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1

Reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use accompanying legislative changes in tobacco policy in Poland in the years 2010–2019

100%

Opoczyńska-Świeżewska D., Raciborski F., Samoliński B.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2022

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vol. 35

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issue 4

393-405

EN

ObjectivesTobacco use is one of the most serious public health problems. Each year, it contributes to preventable disability and death of 8 million people worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine the change in the prevalence of tobacco and e-cigarettes use among Polish adults in the years 2010–2019 and the potential impact of legislative interventions on tobacco consumption in Poland.Material and MethodsThe research was based on an analysis of secondary data obtained from a cross-sectional study as part of the public opinion monitoring in Poland. The study was carried out in 2 editions (2010 and 2019) on representative samples of approximately 1000 Polish residents >18 years of age.ResultsThe proportion of traditional cigarette smokers decreased from 30.4% to 26.0% in the years 2010–2019 (p < 0.05). In the male group decreased from 40.3% to 31.0% (p < 0.001); among females, the values remained at the same level (21.3%). The greatest change in the percentage of current smokers was recorded in cities with ≥500 000 inhabitants (from 30.3% to 17.1%) and <100 000 inhabitants (from 31.5% to 24.6%) (p < 0.05). The total support for the new legal regulations increased from 73.9% to 89.8% (p < 0.001). The use of e-cigarettes in 2019 declared only 1.9%.ConclusionsThe percentage of adult traditional cigarette smokers decreased significantly between 2010 and 2019 (mainly among men). Among women, the percentage of cigarette smokers remained the same. The most significant declines in cigarette smoking were also observed among residents of the largest cities (≥500 000 inhabitants). During the same period, there was a further increase in the acceptance of legal restrictions on smoking cigarettes in public places. E-cigarette use among adults is a niche phenomenon in Poland, but it is much more prevalent among women than men.

2

Local allergic rhinitis: nasal allergen provocation testing as a good tool in the differential diagnosis

100%

Wojas O., Samoliński B., Krzych-Fałta E.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2020

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vol. 33

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issue 2

241-246

EN

Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is a specific phenotype of allergic rhinitis. One characteristic feature of LAR is a medical history indicative of an allergic disease, negative skin-prick test results, undetectable levels of specific IgE, and a positive allergen-specific nasal provocation test. This paper presents a case of a patient with LAR and underlying house dust mite allergy, who was ultimately diagnosed >10 years after the onset of his first symptoms. Currently, there are only pharmacological treatments available for LAR. However, some studies show encouraging results with the use of allergen-specific immunotherapy in LAR, which offer hope for a future use of this causative treatment in LAR patients.

3

The indirect costs of allergic diseases

76%

Stróżek J., Samoliński B., Kłak A., Gawińska-Drużba E., Izdebski R., Krzych-Fałta E., Raciborski F.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2019

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vol. 32

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issue 3

281-290

EN

It is estimated that every third person living in Europe suffers from allergic diseases. Allergies are a growing health problem in Poland where 40% of the population have allergy symptoms, including 12% afflicted with asthma. The actual cost of allergic diseases is difficult to estimate due to the lack or incompleteness of the relevant data. The aim of this review is to present estimates of the indirect costs of allergic diseases in Poland and globally, using asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis as examples. The analysis also includes the impact of allergic diseases on the costs to the social welfare system and employers. The literature review of the indirect costs of allergic diseases shows that the indirect costs of a disease, which substantially exceed the direct costs, increase with the disease activity and severity. Interestingly, some studies have found that the indirect costs of lost productivity due to hours missed from work to take care of a sick child could be threefold higher than those of absence due to a worker’s own illness. The indirect costs of a disease can be significantly reduced by early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(3):281–90

4

Evaluation of selected aspects of the hygiene hypothesis and their effect on the incidence of allergy

76%

Krzych-Fałta E., Wojas O., Furmańczyk K., Dziewa-Dawidczyk D., Piekarska B., Samoliński B., Sybilski A.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2023

