Stigmatization and Stereotypes in Patients with Epilepsy

Epilepsija je bolest mozga obilježena spontanim, nepredvidivim i prekomjernim električnim pražnjenjima određenih dijelova mozga ili cijeloga mozga, koji se klinički manifestiraju epileptičkim napadajima. Epileptički napadaji mogu uključivati raznolike simptome i znakove, ovisno o zahvaćenom dijelu mozga. Napad je izrazito traumatičan za pacijenta i okolinu čak i kada se događa rijetko. Jedan od faktora s izrazitim utjecajem na oboljelog je stigmatizacija socijalne okoline. Na stigmatizaciju moramo utjecati kvalitetnijom edukacijom populacije. Cilj edukacije je olakšati život, smanjujući osjećaj nelagode koju napad može prouzročiti, ako se dogodi u javnom okruženju. Svrha rada: Dokazati kako je znanje o bolestima važan faktor za smanjenje predrasuda. Metode: U ispitivanju je sudjelovalo 80 ispitanika zdravstvenih struka (medicinske sestre/tehničari, farmaceutski tehničar) te 84 ispitanika nezdravstvenih struka (prodavač, frizer, kuhar, konobar). Prema mjestu stanovanja selo/grad raspodjela je 82 ispitanika sa sela i 82 ispitanika s mjestom stanovanja u gradu. Ispitivanje je provedeno anonimnom anketom. Rezultati: Za testiranje radnih hipoteza korišten je nezavisni T-test. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da veća razina znanja utječe na manju razinu stigmatizacije osoba oboljelih od epilepsije. Potrebno je dodatno educirati opću populaciju, jer to je najbolji način da se smanje predrasude prema većini bolesnika. Također, testirajući drugu radnu hipotezu utvrdili smo da nema značajne razlike između osoba koje žive u urbanim ili ruralnim sredinama. Zaključak: Treba naglasiti potrebu kvalitetnije edukacije zdravstvenih djelatnika i opće populacije. Stigmatizacija je povezana s razinom znanja i stoga možemo reći: „Znanjem protiv stigme!“ kako za epilepsiju tako i za mnoge druge bolesti kod kojih neznanje uzrokuje socijalnu izolaciju i time produbljuje problematiku pacijentovog stanja.Epilepsy is a brain disease presenting with spontaneous, unpredictable and excessive electric discharges of parts of the brain or the whole brain which are clinically manifested by seizures. Epileptic seizures may include various symptoms and signs, depending on which part of the brain is affected. The seizure is highly traumatic for the patient and his surroundings even when a patient’s seizures are rare. One of the major factors which affects patients is constant stigmatization by the society they live in. Stigmatization can only be affected by higher quality of education. The goal of high quality education is to make the life of patients easier by lowering the level of discomfort that the seizure brings if it happens in public. Goal: Demonstrate that knowledge about a disease is a major factor in reducing prejudice and stigmatization. Methods: The study was conducted on 80 medical professionals (nurses, pharmacists) and 84 other professional examinees (sellers, hairdressers, cooks, and waiters). 82 examinees lived in a rural and 82 lived in an urban area. The examination was performed with an anonymous questionnaire. Results: The independent T-test was used to test the hypothesis. The results of the study showed that a higher knowledge level decreases stigmatization, which confirms the necessity of additional education of the general population. This is the best way to lower prejudice towards people suffering from epilepsy. By testing our hypothesis about the effect of the living area on stigmatization we came to the conclusion that there is no significant difference between examinees living in urban and rural areas. Conclusion: It is important to improve the education of medical employees and the general population. Stigmatization is associated with the level of knowledge. That is why we should emphasize the motto: “Knowledge against stigma!” for epilepsy and other diseases which cause social discomfort due to lack of knowledge

