Estimation of the Impact of Migraine on Self-rated Health: A Cross-sectional Study in Slovenia

AimWith the aim of providing a foundation for evidence-based public health actions, as well as the more individualised clinical treatment of migraine in Slovenia, the objective of our study was to assess the association between poor self-rated health (PSRH) and migraine, adjusted for selected comorbidity and socioeconomic factors.MethodsThe survey, conducted between August and December 2014, involved included 6,262 adults aged 15 years and over. Binary logistic regression was used in univariate as well as multivariate analysis. Three multivariate models were defined: MODEL 1 (migraine and comorbidities related to the physical dimension of health); MODEL 2 (comorbidities related to the mental dimension of health); MODEL 3 (demographic and socioeconomic factors).ResultsIn univariate as well as all three multivariate models, the odds of PSRH were statistically significantly higher in migraine sufferers in comparison to non-sufferers (univariate model: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=2.22 (p<0.001); MODEL 1: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=2.27 (p<0.001); MODEL 2: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=1.51 (p=0.002); MODEL 3: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=1.56 (p=0.001)).ConclusionMigraine is an important PSRH-related factor. Comorbidities related to the physical dimension of health do not reduce the power of association between migraine and PRSH, while comorbidities related to the mental dimension reduce the power of association of migraine and other health conditions. The power of the association between migraine and PRSH is also independent of demographic/socioeconomic factors. We can also conclude that migraine seems to be a phenomenon that is in a bi-directional relationship with mental states (thus having an impact on PSRH) and is itself a stressor.     

Second primary cancers in breast cancer patients in Slovenia

Data from the Cancer Registry of Slovenia were used in a cohort studyto determine whether the incidence of second primary cancers in patients withfirst primary breast cancer differs from the incidence expected in thegeneral population. Special interest was given to long-term survivors. Theexpected numbers of second primary cancers were calculated by multiplying thenumber of appropriate person-years at risk by the corresponding age-andcalendar-period-specific cancer incidence rates for women in Slovenia. Therisk of a second primary cancer was expressed as the standardized incidenceratio (SIR). Of the 8,917 patients newly diagnosed in the period 1961-85 andfollowed-up to the end of 1994, 547 (6.2 percent) developed second primarycancers, whereas 410 (4.7 percent) were expected (SIR = 1.3, 95 percentconfidence interval [CI] = 1.2-1.4). The risk was higher among youngerpatients. In long-term survivors, the risk was increased significantly forsecond primary cancer of th e breast (SIR = 1.4, CI = 1.1-1.7), lung cancer(SIR = 1.6, CI = 1.1-2.3), melanoma (SIR = 2.7, CI = 1.5-4.4) andnon-melanoma skin cancers (SIR = 2.0, CI = 1.6-2.4), corpus uteri cancer (SIR= 1.6, CI = 1.2-2.1), ovarian cancer (SIR = 2.3, CI = 1.7-3.0), and thyroidcancer (SIR = 2.5, CI = 1.2-4.6). Our results confirm the findings of severalcohort studies carried out in Europe, the United States, and Japan,indicating that breast cancer patients should be monitored carefully for theoccurrence of second primary cancers.     

Thirty autosomal insertion-deletion polymorphisms analyzed using the Investigator® DIPplex Kit in populations from Iraq,Lithuania, Slovenia,and Turkey

Thirty autosomal insertion-deletion (InDel) polymorphisms were analyzed in four populations from Iraq, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Turkey using the commercial kit Investigator® DIPplex. Genotyping issues were encountered for five of the 30 InDels. They were most probably caused by polymorphisms located in the primer binding sites. Population and forensic parameters were calculated. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium or significant linkage disequilibrium were detected. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 33% to 61% depending on the marker and the population. The combined probability of exclusion for the 30 markers was 99.7% in all four populations and the matching probabilities were 1 in 3–4 × 10¹² individuals. The multidimensional scaling plot drawn from F_ST distances showed a good concordance between the relative position of the 15 populations included in the plot and their geographic locations.     

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treating Obesity in a Community Health Centre

Objectives

The aim of the study is to assess the weight loss programme with regards to the long-term effectiveness of weight reduction and weight maintenance, using completion rate and BMI, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels as outcomes. The aim of the study also includes identifying the factors associated with adherence to the programme.

Methods

The programme was developed by a multidisciplinary team. It included 6 months of introduction and another 18 months of maintenance. The data for 397 participants was collected after 24 months.

