613 results on '"Oskar Kowalski"'
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2. Feeding problems, eating disorders, and nutritional status of Polish children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders – a cross-sectional pilot study
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Martina Grot, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Mateusz Grajek, Maciej Nigowski, Elżbieta Szczepańska, and Oskar Kowalski
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nutritional status ,eating disorders ,autism spectrum ,feeding disorders ,spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders. ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - Published
- 2024
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3. Food Neophobia and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake among Adults and Related Factors
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Wiktoria Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, Agata Kiciak, Aleksandra Wardyniec, Mateusz Grajek, Şule Aktaç, Zehra Margot Çelik, Güleren Sabuncular, Ayşe Hümeyra İslamoğlu, and Oskar Kowalski
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appetite ,fear ,picky eating ,eating behavior ,eating disorder ,ARFID ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) includes age-inappropriate feeding behaviors in eating patterns, including food neophobia, defined as refusal or reluctance to eat new or unknown foods. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ARFID and food neophobia among adults and determine the related characteristics of these risks. The study used an anonymous survey questionnaire consisting of three parts as the research tool. The first part of the questionnaire was a metric and concerned socio-demographic data. The Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) and the Nine-Item Avoidance/Restrictive Food Disorder Screen Questionnaire (NIAS) were used to evaluate the eating disorders. The survey included 309 people (60.2% women, 39.8% men) aged 18–77 years. NIAS results indicated that 15.2% of the subjects showed food selectivity, and 11.0% had food anxiety. In the FNS assessment, 42.4% had a low risk of food neophobia, 38.2% a medium risk, and 19.4% a high risk. A higher risk of food neophobia correlated with higher NIAS scores, indicating a higher risk of ARFID (p = 0.00231). The NIAS score increased with the risk of food neophobia (p = 0.000). Respondents at low risk of neophobia were most likely to avoid several products (83.97%), while in the high-risk group, 56.67% did not want to eat a favorite food enriched with a new ingredient. A higher risk of neophobia was correlated with more food avoidance and adverse reactions to new foods (p = 0.000). A higher risk of food neophobia is strongly correlated with a higher risk of ARFID. Although demographics did not significantly impact NIAS results, some trends were noted, such as higher scores among older and underweight people. Those with a higher risk of food neophobia show more food avoidance and a greater reluctance to experiment with new ingredients. Public education should emphasize that eating disorders affect both sexes equally, with tailored interventions for high-risk groups such as the elderly, rural populations, and those with lower education. Health policies should promote access to nutrition education, psychological support, and diverse food options, while further research is needed to improve targeted interventions.
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- 2024
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4. Public Procurement Practices for Cereal Products in Polish Educational Institutions: Analysis and Implications for Nutrition Policy
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Katarzyna Brukało, Aleksandra Kołodziejczyk, Justyna Nowak, and Oskar Kowalski
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public food procurement ,cereal products ,schools ,kindergartens ,nutrition quality ,sustainability ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Public procurement of food is crucial for ensuring proper nutrition and the provision of high-quality products in public institutions like schools and kindergartens. It should be seen as an investment in health promotion, particularly for young children. Notably, when no quality criteria are specified, the cheapest and often lowest-quality products are typically selected. This study analyzed 1126 public procurement orders processed by schools and kindergartens in Poland between November 2022 and March 2023, with a focus on cereal products and their derivatives. Of these orders, 197 met the inclusion criteria, yielding a total of 5084 cereal products for detailed analysis. The study assessed the quantities ordered and the quality characteristics specified in the procurement documents. The results revealed that the most commonly described criteria pertained to product composition, especially typical characteristics and the absence of additives. Sensorial characteristics such as consistency and color were also frequently specified, while sustainable public procurement criteria were mentioned the least, indicating their marginal importance in current procurement practices. This underscores the critical importance of establishing minimum standards for describing cereal products in terms of sensorial characteristics, composition, and sustainability. Such standards are essential for improving the quality of grain products supplied to public institutions and ensuring that these institutions actively contribute to promoting healthy eating habits among children.
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- 2024
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5. The Psychosocial Aspects of Vegetarian Diets: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Motivations, Risks, and Limitations in Daily Life
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Wiktoria Stoń, Wiktoria Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, Mateusz Grajek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, and Oskar Kowalski
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vegetarian diet ,vegan diet ,orthorexia ,eating disorders ,psychosocial aspects ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Introduction: The popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets is linked to various motivations, such as health, ethics, ecology, and social and religious influence. India has the highest proportion of vegetarians and vegans. The practise of these diets is linked to moral and health reasons and environmental concerns. Vegetarianism may also be associated with eating disorders such as orthorexia (ON). Aim: The main aim of this study was to determine the psychosocial aspects of vegetarian diets. Understanding these aspects is crucial for identifying potential risks and developing effective interventions. This study investigated the reasons for following vegetarian diets, the duration of dietary adherence, the occurrence of feelings of restriction in selected situations, and the risk of orthorexia and other eating disorders. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 186 individuals (82 vegetarians and 104 traditional dieters) between October 2023 and April 2024. The survey was administered via a Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) using Google Forms, distributed through social media, forums, and private messages. The inclusion criteria for the study group included consent, an age over 18, and a vegetarian diet, excluding those with eating disorders or diseases requiring strict diet therapy. The control group criteria were similar, excluding vegetarians and those requiring special diets. Four unreliable questionnaires were excluded from the analysis. The survey consisted of four sections: metric data, the ORTO-15 questionnaire, the EAT-26 questionnaire, and the TFEQ-13 questionnaire. Results: The main motivations for following vegetarian diets were ethical and environmental (86.9%) and health (32.1%) reasons. Over half of the vegetarians had been following a plant-based diet for over five years. Vegetarians were more likely to feel restricted in restaurants and when grocery shopping. The ORTO-15 results indicate a higher risk of orthorexia among vegetarians (48.8% vs. 29.4% in the control group; p = 0.00673). The EAT-26 questionnaire showed a higher, but not statistically significant, risk of eating disorders among vegetarians (23.8% vs. 14.7%; p = 0.11391). The TFEQ-13 showed no significant differences between groups (Subscale 1: food restriction, p = 0.77279; Subscale 2: lack of control in overeating, p = 0.91935; Subscale 3: eating under the influence of emotions, p = 0.16612). Conclusions: This study concluded that ethical and environmental considerations and a belief in health benefits mainly drive vegetarians. An analysis of BMI revealed no significant differences between groups. The ORTO-15 results suggest a higher risk of orthorexia among vegetarians. The EAT-26 indicated a higher, but not statistically significant, risk of eating disorders among vegetarians and vegans. The TFEQ-13 showed no significant differences in restrictive eating, lack of control in overeating, and emotional eating. Vegetarians were likelier to encounter dietary difficulties in restaurants and shopping but less likely to feel socially excluded.
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- 2024
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6. Public food procurement as a tool of sustainable food and nutrition policy—fat products
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Katarzyna Magdalena Brukało, Justyna Nowak, Aleksandra Pietrzykowska, Neza Fras, Petra Ožbolt, Oskar Kowalski, and Mojca Gabrijelčič Blenkuš
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public food procurement ,food policy ,fat products ,schools and kindergartens ,nutrition policy ,sustainability ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 ,Food processing and manufacture ,TP368-456 - Abstract
IntroductionEnsuring a sustainable and responsible diet, particularly in the procurement of fatty products, holds paramount importance for early childhood development. Dietary fats significantly influence children’s growth and well-being, both in the short and long term. Schools and kindergartens play a pivotal role in shaping children’s dietary habits. This study aims to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze public procurement orders conducted by educational institutions.Materials and methodsOut of 1,126 public procurement orders, 197 met inclusion criteria, leading to the identification of 1,248 products categorized as sources of fats in children’s diets. The study conducted both quantitative and qualitative analyses on the identified products.ResultsCriteria commonly employed by purchasers were derived from product descriptions. While product composition, especially fat content and the absence of certain additives, received due attention, organoleptic characteristics criteria were frequently overlooked. Sustainable procurement criteria were given the least consideration. The study highlights a notable reliance on vegetable oils, predominantly rapeseed oil. However, it reveals a worrisome prevalence of animal-derived fats, including butter, mayonnaise, pork belly, and lard. Although plant-based fats constitute around 52.77% of total orders, the substantial presence of animal fats poses challenges to maintaining a balanced and healthy diet for children.ConclusionThe study underscores the necessity of establishing specific criteria for evaluating the quality of delivered products, especially fatty items, in educational settings. Standardized guidelines are crucial to promote healthier food choices, encourage sustainable diets, and ultimately enhance the overall health and well-being of children.
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- 2024
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7. Adipose Dysfunction Indices as a Key to Cardiometabolic Risk Assessment—A Population-Based Study of Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients
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Elżbieta Szczepańska, Małgorzata Słoma-Krześlak, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Izabela Dudzik, and Oskar Kowalski
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adipose dysfunction ,cardiometabolic risk ,adipose ,myocardial infarction ,body composition ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Anthropometric indices, such as the BMI (body mass index), WC (waist circumference), and WHR (waist–hip ratio) are commonly used for cardiometabolic risk assessment. Consequently, in the context of evaluating cardiometabolic risk in the post-MI population, it is worthwhile to consider indices such as the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which have emerged as valuable risk assessment tools in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of anthropometric indices and body composition analysis in evaluating the cardiometabolic risk among post-myocardial infarction patients. In the pursuit of this objective, this study involved assessing the BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, VAI, BAI, and body composition in a population of patients. This study enrolled a total of 120 patients hospitalised at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases (SCCS) due to MI, and body composition analysis evaluated various parameters including the percentage of adipose tissue (FatP) [%], total adipose tissue (FatM) [kg], fat-free mass (FFM) [kg], muscle mass (PMM) [kg], total body water (TBW) [kg], and visceral adipose tissue (VFAT). The mean BMI for the entire group was 27.76 ± 4.08, with women exhibiting a significantly lower value compared with men (26.66 ± 3.33 vs. 28.16 ± 4.27). The mean values obtained for the WHR, WHtR, BAI, and VAI were 0.97 ± 0.08, 0.59 ± 0.07, 28.37 ± 5.03, and 3.08 ± 3.50, respectively. Based on the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in 47.5% patients, there was no adipose tissue dysfunction, with a higher proportion among women (71.88%) compared with men (38.64%). What raises concern is that 32.50% of patients had acute ATD, with a significantly higher prevalence among men (38.64%) compared with women (15.63%). Conclusion: The study results suggest that the BMI, WC, and WHR have their limitations, whereas the WHtR, VAI, and BAI provide a more comprehensive view of cardiometabolic risk, especially in the context of adipose tissue distribution and its metabolic consequences. Incorporating the WHtR, VAI, and BAI into routine clinical practice may enhance the management of cardiometabolic risk, especially among post-MI patients.
