Tear Biomarkers and Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that represents the most common type of dementia. It poses a significant diagnostic challenge that requires timely recognition and treatment. Currently, there is no effective therapy for AD; however, certain medications may slow down its progression. The discovery of AD biomarkers, namely, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and cerebrospinal fluid molecules (amyloid-ß and tau) has advanced our understanding of this disease and has been crucial for identifying early neuropathologic changes prior to clinical changes and cognitive decline. The close interrelationship between the eye and the brain suggests that tears could be an interesting source of biomarkers for AD; however, studies in this area are limited. The identification of biomarkers in tears will enable the development of cost-effective, non-invasive methods of screening, diagnosis and disease monitoring. In order to use tears as a standard method for early and non-invasive diagnosis of AD, future studies need to be conducted on a larger scale.

The prevalence of muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy in Croatia: data from national and non-governmental organization registries.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of muscular dystrophy (MD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Croatia by use of multiple epidemiological tools. METHODS: This epidemiological study collected data from three national patient registries and one database of a non-governmental organization (NGO) of MD and SMA patients. The study involved all individuals who either had undergone hospital treatment for MD or SMA, had consulted their primary health care providers for MD- and SMA-related symptoms, were listed as disabled due to MD or SMA, or were members of the mentioned NGO in 2016. In order to prevent double entries, we created a new database of all living individuals, each with a unique identification number. The prevalence rates for 2016 were calculated by age and sex groups. RESULTS: There were 926 patients diagnosed with MD (544 men). Most men diagnosed with MD were in the age group 10-19, whereas most women were in the age group 50-59. MD prevalence in Croatia was 22.2 per 100000 population. There were 392 patients diagnosed with SMA (198 men). Most men with SMA were in the age group 50-59, whereas most women were in the age group 60-69. SMA prevalence in Croatia was 9.3 per 100000 population. CONCLUSION: SMA prevalence rate in Croatia is similar to SMA prevalence worldwide. However, MD prevalence rate is higher than worldwide estimates. This difference could be attributed to the fact that we could not confirm whether every patient registered in these databases actually met the diagnostic criteria for MD and SMA.

Perception of communication between doctors and patients - On-line research among doctors in Croatia.

BACKGROUND: Different studies clearly show that doctor-patient relationship and communication are extremely important. They have a big influence on the outcome of medical treatment, but also on the cooperability, quality of life, safety of patients, teamwork, cultural sensitivity and fewer complaints to the doctor+s work. In this paper, we present results of our original research about attitudes of doctors and their perception related to the importance of communication between doctors and patients and person-centered approach. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a 28 items on-line survey to collect data from doctors in the period from 29 September 2015 till 23 November 2015 by using the Google forms. Total of 939 doctors from the entire Croatia responded. RESULTS: Main results of the study suggest that doctors are aware of the importance of communication between doctors and patients and that education about communication skills was not appropriate during their study. Doctors have undoubtedly expressed their desire for further development and learning about a better communication between doctors and patients and they have showed in this research that they love their job. CONCLUSION: The research unambiguously speaks in favor of the need of the significant strengthening of this segment within the program of the School of Medicine and support the current changes in the medical curriculum at the School of medicine University of Zagreb.

The Role of PTSD in Perception of Health-Related Quality of Life and Social Support among Croatian War Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Different studies clearly show that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is important factor in a reduction of the overall quality of life. PTSD remains a substantial problem in Croatia, nearly three decades after the beginning of the Croatian Homeland war. In this paper, we present results of our original research about impact of PTSD on the self-perceived health-related quality of life and social support in Croatian Homeland war veterans. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 277 war veterans were included from all Croatian counties. 158 (57.03%) veterans has PTSD and 119 (42.47%) are without PTSD. Strucured questionnaire was designed for socio-demographic data and information about combat experience and health problems. SF-36 was used in the estimation of health-related quality of life and Multidimesional Scale for Perceived Social Support for estimation of social support. Research was performed from June 2017 till November 2017. RESULTS: Main results of the study suggest that Croatian veterans with PTSD have lower health-related quality of life in almost all doimains, and that they perceive less social support from family, friends and significant others in comparison to veterans without PTSD. CONCLUSION: The results of this study reiterate strong impact of PTSD on quality of life and perception of social support. The research speaks in favor of the need to develop person-centered interdisciplinry health-care programs for this population, with special emphasis on their overall quality of life.

