Papers by Azra Alajbegovic
Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), 2014
Comorbidity of depression and stroke significantly reduces the quality of life of patients after ... more Comorbidity of depression and stroke significantly reduces the quality of life of patients after the stroke. Squeal after stroke also determines the quality of life and have impact on the occurrence of depression after the stroke. In our study we investigated the occurrence of depression in patients after different types and subtypes of stroke measured by the Hamilton scale compared to the level of disability measured by NIHSS scale. The goal was to make a comparative analysis of depression after stroke, according to gender and age, side of the lesion and the severity of neurological deficit. Material for our work are 210 patients with stroke treated at the Neurology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University in 2012, 105 male and 105 female. The mean age of the patients was 67.12 +/- 9.5 years. Ischemic stroke was present in 65% cases. There was no statistically significant difference between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke among genders. In case of hemorrhagic M-56.7%, F-43.3%...
Journal of Neural Transmission
Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) ... more Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that Hcy may have direct and indirect neurotoxicity effects. The aim of the study was to investigate serum Hcy concentration in patients with probable AD with age-matched controls and to determine whether there was an association between serum Hcy and C-reactive protein concentration in patients with probable AD. We also aimed to determine whether there was an association between serum tHcy concentration and cognitive impairment in patients with probable AD. Serum concentration of total Hcy was determined by the fluorescence polarization immunoassay on the AxSYM system, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was determined by means of particle-enhanced immunonephelometry with the use of BN II analyzer. Cognitive impairment was tested by the MMSE score. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each subject included in the study. Age, ...
Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2014
In hemodialysis patients renal disease may cause an impairment of central and peripheral nervous ... more In hemodialysis patients renal disease may cause an impairment of central and peripheral nervous system. In most cases of the peripheral nervous system polyneuropathy is reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of small A-delta nerve fibres, whose function is often overlooked. The function of large diameter nerve fibers was performed by standard routine neurophysiological examination. Cutaneous silent period (CSP) was elicited by single electrical stimulations at the tip of digit II by the bipolar electrodes. The superficial electrodes were placed on the muscle belly of m. abductor pollicis brevis. The onset latency (L1) was recorded at the beginning of voluntary muscle activity suppression, the late latency (L2) at the start of new muscle activity. The difference between two latencies indicates the duration of CSP. The study included 38 consecutive patients (male/female - 21/17, median age 56.6±10.9 years) treated with hemodialysis (one month to 30 years) and 35...
Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences / Udruženje basičnih mediciniskih znanosti = Association of Basic Medical Sciences, 2009
The aim of our work is to determine the total number, age, gender of the patients with the sympto... more The aim of our work is to determine the total number, age, gender of the patients with the symptomatic epileptic seizures associated with brain tumours, tumour location, clinical signs and characteristics of epileptic seizures. We have analyzed medical documentation of the patients with brain tumours hospitalized at the Department of Neurology, University of Sarajevo Clinics Centre. This study is retrospective and includes time period from 1st January 2000 until 31st December 2005. During the observed period at the Department of Neurology in Sarajevo there were in total 9753 hospitalized patients, from which 101 (1,1%) patients with the brain tumour diagnosis. Average patient's age was 62,60 +/- 1,28 years. In one third of the patients (32%) were recorded epileptic seizures, without significant difference between genders. In case of symptomatic epilepsy, significantly more frequent locations of tumours were: in several lobes (28%), parietal lobe (25%), as well as frontal and tem...
Medicinski arhiv, 2006
Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a powerful neurotoxin which blocks cholinergic transmission at the neuro... more Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a powerful neurotoxin which blocks cholinergic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Judiciously applied it can reduce local muscle over activity while maintaining the strength in other muscles. For focal or segmental dystony it has been a medication of choice. Refined botullinum toxin A being applied in affected groups of muscles weaker power of contraction. Basic mechanism which weaker contraction remands the same. Controlled trials have provided evidence of the effectiveness of BTX both in reducing spasticity itself and in achieving functional gain. The guidance given here to clinicians involved in the management of spasticity covers the types of patient suitable for treatment using BTX, the appropriate dosage, and the necessary follow-up procedures and documentation.
