Depression and smoking - widespread health problems among 14-year-old adolescents in Poland. The results of the SOPKARD-Junior survey. / Depresja i palenie papierosów ­ powszechne problemy zdrowotne wsród polskich 14-latków. Wyniki badania SOPKARD-Junior.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of prevalence and co-prevalence of depression and substance abuse among Sopot youth. METHODS: In the years 2006-2007, 316 subjects participated in a psychological examination as part of the SOPKARD-Junior program. The assessment was made using the Beck Depression Inventory, the Krakow Depression Inventory and a proprietary questionnaire evaluating the frequency of psychoactive substance use. Adolescents with depressive symptoms in the questionnaire study underwent a psychiatric examination. The SOPKARD-Junior program is a multidisciplinary epidemiologic study that comprehensively assesses the health of the population of 14-year-old junior secondary school students in Sopot. RESULTS: Symptoms of depression were detected in 29.4% of subjects: 37.4% of girls (G) and 20.9% of boys (B) (p < 0.05). In the psychiatric examination, an episode of depression was diagnosed in 4.1% of students (G: 5.5%; B: 2.6%). The rates of substance use (occasional or regular) were: cigarettes - 20.2 % of students (G: 24% and B: 16.4%; p < 0.05), alcohol - 45.9% (G: 50.9% and B: 40.5%; p < 0.05), and illicit drugs - 6.3% (G: 6.2% and B: 6.6%; n.s.). Teenagers with depressive symptoms smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol significantly more often than those without depressive symptoms (smoking rates:30.1% vs. 16.1%; p <0.05; alcohol drinking rates: 61.3% vs. 39.5%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Significant prevalence of depressive symptoms was detected among the adolescents in the study. (2) Girls smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol significantly more frequently than boys. (3) The occurrence of depressive symptoms in adolescents almost doubles the risk of tobacco and alcohol use.

Parafunctions, Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): the results of the SOPKARD-Junior study / Parafunkcje, oznaki i objawy zaburzen czynnosciowych narzadu zucia (TMD) u dzieci z zespolem nadpobudliwosci psychoruchowej z deficytem uwagi (ADHD): wyniki badania SOPKARD-Junior

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of parafunctions and signs and symptoms of TMD in a population group of children with and without ADHD. METHODS: The study included all 5th grade children of all public primary schools in Sopot (untreated, unguided children). The reporting rate was 91%. At the first stage of the psychological-psychiatric study both parents and children filled in the CBCLand YSR questionnaires. At the next stage, in the group of children selected during the screening, aqualified child psychiatrist conducted asemi-structured diagnostic interview K-SADS-PLand diagnosed ADHD. Parafunctions, signs and symptoms of TMD were assessed by conducting a direct interview with a child and a clinical examination by a dentist. RESULTS: There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between children with ADHD and without ADHD associated with parafunctions such as chewing gum (76.47% vs. 46.07%), nail biting (70.59% vs. 40.45%) and bruxism (52.54% vs. 26.22%), the number of signs and symptoms of TMD (1 sign or symptom 0.0% vs. 32.21%; 4-7 signs or symptoms 17.65% vs. 3.75%). CONCLUSIONS: In children with ADHD, symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders and parafunctions were significantly more frequent. These studies suggest that children with ADHD constitute agroup of increased risk for TMD in the future. Interdisciplinary treatment of an ADHD patient by a psychiatrist and a dentist is necessary.

The prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis among middle school students in Sopot, Poland: results of the SOPKARD 15 programme.

BACKGROUND: SOPKARD 15 is a comprehensive programme to assess the health status of a population of teenagers. The aspects assessed in the study are: physical development, nutritional status, arterial blood pressure, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, oral hygiene, and psychological parameters. AIM: To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the study population. METHODS: We examined 372 children (185 girls) at the age of 14. The cut-off values for normal lipid blood levels were based on the NCEP-Peds guidelines. Body mass index was assessed on the basis of the Polish centile charts. Blood pressure values assessed against the centile charts were the mean values calculated on the basis of the second and third measurements. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were elevated in 15.81% and 10.90% of the subjects, respectively. Abnormal blood glucose was detected in fewer than 6% of the children. Total cholesterol was elevated in 8% and borderline in 24% of the subjects; 8.5% of children were overweight and 7.4% were obese; 5.0% of the subjects took very little physical exercise; 16.4% of boys and 23.4% of girls admitted smoking. Dental examination revealed inflamed gums in 77.6% of the subjects. The diagnosis of a depressive episode was confirmed in 4.2% of the teenagers. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Due to the high prevalence of the risk factors there is a need to launch a comprehensive cardiovascular prevention programme among the teenagers. 2. A considerable proportion of children with lipid abnormalities indicate the need for more frequent lipid profile testing in children.

