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Background/Aim. Burnout syndrome is a psychological phenomenon that occurs as a response to chronic interpersonal stressors at work. It is manifested by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between burnout syndrome, individual-psychological factors and social support among special and regular education teachers, as well as to determine differences of burnout syndrome dimensions between groups of teachers with different educational backgrounds. Methods. This non-experimental, cross-sectional correlation study included 317 teachers (122 special education teachers and 38 other teachers in special education for children with intellectual disabilities and 157 teachers from regular primary schools) from Belgrade. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Assertiveness Assessment Questionnaire Scale (A-Scale), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES), and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) were used in the study. Results. The highest prevalence of high levels of burnout were recorded on the emotional exhaustion subscale and were 38% for special education teachers, 47% for other teachers in special education, and 39% for teachers in regular education. The most important predictors of burnout in special education teachers were: for emotional exhaustion (self-esteem, efficiency of class management and seniority); for depersonalization (self-esteem, efficiency of class management and social support); for a sense of lower personal accomplishment (assertiveness, effective student learning and class management). The most important predictors of burnout in regular education teachers were: for emotional exhaustion (assertiveness, effective class management, social support and seniority); for depersonalization (self-esteem, effective student learning and seniority); for a reduced personal accomplishment (self-esteem, effective student learning and social support). Conclusion. Individual-psychological factors have emerged as an important predictor of burnout syndrome in the teaching profession, indicating the importance of examining the impact of these factors in other professions that are characterized by the specific demands for a deeper emotional investment during the work process.

Background/Aim. The incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) after non-cardiac surgery is a problem not often recognized by many anesthesiologists. The objective of our study was to detect POD and its possible cause, in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) under general anesthesia. Methods. After Ethical Committee approval, we enrolled 80 patients, ASA (the American Society of Anestesiology) status II, scheduled to undergo RRP un-der general anesthesia, in a prospective study. All patients completed MMSE tests (the Folstein Mini Mental State Ex-am) the evening before, and 48 hours after the surgery. Assessment for the presence and severity of delirium was per-formed using CAM (the Confusion Assessment Method), and an assessment of the degree of agitation and sedation using RASS (the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale). Results. The average preoperative MMSE score (28.59 ± 1.04) significantly decreased following the surgery (27.74 ± 1.52) (p < 0.0001). The average postoperative MMSE score trend descended in correlation to intraoperative bleeding (p = 0.036). The patients with higher pain scores had significant decline in MMSE after the surgery (28.75 vs. 26.25; p < 0.001). Five patients were considered positive for delirium, and four of them reported regular alcoholic drinks intake (> 1 drink per day) preoperatively (p < 0.0001). Based on RASS score, 13 patients (16.3%) were agitated or sedated, and they had statistically significantly higher intraoperative bleeding (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Results of this study emphasize the importance of proper preoperative evaluation; especially regarding the alcohol consumption since all the patients that developed POD reported moderate alcohol consumption. Further-more, greater intraoperative bleeding and postoperative pain scores did not influence the occurrence of delirium, but resulted in lower postoperative MMSE scores, which high-lights the importance of adequate intraoperative treatment of patients during surgery and anesthesia in order to reduce the risk of developing POD.

Background/Aim. Approaching art from the standpoint of optics and the artist’s eye pathology can sometimes explain the shift of the spectral colors in the work of some artists with cataract and aphakia. This may not be obvious in the paintings of other artists with the same eye pathology. The aim of this study was to create a timeline from the recently obtained details of the cataract surgery, his best corrected aphakic visual acuity, and the last paintings of the artist Jovan Bijelić. Methods. The research included primary and secondary source material: Bijelić’s paintings from all stages of his career, interviews with Bijelić and his eye surgeon, art criticism, sources with the description of Bijelić’s symptoms, hospital archives, discussion with art historians, comparison of his palette from different periods. Results. Jovan Bijelić was nearly blind from cataract in 1957. He underwent an unsuccessful cataract surgery in 1956, followed by enucleation of the operated eye. In 1958, 20/25–20/20 vision was regained, after the extracapsular cataract extraction and sector iridectomy in his right eye, with the posterior lens capsule discision afterwards. Xanthopsia and cyanopsia are not present in his art, which is not a representation of visualized objects. Conclusion. The response of Jovan Bijelić to cataract and aphakia was predominantly a change of his style.

