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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.

The aim of the study was to assess the similarities or differences in the psychosocial response to primary diagnosis of malicious or benign tumor in breast significantly influenced the quality of life in women in preoperative period. Health-related quality of life has been studied in the preoperative period in the group of 59 patients with malicious tumor and in the group of 130 women with benign tumor in comparison to 126 healthy women. Study was performed using self-administered questionnaire consists of The Rand Mental Health Inventory (three distress scores include depression, anxiety and loss of behavioral or emotional control; two well-being scores include general positive affect and emotional ties), COOP Charts (measuring nine dimensions of QOL), subscale focus on social support was used for the presented analysis; additionally questions concerning demographic and social characteristics of women as well as questions on illness behaviors have been involved. Statistical analysis was performed using multidimensional models of logistic regression. Results based on multidimensional logistic regression models showed higher risk of anxiety (OR=4,0; 95% CI=(1,8; 8,6)), depression(OR=3,0; 95% CI=(1,4; 6,2)) and distress (OR=2,5; 95% CI=(1,2; 5,3)) in women with malicious tumor in comparison to healthy women. Comparatively, higher risk of anxiety (OR=1,8; 95% CI=(1,0; 3,2)) and depression (OR=2,0; 95% CI=(1,2; 3,5)) among women with benign tumor in regard to healthy ones. Further examination of determinants of components of mental health among three analyzed group of women showed that among women with benign tumor higher risk of anxiety (OR=3,5; 95% CL=(1,2; 10,5)), depression (OR=3,2; 95% CI=(1,2;9,1)) and loss of behavioral or emotional control ((OR=4.3; 95% CI=(1,5;12,0)) as well as distress (OR=4,3; 95% CI=(1,5;13,0)) was related with considerable reduction of receiving support. Women with malicious tumor also indicated that slightly reduction of the received support was associated with higher risk of the loss of behavioral or emotional control (Isz=6,6; 95% PU=(1,4; 30,8)). Results confirmed that also diagnosis of benign tumor in breast is perceived as an event which significantly decreased quality of life in preoperative period. Interactions between medical staff - and patients with any change in breast should based on good verbal communication, giving information which help understanding by patients all aspects of diagnosis and expected treatment.

Cancer survivorship is the term used to represent the state or process of living with cancer or living after diagnosis of cancer. Living with cancer or living after cancer--are conditions characteristic to an increasing number of long-term survivors ("society of remission"); health-related quality of life in these individuals is an important indicator of successful treatment and patient's satisfaction. Health-related quality of life in oncological patients has remained one of the main topic of research. The present paper reviews psychosocial outcomes in breast cancer (female disease) and gender-related differences in health-related quality of life in colon cancer survivors. Breast cancer diagnosis is usually associated with several expected psychosocial consequences like psychosocial distress. Specific psychological variables like body image, fear, satisfaction with treatment and cosmetic evaluation may improve general will to live. Women who perceive support from family and friends have better coping and psychological adjustment, while lack of social support is a risk factor for anxiety and depression. Colon cancer remains an important medical and social problem in Poland; polish data showed the following gender-related differences: in patients with stoma, women reported lower level of psychological well-being than men, reported increasing level of stress and loss of control over emotions and behaviours.

Aim of the study was to assess validity and reliability of adaptations of VQLQ for Polish children with Hymenoptera venom allergy and their parents. Sample under study consisted of 73 children aged up to 14 years, who were treated with specific venom immunotherapy (VIT) in 2008 in centres conducting this procedure in Poland, and their parents. Theoretical validity of the scales was assessed with exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis method. Reliability of the scales was assessed in terms of internal consistency with Cronbach alpha coefficient. Results of analysis showed that both scales measure 4 dimension of quality of life and reliability of scales measuring particular dimensions is at least acceptable in case of scale for children, and high in case of scale for parents. Both adapted scales are valid and reliable tools measuring quality of life in children with Hymenoptera venom allergy and their parents' quality of life in the face of child's allergy.

Unlabelled: Hymenoptera venom allergy, although rare in children, by its potential fatalities, leads to many psychosocial consequences, influencing quality of life of children and their parents. Aim of this paper is the estimation of health-related quality of life of venom allergic children treated with specific immunotherapy, and their parents. Assessment of factors influencing health-related quality of life levels was also performed., Material and Methods: Sample under study consisted of 73 children: mean age 10.6, SD 2, 4, treated because of Hymenoptera venom allergy in 5 clinical allergy centers in Poland. Data was collected using VQLQ questionnaire adapted for children and their parents. Determinants of quality of life were assessed with multivariate linear and logistic regression models. Analysis were done with SPSS 15 for Windows package., Results: Girls reported higher level of anxiety than boys (B = 0.47; 95% CI = (0.01; 0.94)). Level of caution in children increased along with increase of their anxiety against re-sting (B = 0.49; 95% CI = (0.27; 0.71)). Level of anxiety of children who were under treatment from 6 months to 2 years was lower than level of anxiety of parents of children treated shorter than 6 months (B = -1.21; 95% CI = (-2.16; -0.25)). The lowest level of caution was reported by parents of children aged 10 year or less (B = -0.86; 95% CI = (-1.67; -0.05)), while the highest was reported by parents of children aged 11 years (B = 0.86; 95% CI = (0.20; 1.53)) in comparison to parents of children aged 12 years or more. Parents' caution increased along with increase of their anxiety (B = 0.61; 95% CI = (0.40; 0.83)). Higher level of limitations was imposed by parents of children treated with rush or ultra rush method, in comparison to parents of children treated with conventional method (B = 1.27; 95% CI = (0.21; 2.33)). Levels of quality of life in children and their parents were strongly dependent in the same dimensions., Conclusions: 1. Levels of quality of life in particular dimension in children is related to level of the same dimension in parents. 2. Age of children influenced level of caution of their parents. 3. Treatment duration influenced level of anxiety of parents. 4. Safety feeling acquired by parents at the beginning of treatment improves their quality of life in all dimensions.

