[CONTRIBUTION OF FAMILY MEDICINE TO COLORECTAL CANCER PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION; FORTY-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF FAMILY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT, OSIJEK HEALTH CENTER].

The paper gives a short presentation of 40 years of experience of Osijek Health Center family physicians in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and early detection. Systematic work in the prevention and early detection of cancer includes raising public awareness and knowledge of healthcare issues, educating health professionals, conducting scientific research and contributing to the development and implementation of the National Program for Early Detection of Cancer. Cooperation of the Ministry of Health and Osijek Health Center resulted in issuing brochures entitled Men and Cancer and Women and Cancer in 100,000 copies, and later 20,000 copies of a book entitled Smoking Induced Diseases. Analysis of patients undergoing surgery for CRC at Department of Surgery, Osijek General Hospital during the 1973-1984 period showed a low 5-year and 10-year survival rate. A study of early CRC detection by using fecal occult blood test (FOBT), conducted in Osijek between 1980 and 1984, included 11,431 subjects. Results of the study confirmed FOBT to be an acceptable and reliable method for early CRC detection because of its simple use, general level of acceptance by the population and relatively low cost. Physical examinations aimed at detecting CRC by using FOBT were to be implemented in a planned, systematic manner in high-risk persons (those older than 50). Based on the results of this study, guidelines on cancer control were published in 1993 by teams of primary care physicians, especially family physicians. The Osijek Health Center, specifically its Family Medicine Department, participated in the development and implementation of the National Program for Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, which started in 2007. Response to the National Program for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer in individual counties was under 37%. A project called Early Cancer Detection Model Integrated in Family Medicine Practice, which was implemented in Osijek and included subjects from the 45-49 and 75-84 age groups at risk, revealed that teams of family physicians were motivated to join the national programs for early detection of cancer in Croatia. Experiences of the Osijek Health Center Family Medicine Department in the prevention and early detection of CRC indicated that family physicians were pioneers in activities that had ultimately led to the establishment of a National Program for Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Early Detection in Croatia.

Respiratory findings in farmworkers.

This investigation was designed to study respiratory problems in farmworkers. To better define the consequences of this work environment on respiratory health, 814 farmworkers (738 male and 76 female) were studied. The mean age of the men in this study was 38 years, and the mean duration of their employment was 15 years. For women, the mean age was 44 years and the mean duration of their employment was 10 years. Of the men, 56.5% were regular smokers, and 23.7% of the women were regular smokers. A group of 635 control workers without significant exposure to air pollutants were matched by sex, age, employment, and smoking habit. The prevalence of chronic symptoms among male farmworkers was greater (P < 0.01) than among male control subjects for chronic cough (24.8% vs 11.4%), chronic phlegm (22.8% vs 9.1%), and chronic bronchitis (20.1% vs 7.4%). Among women farmworkers, a significant difference was noted with controls for chest tightness (farmworkers, 21.1%; control subjects, 0%; P < 0.001). There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms among male and female farmworkers. In particular, farmworkers complained of more frequent cough, eye irritation, dyspnea, and throat irritation than did control subjects. For respiratory symptoms in male and female farmworkers, odds ratios were generally significant for smoking, age, and duration of employment. Ventilatory capacity tests were significantly reduced for farmworkers compared with predicted values. Regression analysis of ventilatory capacity tests in male farmworkers as a percentage of predicted values demonstrated significant coefficients for employment and smoking. Our data suggest that farmworkers are exposed to noxious agents that cause respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity impairment.

Respiratory findings in livestock farmworkers.

