Blood concentrations of pituitary hormones adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), prolactin, growth hormone, and adrenal hormone-cortisol were measured in 36 autistic and 27 control individuals. Individuals with autism had significantly lower serum concentrations of cortisol (p < 10(-6)), and significantly higher concentrations of ACTH (p = 0.002) than control age- and sex-matched subjects. Also, prolactin concentrations in autistic patients with epilepsy were significantly higher when compared with normal subjects. The observed hormonal changes may indicate dysfunction of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in individuals with autism.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze indicators on lung cancer (C33-C34, ICD-10) in Split-Dalmatia County in the period 2003-2012. Methods: Data on lung cancer occurrence for the period 2003-2012 were obtained from the Croatian National Cancer Registry, while mortality data were obtained from electronic database of the Teaching Public Health Institute of Split-Dalmatia County. Croatian census 2011 and population estimates of the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia were used to calculate the indicators. Results are presented as absolute numbers, shares (%), specific rates per 100,000 population, age-standardized rate (standard European population).Results: There were 2,804 registered patients with lung cancer in the period 2003−2012 in Split-Dalmatia County -2,179 men (77.71%) and 625 women (22.29%); 2,737 people died from lung cancer in the same period -2,117 men (77.35%) and 620 women (22.65%). Specific rates of incidence and mortality rates were four times higher among men than among women. From 2003 to 2012, the rate of incidence among men showed a significant decrease, while among women there were no significant changes of incidence and mortality.Conclusions: According to the indicators of incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Split-Dalmatia County, this malignant neoplasm should occupy a high place within County public health priorities measures of prevention programme, targeting risk factors responsible for their formation.

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Background Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death, which is why a number of measures to reduce its use are carried out in the world. That’s why the aim of this study were to show the data on smoking behavior and the exposure to the tobacco smoke of the inhabitants of the Split-Dalmatia County, which represent the starting point in the creation of public health interventions Methods Via European Health Survey 2014/2015 (EHIS) the data on the smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke in the Split-Dalmatia County were colected. The targeted population was aged 15 and over. The survey included 267 inhabitants (141 men and 126 women) of the Split-Dalmatia County. Results The overall sample shows that the daily smokers are 22.43% of the population, men 25.71%, and women 18.69%. Occasionally smokes 3.04% of the population (2.14% of men and 4.06% of women), while non-smokers are 74.52% of the population (77.23% of women and 72.1% of men). Tobacco products consumed are mostly cigarettes (97%). More than half (52.63 %) smokes more than 20 cigarettes a day. According to the survey results, more than half of the population (61.04%) has never or nearly never been exposed to indoor smoking, men rarely (56.03%) compared to women (66.1%). Less than one hour was exposed to 17.74% of the population (21.55% of men and 13.91% of women) and one hour and more 16.45% of the population (18.10 men and 15.65 women). Conclusions Indicators of smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke are somewhat more favorable to residents of the Split-Dalmatia County than in the total population of Croatia. Despite the measures taken for years in Croatia, these indicators are still unsatisfactory. Existing measures need to be re-examined and strengthened to overcome this important public health problem as successfully as possible. Key messages In order to reduce the prevalence of smoking and improve the health of its population, Croatia needs to strengthen and adopt additional policies on tobacco control. One of the measures would certainly be a ban on smoking in public places, which could, among other things, have a significant impact on denormalising smoking in the community.

Aim To explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. Methods We employed a cross-sectional comparative study using two different time periods, the prepandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) and the pandemic (March 2020 to February 2021) to explore possibilities of COVID-19 pandemic influence on hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Split-Dalmatia County. The research used data from the national information system on hospitalizations from the Clinical Hospital Center Split, University Hospital Split. The ACSCs was classified in the categories of vaccine preventable, chronic and acute disease. The indicators were statistically analysed. The z-score test for two population proportions is used. Results During prepandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) there were 48,289 hospitalizations, in the pandemic period (March 2020 to February 2021) there were 37,999 hospitalizations. The ACSCs hospitalizations made 6.4% in the prepandemic and 7.1% in the pandemic period. In the pandemic there was a significantly higher ACSCs hospitalizations compared to the prepandemic (z =-3.9348; p = 0.00008; p &lt; 0), which was supported by a significant increase regarding ACSCs hospitalizations in the category of acute diseases, among women (z=-3.6614; p = 0.00026; p &lt; 0 .05), in age groups 0-19 years (z=-4.0492; p &lt; 0.00001; p &lt; 0.05) and 20-64 years (z= -3.8818; p = 0 .0001; p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions The results of the study show that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the total number of hospitalizations as well as the hospitalization of the ACSC. One of the reasons for these changes was certainly the changed organization of the work of the entire health system due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key messages • The results of the study show that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the total number of hospitalizations as well as the hospitalization of the ACSC. • One of the reasons for these changes was certainly the changed organization of the work of the entire health system due to the COVID-19 pandemic.