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- 2024
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8. Comparison of Nutrition among Female Floorball Players of Extra-Class Teams from Poland and the Czech Republic during the Preparation Period for the League Season
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Zuzanna Krzywak, Wiktoria Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, Jiří Velecký, Artur Cirocki, Mateusz Grajek, and Oskar Kowalski
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floorball ,diet ,professional athletes ,eating habits ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
The study aimed to assess the frequency of food intake and to compare the consumption of female extramural players training floorball in Poland and the Czech Republic during the preparation period for the league season. In total, 43 players training floorball in senior clubs participated in the study, including 21 from the Polish and 22 from the Czech clubs. The research tool was based on the standardised questionnaire for the Examination of Eating Behaviours and Opinions on Food and Nutrition (QEB). The study also analysed body composition using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method, and the research tool was a TANITA MC-780 S MA body composition analyser (Tanita Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The Polish women’s floorball players had lower results in body fat percentage (FM) and muscle mass (MM) than the Czech team. The mean FM in the players of the Polish team was 18.6% ± 5.4, and the mean MM was 45.8 kg ± 4.2. In the Czech team players, these figures were 19.8% ± 5.4 and 47.8 kg ± 4.2. Despite the similar value of mean BMI in both teams, the highest BMI in the case of female athletes from Poland (17.7), indicating underweight, and the highest BMI in female athletes from the Czech Republic (26.9), indicating overweight, were significant. The study showed differences in both body composition analysis and dietary patterns of the Czech and Polish players. The Czech women’s floorball players had a higher muscle mass and body fat percentage than Polish floorball players. Furthermore, differences in diet were observed among the players of the Czech team compared to the players of the Polish team. The Czech women’s floorball players consumed a slightly higher amount of healthier products, such as whole-grain products. The Polish players took in more meat, processed products and fruit juices. This study is one of the first to assess the nutrition of those involved in floorball. There is a need for further research that focuses on the specifics of the discipline, the exercise capacity of the players and points during the season that require nutritional support. This knowledge would help develop effective nutritional strategies and plan and implement appropriate nutrition education for this group of athletes.
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- 2024
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9. Analysis of public food procurement in relation to dairy products and their quality criteria
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Katarzyna M. Brukało, Justyna Nowak, Neza Fras, Oskar Kowalski, and Mojca Gabrijelčič Blenkuš
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food policy ,nutrition policy ,public food procurement ,school and kindergartens ,dairy products ,criteria ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
IntroductionPublic procurement of food is key to ensuring proper nutrition with high-quality products in public institutions such as schools and kindergartens. However, it should not be considered a mandatory expenditure from public finances but rather an investment in health promotion.Materials and methodsA total of 1,126 public procurement orders processed by schools and kindergartens in Poland during the period from November 2022 to March 2023 were analyzed. Ultimately, 197 public procurement orders meeting the inclusion criteria were considered for analysis. Based on these orders, 2,753 food products classified as dairy and its derivatives were extracted. The ordered quantities of individual products were analyzed, as well as their descriptions (quality characteristics).ResultsCriteria related to composition were most commonly described, the most common criterion was the fat content and the absence of preservatives. On the second places were organoleptic characteristics, where taste and consistency expectations were most frequently specified. Sustainable public procurement criteria were the least frequently mentioned and were treated as highly marginal.ConclusionIntroducing minimum standards for the descriptions of dairy products in terms of organoleptic characteristics, composition features, and sustainability criteria will improve the quality of dairy products supplied to public institutions, particularly schools and kindergartens.
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- 2023
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10. Lifestyle and the risk of acute coronary event: a retrospective study of patients after myocardial infarction
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Elżbieta Szczepańska, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Katarzyna Filipów, and Oskar Kowalski
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lifestyle ,diet ,myocardial infarction ,eating habits ,CVD ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
IntroductionUnhealthy lifestyle behaviours that may contribute to the development of disorders leading to MI include consuming foods with a high glycaemic load and excessive supply of saturated fats, especially trans fats. Limiting the consumption of simple and refined carbohydrates, such as sweets, sweet drinks, white bread, or white pasta, has a positive effect on the lipid profile by lowering the concentration of triglycerides. Eliminating simple sugars, especially fructose, prevents the deposition of visceral adipose tissue.Materials and methodsThe study included 116 patients of the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases in Zabrze (SCCS; Poland), with their average age being 59.45 ± 11.54 years, staying in the SCCS due to MI, from March to November 2022. The comprehensive assessment of diet quality included 72 patients: 15 women and 57 men. The research tool was the KomPAN questionnaire for examining dietary views and habits, developed by the Committee on Human Nutrition Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, evaluating the diet in the year preceding the study. The following three indicators were used to assess the diet quality: pro-Healthy Diet Index (pHDI), non-Healthy Diet Index (nHDI) and Diet Quality Index (DQI).ResultsMost patients ate white wheat bread several times a day (39.66% of patients, with a higher percentage in men than in women – 42.35% vs. 32.26%), and white rice, fine-ground groats and pasta once a week (40.52% of patients, including 41.17% of men and 38.71% of women). Legume seeds were predominantly eaten 1–3 times a month (51.73% of responses, with comparable percentages of men and women, i.e., 51.76% vs. 51.62%), vegetables several times a week (42.25% of responses, including more women than men, i.e., 54.84% vs. 37.64%), and fruit once a day (40.52% of responses, including more men than women: 45.89% vs. 25.81%).ConclusionThe results of our assessment of individual behaviours of the whole group may indicate errors in the diet. The value of the pro-Healthy Diet Index appears to confirm this fact, while the non-Healthy Diet Index and Diet Quality Index values do not clearly demonstrate its potential adverse impact on health. These limitations of our study may be due to differences in the size of the study population and the size of the population included in the comprehensive diet assessment. Therefore, it seems necessary to conduct further research.
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- 2023
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11. Complementary Feeding Methods, Feeding Problems, Food Neophobia, and Picky Eating among Polish Children
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa and Oskar Kowalski
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BLW ,baby-led weaning ,neophobia ,complementary feeding ,children’s diet ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - Abstract
Proper nutrition during the first period of life is primarily related to meeting energy needs and providing essential nutrients that ensure the infant’s normal physical and psychomotor development. Improper nutrition during this period, inadequate amounts of nutrients, inappropriate timing and manner of introduction of individual foods, can permanently alter metabolism and the course of physiological processes, increasing the risk of diseases such as obesity, allergic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to verify how the method of complementary feeding influences the occurrence of food neophobia between 2 and 7 years of age, as well as to assess the different nutritional aspects resulting from the process of starting feeding other than breast milk and milk formula. In this study, 490 mothers and their children aged 2–7 years participated. The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of a child’s dietary assessment and standardized questionnaires assessing food neophobia among children: Food Neophobia Scale for Children (FNSC) and the Montreal Children’s Hospital-Pediatric Feeding (MCH-FS). In the study group of children, 238 (48.57%) had no Baby-Led Weaning Method (no BLW) method used during complementary feeding (CF), and 252 (51.42%) children used Baby-Led Weaning Method (BLW). According to the FNSC questionnaire, a high risk of food neophobia was found in 32.65% of the children studied and a medium risk in 39.80%. The medium risk of feeding problem occured in 11.63% of children, the high risk in 6.73% of children, and the highest risk in 6.94% (MCH-FS). No statistically significant differences were observed between the BLW and NoBLW groups. High risk of food neophobia occured in 1/3 of the children studied, but there was no relationship in the study group between the mode of CF (BLW/NoBLW) and the risk of food neophobia.
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- 2023
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12. Infant Complementary Feeding Methods and Subsequent Occurrence of Food Neophobia—A Cross-Sectional Study of Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa and Oskar Kowalski
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child nutrition ,complementary feeding ,feeding disorders ,food neophobia ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Food neophobia is standard behaviour in child development. It is a complex process and occurs to varying degrees. The symptoms of neophobia can be variable depending on the individual. Food neophobia is a fear of new foods, whereby difficulties in eating and trying unfamiliar foods follow. It is one of the more vital determinants of the number of meals consumed at a young age. Such a process is not a disorder in itself but can lead to one. The highest severity of neophobia occurs between the ages of two and six, but in some children, it lasts beyond age 6. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food neophobia among children aged 2–7 years, taking into account the method of complementary feeding, the length of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, the period of introduction of complementary foods, and the use of the BLW method during the period of dietary expansion. Materials and methods: The study used an anonymous survey questionnaire consisting of five parts as the research tool. The first part of the questionnaire was a metric and concerned the socio-demographic data of the parent/guardian and their child. A standardised questionnaire assessing food neophobia among children was used to assess food neophobia: the Food Neophobia Scale—Children (FNSC). Results: In the study group, 171 children (29.23%) had a low risk of food neophobia according to the FNSC, 182 children (31.11%) had a medium risk of neophobia, and 232 children (39.66%) had a high risk of neophobia. A correlation was observed between the age and the risk of food neophobia (p = 0.0002). Statistically significant differences were found between children aged 2 and 4 (p = 0.003) and children aged 2 and 5 years (p = 0.049). We observed no correlation between gagging (p = 0.88557), choking (p = 0.17597), and needing medical intervention (p = 0.61427) and the risk of associated neophobia. Conclusion: In the study group of children, the highest risk of food neophobia was characterized by children aged 4, 5, and 7 years. The length of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding did not affect the risk of food neophobia. In the month in which complementary feeding (CF) was introduced, the children were fed using the baby-led weaning method (BLW method), and introducing puree and puree with lump food into the children’s diet also did not affect the risk of food neophobia. It was shown, however, that children whose mothers observed difficulties during CF and whose children had a vomiting reflex and spat food out of their mouths during CF were more likely to develop food neophobia at the preschool age.
