AIM To investigate whether the radiographic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) correlates with inflammatory markers and other laboratory values, and its association with treatment modalities. METHODS This observational study included 125 patients with seropositive RA. Data were obtained from patients' medical records from the year of 2022. Inclusion criteria were patients with seropositive RA who had attended follow-up with a rheumatologist. Basic patient data were collected: gender, age, duration of RA, hospital admission, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and X-ray stage of RA. Stages of RA are defined by the American College of Rheumatology and they ranged from stage 1, which represents no destructive changes on X-ray, up to stage 4 where bony or fibrous ankylosis is present. RESULTS There were no differences in X-ray stages of RA between genders. Patients with a higher X-ray stage were younger and had a longer duration of illness. Patients in stages III and IV had higher systolic blood pressure (BP), patients in stage IV had higher diastolic BP. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were higher in X-ray stages II-IV compared to stage I. The patients treated with methotrexate had higher radiographic stages. CONCLUSION X-ray changes can be associated with CRP and ESR levels, since structural damage is related to RA disease activity and functional disability. The use of newer treatment modalities may be required to stop the radiographic progression of RA.

Aim To investigate a profile of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods This observational study included 1022 patients hospitalized at the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo in a 5-year period, 2015 to 2019. Results Disease prevalence rises sharply after the age of 50. Most patients, 797 (78%) had proximal PAD; 658 (64.4%) were males. The death occurred in 73 (7.1%) patients, more often in females (66- 10%), and in patients with chronic kidney disease (10- 23.8%). Amputation occurred in 153 (15%) patients, where 102 (66.7%) patients had diabetes. Other surgical procedures were more common in males and smokers. Necrosis and phlegmon on lower extremities were found in 563 (55.1%) and 43 (4.2%) patients, respectively. History of tobacco use was noted in 620 (60.2%) patients, and 414 (40.8%) patients were current smokers. More than a half of patients had hypertension and diabetes, 596 (58.3%) and 513 (50.2%), respectively. One in 10 patients had a history of myocardial infarction or stroke. Most patients had high fibrinogen and blood glucose and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Conclusion Patients with PAD have multiple comorbidities and risk for various complications. Primary and secondary prevention of risk factors is the mainstay of treatment.

Aim To determine risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients in a 10-year follow-up. Methods In this observational study data were collected from the disease history of patients admitted to the Department of Angiology of the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo in the period of 10 years (2008-2017). Of 6246 hospitalized patients, 1154 were with established diagnosis of DVT and included in the study as a basic inclusion criterion. Results Provoked venous thromboembolism was recorded in 45.75% of hospitalized patients. In 54.25% cases DVT was classified as idiopathic; in the remaining cases with DVT external risk factors were identified. Every fourth patient had a history of malignancy, and this risk factor was significantly more common among women and younger patients. Cancer of female reproductive organs, colon, lung, breast and prostate cancer were most common. One of 10 women had DVT during pregnancy or postpartum period. Out of the total number, 10.9% patients had DVT after surgery, 2.3% after injury. DVT was found in 1.6% of drug addicts. Rethrombosis was diagnosed in 5.2% patients within a year, while 9.2 % patients had rethrombosis within five years. Conclusion Provoked venous thromboembolism is an entity that can be prevented. Malignancy and surgical treatment are the most common risk factors and these patients should be treated with special care. The creation of a register of patients with venous thromboembolism in Bosnia and Herzegovina would enable the development of a preventive strategy in the groups of patients at risk.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) consists of two entities, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and its complication, pulmonary embolism (PE). The main therapeutic goal is the prevention of this complication. Aim: The aim of the study was to present epidemiological data of patients with the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis, with regard to the location of thrombosis, the value of fibrinogen and D-dimer in relation to the sex of the patients, the presentation of therapeutic modality, with the presentation of PE and treatment outcomes. Methods: The study has a retrospective and observational feature, covering the period from 2008 to 2017, and included 1154 patients with the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis as a basic criterion for inclusion. Data on sex, age, diagnosis with thrombosis localization, hospitalization duration, administered therapy, D-dimer and fibrinogen values, pulmonary thromboembolism and mortality were collected. Results: The deep venous thrombosis was mostly located at the lower limbs - in 1079 respondents (93.5%), then at the upper limbs in 65 (5.63%) cases. The left side is more represented (58.9%) than the right (40.3%), which is statistically significant (χ2=40.03, p<0.005), while 0.9% of patients had DVT bilaterally. At the lower limbs is the most common iliac thrombosis, represented in 47% of thrombosis cases at the lower limbs. Subclavian axillary thrombosis has been reported in ¾ cases at the upper limbs. The mean fibrinogen concentration in all respondents is 5.2 mg/L, for men 5.0 mg/L and for women 5.3 mg/L, above the reference values (1.8-3.8 g/L). The mean value of D-dimer was 7.33 mg/L for all respondents, 8.46 mg/L for women and 6.5 mg/L for men, which was high above the reference limit (0.55 mg/L). From baseline, 88 (7.6%) of respondents had proven/high-grade pulmonary thromboembolism as a DVT complication in the observed period. Pearson correlation established a positive correlation between lethal outcome and patient age, r=0.13, p<0.005, followed by a higher incidence of lethal outcome after DVT in older patients. Conclusion: The incidence of venous thromboembolism is approximately equal among the genders, and increases with the age of the patients, especially in men. Fibrinogen and D-dimer values in hospitalized patients are higher than the reference, in both cases more among women. Multidisciplinary approach to patients, in cooperation with angiologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists and nuclear medicine specialists is an imperative. The development of a state-level registry that would follow the incidence of deep venous thrombosis, with reference to risk factors, is imperative and necessary in planning of community health system.