Comparison of Left Ventricular Stroke Volume in 2nd- and 3rd Trimester Fetuses Measured by the Product of VTI and Aortic Annular Area With That Assessed by Simpson's Single-Plane Rule Using the STE Technique.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare left ventricle stroke volume in healthy, eutrophic fetuses in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters evaluated using the velocity time integral and aortic annulus area with left ventricular stroke volume measured using Simpson's single-plane rule and to determine the discrepancy equation. METHODS: The study included 354 fetuses. In each fetus, during the same examination, simultaneous assessment of stroke volume was performed by pulsed-wave Doppler using the product of the velocity time integral and aortic annulus area and by the fetalHQ® software using Simpson's single-plane rule. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the "product-derived" stroke volume and stroke volume using fetalHQ® software values in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters separately. The agreement between the two methods were verified using Bland-Altman analysis. A linear regression model was used to obtain the discrepancy equation. RESULTS: In the 2nd trimester, the mean percentage difference between both the techniques showed that the stroke volume values determined using pulsed-wave Doppler were, on average, 88% higher than the stroke volume values determined using fetalHQ®. The upper limit of agreement between the compared techniques was approximately 146% and the lower limit of agreement was equal to 29.6%. In the 3rd trimester, the results indicated that the stroke volume values determined using pulsed-wave Doppler were, on average, 76% higher than the stroke volume values determined using fetalHQ®. The upper limit of agreement between the compared techniques was approximately 129% and the lower limit of agreement was 23%. Based on the results of the linear regression models, discrepancy formulas of the stroke volume values were obtained. The equations to calculate the predicted mean and standard deviations were used to compute the reference intervals for the mean, 5th and 95th centiles. CONCLUSION: The calculation of left ventricular stroke volume using pulsed Doppler has higher result in relation to stroke volume determined using Simpson's rule significantly. The aortic annulus area showed a higher correlation regarding stroke volume than the velocity time integral in both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Stroke volume increased with the increase in aortic annulus area, whereas the velocity time integral remained relatively constant. The retrospective analysis of the collected material enabled the determination of the discrepancy equation.

Social capital and all-cause mortality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among middle-aged and older people: Prospective cohort study in Poland.

Prior to the pandemic, studies demonstrated the mainly protective role of structural social capital on all-cause mortality, less evidence had been found for a protective role for cognitive social capital. However, some findings from the early stage of the pandemic suggest that civic participation and group affiliation may be associated with more COVID-19-related deaths, as was interpersonal trust. Thus, the study aimed to verify indicators of individual social capital as risk factors for 7.6-year all-cause mortality before COVID-19 pandemic and 1.6-year all-cause mortality during of the pandemic among men and women aged 50+ years in Poland. The Polish part of the COURAGE in Europe cross-sectional baseline study was conducted in 2011. The analysis included 2913 face-to-face interviews with randomly selected community-dwelling individuals. Information about deaths was obtained from the State Systems Department on Oct 7, 2021. Various aspects of structural and cognitive social capital were measured. The Cox proportional hazard models were used. Before the pandemic, a protective effect of structural (formal and informal social participation) and cognitive social capital (trust in family, trust in co-workers) on the risk of death was observed in women. However, a negative effect of cognitive social capital (trust in strangers) was found for women and men. No positive effect of social capital during the pandemic after controlling for the health-related characteristics was found. A negative effect of generalized trust on all-cause mortality during the pandemic was discerned for men, a negative effect of the level of one's social network was found in women. The observed patterns of relationships were totally different for analyzed periods of time, and different for men and women. Consequently, planning of social interventions directed towards middle and older age groups should consider various actions for men and women separately. The need for continuous evaluation of implemented social interventions was emphasized.

Neglect and self-rated health among older adults - a cross-sectional study in Poland.

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine if neglect is associated with self-rated health (SRH) and if neglect mediates the association between selected factors and self-rated health, among older men and women. The analyses were based on face-to-face computer-assisted personal interviews conducted with 1632 randomly selected community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years and more from among the general population of Lesser Poland. The regression models' analysis revealed that elder neglect was associated with self-rated health, and the mediation analysis demonstrated that neglect mediates the association between frequency of church attendance and SRH, as well as between marital status (being a widower vs being married) and SRH, among men. These observations can be helpful in better under- standing of the broad context of elder neglect in order to develop instruments for an efficient improvement of older adults' health and quality of life. In addition to this, the study underlines the role of social networks and social engagement as factors which might protect against neglect, and thus improve self- rated health of older people.

