The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Reported Health Status and Smoking and Drinking Habits in the General Urban Population.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic created a significant crisis in global health. The aim of the study was to compare the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-rated health status and smoking and alcohol habits. The Bialystok PLUS cohort study was conducted in 2018-2022. A total of 1222 randomly selected city residents were examined and divided into two groups: before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants' lifestyle habits and medical history were collected from self-reported questionnaires. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) were used to assess the degree of alcohol and nicotine dependence. The survey revealed a reduced frequency of reported allergies vs. an increased frequency of reported sinusitis and asthma; increased incidence of declared hypercholesterolemia and visual impairment; a reduced number of cigarettes smoked per day, lower FTND score, and a greater desire to quit smoking in the next six months; and an increase in hs-CRP and FeNO levels in the population during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic population. The COVID-19 pandemic had a measurable impact on the general population's prevalence of certain medical conditions and lifestyle habits. Further research should continue to examine the long-term health implications of the pandemic.

Isolated sphenoid sinus pathologies--the problem of delayed diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Isolated sphenoid sinus pathologies are relatively rare. In the majority of cases, symptoms do not arise in the early stages of the disease or are non-specific, therefore making diagnosis difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic process and the reasons for development of complications in patients with isolated sphenoid sinus pathology. MATERIAL/METHODS: The clinical data and observation charts of 32 patients were investigated to determine how long the main symptoms of sphenoid pathology had been present before the patients were referred for medical treatment, and the time that elapsed from the first ambulatory medical assessment to the initial diagnosis. RESULTS: Complaints and symptoms of sphenoid sinus pathology had been present for 10.2 months before the diagnosis was established. Although the duration of complaints in "ORL" (diagnosed by otorhinolaryngologist) and "non-ORL" (diagnosed by other specialists) group of patients was similar (10.8 and 9.5 months on average, respectively), unexpectedly, in the "non-ORL" group of patients, the time necessary for making the initial diagnosis was actually shorter than in the "ORL" group (1.8 vs 4.1 months). At the time of hospital admission, endoscopic examination revealed no abnormalities in 31.2% of patients. In 28.1% of patients the pathological process in the sphenoid sinus was diagnosed only after the onset of complications. CONCLUSIONS: The occult character of the disease and the lack of severe and specific symptoms, rather than the delay in getting extensive diagnostic tests, are responsible for the delayed diagnosis and treatment.

[Cathepsin D activity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps]. / Ocena aktywnosci katepsyny D w blonie sluzowej pacjentów z przewleklym zapaleniem zatok przynosowych z polipami.

UNLABELLED: Nasal polyposis affects about 1 to 4% of the population. Polyps develop in oedematous and inflammated mucous membrane. In spite of the intensive research the pathomechanism of their development is not fully understood. The majority of the theories concerning the development of nasal polyps emphasize the role of the inflammatory process causing the rupture of the epithelium and the basal membrane. Cathepsin D is one of important mediators of inflammatory processes, that may be involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was to establish the role of the cathepsin D in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. MATHERIAL AND METHOD: Tissues were taken from 39 patients treated with endoscopic sinus surgery due to chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps. The activity of the cathepsin D was assesed with spectrofotometric method using the specific inhibitor (pepstatin) in tissue of nasal polyps, in oedematous and the inflammated mucous membrane of the nasal conchae and the samples of mucous membrane taken from the nasal septum. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference in cathepsin D activity between polypoid tissue, inflammated mucosa and the mucous membrane of the nasal septum was detected (t-student test, p < 0.05). No difference in the activity of this enzyme was observed between the polypoid tissue and the inflammated mucosa. CONCLUSION: Increased activity of the cathepsin D in nasal polyps and inflammatory changed mucosa confirm the important role of the cathepsin D in inflammatory processes leading to damage and subsequent remodeling of mucous membrane. We believe that further research on the activity of other proteolytic enzymes is necessary to demonstrate the differences between the inflammable changed mucous membrane and nasal polyps.

[Fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses treated by endoscopic sinus surgery in material of Otolaryngology Department of Medical University in Bialystok]. / Grzybice zatok przynosowych leczone metoda endoskopowa w materiale Kliniki Otolaryngologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Bialymstoku.

Over the last years we have observed a high frequency of fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses. Fungal infections can be grouped into invasive and non-invasive forms. Surgical removal of the sinus fungal masses to ensure drainage and aeration is performed using the endoscopic sinus surgery. General or local antifungal drugs are not indicated in the cases of non-invasive forms. For the treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis aggressive antifungal therapy and surgical treatment are the mainstays of management. The treatment results of 18 patients suffering from fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses operated endoscopically during 4 years period (2006-2009) in Otolaryngology Department of Medical University in Bialystok were presented.