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Background and Objectives: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases and represents a major public health problem. At the global level, the epidemic character of diabetes mellitus can be attributed to an extended life expectancy but also to lifestyle. The aim of this study was to examine the sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Serbia. Materials and Methods: The research is part of the Serbian Population Health Survey conducted in the period from October to December 2019 by the Republic Statistical Office, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut” and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia. The research instrument was standardized questionnaires constructed in accordance with the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS—European Health Interview Survey, wave 3) questionnaire, which were adapted to the specifics of our area. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study on a representative sample of the adult population of Serbia. Results: Among 1138 adults with type 2 diabetes in Serbia (52.8% female; mean age 66.0 ± 11.9 years), overweight and obesity were highly prevalent (40.1% and 34.4%, respectively), with Obesity I predominating. Significant gender differences were observed: female more often reported obesity, multimorbidity, and depressive symptoms, whereas men were more physically active and more frequently overweight. Most participants were physically inactive, consumed breakfast and bread daily, and had low engagement in cycling and sports. Alcohol consumption was significantly higher in men, while dietary habits differed by gender for bread intake. These findings highlight substantial gender- and lifestyle-related disparities among adults with type 2 diabetes in Serbia. Conclusions: Targeted interventions promoting healthy lifestyle, physical activity, psychosocial support, and chronic disease management are urgently needed to address gender- and lifestyle-related disparities in adults with type 2 diabetes in Serbia.

Background and Objectives: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive malignancies in humans and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis due to its high metastatic potential. In recent decades, increasing incidence and mortality rates have been reported worldwide among Caucasian populations. This study aimed to analyze melanoma incidence and mortality trends in the Republic of Serbia from 2008 to 2022, with a special regard to sex- and age-specific differences. Materials and Methods: A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using data on all cases of primary cutaneous melanoma (ICD-10 code C43) reported to the Serbian Cancer Registry between 2008 and 2022. Data on newly diagnosed cases and melanoma-related deaths were analyzed by sex and 5-year age groups. Crude rates were calculated per 100,000 populations, whereas age-standardized rates were obtained using direct standardization. Temporal trends were evaluated using the Joinpoint regression analysis. Results: During the study period, 9600 new melanoma cases and 3882 melanoma-related deaths were reported in Serbia. Both incidence and mortality were higher in men (52.5% and 60.1%, respectively). Age-standardized incidence rates remained relatively stable in both sexes, with a slight increase in men (AAPC = 0.9%; 95% CI: −0.5 to 2.3) and a stable trend in women (AAPC = −0.1%; 95% CI: −1.5 to 1.3). Age-standardized mortality rates showed a mild, statistically insignificant decline overall (AAPC = −0.6% in men and −0.9% in women). The calculated mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) shows consistently higher values in men compared to women. A significant increase in incidence was observed among men aged 70–74 years (AAPC = 3.1%; p = 0.011), while mortality significantly decreased in women aged 40–44 years (APC = −7.0%; p = 0.017). Conclusions: Melanoma incidence in Serbia remained relatively stable between 2008 and 2022, with a modest increase primarily among older men. Mortality trends showed a slight decline, suggesting potential improvements in early detection and treatment outcomes.

Background: Child poverty is a critical issue that affects millions of children worldwide and represents a global issue. This article focuses on exploring the risk of child poverty and social exclusion across Europe, with Serbia being in a comparable position with respect to other countries with different levels of development. Methods: This is an epidemiological, retrospective, and descriptive study based on data on the national populations of the European countries within our research interest. The data analyzed in this study was taken from publicly available datasets from Eurostat. The indicators of interest were the ones considering the social inclusion of children in the time period between 2014 and 2023 for all European countries available in the datasets. Results: The indicator of the risk of poverty and social exclusion showed a decreasing trend in the majority of countries; but still, seven countries showed an increase during the observation period of one decade. The highest percentage was in Romania and the lowest in Slovenia. The indicator of the risk of poverty exhibited a significant difference in terms of gender (being mostly higher among females) in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Montenegro, Albania, and Turkey. The indicator of children living in households with very low work intensity exhibited a significant difference in terms of gender (being mostly higher among males) in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Albania. The indicator of severe social and material deprivation exhibited a significant difference in terms of gender (being mostly higher among females) in Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Albania, and Turkey. Serbia did not show a significant gender difference, but the male gender had higher values than the female for all indicators. Conclusions: Child poverty is a multifaceted issue that affects various aspects of children’s lives, including health, education, and social inclusion. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes social protection, access to quality services, and efforts to combat discrimination.

