Examining Psychological Factors in Peripheral Artery Disease: Affective Temperament, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients Undergoing Revascularization Procedures

Aleksandra Chyrek-Tomaszewska,1,2 Alicja Katarzyna Popiołek,1,3 Małgorzata Piskunowicz,1 Alina Borkowska,1 Jacek Budzyński,4 Maciej Kazimierz Bieliński1,2 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Experimental Cardiology, Władysław Biegański’s Regional Specialist Hospital, Grudziądz, Poland; 3Department of Internal Diseases, Jan Biziel’s University Hospital No. 2, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 4Department of Vascular and Internal Diseases, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, PolandCorrespondence: Aleksandra Chyrek-Tomaszewska, Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Experimental Cardiology, Władysław Biegański’s Regional Specialist Hospital in Grudziądz, Poland, ul. Rydygiera 15/17, 86-168, Grudziądz, Poland, Tel/fax +48 52 585 37 03, Email [email protected]: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients, correlating these symptoms with clinical parameters and examining affective temperaments within the study group.Material and Methods: A total of 159 PAD patients, predominantly male, admitted for vascular surgery due to lower limb atherosclerosis, participated in this cross-sectional study. Various assessments were conducted, including the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) for affective temperaments, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression symptoms, and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity. Additionally, the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) was measured to assess circulation in the legs.Results: The findings revealed a higher prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the PAD patient group compared to the control group. Notably, depressive and anxiety symptoms correlated with the severity of PAD, as indicated by lower ABI values in the operated leg. Patients undergoing surgical revascularizations exhibited higher depressive symptoms than those undergoing endovascular procedures. Furthermore, correlations were observed between depressive symptoms and the number of previous vascular procedures and amputations, alongside increased pain levels at admission. Clinical factors such as diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, previous revascularization procedures, amputations, and the intensity of affective temperaments did not correlate with HADS scores.Discussion: The study highlighted the intricate relationship between mood disorders and PAD severity, emphasizing the potential prognostic implications of untreated depression and anxiety in PAD patients. These findings suggest the importance of closely monitoring and addressing psychological well-being in PAD management. However, the study encountered limitations such as varying assessment timing and sample size discrepancies among comorbidities, impacting the observation of associations between mood disorders and certain conditions.Conclusion: In conclusion, depressive and anxiety symptoms are often in PAD. Further research is needed to explore therapeutic interventions targeting mental health and pain management to improve the course and outcomes of PAD.Keywords: chronic limb ischaemia, mood disorders, affective temperament, behavioral profiles, pai

Infodemia – an Analysis of Fake News in Polish News Portals and Traditional Media During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The article addresses the issue of the presence of false information on coronavirus in the Polish news media between January and September 2020. The research aimed to check the extent to which traditional media participate in disinformation processes during the pandemic. An attempt has also been made at explaining the reasons for the publication of fake news in these media. Sources of information that Poles use most often were examined: popular information portals, traditional media websites, and social media (Facebook and Twitter). The article analyses false information in both quantitative and qualitative terms. A total of 101 pieces of false information made available online were diagnosed, of which every fourth news item (25.74%) appeared in opinion-forming media (three most popular news portals and all traditional media were taken into account). The qualitative analysis shows that publishing false information in the opinion-forming media is the result of changes in the journalistic work environment (especially declining standards of work, a desire to attract the attention of the media audience and the pursuit of the media organisations’ own interests). However, this issue requires further research in editorial offices and among journalists

Tasiemczyce w województwie dolnośląskim w latach 1993-1997

This paper is the result of investigations of taeniosis in inhabitants of four former provinces of the Lower Silesia area in the 1993-1997 years. Analysis of frequency taneniosis (according to place of living and sex) confirmed clearly the decrease of tendency of this parasitosis

Metacercariae of digeneans occurring in Cobitis elongatoides Bacescu et Maier, 1969 (PISCES: Cobitidae)

Two encysted metacercariae: Metorchis xanthosomus (Creplin, 1846) Braun, 1902 and unidentified echinostomatide are reported for the first time from the fins of Cobitis elongatoides Bacescu et Maier, 1969 and their polyploid biotypes (C. elongatoides x Cobitis sp.). The morphology of both larvae is described, illustrated and discussed