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.

A Retrospective, Single-Centre Study on the Learning Curve for Liver Tumor Open Resection in Patients with Hepatocellular Cancers and Intrahepatic Cholagangiocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Liver resections have become the first-line treatment for primary malignant tumors and, therefore, are considered a core aspect of surgical training. This study aims to evaluate the learning curve for the safety of open hemihepatectomy procedures for patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). METHODS: This single tertiary center retrospective analysis includes 81 consecutive cases of right or left hemihepatectmy. A cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart was used to investigate the learning curve. RESULTS: The CUSUM curve for operative time and blood loss level peaked at the 29th and 30th case, respectively. The CUSUM curve for minor adverse effects (mAEs) and severe adverse effects (sAEs) showed a downward slope after the 27th and 36th procedures; the curve, however, remained within the acceptable range throughout the entire study. CONCLUSION: When performing open hemihepatectomies in patients with HCC and ICC, the stabilization of the operative time and intraoperative blood loss level are gained earlier than sAEs risk reduction.

The incidence of eating disorders among upper secondary school female students. / Wystepowanie zaburzen odzywiania wsród uczennic szkól ponadgimnazjalnych.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of eating disorders in the population of Polish upper secondary school female students, while considering the type of school and living conditions. METHODS: The investigations of eating disorders were conducted between March and June 2017 and covered female students of the upper secondary schools of Szczecin. Selection for the survey was multistep. 1,750 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The study used a tool for screening for the occurrence of eating disorders - the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). RESULTS: Lower scores were observed among higher grade students (EAT-26, EAT dieting) as well as those who did not receive pocket money (EAT dieting, EAT bulimia) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Age has proved to be an important prognostic factor for eating disorders. The risk decreased as the age of the examined girls increased. (2) The risk of eating disorders was almost 21 times higher among first and second grade girls.

Influence of cigarette smoking on hormone and lipid metabolism in women in late reproductive stage.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze lipid and hormone metabolism, body mass index (BMI), and age parameters in late reproductive stage women in relation to cigarette smoking. METHODS: The study enrolled 345 healthy late reproductive stage women living in Poland; 13.33% were smokers. The first part of the study assessed lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], and triglycerides) and hormone metabolism (estradiol [E2], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], and anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH] levels) in women in the early phase of the follicular menstrual cycle. The second part of study was carried out using the diagnostic survey method, with a standardized questionnaire (Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders [PRIME-MD]) and the authors' own research tools. RESULTS: The women were aged 42.3±4.5 years (mean ± SD). The BMI (24.8±4.04 kg/m2) did not differ significantly between the groups. The women who smoked cigarettes had a statistically significantly (p<0.05) lower level of HDL as well as higher LDL and triglyceride levels (p<0.05). Differences were also shown in hormone levels: non-smoking participants had statistically significantly higher levels of E2 and FSH (p<0.05). In the group of non-smoking women, age was a predictor exerting a significant positive impact on the levels of total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and AMH (p<0.05). BMI contributed to a decline in HDL and triglyceride levels. In the group of smoking women, age significantly positively influenced the level of E2, and negatively influenced AMH. BMI was associated with a significant decrease in the HDL level. CONCLUSION: Smoking cigarettes affects the physical health of women in late reproductive stage through negative influences on lipid and hormone metabolism, among other factors. Age is an unmodifiable factor adversely affecting both lipids and hormones. Higher BMI has a negative influence on lipid metabolism in both groups of women in this study.

Effects of substances on serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION: Demographic facts and forecasts about lengthening life expectancy motivate to systematize the knowledge of health problems experienced by women at the age of 50 and older. It refers to the whole health policy including health economics. Longer female life spans cause that an increasing number of women suffer from health problems associated with the perimenopausal period, and become health care recipients. Also a shift of retirement age is the reason to take interdisciplinary actions for women's health and quality of life. This study describes a decline in the levels of many bioelements in hair, urine and blood serum, which progresses with age. It not only correlates with a decrease in the synthesis and secretion of estrogen, but also environmental pollution, unhealthy lifestyle and the use of substances. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women and such variables as the use of substances (cigarettes, alcohol) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Material and method: The study was conducted among 152 healthy women being 1-16 years after menopause. The women were divided into study group (MHT users) and control group (MHT non-users). A sub-division criterion was the use of substances (cigarettes, alcohol). Serum zinc levels were determined in all women. Results: The use of substances significantly contributed to the lowering of serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women. MHT users had statistically higher average zinc levels in blood serum, which referred both to smokers and consumers of alcohol and those who did not use these substances. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The use-of substances (cigarettes, alcohol) contributes to the lowering of zinc levels in blood serum. (2) MHT positively affects serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women regardless of whether they use substances (cigarettes, alcohol) or not.