Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Mladen Persić.
Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors among elementary school children were evaluated using the Children's Eating Attitude Test. Our findings demonstrate that students in early adolescence have disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors. We recommend screening for eating disorders in this group in order to provide primary and secondary prevention.
OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is higher in northern than in southern Europe. Recent epidemiological studies showed the loss of the previously described geographical north-south gradient. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of UC and CD in Primorsko-goranska County, Croatia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004 (5 years) all new patients diagnosed with IBD were prospectively identified according to a standard protocol for case ascertainment and definition. A total of 178 residents (81 F, 97 M) were newly diagnosed as having IBD during the study period. Of these, 70 had UC and 100 CD. Eight patients had indeterminate IBD. The data on patients were collected using a data form completed by gastroenterologists. RESULTS: Annual age-standardized incidence rates were 4.3/10(5) (95% CI 2.6-6.0) for UC and 7.0/10(5) (95% CI 3.4-10.6) for CD. The highest incidence rate was observed in the age group 35-44 years for UC and the 25-34 years age group for CD. The incidence of IBD was higher in the urban than in the rural population, with the exception of on the islands. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of IBD was higher than previously observed in Croatia. Our results suggest that CD incidence rates in the northern coastal part of Croatia are currently comparable with those reported in northern Europe.
Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) has many different causes, but is most frequently caused by drugs. We report a 13-year-old vegetarian girl with drug-induced ATIN, confirmed by renal biopsy, and simultaneous occurrence of elevated urinary cadmium. Four weeks prior to admission she had been treated with antibiotics and acetaminophen for respiratory infection, and remaining febrile, was treated with different "home-made" herbal mixtures. She presented with acute non-oliguric renal failure, tubular dysfunction, and sterile pyuria, but without skin rash or edema. Laboratory data showed a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, normal white blood count with eosinophilia, and a serum creatinine of 245 micromol/l. Urinalysis was remarkable for glycosuria, tubular proteinuria, and elevated beta(2)-microglobulin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase excretion. Immunoserological tests characteristic of acute glomerulonephritis and systemic diseases were negative. She was treated with steroids and her renal function improved. Follow-up analyses disclosed normal urinary cadmium and enzyme excretion within 6 months. Heavy metal analysis of herbal preparations that she had taken confirmed the presence of cadmium, but within approved concentrations. In conclusion, elevated urinary cadmium in the case of drug-induced ATIN may be assumed to be an accidental finding. However, consumption of different herbs containing cadmium and cadmium-induced nephro-toxicity could be the reason for such serious renal damage.
Glucocorticoids may be useful as short-term palliative therapy for acute exacerbations of Crohn disease. When glucocorticoids are used for longer than brief periods, even in moderate dosages, they can produce a variety of adverse effects, including steroid diabetes. Two boys were treated with methylprednisolone due to acute exacerbations of Crohn disease. After five and six weeks of continuous oral administration of methylprednisolone, the boys developed steroid diabetes. Diabetic symptoms dominated the clinical presentation but there was no tendency towards diabetic ketoacidosis. Reduction of methylprednisolone dosage rather than insulin therapy resulted in better control of glycemia. Frequent blood glucose monitoring is recommended in children on prolonged therapy with glucocorticoids. Steroid diabetes experienced by the reported cases may be a marker for the onset of diabetes in their adulthood.