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Patient-reported measures are useful in the public interest to improve the quality of care and to assess patients’ needs and priorities by helping to identify existing barriers. A bibliometric analysis was carried out to investigate the use and relevance of patient-reported measures in other countries, which showed the growth of the topic in the scientific literature and allowed the identification of the most important integration processes. Patient-reported measures have been implemented in the information system of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics and a pilot study with real patients is planned for the future to evaluate the results and propose how this system could be integrated into the Lithuanian eHealth system. Article in Lithuanian. Pacientų įtraukties įrankių integravimas į ligoninės informacinę sistemą: bibliometrinė analizė ir atvejo tyrimas Santrauka Pacientų įtraukties įrankiai yra naudingi viešajam interesui, siekiant gerinti sveikatos priežiūros kokybę ir įvertinti pacientų poreikius bei prioritetus, nes padeda nustatyti esamas kliūtis. Siekiant išsiaiškinti pacientų įtraukties įrankių naudojimą ir aktualumą kitose valstybėse, buvo atlikta bibliometrinė analizė, kuri parodė temos plėtojimąsi mokslinėje literatūroje ir leido identifikuoti svarbiausius integravimo procesus. Vilniaus universiteto ligoninės Santaros klinikų informacinėje sistemoje buvo įdiegti pacientų įtraukties įrankiai ir ateityje planuojama atlikti bandomąjį tyrimą su realiais pacientais, įvertinti rezultatus ir pasiūlyti, kaip ši sistema galėtų būti integruota į Lietuvos e. sveikatos sistemą. Reikšminiai žodžiai: elektroniniai sveikatos įrašai, kokybė, pacientų įtraukties įrankiai, e. sveikata, bibliometrinė analizė.

Background and aims: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged Lithuanian men categorized according to body mass index and waist circumference results. Methods and results: The data were from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk primary prevention program between 2009 and 2016. This community-based cross-sectional study comprised 38,412 men aged 40 to 54 years old. We compared the prevalence of arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and metabolic syndrome in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) groups. Regarding the allometric anthropometrics for WC, A Body Shape Indices (ABSIs) were analyzed with respect to mortality risk and smoking status. The most prevalent risk factor in men was dyslipidaemia, followed by arterial hypertension and smoking (86.96%, 47.94%, and 40.52%, respectively). All risk factors except for smoking were more prevalent in men with overweight or obesity as measured by BMI compared to men with normal weight. Similarly, smoking was the only cardiovascular risk factor that was more prevalent among subjects with normal WC compared to those with increased WC or abdominal obesity. Elevated ABSI, which is associated with higher mortality risk, was more prevalent in smokers. Conclusion: The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor among middle-aged Lithuanian men was dyslipidaemia, with a surprisingly high prevalence in all BMI and WC groups. Smoking was the only risk factor most prevalent in subjects with low or normal weight according to BMI. It was also more prevalent in the normal WC group compared to the increased WC or abdominal obesity groups, but ABSI values associated with higher mortality were more prevalent among smokers than non-smokers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged Lithuanian women in different body mass index and waist circumference groups.Data selected from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention program between 2009 and 2016. This community-based cross-sectional study comprised 53,961 women aged 50-64 years old. We compared the prevalence of arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and metabolic syndrome in different body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) groups. The most prevalent cardiometabolic risk factor was dyslipidaemia (91.71%, n = 49,488). The prevalence of arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome was greater in those with higher-than-normal BMI and WC. Smoking was the most prevalent in women with low BMI and normal WC (24.00% and 13.17% respectively).The analysis showed that all risk factors, except smoking, were significantly more prevalent in women with higher-than-normal BMI and with increased WC or abdominal obesity. The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was surprisingly high in all BMI and WC groups. Obesity measured by WC was more strongly associated with an adverse metabolic profile.

