Associations of health literacy with missed free influenza immunization in people with chronic diseases.

There is a gap in understanding specific features of health literacy that might be associated with adherence to influenza immunization. The aim of this study was to examine the association of health literacy with avoidance of influenza immunization and beliefs about the influenza vaccine among people with chronic diseases. Selection of study participants was based on a case-control study design in a population of people with chronic illnesses living in the Foča region (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and who were entitled to receive a free influenza shot in season 2017/2018.

Association of health literacy with physical and mental health in people with chronic diseases.

Objective: to explore the association of health literacy domains with physical and mental quality of life in people with selected chronic diseases.

Methods: Community-dwelling people with selected chronic diseases planned for immunization against influenza in 2017/2018 were included in the study. All non-vaccinated people and the corresponding number of randomly selected vaccinated people matched on town of residence were included.

Validity of the Health Belief Model Applied to Influenza among people with chronic diseases: Is it time to develop a new knowledge domain?

There is a lack of comprehensive instruments for the assessment of compliance with influenza immunization. The purpose of this study was to examine psychometric characteristics of the Health Belief Model Applied to Influenza (HBMAI) among people with chronic diseases. We selected people residing in four municipalities of the Foča region (Republic of Srpska-Bosnia and Herzegovina) who were listed in the official records to receive the recommended influenza immunization in 2017/2018.

Linguistic adaptation and psychometric properties of the health literacy questionnaire in serbian language among people with chronic diseases.

Objective: To translate the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) to Serbian language and examine its psychometric characteristics.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 295 people with chronic diseases from the Foča region (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). The HLQ was translated according to the translation integrity procedure.

Beliefs about influenza and avoidance of free influenza immunization among people with chronic diseases.

Objective: People with chronic diseases may have poor influenza-related outcomes. The study objective was to examine the association between the dimensions of the Health Belief model and noncompliance with influenza immunization.

Method: study participants were community-dwelliing individuals from the Foča region (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina) listed to receive free influenza immunization for the season 2017/2018 due to chronic diseases.

How frequently does palmoplantar psoriasis affect the palms and/or soles? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP) is a variant of psoriasis that affects the palms and/or soles. Although PPP is a disabling and therapeutically challenging condition, its epidemiology is poorly defined.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of PPP locations (palms, soles or both), and to analyse epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the disease.

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.

Influenza surveillance: determining the epidemic threshold for influenza by using the Moving Epidemic Method (MEM), Montenegro, 2010/11 to 2017/18 influenza seasons.

Background: In 2009, an improved influenza surveillance system was implemented and weekly reporting to the World Health Organization on influenza-like illness (ILI) began. The goals of the surveillance system are to monitor and analyse the intensity of influenza activity, to provide timely information about circulating strains and to help in establishing preventive and control measures. In addition, the system is useful for comparative analysis of influenza data from Montenegro with other countries.

Lung cancer mortality in Montenegro, 1990 to 2015.

Aim: To analyze the trend of lung cancer mortality in Montenegro from 1990 to 2015.

Methods: Data on lung cancer mortality were collected from death certificates obtained from the Statistical Office of Montenegro for the period 1990-2009 and the Institute for Public Health for the period 2010-2015. Population data were obtained from the Statistical Office of Montenegro.

Predictive role of presenting symptoms and clinical findings in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the presenting symptoms and signs of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in a large cohort of patients and to estimate their possible role in establishing the diagnosis of IIH.

Methods: This prospective cohort study in two tertiary centers, the Danish Headache Center in Rigshospitalet-Glostrup and the Neurology Clinic of the Clinical Center of Serbia, included 286 patients referred by attending specialists for possible IIH evaluation. Patients were divided into two groups: one with confirmed IIH diagnosis and one with rejected IIH diagnosis.

Available prognostic models for risk stratification of diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients: a systematic review.

The International Prognostic Index (IPI) has been used for risk stratification for a long time in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Based on new clinical and biological prognostic markers, many new prognostic models have been described. This review aims to present the progress in development and validation of these prognostic models.

Contrasting Effects of Pressure Compensation on TEOAE and DPOAE in Children With Negative Middle Ear Pressure.

In children with normal cochlear acuity, middle ear fluid often abolishes otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and negative middle ear pressure (NMEP) reduces them. No convincing evidence of beneficial pressure compensation on distortion product OAE (DPOAE) has yet been presented. Two studies aimed to document effects of NMEP on transient OAE (TEOAE) and DPOAE.

Incidence and Mortality Patterns of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Belgrade, Serbia (1999⁻2013).

