Predictors of the quality of life of women in peri-menopausal period.

INTRODUCTION: The peri-menopausal period is the time of many biological, psychological and social changes. The quality of life of women in this period may be conditioned by many factors, and analysis of these factors may indicate the optimum directions of prophylactic and educational actions. OBJECTIVE: Analysis of selected predictive factors of the quality of life of women in the peri-menopausal period. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study covered 268 peri-menopausal women. The qualification criteria were: age 45-55, lack of mental disorders and diseases requiring hospitalization during the period of study. The study was conducted using standardized instruments: Women's Health Questionnaire - WHQ, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and an author-constructed questionnaire. RESULTS: The presented study of the quality of life showed that the women examined felt physically unattractive, lacking the full joy of life, and frequently experienced somatic complaints. Nevertheless, the respondents enjoyed life, had no constant feeling of anxiety and concern. Multi-factor analysis showed that the quality of life in the group of women in the study was affected by the following factors: level of depression, self-reported state of health, occurrence of menopausal symptoms, education level, and marital status. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of the peri-menopausal women examined was the highest with respect to depressive mood (DEP) and anxiety/depressed mood (ANX), while it was the lowest with respect to the sense of attractiveness (ATT), and somatic symptoms (SOM). In addition, in the group of women in peri-menopausal period the quality of life was conditioned: level of depression, self-reported state of health, occurrence of menopausal symptoms, education level, and marital status.

[Assessment of knowledge of women regarding sexual risk factors for cervical cancer].

Introduction: In Poland, reproductive system cancers are an important medical and social problem. Risky sexual behaviours such as early age of sexual initiation, or a large number of sexual partners increase the risk of cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of women about sexual risk factors for cervical cancer. Materials and methods: The study included 200 women from the cities of Lublin and Radom, and the village of Jablonna. Respondents completed a diagnostic survey questionnaire specially developed for the purpose of this study. The results were statistically analysed. Results: statistically signi􀏐icant relationship was found between the knowledge of respondents about early start of sexual intercourse as a risk factor for cervical cancer and their marital status (p = 0.003), place of residence (p = 0.01) and type of professional activity (p = 0.03). There was also a statistically signi􀏐icant relationship between the knowledge of the surveyed women on a large number of sexual partners as a risk factor for cervical cancer and age (p = 0.002), marital status (p = 0.03), and the type of professional activity. Conclusions: Women know that the early age of sexual initiation and a large number of sexual partners is a risk factor for cervical cancer. On the other hand, they are not aware of the impact of a large number of sexual partners of their current partner on the risk of cervical cancer. There is a need to educate women about the impact of risky sexual behaviour on the potential development of cervical cancer.

An analysis of the feelings of pregnant women at risk of preterm labour.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was an analysis of the feelings of pregnant women at risk ofpreterm labour. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 313 expectant mothers aged between 18 to 44 years (ranges: 18-25, 26-30 and 31-44 years) with no psychological disorders, hospitalized and treated due to the risk of preterm labour were surveyed. All the examined pregnant women expressed voluntary and informed consent for the participation in the survey. Each of the questionnaires given to the examined pregnant women contained: a questionnaire form devised by the authors, to establish the characteristics of the surveyed expectant mothers, and the following research standardized tool - Negative and Positive Feelings Scale by P. Brzozowski. RESULTS: The value of the mean level of positive feel- ings state in the group of patients aged 31-44 years with higher education was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the mean value in the group of patients aged 26-30 years with secondary or primary/vocational education. Marital status and place of residence had no effect on the level of positive feelings as a condition of pregnant women in the study group (p > 0.05). There were no significant statistical differences (p > 0.05) between the level of negative feel- ings trait and age. It was found, however, that the level of negative feelings trait was significantly lower (p = 0.0009) in pregnant women with higher education than in pregnant women who had completed secondary education. CONCLUSION: 1. Among pregnant women at risk of pre- term labour, higher levels of positive feelings were found in pregnant women aged 31-44 years with higher education, being married and residents of a provincial city. 2. In order to reduce negative feelings in pregnant women at risk of preterm labour it seems important to implement appropriate psychological and prophylactic management, provide adequate care in the pregnancy pathology department, as well as support from the medical staff and the family. These activities should be targeted particularly at younger women with primary education or vocational training, not being married and living in rural areas.

Intensification of anxiety and depression, and personal resources among women during the peri-operative period.

