Maribor Research Articles

Maribor Synagogue Reexamined

Maribor Synagogue Reexamined

Implementacja systemu COBISS w bibliotekach bałkańskich

Implementation of the COBISS system in the Balkan librariesThe beginnings of the computerization of libraries on the Balkan Peninsula involved the implementation of the project SNTIJ Sistem naučnih itehnoloških informacija Jugoslavije — Sys­tem of scientific and technological information of Yugoslavia in Yugoslav libraries in the 80s of the twentieth century. The creation of an extensive network, unifying library processes, enabled the creation of acommon database of bibliographic information. The disintegration of Yugoslavia stopped the process of mutual development and cooperation of libraries in the region. In countries formed from the former Yugoslavian republics, continued the development of local library systems based on the COBISS system Cooperative Online Bibliographic Systems and Services, created by the Institute of Information Science IZUM from Maribor Slovenia. In the 90s, libraries in newly established countries started using the system COBISS again. The COBISS system was also accepted by libraries in Bulgaria and Albania. The development of the system COBISS, connecting libraries in Balkan countries, allowed the creation of acommon information system in the Balkans.

Analysis of the status of creatinine value and estimates of glomerular filtration rate in patients treated in the Outpatient Clinic for Heart Failure in University Clinical Centre Maribor

Procjenjuje se da u razvijenim zemljama oko 10% odrasle populacije ima pocetni stupanj kronicne bolesti bubrega (CKD). U bolesnika sa zatajivanjem srca ostecenje bubrega je vrlo cesto (30-63%). Istraživanja pokazuju da pacijenati s kronicnim zatajivanjem srca (CHF) također imaju zatajenje bubrega. Bolesnici s CHF-om imaju vise komplikacija tijekom lijecenja, sto znaci vise hospitalizacija i vecu smrtnost. Pravovremeno otkrivanje smanjene bubrežne funkcije, određivanje stupnja CKD-a i primjena odgovarajucih nefarmakoloskih i farmakoloskih mjera može pridonijeti povoljnijem tijeku bolesti. Cilj je smanjiti smrtnost i poboljsati kavlitetu života pacijenta sa CHF.

Pulmonary embolism- monitoring of anticoagulation therapy at Transfusion Center Maribor in 2011

Background: Pulmonary embolism is a common and often fatal disease. Mortality can be reduced with prompt diagnosis and therapy. PE is caused by obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches by thrombus. Diagnois is based on clinical exam, CT scan, perfusion scintigraphy, and laboratory tests. There are many risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and PE. Almost all hospitalized patients have one risk factor for VTE and about 40 % have three or more risk factors. Methods: In our center, patients with previous PE are controlled after hospitalization.INR is measured from venous citrate blood using Siemens BCS instrument. Patients’ data were obtained from hospital program Medis. Results: In the past year, 373 patients were controlled because of PE. Patients taking coumarin in the last year because of other reasons, mechanical valves, atrial fibrillation, or who had PE more than 15 years ago were excluded from the study. After this exclusion, we searched data for 284 patients. Summary/conclusion: Among 284 patients controlled in our center there were 174 (61 %) women and 110 (39 %) men. 269 (95 %) were taking warfarin, only 15 (5 %) were taking acenocoumarol. 71 ( 25 % ) of patients have already had TE (thromboembolism) in the past, 14 (5 %) of them had a PE recurrence.

Providing compatible blood to patients with alloantibodies in ne Slovenia

Background: Erythrocyte alloantibodies often occur, especially in the case of polytransfusion and in pregnant women. Fast diagnosis and a compatible transfusion of the blood component are important to prevent an early or delayed post transfusion haemolytic reaction. We have analysed our efficiency to provide red cell units for these patients in our hospital and in the general hospitals of Ptuj and Murska Sobota. Methods: We analysed retrospectively which examinations had been done in sensitized patients, how successful we have been in finding appropriate blood for erythrocyte transfusion. We also analysed the proposed algorithm of the immunohaematological testing in our Centre. Results: At the Centre for transfusion medicine–CTM Maribor, we have provided compatible transfusions to 67 patients in the last year, for which we made 6215 tests to provide appropriate blood components. We were looking for compatibility between the serum of the patient and erythrocytes of the blood donor by a technique in which the antibodies showed the highest reactivity. In patients with antibodies of the Rh-system (D, E, e, C, c), Kell, Kidd, Duffy and MNS, we always provided antigen negative component, and in others a compatible component (negative result of cross match). Sometimes the appropriate blood was found based on already defined antigens in blood donors by means of the information system. If the appropriate component was found at the Unit for Transfusion Medicine in Ptuj or Murska Sobota the crossmatch was done there and the interpretation was done at the CTM by means of the teleconsultation system. Conclusions: In most cases we provided blood components successfully and relatively quickly, while in some cases, other transfusion centres were helping us out, especially the Blood Transfusion Centre Ljubljana and the Transfusion centre Celje.

