Doctor Jonas Basanavičius (1851–1927) was the patriarch of the Lithuanian nation, activist in the Lithuanian national revival, a physician, politician, scholar, and editor of the first Lithuanian-language newspaper Auszra. In his autobiography "The Chronicle of My Life and the History of a Nervous Disease" (1851–1922), Basanavičius not only presented the realities of social, political, cultural and academic life of the second half of the XIXth and the beginning of the XXth centuries in Lithuania and Europe but also depicted and analyzed symptoms of his nervous system disease. J. Basanavičius suffered from various episodic ailments – headache, insomnia, deafness, olfactory and gustatory impairments, cardiac arrhythmias, leg pain, paraesthesias, and urinary disorders which he attributed to neurasthenia. In this article we present Basanavičius's complaints, symptoms, and diseases in chronological order. Medical terms, diagnoses and treatment methods are analyzed in the context of the described historical period and compared to how the terms are used today.
Doctor Jonas Basanavičius (1851–1927) was the patriarch of the Lithuanian nation, activist in the Lithuanian national revival, a physician, politician, scholar, and editor of the first Lithuanian-language newspaper Auszra. In his autobiography "The Chronicle of My Life and the History of a Nervous Disease" (1851–1922), Basanavičius not only presented the realities of social, political, cultural and academic life of the second half of the XIXth and the beginning of the XXth centuries in Lithuania and Europe but also depicted and analyzed symptoms of his nervous system disease. J. Basanavičius suffered from various episodic ailments – headache, insomnia, deafness, olfactory and gustatory impairments, cardiac arrhythmias, leg pain, paraesthesias, and urinary disorders which he attributed to neurasthenia. In this article we present Basanavičius's complaints, symptoms, and diseases in chronological order. Medical terms, diagnoses and treatment methods are analyzed in the context of the described historical period and compared to how the terms are used today.
Doctor Jonas Basanavičius (1851–1927) was the patriarch of the Lithuanian nation, activist in the Lithuanian national revival, a physician, politician, scholar, and editor of the first Lithuanian-language newspaper Auszra. In his autobiography "The Chronicle of My Life and the History of a Nervous Disease" (1851–1922), Basanavičius not only presented the realities of social, political, cultural and academic life of the second half of the XIXth and the beginning of the XXth centuries in Lithuania and Europe but also depicted and analyzed symptoms of his nervous system disease. J. Basanavičius suffered from various episodic ailments – headache, insomnia, deafness, olfactory and gustatory impairments, cardiac arrhythmias, leg pain, paraesthesias, and urinary disorders which he attributed to neurasthenia. In this article we present Basanavičius's complaints, symptoms, and diseases in chronological order. Medical terms, diagnoses and treatment methods are analyzed in the context of the described historical period and compared to how the terms are used today.
Doctor Jonas Basanavičius (1851–1927) was the patriarch of the Lithuanian nation, activist in the Lithuanian national revival, a physician, politician, scholar, and editor of the first Lithuanian-language newspaper Auszra. In his autobiography "The Chronicle of My Life and the History of a Nervous Disease" (1851–1922), Basanavičius not only presented the realities of social, political, cultural and academic life of the second half of the XIXth and the beginning of the XXth centuries in Lithuania and Europe but also depicted and analyzed symptoms of his nervous system disease. J. Basanavičius suffered from various episodic ailments – headache, insomnia, deafness, olfactory and gustatory impairments, cardiac arrhythmias, leg pain, paraesthesias, and urinary disorders which he attributed to neurasthenia. In this article we present Basanavičius's complaints, symptoms, and diseases in chronological order. Medical terms, diagnoses and treatment methods are analyzed in the context of the described historical period and compared to how the terms are used today.
