How Stress Is Related to Age, Education, Physical Activity, Body Mass Index, and Body Fat Percentage in Adult Polish Men?

Stressful events and chronic tension are considered a burden and a threat to physical, mental, and social health. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the associations of variation in stress exposure with social factors, physical activity, basic components of physical fitness, body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BFP). An additional objective was to identify the main BFP modifiers among those analyzed. The material consisted of data of ethnically homogeneous group 355 men (32-87 yrs), invited to the study as part of the Wroclaw Male Study research project. The analyzed features included socioeconomic status (age, educational level), elements of lifestyle (physical activity), major and most important stressful life events-Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) and basic parameters of the somatic structure of the body (BMI, BFP). Statistical analyses included: chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and backward stepwise regression (significance level α = 0.05). Stress exposure showed significant socioeconomic variation among the adult Poles studied. Higher levels of education were associated with higher levels of stress. Significant correlations between SRRS and physical activity were found, especially in men older than 60 years and with higher levels of education. A positive relationship was shown between SRRS and BFP, especially in men under 60 years of age. BFP appeared to depend mainly on age and stress. The main determinants of SRRS were age and education level, while BFP turned out to be more sensitive to stress than BMI. The modifying force of physical activity for SRRS appears to be age dependent.

Age, Education, and Stress Affect Ageing Males' Symptoms More than Lifestyle Does: The Wroclaw Male Study.

An increasing number of subjects are affected by health problems related to the advanced involutional processes. It is extremely important to identify the determinants of the rate of occurrence of physiological, psychological, and social manifestations of aging. The aim was to determine how factors such as lifestyle, level of education, or severity of stressful life events indicate the appearance of aging symptoms in adult men. The material consisted of data of ethnically homogeneous group of 355 men (32−87 years), invited to the study as a part of the Wroclaw Male Study research project. The analyzed features included (1) socioeconomic status: age, educational level, marital status, and having children; (2) elements of lifestyle: alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and physical activity; (3) major and most important stressful life events­the Social Readjustment Rating Scale; (4) symptoms related to male aging­the Aging Males' Symptoms. The backward stepwise regression models, the Kruskal−Wallis test, and multiple comparisons of mean ranks were used. Noncentrality parameter δ (delta), two-tailed critical values of the test, and test power with α = 0.05 were calculated. Among the analyzed variables, age was most strongly associated with the intensity of almost all groups of andropausal symptoms in men (p = 0.0001), followed by the level of education (p = 0.0001) and the intensity of stressful life events (p = 0.0108). Selected lifestyle elements turned out to be much less important (p > 0.01). Preventive actions aimed at slowing down the intensification of involutional processes, including teaching strategies for coping with stressful life events, should be implemented in groups of men with specific risk factors from an early age.

Growth change in Polish women: Reduction of the secular trends?

The aim of the study was to analyse changes in the average height of adult Polish women born in 1931-2001 in the aspect of dynamically changing economic and socio-economic conditions of the living environment. An ethnically homogeneous group of 6,028 adult women from large Polish cities, born in 1931-2001, living between 1931 and 2020, were examined using the same research methods and research equipment. All women were divided into eight birth cohorts. The Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple regression analyses were used. Root Mean Square Standardized Effect (RMSSE), critical value of the test, and test power were calculated. The average height of women born during 70 years of the study increased by 9.63 cm, from 158.22 cm (SD = 5.57 cm) to 167.85 cm (SD = 6.91 cm) (H = 1084.84, p<0.001). The intensity of the intergenerational trend in subsequent cohorts of years of birth varied strongly between decades, averaging 1.34 cm/decade. The body height in women increased significantly up to the height of those born between 1970 and 1979 and then the trend weakened noticeably, although it remained positive. The observed secular trend confirms positive changes in the standard of living of Polish women between 1931 and 2020. Improving living conditions allow people to fully achieve their genetically determined growth potential.

The relationship between: occupational status, biological condition and androgen hormone level among Polish adult men: the Wroclaw Male Study.

