Evaluation of Health Pattern and Stress Levels among Patients Undergoing Alcohol Addiction Treatment-A Cross Sectional Study.

Alcohol consumption is linked to over 200 diseases and injuries. It is also classified as a risk factor for several types of neoplasms as well as infectious diseases (i.e., HIV and tuberculosis). In 2019, among people aged 25 to 49, alcohol use was the leading risk factor for attributable burden of disease. There are many factors that affect alcohol drinking patterns such as social and economic status, social norms, cultural customs, availability of alcohol, etc. Stress also plays a significant role in the process of developing alcohol addiction. The aim of our study was to examine health patterns and stress levels among patients undergoing alcohol addiction treatment. The study sample consisted of 104 patients who were treated in a hospital ward due to alcohol dependence. Three standardized questionnaire tools were used to measure the sense of coherence and the level of stress among those patients. The main results suggest that the level of perceived stress correlated negatively with all dimensions of sense of coherence and all indicators of health behaviors, however, age was positively correlated with positive mental attitude, proper eating habits, and health behaviors. In conclusion, it is worth noting that developing patterns for positive health behaviors will make it possible to avoid alcohol dependence or reinforce the treatment results if alcohol dependence syndrome occurs.

Acceptance of Illness and Coping with Stress among Patients Undergoing Alcohol Addiction Therapy.

(1) Background: Acceptance of illness is a process in which a person with an illness accepts its presence and treats it as an integral part of their life. With regard to alcoholism, acceptance of illness is one of the important elements of the healing process. (2) Methods: The study group consisted of 104 residents in an addiction treatment ward. Questionnaires SOC-29, AIS and PSS-10 were used to check levels of coherence, stress and acceptance of illness. The analysis was based on regression analysis. Patient age was analysed as a moderator of correlations between perceived indicators. Moderation analysis was based on the simple moderation model. (3) Results: The level of perceived stress correlated negatively with all areas of the sense of coherence and with acceptance of illness. All areas of the sense of coherence correlated with acceptance of illness positively. (4) Conclusions: The acceptance of illness by the patient is a factor that can be motivating for further treatment, through a positive approach to illness and strengthening the sense of control in experiencing it. The combination of strengthening behavioural, cognitive and motivational resources can be used in the treatment of people experiencing the challenges of addiction to alcohol.

The Sense of Coherence and Health Behavior of Men with Alcohol Addiction.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol dependence is one of the world's major health challenges. The salutogenic concept of health developed by Antonovsky focuses on the search for resources and factors supporting health. Its basic concept of the sense of coherence (SOC) focuses on strengthening the global orientation of the patient, and creating permanent internal resources that translate into the improvement of pro-health behavior, including the fight against alcoholism. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between individual factors and the SOC as well as the influence of the SOC concept on pro-health behavior of people addicted to alcohol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 110 men undergoing treatment in an addiction treatment ward. To check the level of the SOC, two standardized questionnaires, Antonovsky's "SOC-29 Life Orientation Questionnaire" and Juczynski's "Health Behaviour Inventory", were used. The correlation coefficient between the sociodemographic variables was checked using the Pearson's r test. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found with the intensity of pro-health behaviors for three sociodemographic variables. In people aged 43-65 (r = 0.299; p = 0.030), people with primary/vocational education (r = 0.276; p = 0.015), and respondents living in rural areas (r = 0.303; p = 0.028) a greater SOC was associated with pro-health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals addicted to alcohol are characterized by a low SOC and a low level of pro-health behaviors. Strengthening the internal level of the SOC can constitute an element of addiction therapy when introducing health education to prepare the patient for independent life in sobriety.

Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome in a 19-years old boy.

INTRODUCTION: Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome is a rare genetic multisystem disorder comprising motor organ dysfunction, craniofacial dysmorphism and psychomotor retardation, frequently with the abnormalities of the thyroid gland. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a case of a 19-year-old patient with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome in whom serum TSH, fT3 and fT4 levels were assessed. CASE: Craniofacial abnormalities including: microcephaly, underdeveloped maxilla, micrognathia, high arched palate, malocclusion, down-slanting palpebral fissures, thick eyelashes and full eyebrows. Clinodactyly, broad thumbs and toes were observed in the musculoskeletal system. The patient presented with moderate mental retardation, short stature and obesity. Furthermore, I° thoracolumbar scoliosis, elbow joint deformation resulting from the radial head dislocation and limitation of the right hip motion as a consequence of Perthes disease were found. Genetic testing revealed a mutation affecting the CREBBP gene located on the short arm of chromosome 16. The measured serum TSH level was 1.510 µlU/ml (normal range 0.27-4.20), fT3 5.1 pmol/l (normal range 4.1-6.7), fT4 15.5 pmol/l (normal range 13.1-21.3). The patient is subjected to long-term rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results of laboratory tests of serum TSH, fT3 and fT4 levels point to a lack of thyroid gland dysfunction in the patient with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. Rehabilitation treatment of patients with RTS is necessary to improve the patient's mobility.

