Prevalence of respiratory distress syndrome in premature twins compared to premature singletons.

Aim: To estimate prevalence of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm twins compared to preterm singletons.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational point prevalence study conducted at the level of three neonatal intensive care units. Medical records of all preterm newborns (<37 weeks of gestation) with respiratory distress syndrome treated in a two-year period were reviewed.

Association of X-ray disease stage with basic patient data, laboratory values and treatment modalities in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To investigate whether the radiographic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) correlates with inflammatory markers and other laboratory values, and its association with treatment modalities.

Methods: This observational study included 125 patients with seropositive RA. Data were obtained from patients' medical records from the year of 2022.

HLA-DRB1*01 predicts treatment outcome in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A retrospective-prospective cohort study.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in childhood, significantly contributing to both short- and long-term disability. While certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles are known to be associated with specific subgroups of JIA, emerging evidence suggests a strong correlation between these alleles and treatment response. This study involved 143 JIA patients diagnosed according to International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria.

Comparison between conventional open-heart valve surgery and minimally invasive valve replacement surgery regarding the length of hospital stay and usage of blood derivates: insights from a single-centre, single-surgeon study conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim To analyse the correlation between different surgical methodologies employed in valve diseases treatment and their subsequent impact on the duration of hospitalization. Methods This retrospective study conducted at the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo analysed medical records of 163 valve disease patients treated between January 2019 and November 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: 77 had openheart valve surgery and 86 underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS).

Prevalence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and correlation with histological patterns in lung adenocarcinoma in patients from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim Lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) is a leading subtype of lung cancer, histologically defined with five different architectural growth patterns: lepidic, acinar, papillary, solid and micropapillary. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and a relationship between the specific histological patterns of lung ADC in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods The study included tumour tissue from 102 patients with completely resected lung ADC from 2015 to 2020.

Presence of Type 1 Diabetes-Related Autoantibodies in Pediatric Population in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background: Diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D) is an autoimmune organ-specific disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations, in which the β cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans are destroyed by the action of autoreactive T lymphocytes and the formation of autoantibodies against β cell components. Among used serological markers of T1D, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD65), anti-tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA2), islet cell antibodies (ICA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA) and anti-zinc transporter antibodies (Zn-T8) are of great significance.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze presence of type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies (GAD65, IA2, ICA, IAA and Zn-T8 and effects of age and gender on their occurrence in pediatric population.

Efficacy of nebulized hypertonic saline versus normal saline in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis in inpatient infants.

Aim Compare the efficacy of nebulized hypertonic saline and normal saline in the treatment of infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonology, Paediatric Clinic, Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo, covering the period from January 2015 to December 2019 and comprising 380 children aged between 1 and 12 months having bronchiolitis. One group received nebulized hypertonic saline (NHS, 3% NaCl)), and another group received nebulized normal saline (NNS, 0.

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (MICS CABG) in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a single centre, single surgeon cohort experience.

Aim This is the first research in Bosnia and Herzegovina presenting minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (MICS CABG) experience, advantages, and outcomes as compared to conventional surgery (OPEN CABG). Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and November 2022 and included patients with indication for surgical revascularization. Results Among 237 patients, males predominated, 182 (76.

Lipid status and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Aim To assess morphological characteristics of carotid blood vessels in uremic patients before to the initiation of the dialysis treatment, and corelate data with various dialysis therapy modules. Methods The study included 30 patients with end-stage renal disease (ERDS) prior to commencing dialysis, 30 patients treated with haemodialysis and 30 patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The control group consisted of 15 subjects with normal kidney function (eGFR>60ml/min).

Level of prematurity as a predictor for the activity of retinopathy of prematurity and strabismus.

To evaluate the prevalence of strabismus in premature children after the screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to determine whether the level of prematurity (birth weight and gestation age) can be used as a predictor for both strabismus development and disease activity. This is a retrospective study, conducted in the Clinic for Eye Disease, section for Pediatric Ophthalmology of the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo during the period from December 2013 until January 2017. 126 patients were involved.

Nifuroxazide Has Better Efficacy Than Probiotic Treatment in Adult Patients with Acute Diarrheal Syndrome.

Background: Acute gastroenteritis remains an extremely common problem among the general population. In Western countries, an average person will probably face one or two episodes of gastrointestinal infections every year.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of nifuroxazide and probiotic preparation containing lactic acid bacteria in the treatment of acute diarrheal syndrome.

Association of HLA-B27 antigen with clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Aim To analyse the association of human leukocyte antigen B27 with clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at the disease onset. Methods A retrospective review of medical records of 25 HLAB27 positive and 25 HLA-B27 negative JIA patients was performed. The diagnosis of JIA was based on the 1997-2001 International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR) criteria.