The aim of the study was to estimate trends and differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor prevalence among middle-aged men and women based on the data from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention program between 2009 and 2018.A community-based cross-sectional study included men aged 40-54 years and women aged 50-64 years without overt CVD. Nationally representative data comprised 110,370 Lithuanian adults (42.4% men and 57.6% women) examined in the period 2009-2018. Prevalences of major CVD risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome and smoking, were assessed.The study showed a significant drop in the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and TC levels among men (p = 0.030 and p0.001) and no significant change among women (p = 0.594 and p = 0.799). The prevalence of AH significantly decreased in both gender groups (p0.001 in women and p0.001 in men). Obesity rates declined among women while it remained constant among men (p0.001 and p = 0.100 respectively). There was a significant decline among women and a significant increase among men in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (p0.001 and p = 0.016 respectively). The prevalence of diabetes increased until 2013, after which it started decreasing in the whole group (p = 0.005). The study showed a significant increase in the percentage of smoking women (p0.001), although the number of smoking men remained much higher (about 40%) (p0.001).In our observational study, we have documented a high prevalence of all CVD risk factors in 2009 with a slight decrease during the period in most prevalence rates, except in dyslipidaemia and smoking levels.

Summary Objectives: There is increasing evidence that metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be associated with increased uric acid levels. Previous studies indicate that hyperuricaemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. We sought to determine the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with MetS components and other cardiovascular risk factors among middle aged Lithuanians with MetS. Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. A total of 705 subjects aged 40 to 65 years with MetS diagnosed using NCEP ATP III criteria were included. None of the participants had previously diagnosed cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, peripheral artery or end-stage oncological disease. Blood tests and all anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard methods. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: with hyperuricaemia and without hyperuricaemia. Results: Hyperuricaemia was found in 33.3% of subjects. Mean serum uric acid level increased as the number of metabolic factors increased. Participants with hyperuricaemia had abnormal waist circumference (p < 0.001), higher systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.003), higher levels of triglycerides and, lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001). Subjects in hyperuricaemia group were more likely to be alcohol users (p = 0.034), to have diabetes (p = 0.02) and higher body mass index (p < 0.001). Their creatinine levels were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our analysis showed that serum uric acid is associated with MetS and other cardiovascular risk factors. The study found a statistically significant association with the four out of five components of the MetS (excluding plasma glucose) as well as with alcohol consumption, and renal function indicators (creatinine, eGFR).

Summary Objectives: Circulating levels of inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been reported to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, our objectives were to investigate the associations between hs-CRP levels and individual MetS components as well as to analyse if hs-CRP levels are linked with the number of MetS components present in middle-aged subjects. Design and methods: A cross-sectional study included 4628 middle-aged MetS subjects from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk primary prevention programme (LitHiR) from 2011 to 2020. MetS was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III modified criteria. CRP was measured by a validated high-sensitivity assay. A hs-CRP cutpoint of 5 mg/l was used to differentiate high and low hs-CRP groups. Results: The mean value of hs-CRP was 3.23 ± 4.04 mg/l, and significantly increased as the number of components of MetS increased (p < 0.001). The concentration of serum hs-CRP was significantly associated with waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose (all p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant associations were found between hs-CRP and serum triglycerides (p = 0.340) or serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.148). Conclusions: Serum hs-CRP increased progressively with increased waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose in middle-aged subjects with MetS. The higher values of hs-CRP were more often present in obese subjects and women. The incremental rise in mean serum hs-CRP level was found with an increasing number of MetS components.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between longitudinal clinical congestion pattern and heart failure outcome is uncertain. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of congestion over time and to investigate its impact on outcome in chronic heart failure.METHODS: A total of 588 patients with chronic heart failure older than 60 years of age with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class >= II from the TIME-CHF study were included. The endpoints for this study were survival and hospitalization-free heart failure survival. Orthopnea, NYHA >= III, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, hepatomegaly, peripheral pitting edema, jugular venous distension, and rales were repeatedly investigated and related to outcomes. These congestion-related signs and symptoms were used to design a 7-item Clinical Congestion Index.RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of patients had a Clinical Congestion Index >= 3 at baseline, which decreased to 18% at month 18. During the median [interquartile range] follow-up of 27.2 [14.3-39.8] months, 17%, 27%, and 47% of patients with baseline Clinical Congestion Index of 0, 1-2, and >= 3 at inclusion, respectively, died (P CONCLUSIONS: The extent of congestion as assessed by means of clinical signs and symptoms decreased over time with intensified treatment, but it remained present or relapsed in a substantial number of patients with heart failure and was associated with poor outcome. This highlights the importance of appropriate decongestion in chronic heart failure. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The objective of this study was to assess predictive value of various arterial markers for cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).A longitudinal study with the follow-up period of 3.9 ± 1.7 years investigated 2728 middle-aged (53.9 ± 6.2 years old, 63% women) MetS subjects without overt CV disease. The study cohort was comprised of the participants of the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk primary prevention program. The baseline assessment included the evaluation of brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid stiffness index, aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), aortic augmentation index (AIx), and cardio-ankle vascular index). The data on the cardiovascular outcome (fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke) was collected by using the databases of the two major national registries.Over the follow-up period, 83 (3%) patients had at least one cardiovascular event. In a univariate analysis, occurrence of CV events was associated with the following parameters: higher mean blood pressure, aPWV, AIx and cIMT, and lower FMD (all p .05). In Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, the occurrence of CV event was associated with an increase in aPWV (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.60, p = .019), AIx (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.16-2.02, p = .003), and cIMT (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.14-1.50, p .001), and with the decrease in FMD (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71-0.97, p = .016) even after the adjustment for age, gender, and common cardiometabolic risk factors. In a two-level survival trees analysis, we established that patients with cIMT 794 mcm had higher CV risk (p .001) and their prognosis was further compromised by aPWV 11.1 m/s (p = .023). Meanwhile, in patients with cIMT ≤ 794mcm, the FMD cut-off point of 6.5% further stratified the risk (p = .003).In our prospective study, CV risk in the middle-aged patients with MetS was associated with an increase in cIMT and aPWV, and with a decrease in FMD.