The Baltic States began implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs aimed at reducing the oncologic disease-related mortality. Several problems were encountered in the course of implementation of the prevention programs. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs. Objectives of the Thesis: to reveal the meaning and effectiveness of the oncologic disease prevention programs and to describe the disease control measures in the context of the public health policy; to make an analysis of the current situation in the field of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs; to discover the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs in Kaunas, Vilnius, Kėdainiai and Raseiniai Cities. In the first part of the Thesis, the health care policy concept was analysed and the fact that the treatment of the specific diseases was getting more attention in the sector of health care than the public health measures, i.e. prevention, allowing early detection of the diseases or removal of their causes. Many problems, such as the high rates of morbidity, mortality, expensive treatment, and etc. were encountered due this fact. We found out that the main problem impeding implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs was low funding of the oncologic disease prevention programs. However, the finances needed for the treatment of the diseases not always were sufficient; therefore, not every patient was receiving the high quality, innovative and timely services. Other important problems were arising due to the low funding as well, for example: scarce information about the prevention programs, low rate of participation in the prevention programs, and overemphasis on the treatment over prevention. In the second part of the Thesis, the current situation in the field of administration of the oncologic disease prevention programs in the Baltic States was analysed. The effectiveness of the prevention programs differed in the states of Lithuania and Latvia. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs
The Baltic States began implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs aimed at reducing the oncologic disease-related mortality. Several problems were encountered in the course of implementation of the prevention programs. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs. Objectives of the Thesis: to reveal the meaning and effectiveness of the oncologic disease prevention programs and to describe the disease control measures in the context of the public health policy; to make an analysis of the current situation in the field of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs; to discover the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs in Kaunas, Vilnius, Kėdainiai and Raseiniai Cities. In the first part of the Thesis, the health care policy concept was analysed and the fact that the treatment of the specific diseases was getting more attention in the sector of health care than the public health measures, i.e. prevention, allowing early detection of the diseases or removal of their causes. Many problems, such as the high rates of morbidity, mortality, expensive treatment, and etc. were encountered due this fact. We found out that the main problem impeding implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs was low funding of the oncologic disease prevention programs. However, the finances needed for the treatment of the diseases not always were sufficient; therefore, not every patient was receiving the high quality, innovative and timely services. Other important problems were arising due to the low funding as well, for example: scarce information about the prevention programs, low rate of participation in the prevention programs, and overemphasis on the treatment over prevention. In the second part of the Thesis, the current situation in the field of administration of the oncologic disease prevention programs in the Baltic States was analysed. The effectiveness of the prevention programs differed in the states of Lithuania and Latvia. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs
The Baltic States began implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs aimed at reducing the oncologic disease-related mortality. Several problems were encountered in the course of implementation of the prevention programs. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs. Objectives of the Thesis: to reveal the meaning and effectiveness of the oncologic disease prevention programs and to describe the disease control measures in the context of the public health policy; to make an analysis of the current situation in the field of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs; to discover the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs in Kaunas, Vilnius, Kėdainiai and Raseiniai Cities. In the first part of the Thesis, the health care policy concept was analysed and the fact that the treatment of the specific diseases was getting more attention in the sector of health care than the public health measures, i.e. prevention, allowing early detection of the diseases or removal of their causes. Many problems, such as the high rates of morbidity, mortality, expensive treatment, and etc. were encountered due this fact. We found out that the main problem impeding implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs was low funding of the oncologic disease prevention programs. However, the finances needed for the treatment of the diseases not always were sufficient; therefore, not every patient was receiving the high quality, innovative and timely services. Other important problems were arising due to the low funding as well, for example: scarce information about the prevention programs, low rate of participation in the prevention programs, and overemphasis on the treatment over prevention. In the second part of the Thesis, the current situation in the field of administration of the oncologic disease prevention programs in the Baltic States was analysed. The effectiveness of the prevention programs differed in the states of Lithuania and Latvia. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs
The Baltic States began implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs aimed at reducing the oncologic disease-related mortality. Several problems were encountered in the course of implementation of the prevention programs. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs. Objectives of the Thesis: to reveal the meaning and effectiveness of the oncologic disease prevention programs and to describe the disease control measures in the context of the public health policy; to make an analysis of the current situation in the field of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs; to discover the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs in Kaunas, Vilnius, Kėdainiai and Raseiniai Cities. In the first part of the Thesis, the health care policy concept was analysed and the fact that the treatment of the specific diseases was getting more attention in the sector of health care than the public health measures, i.e. prevention, allowing early detection of the diseases or removal of their causes. Many problems, such as the high rates of morbidity, mortality, expensive treatment, and etc. were encountered due this fact. We found out that the main problem impeding implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs was low funding of the oncologic disease prevention programs. However, the finances needed for the treatment of the diseases not always were sufficient; therefore, not every patient was receiving the high quality, innovative and timely services. Other important problems were arising due to the low funding as well, for example: scarce information about the prevention programs, low rate of participation in the prevention programs, and overemphasis on the treatment over prevention. In the second part of the Thesis, the current situation in the field of administration of the oncologic disease prevention programs in the Baltic States was analysed. The effectiveness of the prevention programs differed in the states of Lithuania and Latvia. Aim of the Thesis: to make an analysis of the problems encountered in the course of implementation of the oncologic disease prevention programs
Background: Aging, unhealthy diet, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and diabetes are the main contributing factors for cardiovascular disease in the European Union [1–4]. Metabolic syndrome, described as a complex of different risk factors, also contributes to development of cardiovascular disease. In order to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, lipid control remains an effective measure. Objective: Assess correlations between cardiovascular disease risk, metabolic syndrome and lipid levels. Methods: A subanalysis of EUROASPIRE V data – a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional observational study. The used data was collected in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kauno Klinikos (Kaunas). The EUROASPIRE V study was carried out in 2016-2017. Results: 201 patients were enrolled in the study: 128 (63,7%) women and 73 (36,3%) men. 101 patients were obese and metabolic syndrome was diagnosed for 130 people. All the patients were grouped according to their cardiovascular disease risk: either low or moderate (80), high or very high (121). Obese patients had higher cardiovascular disease risk (p=0,001). Patients with metabolic syndrome were more likely to have higher cardiovascular risk (p=0,003). Individuals with lower cardiovascular risk had significantly higher high-density lipoprotein concentrations (p=0,008). As for total cholesterol (p=0,884), triglycerides (p=0,61) and low-density lipoprotein (p=0,928) there were no significant correlations found. Patients with metabolic syndrome had higher triglyceride (p<0,001) and lower high-density lipoprotein (p<0,001) concentrations indicating that the data was collected correctly. There were no significant findings when comparing total cholesterol (p=0,12) or low-density lipoprotein (p=0,401) concentrations with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Obese patients had a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Patients with a metabolic syndrome were more likely to have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. High density lipoproteins concentrations were higher in patients with a lower cardiovascular disease risk. Patients with metabolic syndrome had lower high-density lipoprotein concentrations as well as higher concentrations of triglycerides. There were no significant findings when comparing low-density lipoprotein concentrations with either cardiovascular disease risk or metabolic syndrome.
