Mariola Pawlaczyk

Assessing gait and balance impairment in elderly residents of nursing homes

[Purpose] The risk of falls in the elderly is an important public health problem. Suitable tests may help detect those at risk of falling. This study determined which balance test for older adults generates the most reliable results in terms of fall risk assessment, based on the number of falls over the last 12 months. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 153 individuals (31 males, 122 females, aged 76.67 ± 8.3 years; median 76.5, range 65–94) were investigated. The subjects were subdivided between fallers (a fall over the last 12 months) and non-fallers (no falls over the last 12 months). All participants were assessed with the following: Barthel Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, Timed Up and Go, Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment), Berg Balance Test, and One-Legged Stance Test. [Results] Statistically significant differences were detected between fallers and non-fallers in TUG, POMA, BBS, and OLST scores. The number of falls correlated positively with the results for TUG, POMA, and OLST. [Conclusion] TUG and POMA were the most useful screening tests for balance and gait impairment in elderly nursing home residents. Two or more tests should be performed for more precise assessment of the risk of falling.

Stressful Events and Serum Concentration of Substance P in Acne Patients

Background Psychological stress is an important factor of acne pathogenesis. Stress related production of hormones, cytokines and neuropeptides may result in the chronic course and exacerbations of the disease. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between acne severity, intensity of emotional stress and serum concentration of substance P (scSP), to compare the intensity of adversities, psychological stress and scSP in acne patients with healthy controls and to compare coping techniques for stress. Methods The study consisted of 80 patients. Emotional stress was analyzed with the use of social readjustment rating scale, whereas the methods of coping with stress were assessed with the coping inventory for stressful situation questionnaire. The blood concentration of substance P was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in a group of 40 patients with acne vulgaris and in control subjects. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the severity of acne and the intensity of stress. Acne patients presented a higher average scSP than the controls. No statistically significant correlation was observed between the severity of acne and scSP; however, the intensity of stress correlated with scSP in the control group. The evaluation of methods of coping with stress showed significantly higher rate for the avoidance-oriented coping among acne patients. Conclusion The number of stressful events is not a factor that determines the severity of acne. The course of the disease may depend on tolerance to stress and methods of coping with stress.

Natural and Safe Dyeing of Curing Clothing Intended for Patients with Dermatoses

1Department of Innovative Textile Technologies, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Poznań Director of Institute: Robert Sobków, PhD 2Marko-Kolor Co., Łódź Members of the Management Board: Wiesław Gajda, Longin Frączkiewicz and Andrzej Katryński 3Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, University of Technology, Łódź Head of Department: Professor Izabella Krucińska, MD, PhD 4Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Medicinal Science, Poznań Head of Department: Mariola Pawlaczyk, MD, PhD

Comparison of the effectiveness of complex decongestive therapy and compression bandaging as a method of treatment of lymphedema in the elderly

Background Lymphedema is a chronic condition which significantly lowers the quality of patient life, particularly among elderly populations, whose mobility and physical function are often reduced. Objectives The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of multi-layer compression bandaging (MCB) and complex decongestive therapy (CDT), and to show that MCB is a cheaper, more accessible and less labor intensive method of treating lymphedema in elderly patients. Patients and methods The study included 103 patients (85 women and 18 men) aged ≥60 years, with unilateral lower limb lymphedema. The subjects were divided into two groups: 50 treated with CDT and 53 with MCB. Pre- and post-treatment BMI, and average and maximum circumference of the edematous extremities were analyzed. Results Reduction in swelling in both groups was achieved after 15 interventions. Both therapies demonstrated similar efficacy in reducing limb volume and circumference, but MCB showed greater efficacy in reducing the maximum circumference. Conclusion Compression bandaging is a vital component of CDT. Maximum lymphedema reduction during therapy and maintaining its effect cannot be achieved without it. It also demonstrates its effectiveness as an independent method, which can reduce therapy cost and accessibility.

Phytoestrogens use by Polish women

The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge about phytoestrogens among Polish menopausal women, and to assess their applicability and safety. The study included 300 women from the Wielkopolska Region, aged 40-60 years. The questionnaire was designed especially for the study. Crosstabulation tables and Pearsonís chi-squared test was used for the statistical analysis. 147 respondents continued to menstruate. Hormone Replacement Therapy was used by 69 subjects; 114 respondents, used phytoestrogens. The place of inhabitance influenced the reasons for not using phytoestrogens. Media, healthcare providers, and personnel were the main sources of information about phytoestrogens. Most of the respondents perceived phytoestrogens as substances displaying a beneficial effect on health. 69% of the subjects reported positive effects of non-hormonal preparations for the relief of climacteric symptoms, mainly reduction in hot flushes and alleviation of joint pain. Our results support the postulate of efficacy and safety of phytoestrogen use to relieve climacteric symptoms. Both education and place of inhabitance appear to affect the opinions of the affected females about phytoestrogen use during menopause.

Vulvodynia – still a challenging therapeutic problem

Introduction. Vulvodynia is a chronic condition characterized by pain and burning in the vulvar area without any abnormalities in clinical and laboratory examinations. The diagnosis is based on detailed assessment of medical history, physical examination and exclusion of other potential causes of vulvar pain. As yet, no definitive treatment algorithm has been universally accepted for vulvodynia. Objective. To present a case of successful treatment of generalized spontaneous vulvodynia with low doses of amitriptyline. Case report. A 42-year-old patient presented to a dermatology outpatient clinic with chronic generalized vulvar pain of 2 years’ duration. She was diagnosed with generalized spontaneous vulvodynia. Amitriptyline treatment was introduced and supported by topical application of lignocaine gel. After 13 months of amitriptyline therapy a complete remission was achieved. Conclusions. Vulvodynia is a complex disease with numerous presentations, the symptoms of which often overlap. Since the diagnosis of vulvodynia requires the exclusion of other abnormalities, it is fundamental to raise the awareness of the disease among clinicians, so as to enable early correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.