Medicinski arhiv, 2004
The epidemiological parameters of the migraene headaches with the occurrence in the most producti... more The epidemiological parameters of the migraene headaches with the occurrence in the most productive life age with the subjective intensive experience of the characteristic pain in migraene headaches are the reason of interest for migraene as the headache "sui generis" from the pathological and therapeutic aspect. The diagnosis of migraene is put according the criteria for migraene headaches. In persons who suffer from migraene it is certainly, that besides the family anamnesis and the solalled precipiting factors there are also the tresh hold for migraene attack to which the basic change in serotonin generator in the brain branch. In the therapeutic approach are used the profilacted and therapeutic measures. The agents which act as agonists 5-HT 1 receptors have simptomatic effects in migraena, while antagonists of 5-HT 2 recetors are-successful in the prophilaxis. Selective agonist 5-HT 1 receptor is sumatrypane and has broken the more year sterotipy in the treatment of t...
Medicinski arhiv, 2003
The state of mental confusion is described as an dependent risk factor in development of early an... more The state of mental confusion is described as an dependent risk factor in development of early and late epileptic-onset seizures following CVI. The aim of this paper is to determine the influence of confused state as possible predictor of symptomatic seizures in the course and following CVI. The patients who were treated in The Department of Neurology for early and late-onset seizures in the course and following CVI in the period between 1.1.1989 and 31.12.1998. We had total number of 106 patients with symptomatic seizures, 56 in the group of late-onset and 50 in the group of early seizures. 52.8% of the patients have a registered state of mental confusion at the admission to hospital (in the stage of acute CVI), 19.2% of patients had a clear sensorium. Disorder of consciousness of the type of coma was registered in 27.4% of the patients. There was statistically significant increase of the occurrence of mental confusion in the group of patients with late-onset seizures, 62.5% while ...
Medicinski arhiv, 2003
It is a general rule today, after a relevant diagnostics of an epilepsy, to start a monotherapy t... more It is a general rule today, after a relevant diagnostics of an epilepsy, to start a monotherapy treatment, depending on a kind of a seizure, a life age and a general health condition. First line of monotherapy epilepsy drugs remain carbamazapine and sodium valproat. New drugs that are being introduced are: felbamat, gabapentin, lamotrigin, oxcarbazepin, tiagabin, topiramat, vigabatin and zanisamid. These are commonly used as add-on therapy, or as an addition for previously used antiepileptic. Their indicated areas are complex resistant partial seizures with or without generalization. Attention should be paid on proper dosage, interactions and toxicity. Regardless on the new epileptic era, according to reports of International League against epilepsy, most of the patients do not receive the drug that is the most appropriate for them concerning the price (cost-benefit). Neurosurgical methods in epilepsy treatment are: selective amygdalo-hyppocampotomy, temporal lobotomy, subpial resec...
Medicinski arhiv, 2002
The epileptic seizures occur as the consequence of THE cerebrovascular insult. The morphologic ch... more The epileptic seizures occur as the consequence of THE cerebrovascular insult. The morphologic changes at the brain after cerebrovascular insult are responsible for its occurrence. The pathophysioloogic basis of the late epileptic manifestations (after the second week after CVI) are the epyleptic activities of the morphological brain changes which behave according to the type of the "epileptogene focus". The epileptic seizures which occur during CVI are the result of the moleculary changes which occur in ischemia as the primary, and in haemohagia as secondary ones. The aim of our paper is to see the therapeutic aspects of the early and late epileptic seizures during and after cerebrovascular insult. In the course of the retrospective processed treatment of the patients at our clinic, and in the ten years period (01.01.1989-31.12.1998), we treated 7001 patients with the various types and subtypes of CVI. The incidence of the epileptic seizure moved from 0.65% (1994) till 3....
Medicinski arhiv, 2002
The facial nerve has predominantly the motoric, and less sensitive function and gets nerved the m... more The facial nerve has predominantly the motoric, and less sensitive function and gets nerved the muscle musculature of the face and its damages, significantly disturbs the function of the series of the muscles of the face. Regarding to this that the parases of the nervus facialis are often in the physician practice, we have written this article with aim to facilitate to the physicians in the practice the early establishing of the diagnosis, and also to give the instructions into the basic physical and rehabilitation procedures which is with success to carry out in patients with the damages of this nerve.
