BackgroundVisfatin, adropin, and adiponectin are involved in many changes associated with obesity and metabolic disorders, and may be related to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The selection of visfatin, adropin, and adiponectin as biomarkers is based on their significant roles in metabolic regulation and inflammation, which are critical factors in cardiometabolic risk. Visfatin is known for its pro-inflammatory properties and its ability to modulate insulin resistance. Adropin is involved in energy homeostasis and metabolic health, while adiponectin has anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects. During the perimenopausal period, the risk of obesity, and consequently cardiometabolic diseases increases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cardiometabolic parameters and circulating levels of visfatin, adropin, and adiponectin in perimenopausal women with regard to their obesity status.Materials and methodsThis study of 168 perimenopausal women utilized a cross-sectional design with non-random sampling. It involved the use of questionnaires, as well as anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Blood samples were collected to determine the levels of visfatin, adropin, and adiponectin. Statistical analyses, including correlation coefficients, were performed to evaluate the relationship between these biomarkers and cardiometabolic risk factors, such as insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers.ResultsIn our study, visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation product negatively correlated with adiponectin levels. Preliminary multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between circulating visfatin and IL-6 levels. Circulating adropin negatively correlated with HbA1C, fasting blood glucose, and insulin. Adiponectin negatively correlated with HbA1C, fasting blood glucose, insulin, and triglycerides. Furthermore, circulating adiponectin positively correlated with HDL, and negatively with HOMA-IR.ConclusionsAdiponectin is a promising biomarker for predicting cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women.

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to analyze determinants affecting attitudes toward organ donation among medical students at medical universities in Poland.Materials and methodsThe study involved 1,348 medical students. It was performed using a validated questionnaire of attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) [PCID-DTO RIOS: A questionnaire designed by the International Collaborative Organ Donation project about organ transplantation and donation].ResultsIt was shown that those who would not donate their family member’s organs for transplantation were far more likely to believe it was not their moral duty (p = 0.013) and to feel no solidarity with those in need (p = 0.000). Those who spoke to their families believed it was their moral duty (p = 0.000), and believed they would do it out of solidarity with those in need (p = 0.000). It was found that having family conversations about donating one’s organs for transplantation was statistically significantly related to being a blood donor (p = 0.002), fear of desecration/disfigurement of the body after death in case of organ donation (p = 0. 000), a belief that it may be necessary to become an organ recipient in the future (p = 0.000), and knowledge of loved ones’ opinions about ODT (father p = 0.000, mother p = 0.000), partner (p = 0.000).Conclusion1. The reluctance to donate the organs of loved ones for transplantation is accompanied by a lack of a sense of moral obligation and a lack of solidarity with those in need. Conversely, conversations among loved ones about organ donation are thought-provoking, causing a sense of moral obligation and solidarity with those in need. 2. Regardless of the stance on organ donation and family discussions on the subject, the respondents do not care what happens to the body after organ donation, but they also do not know the opinions of their loved ones about ODT. 3. Conversations with loved ones contribute to the acceptance of circumstances in which organs would be harvested for transplantation without consent.