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- 2023
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13. Anthropometric Profiling and Changes in Segmental Body Composition of Professional Football Players in Relation to Age over the Training Macrocycle
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Wiktoria Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, Elżbieta Grochowska-Niedworok, Grzegorz Zydek, Mateusz Grajek, Agata Kiciak, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Ewa Niewiadomska, Oskar Kowalski, and Marek Kardas
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anthropometric profiling ,body composition ,football players ,macrocycle ,segmental body composition ,Sports ,GV557-1198.995 - Abstract
Body composition is an important indicator of the overall health and fitness of team sports athletes, including in football, and therefore, anthropometric profiling of elite football players is useful as part of determining their skills, strengths, and weaknesses to develop effective strength and conditioning programs. One of the tools available to coaches to track correlates of performance and health is routine body composition assessment. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the body composition and anthropometric profiles of players using the Direct Segmental Multi-Frequency Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis method, and to manage body composition throughout the round in the 2020–2021 season. The investigation was carried out during the Polish football league, PKO BP Ekstraklasa, spring round of the football season 2020–2021, in which male football players participated. Athletes between the ages of 18 and 25 (n = 16) made up the younger age group, while those between the ages of 26 and 31 (n = 22) made up the older age group. This manuscript is a continuation of the presentation of the results of the study, which was conducted between 7 January and 23 July 2021. At different stages of the macrocycle, participants underwent six different body composition analyses. The younger and older groups of athletes were compared, as well as measurements of time points 1–6. The dominant extremities, assisting extremities, and trunk had larger fat-free mass contents in the older age group. In the study groups, there was a difference in the fat-free mass content between measures 1–6 that was statistically significant. In the younger group, there was a statistically significant difference in the amount of fat mass content between measurements 1–6. In the older age group, no statistically significant changes were found. The study showed changes in fat-free mass and fat mass in body segments; differences were observed between age groups and between different moments of measurement. Age is an important factor in determining body composition and is also related to an athlete’s experience and seniority. Anthropometric profiling and comprehensive body composition analysis are important tools used in preparing athletes for competition.
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- 2023
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14. Prevalence of Feeding Problems in Children and Associated Factors—A Cross-Sectional Study among Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa and Oskar Kowalski
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neophobia ,feeding difficulties ,children ,complementary feeding ,baby-led weaning ,BLW ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Food neophobia is an aversion to eating or a reluctance to try unfamiliar or new foods. From an evolutionary perspective, this behaviour may minimise the risk of consuming foods that are harmful to health. However, such aversion causes food monotony, which may result in nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of feeding problems among Polish children aged 2–7 years using the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale and to investigate the correlation between age, gender, mode of feeding in infancy, including complementary feeding, and the prevalence of feeding difficulties in the study group of children. Material and method: The study group consisted of 585 children: 299 boys (51.11%) and 286 girls (48.89%). The study was conducted using a questionnaire-based method, with an indirect survey technique using a web-based form (CAWI). The research tool used was the Montreal Children’s Hospital-Pediatric Feeding Program. Results: Groups with the lowest risk feeding problems, risk 0, comprised 445 children (76.06%); group 1, middle difficulties, 59 children (10.08%); group 2, moderate difficulties, 40 children (6.84%); and group 3, most difficulties, 40 children (7.01%). The mean MCH-FS score for the entire study group was calculated and was 37.29 points ± 12.02; for 2 year olds, 35.69 points; for 3 year olds, 37.41 points; for 4 year olds, 38.31 points; for 5 year olds, 38.46 points; for 6 year olds, 37.95 points; and for 7 year olds, 36.06 points. The mean value of the MCH-FS scale for girls was 37.44 points, and for boys, 37.32 points. None of the above parameters correlated with the risk of feeding problems, including age, except with a non-significative tendency to be higher in the youngest age. Conclusion: Breast milk feeding and the time of complementary feeding (CF) in the study group did not influence the risk of feeding problems. Using the full BLW method during CF can protect the child against the occurrence of feeding problems such a food selectivity or picky eating in the future. In our study, children with difficulties during CF, mainly the vomiting reflex, were more likely to develop feeding problems such as food neophobia. Based on our study, we did not observe a correlation between age, gender, and the occurrence of feeding problems, and there was only a non-significant tendency to be higher in the youngest age. However, further research needs to be undertaken to assess how such behaviour affects subsequent feeding difficulties.
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- 2023
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15. Changes in body composition during the macrocycle of professional football players in relation to sports nutrition knowledge
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Wiktoria Staśkiewicz, Elzbieta Grochowska-Niedworok, Grzegorz Zydek, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Mateusz Grajek, Sylwia Jaruga-Sȩkowska, Oskar Kowalski, and Marek Kardas
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body composition ,nutrition knowledge ,football ,professional athletes ,anthropometry ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Professional football players are obligated to meet the physical demands and maintain the best possible performance throughout the whole macrocycle. It is important to assess the players' nutrition knowledge, identify areas that require increased nutrition awareness and identify the impact of knowledge on changes in body composition as this can affect the players' health and performance. This study aimed to assess changes in the body composition of professional football players during the macrocycle of the spring round of the football championship and to identify the correlation between nutrition knowledge and maintaining body composition. The study included 38 football players. The players' body compositions were analyzed 6 times during the macrocycle consisting of preparatory, competitive, and transition periods using the Direct Segmental Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis method. Athletes completed the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire to assess their nutrition knowledge. During the preparatory period, a statistically significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the players' knowledge about the subsections of micronutrients in the diet and the dispersion of the adipose percentage tissue content (r = −0.36, p = 0.03). In the competitive period, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the players' knowledge of sports nutrition and the dispersion of lean body mass (r = −0.46, p = 0.004), and skeletal muscle mass (r = −0.36, p = 0.03). During the transition period, a statistically significant negative correlation between the players' knowledge of weight control and the dispersion of body mass (r = −0.47, p = 0.00) and BMI values (r = −0.48, p = 0.00) was identified. The player's knowledge about the subsection of macronutrients significantly negatively correlated with the dispersion of skeletal muscle mass content (r = −0.33, p = 0.05). Nutrition knowledge has an impact on the stability of body composition during all analyzed periods: preparatory, competitive, and transition periods.
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- 2022
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16. Traditional complementary feeding or BLW (Baby Led Weaning) method? – A cross-sectional study of Polish infants during complementary feeding
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Oskar Kowalski, and Elżbieta Szczepańska
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child nutrition ,baby led weaning (BLW) ,expanding the diet of infants ,complementary feeding ,child diet ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - Abstract
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an increasingly well-known method of complementary feeding for infants. The BLW method is based on the fact that the baby becomes physically ready to eat on its own and can henceforth effectively supplement its diet, which was previously based on breast milk or formula milk. The aim of the study was to compare complementary feeding among mothers using and not using the BLW method. The study took into account, among other things, the frequency of spoon feeding, eating from the family table, and eating meals with a pulpy consistency. The study also determined the frequency of the risk of choking/gagging, food regurgitation or the occurrence of vomiting during a meal in the study groups. Material and method: a cross-sectional survey was conducted among mothers of children from 6 months to 36 months of age residing throughout Poland.ResultsThe study group was divided into three subgroups: mothers using BLW (M-BLW), mothers not familiar with the BLW method (M-NoBLW)), mothers not using the BLW method - mothers using the spoon-feeding method) (M-TS). Among the mothers surveyed, 413 women (63.93%) used the BLW method, 222 mothers (34.36%) did not use the BLW method of which 50 (7.73%) of these were unfamiliar with the method, and 172 (26.62%) simply did not use it. Among M-TS mothers, the child was most often entirely or mostly spoon-fed by an adult (73.84%), and the same was true for the M-NoBLW group (70.0%). In the M-BLW group, 58.60% of children were half-fed by an adult with a spoon. half ate independently.ConclusionsInfants fed by the BLW method were more likely to have their diets expanded after 6 months of age, they were also more likely to be given products from the family table than children fed traditionally with a spoon. Full BLW was implemented by only 29% of children in the BLW group. The vomiting reflex, spitting food out of the mouth, and gagging, were more common among children fed by the BLW method. In contrast, choking occurred comparably often in both groups - in 5.4% of spoon-fed children and 6.9% of BLW-fed children.
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- 2022
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17. Nutrition and mental health: A review of current knowledge about the impact of diet on mental health
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Mateusz Grajek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Karolina Sobczyk, Martina Grot, Oskar Kowalski, and Wiktoria Staśkiewicz
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nutrition ,mental health ,diet ,psychology of food ,eating behavior ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Applied psychopharmacotherapy and psychotherapy do not always bring the expected results in the treatment of mental disorders. As a result, other interventions are receiving increasing attention. In recent years, there has been a surge in research on the effects of nutrition on mental status, which may be an important aspect of the prevention of many mental disorders and, at the same time, may lead to a reduction in the proportion of people with mental disorders. This review aims to answer whether and to what extent lifestyle and related nutrition affect mental health and whether there is scientific evidence supporting a link between diet and mental health. A review of the scientific evidence was conducted based on the available literature by typing in phrases related to nutrition and mental health using the methodological tool of the PubMed database. The literature search yielded 3,473 records, from which 356 sources directly related to the topic of the study were selected, and then those with the highest scientific value were selected according to bibliometric impact factors. In the context of current changes, urbanization, globalization, including the food industry, and changes in people’s lifestyles and eating habits, the correlations between these phenomena and their impact on mental state become important. Knowledge of these correlations creates potential opportunities to implement new effective dietary, pharmacological, therapeutic, and above all preventive interventions. The highest therapeutic potential is seen in the rational diet, physical activity, use of psychobiotics, and consumption of antioxidants. Research also shows that there are nutritional interventions that have psychoprotective potential.