Background: Development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) augments risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), but pathophysiological mechanisms of this relation are still under discussion. Overlapping CVD risk factors make it difficult to assess the importance of individual elements. This study aimed to analyze subclinical atherosclerosis based on arterial structure and function parameters in patients with MetS and different triglycerides (TG) levels.Methods: Patients (aged 40-65 years) were divided into two groups: patients with MetS and with or without hypertriglyceridemia (hTG). Noninvasive assessment of vascular parameters—aortic augmentation index adjusted for heart rate 75 bpm (AIxHR75), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA IMT)—were performed.Results: Carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (crPWV) were significantly higher in patients with hTG. After adjusting for age, gender, waist circumference, fasting glucose, smoking status, cardiovascular family history and mean arterial pressure, crPWV (OR: 1.150; CI 95%: 1.04-1.28), cfPWV (OR: 1.283; CI 95%: 1.14-1.42) and CCA IMT (OR: 1.13; CI 95%: 1.02-1.25) were significantly associated with hTG (pConclusion: Increased TG are independently associated with a cfPWV, crPWV, and CCA IMT, but not with a higher AIxHR75.

Hypertriglyceridemia (hTG) is 1 of the dyslipidemia manifestations in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, for several decades, the role of hTG in cardiovascular risk was not well established.The aim of this study was to assess the parameters of the vascular structure and function in patients with MetS and different degree of hTG.Patients (aged 40-65 years) with MetS were divided into 3 groups by triglyceride (TG) levels according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines: severe hTG (TG ≥ 500 mg/dL), moderate hTG (TG 200-499 mg/dL), and a control (TG 150 mg/dL) groups. Noninvasive assessment of vascular parameters (aortic augmentation index adjusted for heart rate 75 bpm [AixHR75], pulse wave velocity [PWV], flow-mediated dilatation, and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT)) were performed.Among the 1938 patients analyzed, 1041 had hTG. Moderate hTG was observed in 90.40% (n = 941), whereas severe TG was observed in 9.6% (n = 100) of patients. Overall TG concentration was 231.17 ± 184.23 mg/dL; in severe hTG group, TG concentration was 795.36 ± 368.45 mg/dL, in moderate hTG group 285.20 ± 70.86 mg/dL, and 112.48 ± 24.80 mg/dL in control group. AIxHR75 and IMT were the lowest in the severe hTG group (P .001 for both). Mean arterial pressure, carotid-radial PWV (9.25 ± 1.13 vs 9.24 ± 1.28 vs 8.91 ± 1.28; P .001) as well as carotid-femoral PWV (8.63 ± 1.65 vs 8.75 ± 1.58 vs 8.51 ± 1.6; P = .006) were the higher in hTG groups compared with control. There were no significant differences between groups in flow-mediated dilatation (3.39 ± 2.01 vs 3.26 ± 2.43 vs 3.45 ± 2.61, P = .283).Patients with MetS and severe hTG have lower IMT and AIxHR75 and higher PWV and mean arterial pressure. Many factors could affect arterial parameters, and more research are needed to investigate arterial parameters and hTG connection.

