Socio-demographic differentiation of selected risk factors in a group of patients with respiratory system diseases

Introduction : Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor of respiratory system diseases. However, it is worth noticing other crucial factors increasing the risk of such diseases, such as alcohol consumption, obesity, excess fat tissue around the neck and throat, malnutrition, tranquilisers and soporifics, and previous respiratory system diseases. Aim of the research : To analyse the socio-demographic differentiation of selected respiratory system diseases risk factors in a group of pulmonological patients. Material and methods : The research covered 126 pulmonological patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, or lung cancer. The study employed standardised research tools: the Fagerström test, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and a self-designed questionnaire. Neck circumference and body weight measurements were performed to calculate body mass index and waist-hip ratio. The significance level was established at p < 0.05. Results : Most patients smoked tobacco in the past or were active smokers. Over 50% reported occasional alcohol drinking and demonstrated malnutrition risk or abdominal obesity. Smoking was more often practised by men, people with lower education, and COPD and tuberculosis patients. Malnutrition risk was associated with tuberculosis and lung cancer. Tobacco consumption as a respiratory system diseases risk factor more often applied to men and people below 50 years of age. The use of soporifics increased with age and concerned lung cancer patients. Previous respiratory system diseases correlated with the respondents’ education. Conclusions : The most frequent respiratory system diseases risk factors are smoking, malnutrition, and abdominal obesity. Respiratory system diseases risk factors are significantly correlated with sex, age, place of residence, and previous respiratory system diseases

Pozytywne zachowania zdrowotne studentów lubelskich uczelni i ich wybrane uwarunkowania

INTRODUCTION: According to modern knowledge, we distinguish many factors conditioning human health. Among them, the most important is lifestyle. During the university education period, the first independent attempts and decisions are made, not only those related to life choices, but also decisions related to health behaviours that will have a consequence in adult life. The aim of the study was to assess the positive health behaviours among students of Lublin universities and their selected determinants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted using the PAPI method from March to May 2017 among 410 male students. The study employed the Positive Health Behaviour Scale (PHBS) for adults and sociodemographic questions. The results of the study were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The obtained results of the study carried out among students using PHBS allowed the authors to state that the respondents obtained the highest result in Subscale IV. “Safety” (2.46 ± 0.59), subsequently in Subscale III. “Relaxation and behaviours connected with psychosocial health” (1.67 ± 0.53). The lowest rated subscale was Subscale I. “Nutrition” (1.28 ± 0.52). Statistical analysis showed that age, the place of residence, place of residence during studies, field of studies, occurrence of cancer in the family and self-assessment of health condition determines the assessment of positive health behaviours (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ranking of positive health behaviours among male students of Lublin universities is as follows: “Safety”, “Relaxation and behaviours connected with psychosocial health”, “Physical activity”, “Taking care of one’s body” and “Nutrition”.WSTĘP: Zgodnie ze współczesną wiedzą wyróżniamy wiele czynników warunkujących zdrowie człowieka. Wśród nich najważniejszy to styl życia. W okresie nauki na uczelni wyższej podejmowane są pierwsze samodzielne próby i decyzje, nie tylko te związane z wyborami życiowymi, ale także decyzje związane z zachowaniami zdrowotnymi, które będą miały konsekwencję w dorosłym życiu. Celem pracy była ocena pozytywnych zachowań zdrowotnych wśród studentów lubelskich uczelni oraz ich wybranych uwarunkowań.MATERIAŁ I METODY: Badania przeprowadzono metodą PAPI w okresie od marca do maja 2017 roku wśród 410 studentów płci męskiej. W badaniach wykorzystano Skalę Pozytywnych Zachowań Zdrowotnych dla dorosłych (SPZZ) oraz pytania metryczkowe. Wyniki badań poddano analizie statystycznej. WYNIKI:Uzyskane wyniki badań wśród studentów ocenione na podstawie SPZZ pozwalają stwierdzić, że ankietowani uzyskali najwyższy wynik w subskali IV „Zachowanie bezpieczeństwa” (2,46 ± 0,59), następnie w subskali III „Sen, odpoczynek i zdrowie psychiczne” (1,67 ± 0,53). Najniżej oceniono subskalę I „Żywienie” (1,28 ± 0,52). Przeprowadzona analiza statystyczna wykazała, że wiek, miejsce stałego zamieszkania, miejsce zamieszkania podczas studiów, kierunek studiów, występowanie nowotworów w rodzinie oraz samoocena stanu zdrowia determinują ocenę pozytywnych zachowań zdrowotnych (p < 0,05). WNIOSKI: Ranking pozytywnych zachowań zdrowotnych wśród studentów płci męskiej lubelskich uczelni kształtuje się następująco: „Zachowanie bezpieczeństwa”, „Sen, odpoczynek i zdrowie psychiczne”, „Aktywność fizyczna”, „Dbałość o ciało” oraz „Żywienie”

Expression of FFAR3 and FFAR4 Is Increased in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Background: The negative impact of a high-fat diet on the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been previously reported. Free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) may be mediators of this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of FFARs in the course of nonerosive (NERD) and erosive (ERD) reflux disease. Methods: Collectively, 73 patients (62 with GERD and 11 healthy controls (HCs)) were recruited to the study. Esophageal biopsies were drawn from the lower third of the esophagus and kept for further experiments. Quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of FFAR1, FFAR2, FFAR3, and FFAR4 in biopsies. Histological evaluation of dilated intracellular spaces (DISs) was also performed. Results: FFAR3 exhibited the highest expression, and FFAR4 exhibited the lowest expression in all esophageal samples. Higher relative expression of FFAR1 and FFAR2 and significantly higher expression of FFAR3 (p = 0.04) was noted in patients with GERD compared to respective HCs. Patients with nonerosive GERD (NERD) presented higher expression of all FFARs compared to patients with erosive GERD (ERD) and respective HCs. Interestingly, in patients with ERD, the expression of FFAR3 was lower than in HCs. Significant, weak, positive correlation was found for FFAR3 and FFAR4 expression and DIS scores (r = 0.36, p &lt; 0.05 for FFAR 3, and r = 0.39, p &lt; 0.05 for FFAR4). Conclusions: In this study, we show that FFARs may play a role in GERD pathogenesis, particularly in the NERD type. It may be assumed that FFARs, in particular FFAR3 and FFAR4, may have diagnostic and therapeutic potential in GERD