Achievement motivation is a particular category of an employee’s motives towards professional development, associated with positive emotions in challenging task-oriented situations. Our objective was to determine the effect of selected sociodemographic and work-related variables on achievement motivation according to the Achievement Motivation Inventory (LMI) for professionally active nurses. The study included 830 Polish nurses. We have applied the diagnostic survey method, the questionnaire technique, using the LMI and the authors’ survey questionnaire. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation was demonstrated between the respondents’ age and the LMI scales: Independence (r = 0.15), Confidence in success (r = 0.11), Dominance (r = 0.10), Eagerness to learn (r = 0.12), Compensatory effort (r = 0.08), Flow (r = 0.10), Self-control (r = 0.14). With respect to the effect to educational background on achievement motivation according to the LMI, it was concluded that for all statistically significant relationships, a higher mean level of the characteristic under study was noted in the group of respondents with higher education compared to the individuals with secondary education (p < 0.05). Data analysis showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the achievement motivation according to the LMI of the nurses under study, depending on the completion of the nursing specialisation programme. For all statistically significant differences, a higher mean level of the characteristic under study was noted in the group of nurses who use EBNP at work compared to those who do not use EBNP. The strongest effect of the impact of this variable on the characteristics under study was noted for the variables Eagerness to learn (d = 0.41; 95% CI [0.27; 0.55]), Preference for difficult tasks (d = 0.39; 95% CI [0.25; 0.54]), Self-confidence (d = 0.39; 95% Cl [0.24; 0.53]), and Flexibility (d = 0.34; 95% Cl [0.19; 0.48]).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The risk of disease increases with age, as most CRC patients are over 50 years old. Due to the progressive aging of societies in high-income countries, the problem of CRC will increase. This makes the development of new early detection methods and the implementation of effective screening programs crucial. Key areas of focus include raising population awareness about the importance of screening, educating high-risk populations, and improving and developing early diagnostic methods. The primary goal of this review is to provide a concise overview of recent trends and progress in CRC secondary prevention based on available information from clinical trials.

Mood disorders are among the most prevalent and debilitating mental conditions in worldwide populations. Non-adherence to treatment recommendations may have serious consequences for patients with mood disorders. There are several methods to show whether the patient cooperates with the doctor and follows his recommendations, or whether he or she skips the prescribed doses of medications. These include objective methods, such as detecting the drug in the blood, urine or saliva by analysis or special markers, pill counting, electronic monitoring, and an electronic record of filled prescriptions. Subjective methods involve assessment of the patient, medical staff, and those in the patient’s immediate environment. The most commonly used subjective methods are an interview, filling out a questionnaire, and assessment by health care professionals and the patient’s relatives The problem arises when the patient inadvertently skips medications, which makes it difficult to assess adherence. This may be due to the severity of the disease and poorer cognitive function, and sometimes a change in daily routine. The aim of the study was to identify factors influencing life satisfaction, disease acceptance and therapeutic adherence among people with mood disorders. This survey-based study included 103 people with mood disorders. It was performed using the author questionnaire, and standardized research tools, namely: the Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The level of life satisfaction decreased with an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms (βstd. = -0.665, p < 0.001). Mood disorder patients with more severe depressive symptoms had significantly higher scores on the adherence scale (βstd. = 0.290, p = 0.003). Patients with higher levels of depressive symptoms showed a lower level of acceptance of the disease (βstd. = -0.215, p < 0.001). 1. The dosage of medications taken, and the severity of depressive symptoms determine life satisfaction of people with mood disorders. 2. Respondents with greater severity of depressive symptoms scored higher on the adherence scale, which means that they were more likely to be non-adherent to treatment recommendations. The type of mood disorder may affect patient adherence. Subjects with bipolar disorder showed higher and those with anxiety-depressive disorder—lower adherence than patients with depression. 3. Subjects with more severe depressive symptoms showed a lower degree of acceptance of the disease. None Declared

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive, chronic eye disease with no permanent cure currently available. Symptoms of the disease, including distorted and blurred vision and gradual loss of central vision, significantly aggravate patients’ daily functioning. The purpose of this study was to assess the acceptance of the disease among patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration before treatment and after receiving seven intravitreal injections and to determine how it was related to the values of visual parameters. Methods: This survey-based study was carried out using the author’s questionnaire and a standardized research tool, the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). It also involved the analysis of the patients’ medical records. Results: The study included 121 patients (121 eyes), including 60 women and 61 men. The age range of the participants was 51–90 years. The mean and median age of the participants was 75 years. After undergoing a series of intravitreal injections, statistically significant improvements were observed in the degree of illness acceptance according to the AIS score. Data analysis revealed that the degree of disease acceptance was significantly related to visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Conclusions: The acceptance of the disease among the study participants from the beginning of the therapy until receiving a series of seven intravitreal injections was at an average level. Acceptance of the disease was better before the beginning of the therapy, due to higher values of corrected visual acuity, and after the therapy, because of higher values of contrast sensitivity and corrected visual acuity.

