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ABSTRACT: The article deals with 17 sudden deaths which occurred during recreational swimming and diving in men in Croatia in a 14-year period: from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2011. The sample is taken out from the total number of 61 sudden deaths in men during or immediately after sport or recreational exercise. Included are also sudden deaths of 8 foreigners spending holidays at the Croatian Adriatic Coast. In all of them forensic medicine autopsy was done. Thirteen males from Croatia died during recreational swimming. Three of them were aged 15-29 yrs: one had signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the second suffered from chronic myopericarditis with left ventricular aneurysm, and the third had cardiomegaly and blood alcohol level of 1.7 per thousand. Five were aged 30-64 yrs: four of them have suffered from coronary atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy of 15-18-18-22 mm, and one with left ventricular hypertrophy drowned suddenly, probably because of malignant ventricular arrhythmia. The fifth suffered stroke and drowned. Five elderly men, aged 65-85 yrs, have suffered from coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial fibrosis or myocardial scars, and three of them had left ventricular hypertrophy of 19 mm. Four males died during recreational diving. One aged 26yrs drowned, at autopsy he had left ventricular hypertrophy of 17 mm. Three males were middle-aged: two had coronary atherosclerosis, two of them had a severe degree of coronary atherosclerosis and one had coronary atherosclerosis of medium degree but with myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy of 18 mm. Seven male foreigners died, five of them during swimming: two aged 30-64 and two aged 65-85. They all have had coronary atherosclerosis: one of them had an acute myocardial infarction of the posterior wall, and one hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well. One middle-aged and one elderly man died during diving, and both had an acute myocardial infarction of the posterior wall. One elderly foreign woman died during swimming, she had coronary atherosclerosis and a myocardial scar. In Croatia, death rate during both swimming and diving in men aged 15-29 years amounted to 0.63/1,000.000 (p=1.0000); in those aged 30-64 it reached 0.56/1,000.000 (p=0.3698), and in those aged 65-85 it was 1.41/1,000.000 (p=0.1849). The death rate during swimming in men aged 15-29 amounted to 1.47/1,000.000 (p=0.9864), in men aged 30-64 it reached 0.35/1,000.000 (p=0.2245), and in those aged 65-85 it was 1.41/1,000.000 (the difference is significant, p=0.0472). The death rate during diving in men aged 15-29 was 0.16/1,000.000, and in men aged 30-64 the observed rate was 0.21/1,000.000 (p=1.0000).
Collegium antropologicum 06/2012; 36(2):641-5. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The paper deals with the sudden cardiac death during physical exercise in males in Croatia. The data are a part of a retrospective study dealing with 69 sudden death due to physical activity in men in Croatia during 27 years: from January 1, 1984 to December 31, 2010. Three of them suddenly died during training and two of them died during recreational physical exercise, probably because of malignant ventricular arrhythmia due to hyperthrophic cardiomyopathy. One had an obstructive form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with i.v. septum of 40 mm and four had a non-obstructive forms of hyperthrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular wall of 18-20-22-25 mm. First athlete was a short trails runner, aged 24, with no any previous physical discomforts, who suddenly collapsed and died during training. The second athlete was a soccer player aged 18, with no any previous physical discomfort, who suddenly collapsed and died during training. The third aged 15, was a school boy, basketball player, with no any previous physical discomfort, who collapsed and died during training. Two aged 25 and 34, were with no physical discomfort during exercise and died suddenly during recreational soccer games. A sudden cardiac death due to physical exercise in young athletes in Croatia suffered of hyperthropic cardiomyopathy reached 0.06/100 000 yearly (p = 0.00000) in 27 years, in teenagers 0.26/100 000 (p = 0.00226), in teenagers suffered of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reached 0.10/100 000 (p = 0.00000), in all young athletes suffered of other heart diseases reached 0.19/100 000 (p = 0.00005), and in the total male population aged 15 or more, engaged in sports and recreational physical exercise: 0.71/100.0000 (p = 0.00001).
