BACKGROUND:Disorders in the metabolism of iron in the direction of iron overload are observed not only in primary hemochromatosis but also in some chronic liver diseases other aetiology. Elevation of serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation is reported in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol, chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis.AIM:Aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the frequency of the iron serum markers in patients with various chronic liver diseases.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study included a total of 246 persons -186 patients with chronic liver disease without cirrhosis (-115 men, women -71; average age of 50.41 ± 12.85, from 23 to 77 years) and 60 healthy controls (-30 men, women -30, middle-aged 50.50 ± 11.31, from 29 to 83 years). Medical history, physical examination and demographic data including height, weight, laboratory and instrumental studies were performed.RESULTS:The highest incidence of elevated serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin and decreased serum hepcidin found in cases of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC).CONCLUSION:Finally, analysis of the changes in serum markers of iron metabolism shows that the difference between healthy and sick with liver disease is primarily due to changes in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly steatohepatitis, and chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION:The development and improvement of medical and social services for people with disabilities is one of the indicators for providing life quality to elderly people. Training of geriatric specialists is one of the ways to overcome the deficiency of professionals possessing specific knowledge and skills to take care of elderly and aged people, with or without disabilities. During their training, the students, majoring in Geriatric Care acquire professional competencies for work with elderly and aged people with or without disabilities (visual disabilities, hearing disabilities, etc). Formation of communication competence in students is an important part of the professiogram. The curriculum envisages diverse training methods, facilitating the formation of skills required for communication with patients, in conformity with their individual characteristics and system of values.

Osteoporosis is a disease of serious medical and social significance. Despite existing knowledge, ongoing scientific research and disease prevention initiatives, the high morbidity and associated risks of fracture continue to be a cause of disability, impaired quality of life and high mortality. These are strong enough motives for the Osteoporosis problem to be the subject of attention, both in medical and scientific circles, as well as for those interested and responsible for their health. The acquired knowledge of motor and nutritional regimes applied in life would delay and even prevent the consequences of the inevitable physiological changes associated with advancing age. The prognosis for increasing average life expectancy in developed countries is inevitably associated with a significant increase in the incidence of osteoporosis. Early prevention of osteoporosis is a condition for reducing the health consequences of the disease. In this regard, Trakia University - Stara Zagora, Bulgaria was qualified for financing a research project with the main performer Medical College - Stara Zagora, with a two years term of implementation. The theme of the project was "Developing a preventive program to improve the quality of life of individuals at risk of osteoporosis". The work program contained ten main tasks: (1) Forming a group of women to be surveyed. The condition for inclusion was that they were over 45 years of age, occupying professions in which the work process is mainly in a static posture of the body, N = 255; (2) Making a questionnaire of 48 questions, grouped in 5 sections: motor activity, nutrition, pathological processes and changes in the musculoskeletal system, past and present conditions and diseases and medications received, with influence on calcium metabolism; (3) Determining the contingent of people at risk for osteoporosis, selected on the basis of the answers from the survey N = 85; (4) Conducting clinical laboratory tests for serum levels of Vitamin D, Osteokalcin and B Crross Laps; (5) Measurement of bone density by ultrasonic osteodensitometry with the SONOST 3000 apparatus; (6) Determining the extent of existing pain by completing the Pain Scale; (7) Development and implementation of a kinesitherapy program with exercises and recommendations for physical activity; (8) Improvement of health knowledge and culture of osteoporosis risk women contingent. For this purpose, two types of leaflets with health education content were developed: “Briefly on osteoporosis - how it affects the quality of human life and is there any chance of change” and “ Nutrition in osteoporosis ”; (9) Promoting the results obtained in the implementation of the work program of the research project; (10) Participation of members of the research team in the annual European Public Health WEEK, 13-17 May 2019, an initiative supported by the European Commission and the World Health Organization. The purpose of this paper is to inform about the experience and the implemented activities of the Scientific project of MK, Tr.U, as well as its participation in the European Public Health Week.

Abstract:The influx of migrants to European countries, including the Republic of Bulgaria, is constantly increasing from regions experiencing military conflicts and countries that are economically undeveloped. At present, the Republic of Bulgaria is regarded by asylum seekers as a transit state on their route to the economically developed European countries. The people seeking asylum in the European Union have different sociocultural, ethnical, religious, and health cultures. These differences make their adaptation to their new environment difficult and the situation creates economic, social, and health problems for the accepting countries. The enforcement of uniform European standards and laws for social and health integration of migrants facilitates the process and protects the local people from infectious diseases and social-economic problems. The analysis of documents of the European Union, from international and Bulgarian organizations, shows policies have been developed to guarantee the rights of individuals, seeking protection. A major issue for the successful adaptation of migrants is their unwillingness to observe the laws and regulations of the countries where they settle.UDC Classification: 614.1, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v4.788