Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of early and delayed lumbar disc herniation surgery and the treatment outcome.
Aim To evaluate the influence of preoperative symptoms duration on surgical outcome of one-level lumbar disc herniation surgery. Methods In a prospective randomized study, 67 adult patients with one-level lumbar disc herniation were analysed. The patients whose duration of symptoms was <6 months were included in the case group, while those with the duration of symptoms ˃6 months formed the control group. ⋯ Results A statistically significant difference was recorded between the groups, showing a better decrease of radicular pain intensity and sciatica bothersome, as well as patients disability in the case group (p<0.001). According to the Odom's criteria the outcome was better in the case group, since the difference between the groups was statistically significant too (p<0.05). Conclusion Early lumbar disc herniation surgery performed within the first 6 months from the start of symptoms is beneficial due to decreases of radicular pain intensity, sciatica bothersomeness, and patient's disability.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of zinc supplementation during pregnancy for the prevention of stunting: analysis of maternal serum zinc, cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length.
Aim To investigate the influence of zinc supplementation on pregnant women for the prevention of stunting through an analysis of maternal serum zinc, cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length. Methods This study was conducted with pre-test/post-test control groups and double-blind randomization. Patients were pregnant mothers in second or third trimester and with their newborns who met the inclusion criteria. ⋯ The comparison of mean cord blood osteocalcin levels and median neonatal birth lengths in the supplementation group was higher than in the placebo group: 131.8±35.3 vs 90.6±35.4 ng/ml (p=0.001) and 49.3 (46.5-51.3) vs 48.3 (46-50.8) cm (p=0.004), respectively. Maternal serum zinc levels after zinc supplementation had a positive significant correlation with cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length: r=0.434 (p=0.001) and r=0.597 (p=0.001), respectively. Conclusion There was a significant correlation of maternal serum zinc with cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length after zinc supplementation.