The study aims at presenting the changes in the self-rating of health status, functional ability in performing activities of daily living, and in the pattern of interrelations with the environment, as reported by elderly persons with ischemic heart disease. All these changes and their sociomedical determinants have been evaluated retrospectively and related to gender of the study participants. The study was carried out in 607 elderly respondents who received two questionnaires during the time interval of 12 years. The analysis of the functional ability in performing daily activities in both surveys based on the ADL and IADL scales. It has been observed in the baseline survey that the respondents with ischemic heart disease reported lower mobility, functional activity and scored their health status lower compared to other respondents. Though females with ischemic heart diseases scored higher their functional ability compared to males with the same disease, decrease of their functional ability in the time interval between both surveys was three-fold higher compared to males with the same disease. The results of the second study demonstrated age-related level of self-efficacy in performing activities of daily living (ADL scale) in females with ischemic heart disease; while none of the factors from the baseline survey had influence on their functional independence (with and without ischemic heart disease). Functional ability in males with ischemic heart disease was affected in the second study (besides age), by their attitude denying weariness of life demonstrated in the baseline survey. None of the factors from the baseline survey determined self-efficacy in performing daily activities by the males without ischemic heart disease as it was observed in the second survey.

Social survey by questioning people is a significant source of information, valuable for planning and developing of prophylactic strategies. An illicit drugs use among a first-year students of Kraków's universities and factors determining the usage were analysed. The research by completing the questionnaire designed by National Bureau for Drug Prevention, Poland was performed in 725 a first-year students of six Kraków's universities. The students were asked to complete the questionnaire confidentially, while the lecture on psychoactive substances. 83.6% of those polled know some students who use a drugs, 38.3% already initiated into drugs, 61.9% reported that they needed at least one day to get drugs. The male students reach for drugs more often then females, and those first-year students being already 20 years old compared to the younger. The greater risk was also noted among students who rent apartments or when a parents earned together more than 3500 PLN. The medical students reached for drugs more rarely than the others. Our survey is one of the first source of information about trends in the drugs usage by Kraków's students. The results will help to develop a preventive standards and creation of effective anti-drugs campaign to be accomplished by college authorities and the Kraków Environmental Diseases Out-patient Clinic for students and academic teachers. The clinic was organised in 2004.

The development of predictive genetic DNA- tests gives people the choice "to know" or "not to know" a decision with tremendous short-mid- and long-term consequences. Family history of disease can provide information about the increased risk of susceptibility, and these knowledge may have psychosocial implication. The results of studies using genetic testing and their psychological impact are discussed with regard to hereditary cancer (breast, colorectal, prostate) as well as particular neurogenetic disease (e.g. Huntington' disease). Psychological studies on genetic risk concentrating on psychological adjustment, transfer of information within the family and perception of genetic risk in families showed that genetic disease had a considerable impact on family life (e.g. reproductive decisions). Findings showed that people with a family history of cancer (without genetic testing) vary in their illness behaviour, but little is known about the effect of inheredited predisposition to disease (e.g. cancer) on such health related behaviour as smoking, diet, activity level. Genetic information could both increase (strengthening the belief that current behaviour combined with genetic predisposition is putting person at increasing risk of disease) and decrease motivation to change behaviour (weakening belief that changing behaviour will reduce risk of disease because genetic is immutable).

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of occupational and leisure physical activity on the risk pattern of colon cancer considering the possible confounding effects of dietary habits. Case-control study has been carried out in 180 incident cases of colon cancer hospitalized in Chair of Surgery CMUJ in Kraków. The equal number of controls individually matched by gender and age were chosen amongst patients with no history of cancer from the university hospital. Food frequency questionnaire combined with quantity of foods eaten was used to assess the usual dietary patterns for 148 food items. The occupational physical activity of the interviewed subjects before the occurrence of the disease was assessed by self-rating. Leisure time activity was measured by the number of hours watching TV. The adjusted risk of colon cancer was reduced by half in those being active in leisure time (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.98). The effect of occupational physical activity had the same order of magnitude in terms of risk reduction (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.28-1.10). The protective effect of healthy nutrition appeared to be independent from that attributed to physical effort.