Fibromyalgia: pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic concerns.

Musculoskeletal pains are one of the most common complaints reported by patients. In 1972, Smythe described the generalized pain and tenderness on palpation at specific points and, 4 years later, the term fibromyalgia was introduced for determining the disease syndrome. The etiology and pathogenesis of fibromyalgia are still unknown.

[Different course of myocardial infarction in old age].

For the assessment of the peculiarities of acute myocardial infarction in patients aged over 60 years 100 patients with this disease treated at the Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Silesian Medical Academy were compared with 100 patients aged below 60 years. The location of myocardial infarction was similar in both groups. In the younger group premature ventricular beats were more frequent while in the older group supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia and left bundle branch block were more frequent.

[Long-term oxygen therapy of chronic pulmonary heart disease].

Pulmonary artery pressure was measured in 70 patients with chronic bronchitis. Those with pulmonary hypertension underwent two hours oxygen therapy (flow 10-12 l/min). Those in whom a decrease of pulmonary artery pressure was observed were qualified for long term oxygen therapy (LTOT).

[Effect of work in the coke-producing plant on the circulatory system of workers].

253 coke ++ plant workers employed for over 5 years were subject to examination. From among them 207 were exposed to very high concentrations of benzo-a-pyrene (BaP) and tar substances as well as to benzene, its homologues and carbon monoxide. However, none of these concentrations exceeded MAC value.