Latest Developments in Minimally Invasive Spinal Treatment in Slovakia and Its Comparison with an Open Approach for the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases.

The study describes the benefits of MIS-TLIF (minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) and compares them with OTLIF (open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion). It compares blood loss, length of hospitalization stays (LOS), operation time, and return of the patient to the environment. A total of 250 adults (109 males and 141 females), mean age 59.5 ± 12.6, who underwent MIS-TLIF in the Neurosurgery Clinic (NSC) Ruzomberok, Slovakia, because of lumbar degenerative diseases (LDD), participated in this retrospective study. Data were obtained from the patients' medical records and from the standardized Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) index questionnaire. To compare ODI in our study sample, we used the Student's Paired Sample Test. To compare the MIS-TLIF and OTLIF approaches, a meta-analysis was conducted. Confidence intervals were 95% CI. The test of homogeneity (Chi-square (Q)) and the degree of heterogeneity (I2 test) among the included studies were used. Statistical analyses were two-sided (α = 0.05). All monitored parameters were significantly better in MIS-TLIF group: blood loss (p < 0.001), operation time (p < 0.001), and ODI changes (p < 0.001). LOS (p < 0.042) were close to the significance level. ODI in the study sample decreased by 33.44% points after MIS-TLIF, and it significantly increased as well (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients who were satisfied with the surgery they underwent was 84.8%. The study confirmed that the MIS-TLIF method is in general gentler for the patient and allows the faster regeneration of patient's health status compared to OTLIF.

Associations between prevalence of chronic diseases and socio-economic status in adult population of Slovakia.

INTRODUCTION: The study presents associations between prevalence of chronic diseases and selected socio-economic (SES) attributes in adult population of Slovakia and analyses the prevalence of chronic diseases in regions of Slovakia. METHODS: In total, 735 respondents (146 men and 589 women) with a mean age of 37.79 ± 13.6 participated in this cross-sectional study. The main observed characteristics were chronic diseases and their associations with SES attributes, namely household income, education, age and lifestyle represented by frequency in engaging in recondition-relaxation activities. In order to obtain data, a self-administrated online questionnaire was used. Data were analysed by calculation of odds ratio and chi-square test. The significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Apart from lung disease which are least suffered in central Slovakia (χ^2 = 9.850, df = 1, p = 0.043), the prevalence of chronic diseases is equally represented in all 8 administrative regions of Slovakia. Prevalence of chronic diseases is significantly influenced by age. The age of 40 is critical for the occurrence of chronic diseases. Respondents with higher education level have a lower prevalence of chronic diseases and vice versa (OR = 1.127; RR = 1.079). A better lifestyle represented by higher frequency of engaging in recondition relaxation activities was found in healthy respondents (OR = 0.700549 and RR = 0.936958; χ^2 test p = 0.000798). Household income did not show a significant association with the prevalence of chronic diseases (OR = 1.06; RR = 1.025; χ^2 test, p = 0.778). CONCLUSION: The study did not confirm a higher prevalence of chronic diseases in regions with weaker SES in Slovakia. Out of the 4 monitored SES attributes, 3 of them (age, education and lifestyle) had a significant impact on the prevalence of chronic diseases. Household income showed only a minimal association with the prevalence of chronic diseases, but this interdependence was not significant (Tab. 6, Ref. 41). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: socio-economic status, chronic diseases, age, household income, education.

World´s COVID-19 anti-pandemic measures in the context of postural and spine disorders in primary school children in Slovakia.

INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed to estimate the effect of one-year persistence of COVID-19 anti-pandemic measures on the posture and spine in children of younger school age in Slovakia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 135 children aged between 6 and 9 years participated in this study. The examination of posture and spine was carried out in 4 schools in 4 different districts in Slovakia. The posture was evaluated in February 2020, before anti-pandemic restrictions and in period from May 2021, after one year of anti-pandemic restrictions. Modified methodology according to Napoleon Wolanski was used to evaluate the posture. RESULTS: For the entire study group, the mean posture disorder level score before anti-pandemic restrictions was 5.667 (±1.75) and it rose to 7.844 (±0.64). Prevalence of posture disorders rose from 71.11 % to 91.3 % in the study group. The most affected segments were lumbar spine and pelvis, followed by deformities of the thoracis spinae. The mean pathology level score for entire group in these segments rose as followed: in the lumbar spine from 0.6 (±0.61) to 1.022 (±0.75); in the pelvis from 0.444 (±0.54) to 0.772 (±0.73) and in the thoracis spine from 0.378 (±0.53) to 0.578 (±0.61). CONCLUSION: Study confirmed a worsening of the posture and spine in school children after a one year of strict anti-pandemic measures. As postural changes increased by 20 % during the year, it seems necessary to implement appropriate preventives programs for children, which could have the potential to improve their postural state (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 37). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: anti-pandemic restriction, e-learning, COVID-19, postural disorders, spine deformities.

