Our results showed that both socioeconomic and chronic complications are relevant factors of HRQOL in type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Age, rural lifestyle, retirement, lower level of education and low socioeconomic status, as well as DM complications (angina pectoris, hearth failure, diabetes nephropathy, and diabetes retinopathy) were found to be independent risk factors for the component scores of SF-36 and EQ-VAS score. Taking into consideration the results obtained, health practitioners should be aware not only of the clinical parameters of patients with DM, but also of their educational level and working status.

AbstractThe association between micronutrients and gastric cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between dietary intake of micronutrients and risk for gastric cancer. We used data from hospital-based case control study conducted at Clinical Centre Nis (Serbia) from 2005 and 2006. Patients (n=102) with first histologically confirmed gastric cancer and matched non-cancer patients (controls, n=204) were interviewed using structured questionnaire and FFQ (Food frequency questionnaire). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association between gastric cancer and dietary intake of sodium (OR=6.22; 95%CI 1.99–7.86), but a significant negative association between potassium (OR 0.01; 95%CI 0.00–0.08), iron (OR 0.05; 95%CI 0.01–0.56), vitamin C (OR 0.05; 95%CI 0.01–0.38), vitamin E (OR 0.04; 95%CI 0.01–0.29) and niacin (OR 0.07; 95%CI 0.00–0.38) dietary intake. Intake of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, retinol, β carotene, tiamin, vitamin B6, and folic acid was not significantly related to gastric cancer risk.In conclusion, we found that a dietary pattern of high consumption of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin), iron and potassium and low consumption of foods that are sources of sodium, decreased risk for gastric cancer. Our results require confirmation in future studies.

| INTRODUC TI ONSuperficial fungal infections (SFI) are one of the most common diseases in the world with an exceptionally high prevalence in the range of 22%-25%. 1 The major causative agents of SFI with public and veterinary health relevance are the dermatophytes that infect keratinized tissue (skin, hair and nails) of humans and animals. Pathogenic species in this group are anthropophilic and zoophilic fungi belonging to three genera: Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.Other, clinically less important, dermatophytes are geophilic and zoophilic species divided over Nannizzia, Lophophyton, Arthroderma, Ctenomyces genera and two newly introduced genera, Guarromyces and Paraphyton. 2 Summary Background: Superficial fungal infections (SFI), one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, are infections of keratin-rich structures of human body mostly caused by dermatophytes and yeasts. Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the possible changes in the epidemiology of SFI on the territory of Southeastern Serbia and to investigate epidemiological characteristics and the influence of SFI on the patient's quality of life. Methods: From 2012 to the end of 2017, samples of 1643 patients (568 males and 1075 females, mean age 40.32 ± 22.44 years) with suspected SFI from Southeastern Serbia were examined using the standard mycological methods. The questionnaires were used to investigate epidemiological characteristics.Results: Superficial fungal infections were diagnosed in 20.5% (n = 336) of patients.In the group of dermatophytes, the most prevalent was Microsporum canis (63.9%, n = 76) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (21.8%, n = 26). Non-albicans Candida species were dominant aetiological agents of superficial candidosis (62.3%).BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 (P = 0.019) was determined as an independent risk factor for SFI.There was a statistically significant difference in the EQVAS score between the groups of patients and the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions:Results of conducted study indicate that SFI prevalence has not changed in the previous period. However, increase of Candida-SFI prevalence, especially Candida onychomycosis, was established. K E Y W O R D SCandida spp., dermatophytes, prevalence, superficial fungal infections | 459 OTAŠEVIĆ ET Al.

Background and objectives: Persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The study explored students’ knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 1616 first-year female college students at the University of Niš. It examined socio-demographic characteristics, measured the score of knowledge about cervical cancer, assessed awareness regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine and inquired about the source of information about cervical cancer and HPV. Results: The average cervical cancer knowledge score was 16.35 ± 7.92 (min 0, max 30), with medical professional education, parents’ education level, place of residence and relationship status having significant effects on the score. The awareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine was low, with only 14.2% of students having heard about both HPV and its vaccine. The most commonly reported sources of information were the media, while the most competent one was organized health education. Conclusions: Health promotion campaigns and educational programs are necessary in order to reduce cervical cancer burden and should be directed particularly towards those who have demonstrated low cervical cancer knowledge and low awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.

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Background and Objectives: The relationship between osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) has been analysed for over four decades. However, this relationship has remained controversial. Numerous observational and longitudinal studies have shown an inverse association between the two diseases and a protective effect of one against the other. On the other hand, some studies show that patients with OA have impaired bone strength and are more prone to fractures. The study’s main objective was to determine the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and hip (femoral neck) of postmenopausal women of different ages, with radiologically determined OA of the hip and knee, as well as to determine the correlation between BMD values and age in the experimental group. Materials and Methods: The retrospective cohort study included 7018 patients with osteoarthritis of peripheral joints and the spine, examined by a rheumatologist in an outpatient rheumatology clinic at the Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation, Niška Banja from July 2019 to March 2021. A nested anamnestic study was conducted within the cohort study of patients, and it included two groups: an experimental group composed of 60 postmenopausal women, and a control group composed of the same number of women. Out of 120 patients, 24 did not meet the criteria for the continuation of the study (due to technical errors—radiographic and/or densitometry artefacts). Fifty-six postmenopausal women (aged 45–77 years) with hip and knee radiological OA were examined as an experimental group. The participants were divided into two subgroups according to age (45–60 years and over 61 years). The control group included 40 healthy postmenopausal women of the same age range, without radiological OA, with normal BMD of the hip and spine. All patients with OA met the American College of Radiology (ACR) criteria. OA of the hip and knee was determined radiologically according to Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) classification, and patients were included in the study if a K&L grade of at least ≥ 2 was present. Hip and spine BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Compared to the control group, we found statistically significantly lower BMD and T-scores of the spine in older postmenopausal women: BMD (g/cm2), p = 0.014; T-score, p = 0.007, as well as of the hip: BMD (g/cm2), p = 0.024; T-score p < 0.001. The values of BMD and T-score of the spine and hip are lower in more severe forms of OA (X-ray stage 3 and 4, according to K&L), p < 0.001. We found negative correlation between BMD and T-score and age only for the hip: BMD (g/cm2), ρ = 0.378, p = 0.005; T-score ρ = −0.349, p = 0.010. Conclusions: Older postmenopausal women with radiographic hip and knee OA had significantly lower BMD of the hip and spine as compared to the control group without OA, pointing to the need for the prevention and treatment of OA, as well as early diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of low bone mineral density.

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability and premature death of both men and women. Consequently, stroke survivors are often handicapped and doomed to sedentary lifestyle which restrains performance of activities of daily living, increases the risk for falls, and may contribute to a higher risk for recurrent stroke and cardiovascular disease. Prevention of stroke is still a great medical and social problem. Further studies are required to investigate potential risk factors for the occurrence of stroke as well as the measures of primary and secondary prevention.