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https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2023.62.01.01

Chronic Medical Conditions in Croatian War Veterans Compared to the General Population: 25 Years after the War

Dario Nakić ; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Mira Stipčević ; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Martina Morić Perić ; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Zoran Bakotić ; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia
Jelena Vučak Lončar ; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Kristina Bačkov ; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Marina Vojković ; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia
Jelena Jakab ; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Aleksandar Včev ; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

Sažetak

Many published reports have documented an increased prevalence of chronic
medical conditions among veterans, but there were only a few studies that compared these increases
with the general population. The aim of this study was to determine differences in chronic medical
conditions between Croatian war veterans and the general population. This study included two
groups of subjects, i.e. 1453 participants who are Croatian war veterans and 1429 participants from
the general population. Medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests and specific diagnostic
procedures were taken during systematic physical examination in both groups. The prevalence
of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, malignancy, psychiatric diseases, cholelithiasis, nephrolithiasis,
smoking and alcohol consumption was analyzed. Croatian war veterans were found to be more
likely to develop hypertension than individuals in the general population (29.5% vs. 24.3%), as well
as diabetes (7.3% vs. 3.8%), hyperlipidemia (56.4% vs. 27.3%), hyperthyroidism (3.1% vs. 0.8%), coronary
heart disease (4.3% vs. 1 %), malignancy (4.1% vs. 2.2%), psychiatric diseases (15.4% vs. 1.1%),
and alcohol consumption (53% vs. 29%). Significant difference was found in favor of the general
population for hypothyroidism (14.3% vs. 8%). There were no differences in the prevalence of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, cholelithiasis, nephrolithiasis, and smoking. Our findings confirmed
the hypothesis of a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, malignancy and psychiatric diseases
among Croatian war veterans and emphasized the need of better control of their medical conditions.

Ključne riječi

War exposure; Croatia; Chronic disease

Hrčak ID:

307132

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/307132

Datum izdavanja:

1.4.2023.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 1.315 *