Optimizing vancomycin dosage regimen at the University Medical Center Maribor

BACKGROUND Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used in the treatment of severe infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. To lower the risk of antibiotic resistance, minimize toxic drug effects and to improve clinical effectiveness, it is recommended to monitor trough levels of vancomycin, with the desired range between 10–20 mg/l (15–20 mg/l for complicated infections). MATERIALS AND METHODS In the University Medical Center Maribor a new method for monitoring of vancomycin treatment has been accepted. Medical staff can adjust vancomycin dosage regimen using the pharmacokinetic program KINETIDEX ®. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of this program on a population of 28 patients treated with vancomycin in our hospital. After administration of the initial dosage regimen and measuring vancomycin trough level we – when necessary – suggested a new dosage regimen using KINETIDEX®. RESULTS The most common initial dosage regimen (23 out of 28 patients) was 1g/12h. Nine patients had an impaired renal function before vancomycin treatment, but only 4 of them received an adjusted initial dosage. In 9 patients a serum sample for determining trough concentration was obtained too early, when steady-state conditions had not been reached yet. Twenty out of 28 patients required adjustment of the initial vancomycin dosage regimen – 11 of them needed an increased daily dosage and 9 of them a lower daily dosage. In our research 23 patients out of 28 achieved the desired trough concentrations. In 14 out of 15 patients KINETIDEX® was able to predict a dosage regimen that resulted in the desired trough levels. One patient developed acute kidney failure after initiating vancomycin therapy. CONCLUSIONS Initial dosage regimen of vancomycin should be adjusted based on creatinine clearance − in clinical practice this is not always the case. Three-thirds of patients need modification of the initial vancomycin regimen. Clinical pharmacist can adjust dosage by using pharmacokinetic program KINETIDEX®. For effective dose adjustment of vancomycin, a serum sample should be obtained at appropriate time – just before the application of the next dose at steadystate conditions.

Comparison of point-of-care and laboratory troponin I assays.

BACKGROUND In recent years a number of pointof- care troponin assays have emerged. There have been reports of discrepancies between the results of point-of-care and laboratory assays. We sought to compare the results of point-ofcare and laboratory troponin I assays in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes. METHODS A retrospective study was performed comparing the results of point-of-care (i-STAT cardiac troponin I test, Abbott Point of Care) and laboratory troponin I analysis in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome treated in the Internal Medicine Emergency Department, University Medical Centre Maribor, between 23 November and 21 December 2010, who had blood samples drawn simultaneously for pointof- care and laboratory troponin I analysis. RESULTS 112 patients were included in the analysis. There was an agreement between the results of point-of-care and laboratory troponin analysis in 105 (93.8 %) patients. If we consider the laboratory results as »gold standard« (diagnosis was based on laboratory troponin results), then 6 (5.4 %) false negative results and 1 (0.9 %) false positive result were found (sensitivity 81.2 %, specificity 98.7 %). However, there was no statistically significant difference between point-of-care and laboratory troponin I analysis (p = 0.125). CONCLUSIONS We detected lower sensitivity of point-of-care assay, but there was no statistically significant difference between point-of-care and laboratory troponin I analysis. We adopted a strategy of using point-of-care troponin assay primarily in patients at high-risk for acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation.

