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Introduction: Long-term risk functions highlight the need of prophylaxis in youth before the first symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) occur. Aim: On the basis of data obtained in the StudHeart study, the aim of this report was to evaluate the 30-year risk of CVD based on the risk scale developed by the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Material and methods: Seven hundred and one students aged 22-27 (mean age: 24 ±1.42) from the 5th and 6th year of the medical faculties of the Medical University of Lodz were included in the study. The StudHeart study was based on an anonymous survey comprising 12 questions. Based on the answers the authors evaluated the 30-year risk of CVD in each respondent using an on-line calculator that allows one to evaluate: general CVD risk including coronary death, myocar-dial infarction, coronary insufficiency, angina, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, peripheral artery disease, heart failure and hard CVD risk including coronary death, myocardial infarction and stroke. Results: Elevated general 30-year CVD risk occurred in 23.18% of students, while hard CVD risk was elevated in 16.91% of respondents. In both cases elevated risk occurred more often in men (general CVD risk: 43.46% male vs. 8.93% female, p < 0.001 and hard CVD risk: 29.33% male vs. 8.19% female, p < 0.001). Elevation of the risk was mainly caused by overweight, obesity and smoking cigarettes. Conclusions: Based on FHS 30-Year CVD risk, elevated risk occurred in almost one-fourth of students. Prophylactic actions should be performed, especially in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases are common for men and women but there are differences between the sexes in terms of clinical symptoms, pathophysiology and response to the treatment. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in women is commonly underdiagnosed and often women tend to have a lower perception of the risk. That can lead to delayed diagnosis and failed recognition of symptoms. Women develop heart diseases later than men because of the protection in the reproductive phase of their life. Once they enter menopause the risk increases. Estrogen provides a protective effect against heart disease in women. Therefore, the risk of CVD increases after menopause in most cases. The presented work emphasizes the importance of the menopausal period as the time of increasing CVD risk. It also emphasizes the importance of monitoring the health of women in their middle age, a critical time in which early intervention strategies should be implemented to reduce the risk of CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. StudHeart research was performed to evaluate the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) amongst the senior medical students. Material and methods. The research involved 506 students aged 22-27 (mean age 23.96±1.52 yrs) in their 5 and 6 year of the medical faculties at the Medical University of Lodz. Each of the examined students has filled out an anonymous survey comprising 12 questions, which enabled us to use the FINDRISC scale in estimation of the risk for T2DM. Analysis was performed in relation to gender. Results. Overall in 16.80% of respondents the body mass index (BMI) was >25 kg/m. Almost all students (93.48%) admitted to drinking alcohol and 9.68% smoked cigarettes. Only 13.64% of participants exercised daily (women 8.16% vs. men 21.30%; P=0.000). Everyday consumption of fruit and vegetables was reported by 55.34% of the respondents whereas 6.92% of them (women 4.42% vs. men 10.40%; P=0.026) ate fast-food 2-3 times a week. The overall risk for T2DM was elevated in 17.2% of examined students. It is predicted that by the time participants will reach age of 45, 40.52% of them (mostly men) will have their risk of T2DM elevated. Conclusion. Despite the awareness of risk factors for T2DM among senior medical students, their lifestyle remains unchanged. In the given population it is predicted that the risk of T2DM will enhance about 2.5-fold in the next 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Progressive hypoacusis in the elderly may result in a decreased auditory perception despite the use of hearing aids (HA). Aim: A screening initiative 'White Saturday' was aimed at assessing the quality of life and the benefits derived from using hearing aids by patients over 60 years old with severe or profound hypoacusis. A further objective of this study was to qualify potential candidates for hearing implants treatment. Materials and methods: 49 patients aged 60-92 were laryngologically examined, 77% of whom had a history of at least a 3-year use of hearing implants. For the purpose of the study standardized questionnaires assessing the quality of life with HA and benefits from using HA ([GBI] and [APHAB]) were used. Results: The GBI results demonstrated that the effectiveness of the use of hearing aids in the elderly may be insufficient. The APHAB demonstrated that in terms of communication in presence of reverberation and background noise patients felt more comfortable wearing HA (benefits 12-16%). Eleven patients (22,5%) were qualified as potential candidates for cochlear and bone anchored implants. Conclusions. Among HA users over 60 years of age there is a great number of patients who fail to fully benefit from HA, or could be the candidates for cochlear implants. Questionnaires such as APHAB and GBI are proper tools for assessing the quality of life and benefits from HA use in this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and early identification of the profile of hypertensive women in the perimenopausal period at risk of heart failure. This study included 185 female patients. Regression analyses determined predictors of the lowest VO2max (quartile 1: VO2max < 17 mL/kg/min). Females with the lowest oxygen consumption had a significantly higher level of high sensitive cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTnT) (p = 0.001), higher values of the left atrial (LA) volume, late diastolic mitral annulus velocity (A′), E/E′ (p = 0.0003, p = 0.02, p = 0.04; respectively), higher BMI and fat content (kg and %) (p < 0.0001), higher fat free mass (FFM) (kg) (p < 0.0001), total body water content (TBW) (p = 0.0002) as well as extracellular body water content (ECW) (p < 0.0001) and intracellular body water content (ICW) (p = 0.005), ECW/TBW × 100% (p < 0.0001) and metabolic age (p < 0.0001) and lower E′ (p = 0.001) compared to controls. In a multiple logistic regression model independently associated with VO2max were: ECW/TBW × 100% (OR 4.45, 95% CI: 1.77–11.21; p = 0.002), BMI (OR 7.11, 95% CI: 2.01–25.11; p = 0.002) and hs-cTnT level (OR 2.69, 95% CI: 1.23–5.91; p = 0.013). High-sensitivity cardiac troponin may serve as an early biomarker of heart failure in hypertensive women. Hydration status should be considered in overall hypertensive women care. There is an importance of body mass compartments analysis in the early identification of hypertensive females at risk of heart failure. Optimization and personalization of body structure may be a preventive method for this disease. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04802369. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]