Search Results (7)

Background/Objectives: In 2024, Lithuania developed a national lung cancer screening program (the Program), targeting individuals aged 50 to 70 years, regardless of their smoking history, with screenings conducted once every three years. The Program aims not only to actively detect lung nodules (lung cancer) but also to identify clinically significant concomitant findings. The pilot study aimed to evaluate the screening process’s feasibility and organizational efficiency of the screening process, as well as its potential clinical effectiveness. Methods: Three family medicine centers were selected for participation. The Coordinating Center contacted individuals aged 50 to 70 sequentially and invited them to participate, regardless of smoking status. In total, 1014 individuals were prospectively enrolled and underwent low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) screening between 26 September 2024 and 14 February 2025. Results: Of the individuals invited, 76.1% agreed to participate. Lung-RADS v2022 category 4 nodules were identified in 1.4% of participants (n = 14), including six smokers and eight non-smokers. Additionally, one participant with a Lung-RADS category 2 nodule was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma originating from peripheral lung changes. Newly identified significant incidental findings were detected in 25.9% of participants: 5.1% had pulmonary or mediastinal findings (most commonly emphysema, interstitial lung changes, and bronchiectasis), 18.7% had cardiovascular findings (usually coronary artery calcification, aortic valve calcification, and aorta dilation), and 2.1% had other clinically relevant conditions (e.g., thyroid nodules, diaphragmatic changes). Following assessment by family physicians, 17.6% of all participants were referred to medical specialists, including pulmonologists, cardiologists, and others. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that the Lithuanian lung cancer screening model is feasible, well-organized, and clinically valuable. The findings support the Program’s readiness for broader implementation at the national level. Full article

Background and Objectives: Although multimorbidity poses many challenges for both individuals and healthcare systems, information on how these patients assess the quality of their healthcare is lacking. This study assessed the multimorbid patients’ satisfaction with their healthcare. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was a part of a project Joint Action—Chronic Diseases and Promoting Healthy Ageing across the Life Cycle and its implementation. The study included 400 patients with arterial hypertension and at least one concomitant chronic disease. Patients completed The Patient Assessment of Care for Chronic Conditions Plus (PACIC+) questionnaire, EuroQol Five-Dimensions—Three-Level Quality of Life questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Results: The mean age of the participants was 65.38 years; there were 52.5% women. The mean PACIC+ 5As summary score was 3.60. With increasing age, participants rated worse on most PACIC+ subscales. Participants who assessed their quality of life as worse were also less satisfied with their healthcare. The presence of three or more concomitant diseases negatively affected PACIC+ scores. Patients with ischemic heart disease and heart failure had lower PACIC+ scores on most subscales, whereas patients with atrial fibrillation had lower scores only on the Agree subscale. The presence of diabetes was not associated with worse PACIC+ scores; moreover, the scores in Assist and Arrange subscales were even better in diabetic patients (3.36 vs. 2.80, p = 0.000 and 3.69 vs. 3.13, p = 0.008, respectively). Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and musculoskeletal disorders showed lower PACIC+ scores. Conclusions: Older age, worse self-assessed health state, presence of three or more diseases, and certain chronic diseases were associated with lower patients’ satisfaction with their healthcare. Personalized healthcare, increasing competencies of primary healthcare teams, healthcare services accessibility, and financial motivation of healthcare providers may increase multimorbid patients’ satisfaction with their healthcare. Full article

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention guidelines define targets for lifestyle and risk factors for patients at high risk of developing CVD. We assessed the control of these factors, as well as CVD risk perception in patients enrolled into the primary care arm of the European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE V) survey in Lithuania. Materials and Methods: Data were collected as the part of the EUROASPIRE V survey, a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional observational study. Adults without a documented CVD who had been prescribed antihypertensive medicines and/or lipid-lowering medicines and/or treatment for diabetes (diet and/oral antidiabetic medicines and/or insulin) were eligible for the survey. Data were collected through the review of medical records, patients’ interview, physical examination and laboratory tests. Results: A total of 201 patients were enrolled. Very few patients reached targets for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (4.5%), waist circumference (17.4%) and body mass index (15.4%). Only 31% of very high CVD risk patients and 52% of high-risk patients used statins. Blood pressure target was achieved by 115 (57.2%) patients. Only 21.7% of patients at very high actual CVD risk and 27% patients at high risk correctly estimated their risk. Of patients at moderate actual CVD risk, 37.5% patients accurately self-assessed the risk. About 60%–80% of patients reported efforts to reduce the intake of sugar, salt or alcohol; more than 70% of patients were current nonsmokers. Only a third of patients reported weight reduction efforts (33.3%) or regular physical activity (27.4%). Conclusions: The control of cardiovascular risk factors in a selected group of primary prevention patients was unsatisfactory, especially in terms of LDL-C level and body weight parameters. Many patients did not accurately perceive their own risk of developing CVD. Full article

