Przeglad epidemiologiczny最新文献

Background: Insulin resistance (IR), a key factor in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, also poses substantial psychosocial challenges when coexisting with obesity. Epidemiological trends indicate a rising prevalence of obesity worldwide, heightening the importance of understanding psychological dimensions such as personality traits, self-esteem, and coping strategies.

Objective: This exploratory pilot study compared personality traits, self-esteem, and stress-coping strategies in women reporting a physician-confirmed IR with those in a control group, highlighting further implications for health promotion, education, and therapy.

Material and methods: The pilot study involved 148 women aged 21-65 years (mean age 33.57 ± 8.74; BMI ≥ 25) who were recruited by social media. Of these 29 (19.6%) self-reported a physician-confirmed IR diagnosis, while 119 did not. Personality traits were assessed using the International Personality Item Pool-Big Five Markers-50 (IPIP-BFM-50), self-esteem with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and coping strategies with the COPE inventory (15 subscales). Descriptive statistics (M, SD, skewness, kurtosis) and the Mann-Whitney U test were used, justified by non-normal distributions and unequal group sizes.

Results: Participants with self-declared IR demonstrated significantly lower Emotional Stability (p < 0.05). No other significant differences emerged in self-esteem or the remaining Big Five traits. Both groups frequently utilized adaptive coping (e.g., Planning, Active Coping), though self-declared IR participants trended toward emotion-focused strategies (not statistically significant).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that lower Emotional Stability may impair effective stress adaptation in women with self-declared IR, underscoring the need to incorporate psychological interventions (e.g., emotional regulation training, psychoeducation) into standard IR and obesity management. Future research with larger samples and objective IR clinical markers is recommended.

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is estimated to cause more than 9 million deaths worldwide yearly. Some risk factors for IDH may be associated with religiosity/spirituality.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between religiosity/spirituality and ischemic heart disease.

Material and methods: A total of 333 participants were enrolled in the study (age 40-85). The study group included participants who had been diagnosed with IHD, while the control group had not been diagnosed with IHD. We used validated Polish version of the Duke University Religion Index, the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and Beck's Depression Inventory. The study data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: In this study, we show that attendance at religious meetings (several times a month) and private religious practices (several times a month) are associated with a decreased prevalence of ischemic heart disease. Depression, physical activity, and not taking cholesterol-lowering and antihypertensive medication were associated with an increased prevalence of IHD. However, no association was shown between experiencing the presence of the Divine or religious beliefs and IHD.

Conclusions: The use of some aspects of religiosity/spirituality as a tool to complement treatment could also provide cheap, non-pharmacological support for patient care enhancing their quality of life.

Procreation, understood as the production of offspring and the continuation of a species, is one of the fundamental life functions for humans, just as it is for other living organisms. For this reason, the unresolved issue of physiological reproductive disorders has been a significant problem for humanity for thousands of years, considering the social, psychological, and emotional consequences of such disorders. In the context of millennia of research into the functioning of the reproductive system, July 25, 1978, stands out as an unforgettable date in the world of science. On that day, at 11:47 PM, Louise Brown was born-the first child "conceived in a laboratory" through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This moment marked the culmination of countless efforts by many scientists; however, the success of in vitro fertilization was primarily due to the pivotal work of Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. Undoubtedly, this was a milestone, regarded as one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. The birth of the first "test-tube baby" was the result of simultaneous research conducted in various parts of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Louise Brown was dubbed the "Child of the Century," and her birth was equated in importance and significance for science with achievements such as the discovery of vaccines or penicillin.

The term hemp includes plants of the Cannabis genus, which includes hemp (C. sativa), Indian hemp (C. indica) and wild hemp (C. ruderalis). In the plant world, hemp has the largest representation of plant cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids. Hemp has various application possibilities and huge, untapped potential for Polish medicine, economy and agriculture, which creates wide opportunities for its use. A significant limitation is the lack of sufficient communication and health education, which is a consequence of social misunderstanding and sometimes unrationalized "stigmatization" of the above species, which result from social fears. Poles' fears often result from the inappropriate, unambiguous association of the plant only with its narcotic potential, often explored in the mass media. The basic information addressed to the public is to demonstrate the difference between individual plant varieties commonly associated with the hemp species, i.e. hemp (with functional applications - protein, dietary supplements, textiles, feed industry, construction) and cannabis, which has narcotic potential, but at the same time having medicinal values. This distinction in public opinion in Poland is crucial for education and, consequently, the proper use and appreciation of the potential of these plants in Polish society. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the above-mentioned topics, which is why comprehensive communication and social education in Poland in the above-mentioned areas is so important.

