Potentially Inappropriate Medications Involved in Drug-Drug Interactions in a Polish Population over 80 Years Old: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study.

The clinical context of drug interactions detected by automated analysis systems is particularly important in older patients with multimorbidities. We aimed to provide unique, up-to-date data on the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in the Polish geriatric population over 80 years old and determine the frequency and the most common PIMs involved in DDIs. We analyzed all non-prescription and prescription drugs in a representative national group of 178 home-dwelling adults over 80 years old with excessive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs).

Hypertension in the Polish elderly: Insights into prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control from the NOMED-AF study.

Background: Hypertension is a significant global health issue, disproportionately affecting the elderly population. In Poland, the rapid aging of the population underscores the need for updating data on the epidemiology of hypertension in the elderly.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among individuals aged 65 and older in Poland.

Does atrial fibrillation still increase the risk of death? One-year follow-up results of the NOMED-AF study.

Introduction: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well‑known risk factor for ischemic stroke and hospitalization, its effect on mortality has not been clearly established.

Objectives: We aimed to assess whether AF is an independent risk factor for death. A secondary objective was to evaluate the role of oral anticoagulation in the prevention of stroke and death in 1‑year follow‑up of patients included in the NOMED‑AF (Noninvasive Monitoring for Early Detection of Atrial Fibrillation) study.

Prevalence and factors predisposing to potential drug-drug interactions in a Polish community-dwelling geriatric population: An observational, cross-sectional study.

Background: Due to advanced age, multimorbidity and polypharmacotherapy, older patients are predisposed to drug interactions and the adverse effects of inappropriate drug combinations.

Objectives: To provide up-to-date data on predisposing factors and the prevalence of possible drug interactions in the Polish geriatric population and to promote automated analysis programs as part of safe pharmacotherapy.

Material And Methods: We used the Lexicomp® Drug Interactions database to assess pharmacological interactions between active substances included in all types of preparations (prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, nutritional preparations, and dietary supplements) used at least once in the 2 weeks preceding the study, among 2633 home-dwelling people aged >65 years.

Polypharmacy among elderly patients in Poland: prevalence, predisposing factors, and management strategies.

Introduction: The world's elderly population is growing dramatically. Pharmacotherapy in seniors is particularly challenging due to changes in metabolism, multimorbidity, and a great interest in nonprescription drugs.

Objectives: We aimed to provide up‑to‑datedata on pharmacotherapy in the geriatric population of Poland, to determine factors predisposing to polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy, and to identify seniors who are most likely to require multidisciplinary interventions in the field of pharmacotherapy.

Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the 65 or over Polish population. Report of cross-sectional NOMED-AF study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, characterized by an increased risk of thromboembolic complications that can be markedly reduced with anticoagulation. There is a paucity of studies assessing the total prevalence of AF in national populations.

Aims: To assess the nationwide prevalence of AF in a population of adults ≥65 old and to determine the impact of duration of electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring on the number of newly detected AF episodes.

Polypharmacy in Polish Older Adult Population-A Cross-Sectional Study: Results of the PolSenior Project.

Polypharmacy is a challenging issue in geriatrics. The aim of the study was to characterize correlates of polypharmacy in the PolSenior project. The PolSenior project, was a comprehensive survey in a large and longitudinal representative sample of thePolish older population.

Relationship between diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation prevalence in the Polish population: a report from the Non-invasive Monitoring for Early Detection of Atrial Fibrillation (NOMED-AF) prospective cross-sectional observational study.

Background: The global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is constantly rising, leading to an increasing healthcare burden of stroke. AF often remains undiagnosed due to the occurrence in an asymptomatic, silent form, i.e.

Predicting Silent Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly: A Report from the NOMED-AF Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Silent atrial fibrillation (SAF) is common and is associated with poor outcomes.

Aims: to study the risk factors for AF and SAF in the elderly (≥65 years) general population and to develop a risk stratification model for predicting SAF.

Methods: Continuous ECG monitoring was performed for up to 30 days using a vest-based system in a cohort from NOMED-AF, a cross-sectional study based on a nationwide population sample.

Prevalence of Hyperuricemia and the Use of Allopurinol in Older Poles-Results from a Population-Based PolSenior Study.

Background: Our study analyzes the frequency and risk factors of hyperuricemia and the use of allopurinol in a representative cohort of the older Polish adult population.

Methods: The analysis was a part of a cross-sectional PolSenior study on aging in Poland. The complete medication data were available in 4873 out of 4979 community dwelling respondents aged 65 and over.

Health status and its socio-economic covariates in the older population in Poland - the assumptions and methods of the nationwide, cross-sectional PolSenior2 survey.

