Via Medica Journals
Not a member yet
55128 research outputs found
Sort by
Effects of occupational exposure to lead on blood pressure and neurocognitive functions
No full textBackground: The objective was to calculate the prevalence of high blood pressure among lead-exposed welders and study its role in altering neurocognitive functions.
Material and methods: This cross-sectional analytical epidemiological study included 30 lead-exposed welders and 30 controls. Hypertension was assessed through a medical questionnaire and blood pressure measurement. Neurocognitive functions were evaluated using Euroquest, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and neurocognitive tests. We used T and Z tests, chi-square, relative risk, and logistic regression.
Results: The subjects were men with an average age of 42 years. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed (10% vs. 6.6%). The onset age of hypertension was 28 years for welders vs. 38 years for controls. The risk of hypertension increased by 1.5 times, correlating with years of lead exposure (RR = 2). Adjustment for confounding factors confirmed the relationship with the duration of exposure. Hypertensive individuals showed more symptoms in Euroquest and POMS, with a significant decline in performance in neurobehavioral tests such as Digit Symbol and Digit span digit back visual retention (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Long-term exposure to lead was found to increase blood pressure and constitute a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Lead exposure impairs cognitive functions, especially with increased blood pressure
Frailty, Medication Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Metforminand Non-Metformin-Exposed Groups
No full textObjective: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a non-communicable disease that contributes to frailty. Metformin is a widely used medication for managing blood sugar, and it may help reduce frailty. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between frailty, medication adherence, and glycemic control in metformin-exposed (ME) and non-metformin-exposed (NME) patients with T2D. Materials and methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to assess frailty and medication adherence in patients with T2D divided into ME and NME groups using Fried’s Frailty Assessment and the medication adherence questionnaire, respectively. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics, and Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to associate frailty and medication adherence. Results: A total of 126 patients with T2D were enrolled. More of the ME group (16 persons [19.0%]) were nonfrail than in the NME group (2 [4.8%]). More of the ME group (18 [21.4%]) had high adherence compared to the NME group (8 [19.0%]). More of the patients in the ME group (11 [13.1%]) had HbA1c < 6.5% than in the NME group (4 [9.5%]). There was no significant correlation between medication adherence and frailty, neither in overall patients (p = 0.313) nor between the groups of ME (p = 0.547) and NME (p = 0.442). A significant correlation between frailty scores and glycemic control was observed in the overall patients (p = 0.045), but significance was not found within the ME (p = 0.236) and NME groups 0.062. Conclusions: There is correlation between frailty and glycemic control among patients with T2D. Metformin treatment was linked to a lower frailty risk, underscoringthe need for personalized diabetes management
Zastosowanie ultrasonografii wysokiej rozdzielczości w diagnostyce najczęstszych neuropatii uciskowych
No full textUltrasound diagnostics, due to its ever-increasing availability and significant increase in structural imaging capabilities, is being used in more and more fields of medicine, including the diagnosis of diseases of the peripheral nervous system. The use of the latest technological advances, such as high-resolution ultrasound, allows for a non-invasive, yet sensitive and accurate assessment of peripheral nerves lesions. Providing important information, already at the stage of patient evaluation in the GP’s office, ultrasonography of peripheral nerves allows rapid detection of pathologies at the sites of their most frequent damage and, consequently, accurate selection of treatment methods or direction of further diagnosis. This article presents the basic principles of ultrasound diagnosis of the most common compression neuropathies: the median nerve (carpal tunnel syndrome), the ulnar nerve, and the peroneal nerve.Diagnostyka ultrasonograficzna dzięki stale rosnącej dostępności i istotnemu zwiększeniu możliwości obrazowania strukturalnego wykorzystywana jest w coraz to szerszych obszarach medycyny, między innymi w diagnostyce chorób obwodowego układu nerwowego. Zastosowanie najnowszych zdobyczy technologicznych takich jak ultrasonografia wysokiej rozdzielczości pozwala na nieinwazyjną, a jednocześnie czułą i dokładną ocenę uszkodzeń nerwów obwodowych. Dostarczając istotnych informacji, już na etapi e oceny pacjenta w gabinecie lekarza rodzinnego, ultrasonografia nerwów obwodowych umożliwia szybkie wykrycie patologii w miejscach ich najczęstszego uszkodzenia i w ko nsekwencji trafny dobór metod leczenia lub ukierunkowanie dalszego postępowania. W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono podstawowe zasady diagnostyki ultrasonograficznej najczęstszych neuropatii uciskowych: nerwu pośrodkowego (zespołu cieśni nadgarstka), nerwu łokciowego oraz nerwu strzałkowego
Półpasiec — rola wczesnego rozpoznania, leczenie i profilaktyka
No full textShingles is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of latent infection with the varicella‑zoster virus (VZV), a member of the DNA viruses in the Herpesviridae family. Reactivation occurs as a result of immunosuppression caused by age over 50 years, various diseases (such as cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic kidney disease, bronchial asthma, diabetes, and depression), immunosup pressive treatment, or another stress factor (psychological stress or physical trauma, e.g., surgical procedures). The primary lesion is a serous vesicle with a diameter of 2 to 5 mm. The vesicles usually group on an erythematous base, and there may be fragments of unchanged skin between them. The appearance of skin lesions is often preceded by feelings of itching, tingling, and tenderness of the skin. Having shingles does not protect against another episode of the disease. The most effective method of protection is vaccination. Prompt initiation of antiviral treatment reduces the intensity and duration of symptoms.Półpasiec to choroba wirusowa spowodowana pr zez reaktywację latentnego zakażenia wirusem ospy wietrznej i półpaśca (VZV, varicella-zoster virus) należącym do DNA wirusów z rodziny Herpesviridae. Reaktywacja następuje w wyniku immunosupresji spowodowanej następującymi czynnikami: wiek powyżej 50. roku życia, choroba (choroby nowotworowe, toczeń rumieniowaty układowy, reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów, przewlekła obturacyjna choroba płuc, choroby układu sercowo‑naczyniowego, nieswoiste choroby zapalne jelita, przewlekła choroba nerek, astma oskr zelowa, cukrzyca, depresja), leczeniem immuno ‑ supresyjnym lub innym czynnikiem stresowym (stres psychologiczn y lub uraz fizyczny, np. zabieg operacyjny). Pierwotną zmianą chorobową jest surowiczy pęcherzyk o średnicy od 2 do 5 mm. Pęcherzyki zwykle grupują się na rumieniowym podłożu, a pomiędzy nimi mogą znajdować się fragmenty niezmienionej skóry. Pojawienie się zmian skórnych bardzo często popr zedzone jest uczuciem swędzenia czy mrowienia, jak i tkliwością skóry. Zachorowanie na półpasiec nie chroni przed kolejnym epizodem choroby. Najskuteczniejszą metodą ochrony są szczepienia. Szybkie rozpoczęcie leczenia lekiem przeciwwirusowym zmniejsza nasilenie i czas trwania objawów
Assessing the clinical management and outcomes of venomous marine animal injuries in Turkey
No full textBackground and objectives: SCUBA diving is a widely popular activity in Turkey, surrounded by seas onthree sides. While most marine creatures in these waters are harmless, a few poses significant risks,necessitating awareness and precautions for divers’ safety. This report highlights the various harmful seacreatures found in Turkish waters, their potential injuries, and appropriate first aid responses.
Materials and methods: Data were gathered from workshops, literature reviews, diving activities and casereports.
Results: Notable harmful species include jellyfish, sea anemones, bristle worms, sea urchins, greater weeverfish, and others. Injuries range from stings and bites to venom-induced symptoms, requiring immediateand specific medical interventions.
Conclusions: The paper aims to enhance the recognition and management of harmful marine life encountersin Turkish waters, especially among emergency doctors and general practitioners
Maritime Health Onboard — Treatment Pathways IMHF Expert Panel Consensus Statement
No full textBackground: Medical emergencies on board are seriously impairing seafarers’ safety and health, as well as future work prospects. The purpose of this International Maritime Health Foundation’s (IMHF) initiative was to establish common principles for the management of disease and injury by non-medical professionals at sea.
Materials and methods: Nine expert participants actively participated in the workshop in order to identify common principles that should guide the future development of treatment pathways by evaluating selected treatment pathways from The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide 23rd Edition in the context of medical intervention on board merchant ships and consensus statements from previous four IMHF EP Workshops on Medical Help on Board. Delphi study survey and a modified RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM) were used in the process of reaching the consensus.
Results: The result of the workshop is a set of consensus statements on the general principles of development of the future treatment pathways, Results reflect the need for further tuning of the existent treatment pathways or creating new ones, considering their development in the digital format
Occupational injury of Vietnamese seafarers on aboard merchant vessels
No full textBackground: Seafaring is an arduous and highly specialized profession, with many potential risks of accidents and injuries to the working seafarers. This study aims to describe the characteristics of occupational injuries and some related factors of Vietnamese seafarers on board merchant vessels.
Material and methods: Injured seafarers working on ships of 3 shipping companies in Hai Phong, Vietnam for 2 years, from January 2021 to December 2022, were considered in the study. The retrospective descriptive method was used to collect data on occupational injuries.
Results: Forty-six injured seafarers out of a total of 1250 seafarers were included. The incidence of occupational injuries among seafarers was 46 per 1250 (3.7%). The overall injury incidence was 18.4 per 1000 seafarers per year over the 2-year study period. The most common time for injury accidents was at night (54.3%) and the place where injuries occurred was mainly on the deck of the ship (71.7%). Causes of occupational injuries included slipping (32.6%), closing cargo hatch covers (13.0%), unloading cargo (13.0%), and repairing ship engines (10.9%). The nature of injuries was mainly soft tissue injuries (52.2%); sprains, dislocations (15.3%); fractures (10.9%); burns (6.5%). Injuries to the shoulder, forearm, and hand (52.2%); thighs, legs, feet (32.6%); head (6.5%). Some factors related to injury include working experience less than 10 years, OR = 2.45 (95%CI: 1.36–4.42); intermediate education level, OR = 2.30 (95%CI: 1.17–4.54); non-officer, OR = 2.76 (95%CI: 1.36–5.59). Deck group crew, OR = 2.19 (95%CI: 1.14– 4.18); deadweight tonnage of ships under 10 thousand tons, OR = 5.88 (95%CI: 2.07–16.73) compared to ships over 50 thousand tons.
Conclusions: Occupational injuries are a major health problem among Vietnamese seafarers. To prevent occupational injuries, it is necessary to improve living and working conditions on board ships and strengthen training and practice of occupational safety and hygiene on board ships