Background: Gram-negative, relatively anaerobic bacilli of the genus Salmonella (with the exception of serovars S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi) cause a disease called salmonellosis. These infections most commonly manifest as self-limiting gastroenteritis. In developed countries, the most common source of Salmonella infection is food of animal origin, particularly eggs, meat and dairy products.(2,3) The number of human cases caused by Salmonella bacteria in 2022 remained stable compared to 2021 and has not returned to the level before the COVID-19 pandemic.(4).

Objective: The aim of this article is to analyze the epidemiological situation of salmonellosis in Poland in 2022, compared to previous years.

Material and methods: The analysis was carried out on the basis of individual data on salmonellosis cases and data on foodborne disease outbreaks entered into the EpiBaza and ROE systems, NIZP-PZH-PIB bulletins and articles, data from the ECDC and data from the Central Statistical Office.

Results: In 2022, 6,575 cases of salmonellosis were registered in total, 6,256- intestinal, 319- extra-intestinal. The incidence was 17.4/100 thousand population. The percentage of hospitalizations due to salmonellosis was 64,9%. 40.2% of the salmonellosis cases were in children aged 0-4 years. PSSE registered 263 salmonellosis outbreaks.

Conclusions: We are observing a significant increase in the number of tests for Salmonella and Shigella performed by PSSE, compared to 2021 and 2020, which may indicate a return to the diagnostic efficiency from before the COVID-19 pandemic. A slight increase in cases of the disease was observed among people of Ukrainian nationality living in Poland, which is the result of a wave of refugees from Ukraine.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma are one of the biggest health challenges of the modern world. Their management requires constant care and monitoring, which is a serious burden for healthcare systems. In the digital era, the development of telemedicine, health applications, and telemedicine platforms creates new opportunities in the treatment and monitoring of patients with chronic diseases. Telemedicine, including services such as remote consultations, telemonitoring, and remote rehabilitation, allows patients to access healthcare without having to physically visit the office. Mobile applications allow patients to monitor their health condition, receive medication reminders, or consult with doctors, which increases their involvement in the treatment process. The benefits of telemedicine include improving the availability of health services, especially in rural areas, and saving time and money. Remote monitoring of health parameters allows for a faster response in the event of a deterioration in the patient's condition, and integration with artificial intelligence technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) allows for even more accurate monitoring of health status. Health apps are particularly useful in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, improving control over therapy, and self-management of health. The future of telemedicine, supported by the development of technology, promises further improvements in the care of patients with chronic diseases. The introduction of more individualized medical services based on real-time data can significantly improve the quality of care and reduce the costs of treatment, constituting a key element of the future of healthcare systems.

Background: Environmental perturbations such as tobacco use causes increased bacterial diversity in the subgingival microbiome. Despite the recognized impact of tobacco on oral health, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the specific characteristics of the subgingival microbiome among Indian tobacco users.

Objective: This study seeks to provide a comparative analysis of subgingival microbial profile of smokeless tobacco users and smokers with an otherwise healthy periodontal environment.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study at a Tertiary Dental Hospital in India recruited 118 participants: 52 non-tobacco users (Group 1), 36 smokeless tobacco users (Group 2), and 30 smokers (Group 3). Subgingival samples were collected from mesial surfaces of teeth (16, 46) using sterile paper points and analysed via the streak plate method for bacterial profiling. Clinical examinations assessed oral hygiene, gingival, and periodontal health using indices: Bleeding on Probing (BoP), Pocket Depth (PD), and Approximate Plaque Index (API). Categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test, and odds ratios were calculated.

Results: Gender distribution was 76.3% male and 23.7% female (p < 0.05). Group 2 had a significantly higher prevalence of gram-positive cocci (100%) and gram-negative coccobacilli (94.4%) compared to Group 1, with a 12.4 times increased risk for gram-negative coccobacilli (p < 0.05). Group 2 also showed a higher occurrence of Aggregatibacter (88.9%) and a 3.5 times increased risk (p < 0.05). Group 3 exhibited significantly more gram-positive cocci and gram-negative coccobacilli than Group 1, with 3.8 times and 4.7 times increased risks, respectively (p < 0.05). Rothia species were significantly more common in smokers (13.3%) than non-tobacco users (0%) (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Despite the absence of periodontal disease, the elevated presence of Aggregatibacter, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Rothia species indicates a shift towards increased bacterial diversity and a higher risk of future periodontitis.

