Iwona Szydłowska

Dr. Iwona Szydłowska

Department of Gynecology PUM, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

20Years (2007-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 July 2021 in Nutrients
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Małgorzata SzczukoMałgorzata Szczuko
Małgorzata Szczuko
JKJustyna Kikut
Justyna Kikut
USUrszula Szczuko Urszula Szczuko
Urszula Szczuko Urszula Szczuko
Iwona SzydłowskaIwona Szydłowska
Iwona Szydłowska
JNJolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
Jolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
Luciano SasoLuciano Saso
Luciano Saso
Here we present an extensive narrative review of the broadly understood modifications to the lifestyles of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The PubMed database was analyzed, combining PCOS entries with causes, diseases, diet supplementation, lifestyle, physical activity, and use of herbs. The metabolic pathways leading to disturbances in lipid, carbohydrate, and hormonal metabolism in targeted patients are described. The article refers to sleep disorders, changes in mental health parameters, and causes of oxidative stress and inflammation. These conditions consistently lead to the occurrence of severe diseases in patients suffering from diabetes, the fatty degeneration of internal organs, infertility, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, dysbiosis, and cancer. The modification of lifestyles, diet patterns and proper selection of nutrients, pharmacological and natural supplementation in the form of herbs, and physical activity have been proposed. The progress and consequences of PCOS are largely modifiable and depend on the patient’s approach, although we have to take into account also the genetic determinants.

9 February 2022 in Nutrients
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Journal Article
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Iwona SzydłowskaIwona Szydłowska
Iwona Szydłowska
JNJolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
Jolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
ABAgnieszka Brodowska
Agnieszka Brodowska
AMAleksandra Marciniak
Aleksandra Marciniak
ASAndrzej Starczewski
Andrzej Starczewski
Małgorzata SzczukoMałgorzata Szczuko
Małgorzata Szczuko
An analysis of the literature generated within the past 20 year-span concerning risks of uterine fibroids (UFs) occurrence and dietary factors was carried out. A link between Vitamin D deficiency and UFs formation is strongly indicated, making it a potent compound in leiomyoma therapy. Analogs of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, not susceptible to degradation by tissue 24-hydroxylase, appear to be especially promising and tend to show better therapeutic results. Although research on the role of Vitamin A in the formation of fibroids is contradictory, Vitamin A-enriched diet, as well as synthetic retinoid analogues, may be preventative or limit the growth of fibroids. Unambiguous conclusions cannot be drawn regarding Vitamin E and C supplementation, except for alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol as a phytoestrogen taking part in the modulation of estrogen receptors (ERs) involved in UF etiology, should be particularly avoided in therapy. A diet enriched in fruits and vegetables, as sources of carotenoids, polyphenols, quercetin, and indole-3-carbinol, constitutes an easily modifiable lifestyle element with beneficial results in patients with UFs. Other natural substances, such as curcumin, can reduce the oxidative stress and protect against inflammation in leiomyoma. Although the exact effect of probiotics on uterine fibroids has not yet been thoroughly evaluated at this point, the protective role of dairy products, i.e., yogurt consumption, has been indicated. Trace elements such as selenium can also contribute to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of a recommended diet. In contrast, heavy metals, endocrine disrupting chemicals, cigarette smoking, and a diet low in antioxidants and fiber were, alongside genetic predispositions, associated with UFs formation.

31 January 2022 in Life
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JNJolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
Jolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
Iwona SzydłowskaIwona Szydłowska
Iwona Szydłowska
KJKatarzyna Jakubowska
Katarzyna Jakubowska
MOMaria Olszewska
Maria Olszewska
DCDariusz Chlubek
Dariusz Chlubek
ASAndrzej Starczewski
Andrzej Starczewski
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in females of reproductive age. In women with PCOS, metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and other elements of metabolic syndrome are likely to occur. Studies have shown an increase in the concentration and activity of oxidative stress (OS) markers in patients with PCOS, compared to that in unaffected women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the parameters of OS in PCOS and their activity in relation to women without menstrual disorders with a normal body weight. Then, we compared malonodialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), including overweight and obesity, hyperandrogenemia, and IR in the PCOS group. The study included 35 women aged 18–46, hospitalized for menstrual disorders in the form of infrequent menstruation. In 26 women, PCOS was diagnosed on the basis of the Rotterdam Criteria; these patients qualified for the study group. The control group (n = 21) consisted of patients without menstrual disorders and without PCOS in an ultrasound examination. Patients were diagnosed between the 2nd and 5th day of the cycle. The parameters of OS were analyzed and compared with the anthropometric parameters and the lipid profile of the patients. Enzymatic activity of GPx, CAT, SOD, and MDA levels was determined in both groups. MDA levels and CAT activity differed significantly between the groups. There was a decrease in MDA levels in the IR group and the involvement of GPx in the excess weight and obesity and IR group accompanied by an increase in hip circumference. It therefore seems that IR may be the main risk factor to exposure to OS in patients with PCOS, independent from obesity. In addition, GPx is involved in every step in the development of the pathological condition in PCOS.

