The objective of this paper was to present basic clinical characteristics and outcomes of treating Covid 19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic. In the retrospective study for the period from September 2020 to February 2021 it was analyzed disease history data and radiological lung changes, time from the initial start of the disease until hospitalization, parameters of blood gas analysis, comorbidities, and the outcome. The research covered 409 patients, out of which 263 (64.3%) were males. Average age was 67.07± 12.44 years (min. 20; max. 93). A high comorbidities prevalence (82.9%) was noticed out of which arterial hypertension (69.2%), diabetes mellitus (37.7%) and obesity (24.7%). On the radiological lung scan the most noticed changes were consolidation (46.2%), “ground glass” (41.3%) and interstitial changes (13%). Bilateral lung infiltration was noticed in 91.9% of the patients. Average oxygen saturation was 84.29%±10.28% (min. 35; max. 98; med. 87%). In patients with unilateral lung infiltration, average oxygen saturation was 85.09%±8.60% (med. 89%, min.61% max 98%), while in patients with bilateral lung infiltration average was 84.22%±10.42% (med. 87%, min. 35%, max. 98%). From the total all patients’ death was noticed in 35.7% cases. Morbidity of patients with unilateral lung infiltration was 27.3% and in patients with unilateral infiltration 36.4%. Hospital admission in the first week of the disease indicates the severity of the clinical condition and can be a predictor of poor outcome. Bilateral pulmonary infiltration, obesity and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for high mortality.

Introduction: Preoperative carbohydrate oral (CHO) drinks attenuate the surgical stress response; however, the effects of CHO supplementation on the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an inflammatory and immunology-based predictor remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of preoperative CHO loading on NLR values and complications following open colorectal surgery compared with a conventional fasting protocol. Methods: Sixty eligible participants having planned for routine and open colorectal cancer surgery from May 2020 to January 2022 were prospectively and randomly allocated to either the control (fasting) group, whose members discontinued oral intake beginning the midnight before surgery, or the intervention (CHO) group, whose members consumed a CHO solution the night before surgery and 2 h prior to anaesthesia. NLR was assessed at 06:00 h before surgery (baseline) and at 06:00 h on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5. The incidence and severity of postoperative complications were assessed by Clavien-Dindo Classification up to postoperative day 30. All data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Postoperative NLR and delta NLR values were significantly higher in controls (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Control group participants also demonstrated grade IV (n = 5; 16.7%, p < 0.01) and grade V (n = 1; 3.3%, p < 0.313) postoperative complications. There were no major postoperative complications in the CHO group. Conclusion: Preoperative CHO consumption reduced postoperative NLR values and the incidence and severity of postoperative complications following open colorectal surgery, compared with a preoperative fasting protocol. Preoperative carbohydrate loading may improve recovery following colorectal cancer surgery.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic effects of ketamine over fentanyl combined with propofol in analgesia-based elective colonoscopy with purpose of patient safety and satisfaction. Methods: This is a double-blinded prospective randomized controlled trial. Ninety patients were included and randomized to either fentanyl-propofol (Group FP, n: 30), ketamine-propofol (Group KP, n: 30) or propofol-control group (Group C, n: 30). Group FP patients received fentanyl and propofol, Group KP received ketamine and propofol and Group C, propofol. In all groups, incremental doses of propofol were used to maintain a Ramsay sedation score (RSS) of 5. Respiratory depression and hemodynamic parameters were monitored for the first minute and every 5 min during endoscopy. Fifteen minutes after the procedure, the degree of pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), the quality of recovery according to the Aldrete score (ARS), complications during and after the procedure and additional doses of propofol were recorded. Results: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 5 and 30 min (p < 0.05), heart rate (HR) at 15, 25 and 30 min (p < 0.05) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) at 30 min (p < 0.05) were statistically significant for Group FP. Desaturation (*p = 0.033), and weakness (*p = 0.004) was also significant for Group FP at 20, 25 and 30 min (p < 0.05). Pain was lower assessed for the Group KP according to the VAS (**p = 0.025). Conclusion: In analgesia-based colonoscopy, ketamine provides appropriate analgesia and less incidence of complications compared to fentanyl.

