Search

Background. Thyroid surgeries are among the most common operations performed in the world. Hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy is a common complication that is sometimes difficult to correct. The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy and their clinical value. Subjects and Methods. From January 2015 through to April 2017, 400 patients were included in this prospective multicenter study. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy due to various thyroid diseases. The following risk factors were analyzed: pre-operative and post-operative biochemical blood parameters, clinical effects and factors related to surgery, the patient, and the disease. Results. Post-operative hypocalcemia developed in 257 patients (64.2%). Of them, 197 patients (76.7%) were diagnosed with asymptomatic hypocalcemia. Clinical symptoms were present in 60 of the 257 patients with hypocalcemia (23.3%). The statistically significant predictors of hypocalcemia were calcium and ionized calcium pre- and postoperatively (p ˂ 0.001), parathyroid hormone on day one following surgery (p ˂ 0.001), thyrotoxicosis ˂10 years before surgery (odds ratio 1.65, 95% CI 1.01−2.70, p = 0.046), the number of parathyroid glands found during surgery (odds ratio 0.52, 95% CI 0.38−0.70, p ˂ 0.001), ligation of the trunk of the left inferior thyroid artery (odds ratio 2.04, 95% CI 1.27−3.29, p = 0.003), ligation of the trunk of the right inferior thyroid artery (odds ratio 2.37, 95% CI 1.47−3.81, p ˂ 0.001), and the number of transplanted parathyroid glands (odds ratio 1.87, 95% CI 1.12−2.97, p = 0.015). In the multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.01−1.09, p = 0.029) and gender (odds ratio 5.94, 95% CI 1.13−31.26, p = 0.035) were statistically significant predictors.

Background. Thyroid surgeries are among the most common operations performed in the world. Hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy is a common complication that is sometimes difficult to correct. e aim of this study was to compare two groups of patients: those with normocalcemia and hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy upon discharge from the hospital and 6–12 months following surgery as well as to determine the clinical value. Subjects and Methods. From January 2015 through April 2017, 400 patients were included in this prospective multicenter study. All the patients underwent total thyroidectomy due to various thyroid diseases. The following risk factors were analyzed: pre-operative and post-operative biochemical blood parameters, clinical effects and factors related to surgery, the patient, and the disease. By way of random of selection, two groups of patients were formed: 30 patients who had a normal level of calcium detected in the blood upon discharge from the hospital following total thyroidectomy (normocalcemia group) and 30 patients who had a reduced level of calcium in the blood upon discharge from the hospital (hypocalcemia group). In these groups of the patients, the following parameters were determined: calcium, ionized calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, clinical expression of hypocalcemia, and the use of calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D preparations upon discharge from the hospital and 6–12 months following surgery. [...].

The aim of the study was to investigate assumptions of workplace health promotion in a primary health care (further PHC). The instruments were used for research: Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS) Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) and questions about the additional work factors. It was found that the positive experience of work and additional factors were associated with better health and well-being of their assessment, a positive significant correlation (r=0.48, p

Background and objective: The importance of patient safety is growing worldwide, and every day, health care professionals face various challenges in how to provide safe care for their patients. Patient safety skills are one of the main tools to ensure safe practice. This study looks to describe health care professionals' skills regarding patient safety. Materials and methods: Data were collected using the skill scale of the Patient Safety Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge (PS-ASK) instrument from different health care professionals (n = 1082: physicians, head nurses, nurses and nurse assistants) working in hospitals for adult patients in three regional multi-profile hospitals in the western part of Lithuania. Results: Overall, the results of this study show that based on their own evaluations, health care professionals were competent regarding their safety skills. In particular, they were competent in the sub-scale areas of error analysis (mean = 3.09) and in avoiding threats to patient safety (mean = 3.31), but only somewhat competent in using decision support technology (mean = 2.00). Demographic and other work related background factors were only slightly associated with these patient safety skills areas. Especially, it was noted that nurse assistants may need more support from managers and colleagues in developing their patient safety skills competence. Conclusions: This study has served to investigate the general skills of health care professionals in regard to patient safety. It provides new knowledge about the topic in the context of the Baltic countries and can thus be used in the future development of health care services.

