CYBERBULLYING AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND ONLINE INFORMATION SEEKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

Background: Cyberbullying is a serious problem among adolescents and has an impact on mental health. The purpose of this study was to: 1) translate and validate the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey in the Serbian language; 2) explore factors associated with more intense cyber victimization and cyber offending and 3) examine whether more intense cyber victimization and cyber offending are associated with a higher likelihood of online search for topics on mental health in a sample of high school students. Subjects and Methods: A total of 702 students from 4 public high schools participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a general questionnaire and the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was examined and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess construct validity. The multiple linear regression model examined factors associated with higher levels of cyber offending and cyber victimization. The multiple logistic regression models examined whether cyber offending and cyber victimizations were associated with searching for mental health topics on the Internet. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale was 0.813 and for the Cyberbullying Offending Scale was 0.789. Both scales had a one-factorial structure and parameters on the confirmatory factor analysis were appropriate. More than one-half of students (56.2%) reported ever being cyber victimized and 39.9% of students reported ever being cyber offenders. Having lower grades, being younger at first Internet use and more frequent use of the internet were associated with both higher Cyberbullying Victimization and Offending scores. Having higher scores on both Cyberbullying Victimization and Offending scales was associated with higher odds of searching for mental health topics online. Conclusion: It is necessary to address cyberbullying in schools to help recognize and modify the behavior of cyber offenders and provide means of support and empowerment to cyber victims

Stavovi studenata prve godine u odnosu na šestu godinu medicine u Srbiji prema studiju i poslijediplomskoj karijeri

Self-perceived stress during undergraduate medical training could influence forthcoming career choices. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and potential differences between 1st and 6th year students regarding aspects of medical training and career plans. As many as 570 students in 1st and 400 in 6th year of studies at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, were recruited on December 2-9, 2013. Data were acquired through a self-administered questionnaire. Students in both years rated “Helping other people” as the most important reason to study medicine. Freshmen rated statistically significantly higher ‘good incomes’ and ‘social status’ as reasons to study medicine (p=0.003 and p=0.037, respectively). The most desirable fields of specialization were surgery and internal medicine (36.4% and 18.7% for 1st year, and 26.3% and 36.6% for 6th year, respectively). Significantly more freshmen would prefer working abroad (χ2=3.891, p=0.029). In terms of careers abroad, students in both years expressed the highest interest in working in western and northern Europe. Desires for specialty training among medical students follow the pattern of the most frequent disciplines in the Serbian physician population, with gender differences comparable to other populations. A certain percentage of students would likely emigrate.Stres tijekom studija medicine mogao bi utjecati na predstojeće izbore u karijeri. Svrha ovog rada bila je istražiti stavove i potencijalne razlike između studenata prve i šeste godine medicine u vezi studija i daljnjih planova u karijeri. Ukupno 570 studenata prve i 400 studenata šeste godine studija na Medicinskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Beogradu bili su regrutirani za studiju u razdoblju od 2. do 9. prosinca 2013. godine. Podaci su dobiveni putem anonimnog upitnika. Studenti u obje godine ocijenili su “Pomaganje drugim ljudima” kao najvažniji razlog za studij medicine. Brucoši su statistički značajno više ocijenili razloge “dobri prihodi” i “ socijalni status” za studij medicine (p=0,003 odnosno p=0,037). Najpoželjnije specijalizacije bile su kirurgija i interna medicina (36,4% odnosno 18,7% za prvu godinu i 26,3% odnosno 36,6% za šestu godinu). Statistički značajno više brucoša radije bi radili u inozemstvu (χ2=3,891, p=0,029). Studenti koji bi radili u inozemstvu izrazili su najveći interes za rad u zapadnoj i sjevernoj Europi. Želje za specijalizacijom među studentima medicine slijede obrazac najčešćih disciplina među srpskim liječnicima, s rodnim razlikama kakve su prisutne i u drugim populacijama. Određeni postotak studenata vjerojatno će emigrirati

Epidemiology of post-COVID syndrome

As per the World Health Organization's (WHO) definition, post-COVID syndrome or long COVID refers to the persistence or emergence of new symptoms three months after the initial infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), and lasting for a minimum of two months, while excluding alternative diagnoses. The precise mechanisms responsible for the development of long COVID-19 symptoms have yet to be fully understood. The prevalence of post-COVID syndrome exhibits considerable variation , mostly influenced by factors like as study design, study population, and the specific case definition employed in the study. Based on some estimations, a minimum of 10% of those exhibiting a severe clinical manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection are likely to have post-COVID syndrome. This condition is characterized by multisystemic involvement, presenting a diverse spectrum of symptoms that impact several bodily systems, including but not limited to the respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological systems and skin. The prevailing manifestations of prolonged COVID-19 encompass fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, a spectrum of over 200 distinct symptoms have been documented, which can significantly impede the day-today capabilities of those afflicted with the condition. Based on data derived from both the United States and Europe, it has been shown that the incidence of long COVID syndrome has a greater frequency among the female population and individuals afflicted with chronic conditions. Considering the global prevalence of individuals affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is imperative to conduct ongoing epidemiological surveillance to gain a consistent understanding of the current situation. Additionally, it is crucial to perform research, primarily utilizing representative population samples, to enhance our understanding of risk factors and identify potential preventive measures. This knowledge would also contribute to the identification of population groups with a higher susceptibility to the onset of post-COVID syndrome, which holds significant value in comprehending the enduring consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

