Paroxysmal rush of intrusive eidetic images - diagnostic doubts. Case report. / Napadowe natloki natretnych ejdetycznych wyobrazen ­ watpliwosci diagnostyczne. Opis przypadku.

Eidetic images are a relatively rare phenomenon in the practice of a psychiatrist. They are described in the category of perception disorders as images or memories which, thanks to their plasticity, vividness and detail, are very similar to the currently experienced sensory perceptions. However, it should be remembered that their occurrence is not associated with any mental disorders, and they are also observed in some healthy people. This paper presents a case report of a patient with complaints about "voiced," plastic images - the course of his psychiatric hospitalization and the psychological diagnostics carried out at that time. The authors point out the difficulties in differentiating, first of all, with auditory pseudo-hallucinations and make an attempt at psychopathological classification of the patient's symptoms. The discussion on possible disease mechanisms of this phenomenon is based on reports as well as research on the phenomenon of imagination and eidetic perceptions, and the aim of this study is to draw the attention of diagnosticians to the category of psychological phenomena with an eidetic character, which may allow them to avoid incorrect recognition of them as an element of psychotic disorders of perception.

Exploring the connection between ego-resiliency and health behaviors: a cross-sectional study of Polish health sciences students.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between ego-resiliency and the intensity of health behaviors among Polish health sciences students. METHODS: The study involved 483 students from health-related faculties in southern Poland, consisting of 314 women (63.7%) and 179 men (36.3%). The average age of the participants was 21.7 ± 2.5 years. To assess resiliency (ER), the Ego-Resiliency Scale (ER89-R12) by Block and Kremen was used in its Polish adaptation. The intensity of health behaviors was examined using the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) developed by Z. Juczynski. RESULTS: The results revealed a positive correlation between the intensity of health behaviors and ER (r = 0.43, p < 0.001), both for the general factor and its categories (positive mental attitude, proper eating habits, preventive actions, and prohealth activities). Students with a high level of health behaviors exhibited significantly higher ER (M = 38.95, SD = 5.15) compared to those with average (M = 35.93, SD = 5.03) and low (M = 32.97, SD = 5.12) HBI levels. Among the HBI categories, Positive Mental Attitude showed the strongest correlation with both general ER and its factors: optimal regulation (OR) and openness to life experiences (OL). Furthermore, the correlation was found to be stronger with the OR and weaker with OL. CONCLUSION: Higher ER in students is correlated with a greater frequency of health behaviors. Nurturing the development of ER may contribute to the maintenance of prohealth practices despite life difficulties and temporary loss of motivation. This, in turn, promotes the regularity of health behaviors, which is crucial for their positive impact on overall health.

Mega Cisterna Magna (MCM) in a man with frotteurism symptoms - a case report. / Mega Cisterna Magna (MCM) u mezczyzny z objawami ocieractwa ­ opis przypadku.

Mega cistera magna (MCM) is a brain development abnormality that occurs in 1% of radiographic images. It occurs when the transverse dimension of the cerebellospinal reservoir is greater than 10 mm. It is the most important reservoir in the cranial cavity. From the front it is limited by the extended medulla, from the rear by the dura mater, and from the top by the cerebellum. Isolated anomalies in the structure of this brain region often do not cause any clinical symptoms. However, more and more attention is paid in research on the participation of the cerebellum in the regulation of cognitive and affective processes. These processes, in turn, may also be related to the regulation of sexual life. The aim of the study is to present the psychosexual functioning of a man diagnosed with MCM, who is suspected of having committed five sexual offenses. The existence of such a structure of the CNS in conjunction with the analysis of the interview, data from the case files and the results of sexological, psychological and psychiatric examinations, made it possible to evaluate the limitation of the respondent's ability to direct his conduct during the alleged acts, while maintaining the ability to recognize their significance.

