Extension of WRF-Chem for birch pollen modelling-a case study for Poland.

In recent years, allergies due to airborne pollen allergens have shown an increasing trend, along with the severity of allergic symptoms in most industrialized countries, while synergism with other common atmospheric pollutants has also been identified as affecting the overall quality of citizenly life. In this study, we propose the state-of-the-art WRF-Chem model, which is a complex Eulerian meteorological model integrated on-line with atmospheric chemistry. We used a combination of the WRF-Chem extended towards birch pollen, and the emission module based on heating degree days, which has not been tested before. The simulations were run for the moderate season in terms of birch pollen concentrations (year 2015) and high season (year 2016) over Central Europe, which were validated against 11 observational stations located in Poland. The results show that there is a big difference in the model's performance for the two modelled years. In general, the model overestimates birch pollen concentrations for the moderate season and highly underestimates birch pollen concentrations for the year 2016. The model was able to predict birch pollen concentrations for first allergy symptoms (above 20 pollen m-3) as well as for severe symptoms (above 90 pollen m-3) with probability of detection at 0.78 and 0.68 and success ratio at 0.75 and 0.57, respectively for the year 2015. However, the model failed to reproduce these parameters for the year 2016. The results indicate the potential role of correcting the total seasonal pollen emission in improving the model's performance, especially for specific years in terms of pollen productivity. The application of chemical transport models such as WRF-Chem for pollen modelling provides a great opportunity for simultaneous simulations of chemical air pollution and allergic pollen with one goal, which is a step forward for studying and understanding the co-exposure of these particles in the air.

Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in Poland in relation to pollen counts.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the known role of pollen allergens in causing allergy symptoms in sensitized individuals, there are few publications investigating the relationship between pollen exposure in different regions and the prevalence of inhalant allergy. AIM: To assess the association between the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma and the degree of exposure to pollen in various regions of Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Completed questionnaires of 9,443 subjects living in four urban centres (Wroclaw, Katowice, Warsaw, Bialystok), collected within part of the ECAP project, were analyzed. Children aged 6-7 (n = 2,278), adolescents aged 13-14 (n = 2,418), and adults aged 20-44 (n = 4,747) constituted 24.2%, 25.6% and 50.3% of the respondents, respectively. The clinical part (including skin prick tests, an assay of Timothy grass-specific IgE), was attended by 24% of the respondents. Data from 6-year pollen monitoring served to characterize birch and grass pollen seasons. RESULTS: We found insignificant negative associations between the duration of birch pollen season and the prevalence of declared allergic rhinitis and asthma during the season across all age groups. There were insignificant inverse associations between the number of days with above-threshold and high grass pollen concentrations, total grass pollen count and the prevalence of declared allergic rhinitis and asthma during the season across all age groups. Associations noted in the clinical part were also non-significant; however, these trends were not uniform across the age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not confirm the hypothesis of a positive association between pollen exposure and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Progress in the Diagnosis and Control of Ebola Disease.

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is one of numerous viral hemorrhagic fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (gorillas and chimpanzees). This article discusses the history of Ebola disease, already known routes of infection together with defining prevention methods and treatment trials. The importance of increasing awareness of the risk of disease among people who do not inhabit endemic regions is emphasized. This risk is associated especially with the increasing popularity of tourism to African countries, even to those where the virus is endemic. The research conducted over the years shows that three species of frugivorous bats are subjected to contamination by Ebola, but the infection is asymptomatic in them. It is believed that the saliva of these mammals and other body fluids may be a potential source of infection for primates and humans. In the laboratory, infection through small-particle aerosols has been demonstrated in primates, and airborne spread among humans is strongly suspected, although it has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. The importance of this route of transmission remains unclear. Poor hygienic conditions can aid the spread of the virus. These observations suggest approaches to the study of routes of transmission to and among humans.

Compliance with Vaccination Against Influenza Among the Elderly.

