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Quality of Life of Women Diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids: research
No full textMiomi maternice (lat. myoma uteri) su najčešći dobroćudni tumori maternice, građeni od glatkih mišićnih vlakana (leyomioma) i vezivnog tkiva (fibromyoma). Kod njihove prisutnosti pomoću ultrazvuka vidimo povećanu maternicu nepravilna oblika. Čimbenici rizika koji se najčešće povezuju s nastankom mioma su hormonski disbalans estrogena i progesteronarana, genetski faktori, dob, afričko porijeklo, rana menarha, kasna menopauza i paritet. Također, još neki od čimbenika rizika koji pogoduju nastanku mioma, a čija je pojavnost rijeđa su hipertenzija, sindrom policističnih jajnika, prekomjerna tjelesna težina, konzumacija kofeina, alkohola itd.
U nekim slučajevima žene su asimptomatske, no mogu se javiti i ozbiljni simptomi koji značajno utječu na kvalitetu života, kao što su bol u zdjelici, učestalo mokrenje, bolni spolni odnosi i obilno krvarenje koje dolazi u nepravilnim vremenskim razmacima, posljedično tome nerijetko nastupa anemija. Također, žene reproduktivne dobi imaju miome u 50 do 70% slučajeva te oni uvelike utječu na uspjeh začeća, naime miomi mogu remetiti tijek trudnoće, a nerijetko ju mogu i spriječiti. Sve ovisi o broju mioma, njihovoj veličini i lokalizaciji.
Anemija je stanje smanjenog volumena eritrocita u cirkulaciji, odnosno smanjene razine hemoglobina s posljedičnom smanjenom sposobnošću krvi da prenosi kisik do tkiva i organa. Očituje se osjećajem povećanog umora, iscrpljenosti i slabijom koncentracijom. Pacijentica ima izrazito blijedu kožu i sluznice, prisutna je tahikardija i opadanje kose te čak krv u stolici. Kod pacijentica s miomom na maternici anemija se javlja u više od 60% slučajeva.
Prema SZO kvaliteta života se definira kao individualna percepcija pojedinca o svom položaju u životu ovisno o svojim ciljevima, očekivanjima i brigama.
Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je ispitati kvalitetu života žena s dijagnozom mioma na maternici s obzirom na planiranje trudnoće i prisutnost anemije. Ispitanice su bile žene hospitalizirane u KBC-u Rijeka na Klinici za ginekologiju i porodništvo. U istraživanju je sudjelovala 61 ispitanica te se za prikupljanje potrebnih podataka koristio upitnik WHOQOL-BREF koji je konstruirala SZO u svrhu procjene kvalitete života. 9 (14,75%) ispitanica planira trudnoću, dok 52 (85,25%) ispitanice ne planiraju trudnoću. 32 (52,46%) ispitanice imaju dijagnosticiranu anemiju, dok 29 (47,54%) ispitanica nema dijagnosticiranu anemiju.
Nakon što je istraživanje provedeno rezultati pokazuju da nema statistički značajne razlike u kvaliteti života između prethodno navedenih skupina.Uterine fibroids (lat. Myome Uteri) are the most common benign tumors of the uterus, composed of smooth muscle fibers (leiomyoma) and connective tissue (fibromyoma). When present, ultrasound shows an enlarged uterus with an irregular shape. The most commonly associated risk factors for the development of fibroids include hormonal imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, genetic factors, age, African ancestry, early menarche, late menopause, and parity. Additionally, other less common risk factors that contribute to fibroid formation include hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, excessive body weight, caffeine consumption, alcohol use, etc. In some cases, women are asymptomatic, but serious symptoms can occur that significantly affect quality of life, such as pelvic pain, frequent urination, painful intercourse, and heavy bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals, often leading to anemia. Furthermore, women of reproductive age have fibroids in 50 to 70% of cases, and they significantly affect fertility. Specifically, fibroids can disrupt the course of pregnancy, and in many cases, can prevent it. The impact depends on the number, size, and location of the fibroids.