Population health and its determinants are one of the major challenges to social and economic policy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupational activity and biological condition in adult working Polish men. The participants of the study were 300 men (30-65 years), healthy inhabitants of the city of Wroclaw, Poland. Seventeen measures of biological condition were examined. The subjects were divided into three different occupational groups: professionals, soldiers and skilled workers. A comparison of biological age profiles of three occupational groups showed that in the majority of characteristics, professionals had the youngest biological age, whereas skilled workers had the highest biological age. The results for soldiers were not as unambiguous, but biological parameters were generally closer to those for professionals. Inborn biological predispositions and long-term impact of the working environment can influence on the biological condition of various professional groups. Knowledge of the determinants of biological condition might result in efficient use of predisposition to work or may be of help in extending their time of work ability.

Could gonadal and adrenal androgen deficiencies contribute to the depressive symptoms in men with systolic heart failure?

BACKGROUND: Testosterone (TT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) are neurosteroids and their deficiencies constitute the hormone risk factors promoting the development of depression in elderly otherwise healthy men. We investigated the link between hypogonadism and depression in accordance with age and concomitant diseases in men with systolic HF using the novel scale previously dedicated for elderly population. METHODS: We analysed the prevalence of depression and severity of depressive symptoms in population of 226 men with systolic HF (40-80 years) compared to 379 healthy peers. The severity of depression was assessed using the Polish long version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS: In men aged 40-59 years the severity of depressive symptoms was greater in NYHA classes III-IV compared to NYHA classes I-II and reference group. In men aged 60-80 years depressive symptoms were more severe in NYHA class III-IV compared to controls (all p ≤ 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression model in men aged 40-59 years advanced NYHA class was associated with higher prevalence of mild depression (OR = 2.14, 95%CI: 1.07-4.29) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with higher prevalence of severe depression (OR = 69.1, 95%CI: 2.11-2264.3). In men aged 60-80 years advanced NYHA class and TT deficiency were related to higher prevalence of mild depression (respectively: OR = 2.9, 95%CI: 1.3-6.4; OR = 3.6, 95%CI: 1.2-10.63). CONCLUSION: TT deficiency, COPD and advanced NYHA class were associated with higher prevalence of depression in men with systolic HF.

Biological costs of economic transition: Stress levels during the transition from communism to capitalism in Poland.

At the end of the 1980s, Poland began the transformation from an essentially one-party communist system to a politically pluralistic democratic system. These political and economic changes had major social consequences, among others unemployment and a sharp decrease in real personal income. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible relationship between stress in adult men, measured by the Allostatic Load, and the socio-economic deterioration during the first part of the economic transition. The Allostatic Load included eleven markers assessing adverse nutritional intake, cardiovascular activity, inflammatory processes, and lung, hepatic and renal functions. The results indicate a significantly higher risk of metabolic dysregulation in men examined after 1990, compared to men from previous years. After adjustment for socioeconomic variables and lifestyle variables, men examined in 1991 had a 31% greater risk of higher Allostatic Load compared with men examined in 1985 (OR=1.31; p=0.0541), in 1992, this risk was 50% greater (OR=1.50; p<0.01), and in 1993, the risk was 66% greater (OR=1.66; p<0.05). The conclusion is drawn that significantly more stressogenic factors for men were those directly connected with the financial situation of their families, than a sudden but short increase of prices for goods and services.

Self-reported versus measured body height and weight in Polish adult men: the risk of underestimating obesity rates.