ABSTRACT Two cases are presented with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-related hiccups: one during initial presentation and one 10 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. Hiccups in both patients were resistant to treatment and responded only to chlorpromazine. COVID-19 patients may present with hiccups and also may have hiccups after treatment. Resistant hiccups without any underlying disease other than COVID-19 should be considered in association with COVID-19 and may respond well to chlorpromazine.

Introduction: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is used for monitoring of disease progression and treatment response in cancer patients. The aim was to compare the performance of chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for CEA. Methods: A total of 115 samples were collected during routine diagnostic, prognostic, and therapy monitoring procedures in patients with colorectal and pancreatic cancer. We used Architect i2000SR and Cobas E601 for CEA analysis in sera samples. Results: The correlation coefficient of 0.984 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.972–0.991) for results obtained on both platforms was observed for CEA ≤10 ng/mL group. Moreover, intercept of 0.9027 (95% CI: 0.705–1.099) and slope 0.8076 (95% CI: 0.765–0.8498) (p < 0.0001) were observed in this group. In CEA >10 ng/mL group, we observed slope = 1.1986 (95% CI: 1.1474–1.2498) (p < 0.0001), intercept = –11.69 (–17.53–−5.84), and correlation coefficient = 0.985 (95% CI: 0.976–0.9914). Mean differences between assays in group ≤10 ng/mL and >10 ng/mL were 0.2066 (95% CI: 0.0019–0.4113) and –2.66 (95% CI: −10.10–4.76) ng/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Although there were differences, based on 20 days’ precision tests, overall results showed a good analytical performance and correlation between CEA assays on Architect i2000SR and Cobas E601 platforms. Reference intervals appropriate for the method of CEA measurement should be used. The standardization and harmonization of serum CEA concentration assays are needed.

Introduction: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is used for monitoring of disease progression and treatment response in cancer patients. Our aim was to compare the performance of chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) for CEA. Methods: A total of 115 samples were collected during routine diagnostic, prognostic and therapy monitoring procedures in patients with colorectal and pancreatic cancer. We used ARCHITECT i2000SR and Cobas E601 for CEA analysis in sera samples. Results: The correlation coefficient of 0.984 [95% CI: 0.972 to 0.991] for results obtained on both platforms was observed for CEA≤10 ng/mL group. Moreover, intercept of 0.9027 [95% CI: 0.705 to 1.099] and slope 0.8076 [95% CI: 0.765 to 0.8498]  (p < 0.0001) was observed in this group. In CEA >10 ng/mL group we observed slope = 1.1986  [95%CI: 1.1474 to 1.2498]  (p < 0.0001), intercept = -11.69 [-17.53 to - 5.84] and correlation coefficient of 0.985 [95% CI: 0.976 to 0.9914]. Mean differences between assays in group ≤10 ng/mL and >10 ng/mL were 0.2066 (95% CI: 0.0019 to 0.4113) and –2.66 (95% CI: -10.10 to 4.76) ng/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Although there were differences, based on 20 days precision tests, overall results showed a good analytical performance and correlation between CEA assays on ARCHITECT i2000SR and Cobas E601 platforms. Reference intervals appropriate for the method of CEA measurement should be used. The standardization and harmonization of serum CEA concentration assays are needed.

