The effect of smoking and physical activity level on exercise capacity in older adults

Introduction: Exercise capacity is highly age-dependent and influenced by factors such as physical activity level and smoking. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between physical activity level, smoking and exercise capacity in people over 60 years of age. Materials and methods: The study involved 100 participants (50 female and 50 male) over 60 years of age (mean age 68.2 years). Based on the answers provided to a questionnaire about smoking and physical activity level, participants were divided into four groups: exercising non-smokers, exercising smokers, non-exercising non-smokers, and non-exercising smokers. Each group consisted of 25 subjects. Exercise capacity was measured using the 6-minute walk test and the Borg scale. Results: Intergroup comparison showed statistically significant differences between the average results of each group, both in the 6-minute walk test (p=0.010) and on the Borg scale (

Assessment of the muscular strength of the global handgrip and physical activity in patients treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) by hemodialysis

Introduction Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a social problem. Hemodialysis is the most common method of renal replacement therapy. At the beginning of hemodialysis treatment, physical activity is reduced by 50-60%. The aim of the study was to compare physical activity, handgrip strength and selected anthropometric parameters, and to assess the relationship between handgrip strength, selected anthropometric parameters and the level of physical activity. Material and methods The study included 30 patients aged 65.92 ± 14.65 treated by hemodialysis. The study consisted of patients completing a proprietary survey questionnaire, assessing physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), handgrip strength, and performing selected anthropometric measurements. The examinations were performed at baseline (E0) and after three months of hemodialysis (E3) treatment and the results were compared. Results There were no significant differences in the study group for physical activity and global handgrip strength at baseline and after three months of the study. There was no statistically significant differences beetwen physical activity and handgrip strength in study and control group. Conclusions Patients treated with renal replacement present less physical activity compared to people with normal kidney function. The BMI value and level of physical activity does not affect the handgrip strength in hemodialysis patients

Influence of selected demographic factors on traumas in persons over 65 years of age reporting to the Hospital Medical Ward

Background. Falls and traumas in elderly persons don’t only result in health problems, but they also involve social and economic, psychological and political consequences. The most frequent trauma mechanisms in the elderly include: falls and traffic accidents. ;b:Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess selected factors influencing the energy, type and area of a trauma incurred by elderly people. Material and methods. A group of 108 patients aged 65–93 treated at the SPSK 1 in Szczecin were tested by a diagnostic survey with the use of a questionnaire. The eligibility criteria included a trauma as a result of an accident, the age of the subject above 65 years of age and expressing written, voluntary and informed consent to participation in the study. Results. 177 traumas were recorded in the analysed group of 108 patients. The most frequent traumas included fractures and contusions and the lower limbs and the left arm were the most frequently injured body parts. Men were more often injured during low-energy events. Patients more often had their upper body and left leg injured during low-energy events than during high-energy ones. In persons over 65 years of age, usually one fracture occurred during a low-energy accident. Conclusions. The most common result of injuries among people aged 65+ admitted to the emergency department are fractures. With age the number of LE T increases and the number of HET decreases. It’s necessary therefore to create an appropriate health policy covering education for elderly people and their families to prevent injuries of low energy content

Can Metabolic Disorders in Aging Men Contribute to Prostatic Hyperplasia Eligible for Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of metabolic disorders occurring in the metabolic syndrome in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia eligible for surgical treatment. Methods: The study group consisted men with diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia. The control group consisted patients recruited from basic health care units. Abdominal circumference, body weight and blood serum metabolic parameters were determined in the experimental and control groups. The concentrations of glucose were determined, as well as total cholesterol (ChT), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TAG), by spectrophotometric method using reagent kits. Results: In the study group 91 (60.3%) cases of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were diagnosed, while in the control group 71 (46.1%) men met the diagnostic criteria for this syndrome (p = 0.018). The analysis shows a relationship between MetS in patients with BPH and concentration glucose, ChT, LDL, HDL, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. We found no significant statistical relationship between body weight, abdominal circumference and concentration TAG, hypertension in patients and controls. Conclusions: in the study presented in this article, statistically significant relationships between BPH and the diagnostic parameters of the metabolic syndrome were demonstrated. These results indicate to the necessity of the modification of the lifestyle, taking preventive measures in diabetes, and evaluation of lipid metabolism disorders. It is recommended to assess symptoms that may suggest BPH (as a manifestation of LUTS) in men over 50 years of age with diagnoses of metabolic disorders (including MetS), and provide them with specialist urological care in order to prevent surgical treatment of the prostate