BACKGROUND: In some epidemiological studies, self-reported height and weight are often used to save time and money. Self-reported height and weight are commonly used to assess the prevalence of obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the differences between self-reported and measured height and weight in adult men, and to determine how the accuracy of self-reported data depended on age and education. The prevalence of obesity was also calculated based both on self-reported and measured data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected during two population studies carried out in Wroclaw in 2010. One study included 1,194 19-year-old males who reported for the health examination mandated by the National Conscription Board (younger group). The other group included 355 men between 35 and 80 years old who reported for a ten-year follow-up (older group). Data were analyzed separately for both age groups. RESULTS: Both younger and older subjects overestimated their height by 1.4 cm and 1.0 cm (1.4 cm, 95 % CI: 1.26, 1.51, and 1.0 cm, 95 % CI: 0.85, 1.26, respectively). On average, younger subjects overestimated their weight by 0.7 kilograms (95 % CI: 0.55, 0.92), whereas older subjects underestimated their weight by 0.9 kilograms (95 % CI: -1.15, -0.48). The lower the level of education, the more the subjects overestimated their height. CONCLUSIONS: Adult men systematically overestimate their height and underestimate their weight. The magnitude of the inaccuracy depends on level of education. When self-reported data are used, the prevalence of obesity is generally underestimated. Using self-reported data to calculate BMI can lead to a substantial underestimation of the proportion of underweight and obese individuals in a population. Finally, using self-reported values for height in studies on social inequality may lead to false conclusions.Background: In some epidemiological studies, self-reported height and weight are often used to save time and money. Self-reported height and weight are commonly used to assess the prevalence of obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the differences between self-reported and measured height and weight in adult men, and to determine how the accuracy of self-reported data depended on age and education. The prevalence of obesity was also calculated based both on self-reported and measured data. Material and methods: Data were collected during two population studies carried out in Wroclaw in 2010. One study included 1,194 19-year-old males who reported for the health examination mandated by the National Conscription Board (younger group). The other group included 355 men between 35 and 80 years old who reported for a ten-year follow-up (older group). Data were analyzed separately for both age groups. Results: Both younger and older subjects overestimated their height by 1.4 cm and 1.0 cm (1.4 cm, 95   %CI: 1.26, 1.51, and 1.0 cm, 95   %CI: 0.85, 1.26, respectively). On average, younger subjects overestimated their weight by 0.7 kilograms (95   %CI: 0.55, 0.92), whereas older subjects underestimated their weight by 0.9 kilograms (95   %CI: ­1.15, ­0.48). The lower the level of education, the more the subjects overestimated their height. Conclusions: Adult men systematically overestimate their height and underestimate their weight. The magnitude of the inaccuracy depends on level of education. When self-reported data are used, the prevalence of obesity is generally underestimated. Using self-reported data to calculate BMI can lead to a substantial underestimation of the proportion of underweight and obese individuals in a population. Finally, using self-reported values for height in studies on social inequality may lead to false conclusions.

Secular trends in body height and body mass in 19-year-old Polish men based on six national surveys from 1965 to 2010.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine whether an intergenerational trend toward increased stature is slowing down, and whether body weight has recently increased among young men in Poland, as it has in Western European countries. METHODS: Data were taken from six national surveys of 19-year-old Polish male conscripts from cohorts 1965, 1976, 1986, 1995, 2001, and 2010. RESULTS: The mean stature of this population increased throughout the last 45 years from 170.5 cm in 1965 to 178.3 in 2010. However, the average gain in stature per decade declined from 2.4 cm in the period 1965 to 1976 to 0.8 cm per decade in 1995 to 2001, but increased to 1.0 cm in the last period. The average of body weight increased from 63.2 kg in 1965 to 73.1 in 2010 and body mass index (BMI) rose from 21.73 to 22.94 in the same period. The tempo of increase varied in different periods; between 1965 and 1986 an insignificant increase was observed (of circa 0.12); in 1986 to 1995 there was no increase, whereas the period of 2001 to 2010 witnessed a significant increase (of circa 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: The trend of body size and stature increase within the Polish population, although decelerating, remained positive and steady during the last 45 years. No significant impact of the past half-century's socioeconomic crises was observed in these measures of growth. We concluded that during the economic crises some effective mechanism protecting the living conditions of the children and youth were operating within the population.

Secular trends in BMI and the prevalence of obesity in young Polish males from 1965 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a serious public health problem, the prevalence of which is increasing dramatically all over the world. The aim of this study was to examine trends in body mass index (BMI) and the proportion of overweight and obese individuals among 19-year-old Polish males reporting for mandatory military fitness exams from 1965 to 2010. METHODS: Height, weight and BMI [weight (kg)/height (m(2))] in five 10% nationwide random samples of 19-year-old conscripts examined in 1965, 1986, 1995, 2001 and 2010 were analysed. RESULTS: From 1965 to 2010, mean BMI in 19-year-old Polish males increased from 21.7 to 22.9. The rate of change was not uniform, with a rapid increase in mean BMI from 1995 to 2010. Beginning in 1965, the proportion of men with a BMI over 25 has been steadily increasing from one decade to the next, and was four times higher in 2010 than it was in 1965. The rate of increase per decade was twice as high from 2001 to 2010 than it was from 1995 to 2001. In 2010, only 70.8% of young men were of ideal weight. CONCLUSION: Increase in obesity can be attributed to the social and economic changes brought about by the transformation of the country from a communist to a free-market economy in 1989. The challenges of the obesity epidemic for public health services and its impact on morbidity and life expectancy are also discussed.

