Anna Pacian

Predictors of quality of life in peri- and postmenopausal Polish women living in Lublin Voivodeship

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to establish the factors that determine the quality of life in a sample of peri- and postmenopausal women and to answer the question of whether the quality of life of these women is dependent on currently or previously received hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods The research was carried out by means of a survey method, postal questionnaire technique. Three standardized questionnaires: WHOQOL-BREF, Womens Health Questionnaire (WHQ) and SF-36 were used as research tools. An original questionnaire was also used. The study comprised a representative sample of the female population aged 45–65 years living in Lublin Province. The sample size was 2143 women. The domains of quality of life established by the WHOQOL-BREF, WHQ and SF-36 questionnaires were treated as dependent variables, whereas the sociodemographic variables, data concerning the womens gynecological history, their state of health and whether they received HRT or not were treated as independent variables. Results At multivariate analysis, self-assessment of the state of health as poor or fair, the presence of urinary incontinence, the presence of chronic diseases, self-assessment of living conditions as poor, self-assessment of financial situation as poor, eligibility for benefits (pensions) for the disabled, and lower education level represented the most important predictors of poor quality of life. HRT use had an independent impact on womens quality of life only in one quality-of-life domain – sleep problems in the WHQ. Current HRT users were characterized by a slightly lower risk of quality of life reduction when compared with past HRT users and women who never used HRT. Conclusions Strong predictors of the worse quality of life established in the research make it possible to single out a group of women who need special attention in the process of undertaking preventive or curative steps.

Aktywność fizyczna i formy spędzania czasu wolnego wśród uczniów w wieku 12–15 lat

Introduction. Physical activity is a very important element in human life. Adolescence allows the proper shaping of widely understood attitudes of children and young people, and affects normal psychomotor development. Physical activity undertaken by adolescents during physical education classes and after-school helps to strengthen a healthy lifestyle and take responsibility for their own health. Objective. The aim of this study is to assess the physical activity and leisure activities among adolescents. Materials and method. The study was conducted in the Rzeszow Region among 125 adolescents attending School No. 5 in Jarosław. A diagnostic survey method, with the use of a questionnaire designed by the author allowed the collection of information on physical activity, which was subjected to statistical computer analysis. Results. The test results revealed that the adolescents performed physical activity on level recommended for this age group of 1 hour of moderate efforts daily. The vast majority of respondents regularly participated in physical education classes and undertook additional physical activity during the day. The most frequently chosen form of additional activity was cycling. It is an alarming fact that the amount of time spent at the computer by a considerable percentage of adolescents was more than three hours daily. Conclusion. Not attending compulsory physical education classes, for reasons other than health, should be completely eliminated from the habits and health behaviours of adolescents. Daily physical activity of adolescents in the form of cycling, should be used by parents, caregivers and teachers, as an opportunity to strengthen a healthy lifestyle, and thus shaping health promoting attitudes among young people.

Quality of Life Assessment in Post-Stroke Patients

Abstract Aim. Presentation of quality of life of post-stroke patients treated in the Neurology Ward of the District Specialist Hospital. Material and methods. The research covered 80 patients after stroke, treated in the Neurology Ward of the District Specialist Hospital. The study used the diagnostic survey method, the questionnaire technique and the standardized research tool: the Polish version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL), authored by Williams et al. The scale comprised 12 subscales and an overall result, all of which ranged between 1 and 5 points. Higher scores corresponded to higher quality of life. Differences between the variables were verified with nonparametric tests. The significance level was established at p<0.05. Results. Quality of life of post-stroke patients treated in the Neurology Ward of the District Specialist Hospital was at the level of 2.64, that is below the average established in the middle of the 1-5 scale. The overall quality of life was higher among women (3.02) than among men (2.39). Patients after ischemic stroke had significantly higher quality of life (at the level of 2.83) than patients after hemorrhagic stroke (at 2.23). Conclusions. The problem of patients after stroke is not only limitation of mobility due to paresis. Identification of bio-psycho-social disorders and help in overcoming them can radically change the patient’s situation. The assessment of quality of life is an indispensable task because it enables evaluation of the patient’s condition, not only in terms of effectiveness of therapy, but above all, in terms of a possibility for improvement of the patient’s quality of functioning, in the mental and social aspects.