In this cross-sectional study, the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function were investigated in 236 (169 male and 67 female) livestock farmworkers raising domestic animals, including cattle and horses. The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms was recorded by administering a modified version of the British Medical Research Council questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Lung function was measured by recording the maximum expiratory flow-volume curves from which the forced vital capacity, the one-second forced expiratory volume, and the maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and the last 25% were measured. There was a significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms in farmers compared with controls: highest among men for chronic cough (27.2%) and highest among women for dyspnea (28.3%). Typical symptoms of occupational asthma were diagnosed in 3.6% of the male and 1.5% of the female livestock farmers. A logistic regression analysis performed on chronic respiratory symptoms of livestock workers indicate significant effects of smoking (P < 0.001) on all symptoms except occupational asthma. A large number of male and female livestock farmworkers complained of acute work-related symptoms: highest for dry cough (52.2%) and shortness of breath (44.9%). Lung function data among these workers demonstrated a trend toward lower lung function in general. Multivariate analysis of lung function parameters indicate significant effects of length of employment and smoking in male and length of employment in female livestock farmworkers. The data suggest that employment in livestock farming may be associated in a dose-dependent manner with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes.

Respiratory findings in chemical workers exposed to low concentrations of organic and inorganic air pollutants.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to respiratory irritants may effect respiratory function in workers exposed to ambient air pollutants in the workplace. METHODS: We studied 567 male and 135 female workers employed in two chemical plants in Zagreb, Croatia. Measurements of the ambient concentrations of air pollutants were performed. The mean age of the men was 37 years and mean duration of employment was 12 years; a majority of these workers were smokers. The mean age of the women was 37 years with a mean duration of employment of 14 years; only one-third of the women smoked. An unexposed group of 340 male and 110 female unexposed workers was also studied. Acute and chronic work related symptoms were recorded for all workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. RESULTS: There were higher prevalences for all chronic respiratory symptoms in exposed than in unexposed workers particularly among women, a majority of which were nonsmokers. Occupational asthma was recorded in three (0. 5%) of the men and in two (1.5%) of the women workers. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the presence of chronic respiratory symptoms among exposed workers was primarily associated with the amount of smoking. Additionally, there were high prevalences of acute symptoms during the work shift. Among the chemical workers these were greatest for eye irritation (male: 43. 9%; female: 51.9%), dryness of the throat (male: 43.4%; female: 57. 0%) and irritation of the throat (male: 37.4%; female: 56.6%). Ventilatory capacity data among the chemical workers demonstrated that most of the measured tests, particularly the FVC and FEV1 were significantly decreased compared to predicted (P < 0.01 or P < 0. 05)). In particular nonsmoking women exhibited abnormal lung function. The effect of smoking among exposed workers was demonstrated on all ventilatory capacity tests by regression analysis for all measured respiratory parameters. Both length of exposure and age were correlated with lung function loss for FVC. Measured pollutant levels were for the most part within acceptable standard limits. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that in this population of chemical workers exposed to low levels of pollutants respiratory symptoms were primarily associated with smoking. Environmental effects, possibly due to an interaction of pollutants were also suggested.

Respiratory findings in mail carriers.

The results of the recording of respiratory symptoms and the measurement of lung function in 136 male postal workers employed as mail carriers were studied. In addition, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms in 87 male nonexposed control workers was also examined. There was a significantly higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis (25.0%) and sinusitis (38.9%) in mail carriers than in control workers (13.8%; P < 0.05 and 2.3%; P < 0.01). A logistic regression analysis performed on the results of the study of chronic respiratory symptoms of mail carriers indicated a significant (P < 0.001) effect of smoking in this cohort, with the exception of occupational asthma. Mail carriers who smoked had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough (45.3%), chronic phlegm (39.1%), chronic bronchitis (39.1%) and sinusitis (53.1%) than mail carriers who were nonsmokers (18.1%; 12.5%; 12.5% and 26.4% respectively.) (P < 0.01). A high prevalence of acute symptoms developing during the work-shift was recorded, in both smokers and nonsmokers, being highest for upper airway symptoms, headache (50.0%), nasal catarrh (42.6%), and eye irritation (57.4%). The results of tests for average measured ventilatory capacity (as a percentage of predicted capacity) were significantly lower than expected, particularly for maximum flow rates at the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF25), in both smokers (68.5%) and in nonsmokers (74.2%). A multivariate analysis of lung function parameters indicated a significant effect of employment conditions. The only major identifiable occupational exposure of mail carriers was to ambient air pollution for an average of 6 h per day as well as to adverse meteorological conditions. The measured ambient concentrations of major outdoor pollutants, primarily total suspended particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and black smoke exceeded considerably the recommended Croatian maximum air quality standards over the past 10 years. Our study of mail carriers demonstrated that these workers were subject to respiratory symptoms associated with their smoking habits. Lung function findings suggested that occupational exposures, possibly to atmospheric pollution in combination with adverse meteorological conditions, may have led to lung function impairment in these workers.