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vol. 36

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issue 1

69-83

EN

Objectives The development of allergic conditions is largely dependent on the interactions between genetic (individual genetic predisposition) and environmental factors (exposure to risk factors). The aim of this study was an attempt to assess the influence of selected elements of the hygiene theory in the development of allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Material and Methods The study group consisted of 5518 women and 3868 men. The method that was used was the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire validated and adapted to Central and Eastern European conditions. The project was conducted in 8 urban areas (Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań, Katowice, Kraków, Lublin, Białystok, Warsaw) and 1 rural area (Krasnystaw county). This study had 2 stages; the first stage involved grouping the 22 500 respondents based on their questionnaire responses with the use of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA); the second stage involved 7000 subjects, who underwent additional assessments: skin prick tests (birch, grasses/cereals, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, molds [set I: Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria tenuis, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium], molds [set II: Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor mucedo, Penicillium notatum, Pullularia pullulans, Rhizopus nigricans, Serpula lacrymans], cat, dog, molds Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria tenuis) and spirometry tests. Results The age at which children attend the nursery school is critical to the development of allergic diseases; in allergic rhinitis, the risk of an IgE-dependent reaction is 2 times higher in the second than in the first year of life (p = 0.00147, p < 0.05), while in asthma, having a large number of siblings increases the risk of developing obstructive disease by almost 6 times (p = 0.00316, p < 0.05).The age at which children attend the nursery school is critical to the development of allergic diseases; in allergic rhinitis, the risk of an IgE-dependent reaction is 2 times higher in the second than in the first year of life (p = 0.00147, p < 0.05), while in asthma, having a large number of siblings increases the risk of developing obstructive disease by almost 6 times (p = 0.00316, p < 0.05). Conclusions The hygiene theory is particularly applicable and can explain the relationship of selected habits in the development of allergic diseases. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(1):69–83

5

The multidimensional nature of attitudes towards preventive vaccinations – a cross-sectional survey among Poles aged 15–39 years

64%

Raciborski F., Tomaszewska A., Rakocy K., Samel-Kowalik P., Samoliński B., Gujski M., Pinkas J., Jankowski M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2023

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vol. 36

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issue 2

214-228

EN

Objectives Vaccination skepticism and vaccination refusal both constitute global public health concerns. Systematic monitoring of public attitudes towards vaccination is crucial for maintaining a high vaccination coverage rate. The study aimed to identify and characterize homogenous social groups distinguished by attitudes toward preventive vaccinations. Material and Methods Between October and November of 2021, a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of 1560 inhabitants of Poland aged 15–39 years. The study questionnaire included 60 questions on public attitudes towards vaccines, vaccination, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Factor analysis was applied to identify the main dimensions of vaccination attitudes. Results Factor analysis included 22 variables and yielded 3 factors or dimensions that accounted for 48.5% of the model’s variability. Young adults were assigned into 6 homogeneous groups based on these factors: 1) general trust in vaccination, 2) vaccine safety concerns, 3) trust in fake medical news regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and denying the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups I–IV differed by sociodemographic factors and vaccination coverage rates. Nearly 60% of the respondents expressed concern regarding various aspects of vaccination. Conclusions Most of Poland’s young adults lack clearly defined attitudes towards vaccination. Attitudes towards vaccination can be divided into 6 heterogeneous groups.

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The relationship between antibiotic therapy in early childhood and the symptoms of allergy in children aged 6–8 years - the questionnaire study results

52%

Raciborski F., Tomaszewska A., Komorowski J., Samel-Kowalik P., Białoszewski A. Z., Walkiewicz A., Lusawa A., Szymański J., Opoczyńska D., Drużba M., Borowicz J., Lipiec A., Kapalczynski W. J., Samoliński B.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2012

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vol. 25

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issue 4

470-480

EN

Introduction: Studies based on the ISAAC questionnaire suggest a correlation between the use of antibiotics and the prevalence of asthma and allergy in children aged 6-7 years. The number of courses of antibiotic therapy is an important factor. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the use of antibiotics during the fi rst years of life and the prevalence of allergy and asthma among children (aged 6-8 years) in the urban population of Poland. Materials and Methods: A survey-based study with a self-completed questionnaire. The respondents were parents of children aged 6-8 years living in Warszawa, Poland. 1461 completed questionnaires were collected. Results: Asthma was declared in 4.3% of the children. Wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi within 12 months before the study was observed in 13.5% of the cases. Asthma medication was taken by 21.8% of the children. Allergic rhinitis was declared in 18.7% of the children. Problems with sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion not associated with cold or fever were observed in 40.7% of the children. The a nalysis of the odds ratios between the use of antibiotics and the symptoms of allergic diseases revealed a clear correlation. The highest odds ratio was observed between the completion of over three courses of antibiotic therapy prior to the age of 12 months and the declaration of one of the following: asthma (OR = 5.59, 95% CI: 2.6-12.01), wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi (OR = 4.68, 95% CI: 3.01-7.27) and taking medicines for breathlessness (OR = 5.12, 95% CI: 3.42-7.68). Conclusions: There is a direct relationship between antibiotic use in the fi rst 3 years of life and asthma and allergy symptoms in children aged 6-8 years old.

Refine search results

Reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use accompanying legislative changes in tobacco policy in Poland in the years 2010–2019

Local allergic rhinitis: nasal allergen provocation testing as a good tool in the differential diagnosis

The indirect costs of allergic diseases

Evaluation of selected aspects of the hygiene hypothesis and their effect on the incidence of allergy

The multidimensional nature of attitudes towards preventive vaccinations – a cross-sectional survey among Poles aged 15–39 years

The relationship between antibiotic therapy in early childhood and the symptoms of allergy in children aged 6–8 years - the questionnaire study results