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- 2022
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18. Implementation of sugar-sweetened beverages tax and its perception among public health stakeholders. A study from Poland
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Katarzyna Brukało, Krzysztof Kaczmarek, Oskar Kowalski, and Piotr Romaniuk
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sugar sweetened beverages ,sugar tax ,stakeholder involvement ,Poland ,SSB tax ,food policy ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
BackgroundOne of tools to tackle growing problem of overweight and obesity are the taxation mechanisms applied to sugar-sweetened beverages, which are expected to influence the common eating behaviors, but also they have impact on the market and public finances. The solution is therefore highly entangled in the complex of social and intersectoral interests generating a number of opportunities and threats affecting its feasibility.AimsThe study aims to depict the views of Polish stakeholders on the implementation of the sugar tax in Poland, particularly the perception of success determinants, barriers, as well as views on the features of the implemented solutions and possible alternatives.MethodsWe used semi-structured interviews with 18 individuals representing key public health stakeholders in Poland. The interview consisted of four parts, where first concentrated on the advantages and disadvantages of the SSB tax, the second part explored stakeholder involvement and stances, third concerned the feasibility of the project, and in the fourth part respondents were asked for suggestions for decision-makers regarding the content of the project and its implementation process. To reconstruct position of 4 main political parties we applied desk research. We used MAXQDA v2020 to analyse the collected data.ResultsStakeholders tend to expressed conflicting views on the effectiveness, relevance and socio-economic impact of the SSB tax. All of them agreed that the tax may appear severe for the poorest groups, children and adolescents, while disagreeing about the economic impact of the levy. The allocation of additional tax revenues was raising doubts, with stakeholders believing that the fiscal aim is the basic reason for implementing the tax, while these resources should be primarily dedicated to health promotion intervention and prevention of diet-related diseases. On the other hand, the political debate on the tax was highly superficial with strong populism arising of the presented positions.ConclusionsThere is a need to conduct a thorough public debate and improvements in terms of public communication to increase social awareness, sealing and refining the implemented solutions. Close cooperation with market players and non-governmental organizations is highly recommended.
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- 2022
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19. Practical Implementation of the BLW Method During the Expansion of the Infant Diet—A Study Among Polish Children
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Elżbieta Szczepańska, Paulina Trzop, Martina Grot, Mateusz Grajek, and Oskar Kowalski
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Child Nutrition ,Baby Led Weaning (BLW) ,expanding the diet of infants ,complementary feeding ,child diet ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
The aim of the study was to verify the knowledge of mothers of children under 3 years of age about the Baby Led Weaning (BLW) feeding model and their practical implementation of this method. The study involved 761 mothers and their children. After analysis of the inclusion and exclusion criterion, the information provided by women 699 aged 21–48 years was included in the final data analysis. In the study group, most children were breastfed for 6 months to 1 year (n = 256, 36.7%), 1 year to 2 years (n = 179, 25.6%) and over 2 years (n = 71, 10.2%). Starting dietary expansion before 17 weeks of age was implemented in 47 (6.7%) children, between and 17–26 weeks of age in 328 (46.9%) children, and after 26 weeks of age in 324 (46.3%) children. Feeding food and dishes from the family table was practiced by 518 (74.1%) mothers. Spoon-feeding was practiced by 529 (75.6%) children, 157 (22.4%) children were fed this way sometimes. Taking into account the above data, feeding with the BLW method was used in 170 children (24.2%). In the examined group of mothers the use of the BLW method in feeding their children, especially during diet expansion, was declared by 408 women (74.8%). The child's independent decision concerning what the child will eat and what is according to the BLW method is accepted by 434 (62.1%) mothers. Among the positive aspects of using the BLW method, the women surveyed indicated the child's independence, while among the disadvantages, the omnipresent mess and chaos when eating meals.
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- 2022
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20. The Assessment of Body Composition and Nutritional Awareness of Football Players According to Age
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Wiktoria Staśkiewicz, Elżbieta Grochowska-Niedworok, Grzegorz Zydek, Mateusz Grajek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Sylwia Jaruga-Sękowska, Oskar Kowalski, and Marek Kardas
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nutrition knowledge ,physical differences ,football ,athletes ,body composition ,anthropometry ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
The optimal body composition for health is an individual trait and is determined by genetic factors, sex, age, somatotype, physical activity, and individual variability. The present study aims to assess how professional football players’ body composition has changed over the training macrocycle in various age groups and to determine the correlation between nutritional awareness and body composition maintenance. Thirty-eight football players participated in the study, with 16 players classified in the younger age group (19–25) and 22 in the older age group (26–31). Using the direct segmented multi-frequency electrical impedance analysis technique, the athletes’ body composition was assessed six times across a training macrocycle made up of preparatory, competitive, and transitional periods. The Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire was used to evaluate nutrition knowledge. The above correlations show that both younger and older athletes with higher awareness are better able to adjust their nutrition to meet the goals of the preparation period and can achieve greater gains in muscle mass and greater reductions in body fat. According to the study’s results, athletes who are better conscious of their nutritional needs during competition experience less muscle loss and exhibit more consistent body weight and BMI levels. Football players’ body composition suffers detrimental alterations throughout the transition period. Higher body mass, lean body mass content, and skeletal muscle mass are traits of older players. Higher nutritional knowledge reduces the negative modifications of body composition consisting of muscle mass reduction and fat gain. Nutritional knowledge influences the stability of body composition in both age groups during all the analyzed periods: Preparation, competition, and transition.
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- 2023
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21. Nutrition as Prevention of Diet-Related Diseases—A Cross-Sectional Study among Children and Young Adults with Down Syndrome
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Sebastian Żur, Katarzyna Wilemska-Kucharzewska, Elżbieta Szczepańska, and Oskar Kowalski
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children ,Down’s syndrome ,diet ,nutrition ,dietary errors ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the diet of children with Down syndrome (DS) and to identify potential dietary mistakes made by their parents. Materials and methods: The study was conducted among 195 parents of people with DS between November 2020 and March 2021. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method. Results: 122 (62.6%) people with DS did not eliminate any nutrient from their diet. By contrast, in the study group, the following numbers of people reported the following dietary restrictions: 51 (26.2%) gluten, 56 (28.7%) lactose, 17 (8.7%) casein, 26 (13.3%) sucrose, 2 (1.0%) histamine, 2 (1.0%) lectins, and 1 (0.5%) dairy. The most frequent response for vegetable and fruit consumption was once a day, with 83 (42.6%) and 87 (44.6%) parents indicating this. The most frequent response for dairy product consumption was every day, with 72 (36.9%) parents indicating this, while 36 (20%) parents stated that their children do not eat dairy products at all. In the study group, the most frequent response for meat consumption was several times a week, this was indicated by 107 (54.9%) parents, while 1 (0.5%) of them said that their children do not eat meat products at all. The most frequent response for fish consumption was 1–2 times a week, this answer was indicated by 101 (51.8%) parents, while 13 (6.7%) said that their children do not eat these products at all. Conclusions: A majority of the subjects with DS are usually fed in a normal way, but nutritional mistakes are made by the parents. Special attention should be paid to prolonging the period of natural feeding.
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- 2022
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22. Proper Dietary and Supplementation Patterns as a COVID-19 Protective Factor (Cross-Sectional Study-Silesia, Poland)
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Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Mateusz Grajek, Anna Murzyn, Małgorzata Słoma-Krześlak, Karolina Sobczyk, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, and Oskar Kowalski
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COVID-19 ,SARS-CoV-2 ,immune system ,dietary management ,supplementation management ,Science - Abstract
Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has become a challenge for the world today, so it is very important to create healthy eating habits in society to support immunity and raise awareness of the benefits of supplementation. Objective. The purpose of this study is to evaluate diet and dietary supplementation, since previous studies indicate the protective nature of these in building immunity during the pandemic and post-pandemic period (COVID-19). The hypothesis of the study is whether the dietary regimen presented by the COVID-19 respondents can be considered protective in building immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Material and methods. The study included 304 subjects, with an average age of 39.04 ± 23.59. The main criteria for inclusion in the study were that the respondent was ≥18 years old and participated voluntarily. The study was conducted using an original questionnaire. Results. In the study group, no change was noticed in the previous diet during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the level of physical activity among the respondents decreased. Too low a percentage of people regularly consumed, among other foods. legume seeds—only 10.5% of respondents consumed them several times a week—and citrus fruits—the largest number of respondents, as many as 39.8%, only consumed them several times a month. The largest percentage of respondents with mild/scanty COVID-19 disease regularly took vitamin C-containing preparations (n = 61; 59.80%). Statistical analysis showed that there was a correlation between the incidence of mild/scanty COVID-19 and the regularity of taking vitamin C-containing preparations (T = 11.374; r = 0.611; p = 0.04603). A statistical significance level was also obtained for the regularity of supplementation of multivitamin preparations, which were taken by 68% (34) of respondents affected by mild/scanty COVID-19 (T = 13.456; r = 0.711; p = 0.02191). Conclusions. The study’s hypothesis was supported. Respondents characterized by a normal dietary pattern and taking supplements commonly recognized as immune “boosters” were more likely to mildly survive COVID-19. Moreover, it was shown that the pandemic in most of the respondents did not significantly affect their dietary strategy. It is reasonable to conclude that the dietary patterns adopted may be a common way to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections and their possible complications.
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- 2022
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23. Use of the Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Method in Complementary Feeding of the Infant—A Cross-Sectional Study of Mothers Using and Not Using the BLW Method
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Monika Soczewka, Mateusz Grajek, Elżbieta Szczepańska, and Oskar Kowalski
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child nutrition ,expanding the diet of infants ,BLW ,complementary feeding ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an increasingly popular way of expanding a baby’s diet. It is based on the baby becoming physically ready to feed himself, effectively supplementing his diet, which until now has been based on breast milk or modified milk. The aim of the study was to assess mothers’ knowledge about the use of the BLW method to expand the diet of a young child. The essence of the study assumed the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using this method indicated by mothers. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 mothers participated in the study. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method. The research tool was the original questionnaire relating to the knowledge about the BLW method and the application of the BLW method in practice. Results: The BLW method was used by 240 (75%) women. The reasons for not using the BLW method were: the child did not cooperate n = 30 (37.5%) and was not ready to use the BLW method n = 20 (25%). In total, 182 (75.8%) mothers using BLW and 63 (78.8%) mothers not using BLW started extending the diet before the child was 6 months old. According to 270 (84.4%) mothers, including 205 (85.4%) using BLW, stable sitting in a highchair/on the lap is a decisive factor for starting the dietary expansion with the BLW method. Conclusions: Mothers’ knowledge of the BLW method as a way of expanding a young child’s diet was insufficient. It seems important to implement appropriate educational activities on the methods of expanding children’s diets to broaden parents’ knowledge of the influence of nutrition on infant development.