Development and Validation of the Polish Version of Questionnaire for the Assessment of Psychosocial and Functional Effects of Metastatic Breast Cancer.

The aim of this study is to adapt culturally and validate a questionnaire assessing experiences of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in Poland. The questionnaire development was divided into three phases: bidirectional translation of the survey, testing it for acceptability and relevance, and field testing. In the field study, 320 women with MBC completed the questionnaire, 50 of them twice for retest. Basic psychometric properties of the items used in questionnaire were analyzed. Test-retest reliability was assessed using kappa coefficient. In case of some items, known-group validity was verified. We made minor revisions to the construction and wording of the questionnaire. The analysis of the variables distributions used in the final version of the questionnaire showed that there were no redundant response categories across items. We checked for the floor and ceiling effect. It was found that there were a total of < 40% respondents selecting the lowest or the highest possible score. The observed values of the Kappa coefficients indicated high tool's stability. We compared predefined groups for known-group validity; few expected associations reached statistical significance, which supported the overall validity of the tool. The questionnaire has been successfully developed. The results confirm the validity, reliability, and applicability.

Internet use for instrumental purposes in relation to the quality of life among elderly females and males in Poland - mediating effects of loneliness and social support.

OBJECTIVES: The study explores the direct and indirect associations (i.e., through the extent of the level of loneliness and perceived social support) between internet use for instrumental purposes and the quality of life (QoL) among elderly females and males in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis was based on 2001 face-to-face interviews performed among randomly selected individuals aged ≥65 years from the general population. The collected data was weighted to generalize the study sample for the reference population. The analysis was conducted using multiple linear regression models. The mediation effect was tested according to the Baron and Kenny approach. RESULTS: The obtained results indicate that internet use for instrumental purposes is directly related to a better QoL of elderly Polish males. This positive effect among men also occurs indirectly, through the decrease in loneliness levels as well as the increase in social support scores. It has also been shown that among elderly females, the effect of internet use for instrumental purposes is not related to a better QoL, either directly or indirectly. CONCLUSIONS: Internet use for instrumental purposes seems to be important in enhancing a successful life among elderly male adults. However, these technologies are not associated with better QoL among females. Practitioners should be aware of these gender differences. The study adds to the previous studies by demonstrating that the feeling of loneliness and social support mediates the relationship between internet use for instrumental purposes and QoL among elderly males, whereas among elderly females this effect does not occur. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(2):169-85.

Development and Validation of a Self-Neglect Scale Among Older People: The Study on Challenges for Neglect and Self-Neglect in Poland.

The study aimed to develop and validate a tool to recognize the presence and to evaluate the level of self-neglect in community-dwelling older people. The cross-sectional study included 2,894 face-to-face interviews with randomly selected individuals from among the general population, social service users, and hospital patients. In addition, specially trained interviewers assessed the physical appearance and standards of living. Reliability, content, and construct validity were assessed. The Item Response Theory was used. The following scales were developed: the Self-Reported Self-Neglect Scale (SRSNS), the Objective Assessment of the Level of Self-Neglect-Physical Appearance (OALSN-PA) scale, concerning physical health risks based on the appearance of an individual, and the Objective Assessment of the Level of Self-Neglect-Standards of Living Arrangements (OALSN-SLA) scale, which assesses the physical and personal living conditions. The brevity of the scales makes them useful for the daily practice of health care and social care professionals.

Assessment of Psychosocial and Functional Effects of Metastatic Breast Cancer in Tarnow Region of Poland and Among the Social Media Polish Group-Results from the Survey from Patients.

