Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2023
ReviewMANAGEMENT OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN CROATIA: A SINGLE-CENTER STUDY.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of patients presenting to the emergency room with acute appendicitis and subsequent results of surgical treatment. Our single center retrospective study was conducted in Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia. ⋯ The results showed a statistically significant increase in the ratio of open laparotomies (p=0.006) and ratio of perforated appendicitis (p=0.047) during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the pre-pandemic period. The time between symptom onset and hospitalization, measured in days, did not demonstrate a statistically significant increase (p=0.379), and minor increase in the postoperative length of stay was not statistically significant either (p=0.879).
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2023
ReviewMUSCULOSKELETAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that most commonly affects the young, working, female population. Musculoskeletal manifestations are one of the most prevalent and presenting features in SLE. Arthralgia, myalgia, non-erosive arthritis, myositis but also tenosynovitis and enthesitis are present in more than 90% of SLE patients. ⋯ There are many radiological imaging methods, i.e., classic radiograms, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging that provide morphological information regarding damage and activity of musculoskeletal diseases in SLE and other rheumatic diseases. Musculoskeletal ultrasound stands out as an accessible and affordable method. Recognizing musculoskeletal manifestations may help establish an early diagnosis of SLE and assess disease activity, thus leading to early initiation of treatment and preventing chronic and irreversible changes with a beneficial effect on the quality of life.