Collegium antropologicum 12/2011; 35(4):1051-4. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The paper deals with the sudden cardiac death during training in male athletes in Croatia. The data are a part of a retrospective study dealing with 67 sudden death due to physical activity in men in Croatia during 25 years: from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 2010. Two of them suddenly died during training due to malignant ventricular arrhythmia because of the arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. First was a short trails runner aged 24, with no any previous physical discomforts, who suddenly collapsed and died during training. The second was a soccer player aged 13, with no any previous physical discomfort, who suddenly collapsed and died during training. A sudden cardiac death due to physical exercise in young athletes in Croatia suffered of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia reached 0.07/ 100.000 yearly (p = 0.00000), in all young athletes suffered of heart diseases reached 0.19/100 000 (p = 0.00005), and in the total male population aged 15-40 engaged in sports and recreational physical exercise: 0.71/100.0000 (p = 0.00001).
Collegium antropologicum 09/2011; 35(3):793-6. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The paper deals with the sudden cardiac death in elders due to physical activity in Croatia and to compare it to other population groups who practice physical activity. The data are a part of a retrospective study dealing with 59 sudden death due to physical activity in men in Croatia: from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 2008. Fifteen aged 65 to 82 years were recreationally engaged in physical activity: six in swimming, four in tennis, one in driving a bicycle, one in jogging, two in bowling and one died during sexual act. Only one had symptoms of pectoral angina, two suffered from arterial hypertension, and two had congestive heart failure. Eleven were without symptoms before exercise. At forensic autopsy, fourteen had coronary heart disease, seven had critical coronary artery stenosis, three had occluded left descendens anterior coronary artery and four critical coronary stenosis, four had a recent myocardial infarctions, and eleven had myocardial scars due to previous myocardial infarctions. Twelve of them had left ventricular hypertrophy: 15-25 mm. In Croatia, about 7per cent of the entire male population undertake recreational physical activity, while 13 per cent of them are elders. A sudden cardiac death due to recreational physical activity in elders reached 1.71/100 000 yearly, in the entire male population engaged in recreational physical exercise: 0.75/100 000 (p = 0.05730), in the total male population aged 15-40 engaged in sports and recreational physical exercise: 0.57/100.0000 (p = 0.00387), in young athletes: 0.15/100 000 (p = 0.00000). Medical examination of all elderly persons has to be done before starting of recreational physical activity: by clinical examination, searching for risk factors for atherosclerosis, performing ECG at rest, stress ECG, and echocardiography and to repeat the medical examination at least once a year Physical activity should start with a warm-up period and with a gradually increasing load, and usually not to exceed 6-7 metabolic equivalents (METs).
Collegium antropologicum 03/2011; 35(1):103-6. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A teenager aged 17 was a professional soccer player, and was without symptoms. He died suddenly during physical exercise at the field. All reanimation efforts were unsuccessfull. At the forensic autopsy he had suppurative bacterial tonsillitis, subacute diffuse myopericarditis and narrowing of the ascending aorta of 10 mm. In Croatia the death rate among athletes reached 0.15/100,000, in athletes suffered of acute respiratory tract infections 0.34/100,000, in males who practice exercise recreatively 0.75/100,000 (p = 0.0014), in school children 1.0/100,000 (p = 0.0010). Physical exercise is contraindicated in acute respiratory tract infections. Every such case has to be treated by physician. When to start with physical training after suppurative-bacterial tonsillitis depends on disappearing of clinical signs, normalization of erythrocite sedimentation rate; of white cell count and serum level of C-reactive protein. Physical exercise is contraindicated in patients suffering of myopericarditis for at least 6 months. When to start exercise depends on disappearing of subjective symptoms and normalization of clinical and laboratory findings.
