Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) in rural and urban inhabitants in south-eastern Poland.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the demographic profile of patients from south-eastern Poland treated due to wet age-related macular degeneration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data concerning 201 patients were analyzed (133 F/ 68 M), aged from 50 -91, (mean age 76 ± 8.6), with the wet form of age-related macular degeneration treated by intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibiting drugs. The significance of the relationships between variables was investigated by means of chi-square test for independence. The differences between the empirical and theoretical sample distribution was examined by means of chi-square goodness-of-fit test. The significance level was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: Analysis did not show any significant differences in the access to treatment with intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors between the rural and urban patients. Urban males and females living in the rural areas received treatment statistically more often (p=0.05). No significant differences were observed with respect to either the waiting time for a visit in a specialist outpatient department, nor the duration of waiting for treatment. Patients from the rural and urban areas presented a similar degree of visual impairment, evidencing the advancement of the pathological process. CONCLUSIONS: Place of residence has no effect on obtaining treatment by patients. The lack of significant differences in treatment between the rural and urban inhabitants may indicate a sufficient level of ophthalmological care in the area of south-eastern Poland. An improvement in the awareness of hazards resulting from inadequate diet and life style could exert a positive effect on the state of health of rural and urban inhabitants. At the same time, knowledge of the disease and risk of blindness related with this disease would increase alertness among rural and urban inhabitants, and in consequence, accelerate an early diagnosis and implementation of an effective treatment.

Risk factors of postural defects in children at school age.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Postural defects increasingly more often concern children and adolescents at school age. The lack of prophylaxis and neglecting adequate procedures may lead to limitations of physical and motor abilities, back pain, or the development of severe spinal deformities. Recognition of the risk factors conducive to the occurrence of the disorder allows the creation of adequate conditions for the psychomotor development of children, as well as the elaboration and implementation of specified educational schemes directed at schools and parents. The study concerned determination of the risk factors for the development of postural defects in school age children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey. The study group covered 380 children aged 14 (175 girls (46.1%) and 205 boys (53.9%))--selected at random from schools in eastern Poland and the Czech Republic. The significance of the relationships between variables was investigated by means of chi-square test for independence. The differences between the empirical and theoretical sample distribution was examined by means of chi-square goodness-of-fit test. The significance level was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: The BMI in the population examined was 20.2, on average (from 14-39). Respondents living in rural areas and small towns constituted 57.63% of the study group, while inhabitants of medium-size and large cities--42.37%. The majority of children in the study had been previously examined for the occurrence of postural defects (74.2%), whereas nearly every tenth child had never undergone such an examination. As many as 16.3% of adolescents did not know whether they had ever participated in a screening test. A defect was detected in 14.7% of children, in 56.6% no asymmetry was detected, while approximately 30% were not aware if their body posture was normal or not. CONCLUSIONS: 1. There is a relationship between physical activity of the child and the occurrence of postural defects. 2. There is a relationship between the economic standard of the family and awareness of own state of health. 3. There is a need for the creation of a system of education for parents and children concerning postural defects and risks resulting from these defects.

Association between lipids, lipoproteins composition of HDL particles and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and LCAT and CETP activity in post-renal transplant patients.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) remodeling within the plasma compartment and the association between lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, and lipid, lipoprotein concentrations and composition were investigated. The aim was to examine the high sensitivity of C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipid, apolipoprotein B (apoB), apoAI, total apoAII, apoAIInonB, apoB-containing apoAII (apoB:AII), total apoCIII, apoCIIInonB, apoB-containing apoCIII (apoB:CIII) concentration and LCAT and CETP activity to gain an insight into the association between them and LCAT and CETP, 57 post-renal transplant (Tx) patients with and without statin therapy and in 15 healthy subjects. Tx patients had moderate hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and dyslipoproteinemia, disturbed triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) and HDL composition, decreased LCAT, and slightly increased hsCRP but no CETP activity. Spearman's correlation test showed the association between lipids and lipoproteins and LCAT or CETP, and multiple ridge stepwise forward regression showed that immunosuppressive therapy in Tx patients can disturb HDL and TRLs composition. The results suggest that inhibition or activation of LCAT is due, in part, to HDL-associated lipoprotein. Lipoprotein composition of apoAI, apoAIInonB, and apoCIIInonB in HDL particle and apoB:AII TRLs can contribute to decrease LCAT mass in Tx patients. Tx patients without statin and with lower triglycerides but higher HDL cholesterol concentration and disturbed lipoprotein composition of ApoAI and apoAII in HDL particle can decrease LCAT, increase LDL cholesterol, aggravate renal graft, and accelerate atherosclerosis and chronic heart diseases.

