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Research paper thumbnail of The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on severe asthma care in Europe: will care change for good?

ERJ Open Research

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put pressure on healthcare service... more BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put pressure on healthcare services, forcing the reorganisation of traditional care pathways. We investigated how physicians taking care of severe asthma patients in Europe reorganised care, and how these changes affected patient satisfaction, asthma control and future care.MethodsIn this European-wide cross-sectional study, patient surveys were sent to patients with a physician-diagnosis of severe asthma, and physician surveys to severe asthma specialists between November 2020 and May 2021.Results1101 patients and 268 physicians from 16 European countries contributed to the study. Common physician-reported changes in severe asthma care included use of video/phone consultations (46%), reduced availability of physicians (43%) and change to home-administered biologics (38%). Change to phone/video consultations was reported in 45% of patients, of whom 79% were satisfied or very satisfied with this change. Of 709 patients on...

Research paper thumbnail of Prediction of exacerbation in one-year follow-up of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Monitoring airway disease, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of nicotine abuse on sleep physiology

Tobacco, smoking control and health education, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Intrathoracic Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in Neurofibromatosis 1

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosis and treatment of adult asthma patients in Serbia: a 2022 experts group position statement

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

Research paper thumbnail of Kartageners Syndrome- A Case Report

International Journal of Scientific Research, 2012

Kartageners syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of chronic sinusitis, bronchie... more Kartageners syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis male infertility & situs inversus. It is classified under the group of disorders called primary ciliary dyskinesias. It is a genetic disorder with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Special cells that are abnormal cells in respiratory tract lead to problems. It is caused by a defect in the structure of cilia, due to which ciliary movement, and consequently, its function, are impaired.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosing asthma and COPD in primary care patients in Serbia: A multicenter study

European Respiratory Journal, Sep 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Uticaj trudnoće na tok i stepen kontrole alergijske astme i rinitisa

Research paper thumbnail of Registri bolesnika s hroničnim opstruktivnim bolestima pluća – zašto su važni?

The Medicus, Oct 18, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Characteristics of COPD Phenotypes in Serbia

International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Allergic asthma and rhinitis comorbidity Komorbiditet alergijske astme i rinitisa

Research paper thumbnail of AB 97. Asthma around use

Asthma is one of major public health problems worldwide, regardless the level of development. Als... more Asthma is one of major public health problems worldwide, regardless the level of development. Also, it is one of the most prevalent diseases in Serbia. There are no accurate data on asthma morbidity and mortality, but on the basis of the Serbian Health Insurance Fund evidence, the prevalence has been estimated at around 3% (n=220,000 patients). In the recent 30-year period, asthma mortality rate has reduced about two times and a half (from 6.3/100,000 to 2.5/100,000 patients in 2007), due to a global advance in both the diagnosing and treatment of asthma. In our country, asthma treatment protocols comply with the European guidelines (GINA). It is estimated that an accurate diagnosis of the disease is established in 66% of asthmatics, while the rest are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. About 35% of diagnosed asthmatics are treated with fixed treatment combinations (ICS/LABA). A worrying fact is that a yearly consumption of fixed combinations amounts to 3-4 pumps per patient on the...

Research paper thumbnail of Glucocorticoid therapy and adrenal suppression

Medical review, 2017

Introduction. Adrenal insufficiency results from the inadequate adrenocortical conjunction. Adren... more Introduction. Adrenal insufficiency results from the inadequate adrenocortical conjunction. Adrenal insufficiency can be primary, secondary and tertiary one. The most common cause of adrenal suppression is the effect of exogenous therapy with glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids. Corticosteroids are used in treatment of endocrine and non-endocrine diseases. They are applied as a substitution therapy in the patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Due to their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory characteristics, they are used to treat a wide range of diseases. They are usually divided according to the length and size of the effect i.e. how they are applied. Adrenal Insufficiency. Glucocorticoid therapy may lead to a number of adverse effects such as a disorder in glucose metabolism, osteoporosis or frequent infections. Adrenal suppression is the most common complication resulting from corticosteroid application. The function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axi...

Research paper thumbnail of Severe asthma registry from the Institute for pulmonary diseases of Vojvodina: Baseline characteristics

Monitoring airway disease, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of inhalation therapy on the incidence of carious lesions in patients with asthma and COPD

Journal of Applied Oral Science, 2017

Impact of inhalation therapy on the incidence of carious lesions in patients with asthma and COPD... more Impact of inhalation therapy on the incidence of carious lesions in patients with asthma and COPD Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), using inhalation therapy. The obtained results were compared with the results of adult healthy subjects, forming a control group. Material and Methods: The study included 80 participants aging between 18 and 65 years. The experimental group (EG) was comprised of 40 participants, previously diagnosed with asthma group (CG), comprised of 40 participants, mirrored the same age and gender status of the EG. Dental status was determined by decayed, missing, and Patients in the EG had a higher value of DMFT index when compared with the number of decayed teeth, as well as missing teeth, in the EG was statistically Conclusion: It was found that patients undergoing inhalation therapy face along with the inhalation therapy. They should receive intensive preventive care, including oral hygiene instruction and dietary advice.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency and effects of seasonal flu vaccines on exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Serbia