Aim To investigate the association of parameters of lipid profile and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) p<60 ml/min/1.73m2 calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) in non-dialysis kidney patients. Methods The observational, case-control study enrolled patients (n=117) recruited from the Nephrological Counselling Centre of the University Clinical Centre Sarajevo and divided into two groups: group 1 eGFR (15-59 mL/min/1.73 m2 ), and group 2 (control) eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Concentration of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins was measured, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP; log(TG/HDLc)) was calculated. Results High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) concentrations in serum were reduced [(1.02 (0.94-1.29) vs 1.15 (1.1-1.4) mmol/L; p=0.009 and 0.035 (0.026-0.04) vs 0.041 (0.034-0.05) g/L; p=0.002, respectively)], while AIP was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (0.19±0.03 vs 0.09±0.04; p=0.013). Values less than 1.09 mmol/L and 0.038 g/L for HDLc and APOE, or higher than 0.165 for AIP (p< 0.05) were associated with the eGFR below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. The age [OR = 1.1; 95% CI (1.05-1.17)] and AIP [OR = 8.7; 95% CI (1.18- 65.0)] were independent positive predictors, while APOE was a negative predictor of eGFR reduction rate (OR=0.01; 95% CI (0.001-0.033; p<0.001). Conclusion Changes in parameters such as HDLc, APOE and AIP are associated with CKD. The study results imply the need of the AIP calculation as routine laboratory work due to its role along with the age and APOE in the prediction of renal function decline.

Objective: To determine the incidence of systemic inflammatory response of the organism in surgical patients and its impact on the outcome of treatment. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 60 patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures, between January 2014 and December 2015 in the Surgery Clinic at the University Clinical Center Tuzla. Two groups of thirty were formed by the method of consecutive sampling. The first group consisted of subjects who were prepared for elective abdominal surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), and the second group subjects underwent an emergency surgery due to acute abdomen (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). Results The body temperature difference was statistically significant between the two investigated groups in all stages (c2: t0=3,486; t1=3,098; t2=2,453, t: t0=-11,210; t1=-7,360; t2=-4,927, p < 0,05). Non-elective surgery group had a statistical significant difference of the heart rate at all stages (c2: t0=3,873; t1=3,357; t2=3,227, t: t0=-16,524; t1=-10,407; t2=-9,842, p < 0,05). There is a statistically significant difference in the pCO2 values in all stages between groups (c2: t0=2,582; t1=1,678; t2=1,162, t: t0=4,323; t1=2,653; t2=2,229, p < 0,05). The SIRS score has a good positive correlation with the length of treatment, while the correlation with the outcome of treatment has no statistical significance. Conclusion Inflammation scores monitoring in surgical patients is important for the surgical treatment success analysis. By modifying the therapy and influencing the inflammatory response, the results of treatment are improved.

Background: One of the complications aneurysms subarachnoid hemorrhage is the development of vasospasm, which is the leading cause of disability and death from ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Aim: To evaluate the significance of previous comorbidities on early outcome of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by rupture of a cerebral aneurysm in the prevention of vasospasm. Patients and methods: The study had prospective character in which included 50 patients, whose diagnosed with SAH caused by the rupture of a brain aneurysm in the period from 2011to 2013. Two groups of patients were formed. Group I: patients in addition to the standard initial treatment and “3H therapy” administered nimodipine at a dose of 15-30 mg / kg bw / h (3-10 ml) for the duration of the initial treatment. Group II: patients in addition to the standard initial treatment and “3H therapy” administered with MgSO4 at a dose of 12 grams in 500 ml of 0.9% NaCl / 24 h during the initial treatment. Results: Two-thirds of the patients (68%) from both groups had a good outcome measured with values according to GOS scales, GOS IV and V. The poorer outcome, GOS III had 20% patients, the GOS II was at 2% and GOS I within 10% of patients. If we analyze the impact of comorbidity on the outcome, it shows that there is a significant relationship between the presence of comorbidity and outcomes. The patients without comorbidity (83.30%) had a good outcome (GOS IV and V), the same outcome was observed (59.4%) with comorbidities, which has a statistically significant difference (p = 0.04). Patients without diabetes (32%) had a good outcome (GOS IV and V), while the percentage of patients with diabetes less frequent (2%) with a good outcome, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.009). Conclusion: The outcome of treatment 30 days after the subarachnoid hemorrhage analyzed values WFNS and GOS, is not dependent on the method of prevention and treatment of vasospasm. Most concomitant diseases in patients with SAH which, requiring additional treatment measures are arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The best predictors in the initial treatment of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by rupture of a cerebral aneurysm has the presence of comorbidity, which has statistical significance.