Medicinski arhiv, 2002
The Neoplasms are the second leading cause of the mortality of the adult according to WHO. The la... more The Neoplasms are the second leading cause of the mortality of the adult according to WHO. The last decade is the decade of the increase of all the epidemiologic parameters of the neoplasms in general, so also the neoplasms of the central nervous system. The goal of the work was to realize the frequency of the appearance of the neoplasms of the CNS on the clinical material of the Neurologic clinic CC University of Sarajevo with the special accent on the influence of the war as the specific stressor and the factor sui generis at the epidemiologic parameters of the neoplasms of the CNS. The study is retrospective: it is comprehended the period from the 1st January 1990 till 31st December 1999 year. The patients have been analyzed according to years, according the kind of the neoplastic processes and according to the time periods. At the analyzed period was treated 10,329 patients per year, according to the kind of the neoplastic processes and according to the time periods we evidenced...
SUMMARY Data from the World Health Organization show that there is an increase in the morbidity a... more SUMMARY Data from the World Health Organization show that there is an increase in the morbidity and mortality caused by ischemic coronary disease. Diabetes has been confirmed as an independent risk factor in the development of coronary disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effect and role of diabetes mellitus in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction
Materia Socio Medica, 2014
Introduction: The increase in lipid levels associated with other risk factors for the occurrence ... more Introduction: The increase in lipid levels associated with other risk factors for the occurrence of ischemic heart disease and stroke is one of the most important health problems in the world. Risk for development of changes is greater for people of specific occupations such as police officers. Material and methods: This prospective study included 300 police officers, 150 as experimental and 150 respondents as a control group. To both groups same methods have been applied: A detailed history, physical examination, complete laboratory evaluation, lipid electrophoresis targeted to hypercholesterolemia, ultrasound of the abdomen and Color Doppler of the neck vascular structures. The results obtained by statistical analysis of the data showed that there was a significant increase in levels of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in experimental compared to the control group. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed fatty infiltrated liver in 16% of respondents from the experimental and 2% of the respondents in the control group 2%. Color Doppler of the neck blood vessels in 14% of respondents from experimental group showed changes in blood vessels, which ranged from mild thickening of the intima of the vessel to a 50% decrease in circulation. For the control group, this percentage was 0.66%. Considering that this study involved young, active working population, hyperlipidemia becomes a bigger problem.
Medical Archives, 2014
Introduction: High intensity cutaneous stimulus transiently suppresses tonic voluntary muscle act... more Introduction: High intensity cutaneous stimulus transiently suppresses tonic voluntary muscle activity resulting in cutaneous silent period (CSP). Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the normal values of an onset latency L1, a late latency L2 and a duration of CSP after stimulating sensory fibres of the median nerve. Material and Methods: This prospective study was performed at . In our study we examined 61 subjects. The group included our relatives, coworkers and friends. The informed consent from testing subjects was obtained. Results: The origin of silent period is stimulation of small A-delta nerve fibres. The pre-synaptic or post-synaptic interruption of the electrical volley to motor neurons is discussed. Median values of muscle activity suppression in healthy female is 55.0 ms (45.0-74.0) and 59.0 ms (52.0-67) male subjects. There is a correlation between the onset latency L1and the late L2 latency (p‹0.03). In the on-going study it seems that delay of L1 and shorter muscle activity suppression might provide a sign of small nerve fibres involvement. Conclusion: The use of CSP improves the value of neurophysiology examination.
Medical Archives, 2012
Meniere's disease is a condition with sudden atta... more Meniere's disease is a condition with sudden attacks of vertigo with nausea and vomiting accompanied by loss of hearing and buzzing sensation in the ears, most commonly unilateral. The exact cause of the disease is unknown. Betahistine is the analogue of histamine with weaker agonistic effect on histamine H1 receptors and stronger effect on histamine H3 receptors, while Cinnarizine has more effective effect on H1 receptors. The aim is to determine which drug is more effective in the treatment of Meniere's disease Betahistine or Cinnarizine. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Betahistine in 37 patients with the Meniere's syndrome accompanied by classic triad of symptoms treated in hospital conditions and Cinnarizine effect in 36 patients with a less severe clinical picture, which were treated as outpatients. To all patients were conducted laboratory tests, brain CAT (to exclude possible expansive process, MS or stroke) and TCD in order to eliminate any possible circulatory disturbances in VB basin. Group with classic Meniere's syndrome was treated at a dose of Betahistine of 3 x 16 mg and followed 8 weeks, while the second group was treated with Cinnarizine at a dose of 2 x 75 mg and also followed for 8 weeks. Already after one month of therapy was noticed better effect in case of Betahistine in terms of symptoms reduction compared to the Cinnarizine effect.
