[Generalized anxiety and neuroticism in patients suffering from somatic diseases].

Aim: The aim of this research is to present the severity of the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms and its correlation with neuroticism among patients suffering from somatic diseases.

Methods: 184 subjects participated in the study: 45 inpatients undergoing haematological treatment (group 1), 46 inpatients from the internal ward (group 2), 48 patients infected with HCV prior to treatment (group 3) and 45 healthy persons from the control group (group 4). The patients' level of generalized anxiety was measured by means of the Present State Examination Questionnaire (PSE), whereas the level of neuroticism was measured by means of Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R).

[Giant coronary artery aneurysm successfully treated with surgery--a case report].

We report a case of a 54-year-old woman presenting with nonspecific chest pain and clinical symptoms of heart failure. Various diagnostic tools, including both noninvasive methods and coronary angiography, revealed the presence of a giant aneurysm of the right coronary artery. The aneurysm formed a mediastinal mass of a huge size, with blood flow in it, and caused cardiac displacement within the thorax cavity.

[Correlation between depressive and anxiety symptoms, distress and functioning].

Aim: The aim of the study was to define the correlation between anxiety/depressive symptoms, distress and functioning.

Method: The research is based on the analysis of 104 persons (65 women, 39 men), who were patients of psychiatrists (42 persons), or general physician attenders (62 persons) complaining of anxiety or depressive symptoms. Distress was estimated with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), psychopathological symptoms and diagnoses were evaluated with the Present State Examination (PSE) and the level of functioning with Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF).

[Familial incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes].

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous group of clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells, which manifestation is cytopenia and hypercellular, dysplastic bone marrow, often with increased amount of blasts. The pathogenesis of majority of MDS remains unexplained. It is regarded that genetic predisposition and exposure to toxic environmental agents contribute to genetic mutations in MDS.

[Effect of metals, benzene, pesticides and ethylene oxide on the haematopoietic system].

The hematopoietic system, due to intensive cells proliferation, is very sensitive to toxic substances. Many chemicals, including benzene, pesticides (dithiocarbamines), ethylene oxide and metals (mercury, cadmium, chrome, cobalt, lead, aluminum) exert their toxic effect on the hematopoietic system. Exposure to each of these substances may occur in the work place due to environmental pollution and in municipal or residential areas.

[Anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients treated due to haematologic malignancies].

Background: Haematological treatment is associated with excessive distress due to side effects of cytostatics and due to severe life consequences of the illness. It could be a cause of anxiety or depressive states in vulnerable persons.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, and distress among patients treated due to haematologic malignancies.

[Extramedullary hematopoiesis in inguinal lymph nodes in the course of osteomyelofibrosis--case report].

Osteomyelofibrosis (OMF) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow fibrosis, suppression of hematopoiesis and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Extramedullary hematopoiesis usually occurs in spleen and liver, however it may be observed in another sites. We present a patient with OMF accompanied by myeloid metaplasia in inguinal lymph nodes.