The penalty of imprisonment and its impact on the health of inmates - preliminary results

Introduction and purpose The prison system is an extremely important element of the country's penal structure. Restrictions related to serving a sentence of imprisonment adversely affect the physical health and the mental health of inmates. The main goal of the study was to assess selected areas of health of respondents in prison and changes in them depending on the time spent in prison. Material and methods The study included 153 (100%) men aged 18 to 55 staying in the Penitentiary Institution in Racibórz. An original questionnaire consisting of questions concerning the described issues was used to conduct the study. All respondents provided informed consent to participate. Obtained results in each category were converted into 5-point Likert Scale. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi2 test to investigate the relationship between the obtained results and the time spent in prison. Results Almost 30% of respondents declared the presence of chronic diseases before imprisonment, and more than half of the most common ailments after imprisonment included heartburn. Conducted analysis showed that even though more than 60% of the respondents assessed their general health positively there was a significant difference (Chi2=13.8; p=0.0083) between obtained results and inmates’ self-assessment. Time spent in prison was not influencing significantly physical health (Chi2=9,9 p=0,624) and inmates’ pro-health behaviors (Chi2=18,0 p=0,3232), but it influenced mental health (Chi2=28.3; p=0.047) and lifestyle (Chi2=37.4; p=0.0052). Conclusion The conducted evaluation shows how inmates’ health and its determinants are changing during time spent in prison. Moreover, it shows the problems that have to be resolved to maintain health during time spent in prison. It also highlights the importance of taking actions leading to inmates’ health improvement

Selected biomarkers of atherosclerosis - clinical aspects

Atherosclerosis is a inflammatory-immunological-degenerative process. Cardiovascular diseases account for 42% of premature deaths among men and 52% of premature deaths among woman. Identification of classical biomarkers of atherosclerosis, such as LDL, HDL and triglycerides may not be helpful in patients with moderate or unusual cardiovascular risk. Non-classical indicators of atherosclerosis include markers of the inflammatory proces, mar-kers of atherosclerotic plaque injury, acute phase proteins, ischemic markers, markers of tissue necrosis, markers of myocardial dysfunction. The identification of CVD biomarkers enables the classification of patients to appropriate cardiovascular risk groups. Knowledge about the CVD risk group makes it possible to take rapid therapeutic intervention aimed at limiting this risk. Pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular diseases is primarily based on lowering cholesterol’s level in the blood. Additional properties of statins (the most important lipid-lowering drugs) enable their pleiotropic effect by limiting the progression of atherosclerotic lesions by reducing the volume of atherosclerotic plaque. Further research on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis will allow to learn new risk factors and new biomarkers of this disease

Selected elements of the lifestyle of Silesian seniors, taking into account their participation in the activities of the Third Age Universities

IntroductionUTA can provide older adult people with the satisfaction of needs and creates the opportunity to pursue youthful interests and passions. The aim of the study was to assess selected elements of the lifestyle of Silesian seniors, taking into account their participation in the activities of Universities of the Third Age.MethodsThe study involved 631 (100%) senior residents of the Silesian agglomeration. The majority of the study group were women (475; 75.28%), and the average age of the participants was 70.28 ± 6.09 years. To conduct the study, an original survey questionnaire was used, complemented by PPS-10, PAQE and Yesavage Geriatric Depression Rating Scale.ResultsAmong the surveyed Silesian seniors who did not attend classes at the University of the Third Age, a statistically significantly higher score on the Yesavage’s Geriatric Depression Rating Scale was found compared to those confirming their participation in the mentioned activity (p = 0.002). Almost 40% (107; 38.63%) of seniors who did not attend classes at the Universities of the Third Age showed a high level of stress, and every fourth (89; 25.14%) Silesian senior taking part in the above-mentioned activity had a low level of stress (p = 0.04). The median of points obtained on the physical activity assessment scale (PAQE) by seniors attending classes at Universities of the Third Age was statistically higher than seniors who denied participation in the mentioned activity (p = 0.017).ConclusionParticipation in the various activities at the Universities of the Third Age influenced positively well-being, reduced stress and raised physical activity of examined seniors. It is important to promote and start actions leading to seniors’ better and easier inclusion to the society life. Future research should concentrate on reasons why many seniors do not attend activities in their leisure time - especially on accessibility of various activities and financial reasons, which in the future will play crucial role in the aging societies