: To assess incidence and mortality trends of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Belgrade (Serbia) in a 15-year period (from 1999 to 2013). Data were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Serbia, Institute of Public Health of Serbia. Standardized incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated by direct standardization method using World Standard Population.

Respiratory Muscle Strength and Exercise Performance in Cystic Fibrosis-A Cross Sectional Study.

Decreased respiratory muscle strength in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may cause progressive exercise intolerance during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and may contribute to the development of chronic respiratory insufficiency. The aim of this study is to evaluate exercise tolerance during CPET of children and adults with clinically stable CF who exhibit different respiratory muscle strength. Sixty-nine clinically stable CF subjects aged 8-33 years underwent spirometry, body plethysmography, CPET, and respiratory muscle strength measurement.

Validation of the Neck Disability Index in Serbian Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to translate the Neck Disability Index into the Serbian language (NDI-S) and to investigate the validity of this version for use in Serbian population.

Methods: Fifty patients with cervical radiculopathy were enrolled in the study and completed a multidimensional questionnaire, including NDI-S. Inclusion criteria were ages between 18 and 65 years, Serbian speaking, no cognitive or hearing impairment, sharp and radiating neck and upper extremity pain that has lasted less than 12 months, radiculopathy signs evaluated by electromyoneurography and disc herniation, or spondylotic changes of cervical spine visualized on magnetic resonance imaging.

Severe acute respiratory infection surveillance in Montenegro, 2014-2017.

Aim: The study aim was to analyze the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases and to compare demographic and clinical characteristics as well as outcomes of influenza-positive SARI cases to those of influenza-negative SARI cases in Montenegro.

Methods: SARI surveillance was established in 2014 in nine healthcare institutions. Retrospective analysis of case-based surveillance data pertaining to all reported SARI cases during three seasons was conducted.

Bridging the gap between informatics and medicine upon medical school entry: Implementing a course on the Applicative Use of ICT.

Education is undergoing profound changes due to permanent technological innovations. This paper reports the results of a pilot study aimed at developing, implementing and evaluating the course, "Applicative Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Medicine," upon medical school entry. The Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, introduced a curriculum reform in 2014 that included the implementation of the course, "Applicative Use of ICT in Medicine" for first year medical students.

Long-term seizure outcome following epilepsy surgery in the parietal lobe: a meta-analysis.

Due to a limited number of patients with drug-resistant parietal lobe epilepsy in surgical series, there are insufficient data about long-term seizure outcome following surgery restricted to the parietal lobe. We performed a meta-analysis to asses long-term outcomes in patients with parietal lobe epilepsy who underwent surgery confined to the parietal lobe or resection with major involvement of the parietal cortex. An English language literature search for studies on parietal lobe surgery and outcome was conducted using the MEDLINE database, followed by a manual search based on specific criteria.

Factors associated with patient and health system delays in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in Montenegro, 2015-2016.

Background: Fundamental measures of control of tuberculosis are early detection and timely treatment of the affected. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with patient-related and health system-related delays among patients with tuberculosis in the Republic of Montenegro.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 130 tuberculosis patients older than 15 years of age.

25(OH) vitamin D deficiency in lymphoid malignancies, its prevalence and significance. Are we fully aware of it?

Introduction: Vitamin D has a role in cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis and therefore is studied as a prognostic factor in cancer. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and significance of 25(OH)D deficiency in patients with lymphoid malignancies.

Methodology: Between January 2014 and June 2016 at the Clinic for Hematology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, the pretreatment serum level of 25(OH)D was determined in 133 (62 women/71 men, median age 58 (18-84) years) previously untreated patients with lymphoid malignancy using a chemiluminescent immunoassay.

Is Balint training associated with the reduced burnout among primary health care doctors?

The aim of our study was to examine whether the participation in Balint group is associated with the reducing burnout syndrome among primary health care doctors. This investigation was conducted on a population of 210 doctors employed in primary health centers in Belgrade. Out of 210 doctors, 70 have completed Balint training for a period of at least 1 year, whereas 140 doctors have never attended this training (the Non-Balint group).

Agreement between admission and discharge diagnoses: Analysis by the groups of international classification of diseases, 10th revision.

Background/aim: Admission diagnosis represents the diagnosis of an illness, injury or condition due to which a patient is referred to hospital to be admitted. Discharge diagnosis represents the main reason of illness or condition due to which a patient is admitted. The aim of this study was to analyze the agreement between admission diagnostic groups and discharge diagnostic groups of patients in the Clinical Center Kragujevac in the period from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2013 on the basis of the hospitalization report.