Browsing by Author "Maric, Dragana (57196811444)"

Objective: Under conditions in which palliative care has not yet become part of clinical practice, the differences in palliative care needs between patients with cancer and other life-limiting diseases can yield knowledge that will be very valuable for future planning. The aim of our investigation was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and those with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Belgrade, Serbia. We also evaluated the influence of demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors on HRQoL for both patient groups. Method: This cross-sectional study included 100 NSCLC patients (stages IIIb and IV) and 100 patients with stage IV COPD. Measures included the SF-36 questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-C30, the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Associations of demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors with QoL were examined using linear regression analyses. Results: The COPD group scored significantly lower compared to NSCLC patients in all SF-36 domains except for bodily pain. Additionally, a significantly higher level of depressive symptoms was observed in COPD patients. A worse physical QoL for COPD patients was independently associated with a longer duration of unemployment, a lack of wage earning, lower Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores, and higher levels of depression. A worse mental QoL for COPD patients was related to a longer duration of disease, poorer KPS scores, and higher BDI scores. The independent variables significantly associated with worse physical and mental QoL of NSCLC patients were lower KPS and higher BDI scores. Significance of Results: A worse QoL, a significantly higher level of depressive symptoms, and adverse socioeconomic status in the COPD group imposes the need for development of more intensive psychosocial and community support for COPD patients during implementation of palliative care. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015.

Objective: Under conditions in which palliative care has not yet become part of clinical practice, the differences in palliative care needs between patients with cancer and other life-limiting diseases can yield knowledge that will be very valuable for future planning. The aim of our investigation was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and those with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Belgrade, Serbia. We also evaluated the influence of demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors on HRQoL for both patient groups. Method: This cross-sectional study included 100 NSCLC patients (stages IIIb and IV) and 100 patients with stage IV COPD. Measures included the SF-36 questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-C30, the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Associations of demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors with QoL were examined using linear regression analyses. Results: The COPD group scored significantly lower compared to NSCLC patients in all SF-36 domains except for bodily pain. Additionally, a significantly higher level of depressive symptoms was observed in COPD patients. A worse physical QoL for COPD patients was independently associated with a longer duration of unemployment, a lack of wage earning, lower Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores, and higher levels of depression. A worse mental QoL for COPD patients was related to a longer duration of disease, poorer KPS scores, and higher BDI scores. The independent variables significantly associated with worse physical and mental QoL of NSCLC patients were lower KPS and higher BDI scores. Significance of Results: A worse QoL, a significantly higher level of depressive symptoms, and adverse socioeconomic status in the COPD group imposes the need for development of more intensive psychosocial and community support for COPD patients during implementation of palliative care. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015.

Background and Objectives: Death is an unavoidable experience in any person’s life and affects not only the dying person but also their caregivers. The dying process has been displaced from homes to health care facilities in the majority of cases. Facing death and dying has become an everyday life of health care professionals (HCP), especially in palliative care (PC) settings. This study aimed to investigate the death attitudes among HCPs in Serbia. Materials and Methods: The Serbian version of the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-RSp) was used as a measurement instrument. Results: The average age of the 180 included participants was 42.2 ± 9.9 years; the majority were females (70.0%), with more than 10 years of working experience (73.0%), physicians (70.0%) and those working in a non-oncological (non-ONC) field (57.78%). The mean total score of DAP-RSp was 124.80 ± 22.44. The highest mean score was observed in the neutral acceptance dimension (NA) (5.82 ± 0.90) and lowest in the Escape acceptance (EA) (2.57 ± 1.21). Higher negative death attitudes were reported among nurses compared to physicians (p = 0.002). Statistically significant differences were observed in the fear of death (FD) and death avoidance (DA) domains, favoring PC specialists and oncologists (p = 0.004; p = 0.015). Physicians working in Oncology (ONC) showed lower FD values (p = 0.001) compared to non-ONC departments. Conclusions: Attitudes toward death among HCPs are of great importance for the well-being of both HCPs and patients. Negative attitudes can lead to deficient care. The fear of death is highly represented among Serbian HCPs working in non-ONC fields, including both nurses and physicians. This study emphasizes the need for further research to comprehensively explore and understand HCPs’ attitudes toward death. This research highlights the need for the development of an educational curriculum across all levels of medical education, aimed at overcoming the fear of death and enhancing coping strategies, which will improve the care for patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses. © 2024 by the authors.

This paper presents a rare case of an elderly patient treated with erlotinib for disseminated lung adenocarcinoma with poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status [PS]3). This treatment led to a long duration of complete remission according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 – almost 7 years (81 months) of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 10 years by March 2017. The treatment with erlotinib started in September 2008 and it was well tolerated with no adverse effects. Mutation analyses (real-time polymerase chain reaction method) revealed deletion of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene and wild-type Kirsten-ras protein gene in exon 19. In May 2015, the patient relapsed with jaundice and enlarged lymph nodes of the liver hilum, with no other metastasis, PS 2. Biopsy confirmed metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma. EGFR molecular testing did not reveal T790M mutation. Treatment was continued with gemcitabine–cisplatin chemotherapy. A total of six cycles were administered with nearly complete response and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0. Further on, gemcitabine monotherapy has been administered with nearly complete response maintained and OS of 10 years by March 2017. This report describes an extremely rare case of a poor performance patient with advanced metastatic adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR mutation – deletion in exon 19 – who was receiving salvage erlotinib and had a complete response with 81 months of PFS followed by a relapse and subsequent chemotherapy which led to nearly complete response, with an OS of 10 years by March 2017. Such a complete response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in a poor PS patient, with long PFS and OS achieved, justifies tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment approach in poor PS patients with EGFR-sensitizing tumors, and furthermore points to the feasibility of administering chemotherapy at the time of relapse. © 2017 Jovanovic et al.