The role of selected metalloproteinases and some genetic factors in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Aortic aneurysm is defined as a pathologically dilated segment of the main artery. There are three main types of aortic aneurysms: real, pseudo and dissecting. The most common aneurysms are abdominal aortic aneurysms defined as vasodilatation equal to or above 30 mm. Abdominal aortic aneurysm development is usually asymptomatic. Many various risk factors have been linked to AAA development. The pathophysiology of AAA is associated with inflammation, smooth muscle cells apoptosis and matrix degradation. The changes always result from imbalance between active matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors – TIMPs. Abdominal aorta is the most common location for the aneurysm. The risk of developing AAA increases with age. It is more common in men. Its rupture is associated with a high risk of death. The pathogenesis of AAA is complex and still not fully understood. In pathophysiological processes, aortic wall degeneration and atherosclerosis dominate. The factors involved in the pathogenesis of AAA and TAA are not quite the same. Important factors involved in the formation of AAA and increasing the risk of its rupture are MMPs. Also, polymorphisms of numerous genes have been associated with the risk of developing AAA. The two groups of factors related to AAA formation and development are presented and discussed in this work

Efekty edukacji w zakresie zachowań prozdrowotnych chorych z niewydolnością serca

Background. Cardiovascular diseases rank first on the list of causes of death, both in Poland and in the world. The aim of the study was to check whether the education in the field of pro-health behaviors, with particular emphasis on physical activity, conducted among patients with heart failure has a positive effect on changing their lifestyle. Material and methods. The study involved 78 (100%) patients hospitalized due to heart failure decompensation (NYHA III-IV), who underwent education in the field of pro-health behaviors. It used original questionnaires to conduct the study, consisting of questions of comparable content regarding the discussed topic and the general characteristics of the respondents. Results. Almost 60% of the surveyed patients claimed that their pro-health behaviors had improved. Smoking was declared by about 1/3 of the respondents (25; 32.05%) at the stage of decompensation, and only about 9% (7; 8.97%) in the long-term follow-up (Chi2=12.738; p=0.0004). Sadly, after education almost 3/4 of patients (58; 74.36%) did not perform physical exercises. Conclusions. Even though, education of patients with heart failure was associated with increased implementation of pro-health behaviors, there is still a need for systematic education of patients in terms of the benefits of changing their lifestyle to a healthy lifestyle.Wprowadzenie. Choroby układu krążenia zajmują pierwsze miejsce na liście przyczyn zgonów, zarówno w Polsce, jak i na świecie. Celem badań było sprawdzenie, czy edukacja chorych z niewydolnością serca w zakresie zachowań prozdrowotnych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem aktywności fizycznej wpływa korzystnie na zmianę ich stylu życia. Materiał i metody. B adaniami o bjęto 7 8 ( 100%) p acjentów h ospitalizowanych z p owodu dekompensacji niewydolności serca (NYHA III-IV), którzy zostali przeszkoleni w zakresie zachowań prozdrowotnych. Do przeprowadzenia badań wykorzystano autorskie kwestionariusze, składające się z pytań o porównywalnej treści, dotyczących poruszanego tematu oraz ogólnej charakterystyki respondentów. Wyniki. Prawie 60% badanych pacjentów stwierdziło, że ich zachowania prozdrowotne poprawiły się. Palenie deklarowała około 1/3 badanych (25; 32,05%) na etapie dekompensacji, a tylko około 9% (7; 8,97%) w obserwacji odległej (Chi2=12,738; p=0,0004). Niestety, po przeprowadzonej edukacji prawie 3/4 pacjentów (58; 74,36%) nie wykonywało ćwiczeń fizycznych. Wnioski. Mimo, że edukacja pacjentów z niewydolnością serca wiązała się ze wzmożonym wdrażaniem zachowań prozdrowotnych, to nadal istnieje potrzeba systematycznej edukacji pacjentów w zakresie korzyści płynących ze zdrowego stylu życia

Efekty edukacji w zakresie zachowań prozdrowotnych chorych z niewydolnością serca