Background. The aim of the study was to establish relations between work experience and health, evaluated by salutogenic health indicators, among school workers. Materials and methods. Teachers (n = 180) and other school workers (n = 154) from randomly selected Panevėžys district schools were questioned using instruments developed by scientists of the Kristianstad University: the Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS) and Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS). The questionnaire of personal data contained questions about sociodemographic and work-related characteristics. The differences among the mean values were tested by the independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to check the internal consistency. The significance level was accepted at p = 0.05. Results. In the teachers’ group, 86.7% were females (75.3% among others), 20.4% were older than 55 years (30.7% in other goups), 18.9% held an executive position (8.5% among others). Teachers, as compared with other school workers, scored higher the domain of internal work experience, (76.9 vs. 62.8, respectively), while other school workers gave higher standardized scores for the time experience domain (71.9 vs. 63.7, p < 0.001 respectively). The SHIS scores among teachers varied from 54.7 (worst experience) to 78.0 (best experience), p < 0.001. In the group of other school workers, the SHIS mean scores varied from 51.9 to 80.0, p < 0.001. Conclusions. Teachers more positively evaluated the domain of internal working experience, while other school workers were more satisfied with time experience at the workplace. The established strong correlation between work experience and health, measured by salutogenic health indicators, encouraged the idea to implement workrelated health promotion at school.

Miego sutrikimai siejami su didesne psichikos ir somatinių sutrikimų rizika. Tyrimo tikslas buvo ištirti nusiskundimų miegu pasireiškimo dažnį tarp Palangos miesto gyventojų ir nustatyti jų sąsajas su išemine širdies liga, arterine hipertenzija ir depresine nuotaika. Ištirti 1602 atsitiktinai atrinkti 35–74 metų Palangos miesto gyventojai, tarp jų 600 vyrų ir 1002 moterys. Miego sutrikimams išaiškinti naudotas Šiaurės šalių miego klausimynas. Kardiovaskulinė būklė vertinta remiantis Rose anketa, elektrokardiografinio tyrimo duomenimis, arterinio kraujo spaudimo matavimo ir klinikinio tyrimo rezultatais. Depresinei nuotaikai nustatyti naudotas PSO (5) geros savijautos testas. Palangos miesto gyventojai dažniausiai skundėsi prabudimais kiekvieną naktį (37,2%), pernelyg ankstyvu prabudimu kiekvieną rytą (7,1%), sunkiu užmigimu kiekvieną vakarą (6,9%). Asmenys, kuriems nustatyta arterinė hipertenzija ir išeminė širdies liga, dažniau nei tiriamieji, kuriems išeminė širdies liga ir (arba) arterinė hipertenzija nenustatyta, skundėsi kasdieniu sunkiu užmigimu ir prabudimais kiekvieną naktį (p < 0,05). Sunkiu užmigimu kiekvieną vakarą, prabudimais naktį, pernelyg ankstyvu prabudimu kiekvieną rytą, mieguistumu ryte ir sumažėjusiu darbingumu dieną dažniau skundėsi asmenys, kuriems nustatyta depresinė nuotaika, lyginant su tiriamaisiais, kuriems depresinė nuotaika nenustatyta, atitinkamai 11,5% ir 5,1%, 46,7% ir 33,5%, 10,6% ir 5,7%, 21,7% ir 8,6% bei 5,1% ir 0,4%, p < 0,001. Išvados... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] Background. There is evidence to suggest that sleep disorders accelerate development of somatic and mental diseases. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of sleep complaints among Palanga citizens aged 35–74 and to establish relations among sleep complaints, coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension and depressive mood. Materials and Methods. Data on randomly selected 1602 persons (600 males and 1002 females) aged 35–74 were collected. Sleep complaints were evaluated using the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire. Cardiovascular status was evaluated using the Rose questionnaire, electrocardiography findings, arterial blood pressure measurement results and physical investigation. Depressive mood was assessed using the WHO(5) Well-being Index. Results. The study subjects most often complained of regular night-time awakenings (37.2%), too early awakenings in the morning (7.1%) and difficulties in falling asleep (6.9%). Persons who had arterial hypertension with coronary artery disease, more often than healthy subjects complained of daily difficulties in falling asleep and regular night-time awakenings (p < 0.05). Difficulties with falling asleep every night, regular night-time awakenings, too early awakenings, sleepiness in the morning and decreased working ability were more often reported by respondents who had a depressive mood as compared with persons whose mood was considered normal, – respectively 11.5% vs. 5.1%, 46.7% vs. 33.5%, 10.6% vs. 5.7%, 21.7% vs. 8.6% and 5... [to full text]