How do teenagers sleep? Analysis of factors related to sleep disorders in a group of Polish high school students.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the adolescent population. Resulting from a complex interplay of genetic, biological, social, and environmental factors, it affects disturbances in everyday functioning in many aspects of life. The aim of the study was to analyze the factors related to the occurrence of insomnia among high school students. MATERIAL: The study was conducted among 2364 high school students aged between 14 and 19 years old (the average age 17.92 ± 1.10), of which there were 2068 girls and 295 boys. METHOD: Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and authorial demographic data questionnaire involved questions about physical activity during the day, smoking, frequency of upper respiratory tract infections, problems with concentration and memory, school achievements, and the use of mobile devices at bedtime were used to assess examined parameters. The scale and questionnaires were shared on-line via social media. RESULTS: Analyzing the results obtained in the study group, the average score of 8.42 ± 4.16 was obtained in the AIS, which allows the assessment of sleep disorders bordering on normal. After division into groups of girls and boys, 8.38 ± 4.56 points were obtained, respectively for girls and 8.43 ± 4.27pts. for boys - the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, statistically significant differences were not found when dividing the groups into the one in which adolescents used the phone just before bedtime and the one that did not use it. The act of sleeping alone or with another person in the room also did not differentiate the groups statistically, as well as the place of residence. Statistically significant worse results in the AIS scale were obtained by people who declared worse physical activity during the day and smoking cigarettes, as well as those who reported more frequent problems with concentration and memory, had worse school performance and suffered from upper respiratory infections more often. CONCLUSIONS: 1). Sleep disorders may be related to factors such as smoking cigarettes or lack of physical activity, as well as difficulties in concentrating attention, memory disorders or worse academic performance and a tendency to contract upper respiratory tract infections. 2). Elimination of factors that may adversely affect the quality of sleep is particularly important in the group of adolescents, in whom the developing structures of the central nervous system may be particularly sensitive to deficiencies in this area. 3). Exploration of the interplay of study duration, screen time, and semester-specific stressors on sleep quality could yield further insights.

Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in the treatment of delirium. / Skutecznosc i bezpieczenstwo arypiprazolu w leczeniu majaczenia.

Delirium is a psychosis with disorder of consciousness and it's caused by acute brain disfunction in the course of e.g. severe somatic condition, intoxication or withdrawal syndrome. Delirium management is based on the treatment of the state that caused disturbance in central nervous system. Severe delirium syndromes such as agitation, disorganized behavior or hallucinations require additional pharmacological treatment with antypsychotics. Aripiprazole is one of second generation antypsychotics (SGA), that is used in treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Tourette syndrome, but also off-label in delirium. A systematic review of databases was carried out and results were limited to case reports, clinical trials and randomized controlled trials. The results of literature review suggest that aripiprazole can be useful in treatment of delirium symptomes. There is evidence, aripirazole has efficacy comparable to haloperidol and other SGA. Aripirazole can be a better option in particular groups of patients due to it's safer cardiological and metabolic profile and better tolerance of treatment. However, data from clinical findings are still insufficient to recommend a routine use of aripirazole in the treatment of delirium. Therefore, further investigations are necessary to work out new strategy of managing delirium syndrome.

