Browsing by Author "Relić, Nenad (57209459323)"

Background and Objectives: Many epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between black carbon (BC) and the exacerbation of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. However, none of the studies in Serbia examined this relationship yet. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between BC and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma in the Užice region of Serbia. Materials and Methods: A time-stratified case-crossover design was applied to 523 ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation that occurred in the Užice region of Serbia between 2012–2014. Data regarding ED visits were routinely collected in the Health Center of Užice. The daily average concentrations of BC were measured by automatic ambient air quality monitoring stations. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for the potential confounding influence of weather variables (temperature, humidity, and air pressure). Results: Statistically significant associations were observed between ED visits for allergic rhinitis and 2-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.20; CI = 1.00–10.18; p = 0.049) and allergic asthma and 3-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.23; CI = 1.05–9.95; p = 0.041). Conclusion: Exposure to BC in the Užice region increases the risk of ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma, particularly during the heating season. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Introduction. Intracranial complications of otitis media still occur, despite great progress in the treatment of all forms of inflammation. These are serious conditions which are still life-threatening and require a fast and accurate diagnosis and an adequate treatment. We present an illustrative case of an acute, foudroyant, pneumococcal, suppurative otitis media with infection spreading into endocranium and development of meningoencephalitis and otic hydrocephalus. Case report. A 6-year-old girl was admitted to the University Children's Clinic in Belgrade, Serbia, because of fever, headache, vomiting and disorder of consciousness. Computed tomography scan of the endocranium and temporal bone revealed brain edema and hypodense content in the left mastoid and tympanic cavity. The diagnosis of acute otitis media with meningoencephalitis was made and we started with intensive antibiotic treatment. Lumbar puncture and hemoculture confirmed a pneumococcal infection. Otosurgical treatment was conducted, too, due to an inadequate reaction to the conservative treatment. Firstly, left mastoidectomy with the implantation of a ventilation tube was performed, followed by a radical tympanomastoidectomy, because there was no improvement. Three weeks after the second operation, a magnetic resonance imaging of the endocranium was performed and an otic hydrocephalus was diagnosed. A neurosurgical operation was performed on the same day with the setting of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Conclusion. Intracranial complications of acute otitis media in children are extremely rare and they require a multidisciplinary treatment. Surgical treatment of the ear should not be postponed and the choice of the type of otosurgical intervention should be individually adapted. Audiological and neurological complications of the disease are frequent and they further prolong and impair the treatment. © 2021 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Background: Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that air pollution plays a significant role in the exacerbation of allergic respiratory diseases. This study aimed to assess the potential relationship between daily levels of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic diseases. Materials and Methods: Data regarding ED visits for allergic respiratory diseases were routinely collected from the EDs in the Zlatibor district, and the General Hospital, Užice. The daily average concentrations of SO 2 were obtained from the regional automatic air quality monitoring stations. All data were collected from June 2012 to July 2014. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and ORs adjusted for weather conditions were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Results: Statistically significant associations were seen between 0-day lagged exposure to SO 2 and ED visits for all allergic diseases (OR = 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-2.48; P = 0.028) and between 2-day lagged exposure to SO 2 and ED visits for asthma with allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.03-3.88; P = 0.042). These results were adjusted for temperature, temperature 2, and humidity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that short-term exposure to SO 2 conferred an increased risk of ED visits for allergic respiratory diseases, particularly for asthma with concomitant allergic rhinitis. © 2022 Royal Society of Chemistry. All rights reserved.