Anemia is a condition of reduced red blood cell volume in circulation, or decreased hemoglobin levels, resulting in a reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen to tissues and organs. It manifests as feelings of increased fatigue, exhaustion, and poor concentration. The patient may exhibit pale skin and mucous membranes, tachycardia, hair loss, and even blood in the stool. Among patients with uterine fibroids, anemia occurs in more than 60% of cases.
According to the WHO, quality of life is defined as an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of their goals, expectations, and concerns.
The aim of this research was to assess the quality of life in women diagnosed with uterine fibroids, considering pregnancy planning and the presence of anemia. The participants were women hospitalized at the Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The study involved 61 participants, and data was collected using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which was developed by the WHO to assess quality of life. Of the participants, 9 (14.75%) were planning a pregnancy, while 52 (85.25%) were not planning a pregnancy. 32 (52.46%) participants were diagnosed with anemia, while 29 (47.54%) did not have a diagnosis of anemia.
After conducting the research, the results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in quality of life between the aforementioned groups
Cervical spine injuries in the General hospital Zadar from 2019 to 2021: A research study
No full textUvod i cilj istraživanja:Ozljede vratne kralježnice su ozbiljan izazov koji zahtijeva prevenciju i edukaciju kako bi se smanjile posljedice. Istraživanje je analiziralo faktore koji utječu na učestalost tih ozljeda i usporedilo razlike među skupinama ispitanika. Također je istražena prevalencija konzervativnog i kirurškog pristupa liječenju ozljeda vratne kralježnice.
Materijali i metode: Istraživanje je obuhvatilo pacijente s ozljedom vratne kralježnice primljene u Opću bolnicu Zadar u razdoblju od 2019. do 2021. Prikupljeni su podaci iz medicinskih izvješća pacijenata te je provedena statistička analiza. Poštovani su etički aspekti istraživanja u vezi s povjerljivošću i zaštitom podataka pacijenata.
Rezultati:Istraživanje ozljeda vratne kralježnice analiziralo je karakteristike pacijenata. Muškarci su češće ozlijeđeni u dobi od 60-79 godina. Pad s visine, pad u razini i prometne nesreće su najčešći mehanizmi ozljede. Većina pacijenata je primila konzervativno liječenje. Nema razlike u učestalosti ozljede prema mehanizmu i dobi, ali postoji veza između spola i dobi pacijenata.
Zaključak:Učestalost ozljede vratne kralježnice nije različita između prometnih nesreća i pada s visine. Muškarci imaju veću učestalost ozljeda od žena. Nema razlike u učestalosti ozljede prema dobi. Većina pacijenata primila je konzervativno liječenje. Postoji veza između spola i dobi pacijenata u kontekstu ozljede vratne kralježnice.Introduction and research objectives:Spinal cord injury is a serious challenge that requires prevention and education to reduce its consequences. This study analyzed factors that influence the incidence of these injuries and compared differences between participant groups. It also examined the prevalence of conservative and surgical approaches to spinal cord injury.
Materials and methods: The study included patients with cervical spine injuries admitted to Zadar General Hospital between 2019 and 2021. Data were collected from the patients' medical records and statistical analysis was performed. Ethical aspects of the research regarding confidentiality and protection of patient data were observed.
Results: Patient characteristics were analyzed in the study of cervical spine injuries. Men were more likely to be injured in the 60-79 age group. Falls from height, falls on the ground, and traffic accidents were the most common mechanisms of injury. The majority of patients were treated conservatively. There is no difference in the frequency of injuries according to mechanism and age, but there is a correlation between gender and age of patients.
