The impact of changes in psoriasis area and severity index by body regions on quality of life in patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis severity varies by body region, with each affected region having a different impact on patient quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of changes in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores by body region on QoL in patients with psoriasis after treatment. A total of 100 patients with psoriasis were recruited to the study. All patients completed the generic EuroQol-5D instrument and two specific QoL measures, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) at the beginning of the study, and 50 patients successfully completed the same questionnaires four weeks after the end of the treatment. Clinical severity was assessed using PASI total score and PASI body region (head, trunk, arms, and legs) scores. QoL improved after treatment, and PASI improvements on visible body regions (head, legs, and arms) showed significant correlation with the most sub-areas of the Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS), DLQI, and PDI. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that PASI improvement (particularly on the head), sex, age, and disease duration were predictors of QoL score changes for most domains of the three instruments. Improvement of psoriasis in visible body regions has an appreciable influence on QoL improvement, and may positively affect treatment success in patients with psoriasis. riadPro-Regular;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:HR;mso-bidi-language:TA\u27&gt;The proportion of ADHD in patients with AD was 7.1% as compared to 4.1% in controls. ADHD was more frequent in boys with AD (9.6% vs. 5.2%, odds ratio (OR) 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.2) but not in girls with AD (4.6% vs. 2.9% OR 1.5). In multivariate analyses, AD was associated with ADHD (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.4). The current study demonstrated an association between AD and ADHD. This report and earlier observations emphasize the need for detection and treatment of ADHD in atopic patients.  </p

Assessment of mental health in adults of the northern part of the city of Kosovska Mitrovica

Background/Aim. Mental health disorders lead to disorder of effective functioning of people and deterioration of quality of life. Early detection of individuals at risk of mental health disorders is extremely important from the aspect of mental health disorders prevention. The aim of the research was to determine the frequency of mental health problems among adult residents of northern Kosovska Mitrovica and to examine the association between frequency of mental health problems and socio-demographic and other characteristics of the population obtained by the questionnaire. Methods. The cross-sectional study on the representative sample of adult residents of northern Kosovska Mitrovica was performed in October 2009. To obtain information about the characteristics of mental health the Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used. For performing survey at site the method of rapid epidemiological assessment was chosen. Statistical analysis included the methods of descriptive statistics, multivariate regression analysis and calculation of the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of internal consistency of the questionnaire. Results. Mental health problems (total score) were present in almost half of the respondents (49.2%). Psychosomatic problems were present in more than half of the respondents (55.4%), while anxiety and insomnia were present in almost half of the respondents (49.2%). Social dysfunction had more than three fifths of the respondents (63.1%) and depression more than a quarter of the respondents (28.5%). More positive responses in the questionnaire were statistically significantly associated with older age, poor financial situation, abuse and assessing of the current political-security situation as high risk. The value of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.705. Conclusions. Almost half of the respondents (49.2%) of North Kosovska Mitrovica had mental health problems. Mental health problems were associated with older age, poor financial situation, abuse and considering the current political security situation as high-risk factor

Prevalence of the use of psychoactive substances and its connection with the socioeconomic characteristics of students

Youth is a critical age to begin experimenting with alcohol and tobacco, whereby social prestige, self-assertion, relaxation from difficulties, the way of showing rebellion against authority and valid social norms are cited as motives. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco during the period of personality formation leads to permanent behavioral disorders, while the biological characteristics of young people determine the faster development of addiction to these substances regarding to adults. In addition, the social position of young people and the position of their families are extremely jeopardized. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use among students of the University of Priština with a temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica, i.e. to establish the connection between these habits and the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the students. The research was done as a cross sectional study on a representative sample of students of the University of Priština with a temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica, in March and April 2011. The survey covered 567 subjects. The questionnaire served as a research instrument, the same that was used in researching the health behavior of students from other universities in the Republic of Serbia in 2000. The data were processed using descriptive statistics while the hi-square test was used to analyze the data. Out of the total number of surveyed students, a quarter (24.7%) answered that they were smoking cigarettes, while 91.4% of our respondents tasted alcohol. The highest proportion of respondents from the Faculty of Arts claims to consume cigarettes, students who get 4001-5000 dinars per week, as well as respondents who are 'not particularly satisfied' with the their choice of faculty. The highest proportion of male students and students whose weekly pocket is from 2001 to 2000 dinars consume alcohol

Predictors of depression problems of adults who live in the security endangered territory

Introduction. By the year 2020, if current trends for demographic and epidemiological transition continue, the burden of depression will have increased to 5.7% of the total burden of disease, thus becoming the second leading cause of disability-adjusted life year (DALY) lost. Early detection of people at risk of developing any mental disorder is extremely important in the prevention of all mental disorders. Objective. The objective of the study was to determine depression predictors among adult residents in four Kosovo and Metohia municipalities predominantly inhabited by Serbian population. Methods. This cross-sectional study included the representative sample of adults in Leposavić, North Kosovska Mitrovica, Gnjilane and Priština and was performed in October/November of 2009. The sample was selected from the list of citizens older than 18, received in the above mentioned municipalities. The Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used as a research instrument. The methods of statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, simple and multiple logistic regression analysis, and analysis of variance, with a significance level of 0.05. Results. Problems with depression have been significantly associated with female sex (OR=2.24), older age (OR=1.01), lower levels of education (OR=0.50), unemployment (OR=1.09), poor financial situation (OR=0.45), abuse (OR=0.08) and assessment of the future political and security situation as a highly risky one (OR=3.01). Conclusion. To determine risk groups being in greater risk to suffer from depression is important for planning, enhancing, promoting and implementing the prevention strategies for this disease

The concentration of soot as a factor of change in the air quality

Introduction: Soot usually occurs as a result of incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon (fossil fuels - wood, coal). Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental threats to the urban population, which has harmful effects on human health, regardless of age. Objective to determine the extent to which the development of concentrations of soot in the air affects the air quality in the area tested. Methods: In the period from 2007. to 2011. the soot immission was followed at two sites: in Kosovska Mitrovica and Zvecan. The concentration of soot is determined by the reflectometric method. The statistical hypotheses were tested on statistical significance level of 0.05. Results: Overall, for both measuring points, there was a statistically significant change in value of the concentration of soot in the air (F = 6.779; p = 0.009). There was a significant increase in the concentration of soot in the air during the investigated years, with the highest values in 2010. and 2011. The average value of soot concentration for the period from 2007 to 2009 was 17.7 ± 21.3 mg / m3 while in the period from 2010. to 2011. it was 36.7 ± 45.2 µg/m3, which represents a statistically significant difference (U = 910082.5; p<0.001). The amount of average concentrations of soot in the heating season was 32.8 ± 44.2 µg/m3 while out of the heating season it was 16.8 ± 15.6 µg/m3 which is a statistically significant difference (U = 1030936; p <0.001). The distribution of average concentrations of soot in the air represented by month showed the highest value in January at both measuring locations, in Kosovska Mitrovica 86.8 µg/m3, and in Zvecan 34 µg/m3. The total number of soot over the limit value in the period surveyed was in Kosovska Mitrovica 256 days, and in Zvecan 90 days. Conclusion: In accordance with the objectives set out in this study and the results that we got, we found that there are significant differences in the movement of soot concentration and its impact on air quality