Karolina Kryś-Noszczyk

Epidemiology of the symptoms of menopause – an intercontinental review

Introduction The age of menopause is a time of many changes in the psychophysical-social functioning of women, with reduced ovarian hormonal activity and estrogen levels. The most common, troublesome symptoms of menopause age include depressive disorders, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, discomfort associated with muscle pain, joint aches, osteoporosis and characteristic hot flashes. Aim of the study Aim of the study is to determine and compare the rate of menopausal symptoms among women living in continents of both Americas, Africa, Australia and Eurasia. Material and methods The results of this work were obtained in 2014 on the basis of the data from a review of the 64 most important studies using the PubMed database. Research published in the period 2000-2014, from Africa, both Americas, Australia and Eurasia, were taken into account. Results The prevalence of menopausal symptoms in African women is disconcertingly high. Women from South America complain about occurrence of depressive, sexual dysfunctions and discomfort associated with muscle pain and joint aches. Symptoms most reported by women in the United States are pains associated with muscles and joints. Women in Australia suffer mainly due to vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction, while in the group of women surveyed in Asia there is observed an alarming increase in the proportion of women reporting depressive disorders. In Europe there was a much greater incidence of sleep disorders and depressive disorders. Conclusions Women around the world suffer from ailments characteristic for the menopausal period regardless of ethnic origin, skin color or socio-demographic factors.

Life satisfaction and risk of burnout among men and women working as physiotherapists.

ObjectivesRecently in Poland as a result of the high rate of aging population and high rates of morbidity, a growing demand for the physiotherapist profession is observed. The results of this study can be used to formulate principles for better organization of physiotherapist’s workplace in order to prevent occurrence of burnout. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of gender on satisfaction with life and burnout among active physiotherapists.Material and MethodsThe survey was anonymous and voluntary, and involved a group of 200 active physiotherapists working in health care units and educational centers in Po?land. The study group was selected randomly and incidentally. Each respondent received a demographic data sheet and a set of self-rating questionnaires (Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Burnout Scale Inventory).ResultsBurnout among men decreased along with increasing satisfaction with one’s work and occupation, friends, relatives and acquaintances, sexuality, and increased due to greater satisfaction with one’s housing status. Burnout among women decreased along with increasing satisfaction with one’s health, free time and friends, relatives and acquaintances, and increased due to work at a setting other than a health care unit or educational center. Statistical analysis failed to reveal any significant differences with regard to the BSI domains and with regard to the overall burnout index as well as with regard to the assessment of satisfaction with life between female and male physiotherapists.ConclusionsSatisfaction with children, marriage and partnership, with one’s work and occupation, interactions with friends, relatives and acquaintances and sexuality may contribute to reduction of burnout among men. Women who are satisfied with their children, family, health, free time and contacts with friends, relatives and acquaintances are less prone to burnout. Weak financial situation among women and deficiency of free time among men can induce burnout. Improving staff happiness may contribute to decreasing burnout.

Physical activity in perimenopausal women

Introduction. The menopausal age of women is characterized by a high probability of health problems related with oestrogen deficiency and reduced ovarian hormonal activity. The most significant element in the therapy of the menopausal problems is to take part in physical activity on at least a moderate level, which is sufficient to maintain health. Objective. To investigate the effect of physical activity on the severity of the symptoms of menopause and body mass index BMI, which can decisively influence menopause. Material and methods. A group of respondents consisting of 210 women aged between 45–65 who were not using hormone replacement therapy, and staying at a rehabilitation centre. The study was conducted in 2013–2014 in the provinces of Silesia, Podlasie and Malopolska. Research tools consisted of a self-designed survey questionnaire and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Results. Mean BMI indicated overweight of the women and their infrequency and low level participation in physical activity. The intensity of menopausal symptoms increased with BMI, and low physical activity of the respondents decreased with age. Increase in the intensity of physical activity decreased the severity of symptoms characteristic for menopausal age. Conclusions. Physical activity can play an important role in reducing menopausal symptoms and preventing the most frequently occurring diseases of menopausal age.

Comparison of biopsychosocial functioning of women of different nationalities in the perimenopausal period

Introduction The perimenopausal age is a time of many changes in womens health. Changes in womens health affect all spheres of life, because health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity but full psychological, physical and social well-being. Presentation and comparison of the biopsychosocial functioning of women of different races and nationalities in perimenopause, identification of the most common menopause symptoms occurring among women and their needs. Material and methods Work supported with research examples. Using the PubMed database, the medical literature was searched for works that contain the key words menopause and race or ethnicity published between 1996 and 2013 and available in English. Literature in Polish is a supplementary issue. Results Various demographic processes taking place in the countries of Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe are the basis for observing the situation in perimenopausal women in these countries. Caucasian women living in North America and Europe most often experience the negative symptoms of menopause, hindering daily functioning, and women living in urbanized countries in Asia best assess their health condition, both psychosocial and physical. Conclusions Biopsychosocial functioning of women varies among countries. Developing countries should be given the necessary support and financial information to ensure the health and quality of life in perimenopausal women. In most countries of the world there has been observed the need to promote womens health, particularly research aimed at prevention, increasing physical activity and attention to nutrition.

Occupational burnout and satisfaction with life in female physiotherapists

STRESZ CZE NIE Wstep. Ter min wy pa le nia za wo do we go okre śla psy chicz ne i emo cjo nal ne wy czer pa nie, szcze gol nie w efek cie dlu go ter mi no we go dzia la nia stre su. Ba da nia wska zu ją, ze wy pa le nie za wo do we jest ści śle zwią za ne z za wo dem le ka rza, fi zjo te ra peu ty, pie le gniar ki, psy cho lo ga, pra cow ni ka so cjal ne go. Wśrod ko biet zja wi sko wy pa le nia ma ni fe stu je sie wy czer pa niem emo cjo nal nym. Celem pra cy bylo zba da nie po zio mu za do wo le nia z zy cia, sa tys fak cji za wo do wej ko biet pra cu ją cych w za wo dzie fi zjo te ra peu ty ze szcze gol nym uwzgled nie niem wy ste po wa nia zja wi ska wy pa le nia za wo do we go. Ma te rial i me to dy. W ba da niach wy szcze gol nio no gru pe ba da ną 30 fi zjo te ra peu tek oraz 30 oso bo wą gru pe kon tro l ną, do kto rej za li czo no 30 far ma ceu tek. Za sto so wa no kwe stio na riusz za do wo le nia z zy cia oraz ska le wy pa le nia sil. Ana li ze sta ty stycz ną opar to na śred nich aryt me tycz nych, od chy le niach stan dar do wych i istot no ści ro znic po mie dzy śred ni mi dla po szcze gol nych grup za wo do wych. Istot no ści ro znic ozna czo no te stem t-Stu den ta. Wy ni ki. Da ne wska zu ją, ze glo bal ny wy nik za do wo le nia z zy cia w gru pie fi zjo te ra peu tek i w gru pie kon tro l nej istot nie ro zni cu je obie ba da ne gru py. Wnio ski. Za ob ser wo wa no ist nie nie sil ne go chro nicz ne go zme cze nia wśrod fi zjo te ra peu tek, co wy ma ga pod je cia na tych mia sto wych dzia lan pro fi lak tycz nych.