Collegium antropologicum 12/2010; 34(4):1441-3. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Aged population dominates in developed countries. Centenarians are a select group, and only one in 7,000 to 10,000 reach that age. Factors of longevity are numerous and include genetic predisposition (a locus on chromosome 4), environment, healthy lifestyle (hypocaloric diet, regular physical and mental exercise), accessible health services, and efficient health protection at old age. Centenarians are well adapted to the new life and compensate for the loss of functions with age. The limits of human life are extended, so that nowadays the oldest person has reached the age of 128. Some geographic areas are characterised by higher numbers of centenarians. This article mentions a few individuals who outlived 100 years in the world, Croatia, and neighbouring countries. Although some argue that the limits of human life cannot be extended over the age of 120 years, for now we cannot predict the actual limits of human life.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 09/2009; 60(3):375-86. · 1.05 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The article deals with physical exercise in the early prevention of metabolic syndrome, which is one of the most frequent diseases today. Sedentary life style of modern man, surrounded by sophisticated technological achievements, supersedes the time spent in motion in all age groups, from the earliest childhood. The growing number of well substantiated studies has yielded results connecting such kind of life with greater incidence of many chronic diseases and low functional capability of an organism. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex process and one of the most important groups of diseases, presenting a major health problem in developing countries. MS is an increasing risk for coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral angiopathy. MS comprises overweight and abdominal (intraperitoneal) apple shape obesity, insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (type 2 diabetes mellitus--some persons are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance), hypertriglyceridemia with low HDL and high LDL cholesterol, accompanied by arterial hypertension. The prevention of metabolic syndrome should start as early as possible. Regarding physical activity, the period of childhood and adolescence is very important from the aspects of public health. However, intervention exercise programs should not be limited to younger age groups, but must encompass all age groups within population.
Collegium antropologicum 09/2009; 33(3):759-64. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: From 1998 to 2008 we noticed 3 cardiac deaths in male teenagers aged 18-19 during or after physical exercise. The first was working at the site recreatively, the second was engaged in soccer recreatively and the third was professional soccer player. One felt general tiredness and was exhausted of a heavily physical effort, the other after physical exercise became septic and the third was without symptoms. One died suddenly during physical exercise at the field and two died in the hospital. At the forensic autopsy the first had bilateral bacterial pneumonia, possible high-altitude non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and cerebral edema. The second had bilateral bacterial pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, suprarenal bleeding, cerebral edema, hypoplastic right coronary artery and myocardial fibrosis. The third had bilateral bacterial pneumonia, fibrinous pericarditis, cerebral contusion with edema, thickenning of the left ventricle 20 mm and hypoplastic ascending aorta. In Croatia the death rate among athletes reached 0.15/ 100,000, in athletes suffered of acute pneumonia 0.28/ 100,000, in others who practice exercise recreatively 0.57/ 100,000 (p = 0.0068), in all males who practice exercise recreatively 0.75/ 100,000 (p = 0.0014). Physical exercise is contraindicated in acute respiratory tract infections. Every such case has to be treated by physician. When to start with physical training after bacterial pneumonia depends on disappearing of clinical and X-ray signs of pneumonia, normalization of erythrocite sedimentation rate and of white cell count.
Collegium antropologicum 07/2009; 33(2):387-90. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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Sandra Tucak-Zorić,
Ines Bilić Curcić,
Hrvoje Mihalj,
Ivana Dumancić,
Zarko Zelić,
Nada Majetić Cetina,
Robert Smolić,
Martina Volarević,
Sasa Missoni,
Andrea Tomljenović,
Lajos Szirovicza, Zijad Duraković,
Huifeng Xi,
Ranajit Chakraborty,
Ranjan Deka,
Antun Tucak,
Pavao Rudan
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ABSTRACT: Metabolic syndrome (MS), a constellation of metabolic risk factors associated with development of cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes (T2D), has emerged as a public health problem of enormous proportions in developed and developing countries. We have reported previously its prevalence in several island populations of the Eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia. In spite of leading a relatively traditional life style pattern including adherence to a Mediterranean diet, the prevalence of MS in these populations is high and comparable to that in developed nations. However, data on prevalence of MS among the mainland Croatian populations is limited. Therefore, we conducted a study in an outbred population comprising of Croats, Hungarians and Serbs from the Baranja region of mainland Croatia. Although this is an ethnically heterogeneous population, the constituent groups exchange mates and therefore, are not reproductively isolated. The life style patterns are also similar. Overall prevalence of MS, assessed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria, is 40% (35% in males and 42% in females) with Body Mass Index (BMI) as the predictor of obesity and 42% (52% in males and 39% in females) with Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) as the predictor of obesity. It is likely that, in addition to genetic risk factors, a host of environmental factors that include dietary habits and relatively urban life style in a modernized society have influenced the levels of the constituent metabolic traits leading to an increased prevalence of MS.