Background. There is evidence to suggest that sleep disorders accelerate development of somatic and mental diseases. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of sleep complaints among Palanga citizens aged 35–74 and to establish relations among sleep complaints, coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension and depressive mood. Materials and Methods. Data on randomly selected 1602 persons (600 males and 1002 females) aged 35–74 were collected. Sleep complaints were evaluated using the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire. Cardiovascular status was evaluated using the Rose questionnaire, electrocardiography findings, arterial blood pressure measurement results and physical investigation. Depressive mood was assessed using the WHO(5) Well-being Index. Results. The study subjects most often complained of regular night-time awakenings (37.2%), too early awakenings in the morning (7.1%) and difficulties in falling asleep (6.9%). Persons who had arterial hypertension with coronary artery disease, more often than healthy subjects complained of daily difficulties in falling asleep and regular night-time awakenings (p < 0.05). Difficulties with falling asleep every night, regular night-time awakenings, too early awakenings, sleepiness in the morning and decreased working ability were more often reported by respondents who had a depressive mood as compared with persons whose mood was considered normal, – respectively 11.5% vs. 5.1%, 46.7% vs. 33.5%, 10.6% vs. 5.7%, 21.7% vs. 8.6% and 5.1% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001. Conclusions. Almost a half (49.0%) of the study population were not satisfied with sleep quality. Coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension or depressive mood were more frequent among persons with sleep complaints.

Biometeorological information provides early warnings about health risks and possible effects of complex meteorological conditions on human health or comfortability. The aim of the present research is to determine the weather impact on human health in Lithuania and accomplish evaluation of biometeorological conditions in the country. In the research a sociological evaluation of weather sensitivity of Lithuanian population was carried out. There also was measured the impact of the weather conditions on cardiovascular disease recurrent in Vilnius and the most meteo sensitive diseases were identified as well as their dependence on the current weather conditions. The change of indices describing biometeorological cold (Wind Chill) and heat („Humidex“) effects was analysed. The impact of heat on mortality of Vilnius residents was evaluated and appropriate indicators were determined to provide heat warnings in Lithuania. There was performed a calibration of ultraviolet radiation values measured in Kaunas MS and assessed the appropriateness of STAR model for forecasting of UV radiation intensity in Lithuania. The results of dissertation can be used to make biometeorological forecasts. On the basis of this work, the system of existing early warnings about elemental, catastroffic and other hazardous weather events could be improved. Biometeorologinė informacija suteikia išankstinius perspėjimus apie sveikatai gresiantį pavojų, kaip meteorologinių sąlygų kompleksas veiks žmonių sveikatos būklę ar komfortiškumą. Šio darbo tikslas - nustatyti orų poveikį Lietuvos gyventojų sveikatai ir atlikti biometeorologinių sąlygų šalies teritorijoje vertinimą. Darbe atliktas Lietuvos gyventojų jautrumo orams sociologinis vertinimas. Nustatytas orų sąlygų poveikis širdies-kraujagyslių ligų kartojimuisi Vilniuje ir išskirtos meteojautriausios ligos ir jų priklausomybė nuo esamų meteorologinių sąlygų. Analizuota biometeorologinį šalčio poveikį nusakančio Vėjo žvarbumo ir karščio poveikį – „Humidex“ indekso kaita Lietuvoje. Įvertintas karščio poveikis Vilniaus gyventojų mirtingumui ir nustatyti indikatoriai tinkantys teikti karščio perspėjimus Lietuvoje. Atlikta Kauno MS išmatuotų ultravioletinės spinduliuotės dydžių kalibraciją bei įvertintas modelio STAR tinkamumas ultravioletinės spinduliuotės intensyvumo Lietuvoje prognozei. Disertacinio darbo rezultatai gali būti naudojami biometeorologinėms prognozėms sudaryti. Remiantis šiuo darbu, galima tobulinti egzistuojančią išankstinių perspėjimų apie stichinius, katastrofinius ir kitus pavojingus hidrometeorologinius reiškinius sistemą.