Background/Aim. Obesity is an established risk factor for numerous chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of well-balanced different caloric restriction (CR) diets on anthropometric parameters and standard biochemical cardiovascular risk markers [lipid profile, glucose homeostasis and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] in overweight/obese females. Methods. Participants (age 20-40 years) were randomized into 3 different CR diet groups: the group I-restriction of 20% calories from baseline energy requirements, the group II-restriction of 50% calories from baseline energy requirements and the group III-alternating daily diets with 70%/30% restriction. The study lasted 42 weeks. Anthropometric parameters were measured at the start and after 4, 8, 20 and 42 weeks after dietary intervention beginning. Biochemical markers were determined at baseline and after 20 and 42 weeks from dietary restriction start. Results. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat (in %), in the different CR diet groups significantly decreased after 42 weeks. Body weight was less 11 kg in the group I and 12 kg in the groups II and III. WC was reduced by 11 cm in the groups I and III and by 10 cm in the group II. Different CR diets had the same effects on body fat (a reduction of 15% of body fat). Total cholesterol decreased by 7% in the group I and by 8% in the group III. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased by 14% in the group I and by 13% in group III. There were no significant changes in total and LDLcholesterol levels in the group II. The atherogenic index presented as trigliceride/high density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio decreased by 0.22 in the group I, by 0.25 in the group II and by 0.32 in the group III. Various CR diets had the same effects on reducing the hs-CRP levels. Conclusion. Different CR diets with the same macronutrient content are equally effective in reducing body weight, WC and body fat, improve cardiometabolic risk factors and decrease level of proinflammatory hs-CRP in overweight/obese females.

Background/Aim. Overweight/obesity has become important health problem in developed countries. It may be related to a presence of low-grade inflammation in white adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and its relation to anthropometric parameters in overweight and obese females. Methods. This study included 200 apparently healthy, overweight and obese women (18-45 years). Their standard and alternative anthropometric parameters [body mass index (BMI), percentage of fat (%F), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body adiposity index (BAI)] were determined and correlated to serum CRP concentration. Results. Average CRP level was 5.56 ± 2.43 mg/L, and it significantly positively correlated to all investigated anthropometric parameters. There was significant difference between overweight and obese group in all investigated anthropometric parameters, as well as in CRP values. When investigated separately, according to BMI, values regarding obese females showed significant correlation between CRP and every investigated anthropometric parameter. In overweight subjects, no such correlation was recorded. In the obese group, all investigated parameters were significantly related to F. In overweight subjects, body weight (BW), BMI, WC and WHtR showed significant relation to F. Conclusion. The significant difference between the overweight and obese group in all parameters of central obesity was found as well as in the CRP levels. In the obese group, we found strong correlation between adiposity measured by fat percentage and parameters of central obesity, while in the overweight group WHR and BAI did not correlate to fat percentage. Our results confirmed that CRP is a valuable marker of metabolic risk in obese females, and BMI, although not so new, is still reliable parameter of adiposity.

Background/Aim. Obesity is the chronic disease and health threatening condition. The number of obese people in the world has taken epidemic conditions. Medical nutritional therapy is the first choice in the treatment of obesity, but it is also accompanied with a great percentage of attrition and a significant weight regain. The aim of our study was to evaluate if psychiatric and specific psychological factors (impulsivity) could be the predictors of successful weight loss. Methods. A study sample consisted of 84 consecutive overweight/obesity women, 20 to 40 years old, who were willing to adhere to the medical nutrition therapy after the initial anthropometric measurements were performed. All participants received a personalized nutritional counseling and a daily diet treatment with 20% caloric restriction from estimated daily energy requirement. At the beginning of the study, the 90-item Symptom Check-list (SCL-90) and the 30-item Barratt Impulsiveness scale (BIS- 11) were administrated. At the end of six months of caloric restriction, the conventional diet therapy and control weight measurement, the patients were divided into two groups: the group I ? 40 participants (48%) who lost ? 10% of their initial body weight (successful group) and the group II ? 44 participants (52%) who lost < 10% of their initial weight (unsuccessful). Results. There were no significant differences between groups in the demographic data (age, education level, employment, marital status), baseline anthropometric measurements, and in the general psychopathology total score. Groups I and II were significantly different in the total BIS-11 score (p < 0.001) and in Factor II (motor impulsivity) (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Even though the successful and unsuccessful diet responded participatnts did not differ in the general psychopathology and symptom dimensions, our results pointed out impulsivity as a discriminative factor between them. The total impulsivity and Factor II (motor impulsivity) as an indicator of binge eating were higher in the unsuccessfully responding overweight/obese women on the conventional diet treatment. A focus on impulsivity in a psychotherapeutic work might leed to better outcomes in the medical nutrition therapy. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III41030]

Introduction. Complex visual hallucinations with retention of insight due to visual impairment are key symptoms of Charles Bonnet syndrome. The syndrome is a standalone diagnosis in ICD-11, but in clinical praxis is often misdiagnosed as psychosis or early stages of dementia and goes underreported by patients because of the fear being diagnosed with a mental illness. Case report. We present four cases of visual hallucinations in elderly patients with impaired vision who had retained insight and referred for psychiatric consultation. All four patients had complex, vivid and colorful hallucinations consisted of realistic objects, people, animals or scenery that tend to recur. Their emotional response and impact on quality of life differed, and psychopharmacotherapy was recommended depending on their psychological symptoms. Empathic explanation of the symptoms origin and reassurance of absence of mental illness for patients and caregivers are of vital importance in all cases. Conclusion. The aging of the population increase the consequence in the number of patients with impaired vision emphasize a multidisciplinary approach in Charles Bonnet syndrome diagnostic procedures and treatment. Increased awareness of clinical characteristic and therapeutic approaches is required among all physicians in contact with elderly and/or impaired vision patients.

Background/Aim. About one million suicide deaths occurred in the world per year, and that indicates the importance of this problem. The aim of the study was to give an overview about the status of gender differences of suicide committed in Serbia within the period 2016 to 2020 and highlight the most important trends over past ten years. This investigation is continuing the previous investigation from the period 2011-2016. Methods. The same method was used like in previous investigations with data obtained from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, estimating gender differences for total number of suicides, suicide rates, sociodemographic characteristic and for methods of suicide. Results. Within the period 2016-2020, 4752 suicides in Serbia were committed, from which 75.1% were males and 24.9% females (M:F=3.01:1). Annual suicide rate showed constantly decreased from 2016 to 2020, and in 2020 it was the lowest (13.0 per 100 000 inhabitants). Married males (43.4%) and widowed females (38.56%), with secondary education and retired, most often committed suicide. About a quarter (24.5%) suicide committers were older than 75 years, and 42.59% were older than 65 years. Hanging, strangulation and suffocation were the most common suicide methods in males (64.03%) and females (54.93%). Conclusion. Suicide rate in the last decade from year-to-year continued the tendency of decrease in Serbia. Within the period 2016-2020, male/female ratio of suicide rate, age differences varied from 2.4 in the oldest group (older than 75 years) to 9.1 in the group of adolescents. Suicide Prevention Program in Serbia primarily should be targeted at two age groups, at highest risk to commit suicide, towards old adult population and towards male adolescents. A comprehensive state prevention program should include education for GPs (general practitioners) for the early detection for high-risk individuals to provide them with psychiatric care, including support for suicide survivors too.