Collegium antropologicum 10/2008; 32(3):659-65. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the period 1998-, we registered four sudden and unexpected cardiac deaths in male athletes due to myopericarditis during or after physical exercise. Three of them were professional soccer players and the fourth was engaged in swimming. One aged 29, had symptoms of tiredness, heart enlargement and left ventricular premature beats during training. Three of them, aged 17-18-18, were without symptoms. Three died during training and the fourth died in the hospital after head trauma at training. In the first one, aged 29, forensic autopsy showed chronic myopericarditis, thickening of the left ventricular wall of 15 mm and enlargement of the whole heart. The second one, aged 17, had subacute diffuse myopericarditis, suppurative tonsillitis and narrowed ascending aorta. The third, aged 18, had chronic myopericarditis and cardiac aneurysm of the left ventricle. The fourth, aged 18, had fibrinous pericarditis, thickening of the left ventricle 20 mm, hypoplastic ascending aorta, bilateral bronchopneumonia and cerebral contusion with edema. In Croatia, death rate among athletes, including all its causes, reached 0.15/100,000, in athletes suffering from myopericarditis it was 0.34/100,000, in others who practice exercise recreatively it amounted to 0.57/100,000 (p=0.0068), and in all males who practice exercise it measured 0.75/100,000 (p=0.0014). Physical exercise has to be contraindicated in cases of myopericarditis for at least six months from the onset of the illness.
Collegium antropologicum 07/2008; 32(2):399-401. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Definitions of so-called older age often are based on a chronological age of 65 years and over, although by some authors aging is the process that starts after the 30th year of life. At the beginning occur changes in the organ functions, followed by anatomical changes as well. Some organs age faster, some slower. For example, kidneys decrease for one third, lungs do not change, liver shrinks a little, prostate increases twice. In some cross-sectional studies, muscle mass in men aged 65 is on average 12 kg less than in the so-called middle age, and in women it is approximately 5 kg less. In the heart the amount of connective tissue increases, lipofuscin is deposited in cardiac muscle, the strength of which is decreasing. In the respiratory tract the number of pathways cilia decreases, along with the alveolar surface, muscles involved in breathing change, lung elasticity is also diminished. But, in regard with the previous body capacity, "physiological aging" can be divided into three types of elderly: the "older" elderly have the highest functional capacity of 2-3 MET (MET--metabolic unit, i.e. the oxygen consumption of 3.5 ml/kg body mass in a minute), the "younger" elderly are the persons of older age having maximal functional capacity of 5-7 MET, while the "sport" elderly have the functional capacity of 9-10 MET, disregarding chronological age. The brain weight diminishes for approximately 7% compared to younger age. In temporal gyrus and area striata even 20-40% of cells are being lost, vacuolar and neuroaxonal degeneration occurs, lipofuscin is being accumulated. The brain blood flow, which is in normal conditions 50-60 ml/min/100 g of tissue, with the increase of biological age decreases to about 40 ml/min/100 g of tissue. However, this usually is not the consequence of biological age but of disease. A chronological age of 65 for the beginning of "elder hood" is a sociopolitical construct developed by social security systems and government organizations to decide an arbitrary age at which benefits should be paid. Thus, it neither a border nor do changes designating old age occurs exactly with that "age border". The changes in the organism during the so-called aging are individual. So, the functional capacity of an organism, both physical and intellectual, must be evaluated individually, having in mind biological age.