Outcomes of acute kidney injury in critically ill children who need renal replacement therapy.

Aim To determine an outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill children (CIC) who needed renal replacement therapy (RRT) and were admitted to the Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PICU and NICU) at the Paediatric Clinic, University Clinical Centre Sarajevo (UCCS). Methods The research included 81 children with AKI. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria to define AKI was used.

The Use of Coagulation Markers to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Therapeutic Protocols.

Background: Patients infected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), display various symptoms and severity of the clinical picture. Thus, the therapy and pathophysiology of this disease are a dilemma for health professionals and scientists.

Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic protocols (the use of anticoagulants) in the treatment of COVID-19 patients of various severity of the clinical picture by monitoring coagulation markers (PT, INR, aPTT and D-dimer), as well as the impact of the type and number of comorbidities patients had on these markers.

Compression of Ulnar Nerve by Ganglion Cyst in Guyon's Canal-a Case Report.

Background: Compression of the ulnar nerve at the level of Guyon's canal is a very rare compressive neuropathy. Due to the vast range of symptoms that can manifest depending on the degree of ulnar nerve compression, the clinical picture is not consistent.

Objective: The aim of the study is to outline the diagnostic techniques and therapeutic options.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Therapeutic Protocols Using Inflammatory Markers.

Background: The pathophysiology and therapy of COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), are a dilemma for scientists and health professionals, and the fact that patients show different symptoms and severity of the clinical picture also contributes to that.

Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic protocols (the use of immunomodulators) in the treatment of COVID-19 patients of various severity of the clinical picture by monitoring inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP), as well as the impact of the type and number of comorbidities patients had on these markers.

Methods: A total of 200 patients with a mild (n=76), moderate (n=70) or severe (n=54) clinical picture was included.

Relation between thyroid hormonal status, neutrophillymphocyte ratio and left ventricular systolic function in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Aim To examine a relation of thyroid function, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with left ventricular function measured through the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods This prospective research involved 160 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into those with normal thyroid hormone status (n=80) and those with hypothyroidism (newly diagnosed) (n=80).

Effect of pan-retinal laser photocoagulation on intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

This study aimed to determine the intravitreal concentration of VEGF in eyes with PDR and to evaluate the effects of previous PRP on its level. It was a cross-sectional study performed at the Clinical Centre University. It included 90 eyes surgically treated with PPV, divided into three groups, group A - patients with PDR with previous PRP, group B - patients with PDR without previous PRP, and group C - PPV performed due to the indication unrelated to diabetes.

Prognostic value of colour Doppler brain sonography for the neurodevelopmental outcome in term neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

Aim To determine a prognostic value of cerebral blood flow parameters for the development of neurological sequelae in term neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods We reviewed medical records of 47 term neonates with HIE who survived until the age of 12 months of life. According to the Sarnat and Sarnat clinical score, neonates were divided into 3 groups: mild HIE, moderate HIE and severe HIE.

Common patient experiences across three resource-oriented interventions for severe mental illness: a qualitative study in low-resource settings.

Introduction: Resource-oriented interventions can be a low-cost option to improve care for patients with severe mental illnesses in low-resource settings. From 2018 to 2021 we conducted three randomized controlled trials testing resource-oriented interventions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), i.e.

Biochemical predictors of death before discharge in cooled newborns following perinatal asphyxia.

Aim To analyse biochemical markers as possible predictors of death before discharge in cooled newborns following perinatal asphyxia. Methods A total of 91 infants that underwent therapeutic hypothermia after perinatal asphyxia were included. Inclusion criteria for therapeutic hypothermia were Sarnat stage 2 or 3.

Interferon alpha and non-specific markers of inflammation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Aim To determine the value of IFN (intzerferon)-α in the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to correlate IFN-α with values of non-specific biochemical parameters of inflammation (C-reactive protein, leukocytes values, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumins and globulins). Methods Research included 55 patients with SLE diagnosis and a control group consisted of 25 healthy subjects (during period 2019-2020). IFN (Interferon)-α and non-specific biochemical parameters of inflammation were obtained using standard protocols.

Recanalization rate of proximal deep venous thrombosis related to therapeutic modality during six months follow-up.

Aim To evaluate the efficacy (rate of recanalization) of therapy with novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC; rivaroxaban, apixaban) compared to conventional treatment (low molecular weight heparin - LMWH and vitamin K antagonist) in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the proximal segments of lower extremities. Methods The first group consisted of patients diagnosed with DVT and treated with NOAC (n = 100), while the second group consisted of patients diagnosed with DVT, who were treated by conventional treatment (low molecular weight heparin and vitamin K antagonists) (n = 100). In the first group, NOAC was included in the initial treatment.