Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
STUDY HYPOTHESIS: AGE, GENDER, PRESENCE OF DIABETES MELLITUS OR HYPERTENSION, AND ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS ARE INDEPENDENT RISK FACTORS FOR COVID-19 MORTALITY.
We aimed to investigate the effects of comorbid diseases and antihypertensive drugs on the clinical outcome of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection. A total of 1045 patients whose data could be gathered and confirmed from both hospital files and Turkish National Health Network records were retrospectively screened, and 264 of 1045 patients were excluded because of having more than one comorbid disease. The study population consisted of a total of 781 patients, of which 482 had no comorbid disease, while the remaining 299 patients had only one comorbid disease. ⋯ While hypertension was not found to be an independent risk factor for COVID-19 mortality, age, gender, and presence of DM were independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality. There was no association between antihypertensive drugs and mortality. Accordingly, age (>65 years), gender (male), and presence of DM were independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality, whereas hypertension and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and their combinations with other antihypertensive drugs were not risk factors for COVID-19 mortality.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
DOES GALLIC ACID HAVE A POTENTIAL REMEDIAL EFFECT IN EXPERIMENTAL CORROSIVE BURN INJURY TO THE ESOPHAGUS?
Gallic acid, acting as an antioxidant, anti-precipitant and cytoprotective agent, was used as a possible remedial natural component for treating experimentally induced esophageal burn. Wistar rats (n=24) were divided into three groups. Control group was given 1 mL 0.9% NaCl. ⋯ In the esophageal burn group, necrosis, degeneration and numerous apoptotic cells, as well as intense inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis in the muscle layer were observed under light microscope. In the treated group, remodeling of epithelial cells with marked reduction in the connective tissue collagen content was observed, as well as marked reduction in the volume of collagen and abundance of inflammatory cells in blood vessels. Gallic acid treatment may help heal esophageal burns and prevent complications.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
Review Case ReportsANAL CANCER IN A RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT: A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW.
Anal carcinoma is a rare tumor in the general population accounting for 1%-2% of all malignancies. Most anal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. ⋯ We present a patient who developed anal cancer nine years after renal transplantation. Since there was a significant diagnostic delay in our patient, we would like to emphasize the importance of regular screening for anal cancer in renal transplant recipients.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
Observational StudyCLINICAL AND SURGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMORS IN ADULTS - SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE OF SURGICAL MANAGEMENT.
In contrast to tumors in children, between 6% and 20% of all brain tumors in adults arise solitary in the posterior cranial fossa. Given their rarity in adults, as well as the importance and complexity of their treatment, this paper reviews and discusses the clinical and surgical characteristics of such tumors. In a retrospective single-institution observational study, adult patients with posterior fossa tumors treated surgically over a ten-year period were analyzed. ⋯ Thus, it is crucial to schedule an appropriate surgical intervention as soon as possible, as it can significantly improve treatment outcome and prognosis of the disease. If possible, meticulous total tumor resection should be the treatment of choice. In the case of hydrocephalus, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt should be considered as an alternative surgical option after tumor resection.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
VALIDATION OF THE QUALITY OF RECOVERY-40 QUESTIONNAIRE ADAPTED FOR CROATIAN POPULATION.
Quality of recovery after anesthesia is an important indicator of patient postoperative outcomes. Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) is a validated and widely used multidimensional 40-item questionnaire that measures postoperative quality of recovery. The aim of this study was to perform translation and psychometric validation of the Croatian version of QoR-40, which included validity, reliability, responsiveness, and clinical acceptability. ⋯ Internal consistency of the global QoR-40 was high (Cronbach's α=0.93) and of the QoR-40 dimensions it was moderate to high (≥0.714). Split-half coefficient was 0.87, Cohen's effect size was 0.81, and standardized response mean was 0.762. Our translated QoR-40 is a valid, reliable and comprehensive questionnaire for measuring quality of postoperative recovery across surgery spectrum in Croatian population with psychometric properties similar to the original version.