Collegium antropologicum 04/2006; 30(1):213-9. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to analyze the corrected QT interval (QTc), its dispersion (QTcd), and the QT interval index (QTcI) and to compare it with the corrected JT interval (JTc), its dispersion (JTcd), and the JT interval index (JTcI) in long-term alcoholic users, by investigating the ventricular activation until the completion of repolarization.
The study of ECGs was performed on a selected group of 49 male white alcoholic patients, mean age 53.51+/-4.78 years. The control group was pair-matched. The analysis of ECGs was performed according to the Minnesota Code, and Bazett's formula gave the values of the corrected QT interval and JT interval.
The results of the descriptive statistics in the group of alcoholics showed a range of the QTcd of 12.0 to 103.0 milliseconds, mean 44.2+/-18.6 milliseconds, compared with 5.0 to 68.0 milliseconds, mean 23.8+/-11.1 milliseconds, in the control group (p < 0.0001). The range of JTcd in the alcoholic patients was 11.0 to 88.0 milliseconds, mean 43.0+/-18.3 milliseconds, compared with 5.0 to 66.0 milliseconds, mean 22.8+/-12.1 milliseconds, in the control group (p < 0.0001). The QTc from 422.0 to 480.0 milliseconds was obtained in 69.4% of the alcoholic patients and 32.6% of the controls. The QTc over 480.0 milliseconds was found in 24.5% of the alcoholic patients, but was not recorded among the controls at all (p < 0.0001). The QTcd over 50.0 milliseconds was registered in 34.7% of the alcoholic patients, while in the controls a QTcd above 50 milliseconds was found in 2.0% (p < 0.0001). The mean values of QT were markedly higher in the alcoholic patients (p < 0.01) than in the controls. The same was the case with the values of QTd, QT(I), QTcd, and QTcI (p < 0.0001). Also, the mean values of JTd, JT(I), JTc, JTcd, and JTcI were significantly higher in the alcoholic patients than in the controls (p < 0.0001). The mean value of JT, although higher in the alcoholic patients, did not significantly differ between the examined groups (p=0.1002). The odds ratio estimated for prolonged QTc and for enlarged QTcd in the alcoholics versus the controls was 31.625 and 25.500 (p < 0.0001), respectively.
Persons who consume various alcoholic beverages excessively and for a long time have significantly higher dispersions of the QTc and JTc, intervals and they have a significantly higher estimation of relative risk for the prolonged QTc interval and higher QTc dispersion than the control group, i.e., higher risk of arrhythmias.
Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research 01/2006; 30(1):150-4. · 3.34 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Five sudden cardiac deaths in male adolescents (age 14-18 years) were detected in a 5-year period in Croatia. Two of them had been engaged in physical exercise at school, one as a professional soccer player, one in recreational swimming, and the fifth had just finished secondary school and was working at the site. All of them were autopsied and in three congenital cardiovascular diseases was found. Two had hypoplastic coronary arteries. The third had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with interventricular wall of 40 mm. The fourth had normal heart findings including coronaries, but had bilateral pneumonia with a possible altitude (non-cardiogenic) pulmonary edema. The fifth had a chronic myopericarditis with an aneurysm of the left ventricle. All of them had not reported definite symptoms at exertion. According to this data, the death rate in adolescent males in Croatia during or after recreational physical exercise was 1/100,000 per year or 5/500,000 in five years. Thorough preparticipation medical examination including indicated laboratory tests and avoidance of heavy exertion at the time of respiratory infection might have helped to avoid some of the lethal events.