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- 2022
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24. Dietary Therapy in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)—Tradition or Modernity? A Review of the Latest Approaches to Nutrition in CVD
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Elżbieta Szczepańska, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Barbara Janota, and Oskar Kowalski
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cardiovascular disease ,CVD ,diet ,prevention ,diet therapy ,cardioprotective food ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
The development of cardiovascular diseases is undoubtedly influenced by improper dietary behavior. The most common mistakes include irregularity of meal consumption, high dietary atherogenicity: snacking on sweets between meals, low supply of dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, legume seeds, and high supply of meat and meat products. Among many food components, some are characterized by a specific cardioprotective effect, which means that their supply of food may prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease or improve the health of the sick. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the ingredients showing cardioprotective effects on the heart and blood vessels. Antioxidant and lipid profile-enhancing effects are also attributed to sitosterol which is one of the plant-derived sterols. A very important argument indicating the necessity of a varied diet rich in a variety of plant products is the beneficial effect of polyphenols, which are most abundant in multicolored vegetables and fruits. Numerous studies show their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure, improving lipid profile, and regeneration of vascular endothelium. The collected publications from the field of lifestyle medicine can be a source of knowledge for dieticians, physicians, and people associated with physical culture and human mental health to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases and reduce the risk of death from this cause.
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- 2022
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25. ARFID—Strategies for Dietary Management in Children
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Dorota Szymańska, Mateusz Grajek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Elżbieta Szczepańska, and Oskar Kowalski
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ARFID ,feeding disorders ,eating disorders ,feeding and eating difficulties ,child nutrition ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new disease entity in DSM-5 and ICD-11. This disorder continues to pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for many professionals. This disorder can affect people of all ages. The most characteristic pattern is considered to be a lack of interest in eating or avoidance of food intake, which may result in nutritional deficiencies, weight loss or lack of expected weight gain, dependence on enteral feeding or dietary supplements, and impaired psychosocial functioning. This disorder cannot be explained by a current medical condition or co-occurring other psychiatric disorders, but if ARFID co-occurs with another disorder or illness, it necessarily requires extended diagnosis. Its treatment depends on the severity of the nutritional problem and may include hospitalization with multispecialty care (pediatrician, nutritionist, psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist). The nutritional management strategy may include, inter alia, the use of Food Chaining, and should in the initial stage of therapy be based on products considered “safe” in the patient’s assessment. The role of the dietitian in the management of a patient with ARFID is to monitor weight and height and nutritional status and analyze the foods that should be introduced into the food chain first.
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- 2022
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26. Neophobia—A Natural Developmental Stage or Feeding Difficulties for Children?
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Elżbieta Szczepańska, Dorota Szymańska, Mateusz Grajek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, and Oskar Kowalski
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feeding neophobia ,feeding difficulties ,dietary expansion ,child nutrition ,food selectivity ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Food neophobia is the tendency to reject or be reluctant to try new and unfamiliar foods. Due to the period of its occurrence, which falls in the years of early childhood, it can significantly affect the child’s food choices, shape taste preferences, and significantly influence the quality of the child’s diet. The neophobic attitude has an important evolutionary significance because it protects the individual from ingesting potentially dangerous substances. On the other hand, it fosters avoidance behaviors that can also relate to the beneficial aspects of obtaining and consuming food. Currently, the strong emphasis placed on food safety means that neophobia may be less adaptive; nevertheless, a conservative attitude toward new foods still prevails. There is a strong association between food neophobia and the diversity of a person’s diet and previous exposure to different foods. This review describes behaviors associated with food neophobia and analyzes other feeding and eating difficulties in children that should be differentiated from food neophobia. Management approaches affecting the reduction in food neophobia in children through various dietary and psychological interventions are also proposed.
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- 2022
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27. Staged hybrid ablation for persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation effectively restores sinus rhythm in long-term observation
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Michal Zembala, Krzysztof Filipiak, Oskar Kowalski, Piotr Buchta, Tomasz Niklewski, Pawel Nadziakiewicz, Rafał Koba, Mariusz Gąsior, Zbigniew Kalarus, and Marian Zembala
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atrial fibrillation ,ablation ,hybrid procedures ,pulmonary vein isolation ,Medicine - Abstract
Introduction: Hybrid ablation (HABL) of atrial fibrillation combining endoscopic, minimally invasive, closed chest epicardial ablation with endocardial CARTO-guided accuracy was introduced to overcome the limitations of current therapeutic options for patients with persistent (PSAF) and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the procedural safety and feasibility as well as effectiveness of HABL in patients with PSAF and LSPAF 1 year after the procedure. Material and methods : The study is a single-center, prospective clinical registry. From 07/2009 to 12.2014, 90 patients with PSAF (n = 39) and LSPAF (n = 51), at the mean age of 54.8 ±9.8, in mean EHRA class 2.6, underwent HABL. 64.4% of patients had a history of prior cardioversion or catheter ablation. Thirteen patients had LVEF less than 35%. Mean AF duration was 4.5 ±3.7 years. Patients were scheduled for 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up with 7-day Holter monitoring. Results : At 6 months after the procedure 78% (54/69) of patients were in SR. At 12 months after the procedure 86% (59/69) were in SR and 62.3% (43/69) in SR and off class I/III antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). Only 1% (1/69) of patients required a repeat ablation for atrial flutter. A significant decrease in LA dimension and an increase in LVEF were noted. Conclusions : A combination of epicardial and endocardial RF ablation should be considered as a treatment option for patients with persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation as it is safe and effective in restoring sinus rhythm.
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- 2016
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28. Quality of life in patients with a subcutaneous vs. transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
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Marta Jagosz, Ewa Jędrzejczyk-Patej, Wiktoria Kowalska, Michał Mazurek, Szymon Warwas, Dominika Wiktor, Adam Sokal, Oskar Kowalski, Radosław Lenarczyk, Beata Średniawa, and Zbigniew Kalarus
- Subjects
Treatment Outcome ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Electric Countershock ,Quality of Life ,Humans ,Arrhythmias, Cardiac ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Defibrillators, Implantable - Abstract
The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) are well-accepted life-saving devices for treating potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmia, but little is known about quality of life (QoL) in patients with S-ICD and ICD.Our study aimed to compare QoL in patients with S-ICD and ICD.All consecutive patients who had S-ICD implanted between October 2015 and September 2021 were included in the study. A cohort of transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) patients was matched to S-ICD subjects by sex, age, indications for the device, and type of prevention. All patients were requested to fulfill two standardized questionnaires to assess QoL: 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) 6 months after device implantation.Patients with S-ICD (n = 49) and TV-ICD (n = 49) did not differ regarding baseline characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences between S-ICD and TV-ICD subgroup, both for mental and physical QoL assessed in SF-36 and MLHFQ (all P = NS). The median MLHFQ total score was 24 (9-41) for S-ICD and 28 (14-43) for TV-ICD (P = 0.83). The median total score for the SF-36 questionnaire was 62.5 (29-86) vs. 59 (38-77) for S-ICD and TV-ICD, respectively (P = 0.78).Quality of life after device implantation does not differ significantly between the groups of patients with subcutaneous and conventional implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
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- 2022
29. Remote monitoring of implantable devices (personal opinion)
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Oskar Kowalski
- Abstract
Remote monitoring (RM) of implantable devices is a real revolution in the quality of care for patients which is still unavailable in Poland. Most of such patients, due to the lack of reimbursement of this procedure, are deprived of RM, despite the scientifically documented, undoubted clinical benefits of this method. Still (for over a dozen years) it seems that in the future it will be possible to implement this method also in Polish reality. Theoretically, creating a remote monitoring laboratory seems not to be difficult. However, based on the experience of one of the few Polish cardiology centers with several thousand patients under the supervision of monitoring, I allow myself to draw attention to several important, sometimes difficult elements that require implementation. It seems that the preparation of personnel and equipment can be introduced gradually, while realizing that even a small group of patients covered by RM from the beginning, requires regular supervision, with the possibility of conducting an efficient and competent response in the event of a significant medical problem. It is worth starting these preparations as early as possible...
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- 2022
30. Flecainide in clinical practice
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Mikołaj Basza, Cezary Maciejewski, Wojciech Bojanowicz, Paweł Balsam, Marcin Grabowski, Przemysław Mitkowski, Maciej Kempa, Oskar Kowalski, Zbigniew Kalarus, Miłosz Jaguszewski, Andrzej Lubiński, Ludmiła Daniłowicz-Szymanowicz, Łukasz Szumowski, Maciej Sterliński, and Łukasz Kołtowski
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General Medicine ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine - Published
- 2023
31. Cardiac implantable electronic devices procedures and their recipients characteristic during COVID-19 pandemic: 3.8 million population analysis
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Artur Filipecki, Michał Orszulak, Mateusz Tajstra, Oskar Kowalski, Michał Skrzypek, Zbigniew Kalarus, Mariusz Gąsior, and Katarzyna Mizia-Stec
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Adult ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Communicable Disease Control ,COVID-19 ,Humans ,Poland ,General Medicine ,Electronics ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Pandemics ,Defibrillators, Implantable ,Retrospective Studies - Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disorganised healthcare systems and has caused a reduction in the number of hospitalizations and procedures. Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedure rates and clinical characteristics of their recipients were compared in corresponding weeks of 2019 and 2020 were analyzed.The database of the National Health Fund (NHF) in Poland was retrospectively analyzed. 3206 patients who underwent CIED implantation in the Silesia - a region in Southern Poland comprising an adult population of 3.8 million between 12th and 31st week of 2020. Patients were classified into groups: the recipient of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy group (ICD/CRT) or pacemaker group (PM).During the pandemic a reduction of 39.38% of implantations was observed compared to the same period in 2019 (1210 vs. 1996 patients) and had impacted both groups. Two phases lasting 10 weeks each could be distinguished: total lockdown (maximal reduction) and the recovery phase with growing numbers of procedures. Patient baseline characteristics (sex, age, comorbidities) who were implanted during the COVID-19 pandemic did not differ from the 2019 period. The rate of peri-procedural mortality was also similar.During COVID-19 pandemic period a reduction in CIED implantations of all types was observed. Despite the decreased number of performed CIED implants, no differences in baseline patient characteristics were observed.