Bacground/Aim. Techniques for replacing the corneal endothelium have been improved. The host-graft interface is the key to graft adhesion and visual recovery. The aim of this study was to establish graft stability after Descemet stripping with endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), compare it to the graft stability after endothelial keratoplasty with the intact posterior corneal layers (nDSEK) in the rabbit cornea, and to investigate the nature of wound healing. Methods. Adult white rabbits (n = 20) were divided in two experimental groups: ten rabbits underwent monocular DSEK, and ten rabbits underwent endothelial keratoplasty without Descemet stripping (nDSEK). On the second postoperative day a horizontal dislocation of the graft was tried using the Lindstrom roller in each animal. Corneas were processed for the light microscopy study. Results. Rolling the Lindstrom instrument over the corneal surface did not cause horizontal dislocation in any of the operated eyes. In the DSEK group light microscopy revealed the lack of inflammation and fibrosis at the clearly distinctive donor-recipient interface (DRI). Retrocorneal membrane was found in two eyes. In nDSEK group, the host Descemet` s membrane (DM) was intact without endothelial cells, with good graft apposition, without inflammation, fibrosis, or retrocorneal membrane. Conclusion. This study suggests that there is no difference in graft stability in DSEK compared to nDSEK in rabbit corneas. Wounds healed at DRI by hypocellular scarring only in both experimental groups.

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Introduction. Urrets-Zavalia syndrome is an uncommon complication of the deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus. The manifestations of this syndrome are an irreversible mydriasis, iris atrophy and secondary glaucoma. Case report. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was done for keratoconus with a presumably healed corneal hydrops in a 21-year-old Caucasian man. The graft remained clear, but the surgery was complicated by a fixed, dilated pupil, patches of iris atrophy, ectropium of the iris pigment layer and glaukomflecken in the lens. Conclusion. Although safer than penetrating keratoplasty, the deep anterior lamellar by not trying to secure an unhealed Descemet’s membrane with air. Instead, a new Descemet’s membrane transplanted within a penetrating graft is a safer choice.

Introduction. Simultaneous Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation are indicated in Fuchs’ dystrophy with associated cataract. Compared to the standard method of the triple procedure which includes penetrating keratoplasty, this new method has the advantages of sutureless surgery, small limbal incision, faster recovery, less surface problems, less astigmatism, stronger tensile strength and more predictable calculation of the intraocular lens power. This is the first report of such a combination of procedures in our literature. Case report. A 76-year-old woman suffered from a gradual bilateral visual loss. The best corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (right eye) and finger counting at 1m (left eye). Corneal thickness was 590 μm and 603 μm, respectively. A marked cornea guttata and nuclear cataract were present in both eyes. Phacoemulsification, lens implantation, and Descemet stripping were done in the left eye. The posterior lamellar corneal graft, 8.0 mm in diameter and about 150 μm thick, was bent and inserted through the limbal incision. The air was injected into the anterior chamber to attach the graft to the recipient stroma. The cornea remained clear, and the transplant was attached during a two-year follow-up. Visual acuity was 20/40 after two months, and 20/25 after one year. Conclusion. The new technique proved itself as a good choice for the treatment of a mild Fuchs’ dystrophy associated with cataract.

