on the number and size of drug packages. The ratio of generic and brand name drug costs served as an indicator on assessing the rationality of drug utilization. RESULTS: Total cost for psychopharmaceuticals increased by 20.1%, more for brand name than for generic agents (32.7% vs. 7.4%). The highest share of generic psychopharmaceuticals as compared with brand name drugs according to DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000/day) was in the group of psycholeptics (83.6% in 2001 vs. 82.2% in 2010), most in hypnotics and sedatives, and least in antipsychotics. The share of generic psychopharmaceuticals in total drug utilization according to financial indicators decreased by 9.6% and according to DDD/1000/day by 12%. The greatest decrease was in antidepressants, i.e. by 33.8% according to financial indicators and by 46% according to DDD/1000/day; and in antipsychotics by 30.9% according to DDD/1000/day, while showing an increase by 8.5% according to financial indicators. In the therapeutic subgroup of mood stabilizers, the share of generic drugs in total drug utilization declined by 32% according to DDD/1000/day, but increased by 25.1% according to financial indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of uniform national guidelines and the still strong impact of pharmaceutical industry marketing continue favoring the rise in prescribing brand name antidepressants and antipsychotics. Depression, schizophrenia and bipolar diseases are complex diseases. As a result, specific measures are needed to encourage the prescribing of generic psychopharmaceuticals.

Utilization of cardiovascular drugs in Zagreb 2001-2005.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outpatient utilization of cardiovascular drugs in Croatia, during the period 2001-2005, using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification of drugs/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data on outpatient drug utilization were obtained from the Zagreb Municipal Pharmacy to calculate the number of defined daily dose (DDD), and DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000/day). The drug utilization 90% (DU90%) method was used on drug prescribing quality assessment. Data on hospital admissions were collected from the inpatient database kept at the Zagreb Institute of Public Health. Total utilization of cardiovascular drugs (ATC group C), was between 402.9 Defined Daily Dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/TID) and 362.9 DDD/TID in Croatia between 2001 and 2005. Agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system (C09) (104.2 DDD/TID) and calcium channel blockers (C08) (80.5 DDD/TID) accounted for more than 50% of drugs used for the treatment of hypertension in 2005. A great increase in the utilization was observed for statins (78.3%). A markedly increasing utilization was recorded for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (40.5%) and angiotensin II antagonists (278%). Comparison of the DU90% segment between 2001 and 2005 revealed pentoxifylline and amiodarone to be absent, whereas cilazapril and ramipril in combination with HCTZ, bisoprolol, valsartan and losartan alone or in combination with HCTZ were added in 2004 and 2005. The total rate of hospital admissions for major cardiovascular events decreased by 18.2%. CONCLUSION: The utilization pattern was improved in 2005, showing a decrease in the number of hospital admissions for major cardiovascular events.

Colorectal cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County.

Colorectal cancer was the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the Split-Dalmatia County during the 1993-2005 period. The primary aim of this study was to analyze recent trends in the mortality caused by colorectal cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County. Secondly, the aim was also to analyze data on colorectal cancer patients operated on at Split University Hospital Center according to sex, age, localization of cancer and Dukes staging, in the period from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004. The colorectal cancer death rate was found to be on an increase in both men and women; however, it was higher in men in both study years. The colorectal cancer death rate was also found to increase with age in both men and women. Analysis of data on patients operated on for colorectal cancer yielded a 2:1 male to female ratio. Analysis of histopathologic staging according to Dukes produced a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001). Dukes B or C was diagnosed in 84.3% and Dukes A in 9.3% of cases. According to cancer localization, sigmoid colon and rectum were involved 1.8 times more frequently than other sites of the colon. The data obtained in this study indicated that only 9.3% of patients were treated in the early stage of disease (Dukes A), pointing to the need of organized medical examinations for early detection of colorectal cancer in order to reduce the mortality rate associated with the disease.

[Cross-sectional study of drug use in pregnancy]. / Presjecno istrazivanje (cross-sectional study) uporabe lijekova u trudnoci.

