Elitsa Hadzhieva, M. Boyadzhieva, V. Iotova, S. Galcheva, K. Tsochev, Tatiana Chalykova, Y. Yotov, B. Balev, Y. Bocheva, N. Usheva, R. Pancheva
{"title":"Mortality in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes","authors":"Elitsa Hadzhieva, M. Boyadzhieva, V. Iotova, S. Galcheva, K. Tsochev, Tatiana Chalykova, Y. Yotov, B. Balev, Y. Bocheva, N. Usheva, R. Pancheva","doi":"10.14748/SSM.V51I1.5913","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/SSM.V51I1.5913","url":null,"abstract":"It is well-recognized that diabetes-related complications are the leading cause of the still increased morbidity and mortality from diabetes and exert a heavy economic burden on society. The discovery of insulin led to a dramatic change in life expectancy of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Furthermore, it caused a major shift in the distribution of causes of death - from diabetic coma in the pre-insulin era, to long-term complications being the predominant causes of death nowadays. The aim of the present review is to assess the trends in the absolute and the relative mortality rates as well as the leading causes of death among patients with childhood-onset (< 18 years) T1D in populations from different latitudes. It is also observed how disease duration, age at diagnosis, and year of diagnosis affect these mortality trends. Eight population-based studies published in English in the last 14 years, as well as another one, published in 2001, with different duration of follow-up, are included in the review. However, it is hard to compare different populations due to the dissimilarities in the study methods and the characteristics of the examined cohorts.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"63 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76217720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Which rating system is better – qSOFA or SIRS?","authors":"P. Peneva, S. Nikolova, Y. Bocheva","doi":"10.14748/ssm.v51i3.6407","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/ssm.v51i3.6407","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction The definitions of sepsis and septic shock were redefined in 2016. This study compares the performance of qSOFA with that of SIRS criteria for the diagnosis of sepsis and prediction of 30-day mortality. Aim The aim of this article is to assess the severity of the infection of patients using SIRS and qSOFA scales and to compare their specificity and predictive value. Materials and Methods A prospective, non-interventional single-center clinical trial was conducted at St. Marina University Hospital in Varna. The sample included 87 patients with sepsis and septic shock. The criteria for inclusion in the study were laboratory constellation for systemic exposure; over 18 years of age; with or without co-morbidities; no malignancies. Pregnancy, neoplasia and the age of under 18 were the criteria for exclusion. Logistic regression was used to test the predictability of both scales. ROC curve analysis determined the sensitivity and specificity of SIRS and qSOFA. Results Our analysis showed that both SIRS and qSOFA are significant predictors of mortality of septic patients. The SIRS scale had a 2.050-fold probability of predicting the death of the patient (p = 0.004, 95% CI 1.255 - 3.349), whereas the qSOFA score was 2.581 times more likely to predict mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock (p = 0.0001, 95% CI 1.557 - 4.279). Cut-off values for SIRS higher than 2.5 points showed 91% sensitivity and 60% specificity - (AUC 0.80, 95% CI - 0.712 - 0.907), whereas qSOFA scores greater than 1.5 points indicated sensitivity of 82.2% and specificity of 70.3% (AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0 0.770 - 0.934). Conclusion SIRS and qSOFA criteria for early detection of sepsis are useful clinical tools for mortality reduction and predictability.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"116 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86213180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A combination of pathologies - facet joint synovial cyst, epidural lipomatosis and conjoined nerve root anomaly in the lumbar spine of a 45-year-old patient. A case report","authors":"Elena Harizanova, Y. Enchev, B. Iliev","doi":"10.14748/SSM.V51I3.5883","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/SSM.V51I3.5883","url":null,"abstract":"Facet joint synovial cysts are abnormal fluid-filled cystic formations that develop from a degenerative process of the facet joints. Spinal epidural lipomatosis is a process of excessive accumulation of fat in the epidural space. Conjoined nerve root (CNR) anomaly refers to an anatomical variation in which two adjacent nerve roots share a common dural sleeve. The aforementioned three rare pathologies cause the same pathological process of stenosis, therefore compressing the nervous structures. A 45-year-old female patient was admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery with severe low back and radicular pain, and numbness along her left leg. Antalgic posture, painful paravertebral muscle tenderness, L4 radiculopathy, and L5 and S1 dermatome hypoesthesia on the left as well as positive straight leg raising sign (Laseque) were present upon examination. CT and MRI scanning showed stenosis on L4-L5 level caused by bilateral synovial cyst formation. Microsurgical decompression by foraminotomy at L4-L5 level on the left with dissection of the synovial cyst and epidural lipomatosis was performed. In the course of the operation CNR anomaly was discovered. The complete decompression alleviated the symptoms and after 3 uneventful postoperative days the patient was discharged. Spinal stenosis causing compression upon nervous structures is a process that could be caused by a number of conditions. The incidence of rare pathologies and anomalies or even the more rarely occurring combination of them must be considered on daily basis in the clinical practice in order to make the correct diagnosis and plan the best possible treatment for the patient.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78638383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Todorov, Y. Bocheva, M. Gospodinova, G. Popcheva, Y. Yordanov
