OBJECTIVES: Overweight and obesity are important concerns for global health. They are characterized by excessive fat accumulation that can harm health. Childhood obesity has reached alarming levels around the world due to urbanization and changes in lifestyle. This trend highlights an urgent need for effective public health strategies to promote healthier lifestyles, prevent chronic diseases, and support the wellbeing of future generations. This study aimed to monitor the impact of the risk factors on blood pressure and lipid profile parameters. METHODS: Data were collected from 267 school-age children from Slovakia. The study assessed blood pressure using the sphygmomanometer technique, where systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured in a seated position and repeated three times. The pulse rate was evaluated using Ruffier's physical fitness test. Anthropometric measurements included body weight, height, waist circumference, hip, and chest circumference, body mass index (BMI), and fat skinfolds measurement. The children's parents completed a comprehensive questionnaire. The data were statistically evaluated using IBM-SPSS version 19. RESULTS: Our analysis showed a statistically significant difference in SBP between obese and non-obese children (p < 0.001), but no significant differences for DBP and total cholesterol. Similar results were found between normal-weight and overweight children for SBP (p < 0.001), with overweight children showing higher SBP. No significant differences were noted for DBP or total cholesterol. Among children with "bad fitness", 57.9% had elevated SBP, compared to 37.86% with "good fitness" (p < 0.01). Additionally, 41.67% of children with bad fitness had elevated DBP, versus 23.05% in good fitness (p < 0.001). Significant differences in total cholesterol were also observed in these two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm the importance of monitoring risk factors that significantly influence cardiovascular parameters.

• MeSH
• antropometrie MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• index tělesné hmotnosti * MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci * epidemiologie   MeSH
• krevní tlak MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• obezita dětí a dospívajících MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• rizikové faktory kardiovaskulárních chorob MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy at advanced maternal age has become more common over the last decades. Therefore, the study aimed to describe the characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes of women giving birth at advanced maternal age and very advanced age. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2,300 singleton births that occurred in 2020-2021 at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. The control (age 20-34 years), advanced maternal age (35-39 years), and very advanced maternal age (≥ 40 years) groups included 1,851, 382, and 67 women, respectively. Exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancies, maternal age less than 20 years, smoking and alcohol use, foetal malformation and intrauterine foetal death, and birth weight of 500 grams or less. Data on mothers and newborn infants have been reported from the birth book and the reports on mothers at childbirth. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0. RESULTS: Our results confirmed statistically significant differences regarding the rate of preterm birth (p = 0.004), very preterm birth (p = 0.010), caesarean delivery rate (p < 0.001), very low birth weight (p = 0.027), extremely low birth weight (p = 0.001), and Apgar score at 5 minutes < 7 (p = 0.020) between newborns in the compared maternal age groups. CONCLUSION: Advanced maternal age is a prognostic factor for poor pregnancy outcomes. Women of advanced maternal age are at higher risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes.

• MeSH
• Apgar skóre MeSH
• císařský řez statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předčasný porod epidemiologie   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• věk matky * MeSH
• výsledek těhotenství * epidemiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major factors affecting child morbidity and mortality worldwide. Every day, approximately 800 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth worldwide. Maternal ill health increases the risk of LBW. This study seeks to investigate determinants and incidence of LBW. METHODS: This study was conducted based on the medical records of mothers and their 1,946 infants born in 2016-2019 at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. Data on mothers and newborn infants were obtained from the Reports on mothers at childbirth. The inclusion criteria were singleton births and birth weight > 500 g. The exclusion criteria were twins or multiple births, congenital anomalies and stillbirths, birth weight ≥ 4,000 g or ≤ 500 g, and Roma ethnicity. Roma children are more likely to be born prematurely, with low birth weight. Roma mothers have different lifestyle. Univariate analysis was employed to evaluate the association between the independent variables and LBW. Variables that were found to be statistically significant were then further analysed using multivariable logistic analysis for each dependent variable. The implementation of the research was approved by the Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Of 1,946 newborns, 271 (13.90%) have low birth weight. The mean of birth weight at delivery was 3,068.62 (SD 671.16) grams. Factors that were associated with LBW were primary maternal education (OR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.08-8.21, p = 0.034), marital status single (OR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.68-4.94, p < 0.001), number of prenatal care visits less than 8 (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.01-2.61, p = 0.047), and preterm birth (OR = 74.94, 95% CI: 45.44-123.61, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The reducing of LBW requires strategies to improve maternal lifestyle, maternal care before, during and after birth and to strengthen social support.

• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec s nízkou porodní hmotností MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• porodní hmotnost MeSH
• předčasný porod * MeSH
• prenatální péče MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Smoking during pregnancy is causally associated with reduced birth weight and is strongly related to preterm birth. This study analyses the differences in birth outcomes between non-smokers and women who continued to smoke during pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a study of 1,359 mothers who gave birth in 2017-2019 at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. Data on mothers and newborn infants have been reported from the birth book and from the reports on mothers at childbirth. For low birth weight we considered the weight of a newborn being less than 2,500 g and as for premature birth we referred to childbirth before pregnancy week 37. Two groups of mothers were classified according to the smoking habit during pregnancy and statistically processed in IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0. RESULTS: Infants born by women who smoked during pregnancy had the lower birth weight (2,769.0 grams on average) compared to non-smokers (3,224.1 grams) (p < 0.001). The differences in prevalence of premature birth have not been confirmed as statistically significant. Women who continued smoking during pregnancy were significantly more likely to be very young (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 3.9-8.9; p < 0.001), unmarried (OR = 9.3; 95% CI: 6.1-14.0; p < 0.001), of lower level of education (OR = 39.6; 95% CI: 22.6-69.5; p < 0.001), and more likely to consume alcohol (OR = 6.6; 95% CI: 5.8-7.5; p < 0.01), and drugs (OR = 6.6; 95% CI: 5.8-7.5; p < 0.01) during pregnancy. When pregnant, they were most likely to see a doctor for the first time after the first trimester (OR = 0.1; 95% CI: 0.1-0.2; p < 0.001) and were more likely to see a doctor less than 8 times (OR = 6.1; 95% CI: 4.2-8.8; p < 0.001) during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Tobacco prevention and cessation campaigns should focus on improving pregnancy outcomes in the future.

• MeSH
• komplikace těhotenství * epidemiologie   MeSH
• kouření epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec s nízkou porodní hmotností MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• porodní hmotnost MeSH
• předčasný porod * epidemiologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• výsledek těhotenství epidemiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne disease of increasing incidence and public concern. Our cross-sectional study was aimed at evaluating seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in a group of respondents from Eastern Slovakia. METHODS: In total, 515 blood samples collected in 2013-2016 were analysed with NovaLisaTM, NovaTec - Borrelia IgG/IgM kit (Immunodiagnostica, Dietzenbach, Germany). Positive and equivocal IgG-antibody results were further examined with immunoblotting (LYMECHECK® OPTIMA IgG and IgM kits, BIOSYNEX, France). Data detected by serological methods were matched with those obtained from a questionnaire. Differences between groups by residence/seropositivity were tested by χ2 test. The effect of socio-demographic and risk factors on seropositivity of IgG antibodies was assessed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in 67 cases (13.01%) and IgM antibodies in 40 cases (7.8%). Previous tick bite had been noted in 67.2% of these seropositive individuals. Higher seropositivity was observed in men and persons aged over 61 years. Rural residents had higher seropositivity (39%) than those living in urban (29%) areas. Very few of these seropositive persons reported prior symptoms. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that IgG-seropositivity for Borrelia burgdorferi in Eastern Slovakia is predominant in men and occurs mainly in rural areas. The findings also suggest that exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi (with subsequent antibody response in serum) does occur, mostly without giving rise to clinical Lyme borreliosis.

• MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi * MeSH
• Borrelia * MeSH
• imunoglobulin G MeSH
• imunoglobulin M MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymeská nemoc * epidemiologie   MeSH
• protilátky bakteriální MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The main goal of the study was to describe the demographic, epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics of a monitored group of patients with psoriasis to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities and to define the cardiovascular risk profile. METHODS: One hundred and ninety outpatients aged over 18 were included in the prospective observational cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patients. The severity of psoriasis was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The results of laboratory testing were identified based on patient health records. RESULTS: Based on an evaluation of psoriasis phenotypes, 150 patients (78.95%) suffered from plaque psoriasis, 18 (9.5%) from palmoplantar psoriasis, 11 (5.8%) from guttate psoriasis, 6 (3.2%) from generalized pustular psoriasis, and 5 (2.6%) from erythrodermic psoriasis. The personal medical history discovered the occurrence of arterial hypertension in 83 patients (43.7%), the occurrence of depression in 49 patients (25.8%), type 2 diabetes in 29 patients (15.3%), and dyslipidaemia in 48 patients (25.3%). CONCLUSION: It is noteworthy that psoriasis may be demonstrated as a multi-system disease which does not only affect the skin and its adnexa. The association of psoriasis with comorbidities may significantly increase morbidity and total mortality as well as the demands for health care provision.