Background: Aging, unhealthy diet, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and diabetes are the main contributing factors for cardiovascular disease in the European Union [1–4]. Metabolic syndrome, described as a complex of different risk factors, also contributes to development of cardiovascular disease. In order to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, lipid control remains an effective measure. Objective: Assess correlations between cardiovascular disease risk, metabolic syndrome and lipid levels. Methods: A subanalysis of EUROASPIRE V data – a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional observational study. The used data was collected in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kauno Klinikos (Kaunas). The EUROASPIRE V study was carried out in 2016-2017. Results: 201 patients were enrolled in the study: 128 (63,7%) women and 73 (36,3%) men. 101 patients were obese and metabolic syndrome was diagnosed for 130 people. All the patients were grouped according to their cardiovascular disease risk: either low or moderate (80), high or very high (121). Obese patients had higher cardiovascular disease risk (p=0,001). Patients with metabolic syndrome were more likely to have higher cardiovascular risk (p=0,003). Individuals with lower cardiovascular risk had significantly higher high-density lipoprotein concentrations (p=0,008). As for total cholesterol (p=0,884), triglycerides (p=0,61) and low-density lipoprotein (p=0,928) there were no significant correlations found. Patients with metabolic syndrome had higher triglyceride (p<0,001) and lower high-density lipoprotein (p<0,001) concentrations indicating that the data was collected correctly. There were no significant findings when comparing total cholesterol (p=0,12) or low-density lipoprotein (p=0,401) concentrations with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Obese patients had a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Patients with a metabolic syndrome were more likely to have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. High density lipoproteins concentrations were higher in patients with a lower cardiovascular disease risk. Patients with metabolic syndrome had lower high-density lipoprotein concentrations as well as higher concentrations of triglycerides. There were no significant findings when comparing low-density lipoprotein concentrations with either cardiovascular disease risk or metabolic syndrome.
Background. Data on new cases of professional diseases are collected in Professional Diseases State Registry of Lithuanian Republic. Analysis of statistic data from Occupational Diseases State Registry is very important for occupational diseases prevention, striving to expand knowledge of medical workers and professionals of other areas, employees and employers, on occupational diseases and their causes. Since 2004 data on occupational diseases collecting is based on European statistics mode for occupational diseases and EUROSTAT expert recommendations. Basis of registry data on 2005 was updated accordingly. Affections of musculoskeletal system are most prevalent among health problems of employees in European Union. Musculoskeletal system diseases are predominant among Lithuanian professional diseases since 2005. These diseases most often are caused by two categories of professional risk factors: physical and ergonomic factors. Physical factors, causing occupational diseases are predominant among causes of Lithuanian occupational diseases, and ergonomic are prevalent in Europe. Objective: to describe risk factors of occupational musculoskeletal diseases registered in 2005-2007 in Lithuania. Propositions. 1. To assess structure of risk factors of occupational musculoskeletal diseases registered for 2005 – 2007 in Lithuania; 2. To assess distribution of risk factors of occupational musculoskeletal diseases according to diagnosis; profession; economic activities type; gender; age and seniority for 2005 - 2007 in Lithuania. Methodes. Descriptive research has been carried out. All cases of occupational web and osseous-muscular system diseases (N=1741), registered in Occupational Diseases State Registry for 2005-2007, automatically selected from registry data base, are included. Analysis made in MS Excel 2003 program. Conclusions. Most diagnosed occupational musculoskeletal diseases in Lithuania are caused by physical factors (vibration). Predominant ergonomic factors are loads carrying and lifting, working attitude and repetitive working gestures. Together with ergonomic factors vibration most often cause dorsalgia (M54), other disc diseases (M51) and spinal osteochondrosis (M42). Musculoskeletal diseases, caused by vibration are predominant among professional group of devices and machine operators, and fitters; caused by ergonomic causes – among professional group of qualified workers, amateurs and unqualified workers. Most musculoskeletal diseases, caused by vibration are assessed to farming, hunting, forestry and construction workers; caused by ergonomic factors – to manufacturing, as well as farming, hunting and foresting workers. Vibration cause almost exclusively male musculoskeletal diseases, and ergonomic factors most often cause diseases to women. Musculoskeletal diseases caused by ergonomic factors assessed in juniority and respectively at lesser seniority than caused by vibration.