Stigmatization and Stereotypes in Patients with Epilepsy

Epilepsija je bolest mozga obilježena spontanim, nepredvidivim i prekomjernim električnim pražnjenjima određenih dijelova mozga ili cijeloga mozga, koji se klinički manifestiraju epileptičkim napadajima. Epileptički napadaji mogu uključivati raznolike simptome i znakove, ovisno o zahvaćenom dijelu mozga. Napad je izrazito traumatičan za pacijenta i okolinu čak i kada se događa rijetko. Jedan od faktora s izrazitim utjecajem na oboljelog je stigmatizacija socijalne okoline. Na stigmatizaciju moramo utjecati kvalitetnijom edukacijom populacije. Cilj edukacije je olakšati život, smanjujući osjećaj nelagode koju napad može prouzročiti, ako se dogodi u javnom okruženju. Svrha rada: Dokazati kako je znanje o bolestima važan faktor za smanjenje predrasuda. Metode: U ispitivanju je sudjelovalo 80 ispitanika zdravstvenih struka (medicinske sestre/tehničari, farmaceutski tehničar) te 84 ispitanika nezdravstvenih struka (prodavač, frizer, kuhar, konobar). Prema mjestu stanovanja selo/grad raspodjela je 82 ispitanika sa sela i 82 ispitanika s mjestom stanovanja u gradu. Ispitivanje je provedeno anonimnom anketom. Rezultati: Za testiranje radnih hipoteza korišten je nezavisni T-test. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da veća razina znanja utječe na manju razinu stigmatizacije osoba oboljelih od epilepsije. Potrebno je dodatno educirati opću populaciju, jer to je najbolji način da se smanje predrasude prema većini bolesnika. Također, testirajući drugu radnu hipotezu utvrdili smo da nema značajne razlike između osoba koje žive u urbanim ili ruralnim sredinama. Zaključak: Treba naglasiti potrebu kvalitetnije edukacije zdravstvenih djelatnika i opće populacije. Stigmatizacija je povezana s razinom znanja i stoga možemo reći: „Znanjem protiv stigme!“ kako za epilepsiju tako i za mnoge druge bolesti kod kojih neznanje uzrokuje socijalnu izolaciju i time produbljuje problematiku pacijentovog stanja.Epilepsy is a brain disease presenting with spontaneous, unpredictable and excessive electric discharges of parts of the brain or the whole brain which are clinically manifested by seizures. Epileptic seizures may include various symptoms and signs, depending on which part of the brain is affected. The seizure is highly traumatic for the patient and his surroundings even when a patient’s seizures are rare. One of the major factors which affects patients is constant stigmatization by the society they live in. Stigmatization can only be affected by higher quality of education. The goal of high quality education is to make the life of patients easier by lowering the level of discomfort that the seizure brings if it happens in public. Goal: Demonstrate that knowledge about a disease is a major factor in reducing prejudice and stigmatization. Methods: The study was conducted on 80 medical professionals (nurses, pharmacists) and 84 other professional examinees (sellers, hairdressers, cooks, and waiters). 82 examinees lived in a rural and 82 lived in an urban area. The examination was performed with an anonymous questionnaire. Results: The independent T-test was used to test the hypothesis. The results of the study showed that a higher knowledge level decreases stigmatization, which confirms the necessity of additional education of the general population. This is the best way to lower prejudice towards people suffering from epilepsy. By testing our hypothesis about the effect of the living area on stigmatization we came to the conclusion that there is no significant difference between examinees living in urban and rural areas. Conclusion: It is important to improve the education of medical employees and the general population. Stigmatization is associated with the level of knowledge. That is why we should emphasize the motto: “Knowledge against stigma!” for epilepsy and other diseases which cause social discomfort due to lack of knowledge