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A deficiency leading to intracellular glycosphingolipid accumulation. FD manifestation is multisystem, and can differ depending on disease-related genetic variants. Currently, more than 700 different FD-causing mutations have been identified in the human GLA gene. We identified a novel mutation in a Lithuanian family with classical manifestations of Fabry disease, revealing severe effects to the cardiovascular systems of heterozygous women. Case presentation: A 49-year-old woman underwent echocardiography due to progressive dyspnea that lasted seven years, reduced physical activity, and periodic cardiac arrhythmia. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular hypertrophy with normal diastolic function. The patient had experienced acroparesthesia in her upper limbs and abdominal pain since childhood, and in the last decade had experienced mild proteinuria without renal failure. Her renal biopsy was typical for Fabry disease. The patient’s brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (T2 flair) showed white matter hyperintensities lesions. DNA sequencing of the proband, her mother and one of her sons showed a novel GLA gene exon 2 mutation, c.270C>G (p.Cys90Trp). All three patients had decreased α-galactosidase A activity and specific FD manifestations. Conclusions: A novel GLA mutation, c.270C>G (p.Cys90Trp), was found in a Lithuanian family with a classical form of Fabry disease in heterozygous women with predominant cardiac involvement. However, the exact manifestation of this mutation is still unclear as it is newly reported and further research must be done. Full article

Objective: To explore the relationship between laboratory, functional, disease activity markers and bone mineral density (BMD) loss in patients with spondyloarthropathies (SpAs).
Methods: A cohort of 41 SpA patients were followed up for 4 years. Disease activity indices, spinal mobility and laboratory tests, BMD using were monitored at the baseline and 4-year follow-up. The 4% BMD loss at either of the proximal femurs was defined as significant.
Results: Over the 4-year study period, 27% of SpA patients experienced femoral BMD loss. Baseline BMD > 0.85 g/cm² (p = 0.011) was the baseline factor associated with BMD loss at 4- year follow-up. Several clinical and functional tests were helpful in identifying the BMD loss at follow-up: CRP > 15.6 mg/L (sens. 91%, spec. 70%), ESR > 29 mm/h (sens. 82%, spec. 73%), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) > 4.75 (sens. 91%, spec. 62%). At follow-up anti-TNFa treatment history, stable or improved lateral flexion and intermalleolar distance (NPV, accordingly, 95%, 88% and 87%), made BMD loss unlikely. Deterioration of the physician assessment of global disease activity (PAGDA) score from baseline to follow-up was a remarkable predictor of BMD loss (PPV = 0.83), while stable or improved score excluded the BMD loss (NPV = 0.83). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, baseline BMD value and follow-up CRP levels, when considered together, identify BMD status correctly in 85% of SpA patients (Nagelkerke R² = 0.676).
Conclusion: Baseline BMD, anti-TNFa treatment, PAGDA score, spinal mobility tests and disease activity markers are useful factors in predicting the BMD loss in SpA patients and can provide surrogate information on BMD status. Full article

The aim of this article is to inform about cancer treatment-induced bone loss, to identify patients at risk and those that can benefit from bone targeted treatment as well as highlight the importance of the multidisciplinary approach in the bone health in cancer care. Patients with breast cancer treated or intended to be treated with aromatase inhibitors belong to a high-risk group becausetheir fracture risk increases up to 30% due to a significant decrease in bone mineral density within 6–12 months after the start of hormonal treatment. To evaluate bone status and predict risk for fractures, lateral thoracic and lumbar spine X-ray imaging, bone mineral density measurement by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine L1–L4 vertebrae and/or hip and fracture risk factors assessment are mandatory tests prior to hormonal treatment. Morbidity and mortality associated with bone loss can be prevented with appropriate screening, lifestyle interventions, and therapy. Algorithm for the management of bone health in breast cancer patients was established in Lithuania to screen patients with increased risk for bone loss and to provide adequate specific osteoporosis treatment. Full article

Original English questionnaires – Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index – are designed to evaluate health, physical and psychical state of patients with spondyloarthropathies and to assess efficiency of the treatment.
Objective. The objective of the study was to adapt Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index questionnaires to the Lithuanian context and examine their psychometric aspects: reliability and validity.
Patients and methods. Validation and linguistic and cultural adaptation of Lithuanian questionnaires were performed according to the requirements for adaptation of the international questionnaires. Psychometric features of Lithuanian questionnaires were examined in 139 patients with spondyloarthropathies. The validity of questionnaires was tested by comparing these questionnaires with Health Assessment Questionnaire Modified for Spondyloarthropathies, metrology indices (tragus-to-wall distance, lateral flexion, modified Schober’s distance, intermalleolar distance), pain intensity, patient’s well-being, physician’s assessment of the disease activity, and total enthesis count. The reliability of questionnaires was assessed by determining internal consistency of scales and scale stability and by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient.
Results. The linguistic and cultural adaptation of these questionnaires was made during the study. Internal consistency was high for functional and disease activity index (Cronbach a³0.80) and moderate for the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (Cronbach a=0.58). High stability in regard to time was characteristic of all three questionnaires (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.95). A significant association between the separate questions of examined instruments, their joint results and other factors reflecting patient’s health was established.
Conclusions. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index questionnaires in Lithuanian fully correspond to psychometric requirements. They are appropriate and relevant in assessing the influence of spondyloarthropathies on a patient’s health. Full article