Changes in the exposure to cardiovascular disease risk factors in an 18 year follow-up study of a cohort of middle age urban residents. The Polish arm of the HAPIEE study.

Background: Cross-sectional studies revealed that risk factor exposure increases with age but after reaching its peak decreases. This decline may be attributed to higher mortality among exposed individuals, lifestyle, or natural physiological changes related to age. Only prospective observations at the individual level provide credible insights of exposure during the transition from middle to old age.

Association between dietary (poly)phenol intake and the ATHLOS Healthy Ageing Scale in the Polish arm of the HAPIEE study.

Inverse association between (poly)phenol intake and age-related disorders has been demonstrated; however, little is known whether they affect comprehensively assessed healthy aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between the intake of (poly)phenol (including selected classes and subclasses) and healthy aging scores related to biopsychosocial aspects of health and functioning. A cross-sectional study was performed using data on 9774 randomly selected citizens of Krakow (Poland) who were 45-69 years of age.

Analysis of the feelings of patients with HIV/AIDS and HCV in contact with health professionals. Assessment based on cases of stigmatisation and discrimination.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate incidences of stigmatisation and discrimination by selected health professionals against patients with HIV/AIDS and HCV, and to assess how these affected feelings in both groups.

Methods: The study involved 160 patients - 80 diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the baseline group and 80 with HCV in the comparison group. Patients were recruited from among patients treated in two outpatient clinics of the University Hospital in Krakow.

Identifying associations between the social network index, its components, and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Polish adults. Results of the cross-sectional WOBASZ II study.

Background: Psychosocial risk factors are important determinants of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs): people involved in positive relationships live longer than those with low social support (SS).

Aims: Our study aimed to evaluate the association between SS, components of the social network, and CVDs.

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey WOBASZ II conducted in the years 2013-2014 included a sample of 6043 individuals, aged 20 and over, who completed the Berkman-Syme questionnaire to assess SS using the social network index (SNI).

Trajectories in physical functioning at older age in relation to childhood and adulthood SES and social mobility: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: Older age is associated with the deterioration of physical functioning (PF), and low PF is strongly related to poor quality of life among older people. We conducted a study to examine the trajectories of PF between middle and old age, considering sex differences as well as the association between socioeconomic status (SES) at different life stages and changes in PF.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Polish arm of the HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe) study, including 1,116 men and 1,178 women aged 45-64 years at baseline.

Prior Diagnosis of Diabetes but Not Its Control is Associated with Higher Depression Score Among Older Individuals.

Purpose: The study assessed the relationship between prior diagnosis of diabetes and its control with depression score, differences in socioeconomic, lifestyle, health characteristics and diabetes control by adherence to treatment in population-based sample of older individuals.

Patients And Methods: The analysis of the sub-sample of Polish cohort of the HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol, and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe) study was conducted; 464 participants were interviewed and random first 360 (78%) underwent physical examination and blood sample tests. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.

Determinants of body weight changes during COVID-19 pandemic in older urban residents.

Introduction: COVID‑19 pandemic is associated with unfavorable body weight changes. However, little is known about these changes in older individuals, a particularly vulnerable group with limited representation in both direct and online research.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to assess changes in body weight and determinants of thesechanges, and to evaluate the prevalence of COVID‑19 history and its impact on the changes in body weight in older individuals.

ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale score as the predictor of all-cause mortality in Poland and Czechia.

Background: The ATHLOS consortium (Aging Trajectories of Health-Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies) used data from several aging cohorts to develop a novel scale measuring healthy aging comprehensively and globally (ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale). In the present study, we assessed the predictive performance of the ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale for all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: Data from the Polish and Czech HAPIEE (Health Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe) prospective cohorts were used.

Changes in Socioeconomic Status as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality: A 10-Year Follow-Up of a Polish-Population-Based HAPIEE Cohort.

Although the inverse association between socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well established, research on the effect of changes in the SES throughout life on CVD risk in populations with different social backgrounds remains scarce. This study aimed to assess the relationship between childhood SES, adulthood SES, and changes in SES over time, and CVD incidence and mortality in a Polish urban population. In addition, the predictive performance of the SES index was compared with education alone.

Relationship between Dietary Macronutrients Intake and the ATHLOS Healthy Ageing Scale: Results from the Polish Arm of the HAPIEE Study.

Background: Despite extensive research, our knowledge on the relationship between nutrition and healthy ageing is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between the intake of macronutrients and a single measure of healthy ageing (ATHLOS Healthy Ageing Scale).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from 9906 randomly selected citizens of Krakow (Poland) who were 45-69 years of age and participants of the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study.

Social networks and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the HAPIEE study.

