Aleksandar Zafirovski

Dr. Aleksandar Zafirovski

General Hospital Jesenice, Jesenice, Slovenia
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
17 July 2023 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MZMarija Zafirovska
Marija Zafirovska
AZAleksandar Zafirovski
Aleksandar Zafirovski
NKNada Rotovnik Kozjek
Nada Rotovnik Kozjek
Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) is a spectrum of liver disease including cholestasis, biliary cirrhosis, steatohepatitis, and gallbladder disease in patients with intestinal failure (IF). The prevalence of IFALD varies considerably, with ranges of 40–60% in the pediatric population, up to 85% in neonates, and between 15–40% in the adult population. IFALD has a complex and multifactorial etiology; the risk factors can be parenteral nutrition-related or patient-related. Because of this, the approach to managing IFALD is multidisciplinary and tailored to each patient based on the etiology. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the etiology and pathophysiology of IFALD and examines the latest evidence regarding preventative measures, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for IFALD and its associated complications.

29 December 2023 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AZAleksandar Zafirovski
Aleksandar Zafirovski
MZMarija Zafirovska
Marija Zafirovska
DKDIMITRIJ KUHELJ
DIMITRIJ KUHELJ
Tadeja PintarTadeja Pintar
Tadeja Pintar
Background: acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a life-threatening condition that is caused by inadequate blood flow through the mesenteric vessel and is related to high mortality rates due to systemic complications. This study aims to systematically review the available literature concerning the major findings of possible biomarkers for early detection of acute mesenteric ischemia in the human population. Methods: studies that measured the performance of biomarkers during acute mesenteric ischemia were identified with the search of PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane library. Results: from a total of 654 articles, 46 articles examining 14 different biomarkers were filtered, falling within our inclusion criteria. Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) was the most commonly researched biomarker regarding AMI, with sensitivity ranging from 61.5% to 100% and specificity ranging from 40% to 100%. The second most commonly researched biomarker was D-dimer, with a sensitivity of 60–100% and a specificity of 18–85.71%. L-lactate had a sensitivity of 36.6–90.91% and a specificity of 64.29–96%. Several parameters within the blood count were examined as potential markers for AMI, including NLR, PLR, MPV, RDW, DNI, and IG. Citrulline, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT) were the least-researched biomarkers. Conclusion: different biomarkers showed different accuracies in detecting AMI. I-FABP and D-dimer have been the most researched and shown to be valuable in the diagnosis of AMI, whereas L-lactate could be used as an additional tool. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), alpha glutathione S-transferase (αGST), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and citrulline showed potential use in their respective studies. However, further research needs to be done on larger sample sizes and with controls to reduce bias. Several studies showed that neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), red-cell distribution width (RDW), delta neutrophil index (DNI), and immature granulocytes (IGs) might be useful, as well at the same time be widely distributed and affordable in combination with other markers presenting higher specificity and sensitivity.

1 August 2024 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MZMarija Zafirovska
Marija Zafirovska
AZAleksandar Zafirovski
Aleksandar Zafirovski
Tadeja ReženTadeja Režen
Tadeja Režen
Tadeja PintarTadeja Pintar
Tadeja Pintar
Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) effectively treats obesity and related comorbidities, though individual responses vary. This systematic review examines how genetic variants influence MBS outcomes in morbidly obese patients. A comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library identified 1572 studies, with 52 meeting the inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently filtered and selected studies, including relevant cross-references. Research focused on polymorphisms in genes such as UCP2, UCP3, 5-HT2C, MC4R, FKBP5, FTO, CAT haplotypes, LYPAL-1, PTEN, FABP-2, CNR1, LEP656, LEP223, GLP-1R, APOA-1, APOE, ADIPOQ, IL-6, PGC1a, TM6SF2, MBOAT7, PNPLA3, TCF7L2, ESR1, GHSR, GHRL, CD40L, DIO2, ACSL5, CG, TAS2R38, CD36, OBPIIa, NPY, BDNF, CLOCK, and CAMKK2. Most studies explored associations with post-surgery weight loss, while some examined metabolic, cardiovascular, taste, and eating behavior effects as well. Understanding the role of genetic factors in weight loss and metabolic outcomes post-MBS can help tailor personalized treatment plans for improved efficacy and long-term success. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up is needed to clarify the effects of many genetic variants on MBS outcomes in morbidly obese patients.

