Biomedical subjects

B Curković

Publications and source records attributed to B Curković.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

The MICA-A4 triplet repeats polymorphism in the transmembrane region confers additional risk for development of psoriatic arthritis in the Croatian population.

The aim of this study was to investigate possible differences in the frequencies of alleles at the HLA loci and at microsatellite loci within the HLA region among patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and healthy controls. Fifty-eight Croatian PsA patients (28 male and 30 female) and 157 healthy unrelated controls were typed for HLA alleles (A, B, Cw and DRB1) by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method, while microsatellite alleles (D6S265, D6S273, MHC class I chain-related gene (MICA) and MIB) were analysed by electrophoresis in an ALFexpress sequencer (Pharmacia Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden). The findings from this study were: (1) the frequencies of B*39 and B*57 were significantly increased in PsA patients; (2) differences in the frequencies of B*13 and B*27 were not statistically significant after correction; (3) the B*0702, B*18, and B*38 alleles were decreased in patients only before correction; (4) none of the alleles at other HLA loci tested were associated with PsA in Croatia; (5) polymorphism at D6S265, D6S273, and MIB microsatellites in patients did not show any statistically significant differences when compared to controls; (6) the increase in the MICA-A4 allele frequency in PsA patients was independent of the B*39 and B*57 alleles.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Tramadol in the treatment of pain].

Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally-acting, synthetic analgesic with a dual mechanism of action-weak opioid and monoaminergic effects. Tramadol is a racemic mixture and its mechanism of action via opioid and noradrenergic/serotonergic mechanisms is related to the independent effects of its two enantiomers. Interestingly, the enantiomers act synergistically to achieve better antinociceptive effect without enhancing side effects, moreover, lowering respiratory depression and tolerance/dependence. In several post-marketing surveillance studies tramadol is showed as effective as codeine, penthazocine, pethidine and morphine with good tolerability. Tramadol might be analgesic of choice for a wide variety of painful conditions.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2000

[Nonsteroidal antirheumatic agents--present status and perspectives].

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are most commonly used drugs in rheumatology. NSAID effectively reduce the pain and inflammation. However, the use of NSAIDs is associated with various gastrointestinal side effects. The discovery of the two COX isoforms, namely COX1 (constitutive) and COX2 (inducible) led to the search for specific COX2 inhibitors with better gastrointestinal safety. Beside the simply gastrointestinal safety the issue point to the still not resolved questions about coxibs effects on the constitutive COX2 function in brain, kidney and the reproductive tract, as well as vigilance in post-marketing surveillance.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1999

Clinical and radiological features of atlantoaxial joints in rheumatoid arthritis.

Atlantoaxial (AA) instability is frequent radiological finding in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mostly no serious neurological disorders are expected in such patients. The purpose of the study was to assess the sagittal spinal canal diameter according to Steel's rule of third and its relationship to clinical symptoms. Radiological and clinical evaluation was performed in 65 in-patients with RA. Fifty four patients complained of neck pain, 39 had vertebrobasilar symptoms, and 25 mild neurological disorders. Hyperreflexy tendon responses were registered in 16 patients. Only 1 patient had extensor plantar response. Forward AA dislocation was verified in 28 (43%) cases with a mean value of 8.3mm (4-17 mm). Still free space for spinal cord in spinal canal was obtained in 62 (95%) of patients, which can explain such a low incidence of serious neurological disorders. Our results suggest an association among duration of disease, atlantodental distance, and sagittal spinal canal diameter. We consider that it is important to detect early the most jeopardized patients on the basis of radiological analysis at C1 level according to Steel's rule of third and recognize when rising dbl quote, left (low)safe zone" has exceeded and enters the area of impending spinal cord compression.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Osteoarthritis].

Musculoskeletal diseases are growing medical, social and economic problem. Osteoarthritis among them takes leading position with incidency, morbidity and poor quality of life. In the last few decades there is increasing interest for better knowledge of all aspects of the disease, especially with regard to its etiopathogenesis and treatment. This paper focuses the recent aspects of etiopathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and treatment of osteoarthritis.

Humans↗

PubMed1997

Early diagnosis of rheumatoid cervical myelopathy.

The purpose of this study was to detect early signs of cervical myelopathy on the basis of clinical finding, radiographs, somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) for n. medianus in 56 patients and transcranial dopler (TCD) for vertebral arteries in 35 patients. Radiological findings, SSEPs, and TCD were registered in neutral and functional scanning positions. Forward AA dislocation was verified in 25 patients with mean value 4.7 mm. The total of 12 (3 in neutral and 9 in functional positions) out of 56 patients had pathological findings of SSEPs for n. medianus. Out of 35 patients 13 (8 in standard imaging position and 5 in rotations) had abnormal values of mean blood flow velocities (MBFV). Movements can provoke neural conduction disturbances through spinal cord and interrupt vertebral arteries blood flow. The early detection of the cervical myelopathy is possible when changing the head position during SSEPs and TCD recordings. On the basis of clinical, x-ray, SSEPs and TCD analyses we suggest that patients with risk of developing myelopathy should be separated.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Circadian rhythm in hand grip strength in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

In 34 inpatients, 22 with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis according to revised ACR criteria and 12 with diagnosis of other diseases without affection of the hands served like control group we measured grip strength in 4 time period during the day (7, 11, 15, 19 hours) with the Martin's vigorimeter. Mean grip strength value was statistically lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in all four time periods (P < 0.005). There is general trend of the rising grip strength since morning to evening without statistically relevance. Grip strength firmly linear negatively correlated with the grade of morning stiffness.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[The effect of drugs on hand function in rheumatoid arthritis].

In 30 inpatients with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis according ACR criteria we evaluated efficacy of non steroid-antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (CS) on pain, morning stiffness and grip strength. NSAIDs and combination of NSAIDs and CS showed statistically significant analgesic effect (P < 0.005). Combination of NSAIDs and CS statistically significant shortened morning stiffness comparing NSAIDs or CS as single drug. Grip strength didn't rise in any investigated group. This could be explained with long disease duration (11.69 years). Morning stiffness is symptom not related only to extracellular fluid cumulation in affected areas but also to other progressive and longlasting disease signs.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1996

The prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Sixty patients with early diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis according ARA criteria were followed up for 6.6 years with the goal to determine prognosis. The parameters relevant to patient and physician were selected for follow up. Radiological and functional deterioration was evident after 6.6 years in 3/4 of patients and there was no one of them to satisfy remission criteria. The most unfavourable predictor of final outcome was the degree of functional incapacity in early stage of rheumatoid arthritis. Second important predictor of poor prognosis was degree of radiological destructive changes especially on feet. Poor prognosis could be expected in patients with previous attacks and the beginning of disease in elderly age. General symptoms and affection of mesomelic joints can be also undesirable predictor. Sex, morning stiffness, joint pattern, laboratory findings and rheumatoid factor were not significant predictors for prognosis but they could influence certain variables of global assessment.

Adult↗

PubMed1991