Health-Promoting Factors and Their Relationships with the Severity of Symptoms in Patients with Anxiety Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental disorders in the modern world. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the onset of many mental disorders in people who did not have them before. It can be suspected that in people who already had anxiety disorders before the pandemic, their quality of life has significantly deteriorated. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between life satisfaction, acceptance of illness, the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms and health behaviors in a group of patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the period from March 2020 to March 2022. There were 70 people among the respondents, including 44 women aged 44.06 ± 14.89 years and 26 men aged 40.84 ± 16.72 years. All persons were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Patients with other co-occurring disorders were excluded, i.e., depression and signs of organic damage to the central nervous system, as were those with cognitive disorders that prevented the completion of the questionnaires. The following scales were used in the study: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: In the Satisfaction in Life questionnaire, the respondents obtained an average score of 17.59 ± 5.74 points. In the AIS scale, the mean score obtained by the patients was 27.10 ± 9.65 points. In the overall Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), the average score was 79.52 ± 15.24 points. In the HADS questionnaire, probants obtained an average of 8.17 ± 4.37 points in the depression subscale and 11.55 ± 4.46 points in the anxiety subscale. In addition, there were significant negative correlations between life satisfaction (SWLS) and the severity of anxiety and depression (HADS). The lower the perceived quality of life, the significantly higher the anxiety and depressive disorders. The result obtained in the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) as well as in the subscale of Prohealth Activities (PHA) was negatively associated with the severity of anxiety symptoms. Prohealth activities should therefore be developed to prevent anxiety disorders, as well as to promote positive mental attitudes. In the study, the average result obtained in the subscale of positive mental attitudes correlated negatively with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Life during the pandemic was assessed by patients as unsatisfactory. Health-promoting behaviors, and especially positive mental attitudes, may play a protective role in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms in a situation of increased stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of patients with anxiety disorders.

Assessment of knowledge and beliefs concerning mental disorders among medical students - preliminary report. / Ocena postaw wobec osób z zaburzeniami psychicznymi wsród studentów medycyny - doniesienie wstepne.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess attitudes towards people with mental disorders. METHODS: The survey was carried out in a group of 93 students of the fifth year of medical studies (medical faculty) including 59 women and 34 men, aged 24.34 ± 1.28 years. RESULTS: In the conducted research, personal contact with a psychiatrist due to problems with their own mental health was declared by 23% of respondents. The choice of psychiatry as a field of specialization was declared by 19% of students. In the analysis of the questionnaire on beliefs, as many as 83% of respondents considered that mental illness is a cause for shame. Analyzing the attitude of the respondents to treatment, it was shown that as many as 80% of people believed that compulsory hospitalization is a right procedure. It should be emphasized that only 31% of the surveyed students believed that people with mental disorders should decide to have offspring, and 36% of people thought that mentally disturbed people would not be good as parents. As many as 30% of respondents believed that people with mental disorders more often commit crimes than healthy people, and 42% of students showed a lack of determination in this aspect. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the research suggest the necessity of expanding knowledge and shaping appropriate attitudes towards people with mental disorders among future doctors.

Psychotic Disorders in the Course of SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Uncomplicated Amantadine Treatment?-Case Report.

The mental health impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection is currently the subject of intense research. Mental disorders in the course of coronavirus infection are non-specific. They most often have a sudden onset and short-term course and resolve spontaneously or after the administration of low doses of antipsychotic drugs. At the same time, attempts have been made to develop recommendations for COVID-19 therapy. Single reports suggest the effectiveness of amantadine in the treatment. The mechanism of action of the drug in this case is not known; it is expected that amantadine, by reducing the expression of the cathepsin L gene, may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 replication. In addition, this drug stimulates dopaminergic transmission, which may result in numerous side effects, often of a neuropsychological nature, the most common of which are visual hallucinations. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to unequivocally diagnose the cause of mental disorders among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who took amatatide for off-label treatment. A clear assessment of whether the psychological symptoms in this group of patients are the primary or secondary clinical manifestation of the infection or a complication of amantadine treatment is difficult. In this context, we attempted to describe a case of a patient with psychotic symptoms who was confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and treated with amantadine.

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression and Sense of Coherence in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting.

