Journal of Health Sciences
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Efficiency of dry needling along with standard physical treatment in people with lumbar pain syndrome
Get PDFIntroduction: The complaints that occur in the area of the lumbar spine are summarized under the term lumbar pain syndrome. These include lumbar discopathy, lumbago, lumboischialgia, sciatica, and other complaints associated with the lumbar region of the spine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics, assess the degree of disability patients experience due to lumbar pain syndrome, evaluate how many patients catastrophize their pain, and assess the effectiveness of the dry needling technique along with other physical therapy modalities in people with lumbar pain syndrome.
Methods: The study was designed as a prospective study conducted from March 2022 to June 2022. 35 subjects of both sexes, aged 25-83, agreed to participate in the study. The subjects who enrolled were pre-dominantly suffering from chronic lumbar pain syndrome, and there were also a smaller number of subjects with acute lumbar pain syndrome.
Results: The majority of respondents suffer from lumbar pain syndrome, which falls into the chronic category in 29 or 82.9% of cases. The mean score after the application of therapy on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scale was 22.0 ± 16.23% and was statistically significantly lower. The average score after the application of the therapy on the visual analog scale (VAS) was 3.06 ± 2.31 and is statistically significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the period before the therapy.
Conclusion: Dry needling in combination with standard physical procedures led to statistically significant improvements. The mean score on the pain catastrophe scale, VAS, and ODI was significantly lower than in the pre-therapy period
The effect of a six-week home physiotherapy program on symptoms and activities of daily living in post-COVID-19 patients following hospital discharge
Get PDFIntroduction: Patients following the acute stage of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 were shown to present with persisting symptoms including fatigue, dyspnea, joint pain, and chest pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 6-week home physiotherapy program on the psychological and physical symptoms, as well as the physical abilities to perform activities of daily living in post-COVID-19 patients.
Methods: The subjects were 39 adult patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and had been hospitalized at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Patients initially underwent a physiotherapy assessment 2-3 weeks after discharge from the hospital, including sociodemographic data, psychological and physical symptoms, and functional performance in daily activities using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). Based on their functional capacity, the patients received two types of brochures for a home physiotherapy program that was carried out over the next 6 weeks. Upon the completion of the physiotherapy program, 23 patients reported for the second physiotherapy assessment. The Mann–Whitney Wilcoxon test was used for comparison of the variables obtained during the first and second assessments.
Results: Pre–post analysis showed that the symptoms including excessive fatigue, difficulty breathing, and insomnia were significantly less present following the home physiotherapy program (p = 0.005; p = 0.008; p = 0.034). On the PSFS scale, the mean score increased from 5.2 (2.1) to 7.8 (0.5) for stair climbing, from 5.5 (1.8) to 8.8 (1.6) for walking longer distances, and from 3.7 (3.2) to 4.0 (5.6) for running.
Conclusion: Although limited by the absence of a control group, the findings from this study indicate that home physiotherapy intervention can be feasible and effective in enhancing psychological and physical symptoms, as well as activities of daily living in post-COVID-19 patients following hospitalization
Correlation of serum ferritin and thyroid hormone levels: A matched case–control study
Get PDFIntroduction: Hypothyroidism is a common disorder of the endocrine system caused by insufficient biologically active hormones at the tissue level or the inability of the tissue to utilize thyroid hormones. Iron plays a crucial role in the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones, and it is stored in the body as ferritin. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between serum ferritin (SF) levels and thyroid hormone panel levels in both hypothyroid and euthyroid subjects.
Methods: In 2022, a matched case–control study was conducted. The study involved participants with hypothyroidism and a control group (n = 53). The levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and SF were measured using the chemiluminescence immunoassay on a Mindray Cl 900-i analyzer (Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., China).
Results: The hypothyroid group had TSH levels that were significantly higher (10.76 [8.54-18.76] vs. 1.76 [1.26-2.58]; p < 0.001) and SF concentrations that were significantly lower (39.08 [21.15-45.70] vs. 54.09 [41.41-71.82]; p < 0.001) compared to the control group. In both male and female subjects of the hypothyroid group, a strong negative correlation was found between SF concentration and TSH levels ([Rho = −0.855,p < 0.01]; [Rho = −0.747; p < 0.01]). In female subjects of the hypothyroid group, a weak positive correlation was found between SF concentration and fT3 (Rho = 0.488; p < 0.05). In the euthyroid group, a correlation of the same strength and direction was found for fT4 (Rho = 0.366; p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Research results indicate a correlation between lower SF concentrations and hypothyroidism, which is of particular importance for understanding the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment modalities of patients with hypothyroidism
The role of laboratory diagnostics in the assessment of occupational lead exposure
Get PDFIntroduction: Industrialization and urbanization led to a significant increase in the environment. Lead inhibits the activity of numerous enzymes, triggers oxidative stress, and causes protein biosynthesis dysregulation. Inhalation of lead particles is the most common route of intoxication associated with occupational exposure. This study aims to evaluate laboratory methods and biomarkers in the assessment of lead exposure.