The aim of the study was a comprehensive assessment of metastatic breast cancer patients' needs in Poland. We conducted and culturally adapted and validated "Count Us, Know Us, Join Us" Metastatic Breast Cancer Survey between November 2018 and July 2019. Two hundred ten patients treated in Tarnów completed the paper questionnaires distributed conveniently by healthcare professionals, and 110 patients completed the online survey. Almost all patients believe that new therapies are necessary, and over a half find their options of treatment limited. Support from family, friends, and healthcare professionals seems sufficient. Most patients declare a negative impact of the disease on their emotional status and ability to maintain their lifestyle, finances, and job with one-third of respondents being employed. Three-quarters of patients actively seek data about cancer. The main source of information for Polish patients is the Internet, and they are primarily interested in the ways of managing side effects and available treatment options. We identified factors related to satisfaction with communication with the healthcare professionals. The results are generally consistent with similar studies across the universe. This may indicate that several issues have not been addressed over the years, and there is an urgent need to join international forces to raise awareness and support for metastatic breast cancer patients and lobby for better treatment outcomes.

Validity of a Self-Reported Neglect Scale Among Older Adults in Poland.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to create and validate a tool that could be implemented easily to recognize the presence and assess the level of neglect in community-dwelling older adults, and to provide information about the prevalence of the phenomenon in different subgroups of older adults in Poland. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study of elder neglect and self-neglect was conducted in Lesser Poland in 2017. It included 2,443 face-to-face interviews with randomly selected community-dwelling individuals from among the general population (1,635), social service users (280), and hospital patients (528). Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory (IRT) were used to build the scale, and its content and construct validity and reliability were assessed. RESULTS: The Self-Reported Neglect Scale (SRNS) with a 2-factor structure (basic needs and psychological needs dimensions) was created. Results of the IRT analysis showed high item discrimination (2.7-4.8 for the first factor, 0.8-3.2 for the second). The 1-year prevalence of neglect as a percentage of nonzero values of the SRNS was estimated at 11.4%. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The SRNS exhibited good psychometric properties. It may have promise as a tool for the assessment of neglect in epidemiological studies as well in the everyday practice of medical professionals and social workers.

Preparation and preliminary evaluation of bio-nanocomposites based on hydroxyapatites with antibacterial properties against anaerobic bacteria.

Hexagonal nanocrystalline powders of the non-doped Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 as well as activated with Ag+ and Eu3+ ions were synthesized by using different wet chemistry methods. Moreover, the obtained hydroxyapatite was loaded with Ag0, as well as nitroimidazole antimicrobials: metronidazole and tinidazole. The structural properties of the products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy as well as infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy. The photoluminescence properties of the Eu3+ and Ag+ co-doped Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 were characterized via the PL emission, excitation spectra and the luminescence decay curve. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained materials against Prevotella bivia and Parabacteroides distasonis was studied. The cytotoxicity assessment was carried out on the human osteosarcoma cell line (U2OS) as well as human red blood cells (RBC). The choice of the in vitro model was based on the fact that U2OS is a cancer cell line derived from bone tissue which is rich in apatites that play a pivotal role in the extracellular matrix formation. RBCs are the most abundant blood cells and they are used as a cell model in the study of biocompatibility of new prepared biocompounds with potential medical applications. The obtained multifunctional materials do not exhibit the haemolytic activity, therefore, they could be used as a promising antimicrobial agent and for anaerobic bacteria.

New approach to modification of poly (l-lactic acid) with nano-hydroxyapatite improving functionality of human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) through increased viability and enhanced mitochondrial activity.

The aim of this study was to determine the cytocompatibility of poly (l-lactide) (PLLA) scaffolds fabricated using co-rotating twin screw extrusion technique and functionalized with different concentrations of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp). The efforts were aimed on the designing bioactive scaffolds improving the viability and metabolic activity of human adipose-derived multipotent stromal cells (hASCs). The in vitro study was designed to determine the optimal nHAp concentration, based on analysis of hASCs morphology, adhesion rate, as well as metabolic and proliferative potential. Initially, the PLLA filled with three different concentrations of the nHAp were tested i.e. 5%, 10% and 15 wt%. The obtained results indicated that the 10 wt% nHAp in the PLLA (10% nHAp/PLLA) matrices improved the adhesion and proliferation of the hASCs, what was in good agreement with the results of tensile properties of the composites. Further, we performed profound studies regarding the cytotoxicity of 10% nHAp/PLLA. The analysis included the evaluation of the biomaterial influence on viability, apoptosis-related markers expression profile and mitochondrial function. The cytocompatibility of 10% nHAp/PLLA scaffolds toward the hASCs was confirmed. The hASCs propagated on 10% nHAp/PLLA were more viable then those propagated on the plain PLLA. The level of pro-apoptotic markers, i.e. caspase-3 and Bax in cultures on 10% nHAp/PLLA was significantly decreased. Obtained results correlated with higher mitochondrial membrane potential of hASCs in those cultures. The obtained composites may improve therapeutic potential of hASCs via directing their adhesion, enhancing proliferation and viability as well as increasing mitochondrial potential, thus may find potential application in tissue engineering.