AIM: Surgical treatment of women due to gynaecological disorders is the cause of stress and may lead to psychological changes. Studies concerning human response to stress emphasize the importance of the effect of the level of the sense of coherence, anxiety, depression, dispositional optimism and skills of expressing emotions on the quality of feelings and experiences in difficult situations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study covered 232 women who had undergone gynaecological surgery due to various causes. Permission to conduct the research was obtained from the Bioethical Commission at the Medical University in Lublin. The study was carried out with the use of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory, Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS), and Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that investigations of the sense of coherence, level of anxiety and depression, and personal resources allow determination of the characteristics of patients who should be covered with special psycho-prophylactic care during the peri-operative period. In addition, the results of own studies obtained may be used for the development of adequate principles of psycho-prophylactic management in the course of the diagnostic-treatment process with respect to women who had undergone surgical treatment due to gynaecological disorders.

[Level of depression in women undergoing gynecologic surgery]. / Analiza poziomu depresji u kobiet leczonych operacyjnie na oddziale ginekologii.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of depression in women during the early post-operative period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 220 women treated surgically for various gynecologic conditions were enrolled. The study was done between day 4-6 after surgery using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: It was found that the mean level of depression on the BDI scale in the study group of women was 12.24 +/- 8.73. The mean level of depression in patients who underwent surgery using the vaginal route was significantly greater (p = 0.003) than in patients after laparoscopy and patients after laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The mean level of depression in the study group approached values found in depression. Patients after surgery using the vaginal route demonstrated higher levels of depression than patients after laparoscopy. Age, education, source of subsistence, and number of children had an impact on the level of depression in the study group. Marital status and place of residence were without effect on the level of depression in the patients.

Maternal passive smoking during pregnancy and neonatal health.

The objective of the study was the evaluation of effect of passive smoking among pregnant women on the health condition of their newborn babies. The study covered 150 healthy, non-smoking women from the Lublin Region. Among the total number of respondents, 45.34 % were not exposed during pregnancy to passive smoking at their workplace, while 13.33 % were passive smokers throughout the whole period of pregnancy. The state of their babies was assessed according to the APGAR Scale. A statistically significant correlation was noted between the maternal exposure to passive smoking during pregnancy and evaluation of the babies according to the APGAR Scale. No statistically significant relationship was noted between the date of delivery, the birth weight of babies, the onset of lactation, the problems with breastfeeding and maternal passive smoking during pregnancy.

[Assessment of anxiety in women during puerperium]. / Ocena poziomu leku u kobiet w pologu.

PURPOSE: Many women experience various emotional disorders during puerperium characterized by high levels of anxiety. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: To analyse the level of anxiety in women during puerperium depending on age, education, marital status, number of pregnancies, route of delivery, and family situation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 120 women between day 10 and 15 of puerperium without any previous psychiatric disorders. Pregnancy, delivery, and puerperium were without any morbidity and the newborns were healthy. The level of anxiety was measured using C. D. Spilberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: The level of anxiety as a trait in women during puerperium was within normal limits, whereas the level of anxiety as a state was elevated. Primipara and women up to 20 years of age require special attention during psycho-preventive treatment due to increased level of anxiety as a trait during puerperium. Employment and family situation determine the level of anxiety as a state after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of women with a higher level of anxiety as a state during puerperium may provoke early medical intervention in this group of women and thus contribute to improvement in the quality of life of the woman and conditions for future development of the neonate.

Evaluation of the effect of using mobile phones on male fertility.

The problem of the lack of offspring is a phenomenon concerning approximately 15% of married couples in Poland. Infertility is defined as inability to conceive after a year of sexual intercourses without the use of contraceptives. In half of the cases the causative factor is the male. Males are exposed to the effect of various environmental factors, which may decrease their reproductive capabilities. A decrease in male fertility is a phenomenon which occurs within years, which may suggest that one of the reasons for the decrease in semen parameters is the effect of the development of techniques in the surrounding environment. A hazardous effect on male fertility may be manifested by a decrease in the amount of sperm cells, disorders in their mobility, as well as structure. The causative agents may be chemical substances, ionizing radiation, stress, as well as electromagnetic waves. The objective of the study was the determination of the effect of the usage of cellular phones on the fertility of males subjected to marital infertility therapy. The following groups were selected from among 304 males covered by the study: Group A: 99 patients who did not use mobile phones, Group B: 157 males who have used GSM equipment sporadically for the period of 1-2 years, and Group C: 48 people who have been regularly using mobile phone for more than 2 years. In the analysis of the effect of GSM equipment on the semen it was noted that an increase in the percentage of sperm cells of abnormal morphology is associated with the duration of exposure to the waves emitted by the GSM phone. It was also confirmed that a decrease in the percentage of sperm cells in vital progressing motility in the semen is correlated with the frequency of using mobile phones.

