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Objective: Over the decade, variety and effectiveness of contraception methods have greatly improved, resulting in increased popularity of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). However, hormonal contraception carries the risk of multiple side effects. The lack of sufficient knowledge often leads to the development of health concerns, which can affect patient's adherence. The aim of our research was to describe a side effect profile of OCPs and assess the most frequent concerns and discontinuation reasons in Polish women. The survey included questions regarding OCPs utilization patterns, side effects, health concerns and attitudes of the responders. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a survey, which was distributed online and open from 29 April to 15 May 2022. The survey included questions regarding OCPs utilization patterns, side effects, health concerns and attitudes of the responders. Results: Out of 1699 respondents, the current OCPs intake was reported by two thirds of women and 22% had a history of using them in the past. Seventy-nine percent of all OCPs users experienced adverse effects while 9% reported having concerns about safety and potential adverse effects. Decreased libido and weight gain were the most significant reasons for ceasing hormonal contraception. Moreover, the most common concerns and the most unfavorable side effects varied in different age groups. The occurrence of anxiety depended on age and education. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals prescribing OCPs should provide their patients with comprehensive counseling. Understanding and addressing concerns of young women can improve their compliance and reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity, which leads to metabolic dysregulation and body function impairment, emerges as one of the pressing health challenges worldwide. Excessive body fat deposits comprise a dynamic and biologically active organ possessing its own endocrine function. One of the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of obesity is low-grade systemic inflammation mediated by pro-inflammatory factors such as free fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, adipokines (including leptin, resistin and visfatin) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, Il-6), which are secreted by adipose tissue. Together with obesity-induced insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, the exacerbated immune response has a negative impact on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis at all levels and directly affects reproduction. In women, it results in disrupted ovarian function, irregular menstrual cycles and anovulation, contributing to infertility. This review focuses on the abnormal intracellular communication, altered gene expression and signaling pathways activated in obesity, underscoring its multifactorial character and consequences at a molecular level. Extensive presentation of the complex interplay between adipokines, cytokines, immune cells and neurons may serve as a foundation for future studies in search of potential sites for more targeted treatment of reproductive disorders related to obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The number of individuals with work-related musculoskeletal disorders is increasing in Poland. Aim of the study: This study aimed to analyze and evaluate pain symptoms among upholsterers and compare these ailments with a group of employees who do not perform physical work. It also examined the associations between pain intensity and frequency with age, length of employment, and somatic characteristics in both research groups. Material and methods: Ninety-four men were examined, including 50 upholsterers and 44 non-physical workers, who were the control group. Pain location was assessed using the Nordic musculoskeletal Questionnaire, pain intensity in the lower back was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the frequency of lower back pain was determined using the Jackson-moskowitz Scale. Participants also provided information relating to age, length of employment, and education. Body mass and height were measured. Results: Among the study participants, 94% of the upholsterers and 73% of the control group experienced pain in at least one area of the body. The largest percentage of the study participants from both groups reported pain in the lower back. upholsterers experienced pain in their elbow joints and hands/wrists significantly more often than the control group. The control group experienced pain in the upper back, neck, and hip joints significantly more often than upholsters. Significant positive correlations were found between age and length of employment and the VAS and Jackson-moskowitz Scale results in both groups. Conclusions: The locations of pain complaints in the group of upholsterers and in the group of employees who did not perform physical work differed. In both groups, lower back pain predominated. Working as an upholsterer promoted pain in the elbow joints and wrists/hands. Performing mental and mixed work was associated with neck, upper back, and hip/thigh pain. Future studies should aim to assess the prevalence and analyze the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preschool children with wheezing disorders pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and consume substantial healthcare resources. Peripheral eosinophil blood count (EBC) has been proposed as a potential indicator for future asthma development. This review by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Preschool Wheeze Task Force aimed to provide systematic evidence for the association between increased EBC and the risk of future asthma, as well as to identify potential cutoff values. In February 2023, a search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify studies comparing EBCs in preschool children with wheezing who continued to wheeze later in life and those who did not. Included observational studies focused on children aged <6 years with a wheezing disorder, assessment of their EBCs, and subsequent asthma status. No language or publication date restrictions were applied. Among the initial 3394 studies screened, 10 were included in the final analysis, involving 1225 patients. The data from these studies demonstrated that high EBC in preschool children with wheezing is associated with future asthma development, with odds ratios of 1.90 (95% CI: 0.45–7.98, p =.38), 2.87 (95% CI: 1.38–5.95, p <.05), and 3.38 (95% CI: 1.72–6.64, p <.05) for cutoff values in the <300, 300–449, and ≥450 cells/μL ranges, respectively. Defining a specific cutoff point for an elevated EBC lacks consistency, but children with EBC >300 cells/μL are at increased risk of asthma. However, further research is needed due to the limitations of the included studies. Future investigations are necessary to fully elucidate the discussed association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]