Correction: Preferential site occupancy of Eu3+ ions in strontium hydroxyapatite nanocrystalline - Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2- structural and spectroscopic characterisation.

Correction for 'Preferential site occupancy of Eu3+ ions in strontium hydroxyapatite nanocrystalline - Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2- structural and spectroscopic characterisation' by Katarzyna Zawisza and Rafal J. Wiglusz, Dalton Trans., 2017, 46, 3265-3275.

Determinants of mobility in populations of older adults: Results from a cross-sectional study in Finland, Poland and Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the determinants of mobility among people aged 50+ from Finland, Spain and Poland. STUDY DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional population study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A mobility score was based on responses to items referring to body movements, walking, moving around and using transportation. Determinants of mobility were entered in hierarchical regression models in the following order: sociodemographic characteristics, health habits, chronic conditions, description of general state of health, vision and hearing, social networks, built environment. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 3902 participants (mean age 65.1, SD 9.8). The final model explained 64.7% of the variation in mobility. The most relevant predictors were: pain, age and living in Finland, presence of arthritis, stroke and diabetes, high-risk waist circumference, physical inactivity, and perceiving the neighborhood environment as more exploitable. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide public health indications that could support concrete actions to address the modifiable determinants of mobility. These include the identification and treatment of pain-related problems, increasing the level of physical activity and the improvement of neighborhood features in terms of presence of general utility places or means of transportation. These factors can be modified with short- to medium-term interventions and such a change could improve the mobility of ageing population, with evident benefits for health.

Measurement invariance of the WHOQOL-AGE questionnaire across three European countries.

PURPOSE: Developing valid and reliable instruments that can be used across countries is necessary. The present study aimed to test the comparability of quality of life scores across three European countries (Finland, Poland, and Spain). METHOD: Data from 9987 participants interviewed between 2011 and 2012 were employed, using nationally representative samples from the Collaborative Research on Ageing in Europe project. The WHOQOL-AGE questionnaire is a 13-item test and was employed to assess the quality of life in the three considered countries. First of all, two models (a bifactor model and a two-correlated factor model) were proposed and tested in each country by means of confirmatory factor models. Second, measurement invariance across the three countries was tested using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis for that model which showed the best fit. Finally, differences in latent mean scores across countries were analyzed. RESULTS: The results indicated that the bifactor model showed more satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices than the two-correlated factor model and that the WHOQOL-AGE questionnaire is a partially scalar invariant instrument (only two items do not meet scalar invariance). Quality of life scores were higher in Finland (considered as the reference category: mean = 0, SD = 1) than in Spain (mean = - 0.547, SD = 1.22) and Poland (mean = - 0.927, SD = 1.26). CONCLUSIONS: Respondents from Finland, Poland, and Spain attribute the same meaning to the latent construct studied, and differences across countries can be due to actual differences in quality of life. According to the results, the comparability across the different considered samples is supported and the WHOQOL-AGE showed an adequate validity in terms of cross-country validation. Caution should be exercised with the two items which did not meet scalar invariance, as potential indicator of differential item functioning.

Cytotoxicity Evaluation of High-Temperature Annealed Nanohydroxyapatite in Contact with Fibroblast Cells.