Background: Campylobacteriosis, caused mainly by C. jejuni and C. coli, is one of the most common intestinal infections worldwide. In Poland, the disease is monitored and reported to the surveillance system. Symptoms of campylobacteriosis include diarrhoea (sometimes with blood), abdominal pain and fever. The main reservoir is animals, especially poultry, and human infection usually occurs through contaminated food or water.

Objective: The aim was to assess the epidemiological situation of campylobacteriosis in Poland in 2020-2022 in comparison to previous years.

Material and methods: Epidemiological interview data and outbreak data were used for the analysis. Incidence was calculated using demographic data from the Statistics Poland. Data on deaths due to campylobacteriosis were obtained from the Statistics Poland and EpiBaza.

Results: In Poland, 418 cases of campylobacteriosis were reported in 2020, 630 in 2021 and 524 in 2022 (vs. 715 in 2019). The incidence was 1.09/100.000 population in 2020, 1.66-2021 and 1.39-2022. The highest incidence was recorded in the Warminsko-Mazurskie, Zachodniopomorskie and Lubuskie voivodeships. Most cases were detected in the age group: 0-4. Campylobacteriosis was more frequent in males. The most common symptom was diarrhoea, which occurred in 86-92% of cases in each year. In 2020, 76.6% of patients were hospitalised, in 2021-77.9% and in 2022-82.6%.

Conclusions: The downward trend in the number and incidence of campylobacteriosis, which started in 2018, continues in 2020-2022. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the number of cases only in 2020. The arrival of refugees from Ukraine in 2022 did not affect the number of registered cases of campylobacteriosis in the country. The biggest problem is the lack of routine testing for Campylobacter infection in diarrhoeal cases and the fact that diagnosis is only made in hospitalized patients. More realistic is the situation of this disease in a small number of counties in Poland, especially in Śląskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships.

The case describes a 10-year-old female patient admitted to the Developmental Neurology Clinic due to gait disturbances and lower limb muscle weakness of sudden onset. Neurological examination revealed features of pyramidal syndrome, including hyperreflexia in the lower limbs, spastic paraparesis, and a left-sided Babinski sign. Magnetic resonance imaging findings indicated a pathological fracture of the thoracic 6 vertebral body and a solid pathological lesion at the T5, T6, T7 level. Chest computed tomography identified pathological lymph nodes in the mediastinum. Differential diagnosis for Pott's disease and malignancy was recommended. Histopathological biopsy of the pathological mediastinal lymph nodes ruled out neoplastic changes. Due to suspected tuberculosis infection, a QuantiFERON-TB test was performed, which returned positive. Based on the overall clinical presentation, imaging, laboratory, and microbiological findings the patient was diagnosed with tuberculosis and started on pharmacological treatment. Neurosurgical consultation led to the decision to proceed with surgical stabilization of the vertebrae.

Background: In Poland, meningitis and/or encephalitis, regardless of etiology, are subject to routine epidemiological surveillance. This paper presents an analysis of meningitis and/or encephalitis in 2023, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2023 taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material and methods: To evaluate the epidemiological situation of neuroinfections in Poland, data sent to NIPH NIH-NRI by the Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations and published in the annual bulletin: "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2023" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2023" as well as individual epidemiological reports registered in the EpiBaza system.

Results: In 2023, there were 2754 cases of meningitis and/or encephalitis, an increase of 57.6% compared to 2022 (1748 cases) and 22.5% against 2019 (2249 cases). Incidences of bacterial etiology, including neuroborreliosis, increased by 39.7% (from 848 in 2022 to 1185 in 2023, incidence: 2.24 to 3.14 per 100,000). The incidence for N. meningitidis increased by 17.6(from 0.17 to 0.20), for H. influenzae by 125% (from 0.04 to 0.09), and for S. pneumoniae by 30.9% (from 0.55 to 0.72). Viral infections accounted for 57% of the total, and their number increased by 74.3% (from 900 in 2022 to 1,569 in 2023). The highest number of viral infections was for tick-borne encephalitis, with 661 cases (up 48.2%).

Conclusions: 2023 showed an overall upward trend in the number of registered cases of meningitis and/or encephalitis of bacterial and viral etiology compared to 2022. The number of cases was 22.5% higher than in 2019, the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. These results indicate significant changes in the epidemiological situation, which may be due to improved diagnosis, a change in epidemiological trends and a higher number of reported cases. The observed increase underscores the need for further monitoring and implementation of effective preventive measures to reduce future cases.