BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, und... more BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, understand and use medical information in ways that promote and maintain good health. Recently health literacy emerged as an important topic for public health and health policy makers.ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate health literacy level among patients of primary care centers in Prishtina and its association with socioeconomic status, education level, hospitalization rates, self-perception on health and frequency of visits to the doctor.MethodsShort Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was used to collect the data. S-TOFHLA administration criteria were strictly followed. 557 questionnaires were collected, filled by patients around Prishtina visiting primary healthcare centers, and further analyzed with SPSS.ParticipantsEvery third patient, older than 15 years old, who entered doctor’s office, was asked to fulfill the test totaling 557 patients.ResultsFrom 557 surveyed ...
<sec> <title>UNSTRUCTURED</title> <p>Abstract -Objectives This review rep... more <sec> <title>UNSTRUCTURED</title> <p>Abstract -Objectives This review represents a critical and constructive analysis of literature in the content of toxicology testing of new medicines for children. The review is generated through summary, classification, analysis and comparison of already existing material and researches on field. -Materials and methods Databases as Scopus, PubMed, Medline and Web of Science were used to extract data for the review. Search terms like "juvenile toxicity studies", "children toxicology", "testing of new drugs" were used. Out of 150 research articles screened, 25 most relevant studies are included in this review. -Results Whether juvenile animal toxicology studies are truly useful or necessary to support pediatric drug development is still doubtful. The current knowledge on cross-species functional and kinetic differences is not reliable, meaning that extrapolation of any toxicology study finding to an immature human may not be relevant, especially if performed at the wrong time and in the wrong species. -Conclusion Even though, great improvements and regulatory initiatives regarding juvenile toxicity studies have been accomplished, unfortunately testing new drugs in children still remains on its initial stage and lags behind to other scientific developments. In order to narrow down the juvenile toxicity studies loophole, we need to improve compliance by drug companies and research sponsors with pediatric trial obligations.</p> </sec>
Aneurysms represent bulging of the weakened blood vessel area, as a result of cystic medial degen... more Aneurysms represent bulging of the weakened blood vessel area, as a result of cystic medial degeneration. Aneurysms chance of rupturing increases over time, resulting in bleeding and death. Therefore, patients with aortic aneurysms require frequent monitoring with magnetic resonance and computed tomography angiography, as well as undergoing open repair surgery and endovascular aneurysm repair. We present a case of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm in conjunction with bilateral superficial femoral occlusion, as incidental findings in Covid-19 positive patient. The patient, a 62-years-old female, presented with cough, shortness of breath, fever and leg claudication. Doppler ultrasonography of the lower limbs was conducted to rule out thromboembolism, revealing bilateral superficial femoral arteries occlusion. The patient was administered high doses of parenteral anticoagulants. Hemoptysis ensued, prompting an MSCT scan, that showed right pleural effusion, atelectasis, and right active perihilar infiltrates with inter-lobar pleurisy. Due to inflammatory changes on the lung parenchyma, the patient got tested for Sars-Cov-2, and resulted positive. Contrast-enhanced MSCT also revealed thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysm with its highest diameter measuring 10 cm, and massive per-aortal thrombus and/or hematoma of 5 cm, which was further ruptured and patient died untreated in the fourth day of hospitalization. Questions arise whether Covid-19 was the primary cause of bilateral superficial femoral artery occlusion and whether high doses of parenteral anticoagulants were the primary cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture. Thus, a careful balance must be made between the detrimental and protective contributions of anticoagulants in the patients presenting with Covid-19 and thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease) is a frequent manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosi... more Spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease) is a frequent manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. It manifests as destruction of 2 or more adjacent vertebral bodies followed with destruction of the intervertebral disc, leading to a condition known as spondylodiscitis. Tuberculous spondylodiscitis represents with back pain, fever, joint stiffness, loss of spinal mobility, neurological symptoms, vertebral body collapse, gibbus formation and kyphosis. Persistent Pott's disease might lead to soft tissues abscesses, frequently involving iliopsoas muscle. We, herein, present a 20 years long follow-up case of a Pott's disease patient. The patient got diagnosed as tuberculous spondylodiscitis, almost 10 years after first symptoms onset. She underwent frequent computed tomography and magnetic resonance scanning, with spinal spondylodiscitis being its only significant finding, while lung parenchyma and other organs were not infected. Patient got treated with multidrug anti-tubercular regimen for 18 months in 2 different periods of time; nonetheless she complicated with iliopsoas muscle abscess and percutaneous fistula. Early diagnosis and treatment of spinal tuberculosis (TB) are of great importance in ensuring a good clinical outcome. Delaying the diagnosis and proper management can lead to spinal cord compression, deformity and irreversible neurological complications. Thus, multidrug anti-tubercular therapy must be started timely and the duration of anti-tubercular therapy needs to be individualized. The decision to terminate anti-tubercular therapy should be based on clinical, radiological, pathological and microbiological indices, rather than being based on specific guidelines.
Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a severe medical condition characterized by the collection of air in ... more BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a severe medical condition characterized by the collection of air in one or several spaces of the pleura. A rare subtype of pneumothorax where air is restricted in interlobar pleural space, mostly due to the previous fibrous pleural adhesions, is known as interlobar pneumothorax. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of a 58-year-old female admitted to the emergency department due to difficulty on breathing, hemoptysis, and discomfort in the right anterior axillary line, which worsened with inspiration and was associated with breathlessness during physical activity. The diagnosis was confirmed by thoracic multi slice computed tomography (MSCT), showing that air was located between the middle and lower lobes of the right lung , measuring 7 × 5 × 2.5 cm (transversal × oblique cranio-caudal × antero-posterior), representing interlobar pneumothorax. DISCUSSION: Cases of interlobar pneumothorax need to be carefully differentiated and evaluated, while skin ...
BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, und... more BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, understand and use medical information in ways that promote and maintain good health. Recently health literacy emerged as an important topic for public health and health policy makers.ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate health literacy level among patients of primary care centers in Prishtina and its association with socioeconomic status, education level, hospitalization rates, self-perception on health and frequency of visits to the doctor.MethodsShort Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was used to collect the data. S-TOFHLA administration criteria were strictly followed. 557 questionnaires were collected, filled by patients around Prishtina visiting primary healthcare centers, and further analyzed with SPSS.ParticipantsEvery third patient, older than 15 years old, who entered doctor’s office, was asked to fulfill the test totaling 557 patients.ResultsFrom 557 surveyed ...
We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with concomitant pulmonary mucinous adenocarcino... more We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with concomitant pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma and reactivated tuberculosis, documented with multiple MSCT (multi-slice computed tomography) changes. The patient initially presented with productive cough, sluggishness, fatigue, voice hoarseness and tuberculosis changes in MSCT. Later, he was diagnosed with pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma, which was confirmed by sputum cytology and transthoracic biopsy. Therefore, clinicians should always evaluate the likelihood of simultaneous lung cancer in patients whose MSCT images suggest TB alterations in the lungs, and swiftly decide on the correct treatment and management approach.
BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, und... more BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, understand and use medical information in ways that promote and maintain good health. Recently health literacy emerged as an important topic for public health and health policy makers.ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate health literacy level among patients of primary care centers in Prishtina and its association with socioeconomic status, education level, hospitalization rates, self-perception on health and frequency of visits to the doctor.MethodsShort Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was used to collect the data. S-TOFHLA administration criteria were strictly followed. 557 questionnaires were collected, filled by patients around Prishtina visiting primary healthcare centers, and further analyzed with SPSS.ParticipantsEvery third patient, older than 15 years old, who entered doctor’s office, was asked to fulfill the test totaling 557 patients.ResultsFrom 557 surveyed ...
<sec> <title>UNSTRUCTURED</title> <p>Abstract -Objectives This review rep... more <sec> <title>UNSTRUCTURED</title> <p>Abstract -Objectives This review represents a critical and constructive analysis of literature in the content of toxicology testing of new medicines for children. The review is generated through summary, classification, analysis and comparison of already existing material and researches on field. -Materials and methods Databases as Scopus, PubMed, Medline and Web of Science were used to extract data for the review. Search terms like "juvenile toxicity studies", "children toxicology", "testing of new drugs" were used. Out of 150 research articles screened, 25 most relevant studies are included in this review. -Results Whether juvenile animal toxicology studies are truly useful or necessary to support pediatric drug development is still doubtful. The current knowledge on cross-species functional and kinetic differences is not reliable, meaning that extrapolation of any toxicology study finding to an immature human may not be relevant, especially if performed at the wrong time and in the wrong species. -Conclusion Even though, great improvements and regulatory initiatives regarding juvenile toxicity studies have been accomplished, unfortunately testing new drugs in children still remains on its initial stage and lags behind to other scientific developments. In order to narrow down the juvenile toxicity studies loophole, we need to improve compliance by drug companies and research sponsors with pediatric trial obligations.</p> </sec>
