Browsing by Author "Vujcic, Isidora (55957120100)"

Background: Energy drink (ED) consumption is a global public health issue, especially among adolescents and young adults, and it has become a common practice among medical students all over the world. The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes and practices of medical students about the consumption of ED. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 458 fourth-year medical students in Belgrade using an anonymous questionnaire. In the data analysis, a Chi-square test was used. Results: About one third (32.3%) of the students consumed ED regularly, significantly more often older students (p < .01), smokers (p < .05), and students who drank coffee (p < .05) and alcohol (p < .01). The majority of students (61.5%) consumed ED while studying or before exams, during parties (27.7%) and without a special occasion (27.0%). Mixing alcohol with ED was reported by 12.8% of the students. Side effects after ED consumption have been noted by 59.5% of students of both genders, and the most common were palpitations (42.6%), insomnia (33.8%), and headache (33.1%). Conclusion: There is a need to raise awareness among medical students about energy drinks because they, as healthcare professionals, will educate people in the future. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Background: Energy drink (ED) consumption is a global public health issue, especially among adolescents and young adults, and it has become a common practice among medical students all over the world. The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes and practices of medical students about the consumption of ED. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 458 fourth-year medical students in Belgrade using an anonymous questionnaire. In the data analysis, a Chi-square test was used. Results: About one third (32.3%) of the students consumed ED regularly, significantly more often older students (p < .01), smokers (p < .05), and students who drank coffee (p < .05) and alcohol (p < .01). The majority of students (61.5%) consumed ED while studying or before exams, during parties (27.7%) and without a special occasion (27.0%). Mixing alcohol with ED was reported by 12.8% of the students. Side effects after ED consumption have been noted by 59.5% of students of both genders, and the most common were palpitations (42.6%), insomnia (33.8%), and headache (33.1%). Conclusion: There is a need to raise awareness among medical students about energy drinks because they, as healthcare professionals, will educate people in the future. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Dermatophytes are widely distributed in the environment, with an estimated prevalence of 20–25% of the the global population yearly. These fungi are keratinophilic and keratinolytic and cause the infection of keratin-rich structures such as skin, hair, and nails. The pattern of this infectious disease covers a wide spectrum from exposed individuals without symptoms to those with acutely inflammatory or non-inflammatory, chronic to invasive, and even life-threatening symptoms. This review summarizes current information on the pathogenicity, virulence factors, and drug resistance mechanisms associated with dermatophytes. A greater number of virulence factors of these fungi are important for the occurrence of infection and the changes that occur, including those regarding adhesins, the sulfite efflux pump, and proteolytic enzymes. Other virulence factors include mechanisms of evading the host defense, while the development of resistance to antifungal drugs is increasing, resulting in treatment failure. The investigation of host-pathogen interactions is essential for developing a more complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying dermatophyte pathogenesis and host response to inform the use of diagnostics methods and antifungal therapeutics to minimize the high fungal burden caused by dermatophytes and to control the spread of resistance. © 2024 by the authors.

Dermatophytes are widely distributed in the environment, with an estimated prevalence of 20–25% of the the global population yearly. These fungi are keratinophilic and keratinolytic and cause the infection of keratin-rich structures such as skin, hair, and nails. The pattern of this infectious disease covers a wide spectrum from exposed individuals without symptoms to those with acutely inflammatory or non-inflammatory, chronic to invasive, and even life-threatening symptoms. This review summarizes current information on the pathogenicity, virulence factors, and drug resistance mechanisms associated with dermatophytes. A greater number of virulence factors of these fungi are important for the occurrence of infection and the changes that occur, including those regarding adhesins, the sulfite efflux pump, and proteolytic enzymes. Other virulence factors include mechanisms of evading the host defense, while the development of resistance to antifungal drugs is increasing, resulting in treatment failure. The investigation of host-pathogen interactions is essential for developing a more complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying dermatophyte pathogenesis and host response to inform the use of diagnostics methods and antifungal therapeutics to minimize the high fungal burden caused by dermatophytes and to control the spread of resistance. © 2024 by the authors.