Conclusion: The frequency of cervical spine injuries does not differ between traffic accidents and falls from height. Men have a higher frequency of injury than women. There is no difference in the frequency of injuries according to age. The majority of patients were treated conservatively. There is a correlation between gender and age of patients in relation to cervical spine injuries
The Impact of Weighting Factors on Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Image Quality in Non-Contrast Head Examinations: Phantom and Patient Study
No full textBackground: This study aims to evaluate the impact of various weighting factors (WFs) on the quality of weighted average (WA) dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) non-contrast brain images and to determine the optimal WF value. Because they simulate standard CT images, 0.4-WA reconstructions are routinely used. Methods: In the initial phase of the research, quantitative and qualitative analyses of WA DECT images of an anthropomorphic head phantom, utilizing WFs ranging from 0 to 1 in 0.1 increments, were conducted. Based on the phantom study findings, WFs of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 were chosen for patient analyses, which were identically carried out on 85 patients who underwent non-contrast head DECT. Three radiologists performed subjective phantom and patient analyses. Results: Quantitative phantom image analysis revealed the best gray-to-white matter contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) at the highest WFs and minimal noise artifacts at the lowest WF values. However, the WA reconstructions were deemed non-diagnostic by all three readers. Two readers found 0.6-WA patient reconstructions significantly superior to 0.4-WA images (p < 0.001), while reader 1 found them to be equally good (p = 0.871). All readers agreed that 0.8-WA images exhibited the lowest image quality. Conclusions: In conclusion, 0.6-WA reconstructions demonstrated superior image quality over 0.4-WA and are recommended for routine non-contrast brain DECT
Brazilian Propolis: Nature’s Liquid Gold with Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Potential
No full textBrazilian propolis is a natural bee product with a unique and diverse chemical composition. It is especially rich in phenols and terpenoids that show a range of significant biological properties. Due to the growing scientific interest, its strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity has been highlighted. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate its potential to modulate inflammatory pathways by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as by regulating oxidative stress. Additionally, active compounds in Brazilian propolis have the potential to inhibit tumour cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and modulate the tumour microenvironment. Depending on the botanical source and region of occurrence, different types of Brazilian propolis are distinguished, including green, red and brown, which differ in composition and biological activity. Green propolis, rich in artepilin C and phenolic acids, shows strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Red propolis contains isoflavones and quercetin that enhance its antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. Brown propolis, rich in cinnamic acids and benzophenones, exerts cytotoxic effects against certain lines of cancer cells. This article discusses the current state of knowledge on the mechanisms of action of different types of Brazilian propolis and their potential uses as supportive therapy in inflammatory and cancerous diseases in combination with nanotechnology
Tjelesna aktivnost djece viših razreda osnovne škole
No full textUvod: Tjelesna aktivnost ključna je za očuvanje zdravlja
i prevenciju kroničnih bolesti poput bolesti srca, dijabe
tesa i pretilosti. Stoga se naglašava važnost aerobnih i
anaerobnih aktivnosti, a osobito kod djece. Međutim,
važno je provoditi optimalnu tjelovježbu jer pretjerana
tjelesna aktivnost može dovesti do negativnih posljedi
ca za mentalno zdravlje.
Cilj: Utvrditi učestalost tjelesne aktivnosti kod djevojči
ca i dječaka viših razreda osnovne škole za vrijeme i
izvan sata tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture.
Materijali i metode: Istraživanje se provodilo s učeni
cima viših razreda osnovne škole putem standardizi
ranog upitnika za procjenu razine tjelesne aktivnosti
PAQ-C (engl. Physical Activity Questionnaire for Chil
dren). Upitnik je učenicima bio dostupan u online obliku
preko platforme Google Forms u trajanju od dva tjedna.
Rezultati: Pokazali su kako se učenici najčešće bave
tjelesnim aktivnostima petkom i subotom, a najmanje
ponedjeljkom te da su dječaci značajno aktivniji od dje
vojčica (p=0,001). Tjelesnu aktivnost provode 2 i više
puta tjedno, tj. njih 65% se bavilo od 2 do 6 i više puta
nekim sportom, plesom ili se igrao/la nekom igrom u
kojoj su bili vrlo aktivni. Njih 66 % se bavilo od 2 do 6 i
više puta u večernjim satima nekim sportom, a 77% se
bavilo odmah nakon škole nekim sportom. 50% ispita
nika bavilo nekom vrstom tjelesne aktivnosti svaki dan.
