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Background: Data suggest cystatin C (CysC) levels and hepatic artery resistive index (HARI) correspond to the progression of chronic liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of these parameters in assessment of fibrosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 63 patients with liver cirrhosis. A control group consisted of 30 age- and gender-matched healthy persons. Results: We confirmed significantly higher values of CysC in patients with cirrhosis compared to control group (p = 0.036). Average value of HARI in the examined group was increased (0.72 ± 0.06) and there was the statistically significant difference compared to controls (0.66 ± 0.03) (p < 0.001). We found statistically significant correlation between HARI and CysC in the study group. Analyzing the possibility of distinguishing healthy subjects from patients with fibrosis, we have found that the area under the curve is far greater in the HARI index than CysC. Comparison of CysC among Child–Pugh stages and correlation with a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score showed statistically significant results. Conclusion: We confirmed HARI is a more accurate parameter than CysC in discriminating healthy subjects from patients with fibrosis, while CysC could be a better indicator of the stage of liver cirrhosis.

Introduction:Socio-cultural context of transition society intensifies overall risks of use and misuse of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs.Aim:To determine the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents and young adults in Serbia.Method:The study included 3180 participants aged between 16 and 35 years from different, both urban and rural, parts of Serbia. Collection of data was conducted in May 2003. Participants completed self-administered anonymous questionnaires (modified YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOUR SURVEY) that consisted of sociodemographic characteristics and experiences related to alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use.Results:Majority of participants (64%) reported experience with smoking cigarettes at least once, while 51% smoke regularly. Prevalence of smoking was by 10% higher among males. Overall, 75% of the participants reported lifetime alcohol use, and 19% reported drinking alcohol at the age of fifteen or younger. Of the total number 36% experienced alcohol-induced blackouts at least once a month. Males were prone to blackouts significantly more often then females (3:1). The overall prevalence of marijuana use among participants was 32%. During one month before survey 10% of participants had smoked marijuana. Our study showed that the risk of marijuana use in regular cigarette smokers is two-fold higher then in non-smokers. Alcoholism of both parents and family dysfunctionality were related to significantly higher risk of marijuana use.Conclusion:Early tobacco use, history of family disorganization and parental alcoholism were identified as factors related to increased risk of alcohol and marijuana abuse among adolescents and young adults in Serbia.

SummaryViolence against women is a major problem around the world. There is approximately one in four chance that women will experience intimate partner violence. The consequences of intimate partner violence may be various: immediate and direct (injury or death), direct and long term (chronic illness and disability), indirect (self-perceived health and health activities), or all three. Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are the most common mental-health consequence of intimate partner violence.Alcohol consumption presents a significant factor in the development of intimate partner violence. Alcohol use, especially heavy drinking, is one of the individual factors. The aim of this paper is to establish a link between the alcohol consumption and occurrences of intimate partner violence and a portrait of health consequences of intimate partner violence on women. Furthermore, it is meant for the clinicians who deal with alcohol addicts since the treatment program should include the recognition and monitoring of health consequences women suffered by their partners.

Background:alcohol is the widespread among youths and the drug of choice. Many young people are experiencing the aversive symptoms as consequences of drinking too much, at too early of age. Research shows that many alcohol dependent patients start to drink at very young age as a binge drinkers. New research shows that the serious drinking problems typically associated with middle age actually begin to appear much earlier, during young adulthood and period of adolescence.Methods:data were collected from medical history,psychiatric and clinical records. The 150 male patients were treated for alcohol dependent on the Department of alcoholism (DA) in Institute of addictions,Belgrade, between May 2005- 2006,including the criteria of alcohol dependent according to ICD – X.Aim:the study shows does adolescence binge drinking may lead to alcohol dependent at middle age and alcoholism at all.Results:the total of 150 male patients with alcohol dependent at presence, 90 patients (60%) were experiencing of binge drinking before age of 15; 50 patients (33,3%) at age of 15 – 20; 10 patients (6,66%) at age of 20>.Conclusion:the most of treated and observed male patients on DA who were binge drinking in young adulthood period are alcohol dependent at present and diagnosis verifications by the criteria from ICD-X. Youth and teenage drinking problem may lead to be a pathway for serious adult problem – alcohol dependent and alcoholism, as a developmental and behavior framework.