Katarzyna Porzych

Change of the State of the Natural Antioxidant Barrier of a Body and Psychological Parameters in Patients Aged above 60

Background The goal of this study is to assess the natural antioxidant barrier of the organism and selected psychological aspects of the aging process in patients above 60 years old. Methods The study included a total of 52 patients aged above 60 (mean age 67 ± 3.4) and 32 healthy subjects (mean age 22 ± 3.4) as a control group. All patients underwent psychological assessment using Test of Attentional Performance version 2.3 (TAP 2.3, four subtests: alertness, cross-modal integration, neglect with central task, and working memory) and biochemical analysis of venous blood concerning values of the selected parameters of oxidative stress (HT, GSH, GPXOS, GPXRBC, GRRBC1, SODRBC1, MDARBC1, NO2−/NO3−, and CP). Results Disorders of attention were observed mainly in elderly people, but an assumption that elderly people have developed more efficient ways of working memory use than younger people may be true. Results showed the reduced effectiveness of the bodys natural antioxidant barrier in elderly people. Moderate positive and negative correlations among parameters of oxidative stress and psychological parameters were observed in the control group. Discussion Intensification of the attention deficits and oxidative stress may be observed as one of the pathogenic factors of age-dependent diseases.

Depression and Anxiety as a Valid Issue in Geriatric Patients

The coexistence of depression and anxiety in the overall clinical picture is a lasting problem in the geriatric subpopulation. Anxiety-depressive disorders are the cause of numerous somatizations; they can modify the course of many diseases and complicate making a proper diagnosis. Depression is the most common emotional disorder in the elderly, often underestimated, and according to various authors, the prevalence ranges from 5 to 44%. The percentage of anxiety in geriatric patients varies from 3.2% to 21.6%. The aim of research was to determine the difference of anxiety level in hospitalized depressed patients compared with patients not suffering from depression, analysis of dependence between the anxiety level and depression exacerbations as well as researching what types of psychical and somatic signs are most often related to anxiety. The study included 60 patients of the Geriatric Clinic of Collegium Medicum UMK in Bydgoszcz aged 65 and older who did not suffer from dementia and their somatic state allowed examining them. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used as research tools. Sociodemographic data were collected using a standardized interview. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 persons based on GDS confirming depression symptoms’ presence or their lack. Analysis of the results showed a significantly higher level of anxiety in subjects with depression than in patients without depression. It defined the dominant symptoms in the mental and somatic sphere generated by anxiety, and clarified correlations between variables regarding the current life situation of patients and their level of depression and anxiety. Current international literature reports confirm that the problem of the coexistence of depression and anxiety is still valid and affects many aspects of the health situation of elderly people.

Selected Aspects of Sense of Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Dementia Compared with Caregivers of Patients without Dementia

Introduction The aim of the study was to collect information on various aspects of the care burden in the group taking care of patients with dementia and those without dementia, to compare the intensity of care burden in both groups. Methods We interviewed a group of care givers of patients with and without dementia, with the Questionnaire of Sense of Burden. Respondents’ age ranged from 19 to 85 years. The study also analysed: gender, kinship of caregiver and patient, professional activity of caregivers, support from other family members, place of residence caregivers and patients, duration of residence with the patient, the amount of time spent with the patient during the day and the duration of the disease Results There are important differences between caregivers who deal with patients with dementia and without dementia in the field of general level of burden of care (p<0.001), personal limitations (p=0.001), material and social limitations (p<0.001). Discussion Based on the analysis of the means obtained by both groups, it can be assumed that the caregivers of people with dementia experience a greater care burden than the caregivers of people without dementia and the highest burden was related to ‘personal limitations’.