Zaključak: Rezultati ukazuju na visoku prevalenciju tje
lesne neaktivnosti među djecom te preporuka za bu
dućnost uključuje osmišljavanje i provedbu programa
koji bi dodatno motivirali djecu na sudjelovanje u tjele
snoj aktivnosti
Znanje studenata Fakulteta zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci o endometriozi: rad s istraživanjem
No full textEndometrioza je ginekološka kronična upalna bolest ovisna o estrogenu gdje dolazi do pojave
ektopičnog endometrijskog tkiva izvan maternice, a najčešće to bude u zdjelici. Endometrioza
je tema o kojoj se nedovoljno educira zdravstveno osoblje, te tako i žene koje nisu
zdravstvenih struka znaju manje o tome nego što bi trebale znati, a svima bi bilo korisnije da
se puno više priča i educira o temama poput endometrioze te da takve teme prestanu biti tabu
teme u današnje vrijeme.
Cilj istraživanja: U ovom istraživanju, glavni cilj je ispitati znanje studenata Fakulteta
zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci o endometriozi.
Rezultati: U ovom istraživanju je ukupno sudjelovalo 101 ispitanik. Od 101 ispitanika u
istraživanju sudjelovalo je žena 88 (87,1%), a muškaraca 13 (12,9%). Prema srednjoškolskom
obrazovanju sudjelovalo ih je 86 (85,5%) iz medicinske srednje škole, te 15 (14,9%) iz
nemedicinske srednje škole. Redovnih studenata prijediplomskog studija sudjelovalo je 82
(81,2%), a izvanrednih 19 (18,8%). Prema smjeru studija sudjelovalo je 44 (43,6%) ispitanika
sa smjera sestrinstva, 23 (27,8%) ispitanika sa smjera primaljstva, 27 (26,7%) ispitanika sa
smjera fizioterapije i 7 (6,9%) ispitanika sa smjera radiološki tehničar. Ispitanika sa prve
godine studija sudjelovalo je 26 (25,7%), sa druge godine 44 (43,6%) te sa treće godine njih
31 (30,7%). Podaci vezani uz dob su prikazani kroz aritmetičku sredinu i standardnu
devijaciju gdje je aritmetička sredina 22,71 (5,99), a najmlađi ispitanik je bio sa 19 godina i
najstariji sa 52 godine.
Provjerom razine znanja dobiveni su podaci da je čak 81 (80,2%) ispitanika sa odličnim
znanjem o endometriozi, te 20 (19,8%) ispitanika sa dobrim znanjem o endometriozi, a onih
sa lošijim znanjem o endometriozi nema. Rezultat svih ispitanika u ispitu znanja o
endometriozi iskazan je medijanom koji iznosi 13 (8,16).
Zaključak: Zaključujemo kako niti jedna od dvije postavljene hipoteze nije potvrđena tako
što je u prvoj pronađena statistički značajna razlika no ona nije potvrđena s obzirom na
napisanu hipotezu (H1: izvanredni studenti Fakulteta zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci
imaju bolje znanje o endometriozi nego redovni studenti), dakle rezultati su pokazali kako
redovni studenti Fakulteta zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci imaju bolje znanje o
endometriozi nego izvanredni studenti, a kod druge hipoteze nije pronađena statistički
značajna razlika (H2:studenti koji su završili srednju medicinsku školu imaju bolje znanje o
endometriozi od studenata koji nisu završili srednju medicinsku školu), te su tu rezultati
pokazali kako nema razlike u znanju o endometriozi između studenata koji su završili srednju
medicinsku školu i onih koji nisu završili medicinsku srednju školu.Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent gynecological inflammatory disease in which
ectopic endometrial tissue occurs outside the uterus, most often in the pelvis. Endometriosis is
a topic about which healthcare professionals are insufficiently educated, and therefore even
women who are not healthcare professionals know less about it than they should, and it would
be more beneficial for everyone to talk and educate about topics such as endometriosis more
and for such topics to cease to be taboo topics in our time.
Main aim of research: The main aim of this research is to examine the knowledge of
students at the Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, about endometriosis.
Results: A total of 101 respondents participated in this study. Of the 101 respondents, 88
(87.1%) were women and 13 (12.9%) were men. According to their secondary education, 86
(85.5%) of them attended medical secondary schools, and 15 (14.9%) attended non-medical
secondary schools. 82 (81.2%) full-time undergraduate students participated, and 19 (18.8%)
part-time students participated. According to the field of study, 44 (43.6%) respondents from
the nursing field participated, 23 (27.8%) respondents from the midwifery field participated,
27 (26.7%) respondents from the physiotherapy field participated, and 7 (6.9%) respondents
from the radiological technician field participated. 26 (25.7%) respondents from the first year
of study participated, 44 (43.6%) from the second year participated, and 31 (30.7%) from the
third year participated. Data related to age are presented through arithmetic mean and
standard deviation, where the arithmetic mean is 22.71 (5.99), and the youngest respondent
was 19 years old and the oldest was 52 years old.