The study objective was to evaluate the midterm outcomes of transventricular mitral valve repair and its association with the initial anatomy of the mitral valve.This nonrandomized observational study included 88 patients (mean age, 60 years; 69% were men) who underwent transventricular mitral valve repair for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation between 2011 and 2017. Mitral valve function was assessed by echocardiography at 1 and 6 months and annually after the procedure. According to the location of mitral valve pathology, all patients were stratified into 4 anatomic types (A, B, C, and D). Results were assessed using Kaplan-Meier method, mixed-effects continuation ratio model, and multivariable Cox regression.Median follow-up of 42 months (interquartile range, 27-55) was complete for 83 patients (94.3%). There were 3 late deaths: 2 cardiac and 1 noncardiac. Recurrent mitral regurgitation greater than 2+ was observed in 29 patients (33%), and 18 patients (20.5%) underwent repeat surgery. Device success was 82% in type A at 6 months and thereafter; 87%, 85%, and 75% at 6, 12, and 36 months in type B, respectively; and 53% at 1 month and 20% at 24 months in type C. Probability of postoperative mitral regurgitation progression was higher in patients with greater preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, type B pathology, and type C pathology (P lt; .05). Risk factors of mitral regurgitation recurrence included increased left ventricle size (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.20; P = .001) and type C pathology (hazard ratio, 5.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.87-19.21; P = .003).Initial acceptable mitral regurgitation reduction after transventricular mitral valve repair of isolated P2 prolapse was possible but found durable in only 82% at 3 years. Higher risk of mitral regurgitation recurrence occurred with complex degenerative pathology.

Background. Patients with multimorbidity account for ever-increasing healthcare resource usage and are often summarised as big spenders. Comprehensive analysis of health care resource usage in different age groups in patients with at least two non-communicable diseases is still scarce, limiting the quality of health care management decisions, which are often backed by limited, small-scale database analysis. The health care system in Lithuania is based on mandatory social health insurance and is covered by the National Health Insurance Fund. Based on a national Health Insurance database. The study aimed to explore the distribution, change, and interrelationships of health care costs across the age groups of patients with multimorbidity, suggesting different priorities at different age groups. Method. The study identified all adults with at least one chronic disease when any health care services were used over a three-year period between 2012 and 2014. Further data analysis excluded patients with single chronic conditions and further analysed patients with multimorbidity, accounting for increasing resource usage. The costs of primary, outpatient health care services, hospitalizations, reimbursed and paid out-of-pocket medications were analysed in eight age groups starting at 18 and up to 85 years and over. Results. The study identified a total of 428,430 adults in Lithuania with at least two different chronic diseases from the 32 chronic disease list. Out of the total expenditure within the group, 51.54% of the expenses were consumed for inpatient treatment, 30.90% for reimbursed medications. Across different age groups of patients with multimorbidity in Lithuania, 60% of the total cost is attributed to the age group of 65–84 years. The share in the total spending was the highest in the 75–84 years age group amounting to 29.53% of the overall expenditure, with an increase in hospitalization and a decrease in outpatient services. A decrease in health care expenses per capita in patients with multimorbidity after 85 years of age was observed. Conclusions. The highest proportion of health care expenses in patients with multimorbidity relates to hospitalization and reimbursed medications, increasing with age, but varies through different services. The study identifies the need to personalise the care of patients with multimorbidity in the primary-outpatient setting, aiming to reduce hospitalizations with proactive disease management.

Background. Essential data on the quality of diabetes care needed for the development of National Diabetes Programme in Lithuania are lacking. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of diabetes care compared to the local guidelines in Vilnius, Lithuania. Materials and methods. Retrospective data collection covering the period from 2012 to 2013 was performed in 5 Vilnius outpatient clinics assessing process and outcome indicators in type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. Results. In a sample of 1,719 patients (58.9% women, 92.6% T2DM) the annual HbA1c assessment rate was 88.6%. Glycaemic control was significantly better in T2DM compared to T1DM patients: average HbA1c was 7.0 ± 1.4% vs 9.1 ± 1.8% and HbA1c ≤ 7% in 59 vs 9.4%, respectively (p