Collegium antropologicum 07/2004; 28(1):271-6. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of habitual physical activity in Croatian physical education (PE) teachers, as well as the existence of some other risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The sample consisted of 191 PE teachers aged 24 to 59 years (122 men, mean age 42.6+/-8.76 and 69 women, mean age 40.3+/-8.84;p=0.09). In order to assess the level of habitual physical activity, the teachers were asked to fill in Baecke's questionnaire. The questionnaire comprises 16 items testing physical loads at work, during sport activity and during leisure time. The questionnaire also contains 8 items, each of them representing a certain cardiovascular risk factor. In comparison to average adult employed population, PE teachers have a significantly higher level of sport and leisure time activity, which could have a favorable impact on the incidence of particular risk factors, such as overweight/obesity, systolic hypertension and blood cholesterol level. This is more obvious in females PE teachers who pay more attention to the principles of healthy life style: optimal body weight regulation, low fat diet and higher amount of leisure time physical activity (significantly higher than in male teachers). Female PE teachers who have maintained their active life style decrease the risk of CVD, particularly after the age of 55. Although it is necessary to keep in mind all the limitations of a questionnaire study, this preliminary report leads to the conclusion that male PE teachers, although physically active at job, have still kept sedentary habits, often have maintained heavy smoking habits, are slightly overweight, thus minimizing the positive effects of their demanding workplace. Consequently, average male PE teachers' risk for CVD development corresponds to the risk of general male population.
Collegium antropologicum 02/2004; 28 Suppl 2:251-7. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In Croatia, the mortality rate is higher than that in the countries of the European Union (EU), and consumption of coffee is moderate compared to the EU countries. The study examined the effects of coffee consumption on all-cause (general) mortality, mortality due to cardiovascular disease, and survival. Analyses were based on data obtained from an epidemiological longitudinal study started in 1969 with follow-ups in 1972, including 1,571 men and 1,793 women aged 35-59 years, and in 1982, including 1,093 men and 1,330 women. The sample was age- and gender-stratified and included urban and rural populations from three coastal and three continental regions of Croatia. During the observation period from spring 1972 to the end of 1999, 568 men and 382 women died. In total, 254 men and 181 women died due to cardiovascular disease. The sample was classified in 4 groups: non-drinkers, consumption of coffee sometimes, regularly 1-2 cup(s), and regularly more than 2 cups per day. Apart from coffee, the effects of diastolic blood pressure, smoking habit, well-being, stomach ulcer, and resident status were analyzed. Data on general mortality and mortality due to cardiovascular disease were also analyzed. The influence of region and the effects of diastolic pressure and smoking habit on general mortality and cardiovascular disease-associated mortality were confirmed in both the sexes. No significant effects of coffee consumption on general mortality and mortality due to cardiovascular disease were found among men. Positive effects of coffee on general mortality (p = 0.0089) but not on cardiovascular disease-associated mortality were observed among women. Women who regularly drank coffee 1-2 cup(s) per day had a significantly lower risk of all-cause death adjusted for age, region, smoking, diastolic blood pressure, feeling of well-being, and history of stomach ulcer (relative risk = 0.631; p = 0.0033; confidence interval: 0.464-0.857). The role of coffee consumption on mortality was less relevant than other variables. However, it cannot be completely neglected in women.
Journal of Health Population and Nutrition 01/2004; 21(4):332-40. · 0.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The study of electrocardiograms (ECGs) was performed in a subgroup of 181 men, ex-prisoners of war with mean age 35.8+/-11.0 years and mean duration of imprisonment 164.5+/-87.1 days, chosen at random from the total sample of released prisoners (N=1458). The control group was pair-matched. The analysis of ECGs was done according to the Minnesota code, and Bazett's formula gave the values of the corrected QT interval (QT(c)). The dispersion of the QT(c) interval is determined by the difference between the longest and the shortest measured QT(c) interval in each ECG lead. The results of descriptive statistics in the group of ex-prisoners showed the range of QT(c) dispersion of 8.0-122.0 ms (mean 52.4+/-21.6 ms), while in the control group the range was 6.0-72.0 ms (mean 30.4+/-13.8 ms) (df=360, t=11.536; P<0.001). The QT(c) interval from 422.0 to 480.0 ms had 60.2% ex-prisoners and 30.4% controls, while a QT(c) interval over 480.0 ms had 19.3% ex-prisoners and 1.10% controls (P<0.0001). In the ex-prisoners group, the QT(c) dispersion over 50 ms was present in 51.4%; of those, a dispersion of 95 ms and more was found in 3.9%, while in the controls a QT(c) dispersion over 50 ms was found in 8.3%, but a dispersion of 95 ms and more was not recorded (P<0.0001). The odds ratio estimated for the prolonged QT(c) interval was 8.467 and for enlarged QT(c) dispersion it was 11.695 in the ex-prisoners versus controls (P<0.001). In conclusion, persons exposed to long-term maltreatment in detention camps have significantly greater QT(c) dispersion, as well as a higher relative risk of prolonged QT(c) interval and greater QT(c) dispersion than a control group.
