Odds ratio analysis in women with endometrial cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the progress in diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumours, the effects of treatment are insufficient. Reduction of the risk of cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer is possible by introducing preventative actions. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the thesis is the analysis of selected risk factors that may affect the increase or decrease in the odds ratio of developing endometrial cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among patients of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Hospital of Poznan University of Medical Sciences in the years 2011-2013. The research included a total of 548 female respondents aged between 40 and 84 years. Women responded to questions assessing elements of lifestyle such as consumption of alcohol, smoking, and eating certain groups of foods. RESULTS: The respondents consuming fruits and vegetables several times a week have a reduced risk of odds ratio and the OR is 0.85; 95% CI: 0.18-4.09, compared to the women who rarely consume vegetables and fruits. Consumption of whole-wheat bread several times a week reduces the risk of developing the cancer, OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.14-2.47, compared to women not consuming wholegrain bread at all. Respondents who consumed red meat, such as veal, pork, and lamb in the amount of 101-200 g per day have an increased risk of developing the disease: OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.09-4.28, compared to women not consuming red meat at all. CONCLUSIONS: A diet rich in fruit and vegetables, onions, garlic, whole grains, and beans should be introduced in order to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. The consumption of red meat and white pasta should be reduced or even eliminated.

Evaluation of sinus and atrioventricular nodes function in patients with vasovagal syncope.

AIM: Evaluation of sinus and atrioventricular nodes function as a potential factor responsible for prolonged bradycardia, asystole, or both in patients with cardioinhibitory and non-cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (VVS). The study included 258 patients (mean age = 47.7 +/- 17.2 years; range 18-62; 147 females) with a history of VVS. They were divided among four groups, according to results of head-up tilt test (HUTT). METHODS: All patients underwent standard HUTT, carotid sinus massage (CSM), and rapid transesophageal atrial pacing for evaluation of total sinus node recovery time (SNRT), and corrected sinus node recovery time (CNRT), resting and intrinsic heart rate (IHR), and Wenckebach point (WP). Values of SNRT > 1,500 ms, CNRT > 525 ms, WP < 130 bpm, and CSM-induced pause >3 seconds were considered abnormal. RESULTS: SNRT, CNRT, and WP before and after pharmacological blockade, resting heart rate, and IHR did not differ significantly among the study groups. The prevalence of mild sinus node dysfunction (SND), decreased value of WP, and cardioinhibitory carotid sinus hypersensitivity was similar among all study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of mild SND, abnormal atrioventricular conduction, and carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) was similar among patients with VVS regardless of the type of vasovagal reaction. SND and CSH do not seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardioinhibitory vasovagal reaction.

The effects of gender and test protocol on the results of head-up tilt test in patients with vasovagal syncope.

BACKGROUND: Head-up tilt testing (HUTT) is a well-established method for the diagnosis of reflex syncope. Some controversies exist whether gender and HUTT protocol influence HUTT results. AIM: To analyse the results of HUTT in patients with syncope in relation to their gender and used protocol of HUTT. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data of 537 consecutive patients (313 women and 224 men), aged 13-79 years with history of neurally-mediated syncope referred to HUTT. The cardiogenic and neurological aetiology of syncope was excluded in all patients based on previous examination. In 375 patients standard HUTT (STD HUTT), according to the Westminster protocol, was used. In 257 patients in whom STD HUTT was negative, HUTT was continued with pharmacological provocation using isoproterenol intravenous infusion--114 patients (ISO HUTT) or sublingual nitroglycerin--143 patients (NTG HUTT). In the remaining 162 patients HUTT was performed according to the Italian protocol (ITL HUTT). The HUTT results were classified according to the VASIS scale. RESULTS: Female gender dominated, however, syncope was induced in a similar proportion of women and men (77.3 vs. 70.5%, NS). There were also no significant differences in the type of vasovagal response (VVR) to HUTT between women and men. Mixed type of VVR was the most frequent after isoproterenol provocation (ISO HUTT), whereas cardioinhibitory type of VVR was the most frequent after nitroglycerin provocation (NTG HUTT). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant relationship between gender and the result of HUTT. The type of VVR is related to HUTT protocol--cardioinhibitory response is more frequent following nitroglycerin administration in comparison to standard protocol and HUTT with isoproterenol provocation.

Influence of socio-economic factors on emotional changes during the postnatal period.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify socio-economic factors that may influence the emotional changes which occur among new mothers in the first days postpartum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 541 women completed a questionnaire consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Statistical calculations were performed with the use of Statistica v.10 and Cytel Studio v. 9.0.0. RESULTS: The findings revealed the presence of factors which might increase the risk of mood disorders during the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: Women who demonstrate warning symptoms should be screened for postnatal emotional changes and mood swings during their hospitalization after delivery. EPDS seems to be a suitable tool for early detection of emotional disturbances.