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Objectives Non-adherence and non-compliance to pharmaceutical treatment is one of the most common causes of not effective management of patients suffering from ischemic heart disease (IHD). It is crucial to understand the reasons behind it but studies on this subject performed in the Polish population are still lacking. Material and Methods The 329 patients (160 male and 169 female) diagnosed with IHD who reported for follow-up appointments are examined. The following standardized questionnaires were used: Treatment Satisfaction with Medicines Questionnaire (SATMED-Q) and Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS), which evaluates the patient’s compliance and adherence level, respectively. Results Patients with IHD showed moderate compliance with pharmacological recommendations and average satisfaction with treatment. Anemia, drugs side effects, and SATMED-Q total score were significant predictors of the overall ARMS score in the univariate analysis, whereas the male gender and satisfaction with treatment improves this results. In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of lower adherence included family history of IHD, anemia and drugs side effects, while higher education and SATMED-Q overall score increased adherence. Conclusions Treatment satisfaction is a significant predictor of increased overall treatment adherence as well as adherence in terms of drug intake and drug and prescription refills. Raising patient awareness should be an important goal of future educational activities. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(4):465–76

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus which has caused a global pandemic. Due to the lack of available treatment for COVID-19 infections, prevention plays the most important role in combating the virus. Educational programs among students of medical faculties is necessary, because in the future they will act as health educators in the healthcare system. The aim of the study is to assess the students’ knowledge as an initial stage to the implementation of further preventive strategies against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus infections and to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented preventive measures by continuous monitoring of the number of implemented administrative procedures. Methods The study involved 482 students of medical faculties. Participants completed a questionnaire based on knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Additionally, a number of preventive measures were introduced, including vaccination against COVID-19. During the entire period of the study, the number of administrative procedures (isolation and quarantine) were monitored. Results The results of the knowledge test about COVID-19 were generally low and amounted to 11.0 (SD = 2.2). Significant differences in knowledge about COVID-19 between students of particular medical faculties were found. The most appropriate answers to questions about the incubation time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were given by students of medicine (55%), followed by nursing (42.14%) and pharmacy (26%) students. Nursing students were the most correct in identifying the 3 main symptoms of COVID-19 (91.07%), followed by students of medicine (85.83%), and finally dentistry (77.27%) and pharmacy (76.67%) students. The Median (IQR) of students quarantined or isolating during steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 117,5 (142); 40 (43); 38, (20); and 9,5 (15), respectively. Conclusion Students of certain faculties showed a low level of knowledge about transmission routes and procedures for dealing with a person suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 or who has tested positive for COVID-19. Additional educational programs were conducted among medical students, along with other prevention strategies, which contributed to a decrease in the number of applied administrative procedures (isolation or quarantine).

The role of medical personnel in promoting vaccination and pro-health attitudes seems to be of key importance for protection against COVID-19. The aim of the study was to assess the attitudes of health care workers and students of medical faculties towards preventive vaccinations against COVID-19. A cross-sectional online self-administered survey was conducted among 497 people. The questions concerned attitudes towards vaccination as well as concerns about the side effects of the vaccine and contracting COVID-19. A positive attitude to vaccination was observed in 82% of the respondents. More than 54% respondents were concerned about side effects after COVID-19 vaccination. Medical students under 26 years had a more positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination, twice as high as among health care workers OR (95%Cl): 2.20 (1.03–4.66) vs. 4.06 (2.54–6.48), respectively. Students were more concerned than nurses about adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine 3.8 (3.2–4.1) vs. 3.0 (2.7–3.5) and contracting the virus (1.7 (1.2–2.5) vs. 1.2 (1.0–2.0). Medical students had a more positive attitude toward vaccination than nursing students 4.2 (3.9–4.3) vs. 3.7 (3.3–4.3). In conclusion, predictors of positive attitudes toward vaccination were medical student status and young age.