Low dose magnetic fields do not cause oxidative DNA damage in human placental cotyledons in vitro.

The biological impact of low dose magnetic fields generated by electric appliances present in the human environment is still uncertain. In this study, human placentas served as a model tissue for the evaluation of the potential effect of oscillating low intensity magnetic fields on the concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) in cellular DNA. Cotyledons were dissected from placentas obtained immediately after physiological labours and exposed to magnetic fields (groups MF A, 2 mT, 50 Hz and MF B, 5 mT, 50 Hz) or sham exposed (group C) during an in vitro perfusion of 3 h. Cellular DNA was isolated, hydrolyzed and analyzed by HPLC. Native nucleosides were monitored at 254 nm and 8-OH-dG by electrochemical detection. Results were expressed as mumol 8-OH-dG/mol deoxyguanosine (dG). The concentrations of 8-OH-dG in group C, MF A and MF B were 28.45+/-15.27 micromol/mol dG, 62.80+/-31.91 mumol/mol dG, and 27.49+/-14.23 micromol/mol dG, respectively, demonstrating no significant difference between the groups. The results suggest that placental tissues possess a capacity to protect DNA against oxidative alterations by magnetic field of intensities previously shown to produce radical mediated DNA damage in rat brain cells in vivo and imbalances in electrolyte release of cotyledons under in vitro conditions.

Oxidative DNA damage in placentas from normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Placental oxidative stress was suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia (PE). In this study, levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), a well-established marker of oxidative DNA damage, were analysed in placental cellular DNA from normal (group NP) and pre-eclamptic (group PE) pregnancies as well as from PE pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (group PE-IUGR). Placental samples obtained immediately after delivery were frozen at -80 degrees C until analysis. Cellular DNA was isolated, hydrolysed and analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Native nucleosides were monitored at 254 nm and 8-OH-dG using electrochemical detection. Concentrations of 8-OH-dG were expressed as micro mol/mol 2'-deoxyguanosine. In group NP, mean concentration of 8-OH-dG reached 179.97+/-80.58 (+/-SEM; micro mol/mol dG). 8-OH-dG levels were higher in group PE (273.44+/-110.14 micro mol/mol), but the difference was not significant in comparison with group NP. Highest concentrations of 8-OH-dG were found in group PE-IUGR (428.97+/-141.40 micro mol/mol), with levels significantly higher than in group NP, but not group PE. The results indicate a positive correlation between the severity of PE and the degree of oxidative stress and corroborate previous studies suggesting reactive oxygen species to be involved in the pathophysiology of PE.

[The dually perfused human placenta by Schneider method modified Miller. II. Changes of arterial and venous fetal blood pressure]. / Badania nad metodyczna wartoscia dwustronnej perfuzji zrazika lozyska ludzkiego in vitro sposobem Schneidera w modyfikacji Millera. II. Ocena wartosci cisnienia tetniczego w krazeniu plodowym.

The study was carried out on 7 human placental cotyledons. Placental perfusions performed by Schneider method modified by Miller were conducted for 180 min. assessment of arterial and venous pressure in fetal blood was performed. There were no statistically significant differences between obtained values of perfusion pressure obtained the experiment. The range of vessels perfusion resistance was stable during the experiment. The results ot this study lead to conclusion that the method used can be valuable for assessment of other perfusion liquid parameters and introduced to subsequent experiments.

[Relationship between maternal cigarette smoking and newborn birth weight and physical condition]. / Ocena masy urodzeniowej i stanu ogólnego noworodków matek palacych i niepalacych podczas ciazy.

Current literature presents the argument whether decrease of birth weight of newborns delivered by women smoking during pregnancy results from tobacco smoking or from lower standard of living of smoking women. Therefore research was undertaken to analyse birth weight and general condition of newborns in groups of women smoking and non-smoking during pregnancy representing comparable social-living status in the examined groups and at comparable gestation age at labour. The study was performed with the method of diagnostic survey using questionnaire technique and analysis of medical records. General condition of newborns was determined by means of Apgar score in the fifth minute after birth. In the group of women smoking during pregnancy mean birth weight of newborns and mean Apgar score value of general health condition of newborns in the fifth minute after birth were smaller than those found in the group of non-smoking women. The study has shown that cigarette smoking by women during pregnancy is associated with a decrease of birth weight and worse general condition of newborns right after delivery. Studies indicate a cause-effect relationship between cigarette smoking by women during pregnancy and newborns condition.