Biomedical subjects

Roman Urek

Publications and source records attributed to Roman Urek.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Burnout syndrome--assessment of a stressful job among intensive care staff.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the degree of burnout experienced by intensive care staff particularly, in Medical (MICU) and Surgical Intensive Care Units (SICU) General Hospital "Sveti Duh", Zagreb. A sample group of 41 emergency physicians and nurses from MICU and 30 from SICU was tested. The survey included demographic data and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scoring test identified by the three main components associated with burnout: emotional exhaustion (MBI-EE), depersonalization (MBI-DEP), and personal accomplishment (MBI-PA) were assessed using 22-item questionnaire. The degrees of burnout were stratified into low, moderate, and high range. Mean total MBI (X +/- SD) were high in both groups: higher for the MICU (65.5 +/- 6.7) than for SICU staff (55.7 +/- 3.8, p < 0.05). MICU staff showed moderate degree of MBI-EE (24.9 +/- 11.2), MBI-DEP (6.0 +/- 5.6), and as well as MBI-PA (34.4 +/- 8.8). The same parameters showed better results among SICU staff: low degree of MBI-EE (17.1 +/- 5.2), as well as low level of MBI-DEP (5.2 +/- 5.0), and moderate degree of MBI-PA (33.7 +/- 9.8). The differences between the groups was statistically significant only for the total MBI, and for MBI-EE (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between MICU and SICU staff for MBI-DEP or MBI-PA parameters. Overall job burnout represented in a moderate degree. The presence of burnout is a serious phenomenon, because it can lead to psychosomatic complaints, work-associated withdrawal behaviour, and a lower quality of care at intensive care units. Early recognition of burnout phenomenon as a result of prolonged stress and frustration among intensive care staff, contributes to better professional behavior, organizational structure changes in the work environment and better health care quality for critically ill patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease].

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder worldwide. ED and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share many risk factors, the former often being the presenting symptom. The knowledge of the relationship between CVD and ED, the cardiovascular implications of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of ED can help improve the quality of life of patients with both conditions. Cardiologists have a prominent role in treating ED.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed2006

[Specific characteristics of hypertension in postmenopausal women].

Sex-specific differences in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases have long been known, and estrogens have been considered responsible for this dissimilarity. After the menopause, the consequences of hypertension in women change. Their risks of myocardial infarction and stroke rise, which has in part been ascribed to the loss of estrogen and onset of menopausal metabolic syndrome. Sex differences in the components of the renin-angiotensin system have been shown to exist, and may play a central role in the blood pressure control. Hypertensive menopausal women do not receive optimal treatment. They have poorer prognosis than men of the same age. Therefore, their antihypertensive management calls for special attention.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed2005

Effect of educational programs on asthma control and quality of life in adult asthma patients.

This study investigated the effectiveness of different educational programs in obtaining better asthma control and asthma-related quality of life (QoL). In 60 adult patients with moderate persistent asthma we tested the benefit of individual verbal instructions (IVI), written information ("asthma booklet", B), and integrated asthma classes ("asthma school", AS). At the enrollment and at the end of the study, all participants completed the questionnaires regarding their asthma-related knowledge (ArK) and QoL. During the 12-week period all patients recorded their asthma symptoms, morning and evening peek expiratory flow rates (PEFR), and the use of rescue medication. AS and IVI groups showed a significantly greater improvement in QoL than the B group. AS group obtained the highest ArK but no difference in the level of improvement among the groups has been documented. The improved average asthma symptom score and decreased utilization of the rescue medication were documented in all groups without significant differences among them. We also found significant improvements in both morning and evening PEFR in IVI group as well as in the morning PEFR in AS group. We conclude that among tested educational interventions the AS caused the best improvement in QoL while IVI produced the best overall response in both parameters of the asthma control and QoL.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Primary pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy: case report].

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive and currently incurable disease characterised by an increase in pulmonary artery pressure without a demonstrable cause. When associated with pregnancy, the maternal mortality ranges from 30 to 50%. In this report we present a 26-year old patient diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension during her twenty-first week of gestation. She was treated with a low-molecular-weight heparin and sedatives and underwent pregnancy termination without complications. Although cases have been reported with positive maternal and fetal outcome, the available evidence suggests that pregnancy with primary pulmonary hypertension should be avoided. Thus, in cases of pregnancy occurring, a therapeutic abortion is indicated.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