• MeSH
• diabetes mellitus 2. typu * epidemiologie   MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci * epidemiologie   MeSH
• kvalita života MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• psoriáza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• rizikové faktory kardiovaskulárních chorob MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH

Cieľ: Cieľom tejto séroepidemiologickej štúdie bolo zistiť súčasnú prevalenciu protilátok proti Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s. l.) a proti vírusu kliešťovej encefalitídy (TBEV) v populácii východného Slovenska a vyhodnotiť rizikové faktory spojené so séropozitivitou. Metódy: Vzorky séra s vyplnenými dotazníkmi, ktoré sa použili na analýzu rizikových faktorov, sme získali od 275 osôb (zdravé osoby s možnou pracovnou expozíciou kliešťom a častými voľnočasovými aktivitami v prírode a pacienti s rôznymi diagnózami). Vyšetrovaný súbor tvorilo 108 (39,3 %) mužov a 167 (60,7 %) žien. Séra sa testovali ELISA testom a immunoblotovým testom (IB). Počas analýzy sme pomocou logistickej regresie interpretovali asociáciu medzi vybranými premennými. Výsledky: Skríningový ELISA test na B. burgdorferi s. l. odhalil 18,2 % pozitívnych vzoriek na anti-B. burgdorferi s. l. IgG a immunoblot, ktorý sa vykonal pre pozitívne a hraničné vzorky IgG, bol pozitívny v 15,3 %. Pozitívne protilátky triedy IgM sa našli u 9,1 % skúmanej populácie. Zistili sme 0,4 % séropozitivitu IgG a 1,1 % pozitívnych protilátok IgM proti TBEV. Naše výsledky tiež potvrdili, že nasledujúce rizikové faktory, ako je bydlisko, časté vonkajšie aktivity a vlastníctvo zvierat sú významne spojené s vyššou prevalenciou špecifických protilátok. Záver: Výsledky vyššej séroprevalencie v sledovanom súbore potvrdzujú možnosť infekcie B. burgdorferi s. l. a TBEV u respondentov vystavených kontaktu s kliešťami.

Objective: The aim of this seroepidemiological study was to determine the current prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s. l.) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) among the population of Eastern Slovakia and to evaluate risk factors associated with seropositivity. Methods: Serum samples with completed questionnaires used for the risk factor analysis were obtained from 275 persons (healthy persons with possible working exposure to tick and outdoor activities and patients from different clinical departments). The set of respondents consisted of 108 (39.3%) men and 167 (60.7%) women. Sera were tested with ELISA and immunoblot assay (IB). During the analysis, we used logistic regression to interpret the influence between selected variables. Results: The B. burgdorferi screening ELISA test revealed 18.2% positive samples for anti-B. burgdorferi s. l. IgG. The immunoblot, which was performed for the positive and borderline IgG samples, was positive in 15.3%. Positive antibodies of the IgM class were found in 9.1% of the population under study. We detected 0.4% seropositivity of IgG and 1.1% of positive IgM antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus. Our results also confirmed that the following risk factors, such as residence, frequent outdoor activities, and pet ownership are significantly associated with the prevalence of specific antibodies. Conclusion: The results of seroprevalence obtained in the present study confirm the possibility of infection with B. burgdorferi and TBEV among respondents exposed to contact with ticks.