{"title":"Changes in the sera levels of amyloid A protein in the course of influenza, chickenpox and infectious mononucleosis","authors":"I. Todorov, Y. Bocheva, M. Gospodinova, G. Popcheva, Y. Yordanov","doi":"10.14748/SSM.V51I1.6035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/SSM.V51I1.6035","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Until now, there has been no routinely measured laboratory marker, which indicates acute inflammation from viral origin. According to some authors, the serum amyloid A (SAA) protein is of great importance in such circumstances. Aim: The aim of this article is to establish the clinical significance of SAA as a potential laboratory marker for viral infections. Materials and Methods: Sera samples from 93 subjects with different viral infections, including influenza (n=31), infectious mononucleosis (n=31), and chickenpox (n=31) were analyzed. Levels of SAA were prospectively measured by immunoturbidimetry, adapted on Olympus AU 400. Thirty healthy subjects were included in the control group. Results: In comparison with the control group, the levels of SAA were significantly higher, reaching a mean concentration of up to 180.80±199.87 mg/L. During convalescence, the levels decreased dramatically achieving a level of up to 31.29±83.42 mg/L. The highest concentrations were registered in the cases with different complications, such as secondary bacterial infections. In comparison with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocytes, SAA levels were statistically significant for minor inflammatory stimuli, such as viral infections are. Conclusion: SAA increases significantly in the course of different viral infections, such as influenza, infectious mononucleosis, and chickenpox. Early normalization of its levels correlates with full recovery, lack of complications and auspicious prognosis of the disease.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83565338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Study on risk of exposure of seafood consumers in Bulgaria to hydrophilic marine toxins","authors":"M. Stancheva, Z. Peteva, B. Krock","doi":"10.14748/SSM.V51I1.5864","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/SSM.V51I1.5864","url":null,"abstract":"Marine biotoxins can be accumulated in shellfish and in turn can lead to severe illness or chronical consequences in human shellfish consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of hydrophilic marine biotoxins in both farmed and wild mussels from the Bulgarian coast sampled in 2017 and to estimate the exposure (acute and chronic) of detected toxins to Bulgarian consumers if investigated mussels were consumed. The hydrophilic toxin - domoic acid was determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Mean domoic acid in whole mussel meat was estimated 0.139 mg/kg which is below the regulatory limit of 20 mg/kg. Among all paralytic shellfish (PSP) toxins evaluated only gonyautoxin-2 (GTX2) was detected via high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD). Mean GTX2 level in whole mussel meat was calculated to be 0.151 mg STX.2HCl eq/kg which is far beneath the legislative limit of 800 mg STX.2HCl eq/kg. Estimation of acute exposure for both detected toxins - domoic acid and GTX2 and of chronic exposure to domoic acid showed similar results among male and female, as well as among wild and cultivated mussel consumers. This study showed an overall low contamination level of wild and farmed mussels with hydrophilic marine biotoxins compared to the regulatory limits. This is concluding in low acute and chronic exposure via consumption of contaminated mussels.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86973451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gulnur Ozturk, O. Demirel, A. Tekataş, Canan Çelebi, B. Avci, E. Gurel, Meral Yūksel, L. Ozturk
{"title":"Circulating irisin levels in newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea patients","authors":"Gulnur Ozturk, O. Demirel, A. Tekataş, Canan Çelebi, B. Avci, E. Gurel, Meral Yūksel, L. Ozturk","doi":"10.14748/ssm.v51i1.5908","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/ssm.v51i1.5908","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is commonly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Irisin is a newly identified myokine and its serum concentration was found to be correlated with cardiac troponin and creatin kinase-MB in acute myocardial infarction patients. Furthermore, irisin levels were positively associated with endothelium-dependent vasodilation in type 2 diabetic patients. Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate serum irisin level in the newly diagnosed OSAS patients. Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethical approval, 32 OSAS patients were included. All patients gave written informed consent. Diagnosis of OSAS was verified by an overnight polysomnography (PSG) and made by an apnea hypopnea index equal to or higher than 5 . Venous blood samples were collected in the morning between 08.00 – 10.00 after PSG (n=25) or after one-night CPAP treatment (n=7). Serum irisin concentrations were studied by ELISA. Results and Conclusion: Serum irisin concentrations were significantly higher in newly diagnosed OSAS group than in OSAS group after one night of CPAP treatment ( 199.7±42.4 vs 159.7±18.3 ng/mL respectively; p<0.01). These results suggest that increased serum irisin levels can be reduced by CPAP treatment and elevated serum irisin levels may be due to increased respiratory muscle activity and body temperature .","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"86 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85206765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Anthropometric and acoustic pharyngometric parameters in sleep-disordered breathing due to structural pharyngeal alterations","authors":"G. Shivarov","doi":"10.14748/ssm.v51i3.6487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/ssm.v51i3.6487","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION : Sleep-disordered breathing is a medico-social problem of rising importance worldwide. There are various clinical forms of sleep apnea such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea as well as snoring. Recently, there have been considerable advances in the diagnosis of OSA and snoring. А IМ : This study aimed at applying the method of acoustic pharyngometry for the diagnosis of pharyngeal alterations in subjects with sleep-disordered breathing within a preventive otorhinolaryngological programme in the city of Varna for the first time in Bulgaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Between January 1, 2016 and August 31, 2019, screening for sleep-disordered breathing was performed among 100 subjects, 62 males at a mean age of 48.82±11.45 years and 38 females at a mean age of 52.42±16.54 years in the Division