Methods: For non-experimental qualitative research, available scientific articles in English published in the relevant databases (MEDLINE and ScienceDirect) were used. The database search was performed using the keywords “Laboratory diagnostics”, “occupational exposure”, and “lead”.
Results: Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is the gold standard in laboratory monitoring of occupational lead exposure. Inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometry is a commonly used method described as more sensitive than AAS due to its low detection limit. Lead concentrations can be determined in various samples, but blood and urine are the most commonly used in laboratory practice. The most important exposure biomarker is the enzyme δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) in the blood, which is characterized by progressive inactivation by lead and a negative correlation with its concentration. The concentration of urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (δ-ALA-U) reflects the state of impaired enzyme function in heme biosynthesis. In addition, determining blood zinc protoporphyrin and urinary coproporphyrin levels significantly aids in assessing occupational lead exposure disorders.
Conclusion: The availability of the laboratory methods used and the biomarker specificity and sensitivity play an important role in the adequacy of lead exposure monitoring. Accurate determination of ALAD and δ-ALA-U concentrations, along with other biomarkers, is critical for assessing individuals exposed to lead
The pain ratio before and after the application of physiotherapy for dysfunction of temporomandibular joint
Get PDFIntroduction: Physiotherapy, a non-invasive method of conservative treatment, that includes manual therapy, exercises and physical procedures, is used in the treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction and polyarticular laxity. It has been proven that physiotherapy focused on temporomandibular dysfunction is an essential element of treatment that leads to a reduction in pain, an improvement in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function, and an improvement in quality of life. Physiotherapy treatment aims to alleviate the symptoms and try to restore the normal function of the masticatory system, for which various techniques can be used. The aim of the study was to determine the type, intensity, and frequency of TMJ dysfunction pain before and after physiotherapy.
Methods: The study was conducted in a private practice in Munich, Germany. All subjects who met the criteria for inclusion in the study completed a standardized questionnaire on TMJ dysfunction (TMJ disorder [TMJ/TMD] Questionnaire). The questionnaire was used to obtain data on the type and location of pain, duration of pain, and other symptoms related to the TMJ. The anamnestic data of the respondents who came to the doctor’s office with the symptoms mentioned were examined, and the orthodontic or dental findings were analyzed.Results: The analysis showed that before treatment some of the joints were affected in 28 subjects, while after treatment the joints were affected in 19 subjects. After treatment a significant decrease in affected TMJ was observed (χ2 = 9.516, p = 0.008). Ear pain occurred in 17 (54.84%) subjects before treatment, and in 5 (16.13%) after treatment. A significant reduction was observed at the p = 0.003 level. Pain around the eyes occurred in 9 (29.03%) of the respondents before treatment, and after treatment in 2 (6.45%) of the respondents. Facial pain was reported in 16.13% of the anamnestic data before the treatment, and it was not reported in any of the respondents after treatment. There was also a significant reduction in the occurrence of tinnitus (p = 0.004). The occurrence of headaches also decreased after treatment (p < 0.001). Ear pressure was present before treatment in 45.16% of cases, and after treatment in 22.58% of cases, so there was no significant decrease.
Conclusion: Physiotherapy for people with TMJ dysfunction contributed significantly in reducing pain and alleviating other TMD symptoms
The prevalence and distribution of hypodontia inorthodontic patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Get PDFIntroduction: The need for this study on the prevalence of hypodontia in a sample of orthodontic patients from Bosnia and Herzegovina arises from the fact that in the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a lack of data on the prevalence and distribution of hypodontia as a previously defined, growing global problem and that it could emphasize the importance of its early diagnosis, as this is still the best standard for preventing the occurrence of complications due to a lack of teeth. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of hypodontia in orthodontic patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Methods: The study was conducted in the Orthodontic Department of the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Dentistry, with the Center for Clinical Dentistry. The study included all patients who presented to the Orthodontic Department in the period from January 2020 to March 2023 and whose diagnostic protocol included panoramic radiographs, which were analyzed for the purposes of this study. The sample consisted of the orthopantomography radiographs of 5084 patients (2031 males and 3053 females).
Results: Hypodontia was found in 6.77% of orthodontic patients, of which 38.4% were male patients and 61.6% were female. The teeth most frequently affected by hypodontia were the second premolars (68.15%). After stratifying the sample by jaw, the most common hypodontic tooth was the second premolar in the mandible and the lateral incisor in the maxilla.