Physical activity of elderly people accommodated in residential institutions

Tjelesna aktivnost u starijoj životnoj dobi je vrlo važna jer starost, a i sama neaktivnost uzrokuju promjene koje se u pravilu mogu smanjiti i držati pod kontrolom redovitom tjelesnom aktivnošću. S porastom životne dobi i smanjenom tjelesnom aktivnošću dolazi do porasta broja kroničnih bolesti koje se mogu dobro kontrolirati redovnom umjerenom tjelesnom aktivnošću. U radu su prikazani rezultati ankete provedene među korisnicima Doma za starije i nemoćne osobe u Čakovcu. Prikazana je zainteresiranost ispitanika za tjelesnu aktivnost i njihovo znanje o utjecaju tjelesne aktivnosti na zdravlje te bavljenje tjelesnim aktivnostima. Anketom su obuhvačena 38 ispitanika od kojih je 28 ženskog spola, a 10 muškog spola. Dob ispitanika je u rasponu od 65 do 95 godina. Metoda prikupljanja podataka je anketa. Anketni listić se sastoji od 16 pitanja od toga je 8 pitanja s ponuđenim odgovorima, a 8 pitanja je s ponuđenim odgovorima, ali s mogućnošću nadopisivanja.Physical activity for the elderly is very important because age and inactivity cause changes that can usually be reduced and kept under control by exercising regularly. With increasing age and reduced physical activity there is an increase in the number of chronic diseases that can be controlled by regular moderate physical activity. This paper presents the results of a survey conducted among the residents of the Home for the elderly and infirm in Čakovec. It shows the interest of the residents for physical activity and their knowledge about the impact of physical activity on health as well as their engagement in it. The survey covers 38 residents of which 28 female and 10 male. Ages range from 65-95. The data collection method used is survey. The questionnaire consists of 16 questions of which eight are multiple choice questions, and 8 multiple choice questions with the option of personal commentary

CONTRASTING VANTAGE POINTS BETWEEN CAREGIVERS AND RESIDENTS ON THE PERCEPTION OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT DURING LONG-TERM CARE

Background: Elder abuse and neglect can be defined as refusing or failing to fulfil a caregiver\u27s obligation to meet the needs of elderly individuals in order to punish or hurt them. We aimed to explore perceptions of elder mistreatment of both caregivers and residents during long-term care, and highlight significant differences in the overall mistreatment perception regarding sociodemographic variables, as well as the type of care facility. Subjects and methods: The study involved 171 caregivers and 245 elderly individuals in stationary facilities. Two structured questionnaires were used - one for caregivers and the other for institutionalized elderly residents, whose initial validation concerning question and factor selection has been based upon exploratory factor analysis and discriminant validity. Parametric and nonparametric tests were employed in the statistical analysis, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05 (two-sided). Results: We found significant differences in the perception of elder abuse and neglect between caregivers and elderly residents. More specifically, caregivers tend to recognize unnecessary or inappropriate medical/care procedures as indicators of elder mistreatment, while the elderly residents emphasize the removal of their personal belongings and inappropriate physical contact. According to the care facility, residents reported abuse/neglect more frequently in extended care units (21.4%), compared to the county-owned nursing home (11.4%) and private nursing home (12.1%) (p=0.001). Similarly, caregivers reported abuse/neglect more frequently in extended care units (75.4%), in comparison to county-owned nursing home (24.6%) and private nursing home (0%) (p=0.039). Shift work was also a significant predictor, as the morning nursing staff perceived abuse/neglect more frequently (p=0.011). Conclusions: This study has shown that residents and caregivers have contrasting vantage points in relation to elder abuse/neglect perception, which underlines the need for evidence-based standardization of procedures to prevent any type of elder mistreatment

Differences in Self-Assessment of Social and Emotional Loneliness and Self-Esteem with Regard to Sociodemographic Characteristics of the Elderly