Materia Socio Medica, 2012
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, autoimmune, disease of the white mass of the brain, which ... more Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, autoimmune, disease of the white mass of the brain, which sometimes may involve the gray matter (subcortical and ones in the anterior horns of the spinal cord) with the chronic nature and generally with progressive course. As a possible cause of this disease state are listed genetic predisposition, early viral infections and environmental factors, with special effects of stress as a provoking factor in first episode of the disease and relapses because stress leads to modulation of the immune system and immune response to various causes. Goal: To determine the existence of intense stressful events as a factor in the development of the first episode of illness and worsening of the seizures. Material and methods: We analyzed all newly discovered cases of multiple sclerosis over a two year period (January 2010 -December 2011) during the first or second hospitalization, and worsening of seizures for previously diagnosed patients in this period. In order to confirm the MS diagnosis are taken history, neurological examination, MRI of the brain, VEP, CSF examination and for those with repeated hospitalization only follow-up of EDSS scores trough neurological examination. Results: During the two year period there were 109 newly diagnosed cases of MS from which 80 F and 29 M (ratio 2.7:1), aged 17-59 years, mean age 32.93±9.69 years and 41 patients (29 F and 12M with seizures worsening in previously diagnosed disease. Disease duration was from 6 months to 17 years. 72.94% had relapsing-remitting course of the disease (RRMS) and 27.1% had secondary progressive type (SPMS). Stress as a provoking factor preceded in 47.44% the first episode of the disease, infections (respiratory) in 18.3%, and the pregnancy with postpartum period in 8.77% women, whereas in the group of patients with previously diagnosed illness relapse (n=41) showed that the infection is most common precipitating factor which preceded relapse in 58.54% of patients, stress in 29.02%) and the pregnancy with postpartum period in 12.5% of patients. Conclusion: An intensive stressor is certainly one of the triggers for the development of Multiple Sclerosis, as the first episode and worsening of previously established disease.
Medical Archives, 2013
Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality, disability and dementia, but leading cause of epi... more Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality, disability and dementia, but leading cause of epileptic manifestations in the elderly. Diabetes mellitus as permanently elevated blood glucose, often accompanied by dyslipidemia, is among the leading causes of atherosclerotic alteration in blood vessels and is also increasing in the world. To determine the existence and predilection of diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, in the development of ischemic stroke. During the 2011 are analyzed all people with stroke admitted at the Neurology Clinic. All patients underwent neurological tests and the laboratory test with special emphasis on the value of blood glucose and lipid levels, with brain CT which confirmed the existence of a stroke, EEG and internist examination. During the one-year period the stroke was confirmed in 1184 patients, aged 33-81 years and 37% in the younger age group (up to 50 yrs.). There was 50.67% male and 49.33% female patients. Ischemic stroke was confirmed in 78.0% (56% with thrombotic and 22% with embolic genesis), of which the 32% was lacunar infarcts (up to 1.5 cm) and hemorrhagic in 22% (SAH in 4.8%, and intracerebral hemorrhage in 17.2%). The most frequent risk factors were hypertension 85%, then smoking in 65%, diabetes mellitus in 39.0%, in 27.38% dyslipidemia, previous stroke in 26.69%, in 23.57% arrhythmia In the baseline sample 30.06% of patients had previously diabetes mellitus and in 8.94% the diabetes was diagnosed during hospitalization, while dyslipidemia was known from earlier in 22.0% and in 5.38% cases was detected during the hospitalization. Among treated patients 79.01% survived, while 20.09% have a fatal outcome. Diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, along with hypertension and smoking are the leading risk factors for the occurrence of stroke. By timely detection and treatment can be controlled slow atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels and thus prevent stroke.
Materia Socio Medica, 2012
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Papers by Azra Alajbegovic