Background: The aim of our study was to investigate serum chitotriosidase level in tuberculosis patients, its relationship with microbiological and clinical parameters, and response to treatment. Materials and methods: This longitudinal panel study included 149 patients with confirmed TB disease. Serum chitotriosidase activity was measured at the beginning and the end of treatment. Factors associated with chitotriosidase activity were explored using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Out of 149 study participants, 71(47.7%) were female. The mean age was 53.0 (SD = 18.2). Majority of cases were new 118(79.2), predominantly 145 (97.3%) having pulmonary tuberculosis. More than half of the patients were sputum smear positive 91 (61.1%) while culture positive in 146 (98%) of them. According to radiological findings, cavitary lesions were found in 92 (63.4%) patients. Anti TB treatment was associated with significant decrease in serum chitotriosidase level (< 0.001). New TB treatment (OR = 4.41%;95% CI = 1.20–9.89), and cavitary lesions (OR = 3.86;95%CI = 0,59-26.57) were found to be significantly associated with decrease of chitotriosidase activity. Conclusions: The results of our study showed that serum chitotriosidase values are strong biomarkers for starting anti TB treatment and for treatment monitoring, since decrease in serum chitotriosidase level can predict favorable treatment response in patients with tuberculosis. Further studies are needed to explore these, and other factors associated with chitotriosidase activity among tuberculosis patients. © The Author(s) 2024.

The Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R), one of the most widely used scales for assessing death attitudes is a multidimensional questionnaire capable of measuring a wide range of attitudes towards death. The aim of our study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Serbian version of the DAP-R. The study was conducted in October 2022 and included a total of 547 students of the Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade (FMUB). Based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient values, our data show good reliability of the DAP-RSp (Serbian version). In our study, the confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the data to the original factor structure with minor discrepancy; compared to the original version (five factors), our analysis yielded one more factor (six factors in total), however, almost all items had factor loading >0.3 on the appropriate scale. © The Author(s) 2023.

The Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R), one of the most widely used scales for assessing death attitudes is a multidimensional questionnaire capable of measuring a wide range of attitudes towards death. The aim of our study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Serbian version of the DAP-R. The study was conducted in October 2022 and included a total of 547 students of the Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade (FMUB). Based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient values, our data show good reliability of the DAP-RSp (Serbian version). In our study, the confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the data to the original factor structure with minor discrepancy; compared to the original version (five factors), our analysis yielded one more factor (six factors in total), however, almost all items had factor loading >0.3 on the appropriate scale. © The Author(s) 2023.

Introduction: Despite the prevalence and importance of anxiety and depressive symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, procedures for routine screening in therapeutic protocols are not commonly used. Objective: to assess the symptoms of anxiety and depression in COPD patients and to evaluate their relation to patients' demographic parameters and clinical characteristics. Methods: The research included 40 COPD patients, treated at the Institute of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Clinical Centre Serbia in Belgrade, from November 2010 to February 2011. Study data were assessed by the questionnaire designed for the purposes of the present study together with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Results: Mean HARS score was 10.7 (SD=6.5) (22.5% subjects scored≤17) and mean HDRS score was 10.7 (SD=8.2) (20.0% subjects scored ≤17). Depression was significantly higher in women (Z=-1.971: p=0.049). Lower value of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) correlated with higher HDRS score (ρ=-0.321; p=0.042). The incidence of anxiety and depression symptoms is higher in patients with more hospitalizations and longer hospital stay. Conclusion: The prevalence and importance of anxiety and depressive symptoms in COPD patients require implementation of a specific questionnaire as the procedure for routine screening in order to detect affective symptoms early and to prevent the progression.

Background: Inflammation, oxidative stress and an imbalance between proteases and protease inhibitors are recognized pathophysiological features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in patients with COPD and to assess their relationship with lung function, symptom severity scores and recent acute exacerbations. Methods: In this observational cohort study, serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in the peripheral blood of COPD patients with stable disease and healthy controls were determined, and their association with lung function (postbronchodilator spirometry, body plethysmography, single breath diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide), symptom severity scores (mMRC and CAT) and exacerbation history were assessed. Results: COPD patients (n = 98) had significantly higher levels of serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and a higher MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio than healthy controls (n = 47) (p ≤ 0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for MMP-9, TIMP-1 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio for COPD diagnosis were 0.974, 0.961 and 0.910, respectively (all p < 0.05). MMP-9 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were both negatively correlated with FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, VC, and IC (all p < 0.05). For MMP-9, a positive correlation was found with RV/TLC% (p = 0.005), and a positive correlation was found for the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio with RV% and RV/TLC% (p = 0.013 and 0.002, respectively). Patients with COPD GOLD 3 and 4 presented greater MMP-9 levels and a greater MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio compared to GOLD 1 and 2 patients (p ≤ 0.001). No correlation between diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and number of acute exacerbations in the previous year was found. Conclusions: COPD patients have elevated serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. COPD patients have an imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in favor of a pro-proteolytic environment, which overall indicates the importance of the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio as a potential biomarker for COPD diagnosis and severity. © 2023, The Author(s).