Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Polish sonographers-A questionnaire study.

PURPOSE: The ultrasound specialists face a substantial issue with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), characterized by occupation-related pain, reaching an estimated frequency of up to 90.5%. The type and location of pain vary depending on the sonographers specialty and the specific anatomical areas being examined. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and intensity of pain among Polish doctors from various specialties conducting ultrasound examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been performed between July and December 2023, involving 90 participants (51.9% women) actively practicing ultrasound diagnostics. The data collection process utilized a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers for this study. The questionnaire covered personal factors, including gender and age, and work-related aspects like workplace, specialty, sonography experience, and the types of examinations conducted. Statistical analysis involved both descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. RESULTS: The age distribution ranged from 26 to 74 years, with mean (SD) of 43.1 (12.2) years. The leading specialties among physicians were radiology (22.2%) and internal medicine (22.2%). Among all physicians, 65.6% reported pain during or after ultrasound scans, with a mean (SD) pain intensity of 6.17 (2) in a 1-10 scale. The analysis indicated no correlation between age and gender and the occurrence of discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: WMSDs pose a significant risk to Polish sonographers, especially those specializing in vascular surgery, general surgery and obstetrics and gynecology specialties. The study underscores a notable deficit, with only 10% of the personnel reporting training in ergonomics for ultrasound work.

No association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastrointestinal complaints in a large cohort of symptomatic children.

AIM: This Polish study estimated the prevalence of the Helicobacter pylori infection in symptomatic children aged 3-18 and investigated its association with gastrointestinal complaints. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 1984 children (54% female) with a mean age of 9.5 ± 4.1 years, from Silesia, Poland, for the Good Diagnosis Treatment Life screening programme from 2009 to 2016. They underwent a 13 C-isotope-labelled urea breath test (UBT) to assess their Helicobacter pylori status, making this the biggest Polish study to use this approach. Further analysis included parental-reported gastrointestinal symptoms and standard deviation scores (SDS) of anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: The Helicobacter pylori infection was identified in 220 (11%) children (48% female) and was independent of age and sex. The frequency of symptoms did not differ between Helicobacter positive and negative children (all p > 0.05). Children with a positive UBT result had a lower body mass SDS (-0.41 ± 0.98 versus -0.26 ± 1.01, p = 0.04) and height SDS (-0.45 ± 1.34 versus -0.23 ± 1.27, p = 0.02), but similar body mass index SDS. CONCLUSION: We found a low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in symptomatic children, and positive UBT results were not associated with symptoms that suggested Helicobacter pylori infections. Our findings support the 2017 European and North American guidelines for Helicobacter infections in children.

Expression of naive/memory (CD45RA/CD45RO) markers by peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8 + T cells in children with asthma.

INTRODUCTION: The role of CD4+ T cells in the immunopathogenesis of asthma is well documented. Little is known about the role of CD8+ T cells. The aim of this study was to assess peripheral blood subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing naive/memory markers (CD45RA+/RO+) and the activation marker (CD25+) in children with allergic asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from children with allergic asthma and healthy children. T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry for the expressions of CD45RA, CD45RO, and CD25. In this study, some differences in the memory compartment of peripheral blood T cells between asthmatic children and healthy controls were detected. RESULTS: The absolute number of CD8+ T cells expressing CD45RO was significantly elevated and the percentages of CD3+ T cells expressing activation marker CD25 and of CD4+ T cells expressing memory marker CD45RO were significantly lower in children with asthma compared with controls. No correlation was found between severity of asthma and peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets. CONCLUSIONS: There were some differences in the memory compartment of peripheral blood T cells between asthmatic children and healthy controls. The increase in the number of CD8+ T cells expressing the memory marker (CD45RO) in children with allergic asthma may indicate that CD8+ T cells play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Methimazole-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis in a 12-year-old girl.

We report a 12-year-old girl with hyperthyreosis who presented methamazole-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The patient's past history suggests a presence of autoimmune disease. To our knowledge it is the first report describing such an adverse effect of methimazole.