Results

346 participants have completed the introduction and 123 have completed the programme. In the introduction, the average weight loss was 12% of the initial weight. The participants, who completed the full programme, lost 9.4% of their initial weight. The participants also significantly (p<0.05) reduced their blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as their blood pressure. The factors associated with adherence to the programme are: age over 50, lower educational levels, lower initial weight and higher weight loss in the introduction.

Conclusions

The multi-disciplinary approach to obesity treatment was effective for a selected group of people. The proportion of dropouts was relatively high, but still low compared to similar programmes. Group treatment and mutual support are of a great importance in bringing about and maintaining the changes.     

Cervids as Babesiae hosts, Slovenia

We describe cervids as potential reservoir hosts of Babesia EU1 and B. divergens. Both babesial parasites were found in roe deer. Sequence analysis of 18S rRNA showed 99.7% identity of roe deer Babesia EU1 with the human EU1 strain. B. divergens detected in cervids was 99.6% identical to bovine B. divergens.     

Child care in Slovenia: an example of a successful transition

Slovenia is a country which has managed to retain most of its advantages and achievements in preschool child care attained in the socialist period, while, during the transition years, rather successfully reforming services according to principles of the market economy. The female activity rate has been high since the mid 1940s, and female employment has been the main factor influencing the demand for preschool child care services. Slovenian mothers work full-time and after 1 year of paid maternity and parental leave they mostly stay in the labour market. Child care facilities, 70% of them constructed in the period 1971-1985, are sufficient for almost 60% of the preschool population, and just a very small percentage of demand remains unmet. Child care services are traditionally highly subsidised. On average, parents finance up to a quarter of the current costs, so that the average in-kind transfer for a child in child care amounts to about 30% of the average net salary. Social assistance recipients are exempt from paying fees altogether, while the rest of the parents pay from 15% to 80% of the current costs. The highest fee is paid by families with a per capita income > 110% of the average salary in Slovenia. Research into the burden of parental fees for child care in Ljubljana in 1994 has shown that three-quarters of families spent between 5 and 15% of their total net income on child care (for one or more children). For three-quarters of families, the total of fees paid did not exceed 30% of their net income per family member. The lower middle income group was relatively most burdened by child care fees.     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in 1,504 patients in Slovenia, 1993–2007

In order to identify the main routes of hepatitis C (HCV) transmission and to determine the HCV genotype distribution and its dynamics during a 15‐year period in Slovenia, HCV genotypes were detected using the INNO‐LiPA HCV II (Innogenetics) test for serum samples obtained from 1,504 patients representing 72.6% of all patients with chronic hepatitis C diagnosed from 1993 to 2007. HCV genotype 1 was predominant (56%), followed by genotypes 3, 2, and 4, with a prevalence of 37.8%, 5%, and 1.2%, respectively. HCV genotypes 5 and 6 were not detected in any patient. Patients infected with HCV genotype 3 were significantly younger (mean age 28.9 ± 8.5 years) than those infected with genotype 1 (mean age 38.9 ± 14.8 years; P < 0.0001) and those infected with HCV genotype 2 (mean age 50.3 ± 18.2 years; P < 0.0001). Intravenous drug use was identified as the most frequent possible HCV transmission route (34.3%), followed by medical‐related transmission such as transfusion of HCV‐contaminated blood or blood products, and hemodialysis (12.5%). Being an intravenous drug user was found to be strongly associated with HCV genotype 3 (OR, 3.71 [95% CI, 2.97–4.65]; P < 0.0001) and reporting infection by transfusion of blood or blood products was found to be strongly associated with HCV genotype 1 (OR, 3.28 [95% CI, 2.18–4.95]; P < 0.0001). During the 15‐year period, the proportion of genotype 3 increased substantially, reflecting the fact that the HCV epidemic in Slovenia is driven mostly by intravenous drug use. J. Med. Virol. 81:634–639, 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

First molecular evidence of Tula hantavirus in Microtus voles in Slovenia

Different Microtus species, present in a worldwide range habitat populating North America, Europe, Asia, and few other species have been recognized previously as a hantavirus reservoir. Tula hantavirus was first reported in Microtus arvalis and Microtus rossiaemeridionalis from Central Russia and later discovered in several European countries. Using molecular techniques we have demonstrated the presence of Tula hantavirus in three different Microtus species in Slovenia. Phylogenetic analyses of partial S segment placed Slovenian strains in the same genetic lineage as Austrian and Croatian strains.