Drug-Related Problems Prior to Hospitalization on Internal Medicine Wards

Drug-related hospitalizations pose a significant burden to the health-care system. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of drug-related problems (DRPs) and their association with hospital admissions in five internal medicine wards. The study included patients admitted to the nephrology, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and geriatric wards. The Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification V9.1 was used for identifying DRPs. In total, 535 patients participated in the study. We identified 954 DRPs (range 1-7) in 80.7% of patients. Most DRPs were identified on the endocrinology, cardiology, and geriatric wards, and they were associated with the efficacy of treatment (71.4%), adverse drug events (10.2%), and unnecessary drug treatment (18.4%). DRPs were associated with the cause of hospitalization in 74.4% of patients on the nephrology ward, 60.1% and 60.6% of patients on the cardiology and endocrinology wards, respectively, whereas this number was lower on the geriatric and gastroenterology wards (26.9% and 8.9%, respectively). Suboptimal drug treatment due to medication omissions was often associated with the potential cause of hospital admission. Focusing on patients with specific diseases and DRPs, rather than reducing the number of medications in primary care, may be potentially rational in an attempt to reduce drug-related hospitalizations

DEPRESSION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY - SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Background: Patients with epilepsy commonly report depressive symptoms. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and depression. We also wanted to evaluate possible association between depressive symptofigms in patients with epilepsy with the quality of life (QoL). Material and methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out at the tertiary teaching hospital (University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia) with Ethics committee approval. Questionnaires evaluating depressive symptoms and QoL were administered to consecutive patients treated in the Referral Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia for Epilepsy. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17). Quality of life was assessed using Quality of life in epilepsy-31 inventory (QOLIE-31) Results: 108 patients (63% women, 37% men; mean age 39.54±15.91 years, range 18-80 years) with epilepsy were included. 14.8% of patients had focal, 35.2% generalised and 40.7% both types of epilepsy. Majority of patients (65.74%) were on two and more AEDs and quarter was on monotherapy (25%); 42% were on newer, 19% on older and 39% on both AEDs. Mean total score on HAM-D17 was 9.94±8.18 (men - mean total score 10.16±8.85, women - mean total score 9.81±7.84). There were no significant differences on HAM- newer AEDs, or both types AEDs) and results on HAM-D17, nor between the type of epilepsy and results on HAM-D17. We found strong negative correlation between the higher QoL and HAM-D17 (p=0.000). Conclusions: Results of this study evaluating depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy demonstrate that our patients mainly experience mild depressive symptoms, with no significant differences on HAM-D17 regarding gender and age. Patients with epilepsy with less pronounced depressive symptoms were found to have higher QoL. We did not find statistically significant differences regarding the type of epilepsy and results on HAM-D17, nor between the AEDs (older vs. newer AEDs, or both types AEDs) and results on HAM-D17

Influence of antiepileptic therapy on changes in electroencephalographic record

Antiepileptički lijekovi su lijekovi korišteni u terapiji epilepsije, bolesti koja se očituje abnormalnim neuronskim okidanjima koja rezultiraju pojavom napadaja koji se, ovisno o patofiziološkom mehanizmu nastanka, mogu manifestirati u fokalnom i generaliziranom obliku. Dugogodišnja istraživanja o promjenama moždanih ritmova, pri terapiji AEL, pokazuju da postoji dosljednost u dobivenim rezultatima pojedinih lijekova, ali isto tako i velika varijabilnost ovisna o individualnim osobitostima pacijenta. U obzir treba uzeti da na EEG osim lijeka koji se primjenjuje utječu i dob, spol, emocionalni status, budnost, krvni tlak, kava, pušenje, metabolički status, komorbiditeti, istodobna primjena drugih lijekova i dr. Upravo to može objasniti nedosljednost utjecaja na EEG pojedinih lijekova (npr. valproat). Osnovni zaključak utjecaja AEL je da utječu na suzbijanje neuronskih pražnjenja ovisno o njihovoj koncentraciji u plazmi, dovode do povećanja beta aktivnosti (klonazepam, karbamazepin) te usporavanja pozadinske aktivnosti (karbamazepin, fenitoin, gabapentin). EEG još uvijek nije moguće koristiti u praćenju terapije AEL ni za individualno kreiranje terapije zbog nedovoljne istraženosti djelovanja AEL na EEGzapis te velike varijabilnosti dobivenih rezultata. Za razliku od njega, qEEG koji u obzir uzima koncentracije lijekova, smatra se preciznijim te se smatra potencijalnom metodom korištenom za razvoj strategije liječenja epileptičkih napadaja.Antiepileptic drugs are drugs used in treatment of epilepsy, a disease manifested by abnormal neuronal triggers that result in seizures which, depending on the pathophysiological mechanism of occurrence, can manifest in focal and generalized form. Long-term research on brain rhythm changes in the treatment of AED shows that there is consistency in the results of individual drugs, but also a large variability depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. It should be taken into account that in addition to the used drug, the EEG is also affected by age, gender, emotional status, alertness, blood pressure, coffee, smoking, metabolic status, comorbidities, concomitant use of other drugs, etc. This may explain the inconsistent effect on the EEG of individual drugs (e.g. valproate). The main conclusion on the influence of AEDs is that they affect the suppression of neuronal discharges depending on their concentration in plasma. Furthermore, they lead to an increase of beta activity (clonazepam, carbamazepine) and deceleration of background activity (carbamazepine, phenytoin, gabapentin). It is still not possible to use EEG in the monitoring of AED therapy or in creating individual therapy due to insufficient research of the effect of AED on the EEG record and the large variability of the obtained results. In contrast, qEEG, which takes drug concentrations into account, is considered more accurate and is a potential method used to develop a strategy for treating epileptic seizures