Background: We aimed to examine the quality of life of children who engage in regular physical activities. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with intersectional 301 children (182 boys and 119 girls) involved in regular sporting activities and the control group of 100 children (67 boys and 33 girls), not involved in extracurricular sports. Children in both groups were from 8 to 13 years, attending elementary school, and without any associated illnesses. The quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the Quality of Life questionnaire Kidscreen-27 version for parents. For comparison of groups, we used χ2 test, and for comparison of mean values among groups we used ANOVA test. Results: More boys were engaged in sport than girls and the choice of sport is gender-dependent (P<0.01). Boys preferred collective sports, while girls were more oriented towards individual sports (P<0.01). A significant statistical difference in the mean values of the socializing dimension was given to children who trained football (P=0.04) and basketball (P=0.02). In children engaged in volleyball, a statistical difference in the mean values was observed in all dimensions of the questionnaire. In children who trained water polo, a statistically significant difference in the mean values for dimensions of health (P<0.01), mood (P<0.01) and friendship (P=0.01) was seen. Conclusion: KIDSCREEN scores were significantly higher in the examined group than in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between scores for different sports. Children involved in regular extra-curricular physical activities had better QOL.

Background and Objectives: Urban–rural health disparities reflect differences in health outcomes, healthcare access, and socio-economic conditions between populations. In Serbia, limited research has quantified how socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics influence settlement type and healthcare utilization. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between settlement type and socio-demographic/socio-economic factors, and to assess whether these differences are reflected in patterns of healthcare utilization. Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from the 2019 Serbian National Health Survey, a nationally representative, stratified, two-stage random sample including 12,439 adults aged ≥20 years. Settlement type (urban vs. rural) was the primary dependent variable. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and t-tests, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess associations. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Urban residence was more likely among unmarried individuals, those living in Šumadija/Central Serbia, and those with higher education. Primary or lower education reduced the odds of urban residence, and middle-income groups were less likely to live in urban areas compared to the richest. Settlement type was not significantly associated with hospital or day hospital use. However, rural residents had lower use of prescribed medicines, higher use of non-prescribed medicines, and more frequent physiotherapy visits. Private practice use was over twice as likely in urban settlements. Conclusions: To address urban–rural healthcare disparities in Serbia, targeted strategies could include enhancing health literacy in rural areas, incentivizing physicians to work in underserved regions, expanding telemedicine and mobile health services, improving access to prescribed medications, and strengthening public–private healthcare integration to ensure equitable access across all settlement types.

Background/Objectives: Health literacy represents the ability to access, understand, appraise, and apply health information for making appropriate health decisions. It is closely linked to education, income, employment, and overall health outcomes. Limited health literacy is associated with poor self-care, inadequate treatment adherence, and increased healthcare utilization. This study aimed to assess the level of health and medication adherence behaviors among primary health care users in Montenegro and examine its association with key demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted among 202 primary health care users at the Primary Healthcare Center Danilovgrad, Plav and Ulcinj, Montenegro. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the standardized European Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q-47), and the Attitudes towards Medication Adherence Self-Reported Questionnaire (ADHERE-7). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and univariate and multivariate regression. Results: The mean HLS-EU-Q Index was 33.55 ± 8.05. Significant differences in literacy levels were observed by age (p = 0.022), material status (p = 0.043), and self-rated health (p = 0.020). In multivariate ordinal regression analysis, lower income (<400 €) was associated with lower odds of belonging to a higher health literacy category (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.02–0.92, p = 0.039), while no statistically significant associations were observed for gender, education level, or employment status after adjustment. The mean ADHERE-7 score of the study population was 21.78 ± 5.19. When analyzed in relation to the level of health literacy, the highest mean ADHERE-7 score was observed among participants with excellent health literacy (24.28 ± 4.90). Lower levels of health literacy were associated with lower odds of belonging to higher health literacy categories among participants reporting selected non-adherence behaviors, including missing therapy 3–4 times per week (OR = 0.30), frequently skipping prescribed medication when feeling well (OR = 0.03), and reducing or omitting therapy due to perceived lack of benefit or high costs (OR range: 0.10–0.31). Conclusions: Health literacy among primary care users in Montenegro is moderate, with a substantial proportion exhibiting limited literacy. Low income is a key determinant of limited literacy, and limited health literacy was associated with poorer medication adherence. Targeted educational and policy interventions are needed to improve health literacy and reduce health inequalities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the distribution and longitudinal evolution of intraretinal and subretinal hyperreflective foci (HF) in treatment-naive neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and to examine associations between HF burden, hyperreflective material boundary remodeling (HRM-BR), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes following bevacizumab treat-and-extend therapy. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 84 treatment-naive nAMD eyes receiving intravitreal bevacizumab via a treat-and-extend protocol. Spectral-domain OCT (Revo FC, Optopol) was performed at baseline (M0), month 3 (M3), and month 6 (M6). HF were quantified in the intraretinal and subretinal compartments using ImageJ software (version 1.54, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) by two masked graders, with inter-rater agreement assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Eyes were classified into four HRM evolution patterns following the framework of Yu et al. Primary outcome was BCVA change from M0 to M6. Multivariable linear regression was performed to assess independent predictors of BCVA change. Results: Baseline intraretinal HF counts increased significantly across HRM Patterns 1 through 4 (median 0, 6, 4, and 8, respectively; Kruskal–Wallis p < 0.001; 95% CI for Spearman r = 0.471: [0.286, 0.623]). A higher baseline intraretinal HF count correlated with worse BCVA change at M6 (r = −0.300, 95% CI [−0.483, −0.092], p_adj = 0.010). In the primary multivariable model (n = 67), both intraretinal HF burden (β = −0.449, 95% CI [−0.879, −0.020], p = 0.041) and HRM width (β = −0.003, 95% CI [−0.005, −0.001], p = 0.014) were independent predictors of BCVA change. The transient M3 intraretinal HF peak in Pattern 3 eyes (median 4 → 12 → 4) was statistically confirmed by Wilcoxon signed-rank testing (M0 → M3: p = 0.004; M3 → M6: p = 0.001). Conclusions: Intraretinal HF burden is a graded marker of HRM pattern severity and an independent predictor of visual outcomes in nAMD, alongside HRM width. The statistically validated transient M3 HF peak in Pattern 3 may represent an early OCT signal of active boundary remodeling.