Aneurysms represent bulging of the weakened blood vessel area, as a result of cystic medial degen... more Aneurysms represent bulging of the weakened blood vessel area, as a result of cystic medial degeneration. Aneurysms chance of rupturing increases over time, resulting in bleeding and death. Therefore, patients with aortic aneurysms require frequent monitoring with magnetic resonance and computed tomography angiography, as well as undergoing open repair surgery and endovascular aneurysm repair. We present a case of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm in conjunction with bilateral superficial femoral occlusion, as incidental findings in Covid-19 positive patient. The patient, a 62-years-old female, presented with cough, shortness of breath, fever and leg claudication. Doppler ultrasonography of the lower limbs was conducted to rule out thromboembolism, revealing bilateral superficial femoral arteries occlusion. The patient was administered high doses of parenteral anticoagulants. Hemoptysis ensued, prompting an MSCT scan, that showed right pleural effusion, atelectasis, and right active perihilar infiltrates with inter-lobar pleurisy. Due to inflammatory changes on the lung parenchyma, the patient got tested for Sars-Cov-2, and resulted positive. Contrast-enhanced MSCT also revealed thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysm with its highest diameter measuring 10 cm, and massive per-aortal thrombus and/or hematoma of 5 cm, which was further ruptured and patient died untreated in the fourth day of hospitalization. Questions arise whether Covid-19 was the primary cause of bilateral superficial femoral artery occlusion and whether high doses of parenteral anticoagulants were the primary cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture. Thus, a careful balance must be made between the detrimental and protective contributions of anticoagulants in the patients presenting with Covid-19 and thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease) is a frequent manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosi... more Spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease) is a frequent manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. It manifests as destruction of 2 or more adjacent vertebral bodies followed with destruction of the intervertebral disc, leading to a condition known as spondylodiscitis. Tuberculous spondylodiscitis represents with back pain, fever, joint stiffness, loss of spinal mobility, neurological symptoms, vertebral body collapse, gibbus formation and kyphosis. Persistent Pott's disease might lead to soft tissues abscesses, frequently involving iliopsoas muscle. We, herein, present a 20 years long follow-up case of a Pott's disease patient. The patient got diagnosed as tuberculous spondylodiscitis, almost 10 years after first symptoms onset. She underwent frequent computed tomography and magnetic resonance scanning, with spinal spondylodiscitis being its only significant finding, while lung parenchyma and other organs were not infected. Patient got treated with multidrug anti-tubercular regimen for 18 months in 2 different periods of time; nonetheless she complicated with iliopsoas muscle abscess and percutaneous fistula. Early diagnosis and treatment of spinal tuberculosis (TB) are of great importance in ensuring a good clinical outcome. Delaying the diagnosis and proper management can lead to spinal cord compression, deformity and irreversible neurological complications. Thus, multidrug anti-tubercular therapy must be started timely and the duration of anti-tubercular therapy needs to be individualized. The decision to terminate anti-tubercular therapy should be based on clinical, radiological, pathological and microbiological indices, rather than being based on specific guidelines.
Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a severe medical condition characterized by the collection of air in ... more BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a severe medical condition characterized by the collection of air in one or several spaces of the pleura. A rare subtype of pneumothorax where air is restricted in interlobar pleural space, mostly due to the previous fibrous pleural adhesions, is known as interlobar pneumothorax. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of a 58-year-old female admitted to the emergency department due to difficulty on breathing, hemoptysis, and discomfort in the right anterior axillary line, which worsened with inspiration and was associated with breathlessness during physical activity. The diagnosis was confirmed by thoracic multi slice computed tomography (MSCT), showing that air was located between the middle and lower lobes of the right lung , measuring 7 × 5 × 2.5 cm (transversal × oblique cranio-caudal × antero-posterior), representing interlobar pneumothorax. DISCUSSION: Cases of interlobar pneumothorax need to be carefully differentiated and evaluated, while skin ...
BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, und... more BackgroundHealth literacy includes cognitive and social skills which help patients to access, understand and use medical information in ways that promote and maintain good health. Recently health literacy emerged as an important topic for public health and health policy makers.ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate health literacy level among patients of primary care centers in Prishtina and its association with socioeconomic status, education level, hospitalization rates, self-perception on health and frequency of visits to the doctor.MethodsShort Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was used to collect the data. S-TOFHLA administration criteria were strictly followed. 557 questionnaires were collected, filled by patients around Prishtina visiting primary healthcare centers, and further analyzed with SPSS.ParticipantsEvery third patient, older than 15 years old, who entered doctor’s office, was asked to fulfill the test totaling 557 patients.ResultsFrom 557 surveyed ...
We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with concomitant pulmonary mucinous adenocarcino... more We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with concomitant pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma and reactivated tuberculosis, documented with multiple MSCT (multi-slice computed tomography) changes. The patient initially presented with productive cough, sluggishness, fatigue, voice hoarseness and tuberculosis changes in MSCT. Later, he was diagnosed with pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma, which was confirmed by sputum cytology and transthoracic biopsy. Therefore, clinicians should always evaluate the likelihood of simultaneous lung cancer in patients whose MSCT images suggest TB alterations in the lungs, and swiftly decide on the correct treatment and management approach.
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