Influence of antiepileptic therapy on changes in electroencephalographic record

Antiepileptički lijekovi su lijekovi korišteni u terapiji epilepsije, bolesti koja se očituje abnormalnim neuronskim okidanjima koja rezultiraju pojavom napadaja koji se, ovisno o patofiziološkom mehanizmu nastanka, mogu manifestirati u fokalnom i generaliziranom obliku. Dugogodišnja istraživanja o promjenama moždanih ritmova, pri terapiji AEL, pokazuju da postoji dosljednost u dobivenim rezultatima pojedinih lijekova, ali isto tako i velika varijabilnost ovisna o individualnim osobitostima pacijenta. U obzir treba uzeti da na EEG osim lijeka koji se primjenjuje utječu i dob, spol, emocionalni status, budnost, krvni tlak, kava, pušenje, metabolički status, komorbiditeti, istodobna primjena drugih lijekova i dr. Upravo to može objasniti nedosljednost utjecaja na EEG pojedinih lijekova (npr. valproat). Osnovni zaključak utjecaja AEL je da utječu na suzbijanje neuronskih pražnjenja ovisno o njihovoj koncentraciji u plazmi, dovode do povećanja beta aktivnosti (klonazepam, karbamazepin) te usporavanja pozadinske aktivnosti (karbamazepin, fenitoin, gabapentin). EEG još uvijek nije moguće koristiti u praćenju terapije AEL ni za individualno kreiranje terapije zbog nedovoljne istraženosti djelovanja AEL na EEGzapis te velike varijabilnosti dobivenih rezultata. Za razliku od njega, qEEG koji u obzir uzima koncentracije lijekova, smatra se preciznijim te se smatra potencijalnom metodom korištenom za razvoj strategije liječenja epileptičkih napadaja.Antiepileptic drugs are drugs used in treatment of epilepsy, a disease manifested by abnormal neuronal triggers that result in seizures which, depending on the pathophysiological mechanism of occurrence, can manifest in focal and generalized form. Long-term research on brain rhythm changes in the treatment of AED shows that there is consistency in the results of individual drugs, but also a large variability depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. It should be taken into account that in addition to the used drug, the EEG is also affected by age, gender, emotional status, alertness, blood pressure, coffee, smoking, metabolic status, comorbidities, concomitant use of other drugs, etc. This may explain the inconsistent effect on the EEG of individual drugs (e.g. valproate). The main conclusion on the influence of AEDs is that they affect the suppression of neuronal discharges depending on their concentration in plasma. Furthermore, they lead to an increase of beta activity (clonazepam, carbamazepine) and deceleration of background activity (carbamazepine, phenytoin, gabapentin). It is still not possible to use EEG in the monitoring of AED therapy or in creating individual therapy due to insufficient research of the effect of AED on the EEG record and the large variability of the obtained results. In contrast, qEEG, which takes drug concentrations into account, is considered more accurate and is a potential method used to develop a strategy for treating epileptic seizures