Conclusion: We can conclude that the prevalence of hypodontia in orthodontic patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its distribution are very similar to the general population. The results of this study may help to improve the early diagnosis of hypodontia as a growing problem, which may reduce the complications that may arise from missing a tooth
Food safety – From pioneering steps to the modern scientific discipline
Get PDFFood safety is a story that unites all civilizations, cultures, and nations, and it is interlaced with various methods for making food safer. Concern for nutritious and safe food is as ancient as humankind itself, and many of the food safety issues that persist today are not new. Diverse records from the ancient world, as well as the religious writings of the three monotheist religions, actually refer to food, its intake, and prohibitions, as well as pathological diseases that may follow from inappropriate intake. Over time, food safety has evolved into a scientific discipline concerned with the handling, preparation, transport, and distribution of food to avoid the transmission of illnesses. The current state of food safety knowledge is the result of past discoveries, innovations, and laws. In modern times, the right to consume safe food is a fundamental human right. It contributes to and promotes sustainable development while supporting the economy, trade, and tourism. Nevertheless, despite significant improvements, we still know relatively little about food-borne illnesses and how infections affect humans
The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in raw shrimp and octopus in Campeche, Mexico
Get PDFIntroduction: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria in seafood, especially shrimp and octopus, are significant public health concerns and are able to be transmitted to humans in foodstuffs, particularly when they are of animal origin. The present study was conducted to measure the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and prevalence of Salmonella isolates obtained from octopus and shrimp in San Francisco de Campeche, Mexico.
Methods: Two hundred shrimp and octopus samples (one hundred each) were collected from the municipal market, and each sample consisted of 100 g. The present study used conventional methods to identify and isolate Salmonella, with the disk-diffusion method used to screen all isolates for sensitivity to 12 antibiotics.
Results: The prevalence of Salmonella was found to be 56% and 45% in shrimp and octopus, respectively. The high levels of Salmonella observed in the municipal market sampled by the present study reveal poor sanitary conditions in the processing and transport of the products of interest and those handling them at the point of sale. All the Salmonella strains were resistant to at least three antimicrobial classes. All shrimp isolates (100%) presented susceptibility to chloramphenicol and the majority (88%) presented sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, while the strains isolated in the octopus individuals sampled presented sensitivity to both the foregoing antibiotics (74% and 90%, respectively).
Conclusion: Based on the high prevalence in the samples analyzed, our results suggest that shrimp and octopus could be involved in Salmonella infections in the population
Activities of daily life of people of the third age
Get PDFIntroduction: Aging is a natural physiological process based on disturbances of homeostatic mechanisms and loss of adaptability that significantly affects life activities over time. The activities of daily living (ADL) in old age represent the relationship between the subjective characteristics of each individual, supplemented by previous life experiences, and objective socioeconomic factors that create a desirable living framework for people in the third age. The objectives of this research are to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of third-age people, to study the daily activities of third-age people, and to compare the daily life activities of third-age people living in a rural setting with those of third-age people living in an urban setting.
Methods: The research was conducted in the area of urban and rural environment of Travnik municipality. One hundred elderly people (50 from urban and 50 from rural areas) were included in the research using the snowball method. The instrument used in our research is a standardized questionnaire on instrumental ADL (IADL) according to Lawton-Brody. The study was conducted during the period from the end of March to the end of May 2022.
Results: There is a statistically significant difference in ADL in all eight domains. The mean IADL score in the total sample (n = 100) was 6.36 ± 1.78 and ranged from 1 to 8. The largest number of respondents had the highest IADL score of 8 in 41% of cases, while only one respondent had an IADL score of 1.
Conclusion: The obtained results prove that the score of ADL is lower in people of third-age living in rural areas
Association between stress and self-reported bruxism among students from University of Sarajevo during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFIntroduction: Stress among students is a growing problem. As emotional stress increases, the limbic structures and hypothalamus are stimulated, activating the gamma efferent system, which ultimately leads to an increase in muscle tone or additional muscle activity that can become repetitive behaviors such as bruxism. The aim of the study was to investigate the stress level that students are exposed to, to determine the difference between students in terms of gender, faculty, and year of study, and to evaluate the possible relationship between stress level and self-reported bruxism in college students during the pandemic COVID-19.
Methods: In April 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of students from the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Sarajevo (BiH). The students answered a questionnaire consisting of two parts: The first part contained questions on basic personal data and data on self-reported bruxism and the second part contained questions on the perceived stress scale (PSS).
Results: The study included 756 students from both faculties. Analysis of stress levels among students revealed higher stress levels. Female students were more likely to be under stress than male respondents. Students in the Faculty of Pharmacy were more likely to be stressed than students in the Faculty of Dentistry. At the Faculty of Pharmacy, there was no difference in stress levels between the different years of study, while at the Faculty of Dentistry, the individual score for PSS was highest among 1st-year students. A high prevalence (46.8%) of self-reported bruxism was found among students in both faculties.
Conclusion: A slight positive correlation between self-reported bruxism and stress suggests that it is important to implement stress management strategies during academic education and to prevent bruxism and its consequences