Uvod: Usamljenost se karakterizira kao neugodna, bolna, anksiozna čežnja za drugom osobom ili osobama, koja nastaje kada se osoba osjeća odbačenom, otuđenom ili neshvaćenom od drugih te joj nedostaje društvo za socijalne aktivnosti i emocionalnu intimnost. Svrha istraživanja je usporediti razlike u samoprocjeni socijalne i emocionalne usamljenosti te samopoštovanja s obzirom na mjesto stanovanja sudionika (dom umirovljenika ili vlastita kuća), sociodemografske karakteristike sudionika (spol, dob, bračno stanje, razina obrazovanja) i zdravstveno stanje. Sudionici i metode: Za prikupljanje primarnih podataka odabran je prigodan uzorak slučajnim odabirom od 379 sudionika na području Varaždinske i Međimurske županije pri čemu je u istraživanju sudjelovalo 178 sudionika koji žive u kućama i 201 sudionik iz domova umirovljenika. Kao instrumenti istraživanja korišteni su ovi upitnici: Rosenbergova ljestvica samopoštovanja, Ljestvica socijalne i emocionalne usamljenosti te polustrukturirani upitnik sociodemografskih podataka konstruiran za potrebe ovog istraživanja. Rezultati: Rezultati su pokazali da su sudionici u domu umirovljenika koji imaju nižu razinu obrazovanja i lošije zdravstveno stanje ujedno iskazali nižu razinu samopoštovanja, a neudati/neoženjeni sudionici su iskazali veću razinu usamljenosti u ljubavi i usamljenosti u obitelji. Kod sudionika u kućama rezultati su pokazali kako su sudionici stariji od 85 godina svoje samopoštovanje procijenili najnižim te su iskazali najveću socijalnu usamljenost i usamljenost u ljubavi. Zaključak: S obzirom da je usamljenost složen konstrukt, potrebno je provoditi daljnja, kontinuirana istraživanja iz drugih perspektiva kako bi se mogli razviti modeli prevencije te povećala kvaliteta života osoba starije životne dobi.Background: Loneliness is characterised as an unpleasant, painful, anxious longing for another person or persons, occurring when one is feeling rejected, alienated or not understood by others and misses the company of others for social activities and emotional intimacy. The purpose of this study was to compare the level of perceived social and emotional loneliness in two groups of elderly people, one in institutions/retirement homes and the other in their homes/households, and determine to which extent loneliness was linked with self-esteem and sociodemographic variables of the examinees. Subjects and Methods: In order to gather primary data, a random sample of 379 participants from Varazdin and Medimurje County was selected, with 178 participants living in their homes and 201 institutionalized in retirement homes. The following questionnaires were used as the research instruments: Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Emotional and Social Loneliness Scale, Self-Care Scale, and a semi-standardized questionnaire of sociodemographic data that was designed for the needs of this study. Results: The results showed that the participants who live in retirement homes and have a lower level of education and worrisome health conditions also have a lower level of self-esteem, while the unmarried participants showed a higher level of loneliness in love and family. The results of those living in their home showed that the participants older than 85 estimate their self-esteem the lowest and had the highest level of social loneliness and loneliness in love. Conclusion: Given that loneliness is a complex notion, it is necessary to conduct further research from different perspectives in order to develop prevention models, and thus prevent the consequences of loneliness, with the aim of achieving increased quality of life for the elderly

Učinak ketamina na vijabilnost, primarna oštećenja DNA i parametre oksidacijskog stresa u stanicama HepG2 i SH-SY5Y