Assessment of the Therapeutic Effectiveness of Deep Electromagnetic Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

BACKGROUND: The study presents the results of the application of deep electromagnetic stimulation (DEMS) therapy in the treatment of low back pain. The study aimed to evaluate and compare pain severity before and after deep electromagnetic stimulation sessions and to assess persistence of the analgesic effect and identify factors which influenced it significantly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled a series of 105 consecutive patients with chronic low back pain who underwent a series of 10 sessions of deep electromagnetic stimulation. The effectiveness of the therapy was assessed according to VAS and Laitinen scores. Risk factors significantly affecting the stability of analgesic effect after DEMS therapy were identified using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: Statistically significant pain relief was observed after deep electromagnetic therapy. Both the Laitinen and VAS scales demonstrated the reduction in pain intensity by half (Me (IQR): 6 (5-9) before the therapy vs. 3 (24) afterwards, p<0.0001 for Laitinen scale and 7 (6-8) before vs. 3 (2-5) after the therapy, p<0.0001 for VAS). During 12-month follow up, pain recurred in 84 (80%) patients. Pain recurrence within a year after the therapy was stimulated in a statistically significant manner by pain duration (HR=1.032, 95% CI: 0.988-1.078; p=0.032) and the co-occurrence of degenerative joint disease (HR=5.521, 95%CI: 2.905-10.493; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Deep electromagnetic stimulation is an effective treatment in patients with chronic low back pain. 2. The degree of effectiveness of this modality in the longer term depends on the cause and duration of pain.

Edwards syndrome in a 6-year old girl.

Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome - ES) is the second most common trisomy. It occurs in 1/3 000 to 1/8 000 births. ES is a cause of numerous developmental disorders and malformations. The median life span of children with ES is about 2 weeks and only 5%-10% will survive their first year of life. The report presents a case of a 6-year-old girl with ES.

Functional scoliosis caused by leg length discrepancy.

INTRODUCTION: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) causes pelvic obliquity in the frontal plane and lumbar scoliosis with convexity towards the shorter extremity. Leg length discrepancy is observed in 3-15% of the population. Unequalized lower limb length discrepancy leads to posture deformation, gait asymmetry, low back pain and discopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the years 1998-2006, 369 children, aged 5 to 17 years (209 girls, 160 boys) with LLD-related functional scoliosis were treated. An external or internal shoe lift was applied. RESULTS: Among 369 children the discrepancy of 0.5 cm was observed in 27, 1 cm in 329, 1.5 cm in 9 and 2 cm in 4 children. During the first follow-up examination, within 2 weeks, the adjustment of the spine to new static conditions was noted and correction of the curve in 316 examined children (83.7%). In 53 children (14.7%) the correction was observed later and was accompanied by slight low back pain. The time needed for real equalization of limbs was 3 to 24 months. The time needed for real equalization of the discrepancy was 11.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Leg length discrepancy equalization results in elimination of scoliosis. Leg length discrepancy < 2 cm is a static disorder; that is why measurements should be performed in a standing position using blocks of adequate thickness and the position of the posterior superior iliac spine should be estimated.

The concentrations of testosterone and estradiol in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

AIM: The role of hormones in development and progression of scoliosis, although suggested, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of steroid sex hormones in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: A group of 27 girls, aged 12-17 years (mean+/-SD = 14.8+/-1.5 years) in whom right thoracic scoliosis was diagnosed (Cobb angle was from 10 degrees to 55 degrees, mean+/-SD = 30+/-13.8 degrees; Risser test was in the range from 2 to 4, mean+/-SD = 3.7+/-0.2) was examined. The control group included 7 girls, aged 13-17 years (mean+/-SD = 14.3+/-1.8 years) with slight lumbar functional scoliosis 10 degrees to 20 degrees to the left (mean+/-SD = 11.4+/-3.8 degrees). In both groups the concentrations testosterone was tested on 8th day of menstrual cycle, whereas estrogen concentrations were measured on 8th and 20th day of the cycle. RESULTS: Increased testosterone level above the reference values was found in girls with AIS. The observed differences in both groups in estrogen levels in folicular and luteal phase were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Possibly, the evaluation of testosterone level could be an important prognostic factor for scoliosis progression. The studies to be continued.