Background The significantly accelerated development of human society in the last millennium has brought about changes in human behavior and body mass that may have influenced human bone morphology. Our objective was to analyze the variation in pelvic shape and size in males from modern and medieval populations. Methods We obtained 22 pelvic girdles of adult males from a medieval cemetery located in Cedynia, Poland. The control group comprised 31 contemporary male pelves from individuals inhabiting the same region. The analyzed parameters were: interspinous distance (ISD), intercristal distance (ICD), intertuberous distance (ITD), anatomic conjugate of the pelvis, height of the pelvis (HP), iliac opening angle (IOA), iliac tilt angle (ITA), and ISD/ITD/HP ratio. Geometric morphometrics was used to analyze differences in shape in the pelves. All analyses were carried out on three-dimensional CT reconstructions of pelves. Results ISD, ICD, and IOA were significantly greater in modern pelves than in those from Cedynia, but no significant differences were seen between the two groups in ITD, anatomical conjugate, HP, or ITA. ISD/ITD/HP ratios were significantly lower in the Cedynia group. Geometric morphometrics revealed significant differences in pelvic shape between the analyzed groups. Discussion The pelves of modern males are larger, wider, and flatter than those of medieval males. Changes in the set of daily activities that produce mechanical loading and estimated body mass may constitute the main factors explaining pelvic variability. However, differences in ontogenesis should also be taken into consideration, especially since growth in past populations is often found to be reduced relative to modern populations.

Objectives: Non-adherence and non-compliance to pharmaceutical treatment is one of the most common causes of not effective management of patients suffering from ischemic heart disease (IHD). It is crucial to understand the reasons behind it but studies on this subject performed in the Polish population are still lacking. Material and Methods: The 329 patients (160 male and 169 female) diagnosed with IHD who reported for follow-up appointments are examined. The following standardized questionnaires were used: Treatment Satisfaction with Medicines Questionnaire (SATMED-Q) and Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS), which evaluates the patient's compliance and adherence level, respectively. Results: Patients with IHD showed moderate compliance with pharmacological recommendations and average satisfaction with treatment. Anemia, drugs side effects, and SATMED-Q total score were significant predictors of the overall ARMS score in the univariate analysis, whereas the male gender and satisfaction with treatment improves this results. In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of lower adherence included family history of IHD, anemia and drugs side effects, while higher education and SATMED-Q overall score increased adherence. Conclusions: Treatment satisfaction is a significant predictor of increased overall treatment adherence as well as adherence in terms of drug intake and drug and prescription refills. Raising patient awareness should be an important goal of future educational activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The term myositis ossificans refers to the formation of ossifications in the muscles, ligaments and fascias, usually as a result of trauma. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare genetic disease in which heterotopic ossifications appear in early childhood and are accompanied by feet and spine defects., Case Report: We present a case of a 31-year-old woman with massive heterotopic ossifications who suffered multiple injuries. We would like to emphasize the role of computed tomography in the exact localization of ossifications., Conclusions: Thanks to the volume rendering techniques and 3D image reconstructions, it is possible to precisely determine the position of ossifications in relation to the internal organs and blood vessels, allowing to schedule the surgery to remove the lesions.

The paper presents modern concepts in the aetiology and development of osteoarthritis of the hip. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition characterized by a repetitive abnormal contact of the acetabular rim with the femoral head-neck region, which leads to the development of early osteoarthritis of the hip. There are three types of FAI: cam type, pincer type, and mixed type. FAI is diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical assessment and imaging evidence from radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound scans and computed tomography. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of FAI make it possible to halt the development of osteoarthritis of the hip.