The aim of the paper is to investigate the impact of drugs utilization during pregnancy in the City of Zagreb. This one-month cross-sectional study was conducted in all four Zagreb maternity hospitals using a questionnaire administered to 893 pregnant women. The women used a mean of 2.6 drugs. The vitamin-mineral complex was the leading medicament used by the women during the study period (62.9%) and during pregnancy period. The leading drugs taken between hospital admission and delivery were metoclopramide (10.1%) and diazepam (6.0%). Utilization of diazepam is high during the entire pregnancy. According to FDA risk classification during pregnancy, most drugs are in B class (88%), and in A class (77%). Percent of FDA C class is 16%. In the FDA classes with fetal risk, D class has 47.5%, and X class, with only one woman using drug from this class has a 0.1% of total utilization. In spite of some limitations of the study, the results pointed to the uneconomical, potentially harmful drug use during pregnancy and puerperium, obviously calling for therapy quality upgrading in this vulnerable period of life.

Risk of pneumonia recurrence in patients previously hospitalized for pneumonia--a retrospective study (1998-2000).

Although elderly hospitalized patients, irrespective of the cause of hospitalization, are known to be at a high risk of subsequent development of pneumonia, some studies suggest the risk to be even higher in those hospitalized for pneumonia than in those hospitalized for other diseases. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the association of hospitalization for pneumonia and some other diseases with subsequent pneumonia morbidity and mortality. The risk of recurrent pneumonia in patients hospitalized for pneumonia was investigated. Rehospitalization of pneumonia patients previously hospitalized for the same disease was followed-up and compared with rehospitalization of patients hospitalized for other diseases during the same study period. The study included patients aged overl8, initially hospitalized in 1998 for pneumonia (J12-J18), or for some particular gastrointestinal (K20-K31) and urogenital diseases (N10-N12, N30-N39). All rehospitalizations for pneumonia in nine Zagreb hospitals were followed-up during a 3-year study period (1998-2000). Out of 975 patients followed-up for rehospitalization, 227 (23.3%) had initially been hospitalized for pneumonia, and 748 (76.7%) for other diagnoses. During the 3-year period, 30 patients were rehospitalized for pneumonia, out of which number 22 had initially been hospitalized for pneumonia, yielding a statistically significant difference between the two study groups (chi2 = 34.780, p < 0.001). The mortality directly caused by pneumonia was also significantly higher in the group of patients with the initial diagnosis of pneumonia than in the group of patients with other diagnoses (chi2 = 15.82, p < 0.001).

Morbidity and mortality in the city of Zagreb, Croatia--health needs and demands.

The aim of the study was to assess health indicators in the city of Zagreb in order to evaluate the population health status and health needs. A descriptive method was used to analyze data from regular health statistics. In the population of Zagreb, the life expectancy at birth is longer than the European average but shorter than that recorded in Austria and Slovenia. The standardized mortalitay rates of tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer, and of malignant diseases in the Zagreb population exceed the European average, whereas those of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, uterine cervix carcinoma and breast cancer are lower than the European average. Circulatory diseases and neoplasms, the two most important groups of death causes, showed a constant rise during the 30-year period (1971-2001). The highest index of primary health care utilization (98.8%) was recorded for the > or = 65 age group, with a mean of 7.5 primary health care visits per capita. The prevalence of hypertensive disorders and of intervertebral disk diseases and other dorsopathies was significantly higher in the oldest population group (chi2 = 27.3 and chi2 = 13.43, respectively, p < 0.05 both). Considering the predominance of chronic widespread diseases that substantially influence the patient's quality of life, public health actions should primarily be focused on preserving personal autonomy of the old and sick man for as long as possible. As the standardized mortality rates of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer, and malignant diseases exceed those reported from some neighboring countries, the highest priority and needs are now related to coping with unhealthy behavior of the population such as smoking, physical inactivity, and dietary issues that should be modified and controlled through implementation of preventive programs, along with appropriate organization and management of public health services.