Craniocervical Dystonia Questionnaire (CDQ-24): Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation in Serbian Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validation of the translated and culturally adapted CDQ-24 questionnaire on a group of Serbian patients. The study was comprised of 100 consecutive patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD) and blepharospasm (BSP) who were evaluated at the Institute of Neurology, Clinical Centre of Serbia in Belgrade between March and June 2007. The linguistic validation of CDQ-24 involved 3 steps, according to an internationally accepted methodology. Most of the patients with CD and BSP accepted the CDQ-24 questionnaire. The internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.81 to 0.97. The mean total score of the CDQ-24 was 35.6±23.5. Patients with BSP had better HRQoL scores in the Pain subscale (p=0.025) compared with CD patients. However, patients with CD had better HRQoL sores in the Activities of Daily Living subscale (p=0.028) compared with BSP patients. Statistically significant positive correlations were registered between the Dystonia Movement Scale score and almost all CDQ-24 scales. The Serbian version of CDQ-24 should be recommended for HRQoL evaluation among patients with CD and BSP as an important outcome measure

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the disease specific questionnaire oqlq in Serbian patients with malocclusions

Introduction. Dentofacial disorders may potentially significantly affect the quality of life. Objectives of this study were to validate translated and culturally adapted Orthognatic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) on a cohort of Serbian patients with malocclusions. Methods. The questionnaire was validated in 111 consecutive patients with malocclusions, seen between December 2014 and February 2015 at the Clinic of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade. Clinical validity was assessed comparing the mean scores for the four subscales of the OQLQ and mean PAR pre-treatment score. In order to assess whether the allocation of items in the subscales corresponds to their distribution in the original questionnaire, an exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with varimax rotation) was conducted. Results. The results of the internal consistency analysis demonstrated good relationships between the items; Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the four subscales were highly significant (p lt 0.001) (0.88-0.91). All items were significantly correlated between baseline and the retest (6 weeks after). The correlations between the PAR and all four domains of the OQLQ were all significant (p lt 0.01). The loading weights obtained in the exploratory factor analysis showed that this model revealed four factors with eigenvalue greater than 1, explaining the 64.0% of the cumulative variance. The majority of the items (86.4%) in the Serbian version of the OQLQ presented the highest loading weight in the subscales assigned by the OQLQ developer. Conclusions. The psychometric properties of the OQLQ (Serbian version) have exceptional internal consistency and reproducibility as an instrument for evaluation of dental malocclusions. Additionally, this questionnaire may be useful as a supplementary outcome measure in persons with malocclusions

When do the symptoms of autonomic nervous system malfunction appear in patients with Parkinson’s disease?

Background/Aim. Dysautonomia appears in almost all patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in a certain stage of their condition. The aim of our study was to detect the development and type of autonomic disorders, find out the factors affecting their manifestation by analyzing the potential association with demographic variables related to clinical presentation, as well as the symptoms of the disease in a PD patient cohort. Methods. The patients with PD treated at the Clinic of Neurology in Belgrade during a 2-year period, divided into 3 groups were studied: 25 de novo patients, 25 patients already treated and had no long-term levodopa therapy-related complications and 22 patients treated with levodopa who manifested levodopa-induced motor complications. Simultaneously, 35 healthy control subjects, matched by age and sex, were also analyzed. Results. Autonomic nervous system malfunction was defined by Ewing diagnostic criteria. The tests, indicators of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, were significantly different in the PD patients as compared with the controls, suggesting the failure of both systems. However, it was shown, in the selected groups of patients, that the malfunction of both systems was present in two treated groups of PD patients, while de novo group manifested only sympathetic dysfunction. For this reason, the complete autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed only in the treated PD patients, while de novo patients were defined as those with the isolated sympathetic dysfunction. The patients with the complete autonomic neuropathy differed from the subjects without such neuropathy in higher cumulative and motor unified Parkinson’s disease rating score (UPDRS) (p < 0.01), activities of daily living scores (p < 0.05), Schwab-England scale (p < 0.001) and Hoehn-Yahr scale. There was no difference between the patients in other clinical-demographic characteristics (sex, age at the time of diagnosis, actual age, duration of disease, involved side of the body, pain and freezing), but mini mental status (MMS) score and Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scale were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our results confirm a high prevalence of autonomic nervous system disturbances among PD patients from the near onset of disease, with a predominant sympathetic nervous system involvement. The patients who developed complete autonomic neuropathy (both sympathetic and parasympathetic) were individuals with considerable level of functional failure, more severe clinical presentation and the existing anxiety and depression. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175090

Clinical characteristics of multiple system atrophy in Serbian population

Background/Aim. Mulstiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative central nervous system disorder, characterized by any combination of extrapyramidal, cerebellar, pyramidal or autonomic disturbance. The aims of our study were to define clinical characteristics of MSA patients in our population, to account for neuroradiological and electrophysiological profile of the disease and to evaluate one-dose levodopa response. Methods. We have diagnosed 29 patients as MSA, with disease duration from the first symptom 5 years on average on examination. The examinating procedure included an anamnesis and complete neurological investigations, as well as neurootological and neuroradiological examinations. The study included the patients of the Institute of Neurology of the Clinical Center of Serbia in the period of 1996-2001, who completed both clinical and diagnostic criteria for a possible and probable MSA. Results. Autonomic disturbances were documented in 93.1%, whereas extrapyramidal symptoms were seen in additional 89.3% with symmetrical onset in 60%. Levodopa response was poor or moderate. Cerebellar signs were present in 63%, while pyramidal signs occured in 78.7%. There was no a cognitive deterioration (MMSE &gt; 24). CT scan and MRI showed cerebellar and brainstem atrophy, as well as diffuse cortical atrophy. Conclusion. Failure of additional diagnostic procedures to distinguish MSA patients required a precise understanding of their clinical specificities. Our results support this statement

Impaired Fibrinolysis Is Linked With Digital Vasculopathy and Onset of New Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis (vol 49, pg 598, 2022)

J Rheumatol 2022; doi: 10.3899/jrheum.210931 In the Methods section, under the subheading “Follow-up and study outcome,” the last sentence should be as follows: “All new DUs were recorded by contacting all 39 patients once every 1–3 months during follow-up.” The error does not affect the results or conclusions of the study. This correction only applies to the April 1 First Release. The correct text appears in the print and online issues

Is the female sex associated with an increased risk for long-term cognitive decline after the first-ever lacunar stroke? Prospective study on small vessel disease cohort

Background: Sex is a significant determinant of survival and functional outcome after stroke. Long-term cognitive outcome after acute lacunar stroke in the context of sex differences has been rarely reported. Methods: A cohort of small vessel disease (SVD) patients presenting with first-ever acute lacunar stroke and normal cognitive status has been evaluated 4 years after the qualifying event for the presence of cognitive impairment (CI) with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Differences in baseline clinical and neuroimaging characteristics were compared between sexes in relation to cognitive status. Results: A total of 124 female and 150 male patients were analyzed. No difference was detected between the groups regarding age (p = 0.932) or frequency of common vascular risk factors (p > 0.1 for all). At the baseline assessment, women had more disabilities compared to men with a mean modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 2.5 (1.5 in men, p < 0.0001). Scores of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) of presumed vascular origin and a total number of lacunes of presumed vascular origin on brain MRI were higher in women compared to men (p < 0.0001 for all). As many as 64.6% of patients had CI of any severity on follow-up, women more frequently (77.4%) than men (54.0%; p < 0.0001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that female sex, higher NIHSS and mRS scores, presence of depression, and increasing WMH severity were associated with an increased risk for CI. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that only depression (OR 1.74, 95%CI 1.25–2.44; p = 0.001) and WMH severity (OR 1.10, 95%CI 1.03–1.17; p = 0.004) were independently associated with the CI. Conclusion: At the long-term follow-up, women lacunar stroke survivors, compared to men, more frequently had CI in the presence of more severe vascular brain lesions, but this association was dependent on the occurrence of depression and severity of WMH, and could not be explained by differences in common vascular risk factors. Copyright © 2023 Pavlovic, Pekmezovic, Mijajlovic, Tomic and Zidverc Trajkovi

Ready to work or not quite? Self-perception of practical skills among medical students from Serbia ahead of graduation

Aim To assess final year medical students’ self-perception of their practical skills. Methods The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade during compulsory practical sessions in the period December 2-9, 2013 and 390 students agreed to participate (response rate 77.8%). The questionnaire included questions on demographic characteristics, 21 questions on students’ self-perception of their practical skills, and 1 question on students’ self-perceived readiness to start working with patients. Results Cronbach’s α for the entire scale was 0.891. Students felt most confident about measuring arterial pulse and blood pressure and taking patients’ history (average score 10 for all three skills) and least confident about placing a urinary catheter (average score 1) and suturing a wound (average score 2). They rated their readiness to work with patients with 5.0 out of 10.0 points. The total score did not correlate with students’ average mark (Spearman’s ρ = 0.039; P = 0.460) and the average mark did not correlate with the self-perceived readiness to work with patients (Spearman’s ρ = -0.048; P = 0.365). Conclusion Our study suggests that medical students lack confidence to perform various clinical procedures, particularly those related to surgical interventions. To improve students’ confidence, clinical curriculum should include either more hours of practical work or ensure closer supervision of practical training in wards