Aim. To examine the prevalence of low back pain, to identify self-perceived triggers of low back pain, and to investigate the impact of perceived pain on the daily activities and mood among medical students. Methods. This cross-sectional study enrolled 459 fourth year students at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade during December 2014. The anonymous questionnaire was used for data collection. In data analysis, the chi-square test and t-test were used. Results. The lifetime prevalence of low back pain was 75.8%, 12-month prevalence 59.5%, and point prevalence 17.2%. Chronic low back pain was experienced by 12.4% of the students. Both the lifetime (p=0.001) and the 12-month (p=0.001) low back pain prevalence rates were significantly higher among female medical students. Mental stress during an exam period (p=0.001), sitting at the university (p=0.002), fatigue (p=0.043), improper body posture (p=0.005), and lack of exercise (p=0.001) as self-perceived triggers of low back pain were significantly more often reported by female students, compared to males. Regarding daily functioning, the experience of low back pain mostly affects students sleeping (14.6%) and walking (12.0%). Conclusions. The prevalence of LBP is high among Belgrade medical students and significantly affects their everyday functioning. © 2018 Isidora Vujcic et al.

Aim. To examine the prevalence of low back pain, to identify self-perceived triggers of low back pain, and to investigate the impact of perceived pain on the daily activities and mood among medical students. Methods. This cross-sectional study enrolled 459 fourth year students at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade during December 2014. The anonymous questionnaire was used for data collection. In data analysis, the chi-square test and t-test were used. Results. The lifetime prevalence of low back pain was 75.8%, 12-month prevalence 59.5%, and point prevalence 17.2%. Chronic low back pain was experienced by 12.4% of the students. Both the lifetime (p=0.001) and the 12-month (p=0.001) low back pain prevalence rates were significantly higher among female medical students. Mental stress during an exam period (p=0.001), sitting at the university (p=0.002), fatigue (p=0.043), improper body posture (p=0.005), and lack of exercise (p=0.001) as self-perceived triggers of low back pain were significantly more often reported by female students, compared to males. Regarding daily functioning, the experience of low back pain mostly affects students sleeping (14.6%) and walking (12.0%). Conclusions. The prevalence of LBP is high among Belgrade medical students and significantly affects their everyday functioning. © 2018 Isidora Vujcic et al.

Background. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the clinical manifestations, disease severity based on radiography images, functional activity level, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis in a rural population living in Serbian enclaves in Kosovo, as well as to determine the correlation between the WOMAC and the EQ-5D questionnaire in this population. Method. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Clinic, Clinical Hospital Center Pristina-Gracanica, located in Laplje Selo from February to December 2013. One hundred patients with confirmed (American College of Rheumatology criteria) knee osteoarthritis completed the EQ-5D and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires, rated pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and underwent knee radiographic examinations. Result. Most patients were obese with moderate radiographic changes according to the Kellgeren-Lawrence scale and suffered from very severe pain according to the VAS scale. The duration of disease significantly correlated with the WOMAC scores, VAS score, and all of the scores on the EQ-5D, except for mobility. The age of participants showed a similar correlation with the same variables. The patients with higher Kellgren-Lawrence scores (3-4) were significantly older, with a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and longer duration of disease than patients with lower scores (1-2). Significantly higher VAS, pain/discomfort EQ-5D, and WOMAC pain and function scores were also recorded among patients with more significant radiological changes. The correlations between WOMAC and EQ-5D were satisfactory. Conclusion. The severity of clinical manifestations and radiographic area changes may affect functional ability and the quality of life in knee OA patients living in rural areas, which requires adequate treatment and physical therapy. © 2019 Gordana Nikolic et al.