7 July 2024
Verified
Report
Closed access
MZMarija Zafirovska
Marija Zafirovska
AZAleksandar Zafirovski
Aleksandar Zafirovski
Tadeja ReženTadeja Režen
Tadeja Režen
Tadeja PintarTadeja Pintar
Tadeja Pintar
INPLASY202470020 The Outcome of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Morbidly Obese Patients with Different Genetic Variants Associated with Obesity: A Systematic Review Keywords: obesity; morbid obe…

21 November 2021 in Acta Medica Academica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AZAleksandar Zafirovski
Aleksandar Zafirovski
MZMarija Zafirovska
Marija Zafirovska
DPDanica Rotar Pavlic
Danica Rotar Pavlic
LSLjubin Sukriev
Ljubin Sukriev
NZNino Zajc
Nino Zajc
Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of controls and sanctions by the Health Insurance Institute (HIIS) over primary healthcare practitioners (PHCPs) in Slovenia, the reasons for sanctions and the violence against PHCPs if they followed the HIIS rules.Materials and Methods. We performed analyses using survey data from a cross-sectional study, across public health centres and individual contractors in which 1,458 PHCPs were invited to answer a questionnaire anonymously via an online system used to collect data for the Slovenian Medical Chamber and the Association of General Practice/Family Medicine of South-East Europe. Quantitative data were presented by descriptive statistics and analysed using Pearson’s chisquared test. Results. Responses were obtained from 462 female and 138 male PHCPs. Of the total number of 600 participants, 430 were family medicine specialists. 263 (43.8%) responded that they have been sanctioned for various reasons. PHCPs that are more likely to be sanctioned include family medicine specialists and individual contractors. PHCPs working in areas smaller than 20 000 inhabitants were sanctioned in a bigger proportion than their counterparts. Monetary penalties levied against those working at health centres were usually covered by the health centre. Family medicine specialists, more often than other PHCPs experienced violence from patients or patients’ relatives if they followed HIIS rules. Conclusion. Family medicine specialists are sanctioned more frequently than other PHCPs, individual contractors are sanctioned more frequently than public healthcare PHCPs and PHCPs in working area with a population less than 20.000 are more frequently sanctioned than those working in an area with a bigger population count.

12 March 2025 in Frontiers in Public Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MZMarija Zafirovska
Marija Zafirovska
JDJelena Danilenko
Jelena Danilenko
AZAleksandar Zafirovski
Aleksandar Zafirovski
KCKristien Coteur
Kristien Coteur
HLHeidrun Lingner
Heidrun Lingner
LŠLjubin Šukriev
Ljubin Šukriev
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted general medical practice by altering work structures and increasing teamwork while also adversely affecting the mental health of general practitioners and family medicine specialists. This study assesses depression, anxiety, and fear levels among general practitioners and family medicine specialists in Europe 2 years after the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset, and it explores influencing factors.Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included participants from 13 European countries. Data was collected from May to August 2022 with an anonymous online survey incorporating validated questionnaires for depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and linear regression.Results: A total of 1,723 participants completed the survey. Findings indicated an overall mild to moderate levels of anxiety (GAD-7: 5.4 ± 4.76) and depression (PHQ-9: 6.33 ± 5.43), and moderate fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19: 12.84 ± 5.29). Key determinants of anxiety, fear, and depression included country, at-risk status, patient non-compliance, and mental health history. Sex influenced anxiety and fear, losing co-workers to COVID-19 influenced anxiety and depression, while losing relatives or friends influenced fear.Conclusion: Two years into the pandemic, European general practitioners and family medicine specialists showed mild to moderate levels of anxiety, depression, and fear. Country, at-risk status, mental health history, and work-related challenges significantly affected mental health. Crucial interventions are needed to support healthcare workers during pandemics, focusing on protective measures, stable work environments, and coping strategies for anxiety and depression.