AMA Słowik K, Jersak E, Schneider-Matyka D, Cybulska A, Rachubińska K, Grochans E. Cultural competencies of selected health care workers in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Nursing Problems / Problemy Pielęgniarstwa. 2024;32(1):30-37. doi:10.5114/ppiel.2024.139131. APA Słowik, K., Jersak, E., Schneider-Matyka, D., Cybulska, A., Rachubińska, K., & Grochans, E. (2024). Cultural competencies of selected health care workers in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Nursing Problems / Problemy Pielęgniarstwa, 32(1), 30-37. https://doi.org/10.5114/ppiel.2024.139131 Chicago Słowik, Karolina, Elżbieta Jersak, Daria Schneider-Matyka, Anna Cybulska, Kamila Rachubińska, and Elżbieta Grochans. 2024. "Cultural competencies of selected health care workers in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship". Nursing Problems / Problemy Pielęgniarstwa 32 (1): 30-37. doi:10.5114/ppiel.2024.139131. Harvard Słowik, K., Jersak, E., Schneider-Matyka, D., Cybulska, A., Rachubińska, K., and Grochans, E. (2024). Cultural competencies of selected health care workers in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Nursing Problems / Problemy Pielęgniarstwa, 32(1), pp.30-37. https://doi.org/10.5114/ppiel.2024.139131 MLA Słowik, Karolina et al. "Cultural competencies of selected health care workers in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship." Nursing Problems / Problemy Pielęgniarstwa, vol. 32, no. 1, 2024, pp. 30-37. doi:10.5114/ppiel.2024.139131. Vancouver Słowik K, Jersak E, Schneider-Matyka D, Cybulska A, Rachubińska K, Grochans E. Cultural competencies of selected health care workers in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Nursing Problems / Problemy Pielęgniarstwa. 2024;32(1):30-37. doi:10.5114/ppiel.2024.139131.

Abstract (1) Background: Selenium is a trace element essential for selenoprotein synthesis. Selenoproteins are known for their antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. The mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and diabetes have not so far been fully elu-cidated. A certain role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes is attributed to oxidative stress, which became the basis for studying the association between the level of selenium and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study was to investigate the selenium level in the context of diabetes and insulin resistance parameters in middle-aged women. (2) Methods: The study included 387 middle-aged women. It consisted of three stages: questionnaire-based survey, anthropometric measurements, and analysis of the biological material (blood) for the levels of glycemia, insulin, HbA1c (%), HOMA-IR, and selenium. (3) Results:The mean level of selenium was 99.33 ± 19.79 µg/l, glucose—85.60 ± 12.43 mg/dl, insulin―9.79 ± 5.60 µIU/ml, and HbA1c―5.41 ± 0.45%. (4) Conclusions: In the study group of women, selenium levels and parameters of diabetes and insulin resistance were within the normal range.

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, fatigue, depression, perceived social support of patients hospitalised for SARS-CoV-2 infection not later than up to 6 months after hospitalisation. The study included 97 participants hospitalised for SARS-CoV-2 infection up to 6 months after enrollment. The study was conducted with the method of a diagnostic survey using the questionnaire technique: Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, The Athens Insomnia Scale, The Generalized Anxiety Questionnaire, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Self-administered questionnaire. Statistically significant: negative correlation between AIS and PHQ-9 scores (r=-0.195; p < 0.001), positive between AIS scores and MFIS (r = 0.468; p < 0.0001), negative between AIS scores and MSPSS (r=-0.267; p < 0.0081), positive between AIS and GAD-7 scores (r = 0.428; p < 0.001), positive between GAD-7 and MFIS scores (r = 0.384; p < 0.0001), negative between GAD-7 and MSPSS scores (r=-0.301; p < 0.0028), negative correlation, strong between MSPSS and MFIS scores (r=-0.201; p < 0.0484) were detected. The study presented here provides important associations and may help to assess the need for psychosocial support and provides a starting point for a larger study to determine the associations between depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and social support among COVID-19 hospitalised patients.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of limited direct contact with other people. The aim of this study was to determine the role of positive orientation and sociodemographic variables in the feelings of global, social and emotional loneliness and to seek predictors for loneliness among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 798 students at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) between January and March 2022. The empirical data were gathered with the following research tools: the Positive Orientation Scale and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale—DJGLS. Results: The study found a correlation (r = −0.370; p < 0.001) between positive orientation and emotional loneliness. The level of loneliness was significantly higher in students who greatly reduced their social contact, compared to those who reduced them moderately (p < 0.001). The intensity of social loneliness among women was lower (p < 0.001) than among men. Those who lived with their families or with a close companion felt less intense emotional loneliness (p < 0.001) than those who lived alone. Conclusions: A positive orientation, which manifests itself in a favourable opinion about oneself and in attaching weight to positive aspects of life, was found to be the main determinant of the feelings of global and emotional loneliness. However, it did not prove to be a predictor of social loneliness in the group of students under study.