Background. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the clinical manifestations, disease severity based on radiography images, functional activity level, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis in a rural population living in Serbian enclaves in Kosovo, as well as to determine the correlation between the WOMAC and the EQ-5D questionnaire in this population. Method. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Clinic, Clinical Hospital Center Pristina-Gracanica, located in Laplje Selo from February to December 2013. One hundred patients with confirmed (American College of Rheumatology criteria) knee osteoarthritis completed the EQ-5D and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires, rated pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and underwent knee radiographic examinations. Result. Most patients were obese with moderate radiographic changes according to the Kellgeren-Lawrence scale and suffered from very severe pain according to the VAS scale. The duration of disease significantly correlated with the WOMAC scores, VAS score, and all of the scores on the EQ-5D, except for mobility. The age of participants showed a similar correlation with the same variables. The patients with higher Kellgren-Lawrence scores (3-4) were significantly older, with a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and longer duration of disease than patients with lower scores (1-2). Significantly higher VAS, pain/discomfort EQ-5D, and WOMAC pain and function scores were also recorded among patients with more significant radiological changes. The correlations between WOMAC and EQ-5D were satisfactory. Conclusion. The severity of clinical manifestations and radiographic area changes may affect functional ability and the quality of life in knee OA patients living in rural areas, which requires adequate treatment and physical therapy. © 2019 Gordana Nikolic et al.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate which psychosocial risk factors show the strongest association with occurrence ofmyocardial infarction (MI) in the population of Belgrade in peacetime, after the big political changes in Serbia. Methods: A case-control study was conducted involving 154 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with MI, and 308 controls matched by gender, age, and place of residence. Results: According to conditional logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for conventional coronary risk factors, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for work-related stressful events, financial stress, deaths and diseases, and general stress were 3.78 (1.83-7.81), 3.80 (1.96-7.38), 1.69 (1.03-2.78), and 3.54 (2.01-6.22), respectively. Among individual stressful life events, the following were independently related to MI: death of a close familymember, 2.21 (1.01-4.84); death of a close friend, 42.20 (3.70-481.29);major financial problems, 8.94 (1.83-43.63); minor financial problems, 4.74 (2.02-11.14); changes in working hours, 4.99 (1.64-15.22); and changes in working conditions, 30.94 (5.43-176.31). Conclusions: During this political transition period, stress at work, financial stress, and stress in general as they impacted the population of Belgrade, Serbia were strongly associated with occurence ofMI. © 2016, Republic of China Society of Cardiology. All Rights Reserved.

Background: Multidrug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) represents TB which is simultaneous resistant to at least rifampicin (R) and isoniazid (H). Identifying inadequate therapy as the main cause of this form of the disease and explaining the factors leading to its occurrence, numerous social determinants that affect the risk of developing resistance are highlighted. The objectives of the study was to identify independent factors of MDR-TB among tuberculosis patients. Methods: Case-control study was conducted from 1st September 2009 to 1st June 2014 in 31 healthcare institutions in Serbia where MDR-TB and TB patients were treated. TB patients infected with MDR- M. tuberculosis and non MDR- M. tuberculosis strain were considered as cases and controls, respectively. Cases and controls were matched by the date of hospitalization. The data was collected using structured questionnaire with face to face interview. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis (MLRA) were used to identify determinants associated with MDR-TB. Results: A total of 124 respondents, 31 cases and 93 controls were participated in the study. MLRA identified six significant independent risk factors for the occurrence of MDR-TB as follows: monthly income of the family (Odds ratio (OR) = 3.71; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.22-11.28), defaulting from treatment (OR = 3.33; 95% CI = 1.14-9.09), stigma associated with TB (OR = 2.97; 95% CI = 1.18-7.45), subjective feeling of sadness (OR = 4.05; 95% CI = 1.69-9.70), use of sedatives (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.02-7.65) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 4.51; 95% CI = 1.07-18.96). Conclusion: In order to reduce burden of drug resistance, strategies of controlling MDR-TB in Serbia should emphasize multi-sectorial actions, addressing health care and social needs of TB patients. © 2018 The Author(s).

Although the benefits of physical activity (PA) on mental well-being are well established, the vulnerability of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period poses challenges in studying the effects of PA on postpartum depression (PPD). This study investigated the association between total and domain-specific PA levels during pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms. The study included 105 healthy pregnant women whose PA status was evaluated by the Serbian version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire during Pregnancy (PPAQ-SRB) and their postpartum mental health by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the independent relationship between PPAQ-SRB scores and the prediction of the PPD symptom occurrence. Our analysis revealed that the development of PPD symptomatology was associated with a lower "Total PPAQ-SRB score"(odds ratio (OR) 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.70-0.93]; p=0.03) and "Total Activity score"(OR 0.82; 95% CI [0.71-0.93]; p=0.03) as well as lower scores of light-intensity PA (OR 0.81; 95% CI [0.69-0.96]; p=0.013), moderate-intensity PA (OR 0.82; 95% CI [0.71-0.94]; p=0.005), "Household/care"(OR 0.85; 95% CI [0.73-0.98]; p=0.028), and "Occupational"activities (OR 0.80; 95% CI [0.78-0.95]; p=0.012). Lower levels of light-to-moderate-intensity household and occupational activities appeared to increase the risk of PPD, indicating the importance of circumstances under which PA is performed. Hence, our findings indicate that PA during pregnancy can mitigate mood disorders in postpartum mothers. Moreover, reduced participation in light-to-moderate-intensity household and occupational activities seemed to increase the risk of PPD. © 2024 Marija Rovcanin et al.

