Browsing by Author "Vujasinovic-Stupar, Nada (24831218300)"

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent inflammatory rheumatic diseases. As it is a chronic and a lifelong destructive disease, the aim of the treatment is to reduce disability and improve quality of life. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome measure, specific to RA. To adapt and validate the RAQoL for use in Serbia, two translation panels were involved to produce the Serbian RAQoL. After successful translation, face and content validity was determined via cognitive debriefing interviews. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were examined, including reliability and construct validity, by using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) as a comparator scale. The RAQoL was translated successfully and rated as applicable, relevant and comprehensive by respondents. The questionnaire had high internal consistency (alpha = 0.94 at both time points) and test–retest reliability (r = 0.92). Moderately high correlations were found between the RAQoL and physical mobility, pain and energy level sections of the NHP, providing evidence of convergent validity. The RAQoL was able to distinguish between patients grouped by perceived general health, incidence of flare-up and disease severity. The Serbian language version of the RAQoL showed strong evidence of reliability and validity and is recommended for use in clinical trials and routine general practice in RA. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent inflammatory rheumatic diseases. As it is a chronic and a lifelong destructive disease, the aim of the treatment is to reduce disability and improve quality of life. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome measure, specific to RA. To adapt and validate the RAQoL for use in Serbia, two translation panels were involved to produce the Serbian RAQoL. After successful translation, face and content validity was determined via cognitive debriefing interviews. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were examined, including reliability and construct validity, by using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) as a comparator scale. The RAQoL was translated successfully and rated as applicable, relevant and comprehensive by respondents. The questionnaire had high internal consistency (alpha = 0.94 at both time points) and test–retest reliability (r = 0.92). Moderately high correlations were found between the RAQoL and physical mobility, pain and energy level sections of the NHP, providing evidence of convergent validity. The RAQoL was able to distinguish between patients grouped by perceived general health, incidence of flare-up and disease severity. The Serbian language version of the RAQoL showed strong evidence of reliability and validity and is recommended for use in clinical trials and routine general practice in RA. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

The aim of this study was to investigate factors related to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Belgrade. A case-control study was conducted during 2006-2007. The study group consisted of 100 newly diagnosed osteoporosis patients and 100 age-matched controls (±2 years). The inclusion criteria for the case group were newly diagnosed osteoporosis confirmed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine and being menopausal (at least 2 years of amenorrhea). The inclusion criteria for the control group were postmenopausal women with confirmed normal bone mineral density of the lumbar spine by dual-energy X ray absorptiometry. All study participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The following factors were significantly independently related to osteoporosis: low body weight (P < 0.001), thin constitution in childhood (P = 0.002), history of previous fracture (P = 0.033), menopause at age <47 years (P < 0.001), family history of fracture (P = 0.005), and less frequent consumption of cheese (P = 0.027) and fish (P = 0.020). The majority of factors identified may be modifiable and could be influenced to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

[No abstract available]

Pregnancy-associated spinal osteoporosis (PPSO) is a rare condition characterized by severe back pain occurring near the end of the first pregnancy or shortly afterward. The aim of this report is to present a 12-year follow-up of a patient with PPSO. Also, the outcomes of patient's two pregnancies and her infants after long-term treatment with bisphosphonates are assessed. A young woman was referred to our tertiary care hospital aged 30 years, due to intense pain in thoracic and lumbar region that started during the last month of her first pregnancy and got worse after delivery. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement, clinical, and biochemical parameters were performed. Extremely low lumbar spine BMD, L2-L4: 0.627 g/cm 2, T-score -4.8, Z-score -4.3, 52% young adult indicated severe osteoporosis. Cyclical treatment with etidronate and then pamidronate was started, and a substantial increase in the BMD and the reduction in back pain intensity were observed. An increase in BMD of 44.8% over baseline was observed after 12 years of follow-up. Her two pregnancies were uneventful, and no neonatal adverse effects were observed. Control DXA scan in her girl child aged 6.8 years revealed low BMD at the lumbar spine. As PPSO seems to be an underdiagnosed severe disease, caution is recommended if back pain occurs in the last trimester or early post-partum period. Although pre-pregnancy use of bisphosponates does not pose a substantial fetal risk, their use in women of childbearing age might best be done only when strong clinical indications exist. © Springer-Verlag 2011.

Pregnancy-associated spinal osteoporosis (PPSO) is a rare condition characterized by severe back pain occurring near the end of the first pregnancy or shortly afterward. The aim of this report is to present a 12-year follow-up of a patient with PPSO. Also, the outcomes of patient's two pregnancies and her infants after long-term treatment with bisphosphonates are assessed. A young woman was referred to our tertiary care hospital aged 30 years, due to intense pain in thoracic and lumbar region that started during the last month of her first pregnancy and got worse after delivery. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement, clinical, and biochemical parameters were performed. Extremely low lumbar spine BMD, L2-L4: 0.627 g/cm 2, T-score -4.8, Z-score -4.3, 52% young adult indicated severe osteoporosis. Cyclical treatment with etidronate and then pamidronate was started, and a substantial increase in the BMD and the reduction in back pain intensity were observed. An increase in BMD of 44.8% over baseline was observed after 12 years of follow-up. Her two pregnancies were uneventful, and no neonatal adverse effects were observed. Control DXA scan in her girl child aged 6.8 years revealed low BMD at the lumbar spine. As PPSO seems to be an underdiagnosed severe disease, caution is recommended if back pain occurs in the last trimester or early post-partum period. Although pre-pregnancy use of bisphosponates does not pose a substantial fetal risk, their use in women of childbearing age might best be done only when strong clinical indications exist. © Springer-Verlag 2011.