Allostatic load and socioeconomic status in Polish adult men.

This study considers the relationship between a cumulative index of biological dysregulation (allostatic load) and several dimensions of socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle in adult Polish males. The extent to which lifestyle variables can explain SES variation in allostatic load was also evaluated. Participants were 3887 occupationally active men aged 25-60 years living in cities and villages in the Silesia region of Poland. The allostatic load indicator included eleven markers: % fat (adverse nutritional intake), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (cardiovascular activity), FEV1 (lung function), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (inflammatory processes), glucose and total cholesterol (cardiovascular disease risk), total plasma protein (stress-haemoconcentration), bilirubin, creatinine clearance and alkaline phosphatase activity (hepatic and renal functions). A higher level of completed education, being married and residing in an urban area were associated with lower physiological dysregulation. The association between indicators of SES and allostatic load was not eliminated or attenuated when unhealthy lifestyle variables were included in the model. Smoking status and alcohol consumption played minimal roles in explaining the association between SES and allostatic load; physical activity, however, had a generally protective effect on allostatic load.

Influence of neurophysiological hippotherapy on the transference of the centre of gravity among children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to present the influence of neurophysiological hippotherapy on the transference of the centre of gravity (COG) among children with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 19 children aged 4-13 years suffering from CP who demonstrated an asymmetric (A/P) model of compensation. Body balance was studied with the Cosmogamma Balance Platform. An examination on this platform was performed before and after a session of neurophysiological hippotherapy. In order to compare the correlations and differences between the examinations, the results were analysed using Student's T-test for dependent samples at p ≤ 0.05 as the level of statistical significance and descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: The mean value of the body's centre of gravity in the frontal plane (COG X) was 18.33 (mm) during the first examination, changing by 21.84 (mm) after neurophysiological hippotherapy towards deloading of the antigravity lower limb (p ≤ 0.0001). The other stabilographic parameters increased; however, only the change in average speed of antero - posterior COG oscillation was statistically significant (p = 0.0354). CONCLUSION: 1. One session of neurophysiological hippotherapy induced statistically significant changes in the position of the centre of gravity in the body in the frontal plane and the average speed of COG oscillation in the sagittal plane among CP children demonstrating an asymmetric model of compensation (A/P).

Life satisfaction and cardiovascular disease risk in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death. Life satisfaction is a predictor of morbidity and mortality, irrespectively of objective measures of health status. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between life satisfaction (LS) and cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) assessed with the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in Polish adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Past, present and projected LS were estimated. The FRS reflecting 10-year CVD risk was calculated from health indices and lifestyle parameters. Relationships between LS and FRS were tested by two-way analysis of variance in 489 men and 591 women, 40-50 years of age. RESULTS: Subjects with a reduction in LS over time had a higher FRS compared to peers with an improvement in LS. The relationship between current LS and FRS had a J-shape in men; FRS was lowest in men with an LS of 5-7 (average LS), slightly higher in men with an LS of 8-10 (highest LS), and highest in men with an LS of 1-4 (lowest LS). Among women, there was an inverse linear relationship between LS and FRS: the higher the LS, the lower FRS. There was a strong linear relationship between predicted LS and CVD risk. Highest risk was evident in subjects with low LS in whom low LS was predicted over the next five years. CONCLUSIONS: Low LS (dissatisfaction) thus has a long-term negative effect on CVD risk in Polish adults of both sexes.

