Social mechanisms behind the poor health of marginalized Roma: Novel insights and implications from four ethnographic studies in Slovakia.

Roma represent one of the largest ethnic groups facing marginalization worldwide. However, significant knowledge gaps persist regarding: A) the social mechanisms supporting health-endangering practices among Roma; B) the social mechanisms adversely affecting their use of health services; and C) the social determinants underlying both above pathways. To fill these gaps, we conducted a series of four explorative ethnographic studies spanning over ten years.

Increased adrenocortical activity in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Objective: Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness resulting from cerebral hypoperfusion. Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a form of orthostatic intolerance (OI). Its clinical signs such as dizziness and hypotension may mimic symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.

Treatment of Obesity with Thyroid hormones in Europe. Data from the THESIS* Collaboration.

Purpose: The use of thyroid hormones (TH) to treat obesity is unsupported by evidence as reflected in international guidelines. We explored views about this practice, and associations with respondent characteristics among European thyroid specialists.

Methods: Specialists from 28 countries were invited to a survey via professional organisations.

Patients' Persistent Symptoms, Clinician Demographics, and Geo-Economic Factors Are Associated with Choice of Therapy for Hypothyroidism by European Thyroid Specialists: The "THESIS" Collaboration.

Hypothyroidism is common, however, aspects of its treatment remain controversial. Our survey aimed at documenting treatment choices of European thyroid specialists and exploring how patients' persistent symptoms, clinician demographics, and geo-economic factors relate to treatment choices. Seventeen thousand two hundred forty-seven thyroid specialists from 28 countries were invited to participate in an online questionnaire survey.

The effectiveness of glucocorticoid treatment in post-COVID-19 pulmonary involvement.

Rationale: Persistent respiratory symptoms following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are associated with residual radiological changes in lung parenchyma, with a risk of development into lung fibrosis, and with impaired pulmonary function. Previous studies hinted at the possible efficacy of corticosteroids (CS) in facilitating the resolution of post-COVID residual changes in the lungs, but the available data is limited.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of CS treatment in post-COVID respiratory syndrome patients.

"I could do almost nothing without digital technology": a qualitative exploration of adolescents' perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology.

Background: The fast development of digital technology and of its use at even younger ages is significantly shaping the current generation of adolescents. This is leading to an almost unlimited accessibility that provides a large number of opportunities, but also to many challenges that adolescents have to face. The aim of our study was to explore the perceptions adolescents have of the risks of digital technology.

Characteristics of specialists treating hypothyroid patients: the "THESIS" collaborative.

Introduction: Thyroid specialists influence how hypothyroid patients are treated, including patients managed in primary care. Given that physician characteristics influence patient care, this study aimed to explore thyroid specialist profiles and associations with geo-economic factors.

Methods: Thyroid specialists from 28 countries were invited to respond to a questionnaire, Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Europe by Specialists: an International Survey (THESIS).

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Needing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Following a Critical Course of COVID-19.

Introduction: Severe respiratory failure is one of the most serious complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a small proportion of patients, mechanical ventilation fails to provide adequate oxygenation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is needed. The surviving individuals need long-term follow-up as it is not clear what their prognosis is.

Sex differences in outcome after carotid revascularization in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Objective: Sex differences regarding the safety and efficacy of carotid revascularization in carotid artery stenosis have been addressed in several studies with conflicting results. Moreover, women are underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to limited conclusions regarding the safety and efficacy of acute stroke treatments.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by literature search including four databases from January 1985 to December 2021.

Rating Scales for Medication Adherence in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review for Critique and Recommendations.

Background: Behaviors interfering with medication adherence (MA) are common and often complex in Parkinson's disease (PD), negatively affecting quality of life and undermining the value of clinical trials. The Clinical Outcome Assessments (COA) Scientific Evaluation Committee of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) commissioned the assessment of MA rating scales to recommend the use in PD.

Objective: Critically review the measurement properties of rating scales used to assess MA in PD and to issue recommendations.

Aspirin for Primary Stroke Prevention; Evidence for a Differential Effect in Men and Women.

Background: The use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in men and women remains controversial. Our study aimed to investigate the role of aspirin in primary stroke prevention in men and women and the effect of aspirin on risk of ischemic stroke in patients with covert cerebral small vessel disease (ccSVD).

