Clinical features of Balkan endemic nephropathy.

This paper describes the clinical symptoms and signs of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). The initial asymptomatic period followed by weakness and lassitude during renal insufficiency is emphasized. Non-characteristic lumbar pain may be present and episodes of macrohaematuria may occur.

[Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. A familial presentation in two sisters].

Alveolar lung microlithiasis is a rare disease of unknown etiology, with familial feature in 50% of the cases. The onset of this disease in 2 sisters is presented.

[How should pharmacodynamic tests for respiratory tract obstruction be evaluated?].

The factors that could influence the results of pharmacodynamic testing with beta 2 agonists in lung function diagnostics are discussed. These are: hypersecretion of the mucus, acute respiratory infection, tachyphylaxis of the adrenoceptors, therapy in the past 48 hours, patient's cooperation, and ambient or environmental pollution. The correct application, by inhalation, of selective sympathomimetics is described and differences between the basic values of lung function parameters and those following the salbutamol test are discussed.

[The epidemiologic situation of chronic obstructive lung diseases in the population in Croatia].

In the introduction the importance of epidemiologic studies of COPD is indicated, thus stressing the complexity of their realization and high cost of these projects. According to the data that are gathered through every day routine work of health service and health statistics the authors try to find out the place of COPD in the population of Croatia studying the year 1987. In general medicine 24.

[The present state and future development of permanent pneumonology facilities in Croatia].

According to the questionnaire in 28 hospitals for pulmonary diseases and tuberculosis in Croatia together with the series of data from the public health service the present state and future trend of the development of pneumonologic activity are analysed. The wide spectrum of medical institutions is presented-from the type of sanatorium to the highly qualified pulmonary institutions like clinic. Surplus of pulmonary beds is due to the great number of beds from former sanatoria dislocated from great urban centers.