Intracranial infection as a common complication following war missile skull base injury.

The purpose of this paper is to stress the importance of clinical observation, the appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and early surgery in the management of intracranial infection following war missile penetrating skull base injury. There were 21 skull base missile injuries treated surgically in a 4-year period. Careful removal of devitalised brain tissue with dural closure was performed with all patients to prevent the development of intracranial infection. Subsequent clinical and radiological surveillance was performed to detect evidence of infection and abscess formation if fragments were left in place. Broad range antibiotic coverage, and the antioedematous agents were applied in the early postoperative period. Infection about the brain was seen in four cases. We recorded three cases of brain abscess formation, while one patient developed bacterial meningitis. The incidence of infectious complications was relatively high in our series. After the organisms causing infection were known, treatment was modified to be as specific as possible. It was not necessary to reoperate on intracranially retained foreign bodies and fragments since they did not increase the infection rate. However, repeated surgery is necessary for a brain abscess.

Osijek Health Center during the 1991-1992 war in Croatia.

To assess the effectiveness of health services in the city of Osijek during the 1991-1992 war in Croatia, we followed the changes in the utilization of health services, morbidity and mortality, and completion of a vaccination plan during the 2 years of the war. We used a retrospective analysis of data from the Osijek Health Center and the Osijek County Institute of Public Health. The organization of health care during the war followed the concept of integrated health care and the instructions of the Ministry of Health. Visits to primary health care physicians decreased considerably, with a concomitant increase in disease and mortality. The plan for mandatory vaccination was not completed because of the evacuation of preschool and school children. The war changed the mode of health care use, the disease and mortality structure, and the implementation of mandatory vaccination. However, timely education and preparation of the health services to the war situation resulted in an adequate provision of health care to the population.

High doses of 5-fluorouracil and epirubicin with or without cisplatin in advanced gastric cancer: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: A prospective randomized clinical study was performed in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. The purpose of the study was to determine the activity of high doses of 5-fluorouracil and epirubicin (FE) vs. the same combination + cisplatin (FEP), and particularly the value of cisplatin in the combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 122 patients was included in the study; 110 of them were assessable. In the FE arm, the treatment involved 1000 mg/m2 in a 6-hr infusion of 5-fluorouracil on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and 120 mg/m2 of epirubicin i.v. on day 1. In the FEP arm, the same combination of cytostatics + cisplatin (30 mg/m2) was administered on days 2 and 4. The cycles were repeated after 4 weeks. Altogether, 468 cycles of chemotherapy were given (FE, 240; FEP, 228). RESULTS: In the FE arm, 56 patients were assessable, with 2 complete and 14 partial remissions (28.6%); in the FEP arm, 4 complete and 19 partial remissions (42.6%) were observed in 54 assessable patients. Median survival in the FE group was 7.1 months and in the FEP group 9.6 months. The survival difference was statistically significant (Cox's test, P<0.05). The most frequent side effects included grade 2 and 3 alopecia (FE, 93%; FEP, 94%) and grade 2 and 3 vomiting (FE, 20%; FEP, 35%). Grade 3 and 4 leukopenia was observed in 9% of patients in the FE group and in 13% of patients in the FEP group, with 6 cases of febrile neutropenia (FE, 4%; FEP, 7%). Stenocardia was registered in 1 patient in the FE group and in 2 patients in the FEP group. No treatment-related death was registered. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of cisplatin to high doses of 5-fluorouracil and epirubicin resulted in a statistically significant better survival of treated patients.

