Tomislav Jukić

Seksualna funkcija i disfunkcija žene: nacionalno istraživanje učestalosti u Sloveniji

SUMMARY – The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in Slovenia. We aimed to explore the prevalence itself, comparison among demographic groups and potential correlations. Data were collected based on the validated standardized Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) (N=605). Most participants had sexual intercourse with one partner (n=523), and the majority of sexual relationships were heterosexual (n=584). University educated subjects had the highest claims of arousal, followed by those with master/doctoral degrees and college educated ones. The lowest level was expressed by subjects with elementary school. The youngest subjects (18-23 years) expressed the highest levels of desire and arousal, followed by the 24-29 age group. The 42-47 age group reported higher levels of lubrication and orgasm. The claim of satisfaction was highest in the 24-29 age group, while the pain was highest in the 42-47 age group. Strong correlation was found between the claims of desire and arousal (r=0.585), arousal and lubrication (r=0.879), lubrication and pain (r=0.856), orgasm and lubrication (r=0.856), satisfaction and orgasm (r=0.782), and pain and arousal (r=0.776) (p<0.001). We identified a 31% prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in Slovenia.

Serum Osteoprotegerin in Patients with Calcified Aortic Valve Stenosis in Relation to Heart Failure

The aim of the study was to assess the role of serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) as a biomarker in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) in relation to heart failure and symptomatic status. This was a case control study, which included 51 patients with AS and 39 control subjects. At the time of study enrolment, detailed medical history was obtained and all subjects underwent physical examination, chest x-ray and echocardiography. OPG levels were measured in all subjects, and serum N-terminal of the pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro BNP) levels were determined in patients with AS. Serum OPG levels were elevated in patients with AS compared to control subjects (p=0.001). Patients with heart failure due to AS had elevated serum OPG levels in comparison to patients without heart failure (p=0.001). A significant correlation between OPG and symptomatic status was observed in all patients with AS (p<0.001), however, it was not the case in patients without heart failure (p=0.425). There was a positive correlation between OPG and NT pro BNP concentrations with objective signs of heart failure on chest x-ray (p<0.001). Negative correlation of OPG concentrations with aortic valve area was present (p<0.040), as well as with left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.001). Serum OPG could be a valuable biomarker in the evaluation of severity of calcified AS and serve as an additional indicator besides clinical presentation and echocardiography in the assessment of surgical treatment or aortic valve replacement.