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- 2022
32. Effectiveness of atrioventricular synchrony in a patient with Micra AV after the first implantation in Central Eastern Europe
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Agnieszka Katarzyńska-Szymańska, Lidia Chmielewska-Michalak, Maciej Grymuza, Aleksandra Ciepłucha, Oskar Kowalski, and Przemysław Mitkowski
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Europe ,Pacemaker, Artificial ,Atrioventricular Node ,Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ,Humans ,Europe, Eastern ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Atrioventricular Block - Published
- 2022
33. Diet in Patients with Myocardial Infarction and Coexisting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
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Elżbieta Szczepańska, Magdalena Gacal, Adam Sokal, Barbara Janota, and Oskar Kowalski
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Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,dietary prevention ,coronary artery diseases ,diabetes mellitus ,dietary deviations ,dietary awareness - Abstract
Background: Dietary modifications are recommended alongside pharmacotherapy in treating both diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Aims: The primary aim of our study was to assess the diet in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and myocardial infarction (MI) and to identify dietary differences between patients after the first and subsequent cardiovascular (CV) event. The secondary aim was to analyze the differences between men’s and women’s diets. Methods: The study population consisted of patients with DM/T2DM and MI. The research tool was the original author’s questionnaire which was collected personally by a qualified dietician. Results: The study included 67 patients with a mean age of 69 ± 8 years, hospitalized at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases in Zabrze in 2019. The study found that patients consumed less bread, whole-grain cereal products, fermented milk products, and vegetables than was recommended. A total of 32.8% of patients reported an intake of sweetened beverages, while 85.1% of participants consumed sweets despite being diagnosed with DM. Except for sweetened drinks, no differences in dietary behaviors were found in the patients after the first and second MI episode. Most of the included patients assessed their diet as appropriate. Conclusion: The dietary assessment of diabetes and myocardial infarction patients indicates that the diet does not comply with dietary recommendations, thus increasing the risk of a recurrent cardiac event despite a previous MI. No differences between the men’s and the women’s nutritional habits were observed.
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- 2023
34. European Society of Cardiology guidelines for ablation of atrial fibrillation – a subjective opinion
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Oskar Kowalski
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macromolecular substances - Abstract
European Society of Cardiology guidelines for ablation of atrial fibrillation – a subjective opinion
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- 2021
35. Clinical manifestations of device-related infective endocarditis in cardiac resynchronization therapy recipients
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Tomasz Podolecki, Zbigniew Kalarus, Mariola Szulik, Agnieszka Liberska, Michał Mazurek, Adam Sokal, Ewa Jędrzejczyk-Patej, Oskar Kowalski, and Radosław Lenarczyk
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Cardiac resynchronization therapy ,cardiac resynchronization therapy ,heart failure ,01 natural sciences ,Gastroenterology ,Procalcitonin ,030207 dermatology & venereal diseases ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Clinical Research ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Endocarditis ,signs ,business.industry ,010401 analytical chemistry ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,0104 chemical sciences ,Pulmonary embolism ,Embolism ,Infective endocarditis ,Heart failure ,endocarditis ,symptoms ,Population study ,business - Abstract
IntroductionThe aim of the study was to analyse microbiological charac�teristics and clinical manifestations of cardiac device-related infective endo�carditis (CDRIE) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients, and to compare the diagnostic value of modified Duke (MDC) versus modified Duke lead criteria (MDLC; including to MDC local infection and pulmonary infection or embolism as major criteria).Material and methodsThe study population comprised 765 consecutive CRT patients from a high-volume, tertiary care centre from 2002 to 2015. All patients were screened for CDRIE.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 1692 days (range: 457–3067) 5.36% of patients (n = 41) developed CDRIE, which was accompanied by CRT pocket infection in 17.1% (n = 7) and recurrent pulmonary infection or pulmonary embolism in 29.3% (n = 12). Fever was present in 95.1% of patients (n = 39), whereas blood cultures were positive in 65.9% (n = 27). Staphylococcus was the most prevalent pathogen in 59.3% (n = 16), Gram-negative bacteria in 25.9% (n = 7). Transoesophageal echocardiography showed intracardiac veg�etations in 73.2% of patients (n = 30). Non-different pathogen types with the most common methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus were observed for early versus late CDRIE (endocarditis ≤ 6 vs. > 6 months from CRT or other de�vice-related procedure). All 3 inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, white blood cells, procalcitonin) were normal in 4.9% of patients (n = 2). MDC versus MDLC indicated definite CDRIE in 48.8% versus 80.5%, respectively (p = 0.003).ConclusionsFever is the most common symptom of CRT-related CDRIE, and transoesophageal echocardiography allows vegetations to be visualised in nearly 3/4 of patients with CDRIE. Although the most common pathogens were Staphylococci, Gram-negative bacteria accounted for a quarter of CDRIE. Modified Duke lead criteria proved superior to MDC.
- Published
- 2021
36. New hope for patients and challenges for the multidisciplinary arrhythmia team: a hybrid convergent approach for atrial fibrillation treatment
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Witold Bratkowski, Mariusz Gąsior, Michał Zembala, Zbigniew Kalarus, Piotr Buchta, Krzysztof J. Filipiak, Radosław Sierpiński, Oskar Kowalski, and Krzysztof Myrda
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Catheter ablation ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Multidisciplinary approach ,Internal medicine ,Atrial Fibrillation ,Humans ,Medicine ,Heart Atria ,Adverse effect ,Retrospective Studies ,business.industry ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,Atrial fibrillation ,Retrospective cohort study ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Ablation ,Treatment Outcome ,Catheter Ablation ,Cardiology ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Cardioversions ,Endocardium - Abstract
Background: Available data suggest the important role of ablation of the left atrial posterior wall and epicardial myocardial layers in rhythm control therapy in patients with persistent drug‑refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). However, endocardial ablation is not always effective in transmural substrate modification. The alternative treatment option is minimally invasive hybrid approach (HABL) combining the strengths of surgical and catheter ablation. Aims: This study aimed to assess the periprocedural safety as well as acute and long‑term outcomes of HABL for AF. Methods: This is a retrospective single‑center study of patients who underwent HABL using the minimally invasive transabdominal approach between July 2009 and January 2020. Demographic in‑hospital data and 12‑month follow‑up results were obtained. The number of hospitalizations, cardioversions, re‑ablations, and severe adverse events in a 3‑year period before and after HABL were compared using data from the national healthcare provider. Results: In total, 158 patients (mean [SD] age, 51.02 [10.67] years) who underwent HABL were included; 61.4% had persistent AF. There was a 4.4% incidence of periprocedural complications without any fatalities. In 66% of patients, additional endocardial substrate modification was needed, in 52.6% on the posterior wall. In the 12‑month follow‑up, most patients (78.3%) remained free of arrhythmias. There was a significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations (for AF, 1.65 vs 0.54; or any other cause, 2.56 vs 1.31 per patient), cardioversions, and re‑ablations after HABL (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: The hybrid multidisciplinary approach for treatment of AF is a safe and very effective treatment method in long‑term follow‑up, which reduces healthcare burden. It could be considered as an alternative therapeutic option especially in patients with persistent AF.
- Published
- 2020
37. Temporal trends in the availability and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in a highly populated urban area
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Oskar Kowalski, Maciej Faryan, Piotr Buchta, Katarzyna Mizia-Stec, Maciej T. Wybraniec, Zbigniew Kalarus, Daniel Cieśla, Mariusz Gąsior, Krzysztof Myrda, and Anna Maria Wnuk-Wojnar
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Catheter ablation ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Pulmonary vein ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Internal medicine ,Atrial Fibrillation ,medicine ,Humans ,Myocardial infarction ,Stroke ,business.industry ,Mortality rate ,Atrial fibrillation ,medicine.disease ,Treatment Outcome ,Atrial Flutter ,Pulmonary Veins ,Catheter Ablation ,Cardiology ,Population study ,Female ,Poland ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Atrial flutter - Abstract
Background: Pulmonary vein isolation has become one of the core modalities of the rhythm control strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Aims: The aim of the study was to analyze temporal trends in the availability and efficacy of AF and atrial flutter (AFL) catheter ablation in an urban area of Upper Silesia in Poland. Methods: The source data were obtained from the SILCARD (Silesian Cardiovascular Database) covering an adult population of 3.8 million. The final study population included patients with diagnosis code I48 referred for catheter ablation between 2006 and 2017. The data included total number of procedures, patient sex, age, comorbidities, number of hospital admissions, and mortality rate. Results: A total of 2745 patients were enrolled. The number of ablated patients increased more than 10‑fold (43 in 2006 vs 507 in 2017; P = 0.008) in the follow‑up period. The analysis showed an upward trend in the proportion of women (P = 0.02), hypertension prevalence (P = 0.004), and percentage of patients implanted (P = 0.02). A decrease was observed in the percentage of patients with stable angina (P < 0.005) and hospitalization length (P < 0.005). The all‑cause hospital readmissions rate decreased from 55.8% to 25.4% (P < 0.005). There were significant reductions in the 12‑month all‑cause mortality (2.3% in 2006 vs 0.2% in 2017; P < 0.005), stroke (2.3% in 2006 vs 0.2% in 2017; P = 0.047), and myocardial infarction rates (2.3% in 2006 vs 0.4% in 2017; P = 0.03). Conclusions: A considerable increase in the availability and efficacy of AF / AFL ablations was documented over the 12‑year follow‑up period
- Published
- 2020
38. Successful implantation of leadless pacemakers in children: a case series
- Author
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Aleksandra Woźniak, Zbigniew Kalarus, Ewa Jędrzejczyk-Patej, Radosław Lenarczyk, Oskar Kowalski, Michał Mazurek, Linda Litwin, and Alina Skiba-Zdrzałek
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,law.invention ,Pacemaker implantation ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,law ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,General anaesthesia ,Case Series ,Leadless pacemaker ,Pacing ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Major complication ,Lead (electronics) ,Children ,Adult patients ,business.industry ,Ventricular pacing ,medicine.disease ,Micra ,Cardiology ,Artificial cardiac pacemaker ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Atrioventricular block ,Arrhythmias / Electrophysiology - Abstract
Background A leadless pacemaker is a new concept in which a miniaturized pacing device is self-contained within the heart. Recently published data show that leadless pacemakers are associated with a decreased risk of major complications when compared with transvenous cardiac pacemakers. This seems to be of particular importance in children and young adults in whom various complications may occur during their lifetime. Case summary Herein, we report the successful implantation of Micra™ Transcatheter Pacing System in two children: 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl, along with a long-term follow-up. The children had indications for pacemaker implantation, however, with an expected low percentage of pacing due to paroxysmal nature of the third-degree atrioventricular block. The implantation procedures were performed in general anaesthesia. There were no complications. During the 2-year follow-up, there were no adverse events and the electrical parameters of the device remained stable. Pacing percentage was below 0.1%. Discussion Transvenous cardiac pacemakers improve quality of life and reduce mortality but may be associated with various short- and long-term complications, mainly related to the presence of transvenous leads and the pulse generator. Compared with adult patients, the implantation of conventional pacemakers in children is still a challenge, not only because of their smaller size but also due to continuing growth, as well as a higher rate of lead and device-related complications. We demonstrate that the implantation of leadless pacemakers in children is feasible and could be worth considering in certain clinical scenarios, especially when ventricular pacing is required rarely.
