Delivering bad news in the perspective of patient rights

Introduction: The necessity to deliver bad news to patients is one of the classic challenges of medical communication. The applicable patient rights oblige doctors to communicate full information concerning adverse condition tactfully and cautiously.The purpose of the study was to determine the level of knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of the patient in people who had received bad news, to identify the fields in which knowledge is lacking and to check if the level of knowledge affected the patient’s behaviour.Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 314 people who had been given bad news. An original Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) online survey questionnaire was used. Reaching the respondents was possible thanks to our cooperation with national patient organisations and electronic media.Results: One in 5 respondents (21%) was characterised by little knowledge concerning patient rights and responsibilities; 67% had a moderate level of knowledge or were almost fully aware of their rights. A vast majority of the respondents knew that they were entitled to full information about their condition, prognosis and treatment, as well as an inspection of their medical documentation.Conclusions: The knowledge of patient rights seems to be at an unsatisfactory level. Respondents with a higher education and those suffering from cancer had more knowledge. Patients with little or a moderate level of knowledge of patient rights and responsibilities were more likely to change their attending physicians or discontinue their treatments.

Colonic necrosis of vague aetiology presenting scarce clinical and radiological symptoms: a case report

Spontaneous colonic necrosis is very uncommon in a patient without predisposed disorders such as end-stage renal failure in dialysed patients, serious cardiac failure, sepsis, post-traumatic shock, and vascular surgery within an abdominal aorta. This paper presents the case of an elderly patient in whom necrosis of almost the whole colon had occurred within 2 days. At presentation the patient had no clinical symptoms or signs suggesting serious abdominal disease. There was also a lack of biochemical abnormalities and changes in angio-CT. Due to deterioration of the patient’s general condition, he underwent surgery which revealed necrosis of almost the whole colon. The necrotic colon was resected, followed by a terminal ileostomy. Despite the operation, the patient died 2 days after.

Quality of life of blind people’s carers

Introduction: Quality of life is a multidimensional concept and a subjective value that depends on many factors. Disability caused by sight loss induces changes for both patients and their carers. The function of a blind person’s carer is usually performed by family members, whose limited knowledge limits their ability to help effectively and satisfactorily. This, in turn, may lead to their reduced sense of the quality of life.The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of blind people’s carers.Materials and methods: The study was conducted September–October 2016 and involved 130 blind peoples’ carers using a diagnostic poll. Short Form Survey SF-36 and a specially designed questionnaire were used. The majority of participants were women (69.23%), married couples (63.1%), with high school education (40.77%).Results: Wellbeing self-assessment indicated that 36.15% of carers considered their mental condition to have worsened, while 43.08% remained at the same level when compared to 1 year earlier. Analysis of quality of life showed that carers very highly rated their physical functioning 59.46 ±26.35; social functioning 57.4 ±26.12; vitality 55.48 ±23.27; and emotional functioning 54.81 ±29.24.Conclusions: Quality of life tends to gradually deteriorate as the carers grow older. The carer’s educational background and the professional activity of the disabled person influence the assessment of the carer’s quality of life.

The level of acceptance of the illness among patients with psoriasis

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory and non-infectious skin disease. It is one of the most common dermatoses. Increased reproduction of the epidermis and, as a consequence, visible skin lesions negatively affect the patient's psyche, disrupt self-esteem, reducing the chance of accepting the disease and a normal life.The aim of this study was the assessment of the level of acceptance of the illness and identification of factors affecting its acceptance among patients with psoriasis.Materials and methods: The study involved 132 individuals, comprising 113 women and 19 men. This survey-based study was conducted via the Internet using the author's questionnaire and the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS).Results: Acceptance of the illness level was rated great and moderate by respectively 43.9% and 39.4% of respondents. Over 66.7% of the patients described their self-esteem as high obtained a great level of acceptance of the illness according to the AIS. In the examined group, 58% of the patients not accepted psoriatic lesions on their body. Over 60% of the respondents experienced negative reactions from society regarding the disease, and almost 50% of them experienced other people’s reactions resulting from concerns about contracting the disease; these patients obtained lower AIS scores.Conclusions: The obtained results indicate a great illness acceptance among the examined group of the patients with psoriasis. The level of acceptance was influenced by the patient’s self-esteem in relation to the disease, acceptance of their own body image, altered by the disease, experiencing the negative reactions from the society regarding the disease, and the reactions of the other people resulting from concerns about contracting the disease.

The usefulness of ascorbic acid degradation to analyze the effectiveness of water filtration in household water filter jugs

Introduction: This study aimed to determine whether the degradation of ascorbic acid in aqueous solutions could be used to compare the filtration efficiency of various household water filter jugs.Materials and methods: Based on absorbance measurements of ascorbic acid, a new water quality coefficient (WQC) parameter was defined. Differences between the WQC were determined for 4 different water filters commonly used in household water filter jugs in Poland. In addition, correlations between the WQC, the amount of filtered water (AFW), and a number of other parameters were examined for all 4 filters.Conclusions: Significant differences were found in WQC among the 4 filters. A decreasing efficiency of calcium ion removal from the water was observed with the ongoing use of all 4 filter cartridges. Overall, this method could be a sensitive, simple, fast, eco-friendly, and relatively inexpensive tool for determining the effectiveness of water purification in household water filter jugs, which of course requires further research.

The effect of prolactin concentration on the efficacy of storing isolated porcine kidneys in a modified Biolasol solution

Introduction: Biolasol is a solution developed in Poland for flushing the kidneys, liver, heart and pancreas by simple hypothermia method prior to transplantation. The solution supports the cellular integrity of grafts during ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the concentration of prolactin added to Biolasol on selected biochemical parameters of kidney injury.Materials and methods: Biolasol was modified by the addition of prolactin at 1 μg/L, 10 μg/L and 100 μg/L and by ascorbicacid at 0.5 mmol/L. After 2 h and 48 h of storage, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase enzymes, sodium and potassium concentrations, pH and osmolarity parameters were assessed in the perfusates.Results: The addition of prolactin to Biolasol significantly improves the biochemical parameters of grafts in the models of rinsing, perfusion and reperfusion of isolated porcine kidneys.Conclusions: The study indicates the nephroprotective role of Biolasol with the addition of vitamin C and prolactin at a 100 μg/L.

Properties and use of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a spice herb found in most cuisines and in many spice blends on the Polish market. It deserves special attention, not only because of its unique taste and smell, but also due to a composition that provides health benefits. Its antimicrobial activity has been proven in relation to bacteria, fungi (including yeast) and viruses. Positive effects on the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and the function of the nervous system, as well as hepatoprotective properties have been demonstrated. The plant itself and the extracts and essential oils obtained from it are used in home cooking, and the cosmetic and food industries. It also finds applications in agriculture as an animal feed additive.The aim of the work was to review current scientific publications and present the properties and areas of use of rosemary .

Characteristics of sweeteners used in foods and their effects on human health

Foodstuffs containing large amounts of sucrose, which is rapidly absorbed by the human body, cause a marked increase in blood glucose levels; for some people, especially those with diabetes, this is undesirable. Therefore, efforts were undertaken to produce food with a reduced calorie content, but maintaining a sweet taste. Additionally, food producers were interested in cutting costs by replacing sugar with a cheaper alternative.Saccharin, one of the first synthetic sweeteners, was discovered in the USA in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Subsequently, other sugar substitutes were developed: synthetic (e.g. aspartame or acesulfame K), semi-synthetic (xylitol, mannitol), or polyols.The latter were used during the First and Second World War to increase the calorific content of the available food. Nowadays, the advancing obesity epidemic has resulted in the increasing popularity of synthetic and semi-synthetic sweeteners. However, from the beginning of their existence there have been controversies regarding their safety and impact on health. There have been many studies on individual sweeteners, specifying any adverse or side effects. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to summarizes the characteristics of the most popular sweeteners and their effects on human health.

An analysis of the effect of the technique of the repair and postoperative rehabilitation protocol on the treatment outcomes of flexor tendon injuries: a review

This study covers updated information on the methods of the repair of flexor tendon injuries, postoperative rehabilitation protocols and their effect on treatment outcomes. Contemporary techniques of flexor tendon repair are based on combinations of various types of core sutures and circumferential epitenon sutures. Literature shows a tendency of replacing earlier 2-strand core tendon sutures with novel multistrand core sutures, however the results of meta-analyses do not confirm any definitive superiority over traditional techniques. Likewise, literature does not provide conclusive evidence that early active postoperative mobilization results in better outcomes than active-passive and controlled passive mobilization techniques. The choice of the method of flexor tendon repair and postoperative rehabilitation protocol depends only in part on scientific evidence, but more on individual or institutional preference of the surgeon.

Performance assessment of children based on the selected motor tests

Introduction: Speed of movement refers to the max. speed of moves that an individual is able to perform, associated with the optimal activation of muscle fibers. It increases until the age of 15 in girls and 18 in boys, with the fastest rate 6–14 years of age. In boys, 2 periods of a particularly intense increase in speed are observed: 7–10 and 13–15 years of age. The aim of the study was to assess the level of speed in girls and boys aged 9–10-years-old from school groups with an extended physical education program and those from regular groups. Materials and methods: This study, performed every year 2003–2013, involved 470 children aged 9–10 years, finishing the 3rd year of the primary school. A 30 m run and long jump were used to test the speed of the children. The study method was based on the selected elements of the Denisiuk test. Results: The tests showed that boys were faster than girls. Every year, they obtained better average score for the 30 m run and tests. The lowest difference between sexes was noted in 2013. We also demonstrated that almost in all years the candidates for cross-country skiers were faster than the students assigned to groups with no extra sports classes. Conclusions: Our study confirmed higher speed in 9–10-year-old boys than in girls, especially in long jump tests. Children with higher fitness level were faster than their less active peers. The deterioration of speed test results in the subsequent years of the study is an unfavorable trend that requires further long-term research.