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Smoking cessation among COPD and asthma patients: burden vs. motivation

Tobacco, smoking control and health education, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Hospitalization cost analysis due to acute COPD exacerbations

European Respiratory Journal, 2016

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing health problem of the wor... more Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing health problem of the working population. Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) significantly contribute to the worsening of the disease consequently increasing treatment costs. Aim of this study was to determine direct treatment costs of AECOPD and to investigate its relation with severance and pre-hospital treatment of COPD patients. Materials and Methods: Total number of one hundred and thirty (130) subjects included in this study were patients hospitalized due to AECOPD in the Institute specialized for pulmonary diseases. In this 1-year restrospective/prospective study among other following data were collected: prescribed respiratory drugs compliance, direct costs of hospitalization due to AECOPD and severance of AECOPD. Univariante and multivariante analysis were performed in order to correlate the data. Results: In the year of observation direct costs of hospitalization due to AECOPD were 17.3% of total hospitalization costs. One-year pre-hospital prescribed treatment was adequately used by 41.7% and inadequately by 58.3% of patients. Average direct costs of AECOPD hospitalization was higher in inadequately treated patients compared to adequately treated. We observed negative correlation between adequate treatment and level of severance of AECOPD. Conclusions: Hospitalization costs due to AECOPD are extremely high. There is correlation between direct treatment costs of AECOPD and both pre-hospital treatment of COPD patients and severance of AECOPD. Pre-hospital treatment of COPD can be used as predictive indicator for prevention of AECOPD with aim to reduce treatment costs of COPD.

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of inhaler technique on asthma and COPD control: a multicenter experience

International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Most common bacterial agents in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2017

Background/Aim. Infection is the major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmona... more Background/Aim. Infection is the major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The aim of the study was to establish the most common bacterial agents of AE-COPD in patients hospitalized in a tertiary medical care institution. Methods. This retrospective study included the patients hospitalized due to infective AE-COPD in the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica in a 12-month period. We evaluated clinical data, spirometry, pathogen etiology in the patients with positive sputum findings and disease outcome. Results. The study included a total of 81 patients, 47 (58.02%) males and 34 (41.97%) females of the mean age of 65.7 years. The mean history of the disease was 14.5 years. The median forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 30.12%. The most common isolated pathogens was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 36; 38.29%), followed by Haemophilus influenzae (n = 25; 26.59%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 16; 17.02%)....

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on severe asthma care in Europe: will care change for good?

ERJ Open Research

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put pressure on healthcare service... more BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put pressure on healthcare services, forcing the reorganisation of traditional care pathways. We investigated how physicians taking care of severe asthma patients in Europe reorganised care, and how these changes affected patient satisfaction, asthma control and future care.MethodsIn this European-wide cross-sectional study, patient surveys were sent to patients with a physician-diagnosis of severe asthma, and physician surveys to severe asthma specialists between November 2020 and May 2021.Results1101 patients and 268 physicians from 16 European countries contributed to the study. Common physician-reported changes in severe asthma care included use of video/phone consultations (46%), reduced availability of physicians (43%) and change to home-administered biologics (38%). Change to phone/video consultations was reported in 45% of patients, of whom 79% were satisfied or very satisfied with this change. Of 709 patients on...

Research paper thumbnail of Prediction of exacerbation in one-year follow-up of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Monitoring airway disease, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of nicotine abuse on sleep physiology

Tobacco, smoking control and health education, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Intrathoracic Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in Neurofibromatosis 1

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosis and treatment of adult asthma patients in Serbia: a 2022 experts group position statement

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

Research paper thumbnail of Kartageners Syndrome- A Case Report

International Journal of Scientific Research, 2012

Kartageners syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of chronic sinusitis, bronchie... more Kartageners syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis male infertility & situs inversus. It is classified under the group of disorders called primary ciliary dyskinesias. It is a genetic disorder with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Special cells that are abnormal cells in respiratory tract lead to problems. It is caused by a defect in the structure of cilia, due to which ciliary movement, and consequently, its function, are impaired.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosing asthma and COPD in primary care patients in Serbia: A multicenter study

European Respiratory Journal, Sep 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Uticaj trudnoće na tok i stepen kontrole alergijske astme i rinitisa

Research paper thumbnail of Registri bolesnika s hroničnim opstruktivnim bolestima pluća – zašto su važni?