Respiratory and immunological findings in brewery workers.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure of brewery workers to organic dusts such as hops, barley, and brewery yeast has the potential to change respiratory function and immunological status. METHODS: Ninety-seven male workers employed in a brewery plant were studied. The mean age of the workers in this plant was 40 years, the mean duration of their employment was 16 years. In addition, a group of 76 unexposed workers was studied as a control. Respiratory symptoms were recorded. Lung function was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. Immunological testing was performed on all brewery workers and some control volunteers using skin prick testing with hops, barley, and yeast antigens as well as other nonoccupational allergens, and by determining total serum IgE levels. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher prevalence of most of the chronic respiratory symptoms in brewery workers compared to controls (P < 0.01). Occupational asthma, however, was recorded in only 2 (2.1%) of the brewery workers. Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was the major studied factor responsible for the high prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms in workers. A large number of brewery workers complained of acute symptoms that developed during the work shift. Lung function tests were decreased compared to predicted. Multivariate analysis of these respiratory function parameters suggested the importance of workplace exposure in explaining lung function abnormalities. Significantly higher prevalences of positive skin prick tests were recorded in 37 brewery workers for molds, hops, and barley than in controls. Increased serum levels of total IgE were documented in 34/97 (45.1%) brewery workers and in 1/76 (2.7%) of the control workers (P < 0.01). However, workers with positive skin prick tests had prevalences of chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes similar to those of workers with negative skin prick tests. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that both smoking and dust exposure in the brewery industry may be responsible for the development of respiratory impairment and immunological reactions.

Respiratory function and immunological status in paper-recycling workers.

The respiratory function and immunological status of workers employed in the paper recycling industry were studied. The mean age of the 101 studied workers was 41 years, and the mean duration of their exposure was 17 years. A group of 87 unexposed workers of similar age, duration of employment, and smoking history was studied for the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Lung function in the paper workers was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow volume (MEFV) curves and recording forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the FVC (FEF50, FEF25). Immunological studies were performed in all 101 paper workers and in 37 control workers (volunteers). These included skin-prick tests with paper-dust extracts and other nonoccupational allergens, as well as the measurement of total serum immunoglobulin E. Significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were found in paper compared with control workers (P < 0.01). The highest prevalences were found for chronic cough (36.6%), chronic phlegm (34.7%), chronic bronchitis (33.7%), sinusitis (31.7%), and dyspnea (18.8%). Occupational asthma was diagnosed in four (4.0%) of the paper workers. A logistic regression analysis performed on chronic respiratory symptoms of paper workers indicated significant effects of smoking and exposure, with the smoking effect being the most important. Multivariate analysis of lung-function parameters indicate significant effects of exposure. For paper workers, the measured FEF50 and FEF25 were significantly decreased, compared with predicted values, suggesting obstructive changes located primarily in smaller airways. Among 101 tested paper workers, 16 (15.8%) had positive skin-prick tests to at least one of the paper extracts; none of the control workers reacted to these extracts. Increased serum IgE levels were found in 21% of the paper workers and in 5% of control workers (P < 0.05). Paper workers with positive skin-prick tests to any of the paper and/or other tested extracts had higher prevalences of chronic respiratory symptoms and lower measured lung-function tests compared with predicted than did those with negative skin-prick tests, but the differences were not statistically significant. The measured concentrations of total and respirable dust in this industry were higher than those recommended by Croatian standards. Our study suggests that work in the paper-recycling industry is associated with respiratory impairment and that sensitive workers employed in this industry may be at particular risk of developing chronic respiratory abnormalities.

[Headache in displaced persons from east Slavonia]. / Glavobolje prognanika istocne Slavonije.