Andropausal syndrome in men with systolic heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Andropausal syndrome (AS) is an element of male aging, being associated with the age-related decline in circulating androgens. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the prevalence of AS, the severity of andropausal symptoms, and their clinical and hormonal determinants in men with heart failure (HF) and healthy peers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 232 men with systolic HF aged from 40 to 80 years (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class I/II/III-IV: 17%/54%/29%, left ventricular ejection fraction: 30% ±8%) and 362 healthy peers. The severity of 17 andropausal symptoms were assessed using the Aging Males' Symptoms Rating Scale. RESULTS: In men with HF aged from 40 to 59 years, the prevalence of AS and the severity of andropausal symptoms were greater than in healthy peers (28% vs. 7%; 40 ±14 vs. 35 ±10 points; both P <0.001), while in the age group of 60 to 80 years, there were no differences in the prevalence of AS and the severity of andropausal symptoms between men with HF and healthy peers (31% vs. 40%; 44 ±12 vs. 46 ±10 points; respectively; both P >0.1). In men with HF aged from 40 to 59 years, advanced NYHA class, low hemoglobin, increased platelet number, and low serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were independently associated with the greater prevalence of AS (all P <0.05). In men aged from 60 to 80 years, only reduced hemoglobin was borderline related to the higher prevalence of AS (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: AS affects almost one-third of men with HF regardless of the age group. The clinical and hormonal determinants of the severity of andropausal symptoms differ between younger and older male patients. Endocrinological and sexual counseling is recommended in men with HF.

[Assessment of severity of depressive symptoms using the Polish version IA of Beck Depression Inventory in healthy men, inhabitants of Wroclaw]. / Ocena nasilenia objawów depresyjnych z zastosowaniem polskiej wersji IA Inwentarza Depresji Becka u zdrowych mezczyzn, mieszkanców Wroclawia.

BACKGROUND: Aging is accompanied by progression of depressive symptoms, which significantly impair the prognosis and quality of life of elderly men. Currently, there are no Polish reference values reflecting age-related changes in the intensity of depressive symptoms in healthy men. AIM: An assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms in a population of healthy Polish men, and an evaluation of the effects of age and education on the analyzed variables. METHODS: We examined 341 healthy men, inhabitants of Wroclaw, aged 32-79, without any significant medical history. The intensity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Polish version IA of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: We observed an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms in the subsequent age categories in the examined men, in all the analyzed symptoms (32-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66-79 years--4.1 +/- 4.4, 8.2 +/- 4.2, 10.4+/- 3.6, 13.4 +/- 3.4 points, respectively, r = 0.65, p < 0.0001), and in cognitive-affective symptoms (respectively--2.8 +/- 3.1, 5.0 +/- 2.8, 5.8 +/- 2.5, 7.3 +/- 2.6 points, r = 0.5 1, p < 0.0001) as well as in somatic symptoms related to mood changes (respectively - 1.3 +/- 1.5, 3.2 +/- 2.0, 4.6 +/- 1.5, 6.1 +/- 1.7 points r = 0.73, p < 0.0001). Mild (BDI > or = 10 and <20 points) and moderate depression (BDI > or = 20 and < 30 points) were found in 12.6% and 0%, 34.5% and 0.8%, 50.0% and 2.9%, 80.0% and 2.9% of men aged 32-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66-79 years, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were differences in the intensity of depressive symptoms in the examined men (p > 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: In Poland, male aging is accompanied by an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms. Age, but not education, constitutes a major determinant of these symptoms. The presented data may be used as reference values for BDI scores of healthy Polish men in subsequent age categories.

BMI, hypertension and low bone mineral density in adult men and women.

The aim of this work was to estimate the body mass index (BMI) at which risk of hypertension is lowest in men and women, while concurrently considering the protective role of adipose tissue in osteoporosis. Healthy, occupationally active inhabitants of the city of Wroclaw, Poland, 1218 women and 434 men were studied. BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, bone mineral density (BMD) of the trabecular compartment and distal radius of the non-dominant hand were recorded. Overweight in young women (≤45 years) was associated with increased risk of hypertension, whereas the risk of low bone mineral was decreased for the same BMI. In older women (>45 years), a BMI>27 was the threshold for increased risk of hypertension. In this age group, extremely slim women (BMI<21) had the highest risk of low bone mineral density. In younger males (≤45 years), risk of hypertension was lowest among the thinnest subjects (BMI<21). Increase in BMI over 21 kg/m(2) increased the risk of hypertension. The probability of low bone mineral density was the same in all BMI categories of men. In older men (>45 years), the thinnest (BMI<21) had higher risk of hypertension. To begin from BMI=25 kg/m(2), there was a monotonous increase in risk of hypertension in men. Higher risk for low bone mineral density was observed in older men with the BMI<23. Among younger adults, risk of hypertension and low bone mineral density increase at BMI≥21 kg/m(2) in men and BMI≥23 kg/m(2) in women. Among older men and women, the BMI threshold was 27 kg/m(2).

