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BACKGROUND: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare, genetic, metabolic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene. The lack of functional ABCC6 protein leads to ectopic mineralization that is most apparent in the elastic tissues of the skin, eyes, and blood vessels. Dermatologic manifestations consist of small yellow papules on the nape and sides of the neck and in flexural areas that coalesce into reticulated plaques resembling the cobblestone aspect, and then the skin becomes loose and wrinkled. Histopathologic findings provide characteristic clues such as short, fragmented, clumped, and calcified mid-dermal elastic fibers. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old Albanian female was referred to the dermatology clinic with skin complaints for approximately 17 years. On physical examination, we observed “cobblestone pattern” lesion located in the anterior, lateral, and posterior aspects of the neck, bilateral axillary, inguinal, antecubital, and popliteal regions, and periumbilical area. A biopsy was performed and the histopathology confirmed the typical changes in the dermis because of ectopic mineralization. The funduscopy revealed the “peau d’orange” aspect, bilateral angioid streaks but no neovascularization. Carotid echography showed minimal intimate thickening with flow acceleration but without significant stenosis of the right common carotid artery (ACC). Different laboratory exams were conducted that resulted within the normal range. CONCLUSION: There is no specific treatment, and therapeutical management is based on prevention, tracking, and follow-ups to increase surveillance of clinical complications through a multidisciplinary team. The dermatologist is usually the first who faces Pseudoxanthoma elasticum manifestations. Therefore, the dermatologist should provide the patient with the best therapeutical and preventive approaches.

Objective The aim was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the health care of type 2 diabetes patients and identify the correlated factors. Research Design and Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2020 to February 2021. The study enrolled 400 adults with type 2 diabetes aged 40–65 with at least one other chronic illness receiving health services in primary care in Vlore, Albania. A short questionnaire based on literature, taking into account the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, was used for the data collection. The administration of the questionnaire was done by trained nurses. All participants gave their written informed consent before administering the questionnaire. Two-tailed Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to test the correlations. Results Among 400 patients with type 2 diabetes in the study, 53.0% were female and 47.0% were men. Most of the participants were married (n = 303) with a high level of education (54.3%). Treatment was mainly with oral medications (58.0%). Based on body mass index, 63.0% of participants were overweight. Employment status (p = 003), the type of treatment, oral medication vs insulin (p = 001), body mass index (p = 001), and living alone (p = 008) were the more correlated factors. Conclusions Care of type 2 diabetic patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic is closely associated with social determinants of health and the resources of healthcare settings. The need to address innovative approaches to care including self-care, social support, and e-health is recommended.

Brain stroke continues to be a leading cause of mortality and disability in both developed and developing countries, with higher healthcare costs due to the long-term care and rehabilitation that it incurs. The purpose of the current study was to assess the association between brain stroke patients’ health-related behaviors and their risk for cardiovascular disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from March to August 2022 in the Vlora district regional hospital in Albania. The study included 150 out of 170 participants who met the necessary criteria, achieving an 88% response rate. Measurement tools included the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Scale (FRS) and the Lifestyle Health Promotion Profile II (HPLP II). Results: The patients’ average age was 65.9 ± 9.04 years. Over 65% of the stroke patients suffer from diabetes, and 47% from hypertension. About 31% of them have a high risk of hyperlipidemia (mean TC = 179 ± 28.5). About 32% of the brain stroke patients manifested unhealthy behaviors, while 84% of them had a high risk of cardiovascular disease (FRS = 19.5 ± 0.53). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was statistically associated with stress management behaviors (p = 0.008; OR = 0.20; CI = 95%). This risk was highest in the over-70 age group as well as in men. Conclusion: Brain stroke patients had a high probability of developing CVD. For better health among stroke patients, new evidence-based behavior change approaches must be introduced into preventative and management programs.

Introduction Colorectal cancer is among the most commonly occurring malignancies and it is often associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Although significant advances have been made in ostomy surgery since the late 1800s, early postoperative complications may still occur. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of early stoma complication in our surgery clinic. Methods In this paper, we studied 314 consecutive patients who were admitted to the hospital for stoma creation, as emergency or elective procedures. Results The most common indication for stoma creation was colorectal carcinoma. The more frequently used surgical interventions were low anterior resection with diverting (loop) ileostomy (161 patients, 51.2%) followed by proximal defunctioning colostomy (54 patients, 17.2%) and abdominal perineal resection with end colostomy (52 patients, 16.6%). Ostomy-related complications developed in 121 patients (38.5%). Conclusion Our findings indicated that early stoma complication rates were higher in patients with malignancies and permanent stomas.

Multiple Scleroses (MS) is the most often neurological disability of the young adults in the world and most of the people are diagnosed between 20-40 years old. Rehabilitation is a component of the full management of MS focused on the preservation and function improvement and adds non pharmacological treatment in the care of the patients. The objective of this research was the review of the literature in relation to the physical rehabilitation as an important alternative in the treatment of MS. The research included the electronic data base of the libraries Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane Library, NLM Tools. The inclusion criteria were the published studies on the theme of physical rehabilitation as an important factor in the treatment of MS. More than 30 potential articles were identified, but we reviewed the results of seven articles related to the theme of interest. The review evidenced that the multidisciplinary rehabilitation in MS is effective ein the improvement of many daily activities and reduction of the disability. Most of the studies report improvement in the limited disability and life quality, but the deficit remains unchanged. Symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity, ataxia and sphincter disorders profit from the proper pharmacological studies applied together with rehabilitation therapy. MS affects more females than males. The physical rehabilitation is more effectively if it starts early, before the disease progression. Many clinical signs improve from the proper medical treatment combined with rehabilitation therapy. The literature showed some contrary facts related to the efficacy of various rehabilitation forms.