Socio-economic conditionings of families with children treated due to scoliosis in Eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Scoliosis is a serious clinical problem which requires a systematic physical therapy and control of body balance--treatment from the moment of achieving skeletal maturity by a child. In the situation of neglect of such a management, the deformation of the spine often requires surgical intervention. The role of parents in the process of treatment of a child is undeniable. The study concerned the determination of socio-economic conditions and the engagement of parents with children treated due to scoliosis in Eastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey. The study group consisted of 193 parents (148 females (76.7%) and 45 males (23.3%))--a randomly selected sample of the parents of children who participated in scoliosis rehabilitation courses in rehabilitation centres in Eastern Poland. The significance of the relationships between variables was investigated by means of chi-square test for independence. The differences between the empirical and theoretical sample distribution was examined by means of chi-square goodness-of-fit test. The significance level was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: The study group covered 47.7% of inhabitants of the rural areas and small towns, and 52.3% of inhabitants of medium-size and large cities. Respondents with a higher economic status were more engaged in the treatment of their child with scoliosis. A greater number of parents with university education level reported to a specialist; however the frequency of these visits, similar to incomplete families, was the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: The accessibility to specialists is lower in the rural than urban areas. 1. There is a relationship between the economic standard of the family and engagement in the treatment of a child with scoliosis. 2. There is a need to develop a system of education of parents concerning scoliosis and the consequences of neglecting treatment. 3. The system of public health services is insufficient for satisfying health demands of patients with the diagnosis of scoliosis.

Change of situation of a family with a child treated due to scoliosis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Scoliosis is a serious clinical problem which requires a systematic physical therapy and control of body balance - treatment from the moment of achieving skeletal maturity by a child. In the situation of neglect of such a management, the deformation of the spine often requires surgical intervention. The role of parents in the process of treatment of a child is undeniable. The study concerns the determination of socio-economic conditions and the engagement of parents with children treated due to scoliosis in Eastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey. The study group consisted of 193 parents (148 females [76.7%] and 45 males [23.3%]) - a randomly selected sample of the parents of children who participated in scoliosis rehabilitation courses in rehabilitation centres in Eastern Poland. The significance of the relationships between variables was investigated by means of chi-square test for independence. The differences between the empirical and theoretical sample distribution was examined by means of chi-square goodness-of-fit test. The significance level was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: The study group covered 47.7% of inhabitants of rural areas and small towns, and 52.3% of inhabitants of medium-size and large cities. Respondents possessing university education provided their children a wider profile of health care; however, they neither supervised exercises at home nor paid attention to the maintenance of the normal body posture. The diagnosis of scoliosis in a child rarely affects the relationship between parents. The engagement of parents into rehabilitation treatment of their children is small. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between social variables and engagement in the treatment of a child with scoliosis. There is a need to create a system of education for parents concerning scoliosis and the consequences of its negligence. The enrolment of a psychologist into the treatment team should be considered, which would provide support for the parents of children suffering from scoliosis.