OBJECTIVE: Lyme disease (LD) is chronic, multi-system zoonosis transmitted by ticks, and LD aetiological agents are spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The aim of the cross-sectional study was to analyze the LD incidence on the basis of the presence of specific antibodies in the serum of patients in Eastern Slovakia, and to compare the results of serological ELISA and immunoblot assays. METHODS: Venous blood with questionnaires was obtained by field sampling of respondents from Eastern Slovakia. Overall, we examined 537 human sera by the ELISA and for confirmation we tested all positive IgG antibodies against the Borrelia immunoblot assay. RESULTS: Our results confirmed the high serum prevalence of anti-Borrelia antibodies (17.9% for IgG), while the immunoblot seropositive test was confirmed in 69.8% of responders from ELISA IgG positive sera. Positive antibodies of the IgM class were found in 7.6% of the population under study. Most commonly found were antibodies against VlsE (80.2%), p41 (66.7%), p18 (56.3%), p100 (41.7%), p58 (31.3%), and p39 (30.2%). CONCLUSION: It should be noted that detection of antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. is only an indirect evidence of the presence of this bacterium in the development of clinical signs of LD in humans. Laboratory LD tests should be performed in accordance with valid standards, positive and uncertain results must be confirmed by the Western Blot/Immunoblot assay.

• MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi komplex klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi imunologie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• imunoglobulin G krev   MeSH
• imunoglobulin M krev   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymeská nemoc krev   diagnóza   epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• protilátky bakteriální krev   MeSH
• protilátky virové krev   MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among the variable population of Eastern Slovakia. METHODS: A serologic survey was conducted using 464 serum samples. The basic demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained for each serum sample at the time of specimen collection. The presence of antibodies against WNV was investigated using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the ELISA positive samples were further analysed by a neutralization test with WNV and Usutu virus. RESULTS: Three serum samples (0.65%) from the participants (N = 464) were considered positive for antibodies to WNV. A 29-year-old female was repeatedly exposed to mosquito bites working as a shepherdess and participating in many outdoor activities. Two other females (61 and 76 years old) were treated at the Department of Neurology due to monoparesis of the upper extremity, vertigo; both had a significant epidemiological history with frequent tick and mosquito bites and stay in an endemic region. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no evidence of WNV infection in the Slovak Republic, the epidemiological situation in the neighbouring countries warrants vigilance and appropriate measures, including the introduction of specific diagnostic tools into clinical practice. The constant monitoring of birds and mosquitoes also seems necessary.

• MeSH
• Culicidae MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• protilátky virové MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• virus západního Nilu izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• západonilská horečka diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is most commonly transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Alimentary infection through the consumption of TBEV-contaminated dairy products is also well-documented and is responsible for some diseases in endemic areas. The aim of the study was to emphasize the risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) by consuming raw milk and dairy products and to describe TBE epidemics in Slovakia for the period 2012-2016. METHODS: The data on epidemics were obtained from the Annual Reports for the period 2012-2016 available on the website of the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic. Medical records of patients hospitalized during epidemics were provided by the Department of Infectology and Travel Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, and the Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. RESULTS: During the period 2012-2016, 13 smaller or larger TBE epidemic outbreaks were recorded in the Slovak Republic. The two outbreaks of TBE reported in 2012 were associated with the consumption of raw goat's milk and dairy products. The first case was an outbreak involving 12 infected people in the Lučenec District. The second case was a family outbreak in the Žilina District, where 3 persons out of 4 family members were infected. In 2013, one epidemic was reported involving 5 persons following the consumption of sheep's cheese from a farm in the Prešov District. One outbreak with 11 cases was reported in 2014. The investigation confirmed its association with the consumption of sheep's cheese in a restaurant located in the Ružomberok District. In 2015, 4 epidemics were described related to the consumption of goat's/sheep's milk and cheese (Žilina District, Krupina District, Kysucké Nové Mesto District, Trenčín District). In 2016, there were 5 TBE epidemics related to the consumption of milk and dairy products. The largest TBE epidemic outbreak in the last 5 years occurred in the Košice District. In this outbreak approximately 500 people were exposed, and 44 contracted the disease. Infected persons confirmed consumption of sheep's cheese from a farm. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of milk and dairy products made only from pasteurized milk, as well as the immunization of humans and animals are the most effective preventive measures against TBE.

• MeSH
• epidemický výskyt choroby * MeSH
• klíšťová encefalitida diagnóza   epidemiologie   virologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mléko virologie   MeSH
• ovce virologie   MeSH
• protilátky virové MeSH
• viry klíšťové encefalitidy izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH