Responses of people with epilepsy to the COVID-19 pandemic in the time of national lockdown.

The aim of our study was to gather information on how people with epilepsy (PwE) responded to the COVID-19 pandemic during the national lockdown. An online questionnaire was therefore offered to the visitors of the Croatian Association for Epilepsy's website. The 22-items questionnaire was designed to acquire information from adults with epilepsy living in Croatia on demographic data, cognitive, emotional and behavioral responses to the pandemic, and communication problems between patients and their neurologists during the lockdown.

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation: A retrospective study.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the outcome, prescribed therapy, and localization of non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalised for non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage from 2004 to 2013. We compared the patients according to previous antithrombotic therapy, demographics, previous CHADS2 score, comorbidities, the international normalised ration, localisation of intracerebral hamorrhage, stroke severity, prescribed antithrombotic therapy and outcome.

Labels and epilepsy - An online survey of patients and those close to them.

Publications on the topic of appropriate labels for someone with diagnosed epilepsy have so far almost exclusively consisted of views of professionals in this field. We conducted an online study of patients treated for epilepsy and persons close to them with the aim of identifying which label they prefer, whether they oppose the term "epileptic", and which characteristics are related with their preferences. In total, 328 responses were analyzed.

Women with epilepsy in childbearing age: Pregnancy-related knowledge, information sources, and antiepileptic drugs.

Pregnancy-related issues in epilepsy (PRIE) are essential for management of epilepsy in women. We conducted a study among women with epilepsy (WWE) aged 15-45years about their knowledge, sources, and needs for information regarding PRIE, which included their current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) usage. Women with epilepsy, visitors of Croatian Association for Epilepsy webpage, were offered an online questionnaire, and 200 responses were analyzed.

Transient Obstructive Hydrocephalus in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Report of Two Cases.

Obstructive hydrocephalus is a relatively common complication of intraventricular hemorrhage resulting in high morbidity and mortality. We report two cases of transient obstructive hydrocephalus caused by obstruction of mesencephalic duct in patients that presented with altered consciousness which resolved spontaneously in a few hours. In very rare cases, obstructive hydrocephalus due to intraventricular hemorrhage may be transient and does not need neurosurgical or invasive procedures for lowering raised intracranial pressure, which otherwise are currently preferred treatment options.

Impact of troponin I on outcome of ischemic stroke patients.

Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Cardiac troponins have been found to be increased in other conditions apart from the cardiac diseases, such as stroke. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between elevated troponin I levels and stroke outcome.

Online epilepsy counseling in Croatia: What do users want to know?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to better understand which specific epilepsy-related issues are cause for seeking out professional advice online.

Method: An online epilepsy counseling service introduced by the Croatian Epilepsy Association allows users to anonymously submit questions related to epilepsy via e-mail or online contact form, which are later answered by an epilepsy professional. The questions were classified both by inquirers and by content.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Dementia Treatment in Croatia.

Background: In spite of the increase in the number of patients with dementia in countries with older population, basic epidemiologic data are still scarce. The objective of this paper is to investigate pharmacoepidemiological characteristics of treatment of dementia in Croatia, and to present them in the context of certain epidemiological characteristics that illustrate the growing pressure this disease exerts on the healthcare system.

Subjects And Methods: Data on medication utilization were taken from Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) and Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Croatia (HALMED).

Carotid Body Tumor as a Cause of Stroke.

We herein report a case of a 78-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital due to a stroke with left-sided hemiparesis. Ultrasound of the carotid arteries showed a carotid body tumor on the bifurcation of the right common carotid artery, which was subsequently confirmed by a further neuroradiological investigation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head confirmed an acute ischemic lesion located in the right periventricular region.

How does the label "epileptic" influence attitudes toward epilepsy?

Purpose: The purpose of our research was to study the possible differences in attitudes toward epilepsy based on the label used: "person"/"child with epilepsy" vs. "epileptic"/"epileptic child".

Methods: Two randomly assigned groups of college-preparatory high school students were questioned using anonymous questionnaires about their demographics, knowledge on epilepsy and attitudes toward epilepsy.

[Guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and follow up of Anderson-Fabry disease].

Fabry disease (Anderson-Fabry disease) is one of the most common lysosomal storage diseases (after Gaucher disease) caused by deficient activity of the α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme, which leads to progressive accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in various cells, predominantly in endothelium and vascular smooth muscles, with multisystem clinical manifestations. Estimates of the incidence range from one per 40,000 to 60,000 in males, and 1:117,000 in the general population. Pain is usually the first symptom and is present in 60%-80% of affected children, as well as gastrointestinal disturbances, ophthalmologic abnormalities and hearing loss.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome and stroke: a case report.

We report on the case of a 32-years old male patient who was previously diagnosed with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome. The patient presented with sudden-onset right-sided hemiparesis, supranuclear facioparesis, and motor aphasia. He was treated with thrombolytic therapy, which successfully alleviated the symptoms.

Asymptomatic dissecting intimal lesions of common carotid arteries after carotid endarterectomy.

Purpose: Carotid endarterectomy is a standard treatment for symptomatic high-degree internal carotid artery stenosis. The aim of this article is to present possible intimal lesions after carotid endarterectomy. These lesions could be manifested as intimal flaps, intimal steps or dissections with or without occlusion or stenosis of the artery.

An aberrant subclavian artery exhibiting the partial steal phenomenon in a patient with VACTERL association.