The hospital treatment of alcoholics in Eastern Slovenia

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number and types of hospitalized alcohol dependents with and without withdrawal symptoms and their laboratory markers in the hospitals of Eastern Slovenia in the years 2002 and 2007. Results: There were 776 alcohol dependent patients in the year 2002 and 672 in the year 2007 discharged from all hospitals. The hospitals differed from each other with respect to the profile of dismissed patients. Apparent is a low number of patients with withdrawal symptoms at the Department of Psychiatry of the University Medical Centre Maribor. In the complex of laboratory examinations in all three hospitals there were only gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT), Aspartat-Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanin-Aminotransferase (ALT) as well as mean corpuscular volume (MCV) determined. In the year 2007, all the mean values of alcohol dependency markers were statistically significantly increased as compared to the year 2002, except for MCV in women. Even the shares of pathological values were higher in the year 2007. Conclusions: The number of hospitalized alcoholics and all patients in psychiatric hospitals of the Eastern Slovenia was statistically significantly lower in the year 2007 than in 2002. Even the percentage of hospitalized alcoholics was decreased. The alcoholics hospitalized in 2007 were physically statistically significantly more affected than the alcoholics hospitalized in 2002. The differences in pathological marker values were not so pronounced that they could be used as a predictor of withdrawal symptoms. The most specific laboratory markers of alcoholism, i.e. carbohydrate deficient trasferrin (CDT) and Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GLDH) had not been used in any of the three hospitals.

History of the Medicohistorical Section of Slovenia within the Slovenian Medical Association

Presented is a detailed history of the Medicohistorical Section of Slovenia and its activities throughout 40 years, a period of time marked by the work of three presidents. The Medicohistorical Section of Slovenia within the Slovenian Medical Association was founded in 1951 in Ljubljana. In 1963, after the demise of its first President Asst. Prof. Ivan Pintar, MD, PhD, the activities of the Section were discontinued. In 1968 the Executive Committee of the Slovenian Medical Association restored the activities of the Medicohistorical Section and decided to move its headquarters to Maribor. Chief Physician Eman Pertl, MD, Section President of many years (1968–1998), described the first tenyear period of its activities in detail. The second period (1979–1998) was presented by the next President Prof. Edvard Glaser, MD, PhD, who led the Section until his demise in 2007. Our paper also describes the association between the Medicohistorical Section and a related professional society, the Scientific Society for Health Culture of Slovenia, at the time when Prof. Edvard Glaser was also the President of its Maribor branch. The report on the Section’s more recent activities (1998–2007) serves to complete the overview presenting 40 years of activities of the Medicohistorical Section of Slovenia.

Objectification of injuries and consequences in expert medical opinions

Background: Only unequivocal evidence confirming the total extent of injury. Biomechanical analysis, objectifications of permanent consequences after injury and objectification, whether such injuries influence life activities of an injured person, should be the basics for preparation of expert medical opinion. To make a necessary distinction from the previous injuries or illnesses that might have influence on current health state of a patient and its treatment, analysis of all medical records of a certain injured person is needed. Therefore this are inevitable steps in preparation of an expert medical opinion. In cases when medical opinion should explain disability of a patient as a consequence of a certain contractual relationship, the contract should be taken into consideration when such opinions is prepared. Methods: 500 opinions have been retrospectively analysed, selected at random out of 3452 opinions, submitted in claims for damages at Zavarovalnica Maribor, d. d., in the period from January 2001 until January 2006. Thirteen typical data have been analysed and evaluated on the basis of objective evidences. Results: On the basis of analyses it has been established that there is a great difference between principles of objectification and the data in analysed opinions. It has been noticed the most obvious deviation in biomechanical analysis (95 %), in records of decreased life activities (90 %), in all medical records of an injured person (65 %) and in objectification of permanent consequences after injuries (55 %). Conclusions: As results of analysis demonstrate, there are significant differences in preparations of expert and medical opinions in Slovenia, particularly when basic principles are analysed that need to be considered when writing such opinions. Irrational avoidance of basic principle of objectification, nomination of experts without licence in certain fields of medicine, avoidance of objectification of subjective statements of injured people and lack of experience or consequences of disrespect of basic principles in preparation of expert opinion all lead towards curtailment of those who pay the claims, especially in cases of banal injuries. Such opinions often mislead injured persons as well and also the ones who order such opinions and especially judges in court proceedings. In the whole European area anybody who prepares expert or medical opinion should respect basic principles of professional and expert literature. However in Slovenia the supervision has not been sufficient enough until now due to lack of regulations and resources.