Background/Aim. Depression is a growing public health concern associated with disability, decreased quality of life, increased multimorbidity, and premature mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms (DS) in the general population of Serbia and to analyze its association with sociodemographic factors. Methods. Data from the 2019 Serbian National Health Survey was analyzed (a sample of 12,406 respondents). The questionnaires used in this study were in accordance with the methodology of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) Wave 3. Patient Health Questionnaire eight-item depression (PHQ-8) scale was used to determine the prevalence of DS among the population aged ≥ 15 years. Multi-variate logistic regression analyses (MLRA) were implemented to assess the association of the prevalence of DS with the sociodemographic characteristics of the population. Results. The prevalence of both mild (7.5% vs. 4.4%) and moderate/severe DS (2.6% vs. 1.5%) was higher among women than men and increased continuously with age (13.6% of adults aged ≥ 65 years had mild and 5.0% moderate/severe symptoms). The highest rates of moderate/severe DS were present in respondents from Vojvodina (2.7%), among those who lived without a partner (2.7%), the lower educated (4.4%), the poor (3.4%), those with inactive employment status (3.7%), and those with poor social support (6.6%). MLRA showed that the highest odds of DS were present among the respondents aged ≥ 65 years [odds ratio (OR) = 6.53; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.37–6.69] in the Vojvodina region, particularly males (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.89–2.04), respondents who lived without a partner (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.47–1.51), the lower educated (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 2.22–2.33), the poor (OR = 2.54; 95% CI: 2.49–2.58), as well as those with poor social support (OR = 3.71; 95% CI: 3.64–3.77). Conclusion. The prevalence of DS in the general population of Serbia was relatively low and requires further monitoring. Female gender, older age, living in the region of Vojvodina, life without a partner, socioeconomic disadvantages, as well as the lack of social support were identified as the main factors associated with the occurrence of DS.

Background/Aim. Population aging and the increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases led to a rise in the number of people who live with more than one disease. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of multimorbidity in the working-age population (WAP) of Serbia. Methods. The study is part of “The 2019 Serbian National Health Survey”, a c ross-sectional study conducted on a representative stratified two-stage sample. For this paper, a representative data sample for 9,473 persons of the WAP (aged 15–64 years) was used. Multimorbidity was defined as the co-occurrence of two or more of 13 chronic conditions. Data on chronic conditions were self-reported, and data on body mass and body height were measured. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess predictors of multimorbidity. Results. Multimorbidity prevalence among WAP was 12.0%, and it was significantly higher among women (13.3%) than in men (10.6%). The predictors of multimorbidity were: female gender, increasing age, lower level of education, lower income, unemployment, retirement, widowhood, and divorce. Being overweight and obese were associated with higher odds of multimorbidity in both men and women. Conclusion. Multimorbidity is an important public health problem amongst WAP in Serbia due to its high prevalence, especially among vulnerable groups, and its inequality in frequency among different socioeconomic groups.

Background/Aim. The mental health of medical students worsens during their studies, and research shows that medical students are at high risk of depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and to examine the association between various risk factors and depressive symptoms in a sample of first- and sixth-year medical students at the University of Novi Sad. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Novi Sad. The sample consisted of 308 students divided into two groups – 213 students in the first year and 9 5 students in the final (sixth) year of medical studies. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to measure depressive symptoms. Within this instrument, item 9 was used to identify suicidal ideation. Self-esteem was evaluated with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Additional questions were focused on self-assessed material status, lifestyle factors, and mental healthcare-seeking. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied. Results. The prevalence of depressive episodes among medical students was 16.6%. Almost 9% had thoughts of committing suicide. First-year students with low self-esteem were almost seven times more likely to suffer from moderate to severe depressive symptoms than those with high self-esteem. Students who had used sleeping pills or sedatives without a prescription were nearly five times more likely to have a PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 than those who had not [odds ratio (OR) = 4.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.83–13.52)]. Sixth-year students with poor or average self-assessed social relation-ships and low self-esteem had a stronger association with a PHQ-9 score ≥ 1 0. Conclusion. There is a high prevalence of depressive episodes among first and sixth-year medical students, and it is associated with low self-esteem in both groups, use of sleeping or sedative pills without a prescription among first-year students, and poor social health in sixth-year students. We recommend routine screening for depression in medical students and establishing prevention and intervention programs.

