Pediatric Visceral Leishmaniasis in Albania: A Retrospective Analysis of 1,210 Consecutive Hospitalized Patients (1995–2009)

Albania is a developing country that is rapidly improving in social, economic and sanitary conditions. The health care system in still in progress and the impact of some infectious diseases remains poorly understood. In particular, little information is available on incidence, clinical features and response to treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in childhood. We performed a retrospective analysis of data recorded from 1995 to 2009 at the national pediatric reference hospital of Tirana where any child suspected for VL is referred for specific diagnosis and treatment. Epidemiology, clinical features and management of the disease were considered. The main findings can be summarized as follows: i) The incidence of the disease in Albanian children (25/100,000 in the age group 0–6 years) is much higher than in developed Mediterranean countries endemic for VL; ii) The disease is associated with poor sanitary conditions as suggested by the high rate of severe clinical features and frequency of co-morbidities; iii) The cheapest drug available for Mediterranean VL treatment (meglumine antimoniate) is highly effective (99% full cure rate) and well tolerated. Limitations were identified in the low standard laboratory diagnostic capability and unsatisfactory medical surveillance in less urbanized areas. An improvement is warranted of a disease-specific surveillance system in Albania

Alcohol Consumption in Patients with Psoriasis and its Relationship to Disease Severity

Abstract: Moderate to severe psoriasis is associated with increased alcohol intake and excessive mortality from alcohol-related causes. Alcohol biomarkers are those providing an objective measurement of its consumption. The objective of this study is to assess alcohol consumption in a cohort of patients with psoriasis and to investigate the influence of alcohol intake on disease severity. Patients with psoriasis hospitalized at the Clinic of Dermatology, in Mother Teresa University Hospital were recruited in this cross- sectional study. Alcohol consumption was assessed via CAGE questionnaire and the self- reported amount of alcohol consumed, whereas disease severity was evaluated via PASI scoring system. Blood specimens were taken at admission and levels of gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes (MCV) were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 statistical package. A total of 62 in- patients completed the study. Significant correlations were observed between GGT and AST values with raki and beer consumption, ALT value with raki, beer and wine consumption and MCV value with raki consumption. Disease severity did not correlate significantly with raki and beer consumption (p> 0.05). Logistic regression analysis between Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and raki consumption in male patients with psoriasis duration of more than 3 years resulted in statistical significance (b= 23.5, p< 0.05). Combination of parameters related to chronic alcohol consumption offers advantage over every isolated test. Measurement of simple laboratory parameters combined with self- report methods of consumption allows identification of users

Symptoms and signs of patients and data from physical examination.

1<p>More than one symptom and sign or clinical findings at physical examination could be present in the same patient.</p>2<p>Ecchymosis, petechiae, epistaxis, or bleeding in the sites of injection.</p

Incidence of adverse events recorded in 1,210 pediatric patients treated with meglumine antimoniate.

<p>Incidence of adverse events recorded in 1,210 pediatric patients treated with meglumine antimoniate.</p

Schematic map of Albania showing the stratification by district of cumulative VL cases diagnosed in children from 1996 through 2009.

<p>Schematic map of Albania showing the stratification by district of cumulative VL cases diagnosed in children from 1996 through 2009.</p

Hematological and biochemical features recorded in patients at admittance.

<p>Hematological and biochemical features recorded in patients at admittance.</p

Correlates of Lifetime Physical Abuse Among Schoolchildren Aged 15 Years in Post-communist Albania

Aim: Our aim was to assess the prevalence and correlates of lifetime physical abuse among schoolchildren in Albania, a post-communist country in South Eastern Europe which is currently undergoing a rapid socioeconomic transition.Methods: The third wave of Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) in Albania was conducted in 2017–18 including a nationwide representative sample of 1,708 schoolchildren aged 15 years (54% girls; response rate: 95%). Children were asked to report on lifetime physical abuse and a wide range of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors and health status characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the independent association of lifetime physical abuse with covariates.Results: Overall, the prevalence of lifetime physical abuse was about 32% (30% in boys vs. 32% in girls). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, independent positive correlates of lifetime physical abuse among Albanian schoolchildren included lifetime smoking (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.2), lifetime alcohol consumption (OR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.2–2.1), irritability (OR[dailyvs.rarely/never] = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.3–3.0), and especially lifetime witnessed domestic violence (OR = 4.2, 95%CI = 2.2–7.9). Conversely, a higher score on life satisfaction was inversely related to lifetime physical abuse (P &lt; 0.01).Conclusion: Our study provides novel evidence about the magnitude and selected independent correlates of lifetime physical abuse among schoolchildren in Albania, a country still embedded in an everlasting transition which is associated with tremendous changes in family structure, community links and societal norms and values. Irrespective of a wide range of sociodemographic factors and health characteristics, lifetime smoking, alcohol consumption, irritability, a lower score on life satisfaction and, particularly, witnessed domestic violence were strong and significant correlates of lifetime physical abuse among Albanian schoolchildren aged 15 years

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