10 December 2009 in Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
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AMAleksandra Marciniak
Aleksandra Marciniak
JNJolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
Jolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
ABAgnieszka Brodowska
Agnieszka Brodowska
RSRobert Sienkiewicz
Robert Sienkiewicz
Iwona SzydłowskaIwona Szydłowska
Iwona Szydłowska
ASAndrzej Starczewski
Andrzej Starczewski
Leptin concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome before and after met-formin treatment depending on insulin resistance, body mass index and androgen con-centrations--introductory report.

29 June 2023 in Nutrients
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KLKatarzyna Lejman-Larysz
Katarzyna Lejman-Larysz
AGAnna Golara
Anna Golara
MBMarta Joanna Baranowska
Marta Joanna Baranowska
MKMateusz Kozłowski
Mateusz Kozłowski
PGPaweł Guzik
Paweł Guzik
ABAgnieszka Brodowska
Agnieszka Brodowska
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder that affects 8–13% of women of reproductive age. It is one of the most common causes of infertility and is associated with hyperandrogenism in the form of hirsutism and acne, non-ovulatory cycles, and characteristic ovarian morphology. The available research on serum vitamin D deficiency in patients with PCOS and the appropriateness of vitamin D supplementation in this group of women is inconclusive, so we decided to investigate the influence of vitamin D on the incidence of metabolic syndrome and hormonal balance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. The study comprised 120 women aged between 18 and 42 years, who were divided into two groups: a group with diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and a group of regularly menstruating women without features of androgenisation, in whom polycystic ovary syndrome was excluded. Each patient underwent a history and physical examination, including a gynecological examination, anthropometric measurements were taken, including height, weight, waist, and hip circumference, and blood pressure was measured using the Korotkow method. In the female patients, the following parameters were also determined from the blood: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, TSH, ft4, prolactin (PRL), total testosterone, DHEASO4, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androstendione, 25(OH) vitamin D3 metabolite. The majority of the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were found to have deficient or suboptimal serum vitamin D levels, and the effects of vitamin D on the SHBG levels and free-androgen indices in these patients was examined. The effects of vitamin D on the incidence of metabolic syndrome and BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, and blood pressure in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were also found.

13 February 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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MMMariia Melnyk
Mariia Melnyk
ASAndrzej Starczewski
Andrzej Starczewski
JNJolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
Jolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska
AGAmalia Gorzko
Amalia Gorzko
BMBohdan Melnyk
Bohdan Melnyk
Iwona SzydłowskaIwona Szydłowska
Iwona Szydłowska
Background: Ovarian cysts (OCs) are a common gynecological issue, with approximately 20% of women developing at least one pelvic mass during their lifetime. The incidence of large ovarian cysts has decreased substantially due to regular gynecological screenings. However, giant ovarian tumors still continue to pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Methods: We report two cases of giant ovarian tumors (GOTs). Case 1 involves a 17-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of gradual abdominal enlargement, accompanied by repeated attempts at weight reduction. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a large tumor. It was excised by laparotomy. Histopathologic examination revealed ovarian cystadenofibroma. Case 2 presents a 25-year-old female who had a 3-month history of progressive, severe abdominal distension and weight gain, accompanied by nausea and diarrhea. CT imaging revealed a giant cystic neoplasm. The cyst was removed by laparotomy. The histopathological study revealed the intestinal–endocervical mucinous borderline tumor. In this context, we performed a narrative literature review, including cases of giant ovarian tumors in young women over the past five years. We centered on diagnoses and management in these cases. Results: The surgical management of both cases was successful, with complete tumor excision and favorable postoperative outcomes. hese cases underscore the importance of including giant ovarian tumors in the differential diagnosis of young women presenting with progressive abdominal distension. The narrative review analyzed 39 relevant publications on the management of giant ovarian tumors in young women. Conclusions: It is important to highlight a possible risk of malignancy, and risk of fatal complications during the surgical removal of giant ovarian cysts (GOCs). To ensure safer and more successful outcomes, multidisciplinary care should be provided. The early detection and diagnosis of OCs are challenging, as patients may not seek medical attention until the tumor has become large enough to cause symptoms. It is crucial to raise awareness among family doctors and other primary care providers (PCPs) regarding OCs to ensure optimal diagnostic and therapeutic management and improve the outcomes for patients with OCs.