Background. Cardiovascular diseases rank first on the list of causes of death, both in Poland and in the world. The aim of the study was to check whether the education in the field of pro-health behaviors, with particular emphasis on physical activity, conducted among patients with heart failure has a positive effect on changing their lifestyle. Material and methods. The study involved 78 (100%) patients hospitalized due to heart failure decompensation (NYHA III-IV), who underwent education in the field of pro-health behaviors. It used original questionnaires to conduct the study, consisting of questions of comparable content regarding the discussed topic and the general characteristics of the respondents. Results. Almost 60% of the surveyed patients claimed that their pro-health behaviors had improved. Smoking was declared by about 1/3 of the respondents (25; 32.05%) at the stage of decompensation, and only about 9% (7; 8.97%) in the long-term follow-up (Chi2=12.738; p=0.0004). Sadly, after education almost 3/4 of patients (58; 74.36%) did not perform physical exercises. Conclusions. Even though, education of patients with heart failure was associated with increased implementation of pro-health behaviors, there is still a need for systematic education of patients in terms of the benefits of changing their lifestyle to a healthy lifestyle.Wprowadzenie. Choroby układu krążenia zajmują pierwsze miejsce na liście przyczyn zgonów, zarówno w Polsce, jak i na świecie. Celem badań było sprawdzenie, czy edukacja chorych z niewydolnością serca w zakresie zachowań prozdrowotnych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem aktywności fizycznej wpływa korzystnie na zmianę ich stylu życia. Materiał i metody. Badaniami objęto 78 (100%) pacjentów hospitalizowanych z powodu dekompensacji niewydolności serca (NYHA III-IV), którzy zostali przeszkoleni w zakresie zachowań prozdrowotnych. Do przeprowadzenia badań wykorzystano autorskie kwestionariusze, składające się z pytań o porównywalnej treści, dotyczących poruszanego tematu oraz ogólnej charakterystyki respondentów. Wyniki. Prawie 60% badanych pacjentów stwierdziło, że ich zachowania prozdrowotne poprawiły się. Palenie deklarowała około 1/3 badanych (25; 32,05%) na etapie dekompensacji, a tylko około 9% (7; 8,97%) w obserwacji odległej (Chi2=12,738; p=0,0004). Niestety, po przeprowadzonej edukacji prawie 3/4 pacjentów (58; 74,36%) nie wykonywało ćwiczeń fizycznych. Wnioski. Mimo, że edukacja pacjentów z niewydolnością serca wiązała się ze wzmożonym wdrażaniem zachowań prozdrowotnych, to nadal istnieje potrzeba systematycznej edukacji pacjentów w zakresie korzyści płynących ze zdrowego stylu życia

Data_Sheet_1_Selected elements of the lifestyle of Silesian seniors, taking into account their participation in the activities of the Third Age Universities.docx

IntroductionUTA can provide older adult people with the satisfaction of needs and creates the opportunity to pursue youthful interests and passions. The aim of the study was to assess selected elements of the lifestyle of Silesian seniors, taking into account their participation in the activities of Universities of the Third Age.MethodsThe study involved 631 (100%) senior residents of the Silesian agglomeration. The majority of the study group were women (475; 75.28%), and the average age of the participants was 70.28 ± 6.09 years. To conduct the study, an original survey questionnaire was used, complemented by PPS-10, PAQE and Yesavage Geriatric Depression Rating Scale.ResultsAmong the surveyed Silesian seniors who did not attend classes at the University of the Third Age, a statistically significantly higher score on the Yesavage’s Geriatric Depression Rating Scale was found compared to those confirming their participation in the mentioned activity (p = 0.002). Almost 40% (107; 38.63%) of seniors who did not attend classes at the Universities of the Third Age showed a high level of stress, and every fourth (89; 25.14%) Silesian senior taking part in the above-mentioned activity had a low level of stress (p = 0.04). The median of points obtained on the physical activity assessment scale (PAQE) by seniors attending classes at Universities of the Third Age was statistically higher than seniors who denied participation in the mentioned activity (p = 0.017).ConclusionParticipation in the various activities at the Universities of the Third Age influenced positively well-being, reduced stress and raised physical activity of examined seniors. It is important to promote and start actions leading to seniors’ better and easier inclusion to the society life. Future research should concentrate on reasons why many seniors do not attend activities in their leisure time - especially on accessibility of various activities and financial reasons, which in the future will play crucial role in the aging societies.</p