Background and objectives: T-cadherin (T-cad) is one of the adiponectin receptors abundantly expressed in the heart and blood vessels. Experimental studies show that T-cad sequesters adiponectin in cardiovascular tissues and is critical for adiponectin-mediated cardio-protection. However, there are no data connecting cardiac T-cad levels with human chronic heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to assess whether myocardial T-cad concentration is associated with chronic HF severity and whether the T-cad levels in human heart tissue might predict outcomes in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NI-DCM). Materials and Methods: 29 patients with chronic NI-DCM and advanced HF were enrolled. Patients underwent regular laboratory investigations, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and right heart catheterization. TNF-&alpha, and IL6 in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, endomyocardial biopsies were obtained, and the levels of T-cad were assessed by ELISA and CD3, CD45Ro, CD68, and CD4- immunohistochemically. Mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was used as a marker of HF severity, subdividing patients into two groups: mean PCWP &gt, 19 mmHg vs. mean PCWP &lt, 19 mmHg. Patients were followed-up for 5 years. The study outcome was composite: left ventricular assist device implantation, heart transplantation, or death from cardiovascular causes. Results: T-cad shows an inverse correlation with the mean PCWP (rho = &minus, 0.397, p = 0.037). There is a tendency towards a lower T-cad concentration in patients with more severe HF, as indicated by the mean PCWP &gt, 19 mmHg compared to those with mean PCWP &le, 19 mmHg (p = 0.058). Cardiac T-cad levels correlate negatively with myocardial CD3 cell count (rho = &minus, 0.423, p = 0.028). Conclusions: Univariate Cox regression analysis did not prove T-cad to be an outcome predictor (HR = 1, p = 0.349). However, decreased T-cad levels in human myocardium can be an additional indicator of HF severity. T-cad in human myocardium has an anti-inflammatory role. More studies are needed to extend the role of T-cad in the outcome prediction of patients with NI-DCM.

Summary Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of exercise stress testing to detect coronary heart disease (CHD) in the group of patients with metabolic syndrome. Design and methods: 2803 patients without prior diagnosis of CHD and identified metabolic syndrome were investigated. Subjects underwent electrocardiogram (ECG) stress testing and, depending on the results, coronary angiography and/or coronary computed tomography angiography to detect hemodynamically significant stenosis. CHD was confirmed, if lumen narrowing ≥ 50% of coronary arteries was found. Results: Exercise stress testing was interpreted as positive in 12% patients (71.7% women and 28.3% men). CHD was diagnosed in 45 patients (1.6%), 23 of them had positive exercise stress testing. ECG stress testing was more frequently positive in patients, who had typical/atypical anginal chest pain, dyspnea and/or non-anginal chest pain, in comparison to asymptomatic patients (16.6% vs 8.9%, p p < 0.001, women 5.3% vs 0.6%, p < 0.001, men respectively 8% vs 0.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Diagnostic value of exercise stress testing for detecting CHD is limited in population with metabolic syndrome. CHD was more prevalent in patients with chest pain or dyspnea than in asymptomatic patients.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between arterial stiffness assessed as cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and CV events in the middle-aged metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. Materials and methods: A follow-up study was carried out in 2106 middle-aged (53.83 6.17 years old, 62% women) MS subjects without overt atherosclerotic disease. Patients were initially recruited in 2009–2011 as participants of the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention program and followed up for 3.8 ± 1.7 years for CV events. Thorough cardiometabolic risk assessment was carried out at inclusion. Results: Subjects with higher CAVI had worse lipid and glucose metabolism profile: elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), decreased highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), higher fasting and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose levels (all P &lt, 0.001), and lower fasting insulin (P = 0.021). Greater age (P &lt, 0.001), heart rate (P = 0.016), and mean arterial pressure (P &lt, 0.001) were also associated with higher CAVI. Over the follow-up period, 93 (4.4%) patients developed a cardiovascular event: 55 (2.6%) patients had myocardial infarction and 38 (1.8%) suffered a cerebrovascular event. Fatal CV events comprised 6.5% (n = 6) of all CV events. CAVI was statistically significantly associated with occurrence of myocardial infarction (P = 0.027) and total cardiovascular events (P = 0.045), but not cerebrovascular events (P = 0.65). However, this association was dependent on age and gender.Conclusions: In the middle-aged MS patients, higher CAVI was associated with altered lipid and glucose metabolism, older age, greater heart rate and mean arterial pressure, and worse cardiovascular outcome.

