The study confirmed that the reduction of BMD depends on age and choice of measurement site. The best correlation was obtained in the women with osteopenia at all measurement sites. The discovery of vertebral fractures by lateral thoracic and lumbar spine radiography improves prompt treatment. Reference values of BMD do not exclude vertebral fractures. Of vertebral fractures, 72.5% were asymptomatic and thus spine radiographies are obligatory. Currently discussed is the position of DXA for measuring BMD as a method of detection for patients at risk of fracture.

Background/Aim: There have been different experimental conditions for in vitro studies on human umbilical arteries (HUA) in tissue bath system. This diversity was mainly reflected in variables such as stretching tension, incubation period and initial constriction challenging with potassium (KCl). The aim of the study was to establish optimal experimental conditions which will provide better responsiveness of HUA preparations, as well as to examine the impact of 24 h cold storage on viability and responsiveness of HUA to KCl and serotonin. Methods: The KCl-induced constrictions at different stretching tensions (0.5 g, 1.0 g, 2.0 g, 4.0 g), incubation times (30 min, 60 min, 120 min), and after multiple initial constriction challenging were compared. Dose response curves for serotonin were obtained under different conditions (1.0 g and 60 min vs. 2.0 g and 120 min). The influence of 24 h cold storage on KCland serotonininduced vasoconstriction of HUA preparations was examined as well. Results: The strongest constrictions induced by serotonin or KCl were obtained when preparations were adjusted at 2.0 g and incubated for 120 min. The KCl-induced constrictions observed after 120 min were statistically higher (p < 0.05) when preparations were challenged three times (30 min, 60 min, 120 min), compared to those challenged only once. The preparations that were stored at 4 ⁰C for 24 h showed significantly stronger serotonin-induced constrictions (p < 0.01). The cold storage had no influence on KCl-induced constriction. Conclusion: For performing in vitro studies on HUA preparations in tissue bath, we propose stretching tension of 2.0 g, incubation period of 120 min and multiple initial constriction challenging with KCl as optimal experimental condition. We also showed that HUA preparations retained functional viability even after 24 h of cold storage.

Background / Aim. Depression as a common comorbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been found to have effects on the disease diagnosis and treatment response. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the occurence of depressive symptoms among patients with RA and the association between RA and depression. Methods. A cross-sectional study included 69 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The depressive symptoms in patients with RA were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and RA activity was measured by Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28-ESR) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Results. It was found that 42% of respondents reported having depressive symptoms of different severity, among which the majority presented with mild symptoms (23.2%). Our study showed that there was a mild positive correlation, between the BDI and the DAS28-ESR (r = 0.39 p = 0.001), as well as the BDI and the CDAI (r = 0.40 p = 0.001). Place of residence (t=-2.14 p=0.03) and working status (t=-2.81 p=0.00) associated with depressive symptoms were also found to have statistically significant differences within the group of respondents. In addition, age has a positive correlation with the disease activity, as well as the place of residence and employment status. Conclusion. It has been observed that depression symptoms in patients with RA were associated with disease activity, employment status, and place of residence. Therefore, there is an important need for integration of rheumatologic and mental health services for future research towards a better understanding of both depression and RA.