Dominik Olejniczak

Sleep disturbances among patients with epilepsy

Aim The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of sleep disorders among patients with epilepsy and to compare the incidence of sleep disorders between the clinical and demographics factors. Materials and methods The study was conducted among 302 patients with epilepsy. Sleep disturbances were measured with the Polish version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI). The questionnaire prepared and applied by the authors contained questions relating to sociodemographic characteristics, clinical status, and sleep. Results and conclusion Mean PSQI score in the study group was 9±2 points, with the range of 4–16 points. PSQI test results were analyzed with regard to clinical and demographic characteristics of those suffering from epilepsy: gender, age, profession, body mass index, illness duration, number of medicines taken, type of seizures, frequency of seizures, time which elapsed since last seizure, provocative factor of seizure attacks, occurrence of adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Furthermore, the existence of a relationship between PSQI test result and particular sleep-related factors or particular sleep conditions was examined. However, the examination of a relationship between certain independent variables and the final PSQI test result did not prove the existence of a statistically relevant influence (in all cases P>0.05).

Probiotics: Myths or facts about their role in allergy prevention

BACKGROUND The hygiene hypothesis proposed by Strachan in the 1980s clearly emphasized the role of microorganisms in atopy prevention. OBJECTIVES The study objective was to assess the preventive role of probiotics in patients with allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, and/or food allergy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The methods used in the study were the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires for 6-7- and 13-14-year-olds and the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II) questionnaire targeted for the 20-44 age group. The study was conducted as part of the cross-sectional Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Poland study conducted in 9 Polish regions (8 urban: Warszawa, Lublin, Białystok, Gdańsk, Poznań, Wrocław, Katowice, Kraków, and the rural regions of Zamojski and Krasnostawski counties). The study material was a group of patients diagnosed with food allergy (n = 407), atopic dermatitis (n = 311), allergic rhinitis (n = 1.353), bronchial asthma (n = 505), and healthy volunteers (n = 2,403). RESULTS Genetic factors play an important role in the allergy development. A family history positive for chronic skin disorders increased the risk of atopic dermatitis and food allergies (OR = 1.456, CI = 1.14-1.85, p = 0.002; and OR = 1.378, CI = 1.05-1.81, p = 0.02, respectively). The consumption of products containing live bacterial cultures showed no preventive effects in any of the evaluated disorders in early childhood. Conversely, over the age of 14 years, probiotic formulations exhibit health-promoting effects and may lower the risk of allergic diseases. CONCLUSIONS The use of probiotics in the Polish population showed no protective effect in the first years of life. The changes in dietary habits introduced during late adolescence demonstrated significantly greater preventive effects of live bacterial cultures against the development of allergic diseases.

Analysis concerning nutritional behaviors in the context of the risk of orthorexia

Orthorexia is recognized as an eating disorder, an obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorder, or a somatoform disorder. The aim of our research was to analyze nutritional behaviors for the assessment of the risk of orthorexia. The authors developed a questionnaire in which 981 respondents participated and used it as a research method. Both men and women ate mostly 4–5 meals per day (46.30% women versus 34.74% men); however, more men than women ate 1–2 meals daily (18.95% men versus 7.9% women). Both place of birth and field of study did not differ in terms of the number of meals. Moreover, it was observed that the number of meals per day was correlated with the declared time spent on planning a diet. People who ate over 3 meals per day more often indicates that they spent >3 h per day on planning their diet in comparison with people who ate only 1–2 meals. Only 17.6% of the respondents declared that they most often ate meals in a company of someone, whereas 45.3% indicated that there was no rule. The remaining 37.1% of the respondents most often consumed their meals alone. Almost twice as many men as women never paid attention to the qualitative composition of nutrition. Women followed a slimming diet more often than men (20.3% versus 5.8%) and this indicated >4 attempts of losing weight. Around one-third of all the respondents suffered or suffer from eating disorders. Owing to insufficient information on orthorexia, it is essential to conduct further research to determine the characteristics of high-risk groups. Taking the growing interest in a healthy lifestyle into account, there is a need to address the problem of orthorexia in the public space.

Czynniki motywujące i satysfakcja z pracy pielęgniarek w wybranych placówkach publicznej i prywatnej służby zdrowia

With the gradual expansion of the nurse scope of duties there is a necessity for a new definition of a nurse role in the therapeutic team. New skills must go hand in hand with the predisposition and extensive knowledge not only in medicine, but also in the management skills. The aim of research is to analyze the impact of different factors, which determine motivation and job satisfaction within their new role. The research comprised 200 nurses: 100 employees of public health care facilities and 100 nurses hired in private medical sector. The method used in the study was a questionnaire survey. The chi2 test was used to check hypotheses. The majority of nurses (total 80%) made a conscious choice of profession. 80.5% of respondents indicated satisfaction with their work, most of them are employed in private medical facilities. Nurses employed in private medical sector are more satisfied and more motivated for job than nurses employed in public health care facilities. The reason to this conclusion may well be better work organization in private health care institutions. Job satisfaction affects work incentives and quality of services. Except money motivating factor can be for example training.