(1) The aim of our study was to determine the attitudes of medical students toward organ donation in the case of brain death. (2) The study was conducted among 1348 medical students from three medical universities in Poland. The research tool was the Polish version of the standardized questionnaire concerning attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) [PCID-DTO RIOS: A questionnaire designed by the ‘International Collaborative Organ Donation project about organ transplantation and donation]. (3) Some sources of information on organ donation were found to have a significant impact on the recipients’ knowledge of brain death. These were books, friends, family, lectures in other centers, social media, and the Church. Medical students holding the opinion that recovery and leading a normal lifestyle after brain death is impossible were significantly more likely to donate their organs after death, not for religious reasons and not because they wanted to survive their own death. (4) The medical students in our study showed a high level of awareness and favorable attitudes toward ODT. However, the number of registered donors was low. It is important to educate students on these issues to raise the awareness of both future medical professionals and the public on organ transplantation procedures. The public should be made aware that transplantation procedures are of a high standard, and that the law protects both donors and recipients. These measures would reduce recipients’ waiting time, and certainly increase the statistics of the number of life-saving and health-saving procedures.

IntroductionNon-adherence to treatment recommendations is a significant problem, as it contributes to the progression of the disease and to the exacerbation of distressing symptoms. Failure to cope with the disease and elevated levels of stress, in turn, influence the choice of strategy for coping with a difficult situation, and thus adherence to recommendations.ObjectivesThe purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of the subjects’ stress coping styles on therapeutic adherence, life satisfaction, disease acceptance and quality of life (QoL) in people with mood disorders.MethodsThis survey-based study included 102 respondents diagnosed with mood disorders, living in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. It was performed using the sociodemographic questionnaire and standardized tools: The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), The Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, The Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS), and The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS).ResultsSome 47.06% of the respondents suffered from depressive disorders, while 34.31% had depression or mixed anxiety disorder. Patients who made greater use of an emotion-focused style were found to have significantly lower life satisfaction than other patients. Moreover, this style was related to such SF-36 domains as general health, social functioning, role emotional, vitality, and mental health, as well as to physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS).ConclusionTreatment non-adherence is a serious challenge in the treatment of patients with mood disorders. Individuals who do not adequately follow treatment recommendations often resort to alternative activities as a mechanism for coping with difficult situations. Patients who predominantly adopt an emotion-oriented coping style tend to experience lower life satisfaction and greater difficulty accepting their condition compared to their peers. Conversely, patients who adopt a task-oriented coping style report better quality of life than those who rely on emotion-oriented coping or alternative activities.

ObjectivesStudents experience considerable stress and anxiety during the course of their studies, which has a significant impact on their health and hinders the learning process. There are many stressors that can intensify stress, which is why choosing the right strategies for coping with stress and self-esteem is so important.MethodsThe study was conducted on 798 students of the School of Public Health at the University of Warmia and Mazury in majors: nursing, midwifery, emergency medicine and dietetics (subgroup 1; n = 428; 53.77%) and at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, major: veterinary medicine (subgroup 2; n = 368; 46.23%). The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique including Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, MINI-COPE, PSS-10, and a self-questionnaire.ResultsThe scores obtained by over half of the students were indicative of low global self-esteem, whereas over 80% of the students felt stress at a high intensity. Moreover, it was shown that the veterinary medicine students demonstrated a higher intensity of coping strategies, i.e., active coping (p < 0.04) and planning (p < 0.02), than medicine students.ConclusionThe study revealed that students, irrespective of the major, experienced high levels of stress. Self-esteem had a significant impact on the stress level and methods of coping with difficult situations in students of medicine. A majority of the students applied positive styles of coping with stress.

(1) The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between depressiveness and the occurrence of eating disorders, i.e., emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraint of eating, and the risk of orthorexia. (2) The study was conducted among 556 women from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland). The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique: The Beck Depression Inventory, the ORTO-15 Questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. (3) Higher depressiveness severity is associated with a higher score on the "Cognitive Restraint of Eating" scale. The authors' original study demonstrated a statistically significant relationship only between depressiveness and the "Uncontrolled Eating" subscale (p = 0.001). (4) The results of this study suggest that depressiveness is an important factor that contributes to a better understanding of eating behaviors. In addition, the results of this study suggest that eating behaviors and psychological factors should be taken into account in psychological interventions in the treatment of eating disorders. The clinical goal can be considered to be an improvement in non-normative eating behaviors, such as a reduction in overeating episodes or eating less frequently in the absence of a feeling of hunger.

Breastfeeding is the best way to nourish infants and young children. One of the advantages of breastfeeding is the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity. This is especially important in those babies of mothers who have developed gestational diabetes, which can contribute to carbohydrate and/or fat disorders in their children and in the future generate overweight and obesity in them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the way babies are fed and the occurrence of gestational diabetes in their mothers on the anthropometric measurements of the babies studied. The study comprised 42 babies of women who had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. The control group contained 28 babies of nondiabetic women. We evaluated the babies' diets (breastfeeding, mixed feeding, formula feeding) and their anthropometric measurements at 3 time points: 7±1 weeks from birth, 6 months ± 1 week from birth, and 12 months ± 1 week from birth. The babies were measured for weight, length, head circumference and thickness of the subscapular skin fold. We also calculated their BMI and Ponderal Index, and the measurements were also referenced to WHO centile grids. At 7±1 weeks from birth, exclusively breastfed babies weighed more than mixed and formula-fed babies (P=.03). However, at 1 year of age, breastfed children weighed significantly less than formula-fed children (P =.019). Breastfed boys had lower weight, length, BMI and lower subscapular skinfold thickness at 12 months than formula-fed children (P <.05). There was no effect of gestational diabetes on the babies' anthropometric dimensions (P >.05). Breastmilk feeding may prevent breastfed babies from becoming overweight and obese in the future: in the first weeks after birth, breastfed babies have a higher weight than formula-fed babies, but by the 12th month, breastfed babies weigh less than formula-fed babies. Having diabetes during pregnancy does not affect the anthropometric dimensions of children up to age 1, but continued research is needed to assess the long-term effects of maternal GDM in their offspring.

(1) Background: This study aimed to establish the connection between depressiveness, workaholism, eating disorders, and personality traits, according to the five-point model called the Big Five, in women with a risk of compulsive buying disorder. (2) Methods: The study was conducted on 556 Polish women from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique including Personality Inventory NEO-FFI, the Buying Behaviour Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory I-II, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and a self-questionnaire. (3) Results: The analysis revealed the risk of compulsive buying being accompanied by a higher median score for depressiveness, neuroticism, Cognitive Restraint of Eating, Uncontrolled Eating, and a risk of workaholism. A lower score in the respondents in the compulsive buying risk group was observed in an assessment of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Work addiction was exhibited by 26% of people with compulsive buying disorder vs. 12% of people without it. (4) Conclusion: This study found that a high risk of compulsive buying disorder is accompanied by a high risk of moderate depressiveness, neuroticism, Cognitive Restraint of Eating, Uncontrolled Eating, and workaholism. It also confirmed the view that compulsive buying is a behavioural addiction which is a consequence of ineffective coping and being dissatisfied with one’s social life.

