Browsing by Author "Jurisic-Skevin, Aleksandra (37072707300)"

This follow-up study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf) and common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the initial assessment, 34 female rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 sex- and age-matched controls were included. The relationship among vWf serum levels, cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammation was initially assessed. The effects of these variables on carotid IMT were evaluated 5 years later. There were no significant differences between the RA patients and the controls in terms of IMT at the first evaluation. Five years later, the carotid IMT increased more significantly in RA patients if compared to controls (p<0.001). The progression of carotid IMT significantly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.368, p=0.032) and Creactive protein (r=0.506, p=0.002). The progression of carotid IMT did not significantly correlate with vWf serum levels in the RA patients, although, at initial and repeated measurements, it showed statistically higher values of vWF in the RA patients compared to the control group (p<0.01). The RA patients displayed accelerated development of atherosclerosis, as indicated by the increased IMT of carotid artery. Increased serum levels of vWF may suggest its potential role in cardiovascular risk prediction in RA patients. © Clinical Rheumatology 2012.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of postacute rehabilitation duration on the outcome of the functional recovery and patients’ quality of life after the stroke. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients (52 females, 48 males, mean age: 66.5 ± 7.3; range 53 to 79 years) who experienced a stroke (50 with ischemic stroke (IS) and 50 with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)) took part in the study. Patients (treated with postacute rehabilitation measures for six months) were examined after one, three, and six months of postacute rehabilitation. Functional independence was measured using the functional independence measure (FIM) test, while the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. Results: Patients with ICH had a slightly lower FIM score (FIM motor = 29.8 ± 11.8; FIM cognitive = 14.4 ± 4.6) on admission compared to patients with IS (FIM motor = 41.8 ± 18.8; FIM cognitive = 18.7 ± 6.3), but, after six months of postacute rehabilitation, patients with ICH reached an approximate level of functional independence (FIM motor = 53.8 ± 14.4; FIM cognitive = 25.8 ± 4.7), as did patients with IS (FIM motor = 67.6 ± 16.4; FIM cognitive = 29.2 ± 4.0). The motor and cognitive FIM, as well as quality of life, was statistically significantly increased at all four measurement points (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there is a statistically significant connection between functional independence and quality of life at all tested times. Conclusion: Patients achieved the highest degree of functional independence after six months. Furthermore, our findings point out that inpatient rehabilitation as well as outpatient rehabilitation are effective in functionality and quality of life improvement after a stroke; thus, both should be emphasized and regularly implemented. © 2022 by the authors.