Introduction: Population ageing constitutes an increasing medical, social, and economic burden worldwide. Optimal senior policy should be based on well-assessed knowledge on the prevalence and control of age-related diseases, multimorbidity, disabilities, and their social determinants. The objective of this paper is to describe the assumptions, methods, and sampling procedures of the PolSenior2 survey, which was aimed at characterising the health status of old and very-old adults in Poland.

Observed and relative survival and 5-year outcomes of patients discharged after acute myocardial infarction: the nationwide AMI-PL database.

Background: Long‑term follow‑up data from a large Polish acute myocardial infarction (AMI‑PL) database are still unavailable.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the 5‑year outcomes of patients discharged after hospitalization for AMI in Poland in relation to age.

Methods: The studywas based on the nationwide AMI‑PL registry including data on the management and long‑term outcomes of all patients admitted to hospitals with AMI (codes I21-I22 according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision [ICD ‑10]), derived from the database of the obligatory healthcare payer in Poland.

Pharmacological Interactions in the Elderly.

Pharmacological therapy in the elderly is particularly complicated and challenging. Due to coexistence of three main predisposing factors (advanced age, multiple morbidity and polypharmacotherapy), this group of patients is prone to occurrence of drug interactions and adverse effects of incorrect drug combinations. Since many years patient safety during the treatment process has been one of key elements for proper functioning of healthcare systems around the world, thus different preventive measures have been undertaken in order to counteract factors adversely affecting the therapeutic effect.

Factors influencing post-exercise proteinuria after marathon and ultramarathon races.

Post-exercise proteinuria is one of the most common findings observed after short and intensive physical activity, but is observed also after long runs with low intensity. The aim of this study was to analyze factors influencing proteinuria after marathon runs. Two groups of male amateur runners were studied.

Renal Dysfunction in Post-Stroke Patients.

Background: The presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an indicator of a worse long-term prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke (IS). Unfortunately, not much is known about renal function in the population of post-IS subjects. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of renal damage and impaired renal function (IRF) in the population of post-IS subjects.

Incidence, treatment, in-hospital mortality and one-year outcomes of acute myocardial infarction in Poland in 2009-2012--nationwide AMI-PL database.

Background And Aim: Nationwide data on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are available for some Western but not for Central and Eastern European countries. We performed a study on nationwide data of all Polish AMI patients in 2009-2012 to assess incidence, quality of care, and cardiovascular events during 1 year following AMI.

Methods: The database of the only public, obligatory health insurer in Poland (National Health Fund) together with data from the Central Statistical Office were used.

Obesity and diet awareness among Polish children and adolescents in small towns and villages.

Background: In addition to genetic predispositions and environmental factors, healthy lifestyle education is very important for children and adolescents. The purpose of this research was to estimate the number of overweight and obese children and adolescents from small towns and villages and to find out an association between health awareness in children and the risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Methods: The research was conducted in 1,515 healthy children aged 6-18 years from small towns and villages in Poland.

Screening for major cardiovascular risk factors among Members of Polish Parliament as a continuation of health marketing for effective cardiovascular prevention in Poland. Warsaw, May 2006.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of mortality in Poland. To improve the situation in this area, a national cardiovascular preventive project is necessary, and it can be done by close cooperation between medical and political agencies.

Aim: To present the current epidemiological situation in Poland to political and key opinion leaders and also to assess individual cardiovascular risk among Members of Polish Parliament.

Attempt to eliminate health inequalities in Poland arising at the time of political and economic transformation: Polish 400 Cities Project.

Aim: Epidemiological data show that citizens of small towns and villages have presented worse trends in cardiovascular mortality during the political, social and economic transformation in Poland during past 15 years than citizens of large towns. To try to eliminate these inequalities the Polish 400 Cities Project (P400CP), a large educational and interventional project, was prepared. The project consists of two arms: medical and social interventions.

[The role of medical university in modern prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Examples from Medical University of Gdańsk].

Constant worsening of epidemiological situation in cardiovascular diseases in Poland in the 70's and 80's called for intensive measures in the field of preventive cardiology. Thus in 90's, in order to change this situation, among others, team from Department of Hypertension and Diabetology from Medical University of Gdańsk started, in cooperation with other medical universities, important regional and national research programs and preventive interventions. The aim of the educational program carried out in years 1999-2001 for Members of the Polish Parliament, opinion leaders and decision makers was to increase knowledge of the Polish elites about epidemic of cardiovascular diseases in our country.

Epidemiology and prevention of arterial hypertension in Poland.

The authors review the present situation in epidemiology and prevention of arterial hypertension in Poland. In 2002, the NATPOL PLUS survey on representative sample of adults (n=3051, age range 18-93) was conducted. Prevalence of hypertension, diagnosed on basis of three separate visits, was 29%, awareness 67% and efficacy of treatment 12.