Erectile Dysfunction in Relation to Metabolic Disorders and the Concentration of Sex Hormones in Aging Men

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men as diagnosed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and the respective levels of sex hormones and biochemical parameters, as well as indices of visceral fat accumulation and activity. Material and Methods: The study comprised 148 male (60–75 years) patients from primary care outpatient clinics in the city of Szczecin (Poland). The men were asked to complete a shortened survey questionnaire with sociodemographic data, as well as a shortened version of the IIEF (five items). Venous blood samples were collected. Total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), total cholesterol (ChT), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and albumin were determined. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were calculated. Results: A correlation was found in the analysis of LAP index values (OR = 1.017; p = 0.050). The analysis of hormone concentrations showed a correlation between the diagnosed trait and the value of TT (OR = 1.216; p = 0.046) and SHBG (OR = 1.020; p = 0.007). Conclusions: VAI and LAP have been shown to be good indicators for assessing erectile dysfunction in men over 60 years of age

Predictive Factors of Response to Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulator (Ulipristal Acetate) in the Pharmacological Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

Background: Selective progesterone receptor modulator ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a drug used in management of symptomatic myomas. It was observed that the response to UPA treatment in uterine myomas varied amongst patients. An attempt was thus made at establishing predictive factors conducive to better reaction to treatment with UPA. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of UPA treatment in women with myomas, depending on pretreatment myomas’ volume, number of myomas, age of patients, estrogenic status of women, and pretreatment blood flow in uterine arteries. Materials and methods: The study included patients with one to four myomas. The UPA treatment was a preparation stage for surgical treatment in all patients. The study group was divided into the subgroups according to pretreatment myomas’ volume, number of myomas, age of patients, estrogenic status of women, and pretreatment blood flow in uterine arteries. Results: A better effect of reduction in size of myomas after UPA treatment was noted when pretreatment myomas’ volume was lower than 30 cm3. A significant reduction in fibroids’ size was observed after UPA therapy independently of the number of myomas and age of patients. A good response after the UPA therapy was observed when pretreatment estradiol concentration was below 50 pg/mL and when uterine artery resistance index (RI) was above 0.8. Conclusions: Our research demonstrates that treatment with ulipristal acetate is an efficient method in preoperative preparation of patients with uterine fibroids. The most important factor of positive response to UPA therapy is myoma volume. The number of myomas and patient’s age do not interfere with effects of UPA therapy. Pretreatment estradiol concentration is significant, yet secondary for the effects of therapy. The UPA therapy has no impact on blood flow in the uterine arteries and no adverse influence on estradiol concentrations

Genetic Aspects of Problematic and Risky Internet Use in Young Men—Analysis of ANKK1, DRD2 and NTRK3 Gene Polymorphism

Background: Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is characterized by an excess of uncontrolled preoccupations, urges, or behaviors related to computer use and Internet access that culminate in negative outcomes or individual distress. PIU includes excessive online activities (such as video gaming, social media use, streaming, pornography viewing, and shopping). The aim of this study was to analyze the association of gene polymorphisms that may influence the severity of risky behaviors in young men with the frequency of Internet use. We speculate that there are individual differences in the mechanisms of Internet addiction and that gene–hormone associations may represent useful biomarkers for subgroups of individuals. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a sample of 407 adult males. Subjects were asked to complete the Problematic Internet Use Test (PIUT). Serum was analyzed to determine concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (TT), sex hormone binding protein (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), insulin (I), serotonin (5-HT), and dopamine (DA), as well as DRD2, ANKK1, and NTRK3 gene polymorphisms. Results: In the analysis of the ANKK1 gene, there was a specific association between ANKK1 polymorphisms and PRL and 5-HT blood concentrations. There was also an association between the ANKK1 polymorphisms and LH and DA concentrations. When analyzing the DRD2 gene polymorphism, we found that in the group with a moderate level of Internet dependence, there was an association between both the G/GG and GG/GG polymorphisms and FSH concentration. Conclusions: Our study found that there may be an association between the NTRK3 gene polymorphism and PIU. The polymorphisms of ANKK1 and DRD2 genes may be factors that influence the concentrations of hormones (PRL, 5-HT, DA) that are associated with the results obtained in PIU