By checking the level of knowledge, data were obtained that as many as 81 (80.2%)
respondents had excellent knowledge about endometriosis, and 20 (19.8%) respondents had
good knowledge about endometriosis, and there were no respondents with poor knowledge
about endometriosis. The result of all respondents in the endometriosis knowledge test was
expressed by the median, which is 13 (8.16).
Conclusion: We conclude that neither of the two hypotheses was confirmed, as a statistically
significant difference was found in the first one, but it was not confirmed considering the
written hypothesis (H1: part-time students of the Faculty of Health Studies, University of
Rijeka have better knowledge about endometriosis than full-time students), so the results
showed that full-time students of the Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka have
better knowledge about endometriosis than part-time students, and no statistically significant
difference was found in the second hypothesis (H2: students who have completed secondary
medical school have better knowledge about endometriosis than students who have not
completed secondary medical school), so the results showed that there is no difference in
knowledge about endometriosis between students who have completed secondary medical
school and those who have not completed secondary medical school
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SCINTIGRAPHY WITH 99mTc-NANOCOLLOID IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE SENTINEL LYMPH NODE IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT BREAST TUMOR
No full textLimfni čvor čuvar je prvi limfni čvor koji prima limfnu drenažu izravno iz zloćudne novotvorine i područja oko nje. Scintigrafija limfnog čvora čuvara s 99mTc-nanokoloidom je slikovna dijagnostička metoda koja se upotrebljava za procjenu širenja tumora. Radi preciznije preoperativne lokalizacije limfnih čvorova čuvara, kao i mogućeg prikaza dodatnih limfnih čvorova, primjenjuje se hibridno SPECT/CT snimanje.
Ciljevi ovog istraživanja jesu utvrditi u koliko se pacijenata sa zloćudnom novotvorinom dojke upućenih na scintigrafiju limfnog čvora čuvara s 99mTc-nanokoloidom prikazao limfni čvor čuvar i usporediti učestalost upućivanja pacijenata na scintigrafiju limfnog čvora čuvara s 99mTc-nanokoloidom kod pacijenata sa zloćudnom novotvorinom dojke s obzirom na spol.
U istraživanje je uključeno 100 ispitanika kod kojih je postavljena dijagnoza zloćudne novotvorine dojke. Ispitanici različite dobi i spola upućeni su od strane kirurga ili onkologa na Klinički zavod za nuklearnu medicinu, Kliničkog bolničkog centra Rijeka na scintigrafiju limfnog čvora čuvara s 99mTc-nanokoloidom u razdoblju od 1.1.2021. do 1.9.2024. godine. Retrospektivno su analizirani dob, spol te uputna dijagnoza ispitanika.
Nakon provedenog istraživanja kod 97% uključenih ispitanika nalaz scintigrafije limfnog čvora čuvara s 99mTc-nanokoloidom bio je pozitivan, a 3% ispitanika imalo je negativan nalaz.
Zaključeno je da je scintigrafija limfnog čvora čuvara s 99mTc-nanokoloidom od izuzetne važnosti u ranom otkrivanju presadnica u regionalnom limfnom čvoru čuvaru.The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node in the axillary lymph node group that receives lymphatic drainage directly from a malignant neoplasm and the surrounding area. Sentinel lymph node scintigraphy with 99mTc-nanocolloid is a medical imaging diagnostic method used to assess tumor spread. For a more precise preoperative localization of the sentinel lymph nodes, as well as for possible visualization of additional lymph nodes, hybrid SPECT/CT imaging is used.
The aims of this study are to determine the proportion of breast cancer patients referred for sentinel lymph node scintigraphy with 99mTc-nanocolloid in whom a sentinel lymph node was successfully visualized, and to compare the frequency of referrals for sentinel lymph node scintigraphy between male and female breast cancer patients.