Analysis of body segments and postural state in school children.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of our study was to identify the number of existing posture disorders in children in primary schools and to identify the most prevalent position of body segments that cause postural disorders. METHODS: The occurrence of postural disorders was analysed in the school year 2016/2017. The sample consisted of 311 pupils age 6-8 from the 16 districts of the Slovak republic. We used Klein, Thomas and Mayer method to evaluate the posture. Flat feet were evaluated according to Napoleon Wolanski scale. The results were verified by using a base rate quantity test. We determined the level of statistical significance at p = 0.05. RESULTS: We observed statistically significant postural disorders in children. Poor posture occurs in more than 50% of the population under the study. The most critical body segments which were subjected to pathology were shoulder blades and shoulders. Pathology in these segments exceeds 80%. Flat feet occurrence was in 65% children. Adverse results were also seen in pathologic position of: pelvis anteversion (46 %), head protruding (42%) and spinal curvature deformities in the sagittal plane (30%). In the frontal plane deformities of spinae reached 13%. CONCLUSION: Health status of the children's locomotor system, especially postural system is poor. High prevalence of postural disorders in children requires preventive programs such as introducing corrective exercises into physical education and engaging children in sports. Knowledge of the most frequent body segments defects in children can be helpful for professionals in creating adequate corrective programs for children.

Screening and Early Identification of Spinal Deformities and Posture in 311 Children: Results from 16 Districts in Slovakia.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, we wanted to identify the number of existing deformities of the spine and posture in primary schoolers. METHODS: The sample consisted of 311 healthy pupils aged 6-7. We used Klein, Thomas, and Mayer method to evaluate the posture. The spine curvature was evaluated by plumb line. Muscle imbalance was evaluated by standardized manual tests by Professor Janda. The results were evaluated by the basic population abundance and the use of the ANOVA program. We determined the level of statistical significance at p = 0.05. RESULTS: The statistically significant occurrence of poor posture was found. Poor posture occurred in more than 50% of the pupils studied. Spine deformities in the sagittal plane have exceeded 30% (C = 37.94212%; Th = 32.15434%; L = 30.22508%). In the frontal plane deformities were present in 13.18328% of pupils. Spinae and postural disorders were accompanied by the muscle imbalance (muscle stiffness and weakness). CONCLUSION: Screening is a well-founded technique for the early detection of spinae and posture disorders. Based on the results of screening, professionals can take preventive measures. As in our research prevalence of spine deformities and poor posture in children was high, we recommend regular screening in clinical practice.

Poor glycemic control in diabetic patients seeking care in the ED.

We hypothesized that diabetic patients in the emergency department (ED) have poorer glycemic control than patients seeking care at primary care clinics. A convenience sample of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values was gathered retrospectively from the ED, Endocrinology, and Family Medicine Clinics. Results were divided into controlled, poorly controlled, and extremely poorly controlled. The only differing pattern of patients (*P < .01) was in the extremely poorly controlled group consisting of 36% of the ED patients (confidence interval [CI], 29.23-42.69; n = 74) vs 18% of the Endocrinology patients (CI, 13.76-22.53; n = 56) and 19% of the Family Medicine patients (CI, 15.98-22.75; n = 105). A frequency distribution of the ED HbA1c values was bimodal. The first peak represents well-controlled diabetic patients. The second, higher peak comprises a larger number of patients (approximate n = 134, 73% of all 207 ED patients) who have poorer glycemic control. We conclude that a large number of ED diabetic patients have poorer glycemic control than the other clinics.