Biomaterials are substances manufactured for medical purposes in direct contact with the tissues of organisms. Prior to their use, they are tested to determine their usefulness and safety of application. Hydroxyapatites are used in medicine as a bony complement because of their similarity to the natural apatite therein. Thanks to their bioactivity, biocompatibility, stability and non-toxicity hydroxyapatite are the most commonly used materials in osteoimplantology. The use of materials at the nanoscale in medicine or biology may carry the risk of undesirable effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of high-temperature annealed nanohydroxyapatites on the L929 murine fibroblasts. Nanohydroxyapatites in powder form were obtained by the wet chemistry method: in the temperature range of 800-1000 °C and used for the study. Based on performed studies evaluating the morphology and fibroblast viability, it was found that nanohydroxyapatites show no cytotoxic effects on the L929 cell line.

Forgotten and Resurrected Chernovite-(Y): YAsO4 Doped with Eu3+ Ions as a Potential Nanosized Luminophore.

In the present work, a precipitation method was employed to prepare nanosized YAsO4 doped with Eu3+ ions. The raw nanomaterials have been thermally treated in a temperature range between 500 and 900 °C for 3 h. The XRD analysis demonstrated that the powders were single-phase nanopowders with high crystallite dispersion. Our studies were focused on relating the luminescence properties of the Eu3+ dopant to the nanocrystallite (NC) size. The average NC size varied accordingly between 15 and 45 nm. We have found that the size effect is manifested mainly in the expansion of the cell volume and broadening of XRD peaks, as indicated by Rietveld analysis. Moreover, the emission and excitation spectra, although typical for Eu3+ ions, demonstrated some degree of variability with calcination temperatures and doping concentration. To explain these differences, a detailed analysis of luminescence spectra by the Judd-Ofelt theory has been performed.

Urban-rural differences in social capital in relation to self-rated health and subjective well-being in older residents of six regions in Poland.

The aim of the study was to assess the differences between rural and urban areas as regards the role of social capital and its effect on self-rated health and subjective well-being among older people in Poland. The sample was selected on the basis of multi-stage clustered design from the non-institutionalized adult population. Analysis was based on 1,299 elderly people aged 65 and over from the general Polish population who participated in the COURAGE in Europe project. Six regions of Poland were distinguished according to first level of Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics (NUTS) classification . As an indicator of social capital, the COURAGE Social Network Index, the OSLO-3 Social Support Scale, and the three item UCLA Loneliness scale were used, as well as social participation and trust was assessed. Self-rated health (SRH) was measured by WHO-Europe recommended version (ranging from 'very good' to 'very bad'). Well-being was assessed by the Day Reconstruction Method. Results: The results showed that in urban areas, social network and social participation supported positive self-rated health; in rural, older residents the number of years of education and social support played the same role, while self-rated health decreased with an increasing level of loneliness. Self-rated health decreased in both groups of older people with a growing number of diseases. The multivariate linear regression model of predictors of well-being in older age also confirmed differences between urban and rural elderly residents. In rural residents, subjective well-being significantly increased with the positive effect of the social network. In both urban and rural areas, poor assessment of subjective well-being in older age increased with a higher level of loneliness and growing number of chronic diseases.

Gender-related differences in the multi-pathway effect of social determinants on quality of life in older age-the COURAGE in Europe project.

PURPOSE: Gender-related differences in life expectancy, prevalence of chronic conditions and level of disability in the process of ageing have been broadly described. Less is known about social determinants, which may have different impacts on quality of life in men and women. The investigation aims to reveal gender-related differences in social determinants on quality of life assessed by a multi-pathway model including health, social, demographic and living place characteristics. METHODS: The study group consisted of 5099 participants aged 50+ representing general populations of three different European regions (Finland, Poland, Spain) who participated in COURAGE in EUROPE Project. Standardized tools were used to measure quality of life (WHOQOL-AGE) and social determinants (COURAGE Social Network Index, OSLO-3 Social Support Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, participation scale and trust). A multipath model considering exogenous predictors (demographic, economic), mediators (social) and endogenous outcome (QOL) was created to reveal the role of determinants. Gender-related differences were investigated across three age categories: 50-64; 65-79 and 80+. RESULTS: The model (RMSEA = 0.058; CFI = 0.939) showed the effects of all of the investigated determinants. Gender-related differences in the association between social constructs and QOL were observed for social networks in the group of 80+, for social support in the group of 50-64 and 65-79 years, and for social participation in the group of 65-79 years. Males benefited more (in QOL) from social networks and social support, and women from social participation. CONCLUSIONS: The research provides valuable knowledge about the role of social determinants in QOL considering complex relations between different social constructs. Additionally, the results showed gender-related differences in the associations between social networks, social support, social participation and QOL, suggesting that men might benefit more from the interventions in the first two. Although our research did not investigate the effects of interventions, the results show directions for future investigations, how to shape social interventions at the population level to improve quality of life of older adults, and thus help achieve successful ageing.

