Nataša Antoljak

Croatian population data for the C677T polymorphism in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: frequencies in healthy and atherosclerotic study groups

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation in healthy Croatian volunteers and in patients with atherosclerosis. METHODS The C677T MTHFR gene mutation was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 640 subjects, residents of the Zagreb city or Zagreb surroundings. Control group (n=298) was healthy blood donors. Patients (n=342) were divided into two groups of those with coronary heart disease, CAD (n=247) and those with >60% carotid stenosis, CS (n=95). RESULTS CC genotype was recorded in 45% of healthy volunteers and 46% of patients (46.3% with CS and 46.2% with CAD). TC genotype was found in 49% of healthy volunteers and 45% of patients (46.3% with CS and 44.9% with CAD). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) from the control group in the genotype or allele frequency either for the overall group of patients with atherosclerosis or for the patient subgroups. CONCLUSION The preliminary study of MTHFR polymorphism in control subjects and cardiovascular disease/carotid stenosis patients revealed that in Croats there was a low frequency of TT genotype (6% in controls vs. 9% in patients) and T allele (31% for cases and controls). Additionally, our results did not show significantly higher frequency of MTHFR mutation in CAD and CS studied groups.

Commuting road traffic accidents in Croatia

The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors associated with commuting road traffic accidents (RTA) in Croatia. A total of 1138 persons hospitalised for various accidents were surveyed in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 23 hospitals from all parts of Croatia during March–May 2008. The questionnaire encompassed personal data, socioeconomic status, lifestyle determinants and health status prior to accident. This was supplemented with circumstances for RTA: time and place of the accident, mode of transportation, traffic role, accident situation, road and light condition. Data were coded according to NOMESCO classification system. χ2 Test was used in the analysis. A total of 283 were injured in RTA. Almost a half (N=118, 42.6%) were injured while commuting. We did not detect any difference between commuters and other RTA victims in terms of age group, gender, employment class, accident situation or type of vehicle. Significant difference in road track conditions was detected, with more accidents occurring in unfavourable road conditions among non-commuting RTA victims (p<0.001). Also, commuting accidents were more common during daytime (p=0.003). Most of commuting accidents were reported on Thursdays and Saturdays, without significant difference between commuting and non-commuting RTAs. These results describe a general pattern of commuting RTAs in Croatia, enabling the development of a framework for future studies. The framework would determine priorities for work-related road safety management, as well as develop policies and interventions aiming to reduce RTAs and their consequences.