International Journal of Cardiology 04/2003; 88(2-3):279-83. · 7.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Characteristics of aging as a normal physiological process are presented. The main indicators of increased the number of older population in the world as well as problems related to society and particularly to public health are listed. The difference between gerontology and geriatrics is described. Retirement is separately presented as a psychological process. Reported are the most frequent chronic diseases that may develop in older people including dementia, mental depression, and other psychological problems. The theories of aging related to organs and organic systems are described. The importance of geroprophylaxis, including primary, secondary and terciary prevention for older people is particularly stressed.
Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik 127(9-10):231-7.
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ABSTRACT: Aging produces numerous physical and physiologic changes, which in turn alter nutritional requirements and affect nutritional status. The presence of chronic disease, and/or medications can enhance potential disparities between nutrient needs and dietary intake, leading to malnutrition. Indeed, research suggests that malnutrition is a common condition among the elderly. Therefore, regular nutritional assessment should be done as an integral part of healthcare for elderly. Also, it is important to take in consideration all determinants of geroanthropometry. The physiologic changes associated with aging affect requirement for several essential nutrients. In general, the requirement for many nutrients decreases, concomitant with the decrease in energy needs. However, some nutrients are needed in higher amounts. Additionally, various psychosocial and socioeconomic changes that often attend aging may also alter dietary intake. Dietary planning is important part of nutritional care in the elderly. Also, some elderly persons can benefit with dietary supplements and oral nutritional supplements (enteral formulas) which can be prescribed by diagnosed or threatening malnutrition. Croatian guidelines for nutrition in the elderly have been developed by interdisciplinary expert group of Croatian clinicians, gerontologists, anthropologists, nutritionists and other professionals involved with care for elderly population. The guidelines are based on evidence from relevant medical literature and clinical experience of working group.
Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik 133(7-8):231-40.
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ABSTRACT: The paper deals with the problem of acute viral infections of the upper respiratory tract in sport and recreational exercise. Regarding these infections, important factors are biological age and the previous health status – the existence of one or more chronic diseases, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular ones. Described are virus types, ways of their transmission, disease course and possible complications. Special attention is paid to influenza. The risk of the upper respiratory tract diseases is increased during intensive endurance training sessions, marathon and ultramarathon races, as well as in the cases of overtraining and chronic fatigue. Cited are changes in the individual components in the immune system, which happen in intensive long-lasting high volume training, and which are related to neuroendocrinologic changes. Recommendations for the prevention of increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections are listed. The duration of a certain viral disease is particularly stressed, as well as which circumstances condition the restart of training.
Kinesiology (kinesiology.office@kif.hr); Vol.37 No.1.
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ABSTRACT: Za ocjenu starije životne dobe najčešće se govori o granici od 65 godina. Međutim, niti je to granica, niti se upravo tom "granicom dobi" događaju promjene koje određuju starost. Promjene organizma tijekom tzv starenja vrlo su individualne. Stoga treba funkcijsku sposobnost organizma, tjelesnu i intelektualnu, uvijek pojedinačno ocjenjivati, ne vodeći računa o kronološkoj dobi
MEDIX (medix@ct-poslovneinformacije.hr); Vol.10 No.52.