The study included 100 subjects who were diagnosed with a malignant breast neoplasm. Subjects of different ages and genders were referred by surgeons or oncologists to the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka for sentinel lymph node scintigraphy with 99mTc-nanocolloid in the period from January 1, 2021, to September 1, 2024. The age, gender and referral diagnosis of the subjects were analyzed retrospectively.
After conducting the study, sentinel lymph node scintigraphy with 99mTc-nanocolloid yielded positive results in 97% of subjects, while 3% had negative findings.
It has been concluded that sentinel lymph node scintigraphy with 99mTc-nanocolloid is of exceptional importance in the early detection of regional sentinel lymph node metastases
Advantages of contrast-enhanced digital mammography compared to magnetic resonance imaging in the analysis of mammographically detected suspicious breast lesions
No full textKontrastna digitalna mamografija (CEDM) sve se češće koristi kao dopunska dijagnostička metoda u otkrivanju raka dojke, osobito kod pacijentica s gustim žljezdanim tkivom te nejasnim nalazima mamografije ili ultrazvuka. Cilj ovog preglednog rada bio je analizirati učinkovitost i kliničku vrijednost CEDM-a u usporedbi s magnetskom rezonancijom dojke (MRI), koja se smatra vrlo značajnom za detekciju i stadiranje raka dojke.
Analiza je temeljena na recentnim znanstvenim studijama koje uspoređuju osjetljivost, specifičnost, prednosti i ograničenja obiju metoda. Podaci su prikupljeni pretraživanjem znanstvenih baza PubMed, Hrčak i Dabar, uz jasno definirane kriterije uključivanja – uvrštene su samo studije koje su izravno uspoređivale CEDM i MRI u dijagnostici karcinoma dojke. Isključeni su radovi bez dostupnog punog teksta, kao i recenzijski članci i prikazi slučajeva.
Rezultati pokazuju da CEDM ima vrlo visoku osjetljivost (do 97–99 %), usporedivu s MRI-jem, uz višu specifičnost, što rezultira manjim brojem lažno pozitivnih nalaza. Prednosti CEDM-a uključuju kraće trajanje pregleda, niže troškove i bolju dostupnost, što ga čini iznimno korisnim u svakodnevnoj kliničkoj praksi. Među ograničenjima su izloženost ionizirajućem zračenju i potreba za primjenom jodiranog kontrasta.
Zaključno, CEDM se pokazuje kao učinkovita, dostupna i vremenski isplativa dijagnostička metoda, koja u određenim kliničkim situacijama može predstavljati ravnopravnu alternativu MRI-u. Šira primjena ove metode mogla bi značajno doprinijeti unaprjeđenju dijagnostike i liječenja raka dojke, osobito u zdravstvenim sustavima s ograničenim resursima.Contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) is increasingly used as a supplementary diagnostic tool in breast cancer detection, particularly in women with dense glandular tissue and inconclusive findings on mammography or ultrasound. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness and clinical value of CEDM in comparison with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is considered the gold standard for breast cancer detection and staging.
This analysis is based on recent scientific studies comparing the sensitivity, specificity, advantages, and limitations of both modalities. Data were collected through systematic searches of PubMed, Hrčak, and Dabar databases, applying clearly defined inclusion criteria—only studies directly comparing CEDM and MRI in breast cancer diagnostics were included. Studies without full-text access, review articles, and case reports were excluded.
The results indicate that CEDM demonstrates a high sensitivity (up to 97–99%), comparable to MRI, and higher specificity, resulting in fewer false-positive findings. CEDM also offers shorter examination times, lower costs, and better availability, making it a valuable tool in everyday clinical practice. Limitations include exposure to ionizing radiation and the need for iodinated contrast agents.
