Volume 10 (2017): Issue 2 (December 2017)

Advanced information technologies have entered all spheres of human activities. In healthcare, this happens much too fast and encompasses all its branches. How does the Internet form the relationship between patients and medical staff? What information do patients seek and how do they get it? What problems arise during the communication process via new means? How can we describe an e-patient? How does the Internet model the doctor-patient relationship in case of cancer, one of the most dramatic diseases? Are students prepared to face an e-patient and how are they trained to do it? What is to be done to optimize internet communication between patients and health providers? This review analyzes information on these issues and outlines some opportunities for solving problems arising against the background of IT use in health care.

According to the consensus and the recommendations of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), the frequency of appendicular neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is 0.15-0.6/100 000 a year. They are found a little more often in women aged between 40 and 50. Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the appendix are about 30 to 80% of all appendicular tumors. Their evolution is usually asymptomatic. They are diagnosed accidentally during a conventional or laparoscopic appendectomy. In the past, the surgical approach used to depend on the localization of the tumor. Currently, its localization is not a significant factor in the choice of a surgical approach. Our purpose wass to present the consensus guideline and the recommendations of ENETS 2017 for surgical procedures in neuroendocrine neoplasms of the appendix and analyze the difference in the survival rate in different surgical interventions. The literature overview includes studies on surgical treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the appendix and takes into consideration the last consensus guideline of ENETS 2017 on the topic. ENETS recommends a simple appendectomy in well- differentiated appendix tumors smaller than 2 cm, regardless of their localization. Right hemicolectomy is performed for in tumors sized between 1 cm and 2 cm with positive resection lines, with deep mesoappendiceal invasion, high proliferation activity (G2) and vascular invasion. For tumors over larger than 2 cm – right hemicolectomy is recommended. Although current studies have pointed out no significant differences in survival rates between appendectomy for neuroendocrine neoplasms of the appendix and right hemicolectomy, ENETS 2017 suggests that the latest consensus guidelines should be followed.

Fetuin-A is a major plasma glycoprotein released mainly by the liver. Its functions include inhibition of the activity of insulin receptor, regulation of response to inflammation, inhibition of calcified matrix metabolism and ectopic mineralization, etc. Three major functional domains of fetuin-A have been identified: one similar to the Ca-binding domains, one inhibiting cysteine protease, and a domain with high affinity to insulin receptor. The fetuin-A molecule may be considered as a highly pleomorphic protein with an important impact in a variety of clinically expressed metabolic and pathological processes. It could be used as a marker in clinical practice in the future.

Lung cancer is still the leading cancer-related cause of death with a high incidence rate in the whole world. Treatment options – surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the stage of the disease. During the last decade, many molecular alterations were discovered that led to impressive changes in treatment. Personalized approaches, including target therapies with specific inhibitor drugs, became a part of the standard therapies. This article reviews current molecular biomarkers used in clinical practice to treat lung cancer patients.

The experience accumulated with low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) from international clinical trials has demonstrated its safety, efficacy and good tolerance in treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effect of LI-ESWT in patients with ED after bilateral nerve sparing radical surgery for prostate cancer. Twenty-seven patients underwent bilateral nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (BNSRRP) at the clinic of urology of the university hospital in Pleven between January 2016 and December 2016. Twenty-one of these patients had pre-operative preserved erectile function (EF), as reported according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Postoperatively, these 21 patients experienced a mild (18-21 points) impairment of EF. In 10 patients (group 1), LI-ESWT was performed. The procedure was performed once a week for 6 weeks with a LI-ESWT (BTL 6000 SWT Topline) instrument. The reading was obtained with IIEF-5 on the third and sixth month after the end of therapy. The other 11 patients (group 2) were used as a control group and did not receive treatment. In 5 patients in group 1, a recovery of EF (> 21 points) as per IIEF-5 was recorded at the third month after treatment. In two patients, the same score was recorded at the sixth month. No improvement was seen in three men in group 1. In the controls (group 2), a spontaneous EF improvement in four patients at sixth month was registered. Despite the small number of patients and their short-term follow-up, our initial results indicate that LI-ESWT is effective, safe and well-tolerated. It could be an alternative for early penis rehabilitation in patients who have undergone BNSRRP.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2016 in the research project No 4/2016. We selected 98 patients aged 40-89 and diagnosed with hypertension. The patients were admitted to Cardiology Clinic One of the University Hospital in Pleven. The study aimed to measure and compare direct and indirect costs of hypertensive patients aged 40-89 years, who were treated with lisinopril and perindopril. We estimated the total and average costs of 50 (51.0%) patients treated with lisinopril and 48 (49.0%) treated with perindopril. Males were 46.4%, and the mean age of the sample was 65.9.0±11.2 years. Data were processed by Statistical Package for Social Science version 19.0 (SPSS.v.19.0). Total costs exceeded amount reimbursed for the clinical path (BGN 420.00) in 64.6% of the patients treated with perindopril and 48.0% of the patients treated with lisinopril. We found that treatment costs within 6-months after discharge were BGN 673.82 in patients treated with lisinopril, as compared to BGN 171.92 reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and BGN 781.18 for those treated with perindopril, compared to BGN 216.33 reimbursed by NHIF. The NHIF reimbursement rate for antihypertensive treatment is insufficient to cover all direct costs. Increased hospital costs and out-of-pocket payments present a significant restriction on access to treatment for arterial hypertension.