BACKGROUND: The sense of coherence is lower in patients with somatic diseases and psychiatric disorders. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with the sense of coherence and to try to determine the relationship between the strength of sense of coherence and symptoms of depression and anxiety with the presence of symptoms of carotid atherosclerosis in a group of patients undergoing carotid artery stenting. METHODS: 35 patients, including 13 with symptomatic atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, completed self-report tests: Hospital Scale of Depression and Anxiety (HADS) and the SOC-29 Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), 22 of whom also rated their subjective feelings of anxiety and depression on a scale included in the author's questionnaire. RESULTS: Both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients did not differ significantly in the severity of depression, but they differed in anxiety levels as assessed by the HADS scale. There were no differences in the overall strength of sense of coherence and its individual components. Nearly 12% of those undergoing carotid artery stenting have pronounced anxiety symptoms, and just over 14% have pronounced depression symptoms. A higher overall sense of coherence and its components are associated with lower severity of depression symptoms. Lower severity of anxiety correlates negatively with a higher sense of understanding, meaningfulness, and holistic Sense of Coherence (SOC). Manageability appeared higher in men. CONCLUSIONS: SOC is an important health-promoting factor that is preferably related to mental health parameters of patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Schizophrenia treatment with a combination of two LAI antipsychotics: A case report.

Preventing the relapse of a psychotic episode is a challenge for the treatment of schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia suffer from a few to a dozen relapses in their lifetime. The use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia is associated with less frequent recurrences of psychotic symptoms, better compliance, and better quality of life. The aim of the report is to present the findings of the successful management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia in a patient with persistent non-compliance using a combination of typical and atypical LAI antipsychotics. Since there was a history of non-adherence (irregular controls in outpatient clinics) by the patient, clozapine was not considered a therapeutic option. At the start of the treatment, olanzapine LAI was administered to the patient at a dosage of 300 mg fortnightly because of the good response and tolerance reported in the previous treatment. The treatment was continued for several weeks, and because of the persistence of constant delusions, labile affect, and aggressive behavioral tendencies, a second antipsychotic, zuclopenthyxole, was added, which was initially administered orally. After 4 weeks of combined treatment, the patient's mental state improved. There was no report of delusions, and his mood was much more stable. Zuclopenthyxole was switched to the LAI antipsychotic form due to the patient's history of persistent non-compliance, lack of insight into the disease, and the risk of aggressiveness toward others. Then, 200 mg of zuclopenthyxole decanoate was administered fortnightly. The patient was discharged from the hospital without any symptoms of delusions or hallucinations. The patient's clinical state presented negative symptoms, of which avolition and diminished social activity were dominant. The patient tolerated the treatment well, and sedation and extrapyramidal symptoms were not observed. The patient continued the injections alternately (one injection per week) to obtain regular visits to the outpatient clinic.

Evaluation of the relationship between some mental state parameters and the quality of life in patients with allergic diseases. / Ocena zwiazku wybranych parametrów stanu psychicznego z jakoscia zycia pacjentów z chorobami alergicznymi.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of thestudy was to assess the relationship between symptoms of depression, the level of sense of coherence (SOC) and the quality of life in patients with allergic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 50 bronchial asthma patients, 72 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, and 48 patients with atopic dermatitis. The control group consisted of 50 healthy volunteers. The mental status and quality of life were assessed by questionnaires: Short Form-36 Health Status Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Sense of Coherence-29 (SOC-29). RESULTS: Mean depression severity values were higher in allergic rhinitis patients and atopic dermatitis patients than in the control group. Patients in the latter group also showed higher rates of depression than those with bronchial asthma. In all study groups, statistically significantly lower values of sense of coherence were demonstrated compared to healthy subjects. There were no differences in the values of sense of coherence, in comparisons between the study groups. In all patient groups, lower values in physical functioning (PCS) of the quality of life scale were observed compared to the control group. The severity of symptoms of depression in all groups showed negative correlations with quality of life parameters and a sense of coherence. In addition, the SOC value correlated negatively with the parameters of mental functioning (MCS) of the quality of life scale. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Patients with atopic dermatitis showed the greatest severity of depressive symptoms. (2) Patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis showed abetter quality of life than patients with chronic bronchial asthma and patients with atopic dermatitis. (3) Low level of sense of coherence in patients suffering from allergic diseases and the occurrence of symptoms of depression can worsen the quality of life.