Methods: We performed systematic searches of the PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases, covering the period from the inception of each database to May 2021.

European Stroke Organisation guidelines on stroke in women: Management of menopause, pregnancy and postpartum.

Pregnancy, postpartum and menopause are regarded as periods women are more vulnerable to ischaemic events. There are conflicting results regarding stroke risk and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. Stroke in pregnancy is generally increasing with serious consequences for mother and child; therefore, recommendations for acute treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or mechanical thrombectomy (MT) are needed.

Factors influencing daily treatment choices in multiple sclerosis: practice guidelines, biomarkers and burden of disease.

At two meetings of a Central European board of multiple sclerosis (MS) experts in 2018 and 2019 factors influencing daily treatment choices in MS, especially practice guidelines, biomarkers and burden of disease, were discussed. The heterogeneity of MS and the complexity of the available treatment options call for informed treatment choices. However, evidence from clinical trials is generally lacking, particularly regarding sequencing, switches and escalation of drugs.

Why don't health care frontline professionals do more for segregated Roma? Exploring mechanisms supporting unequal care practices.

Rationale: Unequal provision of health care contributes to the poor health status of segregated Roma in Central and Eastern Europe. Studies on the drivers and mechanisms behind this are lacking.

Objective: We explored what kinds of substandard practices health care frontline professionals engage in regarding segregated Roma and what mechanisms support such practices during the professionals' careers in care services.

Effect of Recanalization on Cerebral Edema in Ischemic Stroke Treated With Thrombolysis and/or Endovascular Therapy.

Background and Purpose- A large infarct and expanding cerebral edema (CED) due to a middle cerebral artery occlusion confers a 70% mortality unless treated surgically. Reperfusion may cause blood-brain barrier disruption and a risk for cerebral edema and secondary parenchymal hemorrhage (PH). We aimed to investigate the effect of recanalization on development of early CED and PH after recanalization therapy.

Relationship between steroid hormones and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk. The relationship between steroid hormones and cardiometabolic profile in PCOS has been evaluated, but no single hormonal predictor of this association has been identified to determine. To determine the relationship between steroid hormones and cardiometabolic risk factors in PCOS women.

Rare copy number variation in extremely impulsively violent males.

The genetic correlates of extreme impulsive violence are poorly understood, and there have been no studies that have systematically characterized a large group of affected individuals both clinically and genetically. We performed a genome-wide rare copy number variant (CNV) analysis in 281 males from four Czech prisons who met strict clinical criteria for extreme impulsive violence. Inclusion criteria included age ≥ 18 years, an ICD-10 diagnosis of Dissocial Personality Disorder, and the absence of an organic brain disorder.

Poor sleep quality in patients with multiple sclerosis: gender differences.

Objectives: Most of the psychological and physical factors associated with poor sleep quality in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a different prevalence in women and men, but whether or not these factors contribute differently to sleep quality in women and men with MS remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify possible gender differences in factors related to poor sleep quality in MS patients.

Material And Methods: We collected data from 153 patients with MS.

Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in newborns after phototherapy.

Objective: We tested the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measure in newborns undergoing phototherapy.

Study Design: In a prospective study of 150 term Caucasian neonates, 255 measurements of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and TcB concentration were obtained 2 h after discontinuing phototherapy. TcB measurements obtained on the forehead, sternum, abdomen and covered lower abdomen were statistically compared with the corresponding TSB.

Social participation in early and established rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine whether rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with different levels of restriction in social participation differ in disease related as well as psychosocial variables and whether a similar pattern can be found among early and established RA patients.

Method: Two samples of RA patients with early (n = 97; age = 53 ± 12.3 years; disease duration = 2.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Slovak women with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relation to metabolic and reproductive abnormalities.

Objective: To investigate prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relation to clinical, anthropometrical, and biochemical findings in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls.

Design: Case-control prospective observational study.

Settings: Department of Internal medicine, L.

The prevalence of non organ specific and thyroid autoimmunity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular and other morbidities. However its association with autoimmune diseases is still controversial.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of non organ-specific and antithyroid, antibodies in PCOS women compared to healthy controls.