Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Aim To investigate the relationship between adherence to preventive behaviors and risk of COVID-19 infection. Methods In this case-control study, 491 participants were selected through convenience sampling. First, the samples of the case group (COVID-19 patients) were selected, and then the control group was matched with the case group based on age, gender, and occupation. ⋯ The participants who never observed physical distancing and handwashing were 2.25 times more likely to get COVID-19 than those who always observed (95% CI:1.719-4.954; OR=2.258). Conclusion Participants who fail in following the protective measures, especially wearing a mask regardless of its type, had a higher risk of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, it is recommended to use a mask consistently, especially during the peak of COVID-19 waves.
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Aim To analyse biochemical markers as possible predictors of death before discharge in cooled newborns following perinatal asphyxia. Methods A total of 91 infants that underwent therapeutic hypothermia after perinatal asphyxia were included. Inclusion criteria for therapeutic hypothermia were Sarnat stage 2 or 3. ⋯ Groups were significantly different regarding acid-base balance (p=0.012), base excess (BE) (p=0.025), lactate (p=0.002), aspartate aminotransferaze (AST), (p=0.011), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p=0.006), activated partial thromboplastin clotting time (aPTT) (p=0.001) and international normalized ratio (INR) (p=0.001). Conclusion Acid-base balance, BE, lactate, AST, LDH, aPTT and INR were significantly higher in the group of cooled newborns after perinatal asphyxia (non-survivors), and can serve as predictors of death before discharge. Combining diagnostic modalities raises a chance for accurate prediction of outcomes of asphyxiated infants.
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Aim The infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus potentially causes a cytokine storm with elevated IL-6 and IL-1β levels. Statin therapy was common among COVID-19 patients due to their cardiovascular comorbidities. However, the effect of statins on COVID-19 infection is unclear. ⋯ Results The stimulation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in PBMC cell culture statistically increased IL-6 and IL1β expression of 5.2 and 35.07 fold, respectively (p<0.05). The expressions of IL-6 and IL-1β were not statistically significant among three simvastatin doses and control. Conclusion Statin administration did not have significant effect on IL-6 and IL-1β levels in PBMCs after SARS-CoV-2 spike protein stimulation in this study, a further study is needed.
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Aim Knee osteoarthritis is a common osteoarthritis, which limits individual's activity and affects aspects of daily life and quality of life. The prevalence of osteoarthritis in Indonesians is still high, reaching 12.7% in women and 15.8% in men. Based on the WHO, the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the world is still high, with 18% in women and 80% in men. ⋯ Results Among 27 female (73%) and 10 male patients (27%), seven patients suffered from osteoarthritis grade 1, 13 from osteoarthritis grade 2, 16 from osteoarthritis grade 3, and one patient suffered from osteoarthritis grade 4. There was no significant relationship (p>0.05) between the severity of knee osteoarthritis and patients gender. Conclusion There was no significant relationship between the severity of knee osteoarthritis between males and females.
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Aim To investigate possible differences in serum glucose and sodium and potassium concentrations with respect to age, gender and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis. Methods Medical records from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019 were reviewed and patients with the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis were selected. Results The study included 52 patients. ⋯ Males had significantly higher potassium concentration (p =0.01). Conclusion This study showed that significant differences exist in electrolyte concentration between specific age groups, male and female gender as well as DKA severity. Knowing these differences could help clinicians to promptly recognize and treat electrolyte derangements, leading to better outcome of patients with DKA.