Abstract Background Adiponectin and visfatin are involved in many changes associated with obesity and metabolic disorders so may be related to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. During the perimenopausal period, the risk of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases increases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cardiometabolic parameters and circulating levels of visfatin and adiponectin in perimenopausal women with regard to their obesity status. Material and methods This survey-based study was conducted among 168 perimenopausal women. It involved the use of questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements, and venous blood collection. Results Our study found that visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) were negatively correlated with adiponectin levels. Preliminary multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between circulating visfatin and IL-6 levels. Adiponectin was negatively correlated with HbA1C, fasting blood glucose, insulin, and triglycerides. Furthermore, circulating adiponectin was positively correlated with HDL, and negatively with HOMA-IR. Conclusions In the women studied, some adipokines may have played a significant role in the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiometabolic diseases.

In 2020 it is estimated that 281 million people were international migrants. Migrants constitute a potentially vulnerable population in terms of facing discrimination, poor living and housing conditions, and insufficient access to healthcare services. Due to the armed conflict in Ukraine in 2022, almost 10 million people crossed the Polish border within a year of the outbreak of the conflict. The objective of this paper is to present the use of primary healthcare services by people migrating from Ukraine to Poland and identify the barriers in access to healthcare by this group of persons. This study used a qualitative research technique in the form of an expert interview using individual in-depth interviews (IDI). The study group consisted of professionally active primary healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and facility managers) in Poland. Research was carried out in the areas regarding the availability of healthcare, the potential threats and challenges, and possible system solutions. The results showed that the most common cause for doctor’s appointments among migrants are respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Many cases were related to back pain, mainly resulting from the physical work of the patients. Additionally, some barriers to access and the provision of healthcare services for patients from Ukraine were identified. The majority (75%) of respondents indicated language as a significant barrier when providing services. Based on the study results, we recommend creating a dedicated website and telephone hotline for this group of persons as well as the use of traditional media to distribute information about access to healthcare services. It is also essential to focus on assistance for older people, since they may experience more difficulties with language and navigating the healthcare system.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among all the oncological diseases worldwide. This applies to both women and men; however, the incidence and mortality among women is on the rise. In 2020, lung cancer was responsible for 1.8 million deaths (18%). More than 90% of lung cancer cases and 77.1% of lung cancer deaths occur in countries with high and very high HDI (human development index) values. The aim of our study is to the present trends and most recent studies aimed at lung cancer screening. In the face of the persistently high mortality rate, conducting research aimed at extending already-implemented diagnostic algorithms and behavioural interventions focused on smoking cessation is recommended.

Hypertension is a multifactorial condition involving environmental and genetic factors along with risk behaviors. Data from the National Health Fund show that nearly 10 million adult Poles have hypertension. The main goal of drug therapy is to effectively lower blood pressure to normal or near-normal values, and the basic prerequisite for effective pharmacotherapy of chronic diseases is patient adherence to pharmacological recommendations. The aim of this study was to determine the level of adherence to treatment recommendations among patients with hypertension with regard to sociodemographic and medical variables. This survey-based study included 200 patients with hypertension, hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology with the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit of an Independent Public Clinical Hospital. The author’s questionnaire and The Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS) were used as research instruments. The study demonstrated the effect of age and place of residence on adherence to treatment recommendations (the older the age, the worse the adherence). The overall level of non-adherence to recommendations (ARMS total score), and the level of non-adherence to taking medications or refilling prescriptions were significantly higher in patients with than without diabetes, and in patients without heart failure than in those with this condition. Adherence among patients diagnosed with hypertension was at a good level. Age, employment status, place of residence, and diagnosed diseases (diabetes, heart failure) significantly affected adherence to treatment among the subjects.Table1