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Background/Aim: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has seen a rapid increase worldwide in recent decades, now recognised as a global health issue of the 21st century. Optimal, continuous control of hypertension represents a crucial part of treatment capable of slowing the progression of CKD. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that optimal regulation blood pressure control in patients with essential and secondary hypertension, along with CKD, slows the progression of CKD. Methods: The research was conducted at the University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Internal Clinic Nephrology Department. A retrospective-prospective study was blind for patients and lasted for 24 months. It included 97 patients, aged 18 and above, of both genders, hypertensive, in the 3rd or 4th stage of CKD (creatinine clearance of 15-59 mL/min). Assess the outcome of CKD, a "complex (undesirable) clinical outcome" was taken - one of three fundamental clinically undesirable events: double increase in serum creatinine values at the end of 24 months, onset of terminal renal insufficiency, or patient death. Patients were classified into three groups: I group - 30 patients with essential hypertension and CKD with optimally regulated blood pressure; II group - 32 patients with secondary hypertension and CKD with optimally regulated blood pressure; III control group - 35 patients with hypertension of various causes and CKD who did not achieve target blood pressure values. Blood pressure control was measured from month 0 to month 24 - once a month. Laboratory tests were taken every 3 months (red blood cells, haemoglobin, glycaemia, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium in serum and urine). Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference in glomerular filtration rate in the first group compared to the third group and in the second group compared to the third group. No statistically significant difference in glomerular filtration rate between the first and second groups was observed, where good blood pressure regulation was achieved. Conclusion: Optimal blood pressure control in the examined groups, regardless of the cause of CKD, was responsible for slowing the progression of CKD compared to the group with unregulated blood pressure.

Background/Aim. A special feature of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is that it is often a symptomatic and occurs as a consequence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system is associated with elevated values of inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin- 6 (IL-6), which accelerate atherosclerosis and the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in patients with T2DM. The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of determining inflammatory cardiovascular risk markers IL-6 and hs-CRP in screening for the presence of CHD in asymptomatic patients with T2DM. Methods. The study included 169 patients with T2DM without any symptoms and signs of CHD. Ergometric testing proved or ruled out the presence of silent CHD. The levels of hs- CRP and IL-6 were determined by ELISA. Results. IL-6 values were significantly higher in patients with a positive ergometric test (6.83 ± 1.99 pg/mL) compared to patients with a negative ergometric test (3.04 ± 1.39 pg/mL) (p < 0.001). We also found that hs-CRP values in patients with a positive ergometric test were significantly higher compared to patients with a negative ergometric test (6.37 ± 2.25 vs 1.67 ± 1.41 mg/L; p < 0.001). Combinations of IL-6 and hs-CRP with age, HbA1c values, and duration of diabetes, presented through three binary logistic regression models, are significant predictors of silent CHD proven by ergometric testing, ie, with their increase, the probability of a positive ergometric test also increases (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of the associated finding of elevated IL-6 and hs-CRP values in the detection of silent CHD by ergometric testing was 90%, and the specificity was 86%. Conclusion. Hs-CRP and IL-6 are significant predictors of silent CHD, and their determination could be recommended for improving cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic patients with T2DM.

Introduction. Hemodialysis (HD) patients have higher mortality rate than the general population. Recent studies indicate a significant role of non-cardiovascular risk factors in for mortality in HD patients. Leptin is protein hormone and may indicate malnutrition in HD patients. Its role in mortality in these patients is being examined. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum leptin levels and non-cardiovascular risk factors and relationship between leptin level and mortality in HD patients.

Introduction: Changes in lifestyle can significantly affect the management of good glycemic control and target values of blood pressure and lipids. Objective: To determine the achievement of target values of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure and lipids, in participants with type 2 diabetes, who used a proper diet and controlled physical activity. Method: The study was a prospective study, conducted on participants with type 2 diabetes, from 01 October 2012 until 31 October 2013, at the Primary Health Center Banja Luka, by 60 family medicine teams. At the beginning of the study, all participants had individual counseling on lifestyle changes, eating habits, and regulation of body weight. Results: The study included 591 participants with the type 2 diabetes. At the beginning of the study, 49.92% of participants adhered to the proper diet, and at the end 76.65% of them (p

Introduction/Objective. Not only do pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity increase the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes but they also lead to the development of gestational diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity in the Republic of Srpska and to investigate its association with hyperglycemia and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the period from February to October 2012 among 555 pregnant women in gestational period from 24 to 28 weeks. The criterion for exclusion from the sample was previously diagnosed type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Results. Before pregnancy, 20.39% of participants had increased body mass index, while 4.04 % [95% confidence interval (CI); 2.62–6.13] were obese. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 10.91% (95% CI, 8.44–13.98) of them. The increase in body mass index by 1 increased the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus by 1.09 times [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09; 95% CI; 1.02–1.16]. Pregnant women who were overweight had a 4.88 times greater risk (OR = 4.88; 95% CI, 1.23–29.41) of developing gestational diabetes. Conclusion. Every fifth pregnant woman in this study was overweight or obese before pregnancy. The increase in body mass index by 1 increased the risk of gestational diabetes by 1.09 times (OR = 1.09; 95% CI; 1.02–1.16). Counselling is necessary for overweight and obese women planning pregnancy.