Assessment of work ability is an important aspect of occupational medical services, the main goal being to maintain employees’ health, well-being and efficiency. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the work ability of workers employed by two machinery factories. We used the Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire to assess 165 workers of an iron casting factory A and 166 workers in a press-forging plant B. The data obtained were evaluated and compared based on gender, age, length of service and occupation. Mean WAI for the two factories were almost identical (43.3±4.9 for Factory A and 43.3±4.6 for Factory B), both indicating good overall work ability. The lowest mean WAI (37.7) was registered for the crane operators from Factory B, and the highest (47.2) - for the molders in Factory A. The female production workers in Factory A had a significantly lower WAI as compared to their male counterparts (p=0.001). WAI also varied significantly between different age groups and occupations in the two plants. Significant negative correlations were found between work ability and length of service, as well as between psychological resources and gender (Factory A) and the length of service (Factory B). WAI is a useful tool in finding vulnerable workers who need more attention from occupational health specialists.

Significant losses of functional proteins such as hormones and hormone-binding proteins are seen in patients suffering from proteinuria. Studies have reported loss of thyroid hormones and thyroxine-binding globulin in the urine. There is evidence that subclinical hypothyroidism is six times more common in patients with proteinuria than in healthy people. The parameters of the effect of proteinuria on thyroid function have not been fully studiedyet.We investigated 74 patients with qualitatively established proteinuria, of whom 34 men and 40 women, without diagnosed thyroid disease. The average age of the patients was 60.9 years. We tested 20 free controls for free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), creatinine and albumin in serum, and the quantity of urine protein. The mean results found for TSH were higher in the patients with proteinuria than in those of the controls (2.719 mU/l vs 1.78 mU/l). For FT4, the mean result in the patients with proteinuria was 17.04 pmol/l vs 16.39 pmol/l. in the controls. A correlation was sought between TSH and FT4 levels and all the laboratory parameters we tested. Patients with proteinuria had higher TSH levels, probably due to the loss of thyroid hormones in the urine. However, these losses cannot lead to clinically proven hypothyroidism.

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a standard surgical procedure for rectal cancer. Robotic surgery has the potential to minimize the disadvantages of laparoscopic rectal resection. Circumferential margin and macroscopic quality assessment of the resected specimen are the major prognostic factors for local recurrence of the disease. The aim of this study was to research the macroscopic assessment of the quality of TME after robotic-assisted rectal resections for rectal cancer performed in a single center. Data was prospectively collected about macroscopic assessment of the quality of TME in thirteen patients after robotic-assisted rectal resections for rectal cancer between 09.04.2014 and 31.12.2016. After all robotic TMEs, a pathologist made macroscopic assessment of the completeness of the mesorectal excision. The quality of TME was complete in 12 cases and nearly complete in one case. The circumferential and distal resection margins were negative in all cases. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was nine. This study indicated that using robotic surgery for rectal cancer does not lead to worsening the quality of TME. Further studies in this field are necessary.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults. It belongs to the group of indolent lymphoproliferative disorders and has a slow clinical course. Approximately 50% of newly diagnosed patients do not require treatment for years. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease has led to the development of models for assessment of the risk.

Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the serum marker beta-2 microglobulin (82M) and the flow cytometric marker CD49d in patients with early-stage of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) as well as look for a correlation between CD 49d and the early stages of the disease. For this purpose, analysis of 30 untreated patients with known and newly diagnosed B-CLL was carried out. The following methods were used: documentary, flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood, Rai staging system and chi-square test of independence (Fisher’s Exact Test). The results from our study showed that a small number of patients in the early stage of the disease have high levels of CD49d expression and beta-2 microglobulins. In eight of 29 patients, the flow cytometric marker was higher than 30%, and in ten out of 29 patients, the B2M was above the reference range. No significant correlation between the two markers in early stage B-CLL patients was found.

Affective disorders, including depression, are of great social importance and lead to serious everyday life infringement and disability. Affective disorders are one of the main causes of suicide causes. Anxiety disorders represent a variety of psychic disorders that often lead to disability. Anxiety and depression syndromes together are often seen in patients. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is the only vitamin containing cobalt. Our aim was to investigate, evaluate and compare depression and increased anxiety and serum Vitamin B12 level in patients with depression, in patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia and healthy controls. We investigated 74 subjects – 38 patients and 36 healthy controls. Serum Vitamin B12 level was measured in all participants. It is assumed that normal ranges of Vitamin B12 level vary. The most recently accepted ones are 200 to 900 pg/ml. In cases of levels below 200 pg/ml, a therapy with vitamin B12 should be applied. On the other hand, the level necessary for normal biochemical processes is higher – 250 pg/ml. In our study, serum Vitamin B12 level in more than 50% of patients with depression/anxiety was below 200 pg/ml, and in more than 60% of these patients it was below 250 pg/ml.

A rare case is reported of twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence in a triplet pregnancy, fetal intervention in the first trimester and pregnancy outcome. We report a case of TRAP sequence complication in dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy, with a normally developing fetus and an acardiac fetus connected via arterio-arterial anastomoses in a monochorionic diamniotic twin pair and a separate fetus. TRAP sequence was diagnosed at 13 weeks in triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer of two blastocysts. Color Doppler assessment showed persistent arterial flow in the acardiac twin. Intrafetal laser coagulation was carried out at the time of the diagnosis, and the pregnancy outcome was two survivals at 36.4 weeks of gestation.