Frequency of thyroid cancer in patients operated at Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the period 2007-2014.

Aim To determine frequency and type of thyroid cancer (TC) as well as gender and age distribution of patients operated at the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods A retrospective analysis of data obtained from an operating protocol and disease history of patients operated in the eightyear period (2007- 2014) was made according to the frequency and type of thyroid cancer, as well as age and gender of the patients. χ2 test was used for statistical with p<0.05. Results A total of 818 surgeries of the thyroid gland were conducted, in 714 (87.29%) female and 104 (12.71%) male patients. Malignancies were diagnosed in 74 (9.05%) patients, of whom 64 (86.49%) were females and 10 (13.51%) were males, resulting in the gender prevalence of 8.96% and 9.62%, respectively. The most often presented type was papillary carcinoma, in 48(out of 74, 64.86%) patients, followed by follicular carcinoma in 10 (13.51%), medullary carcinoma in four (5.41%), Hurthle cell carcinoma in four (5.41%) patients, while anaplastic carcinoma was found in one (1.35%) patient. The number of diagnosed malignancy varied from 0% (in 2007) to 13.91% (in 2014) (p=0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid cancer is low, but has an increasing trend. A large number of unnecessary surgeries on thyroid gland was performed. Preoperative diagnostic procedures for diseases of the thyroid gland in Cantonal Hospital Zenica should be improved in order to avoid unessential surgeries.

Quality of life for tobacco smokers in relation to their socioeconomic status.

AIM: To analyze differences in quality of life between smokers and non-smokers in relation to socioeconomic factors. METHODS: This study was conducted on a sample of 600 respondents equally divided in two groups, smokers (300) and non-smokers (300). Former smokers were excluded. The study included both sexes equally further distributed into age groups: 19-34, 35- 49, 50-64 and 65-70 years. A questionnaire SF-36 to test the quality of life (36 questions measuring eight dimensions of quality of life) and questionnaire EuroQoL to examine the socioeconomic status was used. For the assessment of a given factor impact multivariant and univariant analyses of variance were used. RESULTS: A significant difference in the quality of life between smokers and non-smokers according to the gender was found, but only at the subscales of physical functioning and bodily pain (p=0.000). An analysis of individual dimensions of quality of life in relation to marital status of smokers and non-smokers showed significant differences on the subscales of physical functioning (p=0.032), vitality (p=0.0430) and mental health (p=0.016). An analysis of life quality in relation to smoking status of respondents and the average monthly income showed that the average scores on all subscales were higher in non-smokers compared to smokers (p=0.000) and they were increased with the average monthly income. CONCLUSION: The results of this study prove that there are significant differences in quality of life according to the smoking status. Also the socioeconomic factors which include age, gender, the surrounding, marital status, employment, total monthly income and level of education are of great influence on the quality of life with significant differences in relation to smoking status.

Quality of life in patients with larygeal/hypopharyngeal cancer following total/partial laryngectomy.

AIM: To estimate the quality of life (QOL) of patients with carcinoma of larynx/hypopharynx using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H and N35 questionnaires in relation to the reference values (RV), total (TL) / partial (PL) laryngectomy/ pharyngectomy, combined treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) (CT) and the time elapsed since surgery. METHODS: The questionnaires were answered by 45 patients in the first 6 months of 2011. Sixteen (35.6%) patients had PL and 29 (64.4%) TL. Postoperatively, CT was performed in 34 (75.6%) patients (group A), and 11 (24.4%) patients (group B) only had surgery. The time elapsed from surgery of ≤12 months was found in 11 (24.4%) patients in the group A1, and 34 (75.6%) of more than 12 months in the group B1. Comparison was made between all scales of the questionnaires, global (GS), functional (FS) and general symptomatic (GSS) QLQ-C30 and specific symptomatic scale (SSS) QLQ-H and N35. RESULTS: Comparing our results from all scales of both questionnaires with RV there was no statistically significant differences, except for SSS relating to speech problems (p=0.052574). Comparing PL and TL there was a decrease in FS (p=0.025517) and increased problems with speech, swallowing, sensation, coughing and social contact in SSS (p=0.017595) in TL. Comparing A and B groups, there was a decrease in FS (p=0.00531) increase of all symptoms in GSS (p=0.043388) and SSS (p=0.0505385) in the A group. Comparing A1 and B1 groups better FS (p=0.042271) was registered in A1. CONCLUSION: Quality of life of our patients is not significantly different from the QOL of similar patients in the world. Comparing all groups, QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H and N35 showed us clear differences in QOL and their clinical use is justified.

Determination of combined sibship indices "gray zone" using 15 STR loci for central Bosnian human population.

In our previous population studies of Bosnia and Herzegovina human population, we have used autosomal STR, Y-STR, and X-STR loci, as well as Y-chromosome NRY biallelic markers. All obtained results were included in Bosnian referent database. In order of future development of applied population molecular genetics researches of Bosnia and Herzegovina human population, we have examined the effectiveness of 15 STR loci system in determination of sibship by using 15 STR loci and calculating different cut-off points of combined sibship indices (CSI) and distribution of sharing alleles. From the perspective of its application, it is very difficult and complicated to establish strict CSI cut-off values for determination of the doubtless sibship. High statistically significant difference between the means of CSI values and in distribution of alleles sharing in siblings and non-siblings was noticed (P < 0.0001). After constructing the "gray zone", only one false positive result was found in three CSI cut-off levels with the highest percent of determined sibship/non-sibship at the CSI = 0.067, confirming its practical benefit. Concerning the distribution of sharing alleles, it is recommended as an informative estimator for its usage within Bosnia and Herzegovina human population.