Reversible Splenial Lesion Syndrome as a Challenging Casuistry.

The corpus callosum plays a vital role in brain function. In particular, in the trunk of the corpus callosum, in the course of various diseases, there may be temporary, reversible changes (reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES)), as well as partially reversible and irreversible changes. This article discusses the differentiation of RESLES and other conditions with changes in the corpus callosum lobe, as well as the accompanying clinical symptoms. Moreover, a case report of a patient in whom the above changes appeared in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) image is presented. A 20-year-old patient with the diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VI was admitted to the psychiatric ward in an emergency because of psychomotor agitation, refusal to take food and fluids, delusional statements with a message, grandeur, and auditory hallucinations. In the performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, the corpus callosum non-characteristic in T2-weighted images revealed a hyperintensive area, which was significantly hyperintensive in diffusion magnetic resonance (DWI) sequences and in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) sequences with reduced signal intensity and no signs of bleeding. The hypothesis of subacute ischemic stroke of the corpus callosum was presented. In the control MRI of the brain, changes in the corpus callosum completely regressed, thus excluding an ischemic etiology and favoring the diagnosis of RESLES. During hospitalization, the patient experienced significant fluctuations in mental status, with the dominant symptoms typical of the paranoid syndrome in the form of disturbances in the course and structure of thinking and perception, and a clear and stable improvement was obtained after the administration of long-acting intramuscular olanzapine. Taking into account the clinical and radiological picture, the age of the episode, the rapidity of the disease development, the persistence of its clinical symptoms after the withdrawal of radiological changes in the brain NMR image, as well as the significant improvement in the clinical condition after the introduction of antipsychotic drugs, the final diagnosis was made of schizophrenia.

Paralyzed by Fear?-A Case Report in the Context of Narrative Review on Catatonia.

In ICD-11, catatonia is a complex syndrome that includes psychomotor disorders (negativity, catalepsy, wax flexibility, mutism, automatism, mannerisms, or echolalia) and volitional processes affect modulation and action planning, which leads to hypofunctional, hyperfunctional, or parafunctional motor action. This is a very important clue that this state can be associated with both mental and somatic diseases. In order to create a narrative review, authors analyzed the diagnostic criteria of ICD-10 and ICD-11 and searched the PubMed medical base for articles on the diagnosis and different approaches to the treatment of catatonia. The treatment of catatonia is not standardized. It is based on the use of benzodiazepines, GABAa receptor antagonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, D2 receptor antagonist, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The authors also would like to present the case of a patient in whom the diagnosis of catatonia was not so clear according to the diagnostic criteria, emphasizing the importance of the key diagnosis for the patient's recovery. The authors would also like to point out that the topic of catatonia should be of interest not only to psychiatrists, but also to doctors of other specialties, who may encounter cases of catatonia complicating somatic states in hospital wards.

Life Satisfaction and Perceived Stress versus Health Promoting Behavior among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate health-promoting behaviors as a factor supporting life satisfaction and a protective factor against stress in a group of Polish medical students during the third wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. MATERIAL: The study was conducted in October-December 2021. There were 306 people, including 203 students in the 1st year of medicine, aged 20.42 ± 1.92 years, and 103 students in the 5th year of medicine, aged 24.88 ± 1.7 years. METHODS: The following were used: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The survey was conducted online. RESULTS: In the study group, the average result of 23.66 ± 5.97 was obtained in the life satisfaction questionnaire. In the overall assessment of health behaviors (IZZ), an average score of 80.06 ± 13.81 points was obtained. In the PSS-10 questionnaire, the respondents obtained an average of 21.10 ± 5.89 points. There were significant, negative correlations between the results obtained in the health behavior inventory with the results obtained in the stress scale and positive correlations with the results obtained in the life satisfaction scale. Moreover, in the assessment of the influence of prohealth behavior parameters on perceived stress and life satisfaction, a positive effect of PMA on life satisfaction was demonstrated, as well as a protective effect of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and Prohealth Activities (PhA) in relation to stress. CONCLUSIONS: Life in the period of the third wave of the pandemic was assessed by medical students as moderately satisfactory. Significant intensity of stress negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Health-promoting behaviors, and especially positive mental attitudes, seem to play a protective role in stressful situations and improve life satisfaction.