The authors investigate the appearance of psychogenic headaches among 150 displaced persons of both sexes, average age 43 years with specific prepared questionnaire (Incidental Report Interview with questions important for the culture of examinees), neurological and psychiatric checkups. Diagnosis of headache was established according to the criteria of the Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. In the group of 150 displaced persons the authors have found 106 (70%), 31 (30%) among males and 75 (70%) among females) psychogenic headaches. Psychogenic headache appeared in 53% of the male cases and was connected with psychoticism (1.7%), conversion (8.3%) and depression (43%), and in 81% of the female cases expression of conversion (4.3%) or a follower of anxiety (10.7%) and depression (66%). Headache is together with anxiety and depression most frequently found in the age groups 31-40 and 51-60 years, among married individuals (76%), and among those with secondary school education (86%). In the group of psychogenic headaches, 13 (42%) males and 23 (30%) females had elements of muscle contraction (tension) headaches, and 9 (29%) males and 8 (10%) females, mainly from the groups 31-40 and 51-60 years with lower educational level had elements of combined vascular and tension headaches. There was a positive correlation between the employment before exile, unemployment in exile, the loss of experience in changing the place of living, leaving home and country under pressure and in peril of death and appearance and intensity of psychogenic headaches.

[The role of and suitability of the occult fecal blood test in a preventive program for colorectal carcinoma]. / Uloga i prikladnost testiranja okultnoga fekalnog krvarenja u programu zastite od kolorektalnog karcinoma.

There are no final attitudes towards the necessity of the colorectal carcinoma screening in the population. The aim of this examination was to assess the motivation, applicability, sensibility and value of the occult faecal blood tests as the screening method in the colorectal carcinoma detection, as well as the analysis of the costs and the possibilities of testing within the regular health service. The testing of the occult faecal blood was offered to a random sample of 11.431 subjects. The tests were returned by 7.592 (81.9%) of the high-risk and by 1.690 (77.8%) of the control group testees. In the high-risk group (over 40 years of age) the positive test of the occult faecal blood was found in 1.09% of the examined patients and the colon carcinoma was established in 13 testees with the positive test (19.66%) or in 0.17% of the cases. The total costs per patient with a detected carcinoma were Din. 349.246. - what is 24.4% less than the price of a palliative operation. Colon adenoma was established in 16 testees of the high-risk group (0.21%). Colon adenoma and carcinoma were established in 34.94% of the testees with positive tests. Radical surgeries were made in 8 out of 10 operated testees. In the control group (20-40 years of age) two adenomas were established and no malignant disease. The test sensitivity was evaluated based on the colon carcinoma detection and it was 72.2% in Hemoccult-negative subjects up to two years after the testing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Dynamics of occurrence and mortality in colorectal carcinoma in the community around Osijek]. / Dinamika ucestalosti i mortaliteta od kolorektalnog karcinoma u zajednici opcina Osijek.

The extent and dynamics of the occurrence of colorectal carcinoma were analysed in all the communes of the region of Osijek during the period from 1968 to 1982. The age and sex of patients, geographical distribution and other factors which might have influenced the colorectal carcinoma occurrence were taken into consideration. The dynamic of the occurrence of colorectal carcinoma was analysed by the method of regression. The incidence of the carcinoma of the large bowel in the region of Osijek in 1982 was between 10.3% and 33.7% per 100,000 inhabitants. In most communes the incidence was between 20.9% and 28.1%. During the period from 1968 to 1982 there was an increase in the occurrence of colorectal carcinoma in all communes, with the exception of the commune of Slavonska Orahovica which is one of the most undeveloped areas in the region. A significant increase of the new cases of colorectal carcinoma was recorded in the communes of Beli Manastir and highly significant increase in the communes of Djakovo, Podravska Slatina, Slavonska Pozega and Vukovar. During the same period there was an evident increase in the mortality rate from colorectal carcinoma in all the communes in the region of Osijek. The rate was 22.2% per 100,000 inhabitants which represents 1.9% of overall mortality or 11.6% of the mortality from all malignant diseases in the region. With regard to epidemiological data and the authors' own investigations it has become obvious that more care and attention should be paid to the prevention of colorectal carcinoma as an integral part of the chronic disease prevention programme.