Nowadays, lung cancer is a leading cause of death in both men and women worldwide. There is no clear explanation for its mortality rate. However, it is already known that genetic and environmental factors as well as oncological treatment are involved. As the incidence of lung cancer soars, the number of patients diagnosed with multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC) is also rising. While differentiating between MPLC and intrapulmonary metastasis of lung cancer is important for treatment strategy and prognosis, it is also quite complicated, particularly in the cases with similar histologies. It is also important not to delay the diagnosis. The aim of this paper was to discuss MPLC in general, and the differentiation between MPLC and intrapulmonary lung cancer metastasis in particular. Based on a review of statistical data and the current literature, we discuss the diagnostic criteria and the molecular, genetic and radiographic methods used to distinguish between MPLC and intrapulmonary metastases.

The incidence of asthma exacerbation depends on atmospheric conditions, including such meteorological factors as the ambient temperature, relative air humidity or concentration of atmospheric aerosols. An assessment of relations between the frequency of asthma exacerbation and environmental conditions was made according to the meteorological components, the biometeorological indexUTCI(Universal Thermal Climate Index), as well as selected air quality parameters, including concentrations of PM₁₀and PM_2.5. The study was conducted on the basis of a retrospective analysis of medical data collected at the Independent Public Hospital of Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn (Poland). Our analysis of patient data (from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2017) showed a significant correlation between the number of asthma exacerbation and theUTCIvalue. More frequent asthma exacerbations are observed in patients aged over 65 years when air humidity increases. TheUTCIvalues contained within class 5, describing thermoneutral conditions, correspond to an average frequency of asthma exacerbation. A decline in theUTCIvalue leads to a reduced number of asthma exacerbation, while a rise makes the cases of asthma exacerbations increase.

According to available literature, active tobacco smoking enhances the risks of recurrence and development of new primary malignancies. Smoking also shortens the survival period for patients with a diagnosed neoplastic disease. Medical records of 1622 patients hospitalized at the Center for Pulmonary Diseases from January 2013 till March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, out of which 741 cases with a diagnosis of at least one primary cancer were selected, including 111 patients with multiple primary malignancies. Survival time, the impact of smoking on cancer development and the influence of smoking cessation on the prognosis of the development of new malignancies were analyzed. The incidence of multiple primary malignancies in the population of cancer patients amounted to 14.98%. In the group of smokers, those who ceased smoking developed the second primary malignancy later as compared to those who did not: the period between the first and the new cancer was 11.55 years (SD 7.24) for those who quit smoking, whereas for those who continued to smoke after their first cancer diagnosis it was 6.10 years (SD 8.62) (p = 0.005). It was revealed that patients who had never smoked lived longer than those who had continued to smoke (p = 0.004) and that those who had ceased smoking had a longer survival time than those who had not (p = 0.027). Ceasing smoking after the first cancer diagnosis prolongs the time before a new malignancy develops and is diagnosed, as well as the total survival time after the first cancer diagnosis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the high usefulness of telemedicine. To date, no uniform recommendations or diagnostic protocols for long-COVID patients have been developed. This article presents the preliminary results of the examination of patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection who were provided with medical telemonitoring devices in order to oversee their pulmonological and cardiological health. Three cases have been analyzed. Each patient underwent a 10-day registration of basic vital signs, in three 15-min sessions daily: RR (respiratory rate), ECG (electrocardiogram), HR (pulse), SPO₂ (saturation), body temperature and cough. Rule methods and machine learning were employed to automatically detect events. As a result, serious disorders of all the three patients were detected: cardiological and respiratory disorders that required extended diagnostics. Furthermore, average values of the selected parameters (RR, HR, SPO₂) were calculated for every patient, including an indication of how often they exceeded the alarm thresholds. In conclusion, monitoring parameters in patients using telemedicine, especially in a time of limited access to the healthcare system, is a valuable clinical instrument. It enables medical professionals to recognize conditions which may endanger a patient’s health or life. Telemedicine provides a reliable assessment of a patient’s health status made over a distance, which can alleviate a patient’s stress caused by long-COVID syndrome. Telemedicine allows identification of disorders and performing further diagnosis, which is possible owing to the implementation of advanced analysis. Telemedicine, however, requires flexibility and the engagement of a multidisciplinary team, who will respond to patients’ problems on an ongoing basis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to many changes in the medical practice, including a wider access to tele-consultations. It not only influenced the type of treatment but also shed light on mistakes often made by doctors, such as the abuse of antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic treatment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing during a GP’s visit. The retrospective medical history analysis involved data from a first-contact medical center (Pantamed, Olsztyn, Poland), from 1 January 2018 to 31 May 2023. Quantities of prescribed antibiotics were assessed and converted into the so-called active list for a given working day of adult patients (> 18 years of age). Statistical analysis based on collective data was performed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in the number of medical consultations has been observed, both remotely via tele-medicine and in personal appointments, compared to the data from before the pandemic: n = 95,251 versus n = 79,619. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in the total amount of prescribed antibiotics relative to the data before the pandemic (2.44 vs. 4.54; p > 0.001). The decrease in the quantities of prescribed antibiotics did not depend on the way doctor consultations were provided. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to changing the family doctors’ management of respiratory infections. The ability to identify the etiological agent—the SARS-COV2 virus—contributed to the reduction of the antibiotics use.

Climate change and air pollution are pressing public health concerns, necessitating monitoring of their impact, particularly on respiratory diseases like obstructive lung diseases. This retrospective study analyzed medical records of patients hospitalized at the Warmia and Mazury Centre for Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn, Poland (2012–2021) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Data included meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, and levels of PM2.5 and PM10. The Humidex was utilized to assess thermal discomfort, considering various meteorological and thermal seasons. Findings indicated seasonal variability in asthma and COPD exacerbations. During winter, poorer air quality due to higher PM2.5 and PM10 levels correlated with increased exacerbations (r = 0.283, p < 0.05; r = 0.491, p < 0.001). In summer, discomfort from meteorological conditions led to more hospital admissions. Humidex values strongly correlated with admissions for obstructive diseases (R² = 0.956 for asthma; R² = 0.659 for COPD), with July and August showing statistically higher admission rates (p < 0.05). The study highlights the significant impact of air pollution and meteorological conditions on exacerbations of asthma and COPD, with Humidex serving as a valuable predictor during summer months.