ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the short-term consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on pulmonary diffusion in patients with severe (but not critical) and moderately severe COVID-19 pneumonia during three months after COVID-19 infection. METHODS: A prospective study included 81 patients with an RT-PCR-test confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection treated in the COVID Department of Lung Diseases of University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Inclusion criteria were ≥18-year-old patients, COVID-19 infection confirmed using real-time RT-PCR, radiologically confirmed bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, and diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) one and three months after COVID-19 infection. The pulmonary function was tested using the MasterScreen Body Jaeger (Jaeger Corporation, Omaha, USA) and MasterScreen PFT Jaeger (Jaeger Corporation, Omaha, USA) according to American Thoracic Society guidelines one and three months after COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Forced vital capacity significantly increased three months after COVID-19 infection compared to the first-month control (p<0.0005). Also, a statistically significant increase in the FEV1 value (p<0.0005), FEV1%FVC ratio (p<0.005), DLCO/SB (p<0.0005), DLCO/VA value (p<0.0005), and total lung capacity (TLC) (p<0.0005) was observed in all patients. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that recovery of DLCO/VA and spirometry parameters was complete after three months, while DLCO/SB was below normal values even after three months. Therefore, one month after the COVID-19 infection patients had partial recovery of lung function, while a significant recovery of lung function was observed three months after the COVID-19 infection.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stigma in lung cancer has been associated with diagnostic and treatment delay and with poor outcomes. Personality has impact on the perception of someone's life situation and interacts with psychosocial variables and coping strategies. The vulnerability to stigma is still under-researched. The aim of this study was to investigate this vulnerability by examining the associations between stigma and personality dimensions (i.e., temperament and character traits). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy six (76) inpatients of the two teaching hospitals with the diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer were consecutively included in the study. Patients were assessed with self-reporting scales: Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale (CLCSS) and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected. RESULTS: Personality dimensions Self-directedness and Persistence showed to be significant predictors of stigma in the linear regression (R=0.519; F=3.104; P=0.007). Stigma and personality dimensions were not associated with age, gender, tumor stage and smoking status. CONCLUSION: Stigma is associated with particular character (i.e., Self-directedness) and temperament (i.e., Persistence) dimensions. Given the negative clinical outcomes of stigma in lung cancer patients, personality should be taken into account during screening and treatment planning phases.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/psychology , Lung Neoplasms/psychology , Personality , Shame , Social Stigma , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy , Character , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Temperament , Time-to-TreatmentABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To determine the existence of the toothlessness within the patients in the area of Mostar. The aim is to determine the topography of toothlessness within the population of Mostar, according to Kennedy classification. The aim is to connect measures of socioeconomic status with the appearance of the toothlessness. To develop a model that includes a form of toothlessness and the socioeconomic status of the patients in Mostar. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Health Center in Mostar and the Regional Medical Center in Mostar. The research was cross-sectional study. It included 800 patients who regularlyoccurred to the dental ambulance because of the toothlessness and because of the prosthodontics treatment. The measurement was conducted by the dentist based on the anonymous research cardboard at the first examination of the patient. The dentist will determine the topography of the toothlessness according to Kennedy classification and the etiology of the toothlessness. RESULTS: In the total sample of respondents, the toothlessness was significantly higher represented (P<0.001). The manifestation of thetoothlessness was significantly higher among temporary employees and the retirees (P<0.001). In the total sample, toothlessness affected the sociological status of a higher percentage of the respondents (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, in a total sample of respondents, toothlessness was significantly higher represented (90% of respondents). The influence on the sociological status of the patient is most visible in the groups with the lower material status.
