Assessment of the Quality of Cause-of-Death Data in Serbia for 2005-2019 Vital Statistics Performance Index Estimation.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the quality of the cause of death (COD) concerning mortality patterns and completeness of death registration to identify areas for improvement in Serbia.

Methods: COD data collected from the mortality register in Serbia from 2005 to 2019 (1540615 deaths) were analyzed with the software Analysis of National Causes of Death for Action. The Vital Statistics Performance Index for Quality (VSPI(Q)) is estimated for the overall COD data quality.

The trend of the quality of cause-of-death data and its association with socio-economic indicators in Serbia in the period 2005-19.

This study aims to evaluate the temporal trend in the quality of cause-of-death data and garbage code profiles and to determine its association with socio-economic status in Serbia. A longitudinal study was assessed using data from mortality registers from 2005 to 2019. Computer application Analysis of Causes of National Deaths for Action (ANACONDA) calculates the distribution of garbage codes by severity and composite quality indicator: Vital Statistics Performance Index for Quality (VSPI(Q)).

Assessment of Retinal Microangiopathy in Patients with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography-A Pilot Study.

: It is well known that alterations in microvascular structure and function contribute to the development of ocular, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. Accordingly, the presence of fundus vascular changes in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) may provide information of prognostic value regarding the progression of renal disease. This study aimed to examine the associations between clinical characteristics and retinal optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in patients with BEN and compare them with those in CKD.

The influence of different sub-bandage pressure values in the prevention of recurrence of venous ulceration-A ten year follow-up.

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy of three different strengths of compression systems in the prevention of venous leg ulcer (VLU) recurrences during a 10-year follow up period.

Methods: An open, prospective, randomized, single-center study included 477 patients (240 men, 237 women; mean age 59 years). Patients were randomized into three groups: Group A) 149 patients (allocated to wear elastic stocking 18-25 mmHg).

Unintentional Fall-Related Mortality among the Elderly in Serbia: Importance of Death Reporting Quality.

Background: Falls have been one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths among the elderly, having an increasing trend in many countries. We investigated trends of fall-related mortality among people aged ≥65 yr in Serbia.

Methods: Based on official data, we calculated unintentional fall-related mortality rate (MR) from 1998 to 2017, using join point regression analysis to determine annual percentage changes (APC).

Mortality from external causes among 1-14 years old children in Serbia, 1997-2016.

Objectives: Globally, child mortality from external causes is in decline, but it is still among the leading causes of child deaths. The aim of this first national study was to determine trends of mortality rates from external causes among children aged 1-14 years in Serbia.

Methods: Mortality data were collected from the database of the Statistical Office of Serbia.

Subjective sensitivity to noise and non-auditory health effects among adults in Niš, Serbia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine subjective sensitivity to noise of the citizens of Niš and its impact on their non-auditory health effects.

Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 908 adult residents of Niš, Serbia, of whom 387 were men (42.6%) and 521 women (57.

Predictors of Cardiovascular Events in Hypertensive Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk.

A long-term therapeutic strategy in hypertensive patients equally depends on measured arterial blood pressure values and total determined cardiovascular risk. The aim of the adequate hypertensive patient treatment is both the reduction in arterial blood pressure and the reduction of all preexisting modifiable risk factors, prevention of target organs damage, and adverse cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to determine independent predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension and high cardiovascular (CV) risk, and whether the modifiable risk factors could affect long-term prognosis in the studied population.

Trends and Causes of Neonatal Mortality in Serbia, 1997-2016.

Background: Regardless of the notable reduction in infant deaths worldwide over the last 30 years, the proportion of neonatal mortality in total child mortality is increasing.

Aims: To perform a trend analysis of neonatal mortality in Serbia.

Study Design: Descriptive observational study.

Does short-term air pollution exposure have effects on blood pressure and heart rate in healthy women in the city of Niš, Serbia?

Objective: Epidemiological research has shown that air pollution is associated with cardiovascular events, but little is known about short-term effects on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in Serbian population. The present study assessed the short-term association between black smoke (BS) and sulphur dioxide (SO) levels in urban air and the daily values of blood pressure and heart rate in 98 healthy nonsmoking female volunteers.

Methods: Generalized regression model was fitted controlling for temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, season, and the day of the week.

A randomized trial of class 2 and class 3 elastic compression in the prevention of recurrence of venous ulceration.

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a major health problem because of their high prevalence and associated high cost of care. Despite the widespread use of compression, treatment recurrence rates remain high. Numerous studies have suggested that regular use of compression stockings reduces VLU recurrences.