Background: The aim of the present study was to identify specious radiologic and/or physiologic prognostic marker(s), which lead to optimize of the patient follow-up frequency. Methods: Eighty consecutive patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis. Patients underwent chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examination, pulmonary function tests (PFT), bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung biopsy, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell examination. Results: The reduction in PFT values seen in radiological sarcoidosis stage III was greater than that seen in stages I and II. The percentage of neutrophils in the lungs was found to increase in stages II and III. PFT indices were correlated negatively with the consolidation and ground glass opacities CT scores, but not with the micronodule or macronodule scores. The rise in the percentage of BALF lymphocytes was associated with the restriction pattern of PFT. The diagnostic value of BALF for sarcoidosis was higher when the typical radiologic patterns of stage I disease were found and that smoking decreased the diagnostic value of CD4/CD8 ratio. Conclusions: This study supports the opinion that the staging of the pulmonary sarcoidosis with chest X-rays is still valuable from the prognostic point of view, because significant correlations between the radiologic stages of sarcoidosis and PFT parameters were found. Chest HRCT was significantly superior to chest X-ray in detecting mediastinal and pulmonary parenchymal changes. However, the prognostic role of HRCT needs to be better investigated evaluating serial examinations. Only consolidation and ground glass scores (neither of which are frequently found in sarcoidosis) hold prognostic value, since these were negatively correlated with PFT parameters.

Introduction Multimorbidity – the coexistence of ≥2 chronic conditions in same individual is usually associated with older age. There is an increase in its prevalence at a much younger age, however with very limited research specifying that. Objective To identify age breaking points for the occurrence of multimorbidity. Methods The study included patients, who used any healthcare services between the 01/01/2012 and 30/06/2014. Patients were divided into two groups – with single chronic condition and with multimorbidity. Age-specific proportion of multimorbidity, rate of primary and outpatient visits, number of hospitalizations and prescribed reimbursed medications between these groups were analyzed. Results The study included 452578 patients, 94.63% of them had more than one chronic condition. The risk increase with every consecutive year for developing multimorbidity was between the age of 28 and 39 years. The age breaking point for the rapid increase in hospitalizations was about 29 years in multimorbidity group. The proportion of patients with multimorbidity using expensive medications starts to increase at the age of 41. Conclusions The risk of acquiring an additional chronic condition rises exponentially from the age of 29 years and platos between the age of 51 and 57. Patients with multimorbidity require increasing amounts of primary healthcare resources, where patients with single chronic condition require decreasing primary care usage, possibly attributed to successful patient empowerment.