Background: Social networks are associated with better cognitive health in older people, but the role of specific aspects of the social network remains unclear. This is especially the case in Central and Eastern Europe. This study examined associations between three aspects of the social network (network size of friends and relatives, contact frequency with friends and relatives, and social activity participation) with cognitive functions (verbal memory, learning ability, verbal fluency, processing speed, and global cognitive function) in older Czech, Polish, and Russian adults.

Development and validation of two SCORE-based cardiovascular risk prediction models for Eastern Europe: a multicohort study.

Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction models are used in Western European countries, but less so in Eastern European countries where rates of CVD can be two to four times higher. We recalibrated the SCORE prediction model for three Eastern European countries and evaluated the impact of adding seven behavioural and psychosocial risk factors to the model.

Methods And Results: We developed and validated models using data from the prospective HAPIEE cohort study with 14 598 participants from Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic (derivation cohort, median follow-up 7.

Alcohol use disorder increases the risk of nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular disease: an 11-year follow-up of a Polish population-based cohort. The HAPIEE study.

Introduction: Self‑reported alcohol intake is an inaccurate measure, especially in heavy drinkers. The simple 4‑item CAGE questionnaire assessing alcohol use disorder was found to be positively associated with alcohol consumption and mortality.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between alcohol use disorder assessed with the CAGE questionnaire and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a population‑based Polish sample.

Prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and selected cardiovascular diseases in hypertensive and normotensive participants in the adult Polish population: The WOBASZ II study.

Hypertension is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components i.e.

The prospective association between frequency of contact with friends and relatives and quality of life in older adults from Central and Eastern Europe.

Purpose: Studies suggest that frequent contact with friends and relatives promote mental wellbeing in later life, but most evidence comes from Western populations. We investigated the prospective relationship between frequency of contact with friends and relatives and quality of life (QoL) among older Central and Eastern European (CEE) adults and whether depressive symptoms mediated the hypothesised longitudinal relationship.

Methods: Data from 6106 participants from the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study were used.

Do participants with depression receive more counseling on cardiovascular disease risk factors? The results of the WOBASZ II study.

Background Depression was found to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In terms of CVD prevention in people with depressive symptoms, the main goal is to successfully control classic CVD risk factors. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between depression and 1) the frequency of healthcare utilization, 2) counseling on main CVD risk factors during usual medical visits, 3) compliance with pharmacotherapy in primary and secondary prevention.

Blood pressure and cholesterol control in patients with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia: the results from the Polish multicenter national health survey WOBASZ II.

Introduction: Persons with multiple risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at a greater risk than persons exposed to a single risk factor. Control of specific risk factors of CVD in Poland is rather poor. Effective control of comorbid hypertension and hypercholesterolemia seems especially challenging.

Congruent relations between perceived neighbourhood social cohesion and depressive symptoms among older European adults: An East-West analysis.

Rationale: Two gaps in the literature arise on the relationship between social cohesion and depressive disorders. Firstly, there is a lack of studies comparing countries with diverse communal bonds and population-level differences in depression. Secondly, most work on explanatory mechanisms has overwhelmingly focussed on social network and social support pathways.

Accumulation of psychosocial risk factors and incidence of cardiovascular disease: a prospective observation of the Polish HAPIEE cohort.

Background: Psychosocial risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are known to cluster in individuals, but the effect of cumulative exposure has not been thoroughly described in terms of CVD risk.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between accumulation of psychosocial risk factors such as low education, material deprivation, depressive symptoms, and low perceived control and the risk of incident CVD.

Methods: This cohort study with 11‑year follow‑up included a random population sample (age, 45-69 years).

Association between plasma bilirubin and mortality.

Introduction And Aim: It has been proposed that plasma concentration of bilirubin, an endogenous antioxidant, is protective against diseases mediated by increased oxidative stress, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer. To examine this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship between plasma bilirubin concentrations and bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT1A1) promoter gene variations (associated with increased bilirubin concentrations) with total/CVD and cancer mortality.

Materials And Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted within the Polish arm of the HAPIEE cohort.

Socioeconomic status and pulmonary function, transition from childhood to adulthood: cross-sectional results from the polish part of the HAPIEE study.

Objective: Previous studies have reported inverse associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and lung function, but less is known about whether pulmonary function is affected by SES changes. We aimed to describe the relationship of changes of SES between childhood and adulthood with pulmonary function.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

The prospective relationship between social cohesion and depressive symptoms among older adults from Central and Eastern Europe.

Background: Social cohesion has a potential protective effect against depression, but evidence for Central and Eastern Europe is lacking. We investigated the prospective association between social cohesion and elevated depressive symptoms in the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland, and assessed whether alcohol drinking and smoking mediated this association.

Methods: Cohort data from 15 438 older urban participants from the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe project were analysed.