Review of cardiac pacing at Maribor teaching hospital since 1972

Background: Number of implanted pacemakers is in continuous increase in Maribor General Hospital. The first four pacemakers in 1972 were followed by 50 pacemakers annually in the first 10 years. In 1988 the number first exceeded 100 implanted pacemakers and in the year 2004 achieved number 372. Altogether, till the end of the year 2004 there were 4232 pacemakers implanted. Analyses of the implanted pacemakers according to pacing mode since 1986 shows small number of DDD/VDD(R) pacemakers till the year 1995. Since that year its number was increasing and in the year 1998 and 1999 exceeded half of all implanted pacemakers. In period of thirty years, there were 48.3% VVI, 22.3%VVIR, 16.4% DDD, 5.8% DDDR, 6.1% VDD and 1% AAIR pacemakers implanted. We have done analysis of the all outpatients within the 30-year period (1972–2001). For this purpose 2206 records were reviewed and 2176 patients analysed. According to gender, there were 51.4% male and 48.6% female. Average age at the time of implantation was 71 years (range from 13–96 years). Most patients (58%) were between 65 and 79 years of age, there were 20% younger than 65 years and 22% older than 80 years of age. There were more men in the group till 79 years of age and more women in the group older than 80 years. Average survival of the patients with pacemaker (1771) was 94.7% after one year, 56.9% after five years and 31.5% after ten years. Survival is influenced by the age of the patients and accompanying diseases of the patients at the time of implantation, especially heart failure. In patients younger than 65 years, five years survival from implantation, was 75.4% and after ten years 54.3%. In older than 80 years, five years survival from implantation was 34.4% and after ten years 11.5%. Survival of the patients with heart failure, five years after implantation was 10% and after ten years 8% worse than those without it. In 30-year period, 271 patients had two or more pacemakers implanted, leading by a patient with 7 implanted pacemakers in 27-year period. Analysis of average pacemaker longevity showed that the longest longevity had pacemakers Stanicor L (9.5 yrs), followed by Activitrax (8.7 yrs) and Multicor (8.5 yrs). On average, DDD pacemakers have shorter longevity than VVI pacemakers, especially devices using rate-adaptive pacing on minute ventilation (Meta DR). Cost comparison of pacemakers treatment to other widespread therapeutic methods, place the pacemakers among cheap and effective methods of treatment.

40 years of electrostimulation of the heart in Slovenia 1965–2005

Background: Permanent cardiac pacing has since the very rudimentary beginnings in 1950. evolved into an autonomous field. Miniaturization of pacemakers and electrodes paved the way toward the application of less invasive implantation techniques, implementation of computer technology, broadened the list of indications for implantation, increased reliability and longevity and finally, enabled followup and reprogramming of pacemakers to better tailor pacing to the patients’ needs. Evidently, the electrostimulation of the heart resulted in nearly physiologic functioning of the heart greatly improving the quality of life. The aim of the following review is to present the development of electrostimulation of the heart in Ljubljana from the very beginnings in 1965 till today. We present the current state-of-the-art indications for pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator implantations, that have widely broadened over years, the types of pacemakers, their clasification and internationally recognized coding as well as some of possible complications after implantation. Methods and results: The first permanent pacemaker implantation in Slovenia was performed by cardiac surgeon M. Kosak, cardiologist A. Jagodic and colleagues on April 16th 1965 in Ljubljana. The recipient suffered from complete atrioventricular block that clinically presented with numerous syncopes. Retrospective analysis included all the patients with re/ implanted pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator and accompanying electrodes. Patients’ characteristics, indications and types of the devices implanted were compared in the two representative periods: early period from 1965 –74 and recent data collected from 2001 till 2005. In Slovenia, there are 450 pacemakers and 50 cardioverter-defibrillators per million annualy performed in Maribor General Hospital and Medical Centre Ljubljana. Conclusions: The current state-of-the-art and the most recent technological advances in the field of electrostimulation of the heart, cardioversion and defibrillation enables us to better detect and cure various cardiac rhythm disturbancies including bradycardia, tachycardia and fibrillatig episodes as well as help recognizing acute allograft rejection episodes after heart transplantations. The procedures have become simple imposing lesser and lesser burden to the patients. Taking into account all the revised and ever broadening indications, recent implantation technique implementations, optimising the choice of a pacemaker device, best suited to the patient and the initial arrhythmia and securing follow-up that enables continuous improvements and reprogramming of pacing modes, the number of pacing/defibrillating devices constantly increases. The complication rate has decreased over years and is within reasonable limits nowadays. The electrostimulation of the heart has become one of the most significant achievements of modern medicine. It is widely applied, based on scientific data, however, it is largely dependent on the actual state of the public health system and its financial resources.