We herein report the case of a 22-year-old Caucasian man with known vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, cardiac defects, renal and limb anomalies (VACTERL) association who presented with a headache and vertigo following the sudden and temporary loss of consciousness while attending a concert four days before admission to the hospital. On a physical examination, the following findings were found: a low body height, low-set ears, thoracic scoliosis and a mild holosystolic heart murmur. A neurosonological examination revealed a partial subclavian steal phenomenon.

Bilateral subclavian steal syndrome in an intensive care unit. A case report.

We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with arterial hypotension, lightheadedness, vomiting, a sense of tingling in his right arm, and a right-beating horizontal nystagmus. He was initially admitted to the Intensive care unit and treated with standard vasopressor agents. A neurosonological examination showed the steal phenomenon on both vertebral arteries; the neuroradiological examination revealed occlusion of the left subclavian artery and subtotal stenosis of the innominate artery.

General recommendations for the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a neurologic emergency and a detrimental cerebrovascular event with a high rate of death and complications. Recommendations have been developed and based on literature search, evaluation of the results of large international clinical trials, collective experience of the authors, and endorsed by the Croatian Society of Neurovascular Disorders, Croatian Society of Neurology including Section for Neurocritical Care, Croatian Neurosurgical Society, Croatian Society for Difficult Airway Management and Croatian Medical Association. The aim of these guidelines is to provide current and comprehensive recommendations and to assist physicians in making appropriate decisions in the management of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Recommendations for the management of medical complications in patients following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

These are evidence based guidelines for the management of medical complications in patients following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, developed and endorsed by the Croatian Society of Neurovascular Disorders, Croatian Society of Neurology including Section for Neurocritical Care, Croatian Neurosurgical Society, Croatian Society for Difficult Airway Management and Croatian Medical Association. They consist of recommendations for best monitoring, medical treatment and interventions based on the literature, evaluation of the results of large international clinical trials, and collective experience of the authors.

Guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and follow up of Anderson-Fabry disease.

Fabry disease (Anderson-Fabry disease) is one of the most common lysosomal storage diseases (after Gaucher disease) caused by deficient activity of the alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A) enzyme, which leads to progressive accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in various cells, predominantly in endothelium and vascular smooth muscles, with multisystem clinical manifestations. Estimates of the incidence range from one per 40,000 to 60,000 in males, and 1:117,000 in the general population. Pain is usually the first symptom and is present in 60%-80% of affected children, as well as gastrointestinal disturbances, ophthalmologic abnormalities and hearing loss.

Factors associated with perceived stigma of epilepsy in Croatia: a study using the revised Epilepsy Stigma Scale.

Purpose: It is believed that a large number of factors influence feelings of stigma, but their relative contribution is not yet entirely clear. Most studies to date were conducted using the Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS); only one used a revised version of the ESS (rESS). The following study aims to determine factors contributing to epilepsy stigma in outpatients with chronic epilepsy in Croatia, and to analyze some psychometric properties of the Croatian translation of the rESS.

Acute oxcarbazepine-induced hepatotoxicity in a patient susceptible to developing drug-induced liver injury.

Oxcarbazepine (OXC) is generally accepted as a drug without risk of severe drug-induced hepatotoxicity, but according to recently reported pharmacovigilance data this statement has been challenged. However, in the literature there have been no reports of acute OXC-induced hepatotoxicity without systemic manifestations of Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. We present a female with seizures one month after delivery who had borderline elevated liver enzymes prior to the initiation of OXC treatment.

Report of the Croatian Society for Neurovascular Disorders, Croatian Medical Association. Evidence based guidelines for treatment of primary headaches--2012 update.

These guidelines have been developed to assist the physician in making appropriate choices in work-up and treatment of patients with headaches. The specific aim of the Evidence Based Guidelines for Treatment of Primary Headaches--2012 Update is to provide recommendations for establishing an accurate diagnosis and choose the most appropriate therapy in the group of patients with primary headaches, based on a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of scientific evidence with regard to treatment possibilities in Croatia. These data are based on our previous Evidence Based Guidelines for Treatment of Primary Headaches published in 2005 and other recommendations and guidelines for headache treatment.

Association between hyperuricemia, prediabetes, and prehypertension in the Croatian adult population--a cross-sectional study.

Background: The association between hyperuricemia, hypertension, and diabetes has been proved to have strong association with the risk for cardiovascular diseases, but it is not clear whether hyperuricemia is related to the early stages of hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, in this study we investigated the association between hyperuricemia, prediabetes, and prehypertension in Croatian adults, as well as that between purine-rich diet and hyperuricemia, prediabetes, or prehypertension.

Methods: A stratified random representative sample of 64 general practitioners (GP) was selected.

Changes of attitudes toward epilepsy in college-preparatory high school students population: an indicator of global campaign successfulness?

Purpose: Within the "Out of the Shadows" campaign in Croatia, numerous activities have been organized. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy in the population of college-preparatory high school students, and to consider whether such changes could be the result of these activities carried out between 2002 and 2010.

Methods: This study was completed in Croatia's capital city, Zagreb, and sampled adolescent college-preparatory high school students.

Recommendations for diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating neurologic disorder that mainly affects young individuals (aged 20 to 50 years). Approximately 85% of patients experience an initial course with relapses and remissions (relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis). Guidelines for the management of MS should be focused on three main areas: (a) the diagnosis of MS; (b) treatment of relapses; and (c) long-term preventive treatment including clinical follow up, dose adjustment, drug switch, control of therapeutic efficacy, and disease progression.