Psychological determinants of life balance

The problem of life balance in the elderly has been of interest of many scientists who have undertaken research in different environments and among large populations. As a result of these studies, key determinants of life balance, which mainly affect the positive or negative balance of life in the elderly, have been developed

Dynamics of changes in the mental sphere of man

Life-span psychology assumes that development is multidimensional and multidirectional process that lasts throughout life, from birth until death. The cycle of this process includes both progression and regressive changes. Changes in cognitive functioning appearing in the elderly are the result of transformations occurring in the nervous system. This leads to a reduction in psychomotor skills, memory processes, learning as well as changes in thinking, emotions and motivation. Older people, however, do not lose the ability to participate in the intellectual life. The decrease in efficiency does not occur simultaneously in all directions nor equally. Due to the bodys compensatory abilities, new intellectual capabilities may occur in older people. Mental training, especially cultivated throughout life, including old age, is of great importance for maintaining cognitive performance in the elderly.

Wisdom of the elderly

In the studies on wisdom of the elderly, there are two kinds of wisdom: pragmatic and transcendent (spiritual), which is a general respond to the world and is associated with the level of personality development. Through its specific context, old age creates conditions for achieving wisdom. The fact whether these opportunities will be used and lead to the development of human personality in old age depends on the individuals.

Place of the elderly and diversity of their life situation in today’s society

According to GUS data of December 2014, the share of the population aged 65 years and above in the total population of Poland in 2013 was 14.7% (every seventh citizen of the country). Forecasts for the upcoming years are as follows: in 2020 - 18.9%, in 2035 - 24.5% and in 2050 - 32.7%. The percentage of people aged 65 years and older is called aging of the population factor. Among these people, 35.81% are rural residents. In the cities, elderly population accounts for almost 16% of the whole population; in rural areas this number is significantly smaller and accounts for slightly more than 13% of the population. However, it is expected that due to growing migration, in a short time, most seniors will live in cities. As a result, the share of the elderly will exceed 30% in rural areas, while in the cities it will come close to 35%. The majority of the elderly are women (approx. 61%). This is due to the higher mortality of men - women now live five years longer on average. Forecasts indicate that in 30 years every third citizen of our country will belong to the group of older people [1, 2].

NURSE’S ROLE IN TAKING CARE OF A PATIENT WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Along with the development of medicine, the duration of human life lengthened. Thus, the number of people that live to a great age has increased. One of the main health issues concerning people in old age is dementia. The most common cause of dementia that occurs after 65 years of age is Alzheimer’s disease. The course of the disease is progressive and it gradually leads to the situation when a patient is dependent on others. In most cases, the burden of care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease falls on the family members and friends. It is not an easy task. Often the family is not able to provide a proper patient care and therefore, it requires comprehensive medical, social, educational and financial help. The present study describes an important role of nurses, who not only accompany patients and their caregivers, but also educate and support them.

Comparison of serum prohepcidin and iron metabolism parameters in obese and non-obese elderly individuals

INTRODUCTION Current knowledge indicates that there is a close connection between being overweight, obesity and iron metabolism disorders,but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Hepcidin could be a major contributor to poor iron status observed in the obese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was performed in 58 obese elderly individuals (F/M 34/24) aged 65-91 (78.92 ± 8.32) years. The controlgroup consisted of 15 non-obese elderly volunteers, age- and sex-matched. Based on the WHO definition, 36 (62%) obese individualswere diagnosed with normo- or microcytic anaemia. The following parameters were determined: prohepcidin, haemoglobin, serum iron,erythropoietin, ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS Prohepcidin concentrations were significantly increased in obese elderly individuals without anaemia compared to obese andanaemic (p < 0.01) as well as non-obese volunteers (p < 0.01). In obese individuals with anaemia there was a decrease in serum iron,concomitant with increased levels of erythropoietin and CRP compared to two other groups. Ferritin concentration was increased inobese people (with and without anaemia) compared to the non-obese group. Serum prohepcidin levels were positively correlated withfat mass percentage in obese individuals without and with anaemia (r = 0.32; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Results of this preliminary study suggest that body fat content does have an impact on prohepcidin concentration, andthereby on iron homeostasis.