Background. Data on new cases of professional diseases are collected in Professional Diseases State Registry of Lithuanian Republic. Analysis of statistic data from Occupational Diseases State Registry is very important for occupational diseases prevention, striving to expand knowledge of medical workers and professionals of other areas, employees and employers, on occupational diseases and their causes. Since 2004 data on occupational diseases collecting is based on European statistics mode for occupational diseases and EUROSTAT expert recommendations. Basis of registry data on 2005 was updated accordingly. Affections of musculoskeletal system are most prevalent among health problems of employees in European Union. Musculoskeletal system diseases are predominant among Lithuanian professional diseases since 2005. These diseases most often are caused by two categories of professional risk factors: physical and ergonomic factors. Physical factors, causing occupational diseases are predominant among causes of Lithuanian occupational diseases, and ergonomic are prevalent in Europe. Objective: to describe risk factors of occupational musculoskeletal diseases registered in 2005-2007 in Lithuania. Propositions. 1. To assess structure of risk factors of occupational musculoskeletal diseases registered for 2005 – 2007 in Lithuania; 2. To assess distribution of risk factors of occupational musculoskeletal diseases according to diagnosis; profession; economic activities type; gender; age and seniority for 2005 - 2007 in Lithuania. Methodes. Descriptive research has been carried out. All cases of occupational web and osseous-muscular system diseases (N=1741), registered in Occupational Diseases State Registry for 2005-2007, automatically selected from registry data base, are included. Analysis made in MS Excel 2003 program. Conclusions. Most diagnosed occupational musculoskeletal diseases in Lithuania are caused by physical factors (vibration). Predominant ergonomic factors are loads carrying and lifting, working attitude and repetitive working gestures. Together with ergonomic factors vibration most often cause dorsalgia (M54), other disc diseases (M51) and spinal osteochondrosis (M42). Musculoskeletal diseases, caused by vibration are predominant among professional group of devices and machine operators, and fitters; caused by ergonomic causes – among professional group of qualified workers, amateurs and unqualified workers. Most musculoskeletal diseases, caused by vibration are assessed to farming, hunting, forestry and construction workers; caused by ergonomic factors – to manufacturing, as well as farming, hunting and foresting workers. Vibration cause almost exclusively male musculoskeletal diseases, and ergonomic factors most often cause diseases to women. Musculoskeletal diseases caused by ergonomic factors assessed in juniority and respectively at lesser seniority than caused by vibration.
The second health policy direction in the field of rare diseases is implemented using three measures: through the organization of personal healthcare service system; through the accessibility of healthcare services abroad and accessibility of medicines for patients suffering from rare diseases. It was concluded that personal healthcare service system for patients with rare diseases in Lithuania still does not work harmoniously. In order to improve the situation, it is proposed to revise the payment system currently functioning for the provision of personal healthcare services for the patients with rare diseases, as well to start the monitoring of rare diseases at the national scale. It has been determined that the legal regulations of the EU on cross-border provision of healthcare services to patients are implemented to the national law properly, however, the procedure related to the issue of permits for the patients to receive such services provides no specific exceptions for the patients with rare diseases. The analysis of legal regulation on the current accessibility to the medicine necessary to cure rare diseases states that Lithuania has conditions to supply orphan medicinal products to the Lithuanian market established. Essential weakness is that the so-called "compassionate use of medicinal products" has not been validated yet. The ethical problems are caused by the lack of reimbursement for orphan medicinal products, repeated procedures related to the evaluation of efficiency and therapeutic value of the orphan medicines at the national competent institutions.
The second health policy direction in the field of rare diseases is implemented using three measures: through the organization of personal healthcare service system; through the accessibility of healthcare services abroad and accessibility of medicines for patients suffering from rare diseases. It was concluded that personal healthcare service system for patients with rare diseases in Lithuania still does not work harmoniously. In order to improve the situation, it is proposed to revise the payment system currently functioning for the provision of personal healthcare services for the patients with rare diseases, as well to start the monitoring of rare diseases at the national scale. It has been determined that the legal regulations of the EU on cross-border provision of healthcare services to patients are implemented to the national law properly, however, the procedure related to the issue of permits for the patients to receive such services provides no specific exceptions for the patients with rare diseases. The analysis of legal regulation on the current accessibility to the medicine necessary to cure rare diseases states that Lithuania has conditions to supply orphan medicinal products to the Lithuanian market established. Essential weakness is that the so-called "compassionate use of medicinal products" has not been validated yet. The ethical problems are caused by the lack of reimbursement for orphan medicinal products, repeated procedures related to the evaluation of efficiency and therapeutic value of the orphan medicines at the national competent institutions.