Protective vaccination against influenza is one of the most beneficial methods of preventing this viral disease. The use of vaccines brings not only the health benefits but also has positive implications related to diminishing the costs of treatment, prolonged hospitalization or post-influenza complications. Promoting vaccinations against influenza among the elderly is especially important. The article concerns the perception of these vaccinations and evaluation of the general knowledge on influenza among listeners of a university of the third age in Warsaw, Poland. It aims also at assessing the potential to change opinions and decisions regarding vaccinations against influenza and widely understood influenza prevention among this target group. The research tool, apart from the scientific lecture-like presentation rich in examples, was a self-reported questionnaire designed by the authors specifically for this study purpose. This paper presents the results of survey conducted with the questionnaire completed by 29 persons over 60 years of age. We found that the recent vaccination rate against influenza was just was about 20% in the studied sample of the elderly. The study demonstrates that educational training through a professional lecture presentation facilitates the promotion of health and vaccination coverage against influenza in the elderly.

Biologicals in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps ­ position of the Polish Society of Otorhinolaryngologists ­Head and Neck Surgeons and the Polish Society of Allergology experts

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has a significant impact on the well-being and social functions of the patient. The generalized inflammatory process with the formation of nasal polyps and excess eosinophils in the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses is called type 2 inflammation, which is mediated by Th2 lymphocytes ­ cells of the immune system responsible for chronic inflammatory processes. Today, we also know the key pro-inflammatory mediators against which new drugs have been developed, the so-called biological drugs, are produced in cell lines. In this document, we present currently available biologicals approved for the treatment of patients with T2-related chronic rhinosinusitis.

A temporally and spatially explicit, data-driven estimation of airborne ragweed pollen concentrations across Europe.

Ongoing and future climate change driven expansion of aeroallergen-producing plant species comprise a major human health problem across Europe and elsewhere. There is an urgent need to produce accurate, temporally dynamic maps at the continental level, especially in the context of climate uncertainty. This study aimed to restore missing daily ragweed pollen data sets for Europe, to produce phenological maps of ragweed pollen, resulting in the most complete and detailed high-resolution ragweed pollen concentration maps to date. To achieve this, we have developed two statistical procedures, a Gaussian method (GM) and deep learning (DL) for restoring missing daily ragweed pollen data sets, based on the plant's reproductive and growth (phenological, pollen production and frost-related) characteristics. DL model performances were consistently better for estimating seasonal pollen integrals than those of the GM approach. These are the first published modelled maps using altitude correction and flowering phenology to recover missing pollen information. We created a web page (http://euragweedpollen.gmf.u-szeged.hu/), including daily ragweed pollen concentration data sets of the stations examined and their restored daily data, allowing one to upload newly measured or recovered daily data. Generation of these maps provides a means to track pollen impacts in the context of climatic shifts, identify geographical regions with high pollen exposure, determine areas of future vulnerability, apply spatially-explicit mitigation measures and prioritize management interventions.

The impact of data assimilation into the meteorological WRF model on birch pollen modelling.

We analyse the impact of ground-based data assimilation to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) meteorological model on parameters relevant for birch pollen emission calculations. Then, we use two different emission databases (BASE - no data assimilation, OBSNUD - data assimilation for the meteorological model) in the chemical transport model and evaluate birch pollen concentrations. Finally, we apply a scaling factor for the emissions (BASE and OBSNUD), based on the ratio between simulated and observed seasonal pollen integral (SPIn) to analyse its impact on birch concentrations over Central Europe. Assimilation of observational data significantly reduces model overestimation of air temperature, which is the main parameter responsible for the start of pollen emission and amount of released pollen. The results also show that a relatively small bias in air temperature from the model can lead to significant differences in heating degree days (HDD) value. This may cause the HDD threshold to be attained several days earlier/later than indicated from observational data which has further impact on the start of pollen emission. Even though the bias for air temperature was reduced for OBSNUD, the model indicates a start for the birch pollen season that is too early compared to observations. The start date of the season was improved at two of the 11 stations in Poland. Data assimilation does not have a significant impact on the season's end or SPIn value. The application of the SPIn factor for the emissions results in a much closer birch pollen concentration level to observations even though the factor does not improve the start or end of the pollen season. The post-processing of modelled meteorological fields, such as the application of bias correction, can be considered as a way to further improve the pollen emission modelling.