Intraoperative complications during phacoemulsification in myopic eyes

Background: To assess the incidence of intraoperative complications during phacoemulsification in myopic eyes such as rupture of posterior capsule, vitreous loss, intraoperative haemorrhage and posterior dislocation of nucleus. Methods: In this retrospective study we analyzed medical records of all cataract operations between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003 at the Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital Maribor. We treated 52 myopic eyes from 40 patients with axial length more than 24.5 mm. Exclusions criteria were other ocular pathology, preceding ocular operation, combined operation of cataract and glaucoma and serious systemic disease. Standard phacoemulsification was done with clear cornea cut and soft foldable intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in the capsular bag. Results: In 52 operated eyes none of the observed complications occurred. Conclusions: Phacoemulsification in myopic eyes without any previous pathology is a safe surgical procedure.

TYPES, CAUSES AND TREATMENT OF EYELID TRAUMA

Background. Eyelid trauma is a common cause of visit to the ophthalmologist, but there are just a few recent epidemiological studies. Purpose of our study was to analyse eyelid injuries according to the mechanism of injury, causes of eyelid injuries and different types of treatment. Methods. A retrospective review of data from patients who received surgical treatment for eyelid injuries at the Ophthalmology Department, Maribor General Hospital in 2000 and 2001 was carried out. Eyelid injuries were divided into a minor trauma with patients treated as outpatients and major trauma patients who needed hospital treatment. According to the mechanism of injury eyelid injuries were divided into a blunt trauma, sharp trauma and combination of both. They according to the localisation injuries were divided into injuries of upper lid, lower lid and both lids at the same time. We looked for causes of eyelid injuries, accompanying injuries and different types of treatment of eyelid injuries. Results. Out of 295 patients 239 were men (81%) and 56 were women (19%). 27 patients (9%) suffered major trauma and needed hospitalisation while 268 suffered minor trauma and they were treated as outpatients (91%). Blunt trauma was present in 195 cases (66%), sharp trauma was present in 40 cases (14%) and in 60 cases (20%) the injury was combination of sharp and blunt trauma. The most common causes were sudden falls in 89 cases (30%), followed by violence in 85 cases (29%). 215 patients (73%) clinically showed injury of upper lid, 46 patients (16%) showed injury of the lower lid and in 34 cases (11%) both lids were injured. Accompanying injury of the eyeball was present in 138 patients (47%) and face injuries in 17 patients (6%). 251 patients (85%) needed skin sutures, 6 patients (2%) needed skin and subcutaneous tissue suturing, lid margin was treated in 33 cases (11%) and canaliculus was treated in 5 cases (2%). Conclusions. Results of our study showed that eyelid injuries were more frequent in man and blunt trauma was the most frequent type of injury. The most common cause of injury was sudden fall. Injuries were mostly minor, and patients were treated as outpatients. Only 9% of patients suffered major trauma and needed a hospitalisation. In almost half of patients additional injury to the eye was present. According to the results of our study of eyelid trauma, which showed big diversity of injuries and high frequency of additional injuries to the eye, ophthalmologic examination and treatment should be performed in all of these cases.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SEPSIS, CAUSED BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (STAPHYLOCOCCAL SEPSIS) AT MARIBOR TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE YEARS 2001–2002

Background. Staphylococcal sepsis represents a serious disease carrying high mortality rates. Risk factors, complications and preventive measures are known. At Maribor Teaching Hospital, patients with staphylococcal sepsis are treated at the same department at which the sepsis was diagnosed. Therefore some differences in treatment are observed at our hospital. Methods. Retrospective analysis of data of all patients with staphylococcal sepsis treated at Maribor Teaching Hospital. Results. Comparing our patients and the data published, no significant differences in epidemiology of staphylococcal sepsis were recognized. The factors predisposing to infection remain the same, the patients are mostly from higher age groups. Half of the patients had hospital-acquired staphylococcal sepsis. Primary localized infection was recognized in only 50% of patients. Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics is high, the percentage of MRSA is under 10%. Despite the existing recommendations for treatment with antistaphylococcal penicillins, our patients were treated with various antibiotics, decreasing the mortality rate to 23%. Conclusions. In view of the collected results, infectologists should be engaged in the diagnostic and treatment process in septic patients at all departments of Maribor Teaching Hospital. Moreover, a further decrease in morbidity, complications and mortality of staphylococcal sepsis could be achieved by correct antibiotic treatment and preventive infection-control measures.