Raktiniai žodžiai: cukrinis diabetas, metabolinė kontrolė, ambulatorinė priežiūra, klinikinis auditas. Tikslas. Įvertinti cukriniu diabetu sergančių pacientų, gydomų Vilniaus universiteto ligoninės Santariškių klinikų Šeimos medicinos centre, priežiūrą, palyginti su Lietuvoje galiojančiomis rekomendacijomis. Tyrimo medžiaga ir metodai. Diabetu sergančiųjų, 2011–2012 metais gydytų Šeimos medicinos centre duomenys surinkti retrospektyviai iš elektroninės duomenų bazės ir pacientų ambulatorinių kortelių. Duomenų rinkimo forma sudaryta atsi- žvelgiant į rekomendacijose apibrėžtus parametrus. Vertintos pagrindinės charakteristikos, diabeto komplikacijos, lydinčios ligos bei diabeto priežiūros rodikliai: glikuotas hemoglobinas, rekomenduojami atlikti tyrimai (lipidograma, kreatinino kiekis kraujyje, šlapimo tyrimas, albuminurija), oftalmologo, endokrinologo konsultacijos, pacientų mokymas bei pėdų apžiūra. Rezultatai. Atlikta restrospektyvi 315 pacientų (53 proc. moterų; 90 proc. 2 tipo cukriniu diabetu sergantieji) duomenų analizė. Vidutinis pacientų amžius – 64,4 ± 13,9 metų (sergančių 1 tipo diabetu – 38,2 ± 15,9; 2 tipo diabetu – 67,3 ± 10,2); vidutinė diabeto trukmė – 8,2 ± 8,1 metų (15,6 ± 14,1; 7,4 ± 6,6); kūno masės indeksas – 31,8 ± 5,9 kg/m2 (24,9 ± 4,9; 32,5 ± 5,6); liemens apimtis – 106,1 ± 12,8 cm (94,5 ± 6,4; 107,4 ± 12,7). Vidutinis glikuotas hemoglobinas – 6,9 ± 1,3 proc. (8,1 ± 1,9; 6,7 ± 1,1), tikslinį glikuotą hemoglobiną ( 7 proc.) pasiekusių pacientų dalis – 67 proc. (29; 71). Diabetinė nefropatija, polineuropatija, retinopatija ir angiopatija nustatyta atitinkamai 15,6; 38,4; 19,4 ir 6 proc. pacientų, dažniau – 1 tipo diabetu sergantiesiems. Arterinė hipertenzija, širdies ir kraujagyslių ligos, dislipidemija nustatyta atitinkamai 88,9; 40,6 ir 73,4 proc. pacientų, dažniau 2 tipo diabeto grupėje. Duomenų apie kūno masės indeksą, liemens apimtį, pacientų mokymą trūko atitinkamai 44,2; 74,3 ir 91,4 proc. atvejų. Informacijos apie pėdų apžiūrą, akių dugną, šlapimo tyrimą, albuminuriją, kreatinino kiekį kraujyje, lipidogramą trūko atitinkamai 81,4; 47,6; 64,8; 89,8; 31,1 ir 44,8 proc. atvejų. Esant nepakankamai glikemijos kontrolei, tik 68 proc. pacientų nukreipti į endokrinologo konsultaciją. 2011 ir 2012 metų diabeto priežiūros rodikliai reikšmingai nesiskyrė. Išvados. Klinikinio audito metu nustatyta, jog Vilniaus universiteto ligoninės Santariškių klinikų Šeimos medicinos centre didžiajai daliai diabetu sergančių pacientų pasiekta labai gera glikemijos kontrolė, ypač 2 tipo cukrinio diabeto grupėje. Ta- čiau pacientų mokymas, diabeto komplikacijų ir kardiovaskulinės rizikos veiksnių išaiškinimas, lyginant su galiojančiomis rekomendacijomis, yra nepakankamas. Tyrimo rezultatai nubrėžia gaires diabetu sergančiųjų priežiūros gerinimui centre bei pagrindžia panašių tyrimų poreikį kitose ambulatorinės sveikatos priežiūros įstaigose.

Objectives The aims of our study were to evaluate cognitive decline in people with temporal lobe epilepsy over a period of 13 years and to determine what clinical and treatment characteristics may have been associated with these. Materials and methods Thirty-three individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy underwent the same neuropsychological assessment of verbal and nonverbal memory, attention, and executive functions using the same cognitive test battery as one used 13 years ago. Long-term verbal and nonverbal memory was tested four weeks later. Results were compared with those carried out 13 years earlier. Results There was no significant change in verbal and verbal–logical memory tests; however, nonverbal memory worsened significantly. Long-term verbal memory declined for 21.9% of participants, long-term verbal–logical memory for 34.4%, and long-term nonverbal memory for 56.3%. Worsening of working verbal and verbal–logical memory was associated with longer epilepsy duration and lower levels of patients' education; worsening of verbal delayed recall and long-term verbal–logical memory was associated with higher seizure frequency. Decline in long-term nonverbal memory had significant association with a longer duration of epilepsy. The worsening of reaction and attention inversely correlated with the symptoms of depression. Conclusion Over a 13-year period, cognitive functions did not change significantly. Good seizure control and reduced symptoms of depression in this sample of people with temporal lobe epilepsy were associated with better cognitive functioning. The predictors of change of cognitive functions could be complex and require further study.

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between arterial stiffness and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients.A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1208 subjects without overt atherosclerotic disease. According to the cardiac ultrasound, patients were divided into two groups: with LVDD (LVDD+, n = 1119) and without LVDD (LVDD-, n = 89). Arterial stiffness parameters [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and aortic augmentation index (AIxHR75)] were assessed by applanation tonometry.In comparison to LVDD-, LVDD + patients were older (55 ± 6 vs 51 ± 6 years, p 0.001), and had higher cfPWV (8.8 ± 1.6 vs 7.9 ± 1.34 m/s, p 0.001), AIxHR75 (24.7 ± 10.2 vs 19.7 ± 10, p 0.001), mean arterial pressure (108 ± 12 vs 101 ± 10 mmHg, p 0.001), heart rate (66 ± 10 vs 61 ± 9 bpm, p 0.001), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (109 ± 24 vs 97 ± 22, p 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (32 ± 5 vs 30 ± 4 kg/m(2), p 0.001). We found significant correlations between cfPWV, AIxHR75 and the ratio of early to late transmitral velocities (E/A) (rcfPWV = -0.19, rAIxHR75 = -0.15, p 0.001), early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') (rcfPWV = -0.25, rAIxHR75 = -0.18, p 0.05) and E/E' ratio (rcfPWV = 0.17, rAIxHR75 = 0.14, p 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that the presence of LVDD is associated with age [odds ratio (OR) 1.84], BMI (OR 1.63), waist circumference (WC) (OR 1.52), cfPWV (OR 2.18), AIxHR75 (OR 1.55), mean aortic blood pressure (OR 1.94), aortic pulse pressure (OR 1.78), mean common carotid artery intima-media thickness (OR 1.16), heart rate (OR 1.4) and LVMI (OR 1.79) (all p 0.05). After performing stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, only cfPWV and BMI or WC remained significant predictors of the presence of LVDD (p 0.05).cfPWV is a significant determinant of LVDD in subjects with MetS.