[Use of isotonic NaCl solution in patients with acute rhinosinusitis]. / Zastosowanie izotonicznego roztworu NaCl u chorych z ostrym zapaleniem blony sluzowej nosa i zatok przynosowych.

UNLABELLED: The mucous membrane of the nose and paranasal sinuses has several important physiological functions. Inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses impairs filtration, humidification and warming of the inhaled air. It also affects the beating of cilia and the mucociliary clearance within the nose and lumen of the sinuses. The result is impairment of the mechanism by which the removal of the stagnant pathological discharge from the paranasal sinuses and of foreign matter (environmental pollutants) from the nasal mucosa would be otherwise effected. The use of special products to cleanse the nasal mucosa may considerably improve its function. Day-to-day ENT practice offers evidence of beneficial effects of nasal douching with isotonic sea water solutions. Products which cleanse nasal mucosa are now used as an adjunct to treatment of rhinosinusitis and rhinitis co-existing with nasal polyps. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was a retrospective assessment of symptoms in patients with acute rhinosinusitis depending on the therapeutic modality used, especially in a group of patients using an isotonic solution (0.9% NaCl) in addition to standard treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Medical records of 80 patients, males and females with symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis were included in the final evaluation. The following medical records including fully documented medical history and physical findings in compliance with the EP3OS were randomly selected from the medical records at the ENT Outpatient Clinic: 40 patients with acute rhinosinusitis treated symptom-relieving medication (Group A) and symptom-relieving medication with topical nasal corticosteroids (Group C); 40 patients with acute rhinosinusitis treated symptom-relieving medication plus isotonic NaCl solution twice a day (Group B) and symptom-relieving medication with topical nasal corticosteroids plus isotonic NaCl solution twice a day (Group D). RESULTS: Seven-days-treatment resulted in the decreasing of severity of the disease by 39.59% in control group and by 73.62% in patients using isotonic solution NaCl. The use of isotonic NaCl solutions as an adjunct to the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis results in highly statistically significant improvement of nasal patency (by 45.1% in control group and by 72.0% in patients using isotonic solutions) due to decreased swelling of the mucosa of the nasal turbinate. The use of isotonic NaCl solutions as an adjunct to the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis results in a highly statistically significant improvement in function of smell. Treatment with local nasal corticosteroids in combination with isotonic NaCl solutions produces a significant reduction in the severity of symptoms in patients with rhinosinusitis. The therapeutic effect in these patients is statistically significantly better than in patients treated with local nasal corticosteroids alone. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study support the investigators' opinion that the isotonic solution (0.9% NaCl) should be recommended for nasal douching may be a valuable adjunct to the standard medical treatment of acute rhinosinusitis.

New treatment options for acute rhinosinusitis according to EPOS 2020.

Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) is a very common condition and mostly of viral origin. About 0.5-2% of the viral ARS are complicated by a bacterial infection. Due to viral etiology and inflammatory mechanisms of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, symptomatic treatment including phytotherapy have been used for their treatment for decades. Scientific societies and expert groups recommend the use of herbal medicines in acute viral and acute post-viral rhinosinusitis. In 2021, Polish patients gained access to a new therapeutic option for acute sinusitis in the form of a drug containing a distillate of a mixture of rectified essential oils of eucalyptus, sweet orange, myrtle and lemon common.

Drug-induced diseases in otolaryngology - causes, clinical signs, treatment.

<b>Introduction:</b> In the daily practice of an otolaryngologist, we encounter cases where the symptoms are not the result of disease but result from pharmacotherapy. In the case of symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness, polytherapy may be used as the basis for their occurrence, which, due to the lack of rationality in combining drugs, leads to symptoms that the patient and the doctor very often interpret as a new disease syndrome. <br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study is to show and to raise awareness of the fact that the symptoms of hearing organ impairment are frequently drug-related and only a modification of the currently used pharmacotherapy is a rational procedure in such cases. <br><b>Material:</b> This paper describes 30 cases who developed side effects of polypharmacy in the form of hearing disorders, dizziness, and tinnitus. The causes of drug-related complications were discussed, as well as effective methods of their prevention.

