Browsing by Author "Pejin, Vedrana (57215507705)"

Introduction/Objective The aim of this study was to report visual, refractive, and tomographic outcomes of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in pediatric keratoconus. Methods This retrospective study included 17 eyes of 12 patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent epithelium-off CXL at the age ≤ 18 years. Following data were analyzed at baseline and postoperatively at one, three, six, nine, 12 months for all the patients, and annually where available: uncorrected distant visual acuity (UDVA) and best spectacle-corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA), refraction and corneal tomography. Results Mean UDVA improved significantly from 0.52 ± 0.38 at baseline to 0.24 ± 0.29 logarithm of minimum angle resolution (log MAR) at one year (p = 0.011) and remained stable at two-year follow-up (0.21 ± 0.34 log MAR). Mean CDVA was 0.15 ± 0.21 at baseline and 0.06 ± 0.13 log MAR at one year (p = 0.248). Maximum keratometry showed a significant flattening of 1.30 ± 1.99 D (p = 0.011) after a year and remained stable two years after CXL. Minimum keratometry significantly decreased with a mean change of 1.34 ± 1.37 (p = 0.001). Mean reduction of corneal thickness after CXL was 55.35 ± 64.42 µm (P=0.003). After a year, seven (42%) eyes showed Kmax regression, nine (53%) stabilization, and one (5%) progression. Conclusion In our study CXL effectively prevented progression of keratoconus in 95% of pediatric patients after a year, while improving UDVA and keratometry values. One patient with eye rubbing behavior showed signs of keratoconus progression after CXL treatment. © 2020, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Introduction/Objective Dry eye is a multifactorial disease with incidence up to 50% in the general population. It is characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film and accompanied by ocular symptoms. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire is designed to provide a rapid assessment of the symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of OSDI. Methods A prospective, randomized and observational study was conducted at the Clinic for Eye Disease, University Clinical Center of Serbia, between December 2018 and February 2019. The OSDI questionnaire was used to rate the severity of dry eye disease. Schirmer I test, tear break-up time test (TBUT), Rose Bengal test and lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF) test were performed as a clinical proof of the symptoms. Results A total of 27 patients, 15 male (55.4%) and 12 female (44.6%), with mean age of 60 ± 15 years were included in the study. The average value of OSDI score was 26.37 ± 23.98 (0–80). Schirmer I test and Rose Bengal test for the right and the left eye, as well as the TBUT test for the left eye were positively correlated with OSDI score (Spearman correlation coefficient). Conclusion OSDI questionnaire is a fast, reliable, and inexpensive test. In our study we have found a correlation between the OSDI score and other clinical tests, except with LIPCOF test. At this moment, the questionnaire that could be the gold standard for dry eye disease diagnosis does not exist, therefore further studies concerning this topic are needed. © 2022, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related progressive, generalized skeletal muscle disorder involving the accelerated loss of muscle function and muscle mass. The aim of this study was to assess the complex relationship between sarcopenia, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, physical activity, and depression in the elderly, with the potential role of quality of life as a mediator in these associations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample (n = 298) of elderly patients admitted to Special Hospital for Rehabilitation “Termal”, Vrdnik, Serbia. Sarcopenia, the risk for malnutrition, cognitive impairment, physical activity, quality of life, and depressive symptoms were measured by standardized instruments. Additional data included sociodemographic characteristics. Simultaneous assessment of the direct and indirect relationships of all determinants was performed by path analysis. Results: A total of 40% (n = 120) of the elderly were diagnosed with sarcopenia, and 42.6% had depression symptoms. The risk of malnutrition was present in 23.5%, cognitive impairment in 5.4%, and a low level of physical activity was reported in 26.2% of elderly participants. The mean reported quality of life measured by Sarcopenia and Quality of Life Questionnaire was 60 (on the scale ranging from 0 to 100; where a higher score reflects a higher quality of life). The best-fitted model (χ2/DF = 1.885, NFI = 0.987, CFI = 0.993, GFI = 0.997, RMSEA = 0.055) highlighted the mediating effect of quality of life between sarcopenia, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, lower level of physical activities and depression. According to the model, quality of life was a direct negative predictor of depressive symptoms in the elderly, while malnutrition positively affected depression. Conclusions: The presented path model may assist rehabilitation centers in developing strategies to screen for sarcopenia and risk of malnutrition, and promote physical activity in elderly, aiming to prevent their negative effects on mental health. For the elderly currently affected by sarcopenia, we consider regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, which, in view of their etiology, could be a potential therapeutic strategy for sarcopenia. © 2023 by the authors.

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related progressive, generalized skeletal muscle disorder involving the accelerated loss of muscle function and muscle mass. The aim of this study was to assess the complex relationship between sarcopenia, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, physical activity, and depression in the elderly, with the potential role of quality of life as a mediator in these associations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample (n = 298) of elderly patients admitted to Special Hospital for Rehabilitation “Termal”, Vrdnik, Serbia. Sarcopenia, the risk for malnutrition, cognitive impairment, physical activity, quality of life, and depressive symptoms were measured by standardized instruments. Additional data included sociodemographic characteristics. Simultaneous assessment of the direct and indirect relationships of all determinants was performed by path analysis. Results: A total of 40% (n = 120) of the elderly were diagnosed with sarcopenia, and 42.6% had depression symptoms. The risk of malnutrition was present in 23.5%, cognitive impairment in 5.4%, and a low level of physical activity was reported in 26.2% of elderly participants. The mean reported quality of life measured by Sarcopenia and Quality of Life Questionnaire was 60 (on the scale ranging from 0 to 100; where a higher score reflects a higher quality of life). The best-fitted model (χ2/DF = 1.885, NFI = 0.987, CFI = 0.993, GFI = 0.997, RMSEA = 0.055) highlighted the mediating effect of quality of life between sarcopenia, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, lower level of physical activities and depression. According to the model, quality of life was a direct negative predictor of depressive symptoms in the elderly, while malnutrition positively affected depression. Conclusions: The presented path model may assist rehabilitation centers in developing strategies to screen for sarcopenia and risk of malnutrition, and promote physical activity in elderly, aiming to prevent their negative effects on mental health. For the elderly currently affected by sarcopenia, we consider regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, which, in view of their etiology, could be a potential therapeutic strategy for sarcopenia. © 2023 by the authors.