Dravet Syndrome-The Polish Family's Perspective Study.

Aim: The aim of the paper is to study the prevalence of Dravet Syndrome (DS) in the Polish population and indicate different factors other than seizures reducing the quality of life in such patients.

Method: A survey was conducted among caregivers of patients with DS by the members of the Polish support group of the Association for People with Severe Refractory Epilepsy DRAVET.PL.

Does pop-culture affect perception of medical procedures? Report on knowledge and attitude towards electroconvulsive therapy among Polish students.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the general knowledge and attitudes towards ECT among Polish students, including students of medical faculties. Furthermore, the influence of pop-culture on society's opinion about ECT was investigated.

Methods: For this purpose, 1,370 students have been examined with the usage of the author's questionnaire, which consisted of questions about socio-demographic data, detailed questions about ECT as well as questions about their opinion about influence of pop-culture on the reception of this procedure.

The prevalence of seasonal affective disorder among the blind and patients with serious visual impairment.

Background: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is an interesting disorder in which depression should occur at a particular time of a year, each year and it should disappear at a specific time of the year. While the prevalence of SAD among generally healthy individuals is well known, the information about the prevalence of this disorder among the blind and visually impaired patients is very limited. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of SAD among the blind and people with serious visual impairment in polish population.

Association between depression and hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Depression is the most common and serious psychiatric disorder that affects patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, and, has a significant impact on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare prevalence rates of depression among hemodialyzed patients, and non-dialyzed patients with a glomerular filtration rate<30 ml/min/1.73m receiving conservative treatment or following kidney transplantation.

Association between affective disorders and the usage of low and medium doses of corticosteroids.

It is well known that high doses of corticosteroids can induce psychiatric disorders, especially the maniacal states. However there are only a few studies that investigate the effects of low and medium doses of such drugs used for a long period of time on the patient's mental health. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of affective disorders among the patients using up to 40 mg of corticosteroids (prednisone or equivalent).