Streptococcus pyogenes as the cause of vulvovaginitis and balanitis in children.

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is the etiological agent of perineal infection in children, consisting of perianal infection, vulvovaginitis and balanitis. If it is not properly diagnosed and treated, it can persist for many months and can cause severe complications. Furthermore, treatment with penicillin can be followed by failures and recurrences.

Changes in respiratory function impairment following the treatment of severe pulmonary tuberculosis - limitations for the underlying COPD detection.

Background: During the treatment phase of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), respiratory function impairment is usually restrictive. This may become obstructive, as a PTB-associated airflow obstruction (AFO) or as a later manifestation of underlying COPD.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the potential causes and risks for AFO development in PTB by exploring the aspects of spirometry limitations and clinical implications for the underlying COPD detection, taking into account various confounding factors.

Changes in stroke mortality trends and premature mortality due to stroke in Serbia, 1992-2013.

Objectives: To determine mortality trends and premature mortality due to stroke in Serbia in 1992-2013 period.

Methods: We obtained mortality database from the Statistical Office of Serbia.

Results: From 1992 to 2005, age-standardized mortality rates (ASRs) per 100,000 for all stroke increased, with annual percentage change (APC) of 1.

Comparison of weight and length at birth of non-Roma and Roma newborn in Serbia.

Objectives: Roma infants tend to be smaller and are diagnosed as SGA more often than non-Roma infants, suggesting that specific anthropometric norms for these infants may be useful. We aimed to construct population-based centile, gender-specific charts for birth weight and length for singleton Roma infants born from 35 to 42 weeks of gestation and to compare it with anthropometric data of non-Roma infants.

Methods: We analyzed data on 27,602 non-Roma (53 % males) and 2235 Roma (51 % males) singleton live infants delivered from 2006 to 2012 in South East Serbia.

Ocular fundus abnormalities in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy and other chronic kidney diseases.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the ocular fundus pathology in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BN) and chronic kidney diseases (CKD).

Methods: The study included 51 patients with BN from the South Morava River region in Serbia, and 102 subjects with different stages of chronic renal diseases, matched according to age and gender, obtained from a database used in a recently published study. All patients had visited Outpatient Department of the Clinic of Nephrology, Clinical Center Nis.

Epithelial ovarian cancer with CD117 phenotype is highly aggressive and resistant to chemotherapy.

Aim: CD117 expression has a pathogenic role in many malignancies, including ovarian carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation of stemness-associated marker CD117 with the clinicopathologic features of epithelial ovarian cancer and patient survival.

Material And Methods: The analysis included 240 primary ovarian carcinomas (OC) diagnosed during the period from 2005 to 2011 in the region of South Serbia.

Osteoporosis--a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a follow-up study.

Introduction: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases and bone fractures due to osteoporosis are the leading causes of death in the elderly.

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate a correlation between the overall risk for CV events, and low bone density in postmenopausal women, and its impact on the incidence of serious CV events.

Methods: Our prospective study involved 300 postmenopausal women.

Estimation of macronutrient content in kindergartens meals: food composition tables or chemical analysis?

Objective: The nutrition of children in kindergartens has a great significance for proper growth and development of children. In order to save time and money, the control of macronutrients content is performed by calculations using food composition tables instead of performing a chemical analysis.

Methods: We examined the macronutrients content of 240 whole day meals using food composition tables and performed chemical analysis of meals to determine adequacy and validity of food composition tables in calculation of macronutrient contents in kindergarten meals.

Improvement of sexual function in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia by pharmacologic therapy.

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes disorders of voiding and sexual function. Phar- macologic therapy reduces symptoms of voiding thus impacting sexual function.

Objective: To determine sex life status in men with BPH before and after pharmacologic treatment adapted to achieve satisfactory sexual function.

Energy and nutritional value of the meals in kindergartens in Nis (Serbia).

Background: It is well known that high-energy diet, rich in fat and carbohydrates, increases the risk of obesity. Preschool age is an important period to acquire the eating habits continued later in adulthood. Therefore, evaluation of child nutrition in kindergartens is especially important in the prevention of future obesity.

Prognostic significance of mucin expression in urothelial bladder cancer.

Urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is a common genitourinary malignancy, accounting for more than 160.000 deaths per year worldwide. Overexpression and aberrant glycosylation of mucins are frequent traits of many human cancers derived from epithelial cells, and are found to have prognostic significance in various carcinomas.