Risk assessment of night-eating syndrome occurrence in women in Poland, considering the obesity factor in particular

Introduction Night-eating syndrome (NES) involves uncontrolled and most often repeated binge eating during the night. It is related with mood disorders as well as sleep disorders and it may cause obesity. Risks related to NES are obesity, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, affective disorders, and sleep disorders. The objective of this study is to analyze eating habits in terms of the risk assessment of NES occurrence in the population of women in the Masovian Voivodeship (in Poland). Patients and methods Six hundred and eleven women living in the Masovian Voivodeship participated in the study. The average age of the respondents was 22.7 years (median = 23.0; interquartile range = 3.0). The Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) was used to assess the risk of NES. Results In the studied group of women, 1.3% of cases (N = 12) reached a NEQ total score of ≥25, which indicates a probability of 40.7% for NES, while 0.7% (N = 4) reached a score of ≥30, which indicates a probability of 72.2% for occurrence of this syndrome. The highest average total score was observed in the group of obese people. The level of education of the participants did not significantly affect the NEQ score. A weak correlation was observed between the place of residence variable and the mood/sleep subscale (r = 0.11, P < 0.01). Conclusion NES may be one of the causes of overweight and obesity; therefore, the need for further studies on this health issue is justified. It is worth pointing out that knowing the conditions responsible for the occurrence of NES, it is possible to suggest a prevention procedure for this condition.

Cost intensity of identifying contraindications to driving a company car through psychological tests on the basis of real-world data in Poland

Objective. The study objective was to determine the cost intensity of identifying contraindications to fleet car driving in preventive care. Background. The objective of a psychological examination is to identify impaired psychomotor function as well as any intellectual, cognitive or emotional incapacities, which may seriously impede safety. Method. Real-world data were collected from the healthcare provider in Poland. A total of 8111 anonymous records from psychomotor tests performed between January 1 and December 31, 2012 were analysed. Results. The number needed to screen to identify one person with contraindications to driving was 737. An individual examination costs PLN 150, thus the estimated cost of identifying one case was PLN 110,550 (EUR 25,000). The average number of tests in a small enterprise with 20–50 fleet cars was estimated at 5–25 in a 5-year period and their cost at PLN 3750 (PLN 750 annually). Conclusion. Health check-ups include ophthalmological and neurological consultations; therefore, psychological examination of fleet car drivers may be considered excessive due to cost and limited preventive value. High costs may be burdensome mainly to larger companies. Application. A final decision regarding necessity of psychological testing should be preceded by medical assessment of the risk of work accidents.

Acceptance of, inclination for, and barriers in genetic testing for gene mutations that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers among female residents of Warsaw

Aim of the study To check the degree of acceptance of, inclination for, and barriers in genetic testing for gene mutations that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers among female residents of Warsaw Material and methods This study involved 562 women between 20 and 77 years of age, all of whom were patients visiting gynaecologists practising in clinics in the City of Warsaw. The studied population was divided into six age categories. The study method was a diagnostic poll conducted with the use of an original questionnaire containing 10 multiple-choice questions. Results Nearly 70% of the women showed an interest in taking a test to detect predispositions to develop breast and ovarian cancer. More than 10% did not want to take such a test, while every fifth women was undecided. No statistically significant differences between the respondents’ willingness to pay and education were found (p = 0.05). The most frequent answer given by women in all groups was that the amount to pay was too high. Such an answer was given by 52.17% of women with primary education, 65.22% of women with vocational education, 58.61% of women with secondary education, and 41.62% of women with higher education. Conclusions Women with a confirmed increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer due to inter alia the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations should pay particular attention to 1st and 2nd level prophylaxis.

Patient knowledge on reporting adverse drug reactions in Poland

Aim The aim of the study was to assess patient knowledge on reporting of adverse drug reactions. Materials and methods A prospective study was conducted among 200 patients. The study was based on an original survey composed of 15 single- and multiple-choice questions. The study involved individuals who have experienced adverse reactions as well as individuals who have never experienced any adverse reactions; people over the age of 18; literate; residing in Mazowieckie Voivodeship, who have not been diagnosed with any disease that could compromise their logical thinking skills. Results The respondents who lived in the city had a greater knowledge compared to the respondents who lived in the countryside (Pearson’s χ2=47.70, P=0.0013). The respondents who lived in the city were also more statistically likely to provide a correct answer to the question about the type of adverse reactions to be reported (Pearson’s χ2=50.66, P=0.012). Statistically significant associations were found between the place of residence of the respondents and the correct answer to the question about the data that must be included in the report on adverse reactions (Pearson’s χ2=11.7, P<0.0001).

Ocena potrzeb zdrowotnych nauczycieli szkół średnich w kontekście zagrożeń zdrowia związanych z miejscem pracy = Assessment of the health needs of secondary school teachers in the context of health risks at the workplace

Background Teacher in his profession is exposed to many adverse factors. Place of work and the conditions that prevail in it, seriously affecting the health and well-being. Appropriate workplace ergonomics in this very important issue. The main aim of this paper is to examine and assess the health needs of teachers, which are related to the nature, place of work and associated health risks. Material and methods In a survey conducted concerning the teaching profession was attended by 283 teachers from twelve schools located in the Mazowieckie Province. Completed by the teacher questionnaire consisted of 21 questions on issues related to his profession. The results were statistically analyzed using Pearson Chi2 test and Spearman R. The significant difference was that for which the probability of p <0.05.