Attitudes of women after the age of 50 towards preventive screening

INTRODUCTION Prevention is one of the major branches of the health sector. The National Health Programme encompasses main risk factors, elimination of which may lead to a reduced incidence of illnesses in the society. At the same time, the criteria of selecting people eligible for preventive screening are established according to risk groups determined by sex, as well as age in the population of women. The perimenopausal and menopausal period contributes to occurrence of numerous systemic diseases and to an increased risk of illnesses, especially cancers. OBJECTIVE The objective of the research was to evaluate the performance of preventive screening tests of women after 50 aimed at early detection of cervical and breast cancer. Furthermore, the research estimated frequency of pathological lesions detected and regularity of their monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research covered 150 women after 50 years of age. The database was statistically examined with STATISTICA software. RESULTS A low percentage of the respondents, in comparison to the risk increasing with age, had a Pap test (61.3%) and mammography (51.3%) in the last two years. In the case of women whose latest Pap test or mammography showed abnormalities and was the basis for diagnosing pathological lesions, 69.2% of them were under regular medical supervision if abnormalities were identified by a Pap test and 68.7% if lesions were detected in breast structure. CONCLUSIONS In the examined group we observed a small percentage of women undergo Pap tests and mammography. Furthermore, medical recommendations regarding early detection of cancers are frequently ignored and disregarded by patients.

The analysis of suicide deaths in the Lublin macroregion in the years 2000–2010

Introduction: Suicide is a serious social problem of global and national significance. Although Poland is a country with a relatively low suicide risk, it is the cause of death of several thousand people every year, roughly the same number as those who perish in road accidents. Aim of the research: To trace the number of suicidal deaths in the Lubelskie Region over a period of 11 years, and to analyse the breakdown of suicides and the tendencies of this phenomenon in the macroregion. Material and methods: The data were obtained with the permission of the Lublin Provincial Police Commander from the Lublin Provincial Police Headquarters. The data included the statistics of suicidal deaths from 2000 to 2010 in the Lublin Macroregion. Results and conclusions: Male sex is prevalent for suicides (86.4%) over female sex (14.6%). Suicides have most often concerned persons at the age of 30–50 (36.6%). Young people up to 20 take the fourth place in the age category (6.8%). The most exposed to risk of suicide are individuals with primary education (26.5%). The overall number of suicides in the Lubelskie Region has slightly risen in the past few years, although this differs by location within the macroregion. Increasing risk of suicide is a challenge for the prevention of the phenomenon, which should take suicidal risk factors into consideration. The most common cause of suicide It was a mental illness (15.1%). Family problems were the second cause of suicide. Economic problems were the cause of an average 5.1% of all suicides.

Quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome before and after education.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact of education of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on their quality of life. METHODS The study was carried out at the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin and Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński Regional Specialist Hospital in Lublin in the years 2010-2011. The quality of life was analysed using the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL-Q R. Schalock, K. Keith). The group of 83 patients with the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, who gave their consent for inclusion in the study, was provided with information about the essence of the disease, disease-related diet and lifestyle, course of the disease, medications, and check-ups. RESULTS Our patients educated by the physician, nurse and those provided with written information had substantially higher scores in multi-dimensional aspects of the quality of life after education. Six months after education patients with IBS showed a significantly higher quality of life in all aspects, i.e. Satisfaction, Competence/productivity, Empowerment/independence and Social inclusion/community integration. The understanding of the essence of their disease contributed to a decrease in anxiety associated with the neoplastic disease and worrying symptoms, which significantly reduced the incidence of complaints. CONCLUSIONS 1. Quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome is substantially reduced in all the examined spheres. 2. Education of patients with IBS resulted in enhanced quality of life and reduced disease-related complaints. 3. Education of patients with IBS plays a significant role in the entire therapeutic process.