- Published
- 2020
39. The Role of Atrial Fibrillation among Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
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Oskar Kowalski, Michał Mazurek, Wiktoria Kowalska, and Katarzyna Przybylska-Siedlecka
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03 medical and health sciences ,medicine.medical_specialty ,0302 clinical medicine ,business.industry ,Internal medicine ,Heart failure ,Cardiology ,medicine ,Atrial fibrillation ,030212 general & internal medicine ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,business ,medicine.disease - Abstract
Both heart failure and atrial fibrillation are significant health problems affecting approximately 1-2% of the adult population. Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the incidence of thromboembolic complications, increases the frequency of hospitalization, morbidity due to heart failure, and is an independent risk factor for death. AF is the most common arrhythmia occurring in patients with heart failure. Patients with heart failure and implantable devices Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response remains one of the most common causes of inadequate interventions of implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or resynchronization systems with cardioverter-defibrillator function (CRT-D). Both AF and inadequate interventions are strongly associated with worse prognosis and increased risk of all-cause death. Furthermore, in presence of multiple inapproriate shocks the patients’ prognosis worsens. Thus they require more frequent interventions most frequently reprogramming of the device, modification of pharmacotherapy and correction of accompanying irregularities such as electrolyte disturbances. AF is also a major cause of loss of biventricular pacing in patients with an implanted resynchronizing system, which leads into an exacerbation of heart failure symptoms, an increase in hospitalization and mortality. No clear advantage has been demonstrated for rate or rhythm control strategy for survival in patients with AF. In the European registry EORP-AF a higher mortality rate was observed in the group treated with rate control strategy. However, after considering the effects of associated diseases, the difference in mortality among patients undergoing rhythm control and rate control was not statistically significant. Recently, several studies comparing antiarrhythmic therapy with atrial fibrillation ablation have been published. The article briefly discusses some of them, such as the CASTLE-AF study, AATAC, CAMERA-MRI, the CABANA study. Despite the different results of these studies, reports on the effectiveness of atrial fibrillation ablation among patients with heart failure are promising. According to updated guidelines of American cardiology societies from 2019, ablation of atrial fibrillation can be considered in patients with symptomatic AF and heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction to reduce mortality and the frequency of hospitalization for heart failure. Patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure have a worse prognosis than patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm. However, we can improve it by diagnosing atrial fibrillation and implementing adequate treatment, including invasive atrial fibrillation therapy.
- Published
- 2020
40. Multicentre early experience with totally subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillators in Poland
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Mariusz Gąsior, Szymon Budrejko, Mateusz Tajstra, Marcin Michalak, Maciej Kempa, Michal Kowara, Krzysztof Kaczmarek, Anna Kurek, Radosław Zwoliński, Iwona Cygankiewicz, Marcin Grabowski, Jerzy Krzysztof Wranicz, Grzegorz Opolski, Grzegorz Raczak, Paweł Ptaszyński, Adam Sokal, and Oskar Kowalski
- Subjects
Secondary prevention ,medicine.medical_specialty ,implantable cardioverter defibrillator ,business.industry ,Medical record ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Psychological intervention ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ,Sudden death ,sudden cardiac death ,Surgery ,Sudden cardiac death ,03 medical and health sciences ,Young age ,subcutaneous cardioverter defibrillator ,0302 clinical medicine ,Clinical Research ,Heart failure ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,business - Abstract
Introduction Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have a strong position in the prevention of sudden death. Nowadays, the most commonly used high-energy cardiac devices are transvenous ICDs. A new technology of totally subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD) was invented and recently introduced into clinical practice in order to reduce lead-related complications of conventional ICDs. The aim of this paper is to present early experience with this new technology implemented in a few centres in Poland. Material and methods Medical records of patients who had S-ICD-related interventions in Poland were retrospectively analysed. Results During the first year of S-ICD introduction into the Polish health system 18 patients underwent surgery connected with S-ICDs. Majority of them (17 patients) were implanted de novo. In one patient surgical revision of a device implanted abroad was performed. Most of patients (78%) had S-ICDs implanted for secondary prevention. Inability of transvenous system implantation due to venous access obstruction or high risk of infection related with transvenous leads accounted for 83% of indications for S-ICD. Only in three patients were S-ICDs implanted due to young age and active mode of life. The implantations of S-ICDs were performed without important early or late complications. During follow-up one patient had episodes of ventricular arrhythmia successfully terminated with high-energy shocks. One patient died due to progression of heart failure. Conclusions S-ICD implantation procedure has been successfully and safely introduced in Polish clinical routine. Nevertheless, despite clear indications in recent ESC guidelines, this therapy is not directly reimbursed in Poland and needs individual application for refund.
- Published
- 2020
41. Does the origin of ablated premature ventricular contractions determine the level of left ventricular function improvement?
- Author
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Patrycja Pruszkowska-Skrzep, Philipp Sommer, Piotr Feusette, Agnieszka Wojdyła-Hordyńska, Oskar Kowalski, Marek Gierlotka, and Gerhard Hindricks
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Heart Ventricles ,Catheter ablation ,premature ventricular contractions ,Ventricular Function, Left ,Electrocardiography ,Interquartile range ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,tachycardiomyopathy ,Aortic dissection ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Mortality rate ,arrhythmia origin ,Odds ratio ,Ablation ,medicine.disease ,Ventricular Premature Complexes ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Treatment Outcome ,Ventricle ,Cardiology ,Catheter Ablation ,radiofrequency ablation ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business - Abstract
Background: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are associated with tachycardiomyopathy and high mortality rate. The treatment depends on the engaged ventricle. For PVCs originating from the right outflow tract (OT), radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is recommended (class IB‑R recommendation) in preference to pharmacotherapy. In those originating from the left ventricle, ablation is a class IIa B‑NR recommendation. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the success of RFCA of PVCs based on arrhythmia origin. Methods: A total of 110 consecutive patients with monomorphic PVCs referred for ablation were enrolled and divided according to the site of ablation to the OT group and the ventricles (VENT) group. Holter electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed before the procedure and at 6‑month follow‑up. Results: Long‑term RFCA success was achieved in 93 (85%) patients (89% in the OT group and 82% in the VENT group; P = 0.39). The PVC reduction was similar in both groups (median [interquartile range] 99.55% [14] and 99.88% [6], respectively; P = 0.56). The OT group presented greater left ventricle (LV) recovery than the VENT group (odds ratio, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.15–10.75; P = 0.015). The procedure in the VENT group was longer, required additional access, the complication rate was similar, and 1 serious adverse event (aortic dissection) was observed in a patient with arrhytmia originating in the LV outflow tract. Conclusions: The origin of PVCs does not determine the success of arrhythmia elimination. The OT origin may predict LV improvement. The duration of RFCA in the VENT group was longer. The outflow tract origin may predict reversal of LV deterioration.
- Published
- 2020
42. Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices undergoing radiotherapy in Poland. Expert opinion of the Heart Rhythm Section of the Polish Cardiac Society and the Polish Society of Radiation Oncology
- Author
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Maciej Kempa, Krzysztof Składowski, Artur Oręziak, Elżbieta Gadula-Gacek, Andrzej Przybylski, Jacek Fijuth, Sławomir Blamek, Jarosław Blicharz, Mateusz Tajstra, Przemysław Leszek, Oskar Kowalski, Jacek Niedziela, Leszek Miszczyk, Maciej Sterliński, and Katarzyna Gepner
- Subjects
Pacemaker, Artificial ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Cardiology ,MEDLINE ,Risk Assessment ,Neoplasms ,Radiation oncology ,medicine ,Humans ,Intensive care medicine ,Societies, Medical ,Radiotherapy ,business.industry ,Defibrillators, Implantable ,Prosthesis Failure ,Heart Rhythm ,Radiation therapy ,Electrotherapy ,Expert opinion ,Concomitant ,Radiation Oncology ,Poland ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Risk assessment ,business - Abstract
Older age and high morbidity of the society contribute to a growing number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) requiring effective cancer treatment, including radiotherapy (RT). The effect of RT on a CIED may vary depending on the type and physical parameters of radiation, location of the treated lesion, indications for electrotherapy, and the type of CIED. In the most dramatic scenarios, it may cause an irreversible damage to the CIED, with serious clinical consequences. The lack of precise guidelines may limit the access to RT for many patients with CIEDs who would otherwise benefit from the therapy or may lead to a therapy without taking the necessary precautions, which may worsen the prognosis. Therefore, clear and unequivocal recommendations for assessing patient eligibility for RT are aimed at ensuring that adequate precautions are taken as well as at providing patients with concomitant cardiovascular and oncologic diseases with access to safe and effective RT.