Background Chronic multiple conditions have become a major threat to the world's healthcare systems within the last years. Objective To estimate the prevalence and structure of chronic conditions in Lithuania and to analyse the utilisation of healthcare resources striving to manage patients with multimorbidity. Methods It was based on the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) database, that covered the period from January, 2012 to June, 2014 and included 452,769 subjects. The prevalence of multimorbidity in Lithuania, the structure of chronic diseases within the age and gender groups as well as the association between multimorbidity and facilities usage were analysed. Results The prevalence of chronic diseases in adult Lithuanian population was 17.2%, where 94.6% (N = 428 430) of the chronically diseased subjects had > 1 chronic condition. The number of chronic conditions increased with the age, especially at the age of 45–54 years, and male gender (p Multimorbidity accounted for 258,761 additional bed days per year nationally and 61% increase in the 30-day readmission rate. Primary care and outpatient visits per 1000 population were 2.1 times more prevalent and home visits were 9.6 times more frequent in multimorbid patients compared to a single chronic disease. Conclusions Multimorbidity and its increasing prevalence among the younger patients will put additional strain on healthcare resources at an earlier stage by increasing admission, readmission rates and vastly increasing primary care contacts.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and changes of cardiovascular risk factors in the middle-aged Lithuanian subjects after conducting the primary prevention program.Four cross-sectional investigations of cardiovascular risk factors were conducted in 2009 (n = 9625), 2010 (n = 7716), 2011 (n = 5018) and 2012 (n = 4348). The program recruited men aged 40-54 and women aged 50-64 without overt cardiovascular disease.During the period 2009-2012, the mean number of risk factors significantly increased (from 3.95 to 4.03, p0.001), while the numbers of people having metabolic syndrome (from 34.1% to 28.7%; p0.001), arterial hypertension (from 60.2% to 54.5%; p0.001), the average body mass index (BMI) value (from 29.17 to 28.92 kg/m(2); p = 0.001) and abdominal obesity (from 48.4% to 45.3%; p0.001) significantly decreased. The percentage of subjects with dyslipidemia, as well as the average values of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, remained unchanged. The percentage of smoking subjects have significantly increased (from 19.3% to 22.7%; p0.001).The analysis showed that the prevalence of arterial hypertension, metabolic syndrome and obesity in Lithuania is slowly decreasing while conducting the primary prevention program; however, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking are still hard to manage for both genders.

Hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease and the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in the world. It presents an important public health challenge in both economically developed and developing countries. In 2006, the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk programme was launched. The programme recruited men aged 40-54 and women aged 50-64 without overt cardiovascular disease. We analysed a group of 23,204 subjects included in the programme at the primary level. Arterial hypertension was present in 57.6% of the subjects: 63.2% in the females and 49.2% in the males. In the hypertensive middle-aged subjects, grade 1 hypertension was present in 53.1%, grade 2 in 22.4%, and grade 3 in merely 5.9% of the subjects. The prevalence of a minimum of three concomitant risk factors among the hypertensive patients was 78.0%, compared with 52.1% in the patients without hypertension (p < 0.001). Blood pressure goals were attained in 20.8% of the hypertensive women and in 14.4% of the hypertensive men. In Lithuania, a high prevalence of hypertension was characteristic of middle-aged subjects. Although the blood pressure elevation had not reached high levels, the presence of at least three risk factors concomitant to hypertension was more expressed in them compared with the non-hypertensive subjects.