none declared. Authors are from reference documentation to archive at Organization of Federation of blind and visually impaired in central Serbia (Kragujevac), by retrograde analysis, of 2007-2012, comprehend two groups by etiology-clinical characteristics of congenital blindness and visually impaired, caused infection or non infection example. to analyze relationship between infectious and non infectious of congenital blindness and visually impaired in our referent region and compare with world references. With 6-years analysis included the most frequency cases of congenital blindness and visually impaired in two groups, according to presence or absence infectious causes. From infectious causes of congenital blindness and visually impaired are included: CMV - infection, congenital rubella syndrome, congenital toxoplasmosis, congenital syphilis and rare mixed syndrome. From non infectious causes are included: retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy prematurity, primary congenital glaucoma, Leber's congenital amaurosis and rare syndrome. From total number of registered blind and visually impaired - 1308 (100%), over the last 6 years, the registration was 349 (26.68%) with congenital blindness and visually impaired. From recorder with the number of the most common congenital blindness and visually impaired-194 (55.59%) with infections cause, and 155 (44.41%) non infection cause. Congenital blindness has shown permanent increase in past 6 years, in group with infectious and with non infectious causes. Congenital blindness and visually impaired of the most common etiology among registered members of our association in Kragujevac is subject of our correlation and global trends mentioned observation of these diseases.

The study goal was to compare the efficiency of the medicaments, laser and surgical treatment in the patients with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in order to achieve: normalization of intraocular pressure (IOP), maintaining the useful visual acuity and stabilization of visual field loss. All patients were treated at Clinic of Ophthalmology of Clinical Centre Kragujevac in Kragujevac, Serbia, in the period from June 15, 2010 to June 15, 2014. There were 116 patients in this study. They diagnosed with PACG, and they had been adequate selected for this study. They were treated with: medicaments; Nd:YAG (Neodymium:Yittrium Aluminum Garnet) laser iridotomy, and glaucoma surgery. Clinical ophthalmology controls have been introduced once or twice a month, and the vision field loss was tested three times every year. During the monitoring period of one year: no statistically significant difference occurred in terms of changes of the visual acuity among the three study-groups. The best IOP regulation was achieved after the laser treatment (53.4%), followed by the surgical treatment (28.5%), while the weakest was recorded in patients treated with the medicaments (18.1%). The percentage of the visual field loss was the biggest of patients treated with the medicaments (57%), and then the patients treated with the laser iridotomy (35%), while the least one occurred of the patients with the surgical treatment (23%). In the laser-treated group of 62 patients, the frequency of complications was 17.8%; while the out of 33 patients who had been treated (surgical), the frequency of complications was 19%. Laser iridotomy was shown to be effective of 89.5% of study-patients with PACG, while non-reactive studypatients underwent to the trabeculectomy. In addition to the high efficacy of Nd:YAG laser iridotomy in regulating of IOP values of the patients with PACG, the advantage of laser-method was in: the maneuvering of outpatients, it was easy to do, had a short lead time and was used in local anesthesia.