Drug-induced diseases in otolaryngology - causes, clinical signs, treatment.

In the daily practice of an otolaryngologist, we encounter cases where the symptoms are not the result of disease but result from pharmacotherapy. In the case of symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness, polytherapy may be used as the basis for their occurrence, which, due to the lack of rationality in combining drugs, leads to symptoms that the patient and the doctor very often interpret as a new disease syndrome. The aim of the study is to show and to raise awareness of the fact that the symptoms of hearing organ impairment are frequently drug-related and only a modification of the currently used pharmacotherapy is a rational procedure in such cases. This paper describes 30 cases who developed side effects of polypharmacy in the form of hearing disorders, dizziness, and tinnitus. The causes of drug-related complications were discussed, as well as effective methods of their prevention.

Use of CMC foam sinus dressing in FESS.

Aim is to determine the efficacy and pain level associated with the use of dissolvable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) foam dressing in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in adult patients. In the present prospective study, 60 patients with bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis were included. All patients underwent bilateral FESS. Thirty patients had both nasal cavities packed with dissolvable CMC foam (CMCF) and another 30 patients had their nasal cavities packed with routine nasal packing (RNP) in latex glove fingers. The haemostatic effect of the CMCF was assessed during the recovery period, and pain levels were recorded by the patients on a visual analogue scale 24 h after surgery. The prevalence of postoperative middle meatal synechia formation was assessed 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation. Four (13.3%) of the patients packed with CMCF had primary postoperative bleeding during the recovery period and required additional dressing. Bleeding appeared in two (6.7%) patients packed with RNP. The mean level of pain was 0.962 (range 0-4) for patients packed with CMCF but was 5.5 (range 3-9) for patients packed with RNP. Four (6.7%) of 26 CMCF patients and 10 (35.7%) of 28 RNP patients developed a synechia in the middle meatus. We found that dissolvable CMC foam dressing is associated with very low levels of localised pain and with low levels of postoperative bleeding and synechia formation.

[The use of hypertonic sea-water solution in patients after surgery of the nose and paranasal sinuses]. / Zastosowanie hipertonicznego roztworu wody morskiej u chorych po leczeniu operacyjnym nosa i zatok przynosowych.