Selected forms of therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition of multiple origins. It is characterised by a range of behaviour patterns, in addition to disturbed social and emotional functioning. Of note, early therapy is conducive to better treatment results. A few recently discussed therapies have a particularly positive impact on children with ASD. Corbett et al. [2] proposed Sense Theatre. This involves instilling appropriate behaviours and communication patterns into the afflicted individual through acting. Role-playing and other similar techniques also offer an opportunity for children with ASD to improve their areas of empathy and social cooperation. With regard to bio-feedback-related techniques, Friedrich et al. [3] was noted for developing the Brain-computer method, a system of game interface connected to an external device. The method targets the mirror neuron system (MNS) in order to enhance cognitive, emotional and behavioural functions through neurofeedback. An approach put forward by Solomon et al. [10] is called ‘Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY) Project Home Consultation’. Herein, volunteers visit patients’ homes on a regular basis to engage the children in play and games, after which they discuss with parents, the issues that came up. The PLAY reduces guardians’ stress levels and improves children’s skills. A pharmacological method is that of administering sulphoraphane [9], which reduces damaging effects. As others claim [8,1,7], other dietary approaches prove efficient as well. In summation, an early intervention and the employment of a multimodal treatment approach can be of importance for enhancing the life of ASD-affected children.

Análise da comunicação médico-paciente em caso de diagnóstico de câncer de mama

The aim of the paper is the recognition and evaluation of demand for medical information among patients suffering from breast cancer. The research was conducted among 120 women with diagnosed breast cancer in the Oncological Surgery Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital No 1 in Lublin, the Oncological Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital No 1 in Lublin and the Rehabilitation Centre with the Rehabilitation Clinic at the Lublin Oncology Centre. The research included women from the Club of Women after Mastectomy “Amazons”, the Club “Amazons” at the Complex of Specialist Clinics in Ostrowiec Świetokrzyski and the Club “Amazons” in Radom. Research showed that the demand for medical information among women with diagnosed breast cancer is very high. Respondents want to know all the information concerning the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis (93%). They also expect that the doctor will give them medical information concerning further consequences of cancer and its influence on future health and life (78%). Most of the respondents expect to receive information concerning medicaments which should be taken (77%) and the essence of the conducted treatment (93%). The research analysis showed that women with diagnosed breast cancer expect that the doctor will give them reliable and real medical information. Patients want the doctor to present them the probable course of the cancer (85%) and all the possible side effects connected with it (89%).

Análisis de la comunicación médico-paciente en el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama

The aim of the paper is the recognition and evaluation of demand for medical information among patients suffering from breast cancer. The research was conducted among 120 women with diagnosed breast cancer in the Oncological Surgery Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital No 1 in Lublin, the Oncological Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital No 1 in Lublin and the Rehabilitation Centre with the Rehabilitation Clinic at the Lublin Oncology Centre. The research included women from the Club of Women after Mastectomy “Amazons”, the Club “Amazons” at the Complex of Specialist Clinics in Ostrowiec Świetokrzyski and the Club “Amazons” in Radom. Research showed that the demand for medical information among women with diagnosed breast cancer is very high. Respondents want to know all the information concerning the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis (93%). They also expect that the doctor will give them medical information concerning further consequences of cancer and its influence on future health and life (78%). Most of the respondents expect to receive information concerning medicaments which should be taken (77%) and the essence of the conducted treatment (93%). The research analysis showed that women with diagnosed breast cancer expect that the doctor will give them reliable and real medical information. Patients want the doctor to present them the probable course of the cancer (85%) and all the possible side effects connected with it (89%).

Ochrona danych medycznych zawartych w dokumentacji medycznej, a wykorzystanie bezpiecznego podpisu elektronicznego

A presentation of the regulations concerning the protection of personal data at health care units is a purpose of the work. Medical data i.e. sensitive data constitute the special category of personal details (sensitive ones) which concern medical condition, information about the genetic code or addictions. A general prohibition on the processing of sensitive data exists, except for the situation, when provisions of the law allow it. In the legal status being in force processing both information referring directly to the medical condition of man, and information the average recipient can acquire these data is forbidden. Processing sensitive personal details without the written consent of the person which they concern, is possible only in the objective of protection of medical condition, providing medical services or curing patients by persons being engaged professionally in curing or with providing other medical services, provided there are created full guarantees of the protection such data.. Medical data gathered by the health-service units must be provided with the full legal protection, predicted in the act from 29.08.1997 about the protection of personal data. For creating appropriate conditions of storing medical documentation a manager of the health care unit is held responsible.