Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha with Psychopathology in Patients with Schizophrenia.

We investigated the relationship between serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and psychopathological symptoms, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics and antipsychotic therapy in individuals with schizophrenia. TNF-α levels were measured in 90 patients with schizophrenia and 90 healthy controls matched by age, gender, smoking status, and body mass index. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the severity of psychopathology in patients.

Personality Traits and Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Sindrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Personality traits as alexithymia and type D personality may impair health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim of this study was to evaluate personality traits in patients with IBS and IBD and their impact on HRQoL.

Materials And Methods: The subjects (40 patients with IBS, 40 with IBD and 40 health control subjects) completed SF-36 questionnaire, TAS-20 and DS14 scale.

Association between Resilience and Quality of Life in Patients with Colon Cancer.

Introduction: Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies. Numerous studies suggest an association between resilience and quality of life in colon cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore the association between resilience and quality of life in people with colon cancer.

Correlation of Religiousness with the Quality of Life and Psychological Symptoms in Oncology Patients.

Introduction: Malignant diseases are one of the leading mortalities in the world, causing a range of psychological symptoms and reducing the quality of life in oncology patients. Examine the correlation of religion with the quality of life and psychological symptoms in oncology patients.

Subjects And Methods: The cross-sectional study included 100 oncology patients in the test group and 80 internal medicine patients in the control group.

Psychic Symptoms and Self-Esteem in Dancers.

Introduction: The mental health of the human being and a higher level of the self-esteem have the positive effects on the peace surrounding, stability, success and the personal satisfaction of any individual. The fundamental opinion is that the dance has the affect on the body and the psychical health of the people. To explore if the dancers have their less-expressed psychical symptoms and higher self-esteem.

Mental Health and Self-Esteem of Active Athletes.

Introduction: Systematic and continuous physical exercise of certain intensity and volume is irreplaceable in the stages of growth and development and in preventing impairments of the biological, functional and health state of the human organism.Many studies show that physical exercise contributes to development and reinforcement of mental health and increases self-esteem. Examine mental health and self-esteem of active athletes.

Addictions without Drugs: Contemporary Addictions or Way of Life?

In the five thousand years of recorded history there is written evidence of various types of addiction. In recent decades scientists focus their attention on addictions without the immediate introduction of psychoactive substances into the organism or the so-called "addictions without drugs". Studies have revealed a number of similarities between drug addictions and addictions without drugs that also carry biological, psychological and social consequences in the form of addictive activity carvings, adrenaline alarm, dopamine and serotonin secretion, tolerance and abstinence syndrome same as classical forms of addiction.

The Significance of Thallium-201-Chloride SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in the Management of Patients With Stable Chronic Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) can be evaluated for myocardial viability by examining reverse redistribution of Thallium-201 (TI) through cardiac scintigraphy. There is limited knowledge about association of a reverse redistribution with favorable cardiac outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lower myocardial necrosis, fewer ischemic events, and less angina will be associated with reverse redistribution of TI imaging.

ABO and RhD Blood Groups in Nasal Polyposis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine ABO and RhD blood group distribution in nasal polyposis (NP) patients and whether there is a specific ABO or RhD blood phenotype associated with susceptibility to or protection with respect to development of NP.

Methods: The study group comprised 126 consecutive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and bilateral NP. The control group comprised 126 healthy blood donors.

Anxiety sensitivity as a predictor of academic success of medical students at the University of Mostar.

Higher education students comprise a particularly vulnerable group for the development of anxiety symptoms and disorders. The aim of our research was to examine the impact of anxiety sensitivity on the success of medical students at the University of Mostar, and to establish the differences between students depending on their sex and the year of study. One hundred students in their first and fifth year of medical school were interviewed using the ASI questionnaire, 7 days prior to their final exams.

The relationship between health locus of control, depression, and sociodemographic factors and amount of time breast cancer patients wait before seeking diagnosis and treatment.

Background: In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the prevalence and incidence of breast cancer has been increasing, and the national programme of early prevention, administered locally, is sporadic and without quality assurance. While many factors may influence women's decision to adopt prevention-oriented behaviours regarding breast cancer, this study has emphasised the importance of sociodemographic factors, psychological factors and mental wellbeing.

Subjects And Methods: Participants in the study were all patients who, during one year, were admitted for the first time for diagnosis and treatment in the biggest Clinical hospitals of the Herzegovina-Neretva region Patients were divided into two groups based on their TNM classification: "early stage" and "late stage".

The Impact of Religiosity on Quality of Life and Psychological Symptoms in Chronic Mental Patients.

Introduction: In recent decades, there is more and more scientific research and evidence that religiosity has a positive impact on quality of life and mental health. The aim this study is to evaluate the impact of religiosity on the quality of life and psychological symptoms of chronic mental patients.