Comparative assessment of the relationship between emotional factors and quality of life in a group of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes - preliminary report. / Porównawcza ocena zwiazku czynników emocjonalnych z jakoscia zycia w grupie pacjentów z cukrzyca typu 1 i typu 2 ­ doniesienie wstepne.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between selected parameters of the mental state and the quality of life of patients with diabetes. METHODS: The study included 51 patients with type 1 diabetes and 52 patients with type 2 diabetes. The following scales were used in the study: quality of life SF-36, Acceptance of llness Scale (AIS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: Patients with type 2 diabetes achieved lower values than patients with type 1 diabetes only in the domain of physical functioning of the SF-36 scale (p = 0.001). Assessing the relationship between the studied parameters, it was shown that the duration of the disease was associated with a worse overall health rating (p = 0.036) among patients with type 1 diabetes. However, among patients with type 2 diabetes the duration of the disease correlated negatively with physical functioning (p = 0.002), physical functioning in social roles (p = 0.001) and physical pain (p = 0.047) as well as life satisfaction (p = 0.012) and positively with the results of glycated haemoglobin (p = 0.04). Among patients with type 1 diabetes, the level of depression negatively correlated with the level of acceptance of the disease (p = 0.0009) and life satisfaction (p = 0.006), while the level of anxiety only with the level of acceptance of the disease (p = 0.0004), and a greater severity of anxiety was associated with worse metabolic control (p = 0.02). In the group of patients with type 2 diabetes, the level of anxiety negatively correlated with the level of acceptance of the disease (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the numerous limitations of chronic disease, more attention should be paid to the quality of life and mental state of patients diagnosed with diabetes, and assessment of the above parameters should be included in the therapeutic process.

Emotional Functioning in the Context of Health Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Health Sciences Students: The Polish Case.

Purpose: The fear for health, uncertainty, loss of freedom, boredom, and frustration accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic caused mental health burdens. Young people are particularly at a risk of emotional functioning problems. The aim of this manuscript was to verify the relationships between health behaviors and emotional functioning in health sciences students during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Patients and Methods: The study group comprised 493 Polish health sciences students (314 women, 179 men) aged 21.5 ± 2.25 years. The intensity of health behaviors was examined using the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was carried out to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. Stress levels were examined with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The online versions of psychological scales were created using Google Forms software. Results: Mild anxiety symptoms were observed in 21% of examined students and moderate-to-severe in 28%. Mild depressive symptoms were observed in 14% of the study group, and 8% of the examined students suffered from moderate-to-severe depression. The mean perceived stress result was high (22.2 ± 4.1 pts.). The overall intensity of health behavior was, at the mean level, significantly higher in females compared to males. The odds of developing severe symptoms in terms of anxiety, depression, and stress in students with high levels of health-related behaviors were respectively: four times, more than seven times, and nine times lower compared to students with lower levels of these behaviors. Conclusion: Undertaking regular pro-health behavior decreased the odds of developing severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress in health sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria activity, impact and control as well as their changes are strongly linked, and these links are not affected by angioedema or comorbid inducible urticaria - Results from the validation of the Polish Urticaria Control Test.

