Pain, Physical Function, Radiographic Features, and Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis Agricultural Workers Living in Rural Population.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the clinical manifestations, disease severity based on radiography images, functional activity level, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis in a rural population living in Serbian enclaves in Kosovo, as well as to determine the correlation between the WOMAC and the EQ-5D questionnaire in this population.

Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Clinic, Clinical Hospital Center Pristina-Gracanica, located in Laplje Selo from February to December 2013. One hundred patients with confirmed (American College of Rheumatology criteria) knee osteoarthritis completed the EQ-5D and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires, rated pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and underwent knee radiographic examinations.

Is low magnesium a clue to arteriovenous fistula complications in hemodialysis?

Purpose: Magnesium insufficiency is a pro-atherogenic factor involved in endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and vascular calcification. Our aim was to examine the role of magnesium in the development of arteriovenous fistula complications in hemodialysis.

Methods: This was a retrospective clinical investigation of data from 88 patients who were divided into two groups: those with and without arteriovenous fistula complications.

Predictive value of serum myeloperoxidase activity for thrombosis of arteriovenous fistulas.

Myeloperoxidase is a proinflammatory protein that appears as a result of increased oxidative stress. It plays an important role in the promotion and progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of MPO as a predictive parameter for thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula (AVF).