Social support level in relation to metabolic syndrome--results of the SOPKARD study.

BACKGROUND: Low level of social support is one of the psychosocial cardiovascular risk factors. Moreover, social support level (SSL) has been reported to be associated with components of metabolic syndrome (MS). AIM: To evaluate the association of SSL with MS in 50- and 60-year-old citizens of Sopot. METHODS: The study covered 476 citizens of Sopot (218 males - M; 258 females - F), aged 50-60 years, invited to take part in the screening project SOPKARD aimed at increasing detectability of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus in 2002-2003. Patients with MS were diagnosed according to the AHA/NHLBI criteria (2007). The Berkman and Syme's questionnaire was used for assessment of SSL which was categorised into 3 groups: low, medium and high. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 34% (W 29%, M 39%, p <0.05) of examined subjects. The prevalence of MS criteria was as follows: elevated blood pressure 68% (F 67%, M 69%, NS), elevated fasting glucose 48% (W 45%, M 53%, p=0.08), elevated waist circumference 30% (W 33%, M 25%, p=0.06), hypertriglyceridaemia 42% (F 41%, M 42%, NS) and low level of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) 23% (W 23%, M 23%, NS). Low SSL was observed in 50% of studied subjects (W 58%, M 39%), middle SSL in 31% (F 29%, M 35%) and high in 19% (F 13%, M 26%). In men with low SSL, MS and low level of HDL-C were found twice as frequent as in men with high SSL (45 vs. 22%, p <0.05; 24 vs. 12%, p <0.05). High level of triglycerides was observed significantly more frequently in women with low SSL than in those with high SSL (51 vs. 21%, p <0.05). Results of regression analysis showed that in men (all and 60-year olds) SSL was significantly associated with MS prevalence (p <0.05). In women, SSL was related to elevated fasting glucose prevalence (p <0.001). Moreover, in 50-year-old women SSL was significantly associated with MS (p=0.05) and elevated waist circumference (p <0.0001). All these relationships were independent of education. CONCLUSIONS: The examined group of middle-aged persons, especially women, was characterised by high frequency of low SSL. Metabolic syndrome and its components were found more frequently in persons with low SSL, compared to those with high SSL. Low SSL was significantly associated with occurrence of MS and dyslipidaemia in men and women, and elevated fasting glucose and elevated waist circumference in 50-year old women.

Relationship between the prevalence of depressive symptoms and metabolic syndrome. Results of the SOPKARD Project.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a newly recognised risk factor for ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The results of many studies show that depression may contribute to the development of components of metabolic syndrome, such as arterial hypertension, obesity and glycaemic abnormalities. Thus it may have a significant impact on IHD development and worsen the course of an already established disorder. AIM: Evaluation of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and depression among Sopot inhabitants aged 50 or 60 years. METHODS: This study involved 795 consecutive inhabitants of Sopot (477 female and 318 male) who were invited in 2003 and 2004 to participate in screening examinations in the programme of primary prevention of arterial hypertension, diabetes and lipid abnormalities -- SOPKARD. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the NCEP ATP III guidelines. Beck's Depression Inventory was used for the assessment of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was recognised in 32% of participants (in 31% of women and in 33% of men). The distribution of particular elements of metabolic syndrome was as follows: elevated blood pressure was found in 63% of subjects (female -- 58%, male -- 70%), abnormal fasting glucose in 24% (female -- 21%, male -- 28%), visceral (abdominal) obesity in 33% (female -- 38%, male -- 26%), elevated triglyceride level in 34% (female - 28%, male - 42%) and decreased HDL level in 26% (female -- 28%, male -- 23%). Symptoms of depression were found in 37% of studied subjects (42% of females, 28% of males). Metabolic syndrome was observed more frequently in subjects with depressive symptoms compared to those without depressive symptoms in the whole group (35% vs 28%, p <0.05) and in males (44% vs 28%, p <.05). This difference was not statistically significant in females (31% vs 28%, ns). Visceral obesity was observed more frequently in males with depressive symptoms than in those without depressive symptoms (37% vs 21%, p <0.001). It was not observed in the whole group and in females. The studied females group with depression more often had a higher fasting serum glucose concentration when compared to those without depression (25% vs 18%, p<0.05). Such a relationship was not observed in the male group and whole group. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied group of middle-aged subjects, especially among women, a high prevalence of depression symptoms was noted. Statistically significant correlations between the prevalence of depressive symptoms and visceral obesity in men and an elevated glucose level in women were shown.