- Published
- 2019
43. The frequency of electrodes replacement in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronizaton therapy during long term follow up
- Author
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Patrycja Pruszkowska-Skrzep, Janusz Gumprecht, Michał Mazurek, Radosław Lenarczyk, Zbigniew Kalarus, Oskar Kowalski, Adam Sokal, Mariola Szulik, Ewa Jędrzejczyk-Patej, and A Kotalczyk
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,Long term follow up ,Medicine ,In patient ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Surgery - Abstract
Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective method of treatment in patients with HF, but as complex device with three electrodes, it is prone to electrode dysfunctions and the need to replace them. However little is known about the frequency of need for leads replacement in subjects undergone CRT in a very long-term follow up. Aim To determine the frequency of leads replacement in patients undergoing CRT during long term follow-up. Methods Study population consisted of 1059 consecutive patients with CRT implanted between 2002 and 2019 in tertiary care university hospital, in a densely inhabited, urban region of Poland. The data about lead replacement was collected. Results During the median follow-up of 1661 days (IQR: 815–2792) for non-infectious reasons (dislocation, dysfunction, fracture etc.) a total of 324 leads in 251 patients (23.7%) were replaced. Median time from CRT implantation to the first lead replacement was 359 days (42–1413). The electrode replacement within first year after CRT implantation was performed in 126 subjects (50.2%), in the rest of patients (49.8%) the leads were replaced after one year of device implantation. In patients with above ten years of follow up (n=143; 13.5%) 67 subjects (46.8%) had one or more lead replacement during follow up. Patients with electrode replacement during follow-up were younger (63 vs 66 years, P Conclusions The need for leads replacement due to non-infectious reasons reaches almost 25% of patients with CRT within 4.5 years. Half of the patients have lead replacement within one year after CRT implantation and the other half during long term follow up. The duration of the first procedure (CRT device implantation) is strong predictor of lead replacement during follow up. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.
- Published
- 2021
44. 10-year survival in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy
- Author
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Patrycja Pruszkowska, Ewa Jędrzejczyk-Patej, A Kotalczyk, Michał Mazurek, Zbigniew Kalarus, Mariola Szulik, Oskar Kowalski, Janusz Gumprecht, Radosław Lenarczyk, and Adam Sokal
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Internal medicine ,Cardiology ,medicine ,Cardiac resynchronization therapy ,In patient ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business - Abstract
Background Advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with poor prognosis. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective method of treatment for advanced HFrEF to reduce HF hospitalizations and mortality. Nonetheless, very long-term observation of HF patients undergoing CRT implantation is scarce. Aim To assess very long-term survival (≥10 years) and predictors of shorter survival (death within 10 years from CRT implantation). Methods We screened a large dataset of CRT population from a tertiary care university hospital comprising consecutive HF patients implanted with CRT from 2002 through 2019 to select those who were alive ≥10 years and those who died within 10 years since device implantation. We analyzed various patients' baseline, clinical and procedural characteristics and sought for predictors of mortality within 10 years from CRT implantation. Results Of 1059 CRT patients, 143 (13.5%) were alive ≥10 years since CRT implantation. On multivariable regression analysis the independent predictors for all-cause death up to 10 years from CRT implantation were as follows: age, HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.31; male sex, 1.27, 95% CI 1.01–1.60; primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD), HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.58–0.89; ischemic cardiomyopathy, HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.76–1.70; NYHA class at implantation, HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.17–1.62; baseline left ventricle ejection fraction (EF), HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.98; severe mitral regurgitation, HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.08–1.75; baseline NT-proBNP concentration, HR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.00; and creatinine level, HR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.01. Conclusions In a real-life patient population with CRT only 13.5% survived over 10 years since device implantation. Independent predictors for death within 10 years since CRT implantation were older age, male sex, secondary prevention of SCD, ischemic and more advanced heart failure along with renal impairment. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.
- Published
- 2021
45. Body Composition and Its Perception among Professional Female Volleyball Players and Fitness Athletes (Silesia, Poland)
- Author
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Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Wiktoria Staśkiewicz, Mateusz Grajek, Aleksandra Filip, Mateusz Rozmiarek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, and Oskar Kowalski
- Subjects
Male ,Volleyball ,Athletes ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Body Weight ,Body Composition ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Humans ,Female ,Perception ,Poland ,body composition ,body image perceptions ,female ,athletes - Abstract
Female athletes experience both sociocultural and sport-specific pressures of an ideal body and appearance and are vulnerable to dissatisfaction with their bodies. Among sport-specific pressures, the type of sport is a predictor of body image dissatisfaction. The study included 150 females: 50 volleyball players, 50 bodybuilding and fitness athletes, and 50 female students, who were the control group. Body composition and perception and evaluation of one’s own body were assessed. BMI was similar in the study group of female athletes and the control group, but the bodybuilding and fitness athletes had the lowest body fat, while the control group had the highest. Perception of one’s own body in the aspect of the evaluation of specific body parts was highest among bodybuilding and fitness athletes, while in the aspect of body condition, the best results were obtained by volleyball players. Most female volleyball players were dissatisfied with their current body weight, as were women in the control group, in contrast to female bodybuilding and fitness athletes, who were most often satisfied with their current body weight.
- Published
- 2022
46. Expert opinion of a Working Group on Leadless Pacing appointed by the National Consultant in Cardiology and the Board of the Heart Rhythm Section of the Polish Cardiac Society
- Author
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Przemysław Mitkowski, Jarosław Kaźmierczak, Maciej Kempa, Oskar Kowalski, Maciej Sterliński, and Andrzej Przybylski
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Pacemaker, Artificial ,Consultants ,business.industry ,Perforation (oil well) ,Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ,Cardiology ,Equipment Design ,medicine.disease ,Sick sinus syndrome ,Heart Rhythm ,Pneumothorax ,Expert opinion ,Internal medicine ,Cardiac chamber ,cardiovascular system ,medicine ,Humans ,Poland ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Cardiac device ,Expert Testimony ,Reimbursement - Abstract
Permanent cardiac pacing is a recognized method of treatment of patients with sick sinus syndrome and/or atrioventricular conduction disturbances. Implantation of a traditional pacing systems with transvenous leads is associated with a risk of complications, such as pneumothorax perforation of cardiac wall or cardiac device related infection. An alternative method that may be used for permanent cardiac pacing is represented by the leadless pacemaker, implanted directly into the target cardiac chamber. Such devices have been implanted in Poland since 2016, but the number of procedures is limited due to the lack of clear reimbursement rules.The expert panel appointed by the National Consultant in Cardiology and the Executive Board of the Heart Rhythm Section of the Polish Cardiac Society presents a statement on the use of a leadless pacemaker in Polish circumstances. The statement contains the description of that method of treatment, results of clinical studies confirming its safety and efficacy, indications and contraindications for its use, and precise requirements to be fulfilled by the implanting centers.
- Published
- 2021
47. Patients with heart failure and an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: insights from a multicenter registry in Poland
- Author
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Mateusz, Tajstra, Adam, Wojtaszczyk, Maciej, Sterliński, Ewa, Świerżyńska, Łukasz, Szumowski, Mikołaj, Tomasiuk, Marcin, Grabowski, Łukasz J, Januszkiewicz, Janusz, Romanek, Andrzej, Przybylski, Przemysław, Mitkowski, Aneta, Klotzka, Andrzej, Szafranek, Mariusz, Gąsior, Zbigniew, Kalarus, and Oskar, Kowalski
- Subjects
Heart Failure ,SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,Humans ,Poland ,Registries ,Pandemics ,Defibrillators ,Defibrillators, Implantable - Published
- 2021
48. Clinical characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population analysis of nearly 5 million people
- Author
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Krystian Wita, Wnuk-Wojnar A, Aleksandra Błachut, Andrzej Hoffmann, Michał Skrzypek, Seweryn Nowak, Oskar Kowalski, Patrycja Pruszkowska, Katarzyna Mizia-Stec, Zbigniew Kalarus, Adam Sokal, Krzysztof Myrda, Mariusz Gąsior, and Piotr Buchta
- Subjects
education.field_of_study ,medicine.medical_specialty ,2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Population ,MEDLINE ,COVID-19 ,Atrial fibrillation ,medicine.disease ,Atrial Flutter ,Atrial Fibrillation ,Emergency medicine ,Pandemic ,Internal Medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,education ,business ,Pandemics ,Atrial flutter - Published
- 2021
49. Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter ablation rates. The analysis of nearly 5 million Polish population
- Author
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Krzysztof, Myrda, Aleksandra, Błachut, Piotr, Buchta, Michał, Skrzypek, Anna-Maria, Wnuk-Wojnar, Andrzej, Hoffmann, Seweryn, Nowak, Oskar, Kowalski, Patrycja, Pruszkowska, Adam, Sokal, Krystian, Wita, Katarzyna, Mizia-Stec, Mariusz, Gąsior, and Zbigniew, Kalarus
- Subjects
Atrial Flutter ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Atrial Fibrillation ,Catheter Ablation ,COVID-19 ,Humans ,Poland ,Pandemics - Published
- 2021
50. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter ablation rates. The analysis of nearly 5 million Polish population
- Author
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Krzysztof Myrda, Krystian Wita, Wnuk-Wojnar A, Seweryn Nowak, Aleksandra Błachut, Michał Skrzypek, Oskar Kowalski, Mariusz Gąsior, Katarzyna Mizia-Stec, Patrycja Pruszkowska, Adam Sokal, Andrzej Hoffmann, Zbigniew Kalarus, and Piotr Buchta
- Subjects
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,business.industry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Catheter ablation ,Atrial fibrillation ,Polish population ,medicine.disease ,Ablation ,Internal medicine ,Pandemic ,medicine ,Cardiology ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Atrial flutter - Published
- 2021
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