Background/Aim. Radial artery perforator flap (RAPF) is a type of fasciocutaneous or adipofascial reverse pedicle flap, which proved to be a versatile flap for the reconstruction of small and moderate size soft tissue defects of the forearm, wrist, and hand. RAPF provides suitable skin coverage with elastic subcutaneous tissue thus enabling the protection of exposed or damaged functional structures and their simultaneous repair. The aim of this study was to summarize and analyze the results of the treatment of patients with upper extremity soft tissue defects caused by trauma, infection, burn, or tumor removal, which were re-constructed with RAPF. Methods. This retrospective study included 20 consecutive patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the hand and wrist, treated at the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina from 2012 to 2022. The design of the flaps and length of the pedicles were determined by the recipient site. Tourniquet-induced exsanguination was used during surgery for better visualization. The flaps were elevated and placed at the site of the defect. Data on patients and flaps were summarized upon their collection. Results. Distally based fasciocutaneous RAPF was used in all cases. The average age of the patients was 48 years, predominantly (64%) males. Defects were most often localized on the dorsal part of the hand (60%) and wrist (20%). The most common indications for surgery were trauma (45%) and tumor resection (25%). A satisfactory coverage of the defect was achieved in all 20 patients with no flap loss. Venous congestion was noted in 4 (20%) patients, which resulted in partial necrosis of the flap in 3 (15%) patients. Wound healing was achieved upon conservative treatment by secondary intention in two patients and with a secondary suture in the last one. A surgical site infection occurred in 2 (10%) patients who withdrew after proper local and systemic therapy. Conclusion. RAPF proved to be a workhorse flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the upper limb. This surgical solution led to an excellent functional and aesthetic outcome in the majority of patients. Complex surgical procedures could be done simultaneously, together with the reconstruction of tendons, joints, or fracture stabilization. The reliability and safety of these flaps are confirmed through our clinical data.

Background/Aim. Cyclamen hederifolium (C. hederifolium) Ait. belongs to the family Primulaceae, which includes 23 species of cyclamen, naturally distributed in the Central and Southern Europe, Western Asia and some parts of North Africa. This plant is considered highly poisonous and not suitable for human use. However, tuber extracts have been used in traditional medicine and homeopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate C. hederifolium growing naturally in Serbia for its metal content and biological activities (anti-oxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity). Methods. Content of metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. We used several different assays for assessment of antioxidant activity of both aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. hederifolium: 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,20-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, total reducing power assay (TRP) and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay. The disk diffusion assay was used to investigate sensitivity of laboratory bacterial and fungal control strains against investigated extracts. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. hederifolium were examined on 4 different tumoral cell lines by in vitro MTT bioassay. Results. The presence of Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, K, Cu was confirmed in aqueous and ethanol extract, as well as in whole tubers and soil, while Cr, Ni, Pb and Cd were not detected. Both aqueous and ethanol extract of C. hederifolium tubers showed antioxidant activity, that positively correlated to content of phenols and flavonoids in it. Aqueous extract was slightly superior in these terms than ethanol one. None of the tested extracts showed antimicrobial activity. Both investigated extracts showed cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines 4T1, HCT116, CT26, LLC1, in the concentration range 15,625–2,000 μg/mL. Ethanol extract showed stronger cytotoxicity than aqueous ex-tract. Conclusion. Seven metals were identified in the C. hederifolium tubers, extracts and soil. Both extracts exhibited antioxidant and cytotoxic activity.

Background/Aim. Domestic violence against women is a significant public health problem resulting in serious health and social consequences, for women and their families. The aim of this study was to analyze the sociodemographic characteristic of women who were exposed to domestic violence, as well as the impact of violence on women's health. Methods. Data from cross-sectional study from the 2013 National Health Survey in Serbia were used analyzing 6,320 women aged 20–75 years. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were implemented to assess the association of exposure to domestic violence against women with sociodemographic characteristics, as well as with selected health indicators and health risk behaviors. Results. Out of total number of examined women, 307 (4.9%) reported that they experienced physical and/or psychological violence in the last 12 months. Divorced or separated women, poor women and women with poor social support had greater odds for exposure to domestic violence. Women who had experienced domestic violence were less likely to perceived their health as good than women who had not experienced domestic violence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32–0.71], and more likely to report severe or very severe pain (AOR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.74–3.33), stress and pressure exposure (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.89–3.64) and depression (AOR = 3.24; 95% CI = 2.08–5.03). Exposure to violence was also associated with the use of sleeping pills or sedative (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.67–2.93), with frequent use of alcohol (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.08–1.86) and abortion (AOR = 3.11; 95% CI = 1.48–6.54). Conclusion. Women, victims of domestic violence are more likely to have physical and mental disorders compared to women who are not victims of domestic violence. Violence prevention demands a multisectoral approach, in which the health sector has a central role that includes early identification and recognition of abuse, appropriate care as well as documenting and reporting violence.