Social mobility by marriage and risk of cardiovascular disease among adults in Southwestern Poland.

BACKGROUND: The social position of a husband or wife can influence the health status of the individual and his/her partner. Also, social position can change over time as a result of education, job, income, marriage and/or divorce. AIM: To examine the association of mobility by marriage based on educational discrepancy between spouses and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Polish men and women of 40-50 years of age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample included 394 married men and 453 married women of 40-50 years of age. All were residents of Wroclaw located in southwestern Poland. Risk of CVD was assessed with the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). The sex-specific effect of social mobility on CVD risk (FRS) was tested by multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Among Polish married men and women, social mobility by marriage had a significant association with risk of CVD. Downwardly mobile men and women had a higher risk of CVD, while upwardly mobile men and women had a lower risk of CVD compared with individuals from homogamous marriages. The sole exception to this trend was poorly educated men among whom marriage with a better educated wife did not affect CVD risk. CONCLUSION: Social mobility by marriage influences CVD risk. The results provide additional insights for studies examining socioeconomic differentials in CVD risk.

The negative health consequences of unemployment: the case of Poland.

In the 1990s Poland began to make a transition to a free-market economy: a transition accompanied by a variety of negative socio-economic developments, most notably a rise in unemployment. The aim of this study is to shed light on the relationship between occupational status (including unemployment) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), by examining the experience of 542 men and 572 women between the ages of 40 and 50 of the town of Wroclaw in 2006. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS), which uses certain health and life-style parameters to predict the risk of major coronary problems over a 10-year period, was calculated, and the effect of occupational status on the FRS was assessed. The results showed that the FRS varied according to sex and to occupational status, with the highest FRS rating among unemployed men. Thus governmental policies to counter the adverse effects of unemployment should be developed to remedy the problem.

Deficiencies in circulating testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, and depression in men with systolic chronic heart failure.

AIMS: Elderly men with androgen deficiencies are prone to develop late-onset depression. We investigated links between circulating androgens and depression, and their combined impact on outcome in men with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum total testosterone (TT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were measured using immunoassays in 163 men with stable systolic CHF [age: 60 +/- 10 years, NYHA class (I/II/III/IV): 27/84/46/6] and 316 healthy men. Depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and defined as BDI > or =16 points. In men with CHF, reduced TT and DHEAS, advanced NYHA class, elevated N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), reduced glomerular filtration rate, and reduced haemoglobin independently predicted severity of depressive symptoms (all P < 0.05). Depression was present in 20, 37 and 77% of men with no androgen deficiency, either TT or DHEAS deficiency, and both androgen deficiencies, respectively (P < 0.0001). During follow-up (median: 28 months), there were 87 (53%) cardiovascular deaths or unplanned hospitalizations. TT and DHEAS deficiencies (defined as < or = the 10th percentile of serum androgen levels in healthy controls) and BDI > or =16 points independently predicted unfavourable outcome (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TT and DHEAS deficiencies predict severity of depression in men with CHF. Depression and combined androgen deficiencies are independently related to poor outcome in these patients.

Age and social gradients in the intensity of aging males' symptoms in Poland.

BACKGROUND: We performed the study in order to describe the age-related changes and social gradients in the intensity of aging males' symptoms in healthy men in Poland. METHODS: We examined 405 men aged 32-79, healthy inhabitants of Poland. Severity of aging males' symptoms was assessed using the Polish version of AMS scale. The social position was expressed using their educational level, commonly accepted as a reliable and specific index of social status in Poland. RESULTS: Male aging in Poland was accompanied by an increase in the intensity of all groups of evaluated symptoms (psychological, sexual and somato-vegetative symptoms, respectively: r = 0.36, r = 0.72, r = 0.59, all p < 0.0001). The results of ANOVA revealed the independent effects of both age and social status on the intensity of psychological symptoms (F = 17.89, p < 0.0001 and F = 9.51, p < 0.0001 for age and educational level, respectively), sexual (F = 114.70, p < 0.0001 and F = 5.90, p < 0.01), and somato-vegetative symptoms (F = 52.86, p < 0.0001 and F = 3.85, p < 0.05). The better the education of Polish men, the less intense the aging males' symptoms, irrespective of their age. CONCLUSIONS: Age and social position constitute major determinants of the intensity of aging males' symptoms in Poland.