UNLABELLED: Surgical operations on the nose are very common otorhinolaryngological procedures. The surgical outcome depends not only on the performance of the procedure itself but also on the postoperative care of the nasal cavities. Clinicians continue their search for agents which would promote cleansing of the nasal cavities and regeneration of the nasal mucosa postoperatively. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was a retrospective evaluation of the effect of the product Marimer Hypertonic on symptoms in patients who had undergone nasal surgery (septoplasty, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, surgical removal of nasal polyps). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records included details of full history and physical examination on postoperative days 1, 7 and 14.The medical records of 120 patients were randomly selected from all records. The records were consecutively selected using the following criteria: 1-Operation type; septoplasty group A and B, FESS group C and D or classical surgical removal of nasal polyps group E and F , 2- Use (group B, D, F) or non-use (group A, C, E) of the hypertonic sea water solution aerosol for nasal douching (Marimer Hypertonic 2.2% sea-water solution). All patients included in the postoperative follow-up at the ENT Outpatient Clinic assess their symptoms by completing a standard self-assessment chart. The symptoms include nasal obstruction, discharge and crusting in the nasal cavities, pain in the nose and paranasal sinuses, reduction of smell, and general health (disease severity) and are assessed on day 1 after removal of nasal packing and on treatment days 7 and 14. At the same time, a clinician assesses their condition, including general health, nasal blockage, discharge and crusting in the nasal cavities, appearance of the nasal mucosa, and sense of smell evaluated by a scratch test using a smell book and a felt-tip pen test. RESULTS: A statistically significance difference in the severity of disease between group A (control) and group B (using Marimer Hypertonic) indicates a statistically significant beneficial effect of nasal douching with Marimer Hypertonic after septoplasty. As early as day 7 after surgery, the disease severity rated by the participants was reduced by 58% in patients usining Marimer Hypertonic compared to 25% in controls. On day 14, the reduction was by 84% and by 51% respectively. The use of Marimer Hypertonic after septoplasty produced a much faster relief of nasal obstruction/blockage as assessed by both patients and clinicians. In the opinion of patients using Mariner Hypertonic, on day 7 and day 14 nasal obstruction/blockage was reduced by 73% and by 87% respectively while in controls the corresponding values were 14% and 48%. Nasal douching with Marimer Hypertonic produced faster relief of discomfort caused by the accumulation of abnormal nasal discharge and crusting. In the assessment of patients from the control group, 14 days after surgery abnormal nasal discharge and crusting persisted at a level similar to that reported immediately after septoplasty. In the group using Marimer Hypertonic, the symptoms reported by patients subsided by 58% and 88% by day 7 and day 14 respectively. As assessed by clinicians using rhinoscopy and endoscopy, the improvement of nasal discharge and crusting was significantly faster and more effective in patients using Marimer Hypertonic (by 70% on day 7 and 95% on day 14) compared to controls (15% and 45% respectively). The use of Marimer Hypertonic after FESS produced a much faster relief of nasal obstruction/blockage as assessed by both patients and clinicians. In the opinion of patients using Mariner Hypertonic, on day 7 and day 14 nasal obstruction/blockage was reduced by 73% and by 87% respectively while in controls the corresponding values were 23% and 61%. Nasal douching with Marimer Hypertonic was found to produce an obvious statistically significant beneficial effect resulting in the relief of discomfort caused by crusting and accumulation of abnormal nasal discharge after FESS. By day 7 the symptoms reported by patients subsided by 78% in patients using Marimer Hypertonic and by 88% in controls. By day 14 the symptoms decreased by 93% and 47 % respectively. As assessed by clinicians using rhinoscopy and endoscopy, the improvement of nasal discharge and crusting was significantly faster and more effective in patients using Marimer Hypertonic (by 84% on day 7 and 95% on day 14) compared to controls (11% and 26% respectively). The use of Marimer Hypertonic after polypectomy produced a much faster relief of nasal obstruction/blockage as assessed by both patients and clinicians. On day 7 nasal obstruction/blockage was reduced by 73% in patients using Marimer Hypertonic and by 14% in controls. On day 14 the corresponding values were 89% and 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study support the investigators' opinion that the use of hypertonic sea-water solution, i.e. the product Marimer Hypertonic should be recommended for nasal douching after corrective nasal septal surgery (septoplasty), functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and surgical removal of nasal polyps (polypectomy). The use of Marimer Hypertonic facilitates maintenance of normal patency of the nasal cavities, reduces the amount of abnormal nasal discharge and crusting and speeds up healing of iatrogenic injuries of the mucous membrane of the nose.

Intranasal steroid therapy - EPOS 2020.

INTRODUCTION: Due to their strong, multidirectional anti-inflammatory activity, intranasal glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment in rhinosinusitis, including acute rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, as well as allergic rhinitis. Owing to its high systemic safety and high anti-inflammatory efficacy, mometasone furoate - a new-generation intranasal glucocorticoid - was approved in 2019 as an over-the-counter medication for Polish patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. Scientific societies and expert groups recommend the use of intranasal glucocorticoids in a much broader range of indications. In February 2020, an updated version of the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS 2020) was published. AIM: This article discusses the role of nasal glucocorticoids in regimens used in the treatment of nasal sinusitis as published in EPOS 2020 with Polish country-specific realities being taken into account.

Impact of physicochemical properties of nasal spray products on drug deposition and transport in the pediatric nasal cavity model.

