[Therapeutic exercise for patients with chronic low-back pain]. / Medicinske vjezbe za bolesnike s kronicnom krizoboljom.

Low Back Pain (LBP) is a major medical and socio-economical problem in the industrialized countries. Exercise therapy is the keystone of conservative treatment for chronic low back pain (CLBP). Numerous randomized trials and clinical practice guidelines have supported that exercise diminishes disability and pain severity while improving fitness and occupational status in patients with CLBP, as well as decrease its recurrence rate. However, there is no significant evidence that one particular type of exercise is clearly more effective than others. Here we present a descriptive review of different types of exercise for therapeutic or prevention purposes in patients with CLBP. Studies suggest that individually tailored, supervised exercise programs are associated with the best outcomes. High quality clinical trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of specific interventions (type, time, intensity and other characteristics) aimed at individuals and/or specific target groups.

[Epidemiology and risk factors for gout]. / Epidemiologija i rizicni cimbenici za uricni artritis.

Gout is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthropathy, and affecting more than 2% of the population in industrialized countries. The development and expression of gout depends on three key steps:chronic hyperuricemia, the growth ofmonosodium urate crystals and interaction between this cristals and inflammatory system. Prevalence and incidence of gout have risen in recent decades. Numerous risk factors for the development of gout have been established, including hyperuricaemia, genetic factors, dietary factors, alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, obesity, diuretic use and chronic renal disease.

[Diagnosis and conservative treatment of low back pain: review and guidelines of the Croatian Vertebrologic Society]. / Dijagnostika i konzervativno lijecenje krizobolje: pregled i smjernice Hrvatskog Vertebroloskog Drustva.

Low back pain (LBP) is a very common condition with high costs of patient care. Medical doctors of various specialties from Croatia have brought an up-to-date review and guidelines for diagnosis and conservative treatment of low back pain, which should result in the application of evidence-based care and eventually better outcomes. As LBP is a multifactorial disease, it is often not possible to identify which factors may be responsible for the onset of LBP and to what extent they aggravate the patient's symptoms. In the diagnostic algorithm, patient's history and clinical examination have the key role. Furthermore, most important is to classify patients into those with nonspecific back pain, LBP associated with radiculopathy (radicular syndrome) and LBP potentially associated with suspected or confirmed severe pathology. Not solely a physical problem, LBP should be considered through psychosocial factors too. In that case, early identification of patients who will develop chronic back pain will be helpful because it determines the choice of treatment. In order to make proper assessment of a patient with LBP (i.e. pain, function), we should use validated questionnaires. Useful approach to a patient with LBP is to apply the principles of content management. Generally, acute and chronic LBP cases are treated differently. Besides providing education, in patients with acute back pain, advice seems to be crucial (especially to remain active), along with the use of drugs (primarily in terms of pain control), while in some patients spinal manipulation (performed by educated professional) or/and short-term use of lumbosacral orthotic devices can also be considered. The main goal of treating patients with chronic LBP is renewal of function, even in case of persistent pain. For chronic LBP, along with education and medical treatment, therapeutic exercise, physical therapy and massage are recommended, while in patients with a high level of disability intensive multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach has proved to be effective.

[An overview of conservative treatment for low back pain]. / Pregled konzervativnog lijecenja krizoboue.

Low back pain is the most frequent musculoskeletal complaint worldwide and leading cause of chronic disability. In this review we discuss knowledge about the role of management of non-invasive, conservative therapy for the nonspecific low back pain. Initial therapy includes modification of activity, pharmacological analgesic therapy and education of patients. In patients with sub acute or chronic low back pain, multimodal and interdisciplinary treatment approach is necessary with personalized and individual healthcare combined with different modality of therapy.

[Guidelines of the Croatian Society for Rheumatology for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis]. / Smjernice Hrvatskoga reumatoloskog drustva. Za lijecenje osteoartritisa kuka i koljena.

Osteoarthritis of the hip and the knee belongs to one of the most disabiliting conditions. Treatment goals for these patients include a reduction in pain, an improvement in joint mobility and to limit functional impairment. To properly manage osteoarthritis, both nonpharmacologic (non-interventional) and pharmacologic modalities may be employed, while minority of patients will require surgery. According to the available evidence for available therapies and experts' opinion here we present guidelines for the treatment of hip and the knee osteoarthritis in Croatia.

[Physical therapy in osteoarthritis]. / Fizikalna terapija osteoartritisa.

Physical therapy has an important role in treating rheumatic diseases; its goal is to reduced pain, swelling and to keep joints mobile. The properly manage osteoarthritis is nonpharmacological and pharmacological modalities. Physical therapy applied as a remedy for osteoarthritis is a part of multimodal therapy. The basis for physical therapy management is determined by the recommendation of the physical therapeutic science and evidence-based medicine. When making a decision about application of different methods of treatment in physical therapy, it is important to correctly diagnose a structural transformation and functional problem. Systematic review of the scientific, evidence-based, international concensus recommendations for the management of the osteoarthritis published between 2000 and 2010 were identified high-quality evidence therapy practice that is efficient and effective in increasing movement capability function, and reduce pain, disability, medical intake and improved physical function for patients with osteoarthritis

[The role of nonopioid analgetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and weak opioids in the tretament of low-back pain]. / Uloga neopioidnih analgetika, nesteroidnih antireumatika i slabih opioida u lijecenju krizobolje.

Low-back pain is a major health and social problem. The approach to patients with low-back pain is complex and multidisciplinary, and drugs take the important place. In this rewiev we discuss knowledge about the role of non-opioid analgetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and weak opioids in the treatament of low-back pain.

[Treatment of chronic pain--use of transdermal fentanyl (Durogesic TTS)]. / Lijecenje Kronicne boli--primjena transdermalnog fentanila (Durogesic TTS).

Incorrect treatment of chronic pain is common cause of patient's discontentment and suffering. The problem is mostly occurring because of inappropriate pain treatment. The WHO guidelines recommends declining of prejudices and using of strong opioids in therapy after the unsatisfactory treatment with weaker analgesics. Strong opioid analgesic fentanyl in transdermal system (Durogesic TTS) is introduced. In rheumatology, it is recommended for all conditions characterised by chronic pain with intensity 4 and more on the VAS scale (0-10). It is mostly used in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain and neuropathic pain. Durogesic TTS provides continuous pain relief for 72 hours, with constant serum concentrations. It has to be gradually titrated and starting dose is 25 micrograms/h. Possible adverse events (nausea, vomiting, constipation, sedation, itching) are short termed, transitory and easily managed. Results of some clinical trials and personal experiences that are proving its efficacy and safety are presented.