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition characterized by repetitive abnormal contact of the femoral acetabulum with the femoral head-neck region, which leads to the development of early-stage coxarthrosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of FAI can halt the development of coxarthrosis., Material and Methods: We present the early results of surgical treatment of 13 patients with FAI by osteochondroplasty of the head-neck region. An anterior approach to the hip joint was employed without surgical dislocation of the femoral head. The follow-up period ranged from 1.5 to 4 years. Clinical assessment was conducted according to the Harris classification. The FAI index was measured during radiographic evaluation., Results: Clinical assessment revealed an improvement in 12 patients. Radiographically, the value of FAI index was normal in all the patients who underwent the surgery., Conclusions: Osteochondroplasty of the head-neck region appears to be an effective treatment of FAI in early-stage coxarthrosis.

Background. Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS) enables complex 3D planning of surgery and the precise navigation of surgical instruments or implants during the operation. This procedure may also be helpful in preparing pelvic osteotomies, by enabling a pre-operative, virtual assessment of the results of the surgery. The purpose of this paper is to present the possibilities of our "Super Pelvis" software in assisting the diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the hip. Material and methods. We have developed a soft-ware program called "Super Pelvis," which enables 3D reconstruction of any part of the skeleton based on CT scans. It also enables 3D qualitative assessment of the whole pelvis by rotation and magnification. The material consisted of 30 dry, healthy adult skeletons gained from a medieval cemetery. In every pelvis both acetabuli were examined three times to measure the modified center-edge angles (CEA) and the anterior and posterior sector angles. The first step was a morphologic examination based on two photographs taken in frontal and transverse view. X-rays were also taken in the same views as the photographs to assess the same parameters. Then these same parameters were measured using "Super Pelvis." Results and Conclusions. All three methods of measurement have high reproducibility and there is statistically significant correlation between them. The "Super Pelvis" soft-ware seems to be useful in the precise measurement of parameters describing the acetabulum. This is the first step in creating a software package for intra-operative navigation in pelvic surgery.

Background. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the capabilities of the SCFEanalyzer computer program, which may be helpful in preoperative planning of osteotomy of the proximal femur. Material and methods. Computed tomography scans were performed on human bone specimens: one pelvis and two femoral bones (right and left). The CT data were used to demonstrate the abilities of our SCFEanalyzer software, which utilizes three-dimensional virtual models of anatomic structures constructed from these data. The software enables qualitative and quantitative spatial analysis of chosen parameters analogous to those done on the basis of plain radiographs. SCFEanalyzer makes it possible to evaluate the function of the hip joint by calculating the range of motion depending on the shape of bone structures. On the basis of the analysis of femoral geometry and function of the hip joint, it is possible to plan and simulate osteotomy of the proximal femur on the computer screen. Analogous qualitative and quantitative evaluation after performing the virtual surgery enables its potential effects to be assessed. Conclusions. The use of computer assistance in preoperative planning enable us to increase objectivity and repeatability, and to compare the results of different types of osteotomy of the proximal femur, and thus to choose the optimal operation in each individual case.

Background. The aim of this study is to analyze the importance of over-head traction before closed reduction in the treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH), by evaluating treatment outcome after the introduction of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of DDH. Material and methods. We studied 32 infants with 39 dislocated hips, treated in our hospital in the years 1988-2002. In all cases treatment consisted in over-head traction, followed by closed reduction and plaster-cast immobilization for 6 weeks. The follow-up period ranged from 1.5 to 14 years. Treatment outcome was assessed immediately after cast removal, 6 and 12 weeks afterwards, and a final follow-up. The patient group was analyzed as a whole and also divided in two subgroups: below and above 12 months of age. Results. Primary reduction was successful in 36 of 39 hips (92%), but by the last check-up only 22 hips (56%) did not require re-operation. There were 16 hips (73%) treated with over-head traction before 12 months of age and 6 hips (27%) treated after 12 months of age. In 17 hips, conservative treatment was unsuccessful and surgery was required. Signs of AVN were found in 8 hips (21%). Conclusions. Over-head traction seems to give satisfactory results in the treatment of DDH in children under 12 months of age, after whcih age its effectiveness diminishes. It was not possible to ascertain whether or not over-head traction decreases the risk of AVN.