1. Self-medication with proton pump inhibitors among physicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina : a cross-sectional studyPredrag Jovanovic, Goran Bokan, Mirela Basic Denjagic, Nermin Salkic, Admir Kurtcehajic, Aleksandar Gavrić, Kenana Ljuca, Mario Tadić, R Mesihovic, Goran Hauser, Dina Zerem, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used for the treatment of acid-related disorders, but inappropriate or prolonged use carries potential health risks. Physicians, due to their access to medication and clinical knowledge, may be prone to self-medicating with PPIs without appropriate oversight.Objective: To assess the prevalence and patterns of personal PPI use and self-medication among practicing physicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to identify demographic and professional predictors of such behavior.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 448 physicians who responded to the study invitation, out of approximately 600 invited, from various healthcare levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina between January and May 2025. The survey collected data on PPI use history, consultation behavior, awareness of adverse effects, and adherence to treatment guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of self-medication.Results: A total of 65.4% of respondents reported past PPI use, during their medical practice, and 31.7% were current users. Over half (52.2%) admitted using PPIs without consulting another physician, and only 17.4% referred to clinical guidelines prior to use. Occasional use was the most common pattern (59.0%), while adverse effects were rarely reported (1.8%). No demographic or professional variable was significantly associated with self-medication with PPIs (defined as PPI use without consulting another physician) in the multivariable analysis.Conclusion: Self-medication with PPIs is highly prevalent among physicians and frequently occurs without clinical consultation or adherence to guidelines. This behavior appears to be widespread across age groups, sexes, and care levels, highlighting the need for institutional interventions that promote rational prescribing and raise awareness about responsible self-care within the medical profession.
Keywords: proton pump inhibitors, physicians, self-medication
Published in DiRROS: 23.03.2026; Views: 464; Downloads: 281
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2. Microbial diversity in drug-naïve Parkinson’s disease patientsEliša Papić, Valentino Rački, Mario Hero, Ana Nyasha Zimani, Mojca Čižek-Sajko, Gloria Rožmarić, Nada Starčević-Čizmarević, Saša Ostojić, Miljenko Kapović, Goran Hauser, Aleš Maver, Borut Peterlin, Anja Kovanda, Vladimira Vuletić, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder characterized by rigidity, bradykinesia and tremor. Several genetic and environmental causes of PD are known, and there is emerging evidence of the possible contribution of the gut microbiome to the disease onset, severity, and response to therapy. While previous research has shown several differences in the microbiome of PD patients under therapy as opposed to healthy controls, few prospective studies have included drug-naïve patients. In order to evaluate the gut microbiome composition prior to therapy initiation, we collected and performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the stool samples from 49 drug-naïve PD patients and compared them to 34 diet and lifestyle-matched controls from the Croatian population (GiOPARK Project). While no significant alpha diversity difference was observed between the patients and controls, the differential relative abundance analysis showed an increase in Bacteroides fluxus, B. interstinalis, B. eggerthii, and Dielma fastidiosa in the drug-naïve PD patients compared to controls, while Alistipes, Barnesiella and Dialister spp. were decreased in patients compared to controls. Despite preserved overall diversity, these changes may indicate early microbial dysbiosis and represent a foundation for future studies exploring microbiome changes across disease progression and treatment.
Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, neurological disorder, gut microbiome, microbial diversity, microbial dysbiosis
Published in DiRROS: 23.02.2026; Views: 648; Downloads: 305
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