[Asymptomatic hypertension in urban and rural population of the Posusje community, Bosnia & Herzegovina]. / Asimptomatska hipertenzija gradske i seoske populachije opcine posusje, FBiH.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of newly detected asymptomatic hypertension in a random sample of urban and rural population of the Posusje community, and to assess the possible age and sex differences between these two population groups. The study included 2000 subjects that underwent blood pressure measurement. Elevated blood pressure was detected in 532 (26.60%) subjects that were divided into three groups according to the level of hypertension: mild, moderate and severe hypertension. Study results showed that there were no statistically significant age or sex differences according to the levels of asymptomatic hypertension, or between the urban and rural populations of the Posusje community.

Counseling on cardiovascular behavioral risk factors within the healthcare system: the CroHort study.

Eliminating four behavioral risk factors (tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and harmful use of alcohol) could contribute to a decrease of up to 80% in burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Primary healthcare providers have a unique position within the healthcare system, which allows them to actively contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular behavioral risk factors (CVBRFs) by providing individual counseling. The aim of this article is to show the change in frequency and the effects of counseling on CVBRFs by healthcare providers between two periods: up until 2003 and between 2003 and 2008. Results, obtained within the CroHort study, show a low frequency and undesired effects of counseling within the healthcare system in both studied periods. This points to a lack of consistency with which the healthcare system tackles prevention of behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

[Risk factors of asymptomatic hypertension on the territory of Posusje Municipality (Bosnia and Herzegovina)]. / Cimbenici rizika za asimptomatsku hipertenziju na podrucju opcine posusje (FBiH).

Arterial hypertension is the leading mortality risk factor. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of asymptomatic hypertension detected in a randomly selected population sample in Posusje Municipality according to the grade of hypertension (mild, moderate or severe) and risk factors. The following risk factors were analyzed: intake of saturated fatty acids, alcohol, tobacco products and black coffee. Asymptomatic hypertension was detected in 532 of 2000 (26.60%) subjects included in the study. In comparison to the rest of the study sample, these 532 subjects reported a statistically significantly higher consumption of saturated fatty acids, alcohol, tobacco products and black coffee.

[Importance of kinesiologic recreation beginning in early rehabilitation in Zagreb]. / Vaznost kinezioloske rekreacije zapocete u ranoj rehabilitaciji u Zagrebu.

Rehabilitation of persons injured in the Croatian Homeland War is complex and prolonged because war wounds heal longer due to infections, additional complications and associated injuries of many organic structures. To make their prolonged hospitalization easier, the first sports competition of war-injured persons was organized in Zagreb on September 26th 1992. Out of 2457 wounded patients undergoing rehabilitation at the Dubrava University Hospital (UHD) in Zagreb till April 4th 1995, a total of 566 (23.03%) participated in sports activities. Competitions were organized in table tennis, darts, suspended bowling, sitting basketball, air gun shooting and mini golf. By participating in sports competitions, the wounded treated at the UHD and other hospitals were encouraged to continue such activities during their treatment in rehabilitation centers but also after finishing their medical rehabilitation. For the purpose of continuous follow-up of the war-wounded who wanted to continue sport activities the Guidance Center for Sport Activities of the Homeland War-Wounded was founded in Zagreb. The wounded that started sports activities on a recreational basis during treatment at the UHD are active today even in international competitions for handicapped and they achieve very good results. To reach this goal they have to exercise hard and regularly and this is possible only if their basic needs are fulfilled and they are well incorporated into their surroundings. This is an additional step in the social reintegration, i.e., the inclusion of these persons into their surroundings and all parts of the society they belong to and to which they gave the best part of themselves.