Alcohol drinking patterns and habits among a sample of PONS study subjects: preliminary assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol drinking is a major contributing factor to death, disease, injury and social problems such as violence or child neglect and abuse, especially in Eastern Europe. OBJECTIVES: To preliminary evaluate the prevalence and social and behavioural patterns of alcohol drinking in a pilot group of the Polish-Norwegian Study (PONS study) subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Open-ended prospective cohort study conducted in Swietokrzyskie province. A pilot group of subjects aged 45-64 years has been examined. Data on alcohol drinking were collected for 3,845 respondents with the use of the Health State Questionnaire administered by the CAPI method. RESULTS: In males, 72.3% drank alcohol currently, 22.7% were former drinkers, and only 5% never drinkers. Among females, the percentage of current alcohol drinkers was significantly lower than in males, while the percentages of former and never drinkers was higher (50.3%, 35.4% and 14.6%, respectively). 7.4% of males and 0.8% of females drank alcohol daily or almost daily, and weekly alcohol drinking was respectively at level of 32.2% and 15.7%. Males drank mainly vodka (or other spirits) and beer, females grape wine and vodka. CONCLUSIONS: PONS study includes interesting dataset for assessing prevalence and patterns of alcohol drinking at population level. Alcohol drinking seems to be common among PONS subjects. Comparison with nation-wide surveys shows on higher number of alcohol abstainers and lower number of binge drinkers among PONS study subjects. On the other hand, frequency and social patterns of alcohol drinking seem to be consistent with data found in national studies.

Patterns of leisure time physical activity and its determinants among a sample of adults from Kielce region, Poland - the 'PONS' study.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence, socio-demographic patterns and behavioural characteristics of leisure time physical activity in a pilot group of respondents of the Polish-Norwegian Study (PONS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: PONS is an open-ended prospective study set in Swietokrzyski Province with study cohort consisting of adults aged 45-64 years. The physical activity section of the questionnaire was based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: 43% of the respondents had not walked for at least 10 minutes in their leisure time during the last week. The majority did not engage in any moderate or vigorous physical activity (PA). Being physically active was more prevalent among residents of urban areas and among respondents with a higher level of education. Performing PA was also positively associated with higher net income per household member. On average, respondents had spent 47 hours in a sedentary position during last week. The majority of subjects reported watching TV for 6-20 hours per week. Not having enough time and lack of willingness were given as the main reasons for being inactive. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of participants were inactive in their leisure time, even activity less than 10 minutes during the last 7 days was common. Walking was the most popular form of PA in this domain. Urban residence, higher level of education and better financial situation were strongly associated with higher levels of PA.

Health promotion and health education with particular emphasis on bone diseases among rural population in Poland.

Osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis are the most common diseases of bone tissue affecting both rural and urban populations. The aim of the study was to investigate the level of education and requirement for health promotion within the scope of common diseases of the skeletal system among rural population in Poland. This was an exploratory study with a cross-sectional design performed between May 2004-September 2005 in rural areas of 16 Voivodeships (main provinces) of Poland. The study population comprised of 404 (62.9%) rural women and 238 (37.1%) rural men (total 642). All subjects were randomly sampled and recruited by personal contact in primary health care centres. Study data were obtained using a specially prepared questionnaire. The most commonly reported diseases were: arterial hypertension (26.1%), joint degenerative disease (24.6%) and osteoarthritis (14.7%). The occurrence of osteoarthritis and joint degenerative disease increased with age and was highest in the group aged over 50 (21% and 38.7% respectively). Osteoarthitis was more frequent in women compared to men (16% and 12.2% respectively). In most cases, the basic information about methods of prevention and treatment given by a General Practitioner or a specialist was characterized as "satisfactory" (73.6% and 62.9% respectively). The most popular prophylactic action performed in local communities was bone densitometry (14.1%), and the most important source of knowledge - TV and radio (65%). Populations living in rural areas have limited access to health education and health prophylaxis actions, irrespective of the geographical region of Poland. Inhabitants with secondary or higher education, as well as those with a higher household income, have better knowledge about skeletal system diseases compared to those with a lower educational level. The practical implications of this study suggest the necessity for paying more attention to etiology, symptoms and methods of prevention and treatment of bone diseases when attending to patients in specialist practice.