Background/Aim. Neurocutaneous flaps (NF) are the type of fasciocutaneous flaps whose clinical application has increasingly grown over the years. They have become an indispensable step in the reconstructive ladder for the small and medium soft tissue defects of the lower leg and foot. The aim of this study was to analyse the results of the treatment of patients with lower extremity soft tissue defects caused by trauma, infection, tumour removal or unstable scar formation, which were reconstructed with a variety of NF. Methods. This retrospective study includes 32 consecutive patients with soft tissue defects of the lower limb, treated in the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina from January 2004 to April 2017. All the operations were performed in regional anaesthesia with pneumatic tourniquet. Design of the flap and length of the pedicle were determined by the size and position of the recipient site after necessary debridement. The flap was harvested, rotated and positioned in the defect region. The patients and flap data were summarized upon their collection. Results. The average age of the patients, mostly males (81.2%), was 46.7 years. Distally based sural flaps were used in a majority of patients (56.2%), followed by the distally based saphenous (21.9%), lateral sural (12.5%) and proximally based sural flaps (9.4%). Defects were most often localized on the distal third of the lower leg and on the ankle (53.1%). The most common indication for surgery were trauma (46.9%) and chronic infection (31.2%). A satisfactory coverage of the defect was achieved in all 32 patients with no flap loss. A partial necrosis of the flap due to prolonged venous congestion was noted in 3 (9.4%) patients, which were healed by second intention or with delayed skin grafting. Five (15.6%) patients developed a localised infection. The infection signs withdrew spontaneously in 2 cases and after a surgical revision in 3 cases, where osteitis of the tibia had persisted. One of them required the Ilizarov orthopaedic procedure after bone resection. Conclusion. NF proved to be a paramount alternative to free-flap reconstruction of the lower limb. Intensive clinical application can be explained by the fact that it is a less technically demanding and time consuming surgical procedure with no major source vessel sacrifice. The reliability and safety of their utilisation are confirmed by our clinical data.

Background/Aim. Oral diseases appear to be the major risk factors for tooth loss, but social factors and other determinants could play an important role as well. The aim of this study was to determine whether the possible independent sociodemographic risk factors and depressive disorders could contribute to the tooth loss in the adult population of Serbia. Methods. This cross-sectional study analysed the 2013 National Health Survey results for the population of Serbia (without the data for Kosovo and Metohia population). The sample was selected to provide the statistically reliable estimates at the national level. Study included 13,519 adults of 20 years of age, or above. The mean age of participants was 49.9 years including 6,998 (51.8%) females and 6,518 (48.2%) males. The number of missing teeth was dependent variable while the independent variables were: gender, age, marital status, education, employment status, Wealth Index, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), milk and milk products intake, fruit intake excluding juices, vegetable and salad intake (excluding potato), and depression. To measure the current depression, the standardized and validated the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-8 score was used. Edentulism (complete or partial) was defined as a loss of natural teeth. In order to determine the predictors of tooth loss, the bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were implemented for all types of tooth loss. Results. The significant differences were observed among the categories of edentulism in relation to independent variables except vegetable and salad intake. The prevalence of all missing teeth was highest in the females, the respondents with a low level of education, inactive, underweight (BMI < 18.5) and respondents with moderately severe depressive episodes (PHQ-8 score 15 to 19). In the multivariate model, we found that the demographic factors (age, living with a partner), socioeconomic factors (primary and secondary education, Wealth Index), smoking, BMI, the PHQ-8 score and the depressive symptoms were significantly associated with partial tooth loss. Conclusion. Study demonstrated that sociodemographic and lifestyle factors as well as the symptoms of depresssion are also important factors related to the tooth loss. This study can help to advance the need for health programs focusing on education, smoking cessation, dietary habits as well as regular visits to the dentist.