The Medicus, Oct 18, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Characteristics of COPD Phenotypes in Serbia

International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Allergic asthma and rhinitis comorbidity Komorbiditet alergijske astme i rinitisa

Research paper thumbnail of AB 97. Asthma around use

Asthma is one of major public health problems worldwide, regardless the level of development. Als... more Asthma is one of major public health problems worldwide, regardless the level of development. Also, it is one of the most prevalent diseases in Serbia. There are no accurate data on asthma morbidity and mortality, but on the basis of the Serbian Health Insurance Fund evidence, the prevalence has been estimated at around 3% (n=220,000 patients). In the recent 30-year period, asthma mortality rate has reduced about two times and a half (from 6.3/100,000 to 2.5/100,000 patients in 2007), due to a global advance in both the diagnosing and treatment of asthma. In our country, asthma treatment protocols comply with the European guidelines (GINA). It is estimated that an accurate diagnosis of the disease is established in 66% of asthmatics, while the rest are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. About 35% of diagnosed asthmatics are treated with fixed treatment combinations (ICS/LABA). A worrying fact is that a yearly consumption of fixed combinations amounts to 3-4 pumps per patient on the...

Research paper thumbnail of Glucocorticoid therapy and adrenal suppression

Medical review, 2017

Introduction. Adrenal insufficiency results from the inadequate adrenocortical conjunction. Adren... more Introduction. Adrenal insufficiency results from the inadequate adrenocortical conjunction. Adrenal insufficiency can be primary, secondary and tertiary one. The most common cause of adrenal suppression is the effect of exogenous therapy with glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids. Corticosteroids are used in treatment of endocrine and non-endocrine diseases. They are applied as a substitution therapy in the patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Due to their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory characteristics, they are used to treat a wide range of diseases. They are usually divided according to the length and size of the effect i.e. how they are applied. Adrenal Insufficiency. Glucocorticoid therapy may lead to a number of adverse effects such as a disorder in glucose metabolism, osteoporosis or frequent infections. Adrenal suppression is the most common complication resulting from corticosteroid application. The function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axi...

Research paper thumbnail of Severe asthma registry from the Institute for pulmonary diseases of Vojvodina: Baseline characteristics

Monitoring airway disease, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of inhalation therapy on the incidence of carious lesions in patients with asthma and COPD

Journal of Applied Oral Science, 2017

Impact of inhalation therapy on the incidence of carious lesions in patients with asthma and COPD... more Impact of inhalation therapy on the incidence of carious lesions in patients with asthma and COPD Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), using inhalation therapy. The obtained results were compared with the results of adult healthy subjects, forming a control group. Material and Methods: The study included 80 participants aging between 18 and 65 years. The experimental group (EG) was comprised of 40 participants, previously diagnosed with asthma group (CG), comprised of 40 participants, mirrored the same age and gender status of the EG. Dental status was determined by decayed, missing, and Patients in the EG had a higher value of DMFT index when compared with the number of decayed teeth, as well as missing teeth, in the EG was statistically Conclusion: It was found that patients undergoing inhalation therapy face along with the inhalation therapy. They should receive intensive preventive care, including oral hygiene instruction and dietary advice.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency and effects of seasonal flu vaccines on exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Serbia

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Smoking cessation among COPD and asthma patients: burden vs. motivation

Tobacco, smoking control and health education, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Hospitalization cost analysis due to acute COPD exacerbations

European Respiratory Journal, 2016

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing health problem of the wor... more Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing health problem of the working population. Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) significantly contribute to the worsening of the disease consequently increasing treatment costs. Aim of this study was to determine direct treatment costs of AECOPD and to investigate its relation with severance and pre-hospital treatment of COPD patients. Materials and Methods: Total number of one hundred and thirty (130) subjects included in this study were patients hospitalized due to AECOPD in the Institute specialized for pulmonary diseases. In this 1-year restrospective/prospective study among other following data were collected: prescribed respiratory drugs compliance, direct costs of hospitalization due to AECOPD and severance of AECOPD. Univariante and multivariante analysis were performed in order to correlate the data. Results: In the year of observation direct costs of hospitalization due to AECOPD were 17.3% of total hospitalization costs. One-year pre-hospital prescribed treatment was adequately used by 41.7% and inadequately by 58.3% of patients. Average direct costs of AECOPD hospitalization was higher in inadequately treated patients compared to adequately treated. We observed negative correlation between adequate treatment and level of severance of AECOPD. Conclusions: Hospitalization costs due to AECOPD are extremely high. There is correlation between direct treatment costs of AECOPD and both pre-hospital treatment of COPD patients and severance of AECOPD. Pre-hospital treatment of COPD can be used as predictive indicator for prevention of AECOPD with aim to reduce treatment costs of COPD.

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of inhaler technique on asthma and COPD control: a multicenter experience

International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Most common bacterial agents in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2017

Background/Aim. Infection is the major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmona... more Background/Aim. Infection is the major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The aim of the study was to establish the most common bacterial agents of AE-COPD in patients hospitalized in a tertiary medical care institution. Methods. This retrospective study included the patients hospitalized due to infective AE-COPD in the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica in a 12-month period. We evaluated clinical data, spirometry, pathogen etiology in the patients with positive sputum findings and disease outcome. Results. The study included a total of 81 patients, 47 (58.02%) males and 34 (41.97%) females of the mean age of 65.7 years. The mean history of the disease was 14.5 years. The median forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 30.12%. The most common isolated pathogens was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 36; 38.29%), followed by Haemophilus influenzae (n = 25; 26.59%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 16; 17.02%)....