Mortality rate from chronic non-infectious diseases (coronary heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, and chronic liver disease) in Lithuania is far higher as compared to the European Union average. In 2007, Lithuania ranked third among EU member states according to mortality rate indicator for cardiovascular diseases of males aged 20–64. The most frequent manifestation of cardiovascular diseases is the coronary heart disease (CHD). Epidemiological studies revealed the most important risk factors of chronic non-infectious diseases. Moreover, new elements in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis have been identified, i.e. oxidized low-density lipoproteins, antioxidant vitamins and fatty acids. Fatty acids (FA) are oxidation markers, since they participate in lipid peroxidation as substrates. The most sensitive to peroxidation are the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). On the contrary, essential PUFA are important for synthesis of eicosanoids. When too little or too much of fatty acids are consumed with food, certain health disorders arise. A common cause of FA imbalance is too abundant consumption of animal fats and insufficient consumption of vegetable fats. This may cause chronic non-infectious diseases. The FA of human body influences the metabolism of other substances, therefore, the study of such metabolic correlations comes of relevance in exploring the pathogenesis pathways of diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney diseases. The purpose of the present review is to evaluate fatty acids as biomarkers as well as their implications for the etiopatogenesis of chronic non- infectious diseases. Our research has shown that a higher quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the group of Lithuanian males aged 50 and lower blood levels of antioxidants reflect insufficient protection of lipids from oxidation and, obviously, this may be one of the risk factors predetermining accelerated atherosclerosis and a higher morbidity of cardiovascular diseases. The main factors that influence LDL susceptibility to oxidation are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, α-tocopherol and the plasma concentration of triacylglycerols. Lower γ-tocopherol concentration in the group of Lithuanian males may imply that the Lithuanians take less of the vitamin with food, while oxidation processes proceed more rapidly. It is likely that higher plasma concentration of 7ß-hydroxycholesterol in the Lithuanian men is determined by the more intense lipid peroxidation in vivo. Our research has shown that patients with CHD have considerably lower blood levels of PUFA. This may impact on the synthesis of antiatherogenic eicosanoids and thus may be an atherogenic factor. The general quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the adipose tissue in individuals with glucose tolerance disorders, also patients with diabetes mellitus is lower, its level possibly being related to the degree of metabolic disorder, more rapid mobilisation of fatty acids from the adipose tissue or to smaller quantities of essential PUFA (linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid) consumed with food. The data allow us to assume that PUFA enriched food may cause an increase of the blood levels of adiponectin, an important antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory factor. The positive relationship between n3 PUFA and leptin concentrations suggests that abundant consumption of PUFA may determine an increase of leptin levels in blood. PUFA do not influence the resistin metabolism in human body, however, some saturated and monounsaturated FA may relate to resistin concentrations in blood. Individuals with chronic liver disease take sufficient quantities of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids and their resorption is not upset. Also, the chronic liver disease patients show no signs of increased deterioration of reserve lipid tissue. Fish oil (source of n3 PUFA) appeared to influence the changes of fatty acid composition of blood in the bodies of children with nephrotic syndrome. Supplementing the diet with omega-3 fatty acids tended to reduce the quantity of triacylglycerols (p<0,06). The increase in the eicosapentaenoic/arachidonic acid ratio showed that fish oil is useful as a supplement reducing the aggregation of platelets. Treatment with fish oil, when patients received 6 ml/d, was safe and had no serious adverse effect.