Storytelling as a form of encouraging pre-reading skills

Čitajući slikovnice, djeca već u ranoj dobi počinju postavljati temelje za svladavanje drugih vrlo važnih vještina, a to su čitanje, pisanje i govor. Bajke i slikovnice su najvažnije knjige u životu svakog djeteta. Čitanje i prepričavanje slikovnica i priča jedna je od omiljenijih dječjih aktivnosti. Čak i kada još uvijek ne znaju čitati odnosno ne razumiju riječi, oni okrećući stranice, gledajući ilustracije maštaju i stvaraju viziju vlastitog i čudesnog svijeta gdje se osjećaju sretno i sigurno. U radu se govori tko je pripovjedač, što on radi i zašto je važno pripovijedati, bilo da su to priče, bajke ili životni događaj. Također, može se vidjeti zašto je važno te koje su prednosti u pripovijedanju dječjih priča. Rad pokazuje da je važno stvoriti uz pripovjedne, čitačke i predčitačke vještine koje su neophodne za djetetov daljnji život. Te ih je zbog toga važno poticati i stvarati. Čitajući djeci, važno ih je uključiti u pripovijedanje pročitanog teksta jer se time obogaćuje njihov leksik. Pripovijedanje možemo poticati raznim načinima, a neki od njih su igre, opisivanje svog dana ili pripovijedanje pročitane priče. A roditelji i odgojitelji su djetetov najveći i najvažniji poticatelj.By reading picture books, children already at an early age begin to lay the foundations for mastering other very important skills, namely reading, writing and speaking. Fairy tales and picture books are the most important books in every child's life. Reading and retelling picture books and stories is one of children’s favorite activities. Even when they still can’t read or don’t understand the words, they turn the pages, looking at illustrations of fantasies and creating a vision of their own and wondrous world where they feel happy and safe. The paper talks about who the storyteller is, what he does and why it is important to tell stories, whether they are stories, fairy tales or life events. Also, one can see why it is important and what are the advantages of telling children's stories. The work shows that it is important to create storytelling, reading and pre-reading skills that are necessary for the child's further life. That is why it is important to encourage and create them. Reading to children, it is important to include them in the narration of the text read because we thus enrich their lexicon. Storytelling can be encouraged in various ways, and some of them are games, describing your day or telling a story you've read. And parents and educators are the child's biggest and most important encourager

Influence of antiepileptic therapy on changes in electroencephalographic record

Antiepileptički lijekovi su lijekovi korišteni u terapiji epilepsije, bolesti koja se očituje abnormalnim neuronskim okidanjima koja rezultiraju pojavom napadaja koji se, ovisno o patofiziološkom mehanizmu nastanka, mogu manifestirati u fokalnom i generaliziranom obliku. Dugogodišnja istraživanja o promjenama moždanih ritmova, pri terapiji AEL, pokazuju da postoji dosljednost u dobivenim rezultatima pojedinih lijekova, ali isto tako i velika varijabilnost ovisna o individualnim osobitostima pacijenta. U obzir treba uzeti da na EEG osim lijeka koji se primjenjuje utječu i dob, spol, emocionalni status, budnost, krvni tlak, kava, pušenje, metabolički status, komorbiditeti, istodobna primjena drugih lijekova i dr. Upravo to može objasniti nedosljednost utjecaja na EEG pojedinih lijekova (npr. valproat). Osnovni zaključak utjecaja AEL je da utječu na suzbijanje neuronskih pražnjenja ovisno o njihovoj koncentraciji u plazmi, dovode do povećanja beta aktivnosti (klonazepam, karbamazepin) te usporavanja pozadinske aktivnosti (karbamazepin, fenitoin, gabapentin). EEG još uvijek nije moguće koristiti u praćenju terapije AEL ni za individualno kreiranje terapije zbog nedovoljne istraženosti djelovanja AEL na EEGzapis te velike varijabilnosti dobivenih rezultata. Za razliku od njega, qEEG koji u obzir uzima koncentracije lijekova, smatra se preciznijim te se smatra potencijalnom metodom korištenom za razvoj strategije liječenja epileptičkih napadaja.Antiepileptic drugs are drugs used in treatment of epilepsy, a disease manifested by abnormal neuronal triggers that result in seizures which, depending on the pathophysiological mechanism of occurrence, can manifest in focal and generalized form. Long-term research on brain rhythm changes in the treatment of AED shows that there is consistency in the results of individual drugs, but also a large variability depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. It should be taken into account that in addition to the used drug, the EEG is also affected by age, gender, emotional status, alertness, blood pressure, coffee, smoking, metabolic status, comorbidities, concomitant use of other drugs, etc. This may explain the inconsistent effect on the EEG of individual drugs (e.g. valproate). The main conclusion on the influence of AEDs is that they affect the suppression of neuronal discharges depending on their concentration in plasma. Furthermore, they lead to an increase of beta activity (clonazepam, carbamazepine) and deceleration of background activity (carbamazepine, phenytoin, gabapentin). It is still not possible to use EEG in the monitoring of AED therapy or in creating individual therapy due to insufficient research of the effect of AED on the EEG record and the large variability of the obtained results. In contrast, qEEG, which takes drug concentrations into account, is considered more accurate and is a potential method used to develop a strategy for treating epileptic seizures

Infoveillance of the Croatian Online Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic: One-Year Longitudinal Study Using Natural Language Processing

Background: Online media play an important role in public health emergencies and serve as essential communication platforms. Infoveillance of online media during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important step toward gaining a better understanding of crisis communication. Objective: The goal of this study was to perform a longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19–related content on online media based on natural language processing. Methods: We collected a data set of news articles published by Croatian online media during the first 13 months of the pandemic. First, we tested the correlations between the number of articles and the number of new daily COVID-19 cases. Second, we analyzed the content by extracting the most frequent terms and applied the Jaccard similarity coefficient. Third, we compared the occurrence of the pandemic-related terms during the two waves of the pandemic. Finally, we applied named entity recognition to extract the most frequent entities and tracked the dynamics of changes during the observation period. Results: The results showed no significant correlation between the number of articles and the number of new daily COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, there were high overlaps in the terminology used in all articles published during the pandemic with a slight shift in the pandemic-related terms between the first and the second waves. Finally, the findings indicate that the most influential entities have lower overlaps for the identified people and higher overlaps for locations and institutions. Conclusions: Our study shows that online media have a prompt response to the pandemic with a large number of COVID-19–related articles. There was a high overlap in the frequently used terms across the first 13 months, which may indicate the narrow focus of reporting in certain periods. However, the pandemic-related terminology is well- covered

Infoveillance of the Croatian Online Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic: One-Year Longitudinal Study Using Natural Language Processing

Background: Online media play an important role in public health emergencies and serve as essential communication platforms. Infoveillance of online media during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important step toward gaining a better understanding of crisis communication. Objective: The goal of this study was to perform a longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19–related content on online media based on natural language processing. Methods: We collected a data set of news articles published by Croatian online media during the first 13 months of the pandemic. First, we tested the correlations between the number of articles and the number of new daily COVID-19 cases. Second, we analyzed the content by extracting the most frequent terms and applied the Jaccard similarity coefficient. Third, we compared the occurrence of the pandemic-related terms during the two waves of the pandemic. Finally, we applied named entity recognition to extract the most frequent entities and tracked the dynamics of changes during the observation period. Results: The results showed no significant correlation between the number of articles and the number of new daily COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, there were high overlaps in the terminology used in all articles published during the pandemic with a slight shift in the pandemic-related terms between the first and the second waves. Finally, the findings indicate that the most influential entities have lower overlaps for the identified people and higher overlaps for locations and institutions. Conclusions: Our study shows that online media have a prompt response to the pandemic with a large number of COVID-19–related articles. There was a high overlap in the frequently used terms across the first 13 months, which may indicate the narrow focus of reporting in certain periods. However, the pandemic-related terminology is well-covered

Development of the Concept of Sustainable Agro-Tourism Destinations—Exploring the Motivations of Serbian Gastro-Tourists

One of the key elements for the development of an agro-tourism destination can be specific gastronomy. In this context, research and understanding of the motivation of tourists who visit those destinations can influence the development of the concept of their sustainability, which was the goal of this research. The research was conducted during 2022 on a total sample of 607 respondents who stayed in agro-tourism destinations in the Republic of Serbia. The paper presents motivational factors that potentially influence the frequency of gastronomic tourists to try local gastronomic specialties and food in agro-tourism destinations. The results indicate that the cultural experience dimension, excitement dimension, interpersonal, relation dimension, and sensory appeal dimension show a significant influence on the visitation of agro-tourism destinations by gastronomic tourists, while the health concern dimension factor does not show statistical significance. The results undoubtedly indicate that certain socio-demographic characteristics of gastro-tourists have an impact on the development of an agro-tourism destination, in the direction that the more educated as well as women have more positive attitudes towards the influence of motivational factors on the development of an agro-tourism destination