The study is focused on the analysis of physicochemical properties of selected nasal sprays of mometasone furoate, and the influence of these properties on aerosol quality and penetration in the pediatric nose. After the determination of drugs surface tension and viscosity, spray geometry and size distribution of aerosol droplets, the topical delivery of each drug to different parts of the pediatric model of the nose with the flexible vestibule was evaluated by colorimetric visualization. All tested drugs are pseudo-plastic liquids, showing some differences in flow consistency constant k (range 714-1422) and flow behavior index n (range 0.16-0.31). At no-flow conditions, all sprays are deposited mainly in the anterior of the nasal cavity and the septum (2-3 cm from the nostril), as a result of inertial impaction of large droplets. The deposition range is slightly influenced by the geometry of the aerosol cloud, which, in turn, depends both on drug properties and the type of the spraying nozzle. Deposition experiments accompanied by the airflow show an enhancement of drug transport to deeper parts of the nasal cavity (up 4-6 cm from the vestibule), and this effect can be attributed to the secondary effects of spreading of the deposited liquid layer along the narrow air passages in the nose. Plume geometry, dose volume and rheological properties of the drug were shown to be important factors in the spray penetration pattern in the pediatric nose. The deepest delivery can be expected for drugs of low viscosity and short aerosol plumes.

Taste and smell perception among sewage treatment and landfill workers.

OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the functioning of the taste and smell senses in workers employed at a sewage treatment plant and waste landfill. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was divided into three groups: sewage workers (group 1), landfill workers (group 2), and laboratory workers (group 3). Smell sensation was assessed using the Börstein gustometry method and taste sensation the Elsberg-Levy olfactometry method. The examinations were performed before and after working hours. RESULTS: Taste disorders were noted in nearly 20% of subjects in each study group examined before work, and in 50% (group 1), 40% (group 2), 28.4% (group 3) of workers examined after work. As regards the sweet taste, a statistically higher value of the mean taste perception threshold (TPT) could be noted in each group examined before work compared to the control group. This referred also to salty taste in groups 1 and 2 and to bitter taste in groups 1 and 3. In the examinations carried out after work, all average TPTs increased and were statistically significant in relation to the sour and bitter tastes in group 1 and to sour taste in group 2. Smell examinations before and after work showed a statistically higher value of the mean olfactory perception threshold (OPT) for each odour than in the control group. The increase in the mean OPT after work was not statistically significant and did not differ between the groups. Before work, the percentage of workers with smell disorders amounted to 31.5% in the group of sewage workers, 6.3% of laboratory workers and 21.7% of landfill workers. After the working hours, these values increased to 40%, 8% and 38.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate a higher risk of smell and taste dysfunctions among workers at a sewage treatment plant and waste landfill. The perception of the sour taste appeared to be most sensitive after short-term exposure but this dysfunction is probably reversible in nature. Other tastes were more sensitive to chronic toxic exposure than the sour taste.

[Assessment of Polish physicians' therapy behaviour and patterns of prescribing antihistaminic medicines in day-to-day outpatient care]. / Ocena zachowan terapeutycznych lekarzy w Polsce w codziennej praktyce ambulatoryjnej odnosnie przepisywania leków przeciwhistaminowych.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to assess management of patients with allergies, to evaluate frequency of use of specific antihistamines in population with diagnosed allergy, to evaluate causes and frequency of antihistamines' discontinuation, as well as frequency of allergen identification. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a multi-centre, observational study, in the form of epidemiological registry. The study was conducted in 1200 centres all over the country. 23 997 patients with diagnosed allergic condition were enrolled into this study. RESULTS: The most frequent allergic condition in the surveyed population was allergic rhinitis (51% of all enrolled patients), urticaria (28%), and allergic conjunctivitis (20%). Only 6 562 subjects (27%) had been examined with skin prick tests or specific IgE antibodies tests and their allergens had been identified. The remaining subjects had been treated so far with no attempts to identify allergy triggers (allergens). In the surveyed population, the dominant type was pollen allergy (62%) and house dust mites allergy (33%). Only 48% of subjects were on antiallergic treatment at the time of the enrollement into this epidemiological registry. The main causes of medication discontinuation were side effects observed, predominantly sedation. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent allergic condition treated in outpatient setting is allergic rhinitis. Only 48% of allergic patients take antiallergic medicines (predominantly antihistamines). The most prevalent reason for treatment discontinuation are side effects, mainly sedation.