Subjects And Methods: The test group was consisted of 100 chronic mental patients at the Clinic for Psychiatry UCH Mostar, and control group was consisted of 80 somatic patients surveyed from the Infirmary of family medicine of the Health Center Mostar.

Socio-Cultural Effects on Mental Health and Common Chronic Diseases in Primary Care Patients in East and West Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Preliminary Results.

Since war activities, the previously mixed population of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, live in segregated parts of the town based on ethnicity. The aim of this study was to examine differences in health risks and health status between populations of the two parts of the town. Health status of 300 randomly selected primary care patients was evaluated by practicing family physicians in two main primary care centers in West and East Mostar.

Activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammatory mediators in major depressive disorder with or without metabolic syndrome.

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore the differences in serum CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, ACTH and cortisol among patients with major depressive disorder with or without metabolic syndrome (MS) compared to a healthy control group.

Subjects And Methods: The MDD study group consisted of 80 patients (mean age of 50.03±9.

Surgical Treatment of Moderate Hallux Valgus: A Comparison of Distal Chevron Metatarsal Osteotomy With and Without Lateral Soft-Tissue Release.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine whether lateral soft-tissue release (LSTR) has a beneficial or detrimental effect on the outcome of distal Chevron first metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) in the treatment of moderate hallux valgus (HV).

Methods: We compared the effect of different surgical treatments in 2 groups of patients: group I (23 patients, 25 feet, average age of 55 [from 43 to 77] years) was subjected to DCMO only, whereas group II (18 patients, 23 feet, average age of 59 [from 52 to 70] years]) was subjected to DCMO with LSTR. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal scale survey was conducted postoperatively, followed by the brief survey on postoperative patient satisfaction.

HBV and HCV serological monitoring among injection drugs users in opiate substitution treatment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Introduction: Use of intravenous heroin carries a risk of serious medical conditions, including acquiring blood-borne infections. Therefore, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represent a threat for people who inject drugs (PWID). The objectives of this study were to determine the extent and characteristics of risk factors for acquiring HBV and HCV infection in PWID included in opiate substitution treatment in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).

Religiosty and Mental Health in Nursing Students.

Background: Young people and nursing students are prone to stress and psychological consequences of it. The aim of the current study was to assess the associations between psychopathology and religiosity in the group of nursing university students.

Subjects And Methods: The study included 100 nursing students of the Faculty of Health Studies in Mostar.

Medical students' attitudes towards contraception.

Background: The student population is at higher risk of acquiring sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and accounts for a higher incidence of unplanned pregnancies due to a combination of lifestyle and environmental reasons.

Aim: To determine the attitudes of medical students towards contraception.

Methods: A total of 190 students of the School of Medicine of University of Mostar attending four different-academic years participated in this cross-sectional study.

The impact of socio-economic processes on the health of the adult population.

Background: A cross-sectional study in the Primary Care Medical Centre Mostar and Regional Medical Center "Safet Mujić" was conducted. Family physicians randomly surveyed, examined, and analyzed laboratory tests from 300 subjects divided into three age groups from 20-39, 40-54 and 55-65 years, totally 100 subjects. Data for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol, and the presence of chronic non-communicable diseases, including diagnosis of depression and the presence of stress were entered in medical records.

Metabolic syndrome, activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammatory mediators in depressive disorder.

Depression has been associated with various cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. In depressive disorder, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and changes in the immune system have been observed. On the other hand, somatic diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 are now perceived as important comorbid conditions in patients with depression.

Pathological pregnancy and psychological symptoms in women.

Pregnancy is followed by many physiologic, organic and psychological changes and disorders, which can become more serious in pregnancy followed by complications, especially in women with pathological conditions during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to find out and analyze the prevalence and intensity of psychological disorders in women with pathological conditions during pregnancy and compare it with conditions in pregnant women who had normal development of pregnancy. The research is approved by the Ethical committee of the Mostar University Hospital Center, and it was made in accordance with Helsinki declaration and good clinical practices.

Serum testosterone concentration in combat-related chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess the testosterone levels of soldiers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), without considering their comorbid conditions, compared with the ones in the control group with combat experience. The secondary aim was to determine whether there was a difference in testosterone levels when the same group of soldiers with PTSD was divided according to their comorbid conditions into those with major depressive disorder (MDD) or alcohol dependence (ETOH) compared to the soldiers with PTSD with no comorbid conditions and the controls.

Methods: We analyzed serum testosterone in soldiers with PTSD without the division according to comorbid conditions (n = 66) in comparison to the controls (n = 34).

Aggression in war veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder with co-morbid alcoholism.

For thousands of years it has been known that aggression as a symptom appears in numerous psychiatric disorders and diseases. During the last decade the appearance of the aggressive behavior related to the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been frequently investigated, often associated with war trauma. The goal of this study is to analyze the impact of alcoholism on a way war veterans suffering from chronic PTSD express and control aggression.