Zelmira Macejova

Background: The Roma population is one of the largest marginalized population groups in Europe. The aim of our work was to summarize the morbidity of lifestyle-related diseases and infectious diseases in the Roma population living in segregated settlements. Methods: We used data from the cross-sectional study HepaMeta, in which we examined 452 Roma subjects with an average age of 34.7 ± 9.1 years, 35.2% of which were men, and 403 non-Roma subjects with an average age of 33.5 ± 7.4 years, 45.9% of which were men. We collected data by means of a questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and we analyzed blood and urine samples. Results: Roma subjects had a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome (RR: 1.478 (1.159–1.885), p < 0.0001), obesity or waist circumference >94 cm in men/80 cm in women (RR: 1.287 (1.127–1.470), p < 0.0001), and HDL-C < 1.03 mmol/L in men or p < 0.0001) than their non-Roma counterparts. Subjects of the Roma population were more frequently diagnosed with kidney disease (RR: 1.216 (1.096–1.349), p < 0.0001), HBsAg positivity (RR: 4.468 (2.373–8.415), p < 0.0001), anti HBc IgG positivity (RR: 3.13 (2.598–4.224), p < 0.0001), and anti HEV positivity (RR: 2.972 (1.226–7.287), p < 0.0001). Serological markers of Toxoplasma gondii infection and Toxocara spp. were observed much more frequently among Roma than non-Roma subjects (RR: 1.868 (1.520–2.296), p < 0.0001, for Toxoplasma gondii; and RR: 21.812 (8.097–58.761), p < 0.0001, for Toxocara spp.). Conclusions: Poor socio-economic conditions, an unhealthy lifestyle, and barriers precluding access to healthcare are factors that affect the Roma population in settlements and lead to an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components, kidney disease, viral hepatitis B and E, and some parasitic diseases.

The aim is to describe a profile of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient (socio-demographic data, course of disease, health status, and health care utilization, SLE impact on their life, SLE awareness) and to explore the association of patient’s perspective with clinical indicators. Adult patients diagnosed by SLE were recruited in outpatient clinics (n = 76, 88% female, data collected in 2012–2016, Slovakia). The association of patients’ perspective (SLE status, health complaints during remission, SLE impact, hospitalizations) with clinical activity (European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement Index—ECLAM) and inflammatory marker (erythrocyte sedimentation rate—ESR) was assessed by t-test for independent variables and one-way ANOVA. Almost 17.9% of patients reported relapse. During remission, they mostly suffered fatigue and pain. Nearly all patients were on chronic pharmacological treatment. Most of the patients assessed SLE impact on their life as restrictive (56.9%) or very restrictive (23.1%). The most frequent source of information was their physician, and 67.2% reported that they have sufficient information about the disease and its treatment. Only the association of SLE status and hospitalization with clinical activity (ECLAM) and inflammatory marker (ESR) were confirmed. With recent improvements in diagnostics and therapy options, the prognosis for patients with SLE has improved. Nevertheless, the impact of this disease on all areas of a patient’s life is extensive.

Aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can affect almost all organs of the body. Lupus is a non-curable disease and the treatment is based on symptom control by immunosuppressive and anti-inflammator...

There is a growing worldwide interest for more information regarding morbidity and especially chronic diseases as well as the economical burden which it creates for the disabled individual and the society as a whole. Recently, increased attention has been paid to the scientific assessment of quality of life in chronically ill. Measures of physical and other abilities have shown a great prognostic value regarding disease outcomes. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, systemic inflammatory disease which negatively influences quality of life of patients. In rheumatology quality of life is assessed with two types of instruments: generic and specific. Current research has shown that specific measures are more sensitive to treatment induced changes in comparison with the generic measures. However, the choice of an instrument largely depends on the specific goal of the study. Both types of measures have shown strengths and weaknesses and they have been used simultaneously in order to provide a complex evaluation of quality of life.

The ethiopathogenesis of auto-immune diseases has not yet been fully explored. Auto-immune diseases develop in individuals with a genetic pre-disposition. Among the endogenous factors, also sexual hormones play a role, especially prolactin. The objective of the study was to use basal exam and TRH test to determine stimulated prolactin values in patients with a systemic connective tissue disease: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, dermatomyositis. The authors examined 43 patients with systemic connective tissue diseases: 20 patients with SLE, 7 patients with Sjögren's syndrome, 7 patients with systemic sclerosis and 9 patients with dermatomyositis. The mean age of the patients was 39.87 years. The control group consisted of 30 volunteers with a mean age of 35.17 years. Prolactin level in the patients with systemic connective tissue diseases was 14.629 ng/ml, which is more than in the control group. A statistically significant increase in prolactin level was recorded 20 minutes after i.v. stimulation as compared with the control group (30.982 ng/ml). This statistically significant difference was still present 60 minutes after the TRH administration, with 16.43 ng/ml in the control group, and 36.890 ng/ml in the systemic connective tissue disorder patient group. The differences between prolactin levels for the different systemic connective tissue diseases were not statistically significant. A positive correlation in the patient group was found between the stimulated prolactin values and the FW value. On the whole, however, there was no clear correlation found between laboratory activity and prolactin levels. The authors found out that post-stimulation prolactin levels were statistically significantly higher in patients with systemic connective tissue disease as compared with the control group. Correlation analyses did not show a clear link between inflammatory activity and prolactin levels, and therefore the authors assume that medium increased values of prolactin are rather a risk factor for the disease than an inflammation marker in patients with a systemic connective tissue disease.

The functional ability of the patient in chronic diseases reflects the severity of the pathological process and the success of treatment. Evaluation of the functional ability of patients with RA and assessment of the influence of the pathological process on the performance of simple everyday tasks. Physical capacity and functional ability were examined using the Groningen activity restriction scale (GARS) and Health Assessment Quesionnaire (HAQ). The authors examined 160 patients with RA (135 women and 25 men), mean age 48.3 +/- 12.13 years and a duration of the disease of 21.32 +/- 15.61 months. The mean value of the functional ability according to GARS was 32.67 +/- 11.61. Women had a poorer score (33.36 +/- 11.91) than men (28.96 +/- 9.44), the difference was however not statistically significant. The mean value of functional ability according to HAQ/FDI of the patients was 1.079 +/- 0.65. Women had a poorer score (1.156 +/- 0.625) than men (0.722 +/- 0.936), the difference being significant (P < 0.01). The authors found a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between HAQ and GARS as well as a significant relationship with parameters assessing the inflammatory activity. In GARS a relationship with the duration of the disease was found (P < 0.05), but not with HAQ. There was no significant relationship between GARS or HAQ with the patients age. In investigations of the restriction of functional ability during common everyday activities it was revealed that the greatest problem of patients is care of feet and nails, climbing stairs and personal hygiene. As to household activities the highest score was recorded for "strenuous house work" (scrubbing floors, cleaning windows and vacuum cleaning), shopping ironing and bedmaking. GARS is a reliable practical and simple scale of functional ability of patients with RA which can be used for the accurate description of the severity and for evaluation of the degree of functional ability.