Background/Aim. Obesity is a complex and multifactorial condition related to morbidity, mortality, poor quality of life and many other problems. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and factors associated with them (demographic, socioeconomic factors and lifestyle) in adults aged 50 years and above in Serbia. Methods. This cross-sectional study, representative for the population in Serbia, was carried out in one-year period, including 6,932 people aged 50 and over. Individuals were interviewed and anthropometrically examined. The association between overweight and obesity with demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results. Age, level of education and smoking were significantly associated with overweight and obesity, regardless of gender. Marital status was significantly associated with obesity, regardless of gender and with overweight only in women. Breakfast consumption habit was significantly associated with obesity only in men. There was no significant association of overweight and obesity with the type of settlement, alcohol consumption and physical activity, regardless of gender. Conclusion. The results of our study indicate the need for more intensive implementation of measures affecting the factors which contribute to overweight and obesity. Emphasis should be put on the population-based policies and programs that support environmental changes.

Background/Aim. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing at an alarming rate and it is a manifestation of the epidemics of a sedentary lifestyle and excessive energy intake. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population of the Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, and to examine the association between obesity and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Methods. A cross-sectional study conducted in the Province of Vojvodina in 2006 involved 3 854 participants aged 20 years and over (1 831 men and 2 023 women). The study was a countinuation of the baseline study conducted in 2000 (n = 2 840, 1 255 men and 1 585 women). The main outcome measures were overweight and obesity (Body Mass Index - BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), sociodemographic factors, including nutrition habits - having breakfast everyday and television watching frequency. Results. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in both sexes in 2006 was 57.4% (35.7% were overweight and 21.7% obese). The prevalence of overweight was higher in men (41.1%) than in women (30.9%) (p < 0.001) while obesity was higher in women (23.1%) as compared to men (20.2%) (p = 0.035). For both sexes, overweight rates were highest at the age 60-69 (men 44.8% and women 39.1%) while obesity rates were peaked to men aged 50-59 (25.1%) and women aged 60-69 years (37.8%). Increasing ageing, males, rural population, single examinees, lower educational level, improved income, examinees that never/sometimes have breakfast and frequently watch TV were associated with obesity. Conclusions. The population of Vojvodina, with 23.1% obese women and 20.2% obese men is one of severely affected European populations. High prevalence of obesity requires urgent public health action. Healthy lifestyle, balanced nutrition with low energy intake and increased physical activity have to be promoted within a prevention strategy and obesity management.

Background/aim: The World Health Organization (WHO) identified four broad domains as being universally relevant to the quality of life, namely physical, and psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and quality of life of old people., Methods: The World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess quality of life on a random sample of 200 people aged 60 years and over who lived in the Retirement Home in Novi Sad. Items within the questionnaire were organized into four domains: physical, psychological, social relationships and environment., Results: The majority of the participants were women (69.8%). The mean age was 79.2 years (SD = 6.6 years). Most of them were widowed (73.4%). More than two thirds of participants (68.8%) reported that they were ill at that moment and almost half of them (48.8%) had cardiovascular, 18.5% musculoskeletal, 9.6% endocrine and 5.9% neurological disease. In the social relations domain scores were lower in males (t = 2.4; p = 0.017). Scores of other domains did not differ significantly with regard to the age, educational level and the marital status of the participants. Participants who reported the presence of a disease had significantly lower mean scores of physical, psychological and environment domain., Conclusion: The presence of disease is a relevant factor for quality of life, whereas age, education and marital status do not reflect on physical health, psychological and environmental domain of quality of life.