Faculty of Medicine

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    Corrosive poisonings during the COVID-19 pandemic: trends and demographic shifts in the pre- and early vaccination periods (2020–2021)
    (Институт за јавно здравје на Република Македонија = Institute of public health of Republic of Macedonia, 2025-09-15)
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    Bekjarovski, Niko
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    Chibishev, Andon
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    The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global healthcare and societal norms, leading to changes in poisoning patterns, particularly corrosive poisonings (CP). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on CP trends in North Macedonia by comparing observed data from 2020 and 2021 with predicted values (PV) based on a 10-year trend. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using data from the Poisoning Registry at the PIC, University Clinic of Toxicology, Skopje. Patients with confirmed acute upper gastrointestinal corrosive injuries were included. Results: Between 2010 and 2021, 1,668 CP cases were recorded. While an overall downward trend was observed (y = -6.5x + 181.4, R² = 0.56), CP cases declined by 1.5% in 2020 and by 25.5% in 2021 compared to PV. Female cases decreased by 27.5% in 2021; male cases declined by 16.6% in 2020 and 32.4% in 2021. Adolescent CP increased by 12.8% in 2020 and 80.0% in 2021; cases in those over 75 years rose by 2.5% and 6.2%, respectively. The mean age of CP patients rose by 7.6% in 2020 and 11.0% in 2021. Suicidal poisonings increased by 9.9% in 2021. Disinfectant poisonings rose by 74.5% in 2020, while hydrochloric acid (+6.2%), detergents (+3.4%), and degreasers (+32.0%) increased in 2021. Case fatality ratios rose by 36.2% in 2020 and 44% in 2021. Conclusion: Although the overall number of cases declined, the increased severity, lethality, and demographic shifts—particularly among adolescents and the elderly—highlight the high-risk groups, mental health burden and toxicological risks associated with public health emergencies
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    Poisonings with Endemic Plants in Macedonia
    (Macedonian Association of Internal Medicine, 2022-05)
    Bekjarovski, Niko
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    Jurukov, Irena
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    Drug-induced vasculitis with multi-organ injury in a splenectomised patient and mycophenolate mofetil therapy – a case report
    (Институт за јавно здравје на Република Македонија = Institute of public health of Republic of Macedonia, 2025-02)
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    Bekjarovski, Niko
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    We present a case with p-ANCA positive general vasculitis and severe multi-organ injury in a splenectomised patient, which developed during ceftriaxone and metamizole administration for treatment of upper respiratory infection. Case report: A middle-aged woman with 400C fever and sore throat got a treatment with IV metamizole and ceftriaxone in a local hospital. She had a post- traumatic splenectomy 5 years ago. After metamizole, during ceftriaxone administration she felt burning in her face, developing red rush which spread over the face and darkened, later extended to her palms and feet. After visiting several clinics, she was referred finally to the University Clinic for Toxicology in Skopje. On admission, she had hypotension, hypoxemia, livid oro-pharynx, necrotic vasculitis with predominant facial distribution and unpalpable purpura on the extremities. The examinations revealed high levels of inflammatory biomarkers, anaemia, polyserositis, acute pancreatitis, hepatomegaly, acute kidney injury, disseminated intravascular coagulation, right eye vitreous haemorrhage and rhabdomyolysis. Microbiological investigations were negative. Immuno-serology showed positive p-ANCA. The acute renal failure and polyserositis resolved under methylprednisolone, meropenem, furosemide, low molecular weight heparin, fresh frozen plasma, and other symptomatic therapy, which decreased the inflammatory biomarkers, but DIC with thrombocytopenia persisted. A skin biopsy finding was inconclusive. After 25 days, the rheumatologist recommended mycophenolate mofetil with prednisolone peroral therapy during two years that resulted in stabilizing the vasculitis. The patient maintained stable after therapy discontinuation. Conclusions: Drug-induced vasculitis has the potential to induce a severe multi-organ injury with life-threatening complications. Mycophenolate mofetil procured a safe and successful treatment of drug-induced vasculitis. Splenectomy may be a potential risk factor for immunomodulated response to drugs and drugs interactions, especially during infections.
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    Comparison of HOMA-IR, Tg/Glucose Index and Tg/HDL-C ratio for predicating Metabolic Sy in HCV seronegative heroin dependents
    (2024-10-23)
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    Bekjarovski, Niko
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    Metabolic syndrome (MetSy) with insulin resistance was represented, although in lesser extend, in heroin dependents as well as in general population1. Recent studies showed that patients on methadone substitution had a worse metabolic profile compared to buprenorphine2. The quick and easy detection of MetS in heroin addicts is important not only as a metabolic and cardiovascular risk factor, but also as an indicator for recommending a substitution program. The study aims to compare the predictive power of surrogate markers such as Triglyceride-Glucose (TgG) index, HOMA-IR and Triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (Tg/HDL-C) for easier detecting MetSy in heroin dependents.
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    Opioid overdose or other somatic comorbidity - fatal case
    (Македонско лекарско друштво = Macedonian medical association/De Gruyter, 2024-04)
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    Bekjarovski, Niko
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    The aim of this case presentation is to emphasize the diagnostic challenges that the clinicians encounter when dealing with a comatose patient and the importance of keeping a broad differential diagnostic panel in mind. Case report: A 47-year-old female patient, was brought by ambulance to the University Clinic for Toxicology in Skopje. On admission, she was comatose (GCS=5), with miotic isochoric pupils, blood pressure was 90/60 mmHg, with oxygen saturation from 85 up to 92%. Тhe obtained data from family indicated that the patient was with opioid use disorder on methadone maintenance therapy. Recently, the patient has consumed large amounts of alcohol . Тhe family's suspicion was that perhaps the new condition was caused by excessive intake of alcohol or methadone or both. In the meantime, the result of alcoholemia showed 67.0 mg/dL (value <100mg/dLlow level) and the toxicological screening in urine sample for tetrahydrocannabinol, opiates, tramadol, amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, cocaine, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine was negative with mildly elevated methadone values (the patient was on methadone substitute the last 7 years). Second day on physical examination a brisk response to deep tendon reflexes of the left side of the body with apparent right hemiplegia was noted. Computed tomography of the brain was performed immediately and showed an ischemic stroke with a compressive effect on the left lateral chamber. Although it was immediately started with an aggressive treatment, after 11 days the condition of the patient deteriorated and resulted in death. Conclusion: The notable opioid prevalence, mandates that physicians maintain a high index of suspicion when dealing with a comatose patient, especially if the patient has any known history of opioid abuse. Healthcare professionals should be aware that a comatose state in a patient could be caused by either non-toxicological trigger or by toxic causes.
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    Chronic lithium toxicity
    (Македонско лекарско друштво = Macedonian medical association/De Gruyter, 2024-04)
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    Bekjarovski, Niko
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    Objective: Lithium toxicity can be acute or chronic and the effects may be disabling or life-threatening. We present a case with lithium toxicity due to chronic treatment. A 63-year-old man was brought to the University Clinic for Toxicology in Skopje with a 2-day history of confusion, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weakness. His medical history included bipolar disorder, which had been diagnosed 17 years previously, and since then he has been on lithium therapy 900mg orally daily. The patient had not had regular check-ups for several years. His oral intake was markedly reduced, for the last five days. On admission, he was severely dehydrated. Vital signs included a blood pressure of 110/50 mm Hg a pulse rate of 49 beats/min, and oxygen saturation of 97%. Investigations revealed serum lithium level 3.43 (normal 0.5–1.5 mmol/L) suggesting lithium toxicity, creatinine level 168 umol/L, urea 15 mmol/L alkaline phosphatase 182 U/L calcium 2.34 mmol/L. A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm, precordial T-wave inversions, and a prolonged QTc interval of 533 ms. After one treatment of hemodialysis lasting two and half hours, his lithium level dropped to 2,04 mmol/L and creatinine to126 μmol/L. No intracranial abnormality was seen on a computed tomography scan of the head. Further investigation revealed parathyroid hormone 170 pg/ml, ionized calcium 1.43 mmol/L. Treatment management included volume replacement for dehydration. Abdominal computed tomography was with orderly finding. All investigations were at the normal therapeutic range before discharge and sent to the psychiatrist on the eleventh day. Conclusion: Patients on long-term lithium therapy with no regular check-ups are at high risk of developing toxicity. The toxicity was due to intravascular volume depletion, and impaired lithium excretion. The patients should be monitored frequently for all potential endocrine, renal, and neurological disorders.
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    Changes in the epidemiological profile of poisonings during COVID-19: differences between the first half of 2019 and 2020
    (2021-05-28)
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    Bekjarovski, Niko
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    Naumoski, Kiril
    Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the epidemio- logical profile of acute poisonings, due to social changes related to preventive measures for protection against SARS-CoV-2 [1]. The purpose of this analysis is to compare the changes in the epidemiological characteristics of acute poisonings between the first half of 2019 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective study analyzing the data from the Register for poisonings, of the Poison Information Center, University Clinic of Toxicology, Skopje, Macedonia. Results: During the first half of 2020, a total of 564 cases of acute poisoning were registered presenting a decrease of 23.7% compared to the same period in 2019. The monthly percentage distribution of patients in the first half of 2020 showed more patients in January and February, and a decrease in the remain- ing 4 months, which coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lowest prevalence was registered in March and April with a percentage decrease (23.6% and 24.1%, respectively), when quarantine measures were introduced in Macedonia. Although there was no significant difference in out/inpatient treatment groups between 2019 and 2020 year (X2 ¼0.605, df ¼1, P ¼0.437), in April 2020, during quarantine, the percentage difference between inpatients and outpatients was the lowest (6%) of all months in 2019 and 2020. The distribution of poison- ings by motive (suicidal, abuse and accidental) did not differ sig- nificantly between the first half of the last 2 years (X2 ¼0.178, df ¼2, P ¼0.915). The percentage of ethanol abuse, medicines and mushroom poisoning cases was reduced in 2020 compared to 2019 by 2.2%, 7.4% and 79.3%, respectively. In contrast, psycho- active substance cases increased by 51.5% in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. In the group of recre- ational drug abuse cases, the largest increase was observed in heroin (141.2%) and methadone (125.1%) overdose. For chemi- cals, there was a large increase in cases involving disinfectants (681.0%) in 2020. There was no change in the case fatality ratio of total (1.8%) and hospitalized patients (4.8%) between 2019 and 2020. Conclusion: The first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was characterized by an increase in poisonings with dis- infectants and psychoactive substances. he decrease in the total number of poisonings, with the largest decrease in the quaran- tine months, stress the need to examine family dynamics and communication as a social key to reducing the number of poisonings.