[Evaluation of selected immunological parameters in alcohol dependence syndrome]. / Ocena wybranych parametrów immunologicznych u pacjentów z zespolem zaleznosci alkoholowej.

In 28 patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) the study of selected immunological parameters (percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+; lymphocyte transformation without and with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM); chemiluminescence of peripheral blood granulocytes stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)) and Instytut Mérieux' skin tests (Multitest CMI) were performed. The results of immunological parameters were connected with activity of liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (ASP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). The differences of reactivity of immune system in the tested groups of patients were observed.

Immunological parameters in patients suffering from alcohol-dependence syndrome.

Alcohol abuse is a major cause of abnormal liver development and activity. In addition to enzymatic malfunction, alcohol and its metabolites induce changes in the levels of some liver antigens, resulting in immunological disturbance. The purpose of the present study is to correlate the severity of liver function impairment with the length of alcohol abuse, in order to be able to use such tests as indicative of the severity of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. Thirty-one alcohol abusers were allocated to three groups on the basis of the levels of their liver enzymes, and were tested for a variety of immunological parameters and skin reactions. The data indicate that even though not all immunological values measured differed significantly from the control values, in those that did (granulocytes, lymphocytes, CD4/CD8 ratio, C3, IgG, IgM and some skin positive reactions), the biggest difference was between the healthy volunteers and the group with the longest abuse period. It is suggested that changes in selected immunological parameters in alcohol abusers may indicate the severity of their liver dysfunction.

[Evaluation of selected immunological and biochemical parameters of blood in alcohol dependency]. / Ocena wybranych parametrów immunologicznych i biochemicznych krwi w zespole zalenosci alkoholowej.

The aim of this study was evaluation of selected immune humoral indicators in connection with biochemical parameters of blood in 28 alcohol dependent men. Increased activity of liver enzymes: AspAT in 53,6% of patients, A1AT in 46,4%, GGTP in 25% were found. Macrocytosis in 29% of patients was observed. There were also abnormal changes of immune proteins concentration: IgM, IgG, IgA, C3, C4 respectively in 60,7%, 46,4%, 21,4%, 42,9%, 10,7% of patients. In the group of patients with normal values of AspAT, GGTP, MCV; abnormal levels of humoral indicators concentration were observed. The correlation between immune proteins concentration and biochemical parameters was not found. The authors conclude that changes of determined immunological parameters may be used as prognostic indicators in disturbances in the alcoholics' immunity system.

[An approach concentrated on the individual--possibilities of use in general medical practice]. / Podejscie skoncentrowane na osobie--mozliwosci wykorzystania w praktyce ogólnolekarskiej.

On the clinical image of disease does not only consist of the typical symptoms of illness, but also depends upon the patients emotional experience which can modify the course of disease and therapy. It needs to form the therapeutical relations patient-physician, which will be able to take influence upon the emotional state of patient. C. Rogers's "Person-centered approach" create such possibility. It has application in the clinical practice in psychiatry and psychology but it seems that in can be useful in the general medical practice. The attitude of the therapeutist in relationship with patients has to express with congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathic understanding. The ability of empathical perception of patient's emotional state is one of very important physician's skills and influences on the patient's level of satisfaction with medical care. The "Person-centered approach" utilizes the inherent tendency of the patient to develop all his capacities of personality in the therapeutical process.

Emotional disorders of sailors in stress situations during long yachting voyages.

28 sailors, members of the six crews who took part in long voyages round the world, including the Cape Horn passage, were put by the author under examination. In the group examined there were found following psychopathological disorders: depressive syndromes, asthenic states, neurosis syndromes and perception disturbances and in one case--a psychotic state. The disorders mentioned above were short-lived and did not cause serious disturbances. The etiology of the psychopathological disturbances occurring in the sailors during long voyages is complex and is a resultant of many factors: social isolation, deprivation of needs, change of the way of life, navigational and meteorological conditions and motivational and personality factors.