Although the benefits of physical activity (PA) on mental well-being are well established, the vulnerability of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period poses challenges in studying the effects of PA on postpartum depression (PPD). This study investigated the association between total and domain-specific PA levels during pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms. The study included 105 healthy pregnant women whose PA status was evaluated by the Serbian version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire during Pregnancy (PPAQ-SRB) and their postpartum mental health by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the independent relationship between PPAQ-SRB scores and the prediction of the PPD symptom occurrence. Our analysis revealed that the development of PPD symptomatology was associated with a lower "Total PPAQ-SRB score"(odds ratio (OR) 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.70-0.93]; p=0.03) and "Total Activity score"(OR 0.82; 95% CI [0.71-0.93]; p=0.03) as well as lower scores of light-intensity PA (OR 0.81; 95% CI [0.69-0.96]; p=0.013), moderate-intensity PA (OR 0.82; 95% CI [0.71-0.94]; p=0.005), "Household/care"(OR 0.85; 95% CI [0.73-0.98]; p=0.028), and "Occupational"activities (OR 0.80; 95% CI [0.78-0.95]; p=0.012). Lower levels of light-to-moderate-intensity household and occupational activities appeared to increase the risk of PPD, indicating the importance of circumstances under which PA is performed. Hence, our findings indicate that PA during pregnancy can mitigate mood disorders in postpartum mothers. Moreover, reduced participation in light-to-moderate-intensity household and occupational activities seemed to increase the risk of PPD. © 2024 Marija Rovcanin et al.

Exercise during pregnancy has a positive effect on the health of both pregnant women and their fetuses. This study aimed to translate the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) into the Serbian language and assess its validity and reliability among Serbian pregnant women. The study was conducted between October 2020 and March 2021 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic (Narodni Front), in Belgrade, Serbia. The PPAQ was translated according to a standardized methodology, and its internal consistency and construct and concurrent validity were assessed. The mean PPAQ score for the total amount of physical activity was 37.72 MET-h/week−1. Exploratory factor analysis of the Serbian PPAQ identified six factors similar to the original questionnaire that explained 70.26% of the data variance. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the Serbian version of the PPAQ was 0.69. The two-week intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores ranged from 0.768 to 0.930. We tested the evidence to assess the concurrent validity of the Serbian version of PPAQ (PPAQ-SRB) correlations with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form (IPAQ-LF), and all domains of the PPAQ were significantly correlated with domains of the IPAQ-LF. The findings of our reliability and validity evaluation are consistent with those of prior studies, indicating that the PPAQ was successfully translated and implemented in the Serbian population and that its reliability was acceptable. © 2022 by the authors.

Exercise during pregnancy has a positive effect on the health of both pregnant women and their fetuses. This study aimed to translate the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) into the Serbian language and assess its validity and reliability among Serbian pregnant women. The study was conducted between October 2020 and March 2021 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic (Narodni Front), in Belgrade, Serbia. The PPAQ was translated according to a standardized methodology, and its internal consistency and construct and concurrent validity were assessed. The mean PPAQ score for the total amount of physical activity was 37.72 MET-h/week−1. Exploratory factor analysis of the Serbian PPAQ identified six factors similar to the original questionnaire that explained 70.26% of the data variance. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the Serbian version of the PPAQ was 0.69. The two-week intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores ranged from 0.768 to 0.930. We tested the evidence to assess the concurrent validity of the Serbian version of PPAQ (PPAQ-SRB) correlations with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form (IPAQ-LF), and all domains of the PPAQ were significantly correlated with domains of the IPAQ-LF. The findings of our reliability and validity evaluation are consistent with those of prior studies, indicating that the PPAQ was successfully translated and implemented in the Serbian population and that its reliability was acceptable. © 2022 by the authors.