Background: Monitoring the effects of treatment on disease activity, impact, and control in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is essential. We do not have enough information on how these features of CSU and its response to treatment are linked. Also, there is no information on how recurrent angioedema or coexisting chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) affect their relation. The aim of this study was to analyse the link between disease activity, impact, and control in CSU patients and possible effects of recurrent angioedema and comorbid CIndU. Methods: To perform these analyses, we validated the Polish version of the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) in 106 chronic urticaria patients. The relationship between CSU activity, impact, and control was assessed in regard to recurrent angioedema and coexisting CIndU. Results: The Polish UCT showed high levels of validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change. Disease activity, impact, and control as well as their changes, assessed by the UAS, the CU-Q2oL, and the UCT, respectively, were strongly correlated. Recurrent angioedema or comorbid CIndU did not significantly affect the link of CSU activity, impact, and control or the relation of their changes. Conclusions: In CSU, there is a strong, albeit not perfect correlation of disease activity, impact, and control, which underlines the need to assess all 3 features of the disease in routine clinical practice. Recurrent angioedema and comorbid CIndU, which are both common and relevant in CSU, do not affect how disease activity, impact and control in patients with CSU are related to each other.

Acceptance of the disease and quality of life in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes

No disponible

The stress of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic and pro-health behaviors among medical personnel - preliminary report. / Stres okresu pandemii wirusa SARS-CoV-2 a zachowania prozdrowotne wsród personelu medycznego - doniesienie wstepne.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate pro-health behaviors as protective measures against symptoms of anxiety and depression in a group of health care workers during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. METHODS: The group of 114 people participated in the study, including 46 medical doctors aged 41.10 ± 11.89 and 68 nurses aged 48.16 ± 8.54 years.The following scales were used for the research: the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: Taking into consideration health behaviors, an average score of 79.61 ± 13.08 points in HBI was obtained. In the BDI questionnaire, the respondents obtained an average of 3.7 ± 4.65 points. In the STAI questionnaire, in the part related to state anxiety, the mean result in the study group was 38.08 ± 9.46 points, and for trait anxiety 38.35 ± 8.44 points. Taking into account the components of HBI, only the results obtained in the subscales: positive mental attitude (PMA) and pro-health activities (PhA) correlated negatively with the results obtained in the STAI and BDI scales. Moreover, the pro-health effect of PMA on the symptoms of anxiety and depression was observed. CONCLUSIONS: No significant intensification of anxiety and depression symptoms was observed among medical personnel during the first wave of the pandemic. Health-promoting behaviors, and especially positive mental attitudes, may play a protective role in relation to the symptoms of anxiety and depression in a stressful situations.

Sexual disorders in the men treated in a psychiatric ward. / Zaburzenia seksualne u mezczyzn leczonych w oddziale psychiatrycznym.

OBJECTIVES: An attempt to assess the impact of dual diagnosis - mental illness and addiction on the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions, and evaluation of problems with sexual functioning in men treated in a psychiatric ward. METHODS: 140 psychiatrically hospitalized men (mean age 40.4 ± 12.7 years) with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction and double diagnosis (schizophrenia and addiction) took part in the study. The Sexological Questionnaire, developed by Professor Andrzej Kokoszka, and the International Index of Erectile Function IIEF-5 were used in the study. RESULTS: The occurrence of sexual dysfunctions in the study group was reported in 83.6% of patients. The most common was reduction in sexual needs (53.6%) and orgasm delay (40%). Depending on the research tool used, erectile dysfunction appeared in 38.6% of respondents (according to Kokoszka's Questionnaire) and 61.4% of patients (IIEF-5). Severe erectile dysfunction was more common in the group of patients without a partner (12.4% vs. 0; p = 0.000) compared to people in relationships and in the group with anxiety disorders (p = 0.028) compared to groups with other mental disorders. In the group of people with dual diagnosis (DD), sexual dysfunctions were observed more frequently in comparison to patients with schizophrenia (p = 0.034). Treatment lasting over 5 years was more often associated with sexual dysfunctions (p = 0.007). In the DD group, lack of orgasm and excessive sexual needs were more frequent in comparison to people with one diagnosis (p = 0.0145; p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunctions are more common in patients with DD in comparison to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lack of a partner and the duration of psychiatric treatment over 5 years is associated with more frequent occurrence of sexual dysfunctions.