Preferential site occupancy of Eu3+ ions in strontium hydroxyapatite nanocrystalline - Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2 - structural and spectroscopic characterisation.

Strontium hydroxyapatite (Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2) nanopowders doped with Eu3+ ions were synthesized via a microwave-stimulated hydrothermal method and were heat-treated in the temperature range of 450-650 °C for 3 h. The concentration of Eu3+ ions was set in the range of 0.5-5 mol% to investigate the site occupancy preference. The structural and morphological properties of the obtained samples were determined via XRD (X-ray powder diffraction) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) techniques, as well as IR (infrared) and Raman spectroscopy. Nanoparticles were obtained in the range of 35-85 nm as a function of dopant concentration and sintering temperature. The luminescence properties of Eu3+ ion-doped Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2, depending on dopant concentration and sintering temperature, were investigated. The Eu3+ ion occupied one site (C3 (Sr1)) of Sr2+ cations in the Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2 matrix, providing only one emission site, as results from luminescence spectroscopy data confirmed by the Rietveld refinement. A weak broad emission was observed with a peak at about 425 nm, corresponding to the 4f65d1 → 4f7 (8S7/2) transition of Eu2+ ions. The simplified Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory was performed and a detailed analysis in connection with observed structural and spectroscopic measurements was carried out and has been described herein.

Sleep duration and mortality among older adults in a 22-year follow-up study: an analysis of possible effect modifiers.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of sleep duration and all-cause mortality among 2,449 Polish community-dwelling older citizens of Krakow observed during 22 years of follow-up. In particular, the role of some demographic, psychosocial and health-related conditions were investigated in terms of modification effect. In the prospective study, background information was gathered by face-to-face interview. Vital data were obtained from the population registry. Cox regression models were used to assess the role of sleep duration in mortality, in the analyses of potential effect modifiers and the shape of the relationship. Sleep duration was observed to be a significant predictor of all-cause mortality. Life-weariness, functional activity, total number of chronic diseases and age (65-79, 80+) were found to be effect modifiers for the relationship between sleep duration and mortality. Further investigation showed a U-shaped mortality risk associated with the duration of sleep among individuals with a high level of life-weariness, high functional activity and in individuals aged 80 and over. On the other hand, a linear relationship between longer sleep duration and mortality was observed among older people with no experience of life-weariness, without chronic diseases, with medium functional activity and aged 65-79, but also among those who reported three and more chronic conditions. Results of our study support available evidence showing the relationship between sleep duration and mortality among older adults and suggest that any public health intervention in this area should consider also other coexisting modifiable psychosocial and functional determinants.

[Socio-demographic differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among women and men in Poland--results from the Courage in Europe Project]. / Demograficzno-spoleczne rócznice w wystepowaniu chorób ukladu krazenia u kobiet i mezczyzn w Polsce--wyniki badania Courage in Europe.

The aim of the study was to assess differences in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (hypertension, coronary artery disease - CAD, stroke) in women and men in relation to demographic and social characteristics in adult population in Poland. Study was performed in the representative group of 4071 individuals (18+) in Poland. Face to face interviews were done using structured questionnaire. Chi-squared test and decision tree analysis have been used to assess the presence of difference between groups and to determine characteristics typical for the ill. Age was a factor significantly associated with the diversity of CVD prevalence in women and men. Similar role played the level of education and marital status. Low income was additional significant determinant of the CVD for both women and men. Analysis based on decision trees additionally confirmed the differences in characteristics of ill persons in younger age groups. Our results indicate that especially in younger age groups it may be more than expected number of women suffering from early stage ischemic heart disease. Due to atypical or less severe symptoms some cases remain probably undiagnosed on the level of health care system. Our finding is supported by the consistency between the frequency of physician diagnosed CAD and WHO algorithm in 60-79 age category.