of Otorhinolaryngology, St. Anna Hospital of Varna. Clinical inspections, anterior rhinoscopy, pharyngoscopy, indirect laryngoscopy, acoustic rhinometry, as well as acoustic pharyngometry by means of Eccovision ® acoustic pharyngometer were used. The t -test for independent variables and the correlation analysis were applied for statistical data processing. RESULTS : The acoustic pharyngometry identified several pharyngeal alterations. There were statistically significant changes of the anthropometric parameters (body mass index, neck circumference and adjusted neck circumference) and pharyngometric ones (pharyngeal cavity and vocal tract lengths and volumes) between males and females. There were statistically significant positive and negative correlations between the values of these parameters. CONCLUSION : Within the complex otorhinolaryngological examination of the pharyngeal structure and function in the subjects suspected for sleep-disordered breathing, acoustic pharyngometry could play an irreplaceable role as a cost-effective tool.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90553574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lycopenemia in a patient with thalassemia minor","authors":"V. Raykova","doi":"10.14748/SSM.V51I1.5798","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/SSM.V51I1.5798","url":null,"abstract":"An 18-year-old girl presented with yellowish discoloration of her palms that had appeared several days earlier. The rest of her skin, mucous membranes and sclera were with normal color. She denied history of anorexia, jaundice, pruritus, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or change in the color of her urine or stool or any other symptom. She reported the presence of thalassemia minor and increased beet consumption (0.5 kg/day) in the last one and a half month. After conducting the necessary research tests anorexia, hypothyroidism, renal failure and diabetes mellitus were ruled out. The discoloration was diagnosed as lycopenemia. Simple changes in diet brought complete resolution of the symptoms.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81047810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hemostasis in erysipelas – modern concepts","authors":"T. Kalinova, Yoanna Velevska, S. Márina","doi":"10.14748/SSM.V51I3.6073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/SSM.V51I3.6073","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction : Erysipelas is a common, ubiquitous bacterial infection of the skin mainly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes - group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The current epidemiology of the disease demonstrates an upward trend in cases with primary and recurrent erysipelas, a change in the site of predilection – from face to lower limbs, and an increase of severe cases with a hemorrhagic or bullous-hemorrhagic component. To date, the alterations in hemostasis due to streptococcal bacterial infection are still not well defined. Despite the advanced treatment of erysipelas, in approximately 10% of patients with hemorrhagic and bullous-hemorrhagic erysipelas, a skin necrosis has occurred. The combination of severe types of erysipelas with local and general predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic vessel insufficiency results in recurrences and complications with high percentage of disability. In addition, streptococcal infections may have fulminant progression as for every 1 hour delay of adequate treatment, the percent of mortality increases with 7.5%. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to establish the current concepts and observations of hemostatic changes in erysipelas. Materials and Methods : Literature referred in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus has been studied. Results : The hemostasis changes in erysipelas are not well researched. The available literature is insufficient as the studies are based on a small number of patients, which prevents any significant conclusions. Conclusion : The increasing incidence of patients with severe form of erysipelas stresses the need to intensify the study of hemostasis in erysipelas. Knowing the mechanisms of coagulation changes might help to predict and prevent severe, irreversible complications.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83056834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quality of life and regular diet in patients with chronic kidney disease","authors":"S. Staykova, P. Petrov, Lili Grudeva","doi":"10.14748/SSM.V51I3.6213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14748/SSM.V51I3.6213","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction : Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a reduced rate of glomerular filtration (GF), under 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and/or laboratory data, and/or image data for kidney damage, present for more than 3 months. According to recent data, nearly 8.7% of the world population suffer from CKD with different etiology. CKD is a progressive health condition that can result in an end stage renal disease (ESRD). Materials and Methods : The quality of life (QoL) of these patients is of utmost importance and is related to their functional activity, well-being and overall perception of their health in a physical, psychological and social aspect. A direct link between QoL, morbidity rate and death rate exists. It has been established that patients with CKD have a significantly lower QoL compared to healthy people, which becomes clearer during the more advanced stages of the disease. Physical activity decreases progressively with the progression of kidney disease. Results : Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory risk factors have been established in the population of dialysis patients, which definitely leads to a change in QoL. Malnutrition, which is observed in patients with CKD, can also contribute to a decline in their quality of life. Its occurrence results from a reduced food intake, increased protein consumption and altered endocrine function of the kidneys. Oral intake of nutrients raises the chances of treating protein-energy wasting (PEW) in patients with ESRD. Conclusion : Conducting dietary consultations, as well as preparing individual diets to meet a patient’s specific needs, will increase their quality of life.","PeriodicalId":21710,"journal":{"name":"Scripta Scientifica Medica","volume":"104 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74491950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}