Introduction: Cystatin C has shown a better correlation with albuminuria in relation to creatinine. It filters in glomeruli, reabsorbs in tubules, and does not go back into circulation, which makes it a reliable parameter for the assessment of kidney function. Aim of the study: To determine albuminuria and serum cystatin C in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to examine the correlation between these two parameters depending on the degree of albuminuria. Patients and Methods: Forty-seven patients with type 2 DM were divided in three groups: Group I-25 patients with albuminuria < 30 mg/24 hours, Group II-15 patients with albuminuria of 30-299 mg/24 hours and Group III -7 patients with albuminuria > 300 mg/24 hours. For the purpose of assessing the kidney function, cystatin C and creatinine in the serum were determined and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated. Results: Higher degrees of albuminuria were associated with longer duration of disease, poorer regulation of glycaemia and blood pressure and kidney damage. The mean values of cystatin C were increased with the degree of albuminuria: 0.99(0,7- 1,25;IQ) vs. 1.18(1,05-1,36;IQ) vs.1.74(1,45-2,01;IQ) mg/l. Cystatin C has shown a statistically significant direct correlation with the albuminuria, especially in the third group (r= 0.82, p

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with relapsing nature. Estimates are that approximately 2-3% of the world's population suffers from this disease. More severe forms of psoriasis are conditions of high inflammation, which is confirmed by the clinical picture and numerous inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines and homocysteine, which vary with disease activity. The objective of this clinical study was to investigate the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide therapy on pro-inflammatory factors in the serum and the severity of the clinical picture of psoriasis in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on chronic metformin therapy. This randomized clinical study was conducted on 31 psoriatic patients with T2DM that were randomized into two groups: one that received semaglutide during the 12-week trial ( n = 15), while the second was control ( n = 16). The results demonstrated that the severity of the clinical picture of psoriasis, determined by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, was significantly better after the administration of semaglutide (the median baseline PASI score in patients treated with semaglutide was 21 (IQR = 19.8), while after 12 weeks of therapy the score was 10 (IQR = 6; p = 0.002). Also, the quality of life in the group of patients who received the drug, measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), improved significantly after 3 months (a median baseline DLQI score in the semaglutide group was 14 (IQR = 5) at the beginning of the study, and after 12 weeks of treatment the median DLQI score was 4 (IQR = 4; p = 0.002)). The use of semaglutide led to a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum (IL6), as well as a significant decrease in CRP values ( p < 0.05). A significant decrease in the body mass index (BMI) value in the semaglutide-treated group was also identified, as well as a significant decrease in the level of low-density cholesterol (LDL) ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, semaglutide, based on its systemic anti-inflammatory characteristics, could contribute to the treatment of psoriatic obese patients with T2DM.

Maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients often experience fluctuations of volume status. Although hypervolemia possibly induces systemic inflammation, the relationship between volume status and leptin has not yet been well defined. The aims of this study were to determine the levels of leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin in relation to volume status and to assess the relationship between leptin and volume and inflammatory status in chronic HD patients. This prospective study included 93 HD patients divided, based on evaluation using the body composition monitor, into normovolemic and hypervolemic groups (overhydration/extracellular water [OH/ECW] ≤ 15% and OH/ECW > 15%, respectively). The levels of leptin and inflammatory markers (CRP, ferritin) were determined during a mid-week dialysis session in all patients. There were more hypervolemic patients after 12 months of follow up than at baseline (41% vs. 38%). Hypervolemic patients had significantly lower leptin levels (11.42 ± 19.24 ng/mL vs. 34.53 ± 40.32 ng/mL at baseline and 13.41 ± 22.04 ng/mL vs. 41.54 ± 21.78 ng/mL at 12 months), longer time on dialysis, and poorer nutritional status than normovolemic patients. Inflammation was present regardless of the volume status, but hypervolemic patients had significantly higher CRP and ferritin than normovolemic patients. A statistically significant reverse correlation was found between leptin level, hyperhydration index, and OH/ECW. No significant correlation was found between leptin and inflammatory markers CRP and ferritin., (© 2018 International Society for Apheresis, Japanese Society for Apheresis, and Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy.)

The Republic of Srpska (RS), as a part of the Western Balkans (WB) region, has a higher diabetes prevalence than the EU. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of early treatment of high-risk patients with pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes in our setting. We designed a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) model which reflects the current International Diabetes Federation (IDF) three-step plan for the prevention of T2DM in those at increased risk. The model captures the evolution of the disease in FINDRISC high-risk patients from normal glucose tolerance (NGT) to impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and then to T2DM and its complications. We developed two MCMC models, in order to follow the progression of the disease in high-risk cases, ie, when early treatment is undertaken or when it is not undertaken. The health costs and quality adjusted life years (QALY) were discounted at an annual rate of 3%. The key model parameters were varied in one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Early treatment resulted in increased life expectancy, postponement of the onset of diabetes and increased QALY for all patients. The discounted incremental cost-effectiveness-ratios (ICER) in NGT, IFG, IGT, and T2DM patients were -289.9, 9724.03, -1478.59 and 4084.67 €. In high-risk IGT patients, ICER was the most favorable, being both a cost saving and QALY gaining, with the consistent results confirmed by the sensitivity analysis. The results recommend the acceptance of a new health policy of identifying IGT patients with the use of FINDRISC questionnaire and plasma glucose measurements; providing them with a lifestyle change program; and implementing intensive diabetes treatment, as their disease progresses. Our results are especially significant for the Western Balkan countries, since this was the first cost-effectiveness study of T2DM prevention in this region.