Anthropometry and body composition of adolescents in Cracow, Poland

The aim of the present study was to determine the level of adiposity and obesity in Polish adolescents and compare the results with earlier studies conducted in this population as well as those carried out in other populations.The study group consisted of 456 boys and 514 girls aged 14-18 years living in Cracow chosen from randomly selected secondary schools. Weight, height, waist, and hip circumference (WC, HC) as well as triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness (SFT) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio (STR), and percentage body fat were computed. The prevalence of overweight and obesity based on Polish children growth reference were calculated and age-dependent and gender-specific smoothed percentile curves for BMI and ROC curves were generated.Weight, height, WC, HC (up 16yr), WHtR (up 15yr), and WHR were considerably higher in males than females. Weight, height, and HC increased with age; WHtR remained the same. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 10.2% (boys 10.3%; girls 10.1%) and 4.2% (boys 5.3%; girls 3.3%). ROC analysis revealed that WHtR was the best tool for detection of obesity (AUC of 0.982±0.007) in males, whereas the sum of four SFTs (AUC: 0.968±0.011) and WHtR (AUC: 0.963±0.012) were the best predictors of obesity in females.The level of adiposity in Cracow adolescents increased during the last decade. However, it is still lower than in other well-developed societies struggling with obesity epidemics

Subiektywna kontrola emocji przez pacjenta z rozpoznaniem choroby afektywnej dwubiegunowej – studium przypadku

StreszczenieWstęp: Choroba afektywna dwubiegunowa jest schorzeniem o charakterze przewlekłym. Występuje w niej nadmierna, chorobliwa zmienność nastroju. Jej biegunowość polega na występowaniu naprzemiennie stanów depresyjnych oraz maniakalnych. Kontrolowanie emocji w tej chorobie jest niezwykle trudne. Choroba afektywna dwubiegunowa trwa przez całe życie i cechuje ją duża nawrotowość. Obecnie znane są skuteczne metody leczenia tej choroby.Cel pracy: Celem pracy było scharakteryzowanie subiektywnej kontroli emocji przez pacjenta z rozpoznaniem choroby afektywnej dwubiegunowej. Materiał i metody: W pracy wykorzystano metodę indywidualnego przypadku. Techniką gromadzenia informacji była obserwacja niestandaryzowana, ankieta, analiza dokumentacji medycznej. W badaniu posłużono się również skalą kontroli emocji (Courtauld Emotional Conrol Scale – CECS). Wyniki: Osoba badana uzyskała 33 punkty w skali kontroli emocji. Wynik ten wskazuje na to, iż pacjentka jest osobą impulsywną. Nie ma problemu z wyrażaniem swoich emocji i najczęściej mówi o tym, jak się czuje. Wnioski: Chora odczuwała same pozytywne emocje. Emocje te są spowodowane przez jej pracę zawodową, oraz spełnianie swoich pasji. Pacjentka podczas odczuwania gniewu, smutku lub lęku prawie zawsze mówi o swoich emocjach. Nigdy ich nie ukrywa oraz szybko stara się wyeliminować przyczynę tych negatywnych emocji.Introduction: Bipolar affective disorder is a chronic condition, which consist of excessive, pathological fluctuation of mood. It is manifested by alternating depressive and manic episodes. Emotional control in this disorder is a very difficult to carry out. Bipolar affective disorder lasts till the end of life with frequent recurrence. Effective methods of therapy are known presently.Aim: The aim of this study was to characterize subjective emotional control by the patient with diagnosed bipolar disorder.Material and methods: The author made use of case study method. Data was gathered by non-standarised observation, medical documentation analysis and survey. Standarised research tool was Courtauld Emotional Control Scale – CECS.Results: Respondent gained 33 points in emotional control scale. This outcome shows that the patient is an impulsive person. She expresses her emotions with ease and usually communicates her emotional state verbally.Conclusions: Patient experienced only positive feelings, increased by satisfying career and hobbies. Respondent declares that if she feels anger, sorrow or anxiety, she almost always tells someone about them. She never conceals negative emotions and tries to eliminate their sources

Quality of Life of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background and Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by multiple hormonal and metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and disturbances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The objective of this study is to assess the quality of life of women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to identify any factors within the study group that may impact the scores related to quality of life. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out among women diagnosed with PCOS. An original questionnaire, developed through an online Google Forms survey, was utilized as the research instrument and distributed through social networks and support groups to women facing PCOS. This study encompassed a participant pool of 200 women with PCOS, aged 24 years or older. For the analytical component, Pearson’s χ2 test was employed—a nonparametric test designed to assess the relationship between two variables measured on a qualitative scale. The chosen level of statistical significance was set at p Results: The analysis revealed that the quality of life of the women under study was not linked to the duration of the disease or comorbidities. However, a significant association was observed with the inconvenience caused by PCOS symptoms. Women experiencing very bothersome symptoms of PCOS reported a lower quality of life compared to those with symptoms rated as not very bothersome. Despite the majority of women with PCOS rating their quality of life as good or very good, they often find the associated symptoms of PCOS bothersome. Women reporting lower quality of life tend to acknowledge the impact of PCOS on their lives, experience a sense of lack of control over the disease, struggle with depression, and do not accept their physical appearance. Conclusions: Hence, the support from specialists like endocrinologists, gynecologists, and nutritionists becomes crucial for many women dealing with PCOS. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, incorporating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity can assist in managing the troublesome symptoms of PCOS, thereby enhancing overall quality of life. In instances of emotional difficulties, seeking psychological support is equally important, and the significance of support and acceptance from loved ones should not be overlooked

Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy—Case Reports and Medical Management

The term intramural (interstitial) ectopic pregnancy refers to a pregnancy developing outside the uterine cavity, with a gestational sac implanted into the interstitial part of the Fallopian tube, surrounded by a layer of the myometrium. The prevalence rate of interstitial pregnancy (IP) is 2–4% of all ectopic pregnancies. Surgery is the primary treatment for interstitial ectopic pregnancy; the pharmacological management of ectopic pregnancy, including IP, in asymptomatic patients includes systemic administration of methotrexate. In this report, we present two cases of this rare pregnancy type, reviewing our management technique and treatment ways presented in the literature. In our patients, the management was initially conservative and included methotrexate, administered as intravenous bolus injection, regular beta-human chorionic gonadotropins (β-HCG) level measurements in peripheral blood, and monitoring of the patient’s general condition. Due to signs of intra-abdominal bleeding in patient A and inadequate β-HCG level reduction in patient B, both patients eventually underwent laparoscopic cornual resection. Pregnancy, implanted into the interstitial part of the Fallopian tube and surrounded by myometrial tissue with myometrial invasion of the trophoblast, poses a serious diagnostic challenge to modern gynecology due to particularly low sensitivity and specificity of symptoms, and may require both pharmacological and surgical treatment

Obesity vs. preconception period, pregnancy, and labor

IntroductionObesity is defined as the increased accumulation of adipose tissue in an organism, which is determined by genetic and environmental factors. Nowadays, this condition is most commonly found in women of child-bearing age, exhibiting short- as well as long-term effects on their health. Excessive body weight can affect the reproductive capability of women. In the case of pregnant women, a group characterized by a range of metabolic and hormonal disturbances, obesity may lead to functional impairment of the placenta, miscarriage, gestational diabetes, fetal macrosomia, and the need to complete the delivery by surgery.SummaryObesity is one of the main causes of fertility disorders and obstetric failures. Due to fetal macrosomia and an increased risk of shoulder dystocia and obstetric injuries, the most common route of delivery in pregnancies complicated by obesity is Cesarean section, which often poses a challenge for the obstetric team.ConclusionsTo reduce the number of obesity-complicated pregnancies, educating patients on undergoing laboratory testing, following a correct diet, and performing physical activity is necessary. Actions aiming at reducing the body weight of pregnant women can enable reducing the risk of disturbances associated with pregnancy, labor, and puerperium, as well as having a positive impact on the future of the fetus and neonate

Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy—Case Reports and Medical Management

The term intramural (interstitial) ectopic pregnancy refers to a pregnancy developing outside the uterine cavity, with a gestational sac implanted into the interstitial part of the Fallopian tube, surrounded by a layer of the myometrium. The prevalence rate of interstitial pregnancy (IP) is 2–4% of all ectopic pregnancies. Surgery is the primary treatment for interstitial ectopic pregnancy; the pharmacological management of ectopic pregnancy, including IP, in asymptomatic patients includes systemic administration of methotrexate. In this report, we present two cases of this rare pregnancy type, reviewing our management technique and treatment ways presented in the literature. In our patients, the management was initially conservative and included methotrexate, administered as intravenous bolus injection, regular beta-human chorionic gonadotropins (β-HCG) level measurements in peripheral blood, and monitoring of the patient’s general condition. Due to signs of intra-abdominal bleeding in patient A and inadequate β-HCG level reduction in patient B, both patients eventually underwent laparoscopic cornual resection. Pregnancy, implanted into the interstitial part of the Fallopian tube and surrounded by myometrial tissue with myometrial invasion of the trophoblast, poses a serious diagnostic challenge to modern gynecology due to particularly low sensitivity and specificity of symptoms, and may require both pharmacological and surgical treatment

Blood-Stained Colostrum: A Rare Phenomenon at an Early Lactation Stage

The phenomenon described in the literature as rusty pipe syndrome is a rare condition (the estimated incidence is 0.1% in the population of breastfeeding women) where the prenatal milk and the colostrum are rust- or blood-colored. Due to the rare occurrence of this phenomenon and the related nature of the baby’s regurgitated discharge—green, brown or blood-stained, there is a general fear of latching a newborn or continuing to breastfeed if the regurgitation persists. In this care report, a patient’s milk was tested to determine its microbiological and morphological content. No significant abnormalities were noted in these tests. The nutritional profile of the blood-stained colostrum was normal. Breast milk has an indisputably invaluable impact on the newborn’s further development and there is no connection between rusty pipe syndrome, as described in the literature, and any clinical complications. This is crucial to encourage mothers to keep breastfeeding even if they observe blood-stained colostrum

Women’s Healthcare Services since the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on the extent of guaranteed healthcare services. Many gynecologists’, obstetricians’, and midwives’ offices were closed, laboratories suspended their activities, the collection of necessary tests was delayed, and women had to wait much longer for test results than they had to previously. General women’s healthcare prophylactic programs were suspended or delayed. In 2020, screening financed by public funds covered less than one-seventh of the female population in Poland. As medical teams, professionals, clinicians, and scientists, we have been facing a challenge to help, protect, and care for one of the most vulnerable population groups, pregnant women. A significant part of that challenge has been in preventing the spread of severe COVID-19, along with other preventable diseases, among women who are pregnant, who are in labor, or who have recently given birth