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic used to induce general anaesthesia in humans and laboratory animals. Due to its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, it is also used as a recreational drug. Anaesthetic agents can cause toxic effects at the cellular level and affect cell survival, induce DNA damage, and cause oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. The aim of this study was to explore these possible adverse effects of ketamine on hepatocellular HepG2 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells after 24-hour exposure to a concentration range covering concentrations used in analgesia, drug abuse, and anaesthesia (0.39, 1.56, and 6.25 μmol/L, respectively). At these concentrations ketamine had relatively low toxic outcomes, as it lowered HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cell viability up to 30 %, and low, potentially repairable DNA damage. Interestingly, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) remained unchanged in both cell lines. On the other hand, oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT)] pointed to ketamine-induced oxidant/antioxidant imbalance.Ketamin je disocijativni anestetik koji se koristi za izazivanje opće anestezije u određenim medicinskim postupcima kod ljudi, kao i u anesteziji laboratorijskih životinja. Zbog svojih halucinogenih i disocijativnih učinaka koristi se i kao rekreacijska droga. Anestetici također mogu prouzročiti toksične učinke na staničnoj razini i, utječući na preživljavanje stanica, izazvati oštećenje DNA te neravnotežu oksidansa i antioksidansa. Cilj ove studije bio je istražiti moguće štetne učinke ketamina na hepatocelularne HepG2 i neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y stanice nakon 24-satne izloženosti širokom rasponu koncentracija, uključujući koncentracije relevantne u slučajevima korištenja u analgeziji, zlouporabi droga i anesteziji (0,39, 1,56 odnosno 6,25 μmol/L). Naši rezultati pokazali su da je ketamin u ovim ispitivanim koncentracijama izazvao relativno nisku citotoksičnost, budući da je do 30 % smanjio preživljenje stanica HepG2 i SH-SY5Y, ali je uočen neznatan porast razine primarnih oštećenja DNA. Zanimljivo je da su razine reaktivnih kisikovih vrsta (ROS), malondialdehida (MDA) i glutationa (GSH) ostale nepromijenjene u objema staničnim linijama. S druge strane, markeri oksidacijskog stresa [suporeksid dismutaza (SOD), glutation peroksidaza (GPx), katalaza (CAT)] upućivali su na oksidacijsko-redukcijsku neravnotežu izazvanu ketaminom

CONTRASTING VANTAGE POINTS BETWEEN CAREGIVERS AND RESIDENTS ON THE PERCEPTION OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT DURING LONG-TERM CARE

Background: Elder abuse and neglect can be defined as refusing or failing to fulfil a caregiver\u27s obligation to meet the needs of elderly individuals in order to punish or hurt them. We aimed to explore perceptions of elder mistreatment of both caregivers and residents during long-term care, and highlight significant differences in the overall mistreatment perception regarding sociodemographic variables, as well as the type of care facility. Subjects and methods: The study involved 171 caregivers and 245 elderly individuals in stationary facilities. Two structured questionnaires were used - one for caregivers and the other for institutionalized elderly residents, whose initial validation concerning question and factor selection has been based upon exploratory factor analysis and discriminant validity. Parametric and nonparametric tests were employed in the statistical analysis, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05 (two-sided). Results: We found significant differences in the perception of elder abuse and neglect between caregivers and elderly residents. More specifically, caregivers tend to recognize unnecessary or inappropriate medical/care procedures as indicators of elder mistreatment, while the elderly residents emphasize the removal of their personal belongings and inappropriate physical contact. According to the care facility, residents reported abuse/neglect more frequently in extended care units (21.4%), compared to the county-owned nursing home (11.4%) and private nursing home (12.1%) (p=0.001). Similarly, caregivers reported abuse/neglect more frequently in extended care units (75.4%), in comparison to county-owned nursing home (24.6%) and private nursing home (0%) (p=0.039). Shift work was also a significant predictor, as the morning nursing staff perceived abuse/neglect more frequently (p=0.011). Conclusions: This study has shown that residents and caregivers have contrasting vantage points in relation to elder abuse/neglect perception, which underlines the need for evidence-based standardization of procedures to prevent any type of elder mistreatment

The effects of ketamine on viability, primary DNA damage, and oxidative stress parameters in HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cells

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic used to induce general anaesthesia in humans and laboratory animals. Due to its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, it is also used as a recreational drug. Anaesthetic agents can cause toxic effects at the cellular level and affect cell survival, induce DNA damage, and cause oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. The aim of this study was to explore these possible adverse effects of ketamine on hepatocellular HepG2 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells after 24-hour exposure to a concentration range covering concentrations used in analgesia, drug abuse, and anaesthesia (0.39, 1.56, and 6.25 µmol/L, respectively). At these concentrations ketamine had relatively low toxic outcomes, as it lowered HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cell viability up to 30 %, and low, potentially repairable DNA damage. Interestingly, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) remained unchanged in both cell lines. On the other hand, oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT)] pointed to ketamine-induced oxidant/antioxidant imbalance