[Influence of handicapped of patency nose on quality created of voice]. / Wplyw uposledzonej droznosci nosa na jakosc tworzonego glosu.

AIM: The aim of researches was estimation of quality of voice after operations correcting of the nasal septum deviation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With researches one embraced 40 men in two groups (group I: 20-30 of years old, group II--above 50 of year old). Voice one priced before operation of corrective nose and 6 of months after executed intervention. In researches one used with scale GRBAS, with estimation laryngostroboskopy of function of vocal folds, with acoustic analysis created of voice, with measurement of maximum phonation time and with Polish version of VHI. Patency of nose priced patients at subjective help of five--gradual of scale. RESULTS: After 6 months all ill favourably priced effect executed of operation improving patency of nose. In scale GRBAS in group I examined voice one priced as normal at 12 ill (60%), instead in group II only at 3 men (15%). Above--regularity refers also of roughness of voice. In stroboscope research executed before operation at almost all ill one ascertained diminution of amplitude of twitches of folds vocal and mucosal wave. After 6 months after operation in group I both amplitude of twitches of vocal folds as and mucosal wave at mostly examined surrendered of normalization. In group II profitable changes we observed only at several of persons. Maximum phonation time of vowel "a" after operation of nose surrendered to extension in both groups examined, however men of group I reached significantly better results, with average value approaching to norms. In acoustic analysis to distinct improvement, but only in group I examined surrendered parameter NHR. In estimation with test VHI six months after operation sense of disturbances of voice in both groups surrendered to diminution, in proportion to qualities created of voice. CONCLUSIONS: Operating--restoration physiological air passage at all ill causes diminution or liquidation earlier stepping out of disturbances of voice. From passed researches results, that improvement of health, manifesting itself voice euphonious is in considerable percentage possible only at young persons. At ill in middle age and older to entire liquidation of disturbances of voice will reach in single chances.

[Taste perception in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps treated with oral glucocorticosteroid therapy]. / Percepcja smaku u chorych z przewleklym zapaleniem zatok przynosowych z polipami nosa leczonych doustna glikokortykosteroidoterapia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is observed in 1-4% persons during rhinoscopy. While the occurrence of their problems is connected with smell sense, still not enough attention is paid to the malfunctioning of their taste sense. AIM: The purpose of this study was estimation of taste sense functioning in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, treated with oral glucocorticosteroid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 82 persons. The 31 of them were patients of Otolaryngology Department of Warsaw Military Institute with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps' diagnosis, who were treated with systemic--oral glucocorticosteroid for three weeks. There were 51 healthy people as a control group. Both prior to the treatment and one month after it was finished, all patients had the taste examination. The taste functioning was examined with two methods: the gustometry by Bornstein and impulse bipolar electrogustometry method. Subjective nasal patency was noted based on analogical scale. The smell function was assessed with the Elsberg-Levy olfactometry in Pruszewicz's modification. RESULTS: Before treatment the taste disturbances were observed, depending on kind of taste, in 6-16 cases (19.4-51.6%) in gustometry and for 10 patients (32.26%) in electrogustometry. Before treatment the taste examination results in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps' cases were statistically significantly different than in the control group. After treatment with glucocorticosteroid the taste disturbances were observed, depending on kind of taste, in 0-9 cases (0-29%) in gustometry and for 4 patients (12.9%). in electrogustometry. Statistically, glucocorticosteroid therapy also decreased the smell threshold and was effective in restoration of the nose patency. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically, therapy with glucocorticosteroid significantly improved both the taste and smell perception in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps