Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder often accompanied by orofacial dysfunctions and parafunctions, such as mouth breathing or sleep bruxism. Myofunctional therapy is increasingly used as an adjunctive treatment method; however, in clinical practice, there is a lack of a tool enabling the simultaneous assessment of OSA symptoms and orofacial dysfunctions potentially modifiable by this therapy. The aim of this study was to develop the OSA-OFS-12 questionnaire as a self-assessment tool for the integrated evaluation of these symptoms. Materials and methods: The questionnaire was developed based on a review of the literature regarding OSA symptoms, orofacial dysfunctions, and the effects of myofunctional therapy. Initially, 24 potential items were generated and then selected according to three criteria: a documented association with the pathophysiology of OSA, potential susceptibility to change through myofunctional therapy, and the possibility of reliable self-assessment by the patient. The final version of the questionnaire comprises 12 items rated on a nume-rical scale (0–10), divided into two domains: symptoms of orofacial dysfunction and symptoms characteristic of OSA. Results: As a result of the instrument development process, a 12-item OSA-OFS-12 questionnaire was developed, enabling the simultaneous assessment of OSA symptoms and orofacial dysfunction. Individual items were selected based on their clinical and pathophysiological significance, and the rationale for their inclusion is presented in tabular form. Conclusions: The OSA-OFS-12 is a proposed brief self-assessment tool that enables an integrated assessment of OSA symptoms and orofacial dysfunctions that may be modified by myofunctional therapy. The tool may be used in clinical practice as a diagnostic and therapeutic aid. Further research is necessary to assess the psychometric properties and validate the questionnaire.
Introduction: A hiatal hernia (HH) occurs when abdominal structures, most commonly a portion of the proximal stomach, herniate through the oesophageal hiatus into the mediastinum due to increased intra-abdominal pressure. The principal concern is the risk of acute complications that may require emergency surgery. Case report: The study reports an 81-year-old man who was urgently admitted to the surgical department with an HH showing signs of incarceration and gastrointestinal perforation. Notably, on admission, the patient was haemodynamically stable. He reported three days of upper abdominal quadrant pain with vomiting, including haematemesis since the previous day. The last bowel movement had occurred one day earlier. Abdominal examination revealed tenderness without peritoneal signs. Of the inflammatory parameters, only PCT was significantly elevated. A non-contrast CT scan confirmed the initial suspicion. Urgent laparoscopic surgery was performed, which also revealed purulent fluid in the abdominal cavity. Procedures included hiatal repair, gastric suturing, gastropexy, and subsequent peritoneal lavage with drainage. Postoperatively, inflammatory parameters and procalcitonin levels gradually decreased. The patient was discharged on day 7 in good general condition. Conclusion: Incarceration of a HH does not always present the typical features of an acute abdomen and may therefore be deceptive. Maintaining clinical vigilance is essential, particularly in elderly patients.
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age and is increasingly associated with an elevated risk of cardiometabolic complications. PCOS is linked to vascular changes, including endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis. These alterations may occur even in young women and before the development of overt cardio-vascular disease. Therefore, a comprehensive review of current evidence is needed to better understand the mechanisms of vascular remodeling in PCOS, identify clinically relevant vascular markers, and summarize potential therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk in this population. Purpose: To review current evidence on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying vascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction in women with PCOS, with particular emphasis on the role of hyperandrogenism. Additionally, the study aimed to summarize clinically relevant non-invasive vascular markers and evaluate available therapeutic approaches that may reduce cardiovascular risk in this population. Material and methods: This narrative review was based on a structured literature search conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search covered publications available from database inception to 31 March 2026 and focused on vascular remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, clinical vascular markers, and therapeutic approaches in PCOS. Eligible publications included original studies, reviews, meta-analyses, guidelines, and relevant mechanistic or preclinical studies. Conclusions: Hyperandrogenism-driven vascular remodeling significantly increases cardiovascular risk in specific PCOS phenotypes. Non-invasive vascular assessment and targeted therapies may support the clinical management of cardiovascular risk in these patients. Further research should focus on large-scale prospective studies, evaluate phenotype-specific cardiovascular trajectories, and validate emerging therapeutic targets to improve long-term outcomes.
Introduction: Dental photography is an important component of contemporary dental practice. In addition to its diagnostic and documentary value, it may support patient education, shared decision-making and clinical communication. Purpose: To analyse the current state of knowledge on the role of dental photography in patient education and to assess its significance in improving dentist-patient communication. Materials and methods: A narrative review of scientific literature published between 2016 and 2026 was conducted using the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. The search used combinations of the following terms: "dental photography", "intraoral photography", "clinical photography", "patient education", "oral health education" and "patient communication". After screening 114 unique records against predefined eligibility criteria, 11 publications on the application of dental photography in patient education and clinical communication were included in the analysis. Results: The reviewed studies indicate that dental photography improves patients' understanding of their oral health status, facilitates the presentation of diagnoses and treatment plans, and may increase engagement with therapeutic recommendations. Visualisation of the patient's oral condition was associated with improved motivation for oral hygiene and favourable changes in selected periodontal parameters. Relevance was also identified in paediatric dentistry, where visual materials may support communication with children and parents. Conclusions: Dental photography is an effective adjunct to patient-centred dental care. Its clinical use may enhance communication, improve patient motivation and support documentation and follow-up. Wider implementation requires attention to staff training, workflow organisation, equipment costs, data protection and informed consent.
Aim: To determine the effect of perceived spousal support on breastfeeding motivation in primiparous and multiparous mothers.Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 200 women who had given birth in the obstetrics ward of a university hospital between July and September 2024. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, breastfeeding motivation scale and spouse support scale. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 25.0 program. Descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum) were used to analyze the socio-demographic chara-cteristics of the participants and Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between the scales. Statistical significance p<0.05 was accepted.Results: The mean score of the spousal support scale of primiparous women was 72.633.97. It was found that there was a weak negative correlation between the mean scores of the spouse support scale and the external regulation-instrumental needs sub-dimension of the breastfeeding motivation scale in primiparous women (r=-.236; p=.044). The mean score of the spouse support scale of multiparous women was found to be 69.447.07. It was determined that there was no significant correlation between the spouse support scale and the sub-dimensions of the breastfeeding motivation scale in multiparous women (p>.05).Conclusions: Spousal support scores of primiparous and multiparous women were high. It was seen that in primiparous women, spousal support influences breastfeeding. Further studies with larger samples and at different time intervals after delivery are recommended.