In conclusion, CEDM emerges as an effective, accessible, and time-efficient diagnostic method that can, in certain clinical scenarios, serve as a viable alternative to MRI. Its broader implementation holds the potential to optimize breast cancer diagnostics and treatment, particularly in healthcare systems with limited resources
Job Satisfaction as a Factor in Nursing Staff's Work Wellbeing and Retention: A Comparative Study of Central and Eastern Europe and Other Global Regions
No full textBackground: Prior international collaborative studies indicated that job satisfaction, a factor of nursing work wellbeing (WWB), is closely linked to retention, with notable cross-country differences. However, limited regional comparisons, especially between Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), North America, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), restrict understanding of nurse wellbeing and retention regional impacts, limiting tailored strategy development. Aims: This secondary analysis study compared the effects of region on nursing WWB and job satisfaction factors in CEE, MENA, and North America, aiming to identify those CEE region-specific predictors associated with and effects on job satisfaction and, in turn, WWB. Methods: CEE (n = 1616), MENA (n = 1562), and North America (n = 1386) data were analyzed using descriptive and linear regression analytics (p < 0.001). The CEE sample included nursing staff from Croatian (n = 301), Polish (n = 215), Serbian (n = 489), and Slovenian (n = 611) nurses and nursing assistants. Six job satisfaction factors were examined: coworkers, patient care, participative management, autonomy, professional growth, and organizational rewards. Results: The CEE region reported statistically significant lower mean scores and negative effects across all six job satisfaction factors compared to MENA and North America. Satisfaction with coworkers had the largest effect within the CEE region when compared to MENA and North America (ϐ = −0.26), while satisfaction with participative management had the smallest regional effect (ϐ = −0.10). Findings informed operational discussions for CEE-targeted retention interventions. Linking Evidence to Action: Job satisfaction subscale factors facilitate the identification of empirically- and theoretically-informed operational actions to improve CEE nursing job satisfaction as an important factor of WWB and contribute to nursing retention
Obrasci ponašanja i njihov doprinos kardio-bubrežno-metaboličkom zdravlju u studentskoj populaciji
No full textThis study aims to examine behavioral patterns among university students, including dietary habits, physical activity, sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption and their association with cardio-kidney metabolic (CKM) health and risk. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,490 students in Croatia. The results indicate that a substantial proportion of students engage in health-risk behaviors, such as insufficient physical activity, prolonged sedentary time, and unhealthy eating patterns. Selfreported data revealed the presence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and overweight within the student population. Gender-specific associations were observed: lower physical activity was linked to hypertension in males and to elevated lipid levels and overweight in females. Furthermore, poor dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol use were significantly associated with certain health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of early identification and intervention targeting risky behaviors in student populations to prevent future CKM complications.Ovo istraživanje imalo je za cilj ispitati obrasce ponašanja među studentskom populacijom, uključujući prehrambene navike, tjelesnu aktivnost, sjedilačko ponašanje te konzumaciju alkohola i duhana, i njihovu povezanost s kardiovaskularnim, bubrežnim i metaboličkim (CKM) zdravljem i rizicima. Provedeno je presječno istraživanje na uzorku od 1.490 studenata iz različitih sveučilišta u Hrvatskoj. Rezultati pokazuju da značajan udio studenata prakticira rizična ponašanja po zdravlje, poput nedovoljne tjelesne aktivnosti, produženog sjedenja (više od 7 sati dnevno), te učestale konzumacije brze hrane, prerađenog mesa, zaslađenih napitaka i energetskih pića. Samoprocjenom su studenti naveli prisutnost zdravstvenih tegoba kao što su hipertenzija, dislipidemija, dijabetes tipa 1, kronična bubrežna bolest te prekomjerna tjelesna masa. Uočene su razlike prema spolu: kod muških studenata niža razina tjelesne aktivnosti značajno je povezana s hipertenzijom, dok je nezdrava prehrana povezana s dijabetesom i bubrežnim smetnjama. Kod studentica, niska tjelesna aktivnost povezana je s povišenim masnoćama i prekomjernom tjelesnom masom, a pretjeran unos kuhinjske soli i prerađene hrane s višim arterijskim tlakom. Pušenje i konzumacija alkohola također su pokazali značajnu povezanost s hipertenzijom i debljinom kod žena. Dobiveni nalazi naglašavaju potrebu za spolno specifičnim preventivnim strategijama i ranim intervencijama usmjerenima na promicanje zdravih životnih navika u studentskoj populaciji kako bi se smanjili dugoročni kardio reno metabolički rizici