EPIDEMIOLOGIA NODULILOR TIROIDIENI ÎN ALBANIA

Background: Our aim was to describe the socio-demographic factors and selected clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with nodules of the thyroid gland in Albania, a former communist country in the Western Balkans which is currently undergoing a rapid transformation and deep reforms.   Methods: A case-series study was conducted in Tirana during the period September 2016 – September 2017 including 212 patients examined at the Center of Nuclear Medicine of the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Based on clinical indications, all the patients underwent scintigraphy, FNA-cytology and a histo-pathological examination of the thyroid gland. Furthermore, other useful clinical data and socio-demographic information was collected.    Results: 32 (15.1%) patients were men and 180 (84.9) were women. The overall mean age was 51.2±13.6 years. Mean age was significantly higher in men compared to women (55.3±15.6 years vs. 50.5±13.2 years, respectively; P=0.016). Overall, 80 (37.7%) of participants were born in Tirana, and 113 (53.3%) of individuals were currently residing in Tirana. The overall prevalence of preexisting conditions was 33.2%. It was significantly higher in men than in women (56.3% vs. 29.1%, respectively; P=0.004). Among individuals who had evidence of preexisting diseases, 74.3% of them had cardiovascular diseases and 25.7% had diabetes. A positive family history of nodules of the thyroid gland was more prevalent in women than in men (40.0% vs. 18.8%, respectively; P=0.028).            Conclusion: This study provides useful evidence on the distribution of socio-demographic factors and clinical characteristics in Albanian patients with nodules of the thyroid gland.    Keywords: Albania, endocrinology, nodules, thyroid gland CONTEXT: Scopul studiului a fost de a descrie factorii socio-demografici și caracteristicile clinice ale pacienților diagnosticați cu noduli tiroidieni din Albania, o fostă țară comunistă din Balcanii de Vest, care în prezent trece printr-o transformare rapidă și reforme intense.   METODE: A fost realizat un studiu tip serii de caz, în perioada septembrie 2016 - septembrie 2017, care a inclus 212 pacienți examinați la Centrul de Medicină Nucleară al Spitalului Universitar "Maica Teresa" din Tirana, capitala Albaniei. Pe baza indicațiilor clinice, la toți pacienții s-a efectuat scintigrafia, citologia-FNA și examinarea histopatologică a glandei tiroide. În plus, au fost colectate alte date clinice utile și informații socio-demografice.   REZULTATE: Un număr de 32 (15,1%) dintre pacienți au fost bărbați și 180 (84,9%) au fost femei. Vârsta medie generală a fost de 51,2 ± 13,6 ani. Vârsta medie a fost semnificativ mai mare la bărbați comparativ cu femeile (55,3 ± 15,6 ani față de 50,5 ± 13,2 ani, respectiv, P = 0,016). Per total, 80 (37,7%) dintre participanți s-au născut în Tirana, iar 113 (53,3%) dintre pacienți locuiesc în prezent în Tirana. Prevalența generală a condițiilor preexistente a fost de 33,2%. Aceasta a fost semnificativ mai mare la bărbați decât la femei (56,3% față de 29,1%, respectiv, P = 0,004). În cazul  persoanelor care au prezentat afecțiuni preexistente, 74,3% dintre aceștia au avut boli cardiovasculare și 25,7% au avut diabet. Un istoric familial pozitiv de noduli ai glandei tiroide a fost mai răspândit la femei decât la bărbați (40,0% față de 18,8%, respectiv, P = 0,028).   CONCLUZII: Acest studiu oferă dovezi utile privind distribuirea factorilor socio-demografici și a caracteristicilor clinice la pacienții albanezi cu noduli tiroidieni.   Cuvinte cheie: Albania, endocrinologie, noduli, glanda tiroid

The 6th Albanian Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery

After a three-year quarantine from the deadliest global pandemic of the last century, ASTES is organizing to gather all health professionals in Tirana, The 6th Albanian Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery(ACTES 2022) on 11-12 November 2022, with the topic Trauma & Emergency Surgery and not only...with the aim of providing high quality, the best standards, and the best results, for our patients ...ACTES 2022 is the largest event that ASTES (Albanian Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery) has organized so far with 230 presentations, and 67 foreign lecturers with enviable geography, making it the largest national and wider scientific event.The scientific program is as strong as ever, thanks to the inclusiveness, where all the participants with a mix of foreign and local lecturers, select the best of the moment in medical science, innovation, and observation.The scientific committee has selected all the presentations so that the participants of each medical discipline will have something to learn, discuss, debate, and agree with updated methods, techniques, and protocols.I hope you will join us on Friday morning, and continue the journey of our two-day event together