UTERINE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION – A NEW METHOD OF TREATMENT FOR UTERINE FIBROIDS

Background. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) represents a novel, minimally invasive method of treatment for uterine fibroids. It has been carried out at Maribor Teaching Hospital since 2001. The aim of our investigation was to appraise the eventual objective improvement following the procedure, and at the same time to establish how the patients experienced the procedure itself and how they estimated its success three months later. Methods. UAE was carried out in 28 patients with a solitary uterine fibroid. At the end of the first and third month post UAE we measured the size of the fibroid and calculated its volume on a monthly basis using the ultrasonographic device ATL-HDI 3000. To all patients, in whom UAE had been performed more than three months earlier, a special questionnaire form with enclosed visual analogue scale was mailed. They were asked to evaluate the success of treatment. Nonparametric descriptive statistics was used for data description. Results. The mean diameter of the fibroids prior to UAE amounted to 63 mm – in 71.4% of these fibroids the location was transmural. The procedure was successful in 26 patients (92.9%). In the first month post UAE two submucous fibroids were eliminated spontaneously while the rest were decreased by 54.0% three months after the procedure. Three months post UAE the leading symptom improved by over 72.7% and as many as 90.9% of women believe that their quality of life improved significantly after UAE. They estimated the degree of improvement at an average 58.6%. Conclusions. Our results show that UAE is a very effective and safe method of treatment for symptomatic fibroids of the uterus. Our patients are satisfied with the results of the procedure. However, their satisfaction would be even greater if a more appropriate post-embolization analgesia were at their disposal.

INGUINAL HERNIA SURGERY AT DEPARTMENT OF ABDOMINAL SURGERY, GENERAL HOSPITAL MARIBOR IN THE YEARS 2000 AND 2001 AND COMPARISON WITH THE YEARS 1996 AND 1997

Background. Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the world and as that represents a huge socio-economic problem. Today, surgeon can significantly improve outcome for many patients with proper patients selection, proper anaesthesia and surgical technique. In this article two different time intervals are reviewed. Between those intervals surgeons began to change their attitudes about hernia surgery approach and »tensionfree« concept became widely accepted. We also operated many patients under local anaesthesia, which has many advantages between which is lesser need for preoperative investigations and faster mobilisation. Methods. In article charts from all patients operated for inguinal hernia in years 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2001 at the Department for abdominal surgery in Maribor. Results. 1602 patients were operated for inguinal hernia in four years. We noticed that less patients were operated in years 2000/2001 then in the earlier interval. Number of the patients operated under general anaesthesia was relatively high in first period but in the second interval majority of the patients were operated under subarachnoidal and local anaesthesia. While most patients in years 1996 and 1997 were operated with original Bassini’s technique and its modifications, majority of patients in years 2000 and 2001 were treated with tension-free technique. Conclusions. Our experiences with tension free techniques are very good. There are many advantages for patients, operated this way: less pooperative pain, faster recovery and earlier return to normal activities and work. We couldn’t prove any benefits considering recurrences in our study yet, probably because of two short observation period.

THE SLOVENE VERSION OF MINI MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION – STANDARDIZATION ON VOLUNTEERS FROM 55 TO 75 YEARS OLD (I)

Background. The incidence of dementia is growing due to the aging of the population. Active search for the population at risk is necessary. Short cognitive screening tests are one of the most suitable ways of doing that. The most often used test of this kind is Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Its distinctive features are simplicity and shortness. Kratek preizkus spoznavnih sposobnosti (KPSS) – Slovenian version of MMSE has been used in Slovenia since 1984, although there were no normative values for Slovenian population, which restricted its applicability and use in clinical practice. The aim of the present paper was to obtain the normative values for KPSS for different age and educational groups in population of adults older than 55 years. Our hypothesis was that test results would be significantly dependent on age and education which will justify the extensive nature of the study. Methods. Some parts of the test were modified based on clinical experience in last years. The modified KPSS was used for testing at general practices in Ljubljana, Maribor and Novo mesto. The research comprised of KPSS testing in 154 volunteers, mean age 65.1 (ranged from 55 to 87 years). None of them had a diagnosis of dementia or other active psychiatric or neurologic ilness. Results. We found that KPSS results are not influenced by gender. The volunteers were aranged in four age groups at five years intervals. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.0002) for the mean results among different age groups were found. The volunteers were further divided in groups according to the level of education and the differences in mean results among the educational groups were statistically significant (p < 0.0000). Normative values for the age and education groups were obtained. Conclusions. The main result of our study are KPSS normative values for different age and education groups of Slovenians. The mean results on KPSS are significantlly dependent on age and education. The differences in mean results among the groups clearly show the normative values should be considered when interpreting the results in clinical practice.