Sanja Radovanovic

Translation and validation of the Utian Quality of Life Scale in Serbian peri- and postmenopausal women.

Objective:This study aimed to translate the Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQOL) into the Serbian and to assess its validity and psychometric properties in Serbian peri- and postmenopausal women. Methods:This survey included 200 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Women were approached after their regular gynecological checkup in two community health centers (city center and outskirts) in the capital city Belgrade. The following instruments were used: general questionnaire (sociodemographics, habits, and medical history), UQOL, Short Form-36, and Beck Depression Inventory. The UQOL was translated according to the recommended methodology for translating questionnaires, and its psychometric properties (internal consistency, factor analysis, discriminant validity, construct validity, and criterion validity) were tested. Results:The mean (SD) UQOL total score was 80.5 (13.5). The Cronbachs &agr; coefficient for the entire scale was 0.83 (Occupational, &agr; = 0.76; Health-Related, &agr; = 0.72; Emotional, &agr; = 0.36; Sexual, &agr; = 0.66). All corrected item–total correlation coefficients were greater than 0.40, confirming that all items were appropriate parts of the UQOL. On exploratory factor analysis, we obtained six factors (five items formed two new clusters: Physical Fitness and Professional Recognition) that explained 85.7% of the total variance. The UQOL total score was significantly negatively correlated with Beck Depression Inventory score (P = 0.001) and significantly positively correlated with all Short Form-36 domains (P = 0.001). In addition, significant intercorrelations of UQOL domains also indicated good criterion validity. Conclusions:The Serbian version of the UQOL demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity in the assessment of quality of life among peri- and postmenopausal women. The Serbian version of the UQOL is an adequate quality-of-life instrument in the Serbian language that can be applied in the everyday clinical setting.

Concomitant drug- and infection-induced antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis with multispecific ANCA.

Objective: To report the first case of concomitant drug- and infection-induced antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) in a patient treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) and suffering from tuberculosis. Presentation and Intervention: A 28-year-old woman with PTU-treated hyperthyroidism presented with fever, purpura, pulmonary cavitations and ANCA to myeloperoxidase, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), proteinase-3 and elastase. Skin histopathology confirmed vasculitis. However, sputum examination revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Remission was achieved after PTU withdrawal and treatment with antituberculosis drugs. Conclusion: Our case confirmed that BPI-ANCA are elevated in active tuberculosis. Multispecific ANCA were helpful for the diagnosis of concomitant PTU- and M. tuberculosis-induced AAV.

Medical students, do you know how to measure blood pressure correctly?

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate the level of knowledge of the blood pressure (BP) measurement technique among medical students. Materials and methodsA total of 791 students in the fourth and the final, sixth year were recruited at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, before the start of compulsory practical sessions in the classrooms, during the period 2–9 December 2013. Data were collected using questionnaires on the technique of BP measurement according to the existing guidelines. ResultsThe least correct answers among students of both years were related to the fact that the stethoscope membrane should not be placed under the cuff (13.5% fourth year and 19.4% sixth year students). The highest proportion of correct answers (97.5%) in the fourth year was related to the fact that BP should be measured twice during patient examination. By the sixth year, however, most students (96.6%) knew that previous physical activity may cause an increase in the values of BP. With respect to whether or not the students were shown how to measure the BP properly in classes, 54.9% of fourth-year and 52.5% sixth-year students agreed or strongly agreed with this statement (&khgr;2=0.461, P=0.497). No correlation was established between the knowledge score and self-perceived confidence in measuring BP (&rgr;=0.062, P=0.211). ConclusionThe theoretical background of the BP measurement technique varies among students in both years. The correct means of BP measurement should be elaborated thoroughly, with the aim of preventing misconceptions and misdiagnosis of hypertension.

Serbian version of the Women’s Health Questionnaire: psychometric properties

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to translate the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) into the Serbian language and assess its validity and reliability in a population of Serbian menopausal women. Methods The study included peri- and postmenopausal women from two Community Health Centers in Belgrade. Women filled out the WHQ, the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) and Becks Depression Inventory (BDI). The WHQ was translated according to recommended methodology for cultural adaptation of questionnaires and its psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, factor analysis, sensitivity, discriminant, construct and criterion validity) were tested. Results In the Serbian population, the mean values of the WHQ domains were mostly comparable with reference Mediterranean countries. Whole-scale Cronbach’s α was 0.838. Moreover, five WHQ domains had a value of Cronbach’s α above the acceptable limit. There were no significant differences in WHQ scores between our two investigators. On exploratory factor analysis, we obtained ten factors (two items formed a new factor – ‘Menstrual pathology’). Almost all SF-36 domains were significantly associated with WHQ domains, while the BDI was associated with domains: depressive mood, anxiety and sleep problems. Based on ROC analysis, WHQ is slightly more reliable for perimenopausal than postmenopausal Serbian women. Conclusion The Serbian version of the WHQ showed very good reliability and validity in assessment of quality of life among menopausal women. The WHQ is applicable for both peri- and postmenopausal women.

Factors associated with general and health-related quality of life in menopausal transition among women from Serbia

ABSTRACT This study assessed factors associated with quality of life (QOL) among Serbian peri- and postmenopausal women using two menopause-specific scales. This cross-sectional study included 500 women aged 40–65 years who had a gynecologic check-up in one of two Community Health Centers in Belgrade during February 2014 to January 2015. Women completed: a questionnaire about socio-demographics, habits, and health status; a menopause-specific questionnaire, Utian’s Quality of Life Scale (UQOL); and a Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). Higher education was associated with better occupational UQOL and memory/concentration, but with lower emotional UQOL and more anxiety/fears. City center residency was associated with better occupational and sexual UQOL. Being employed was associated with better occupational UQOL and lower anxiety/fears. Higher income was associated with better emotional UQOL. Not having uterine prolapse, insomnia, or tachycardia was associated with better occupational UQOL and fewer sleep problems. Higher parity was associated with better sexual UQOL. Having regular recreation was associated with better health and sexual UQOL but with more frequent vasomotor symptoms. Leaner women felt more attractive. QOL during the menopausal transition does not entail only somatic symptoms and therefore requires a more comprehensive approach that includes psychosocial underpinnings.