The study analyzes the relationship between nutritional status and depression symptoms severity in the older population. A total of 1975 older outpatients (1457 women and 518 men, median age 75) were included in the study. Depression symptoms severity was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Participants were divided into two subgroups according to GDS score. Group A: 0–5 points—without depression symptoms (1237, W:898, M:339), and group B: 6–15 points—with depression symptoms (738, W:559, M:179). The nutritional status of the patients was assessed with Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and basic anthropometric variables (waist, hips, calf circumferences, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR)). Education years and chronic diseases were also noted. Women with higher depression symptoms severity had significantly lower MNA scores [A: 26.5 (24–28) (median (25%−75% quartiles)) vs. B:23 (20.5–26)], shorter education time [A:12 (8–16) vs. B:7 (7–12)], smaller calf circumference [A:36 (33–38) vs. B: 34 (32–37)], and higher WHtR score [A:57.4 (52.3–62.9) vs. B:58.8 (52.1–65.6)]. Men with depression symptoms had lower MNA scores [A:26.5 (24.5–28) vs. B:24 (20.5–26.5)], shorter education [A:12 (9.5–16), B:10 (7–12)], and smaller calf circumference [A:37 (34–39), B:36 (33–38)]. In the model of stepwise multiple regression including age, years of education, anthropometric variables, MNA and concomitant diseases nutritional assessment, and education years were the only independent variables predicting severity of depression symptoms both in women and men. Additionally, in the female group, odds were higher with higher WHtR. Results obtained in the study indicate a strong relationship between proper nutritional status and education level with depression symptoms severity in older women and men.

Frailty syndrome (FS) is a condition characterized by a decline in reserves, observed with aging. The most important consequences of the frailty syndrome include disability, hospitalization, fractures, institutionalization, and early mortality. The aim of this study was to identify the most important risk factors for FS in a group of older hospitalized patients in Poland. A total of one hundred and forty-one (78 women, 63 men) elderly patients from the Departments of Internal Medicine of the Medical University of Lodz (Poland) were recruited for this study. Frailty Instrument of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE-FI), handgrip strength (HGS), depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and functional ability (FA) using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were assessed. According to SHARE-FI score, participants were divided into control group, frail, and pre-frail patients. Out of all 141 tested patients, FS was confirmed in 55 patients, and pre-frailty was observed in 52 patients. The occurrence of FS in the group of studied patients was related to age (p < 0.001), widowhood (p < 0.001), comorbidities (p < 0.001), heart diseases (p = 0.04), more medications taken (p < 0.001), lower FA (p < 0.001), weaker HGS, and depression (p < 0.001). The strongest positive correlations were between Share-FI score and the number of diseases (rS = 0.31), GDS (rS = 0.32), while negative correlations with IADL (rS = −0.47) and HGS (rS = −0.35). The study shows that FS is associated with age, comorbidities, number of medications taken, and widowhood. The present study has also demonstrated that FA, depression, and especially HGS are essential determinants of FS of elderly hospitalized people.

Introduction: For patients with severe intestinal diseases, ostomy surgery can be health-preserving and even lifesaving. Unfortunately, stoma creation also results in a morbidity that patients must manage. Utilization of the correct ostomy appliances is essential for the patient to regain full daily fitness. Patients also now have access to stoma clinics and fistula support groups where they can receive education and emotional support. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of patients over 65 years of age with an intestinal stoma, created for treatment of severe colorectal disease. Material and methods: The study involved 100 patients (52 women, 48 men) over the age of 65 with an intestinal stoma. Demographic and medical information was collected. The patients completed diagnostic surveys using the SF-36v2 questionnaire and the author’s questionnaire. Results: Analysis demonstrated statistically significant relationships between the quality of life of the patient population and stressors of everyday life. Furthermore, there are statistically significant relationships between quality of life and demographic factors including age, marital status, place of residence, and education. Only gender was not a statistically significant factor. Conclusions: A lengthened time interval to intestinal stoma creation is associated with an improved quality of life as well as psychological and emotional acceptance of the intestinal stoma. Support relationships with loved ones is associated with the acceptance of an intestinal stoma. There is a relationship between acceptance of an intestinal stoma and demographic factors such as marital status, place of residence, and education. Gender did not show any significant relationship. Stoma complications are not related to the acceptance of an intestinal stoma.

COVID-19 vaccination raises numerous concerns among the public, and also among medical personnel including nurses. As nurses play a crucial role in the process of vaccination, it is important to recognize the attitudes of students of nursing, nurses in spe, toward COVID-19 vaccination, as well as to define the factors influencing students’ pro-vaccine choices. The study was conducted between March and April 2021 at all medical universities in Poland educating nurses in spe. The study included 793 first-degree students from 12 universities. The results revealed that the vast majority of students of nursing (77.2%) were vaccinated against COVID-19, as 61.2% received an mRNA vaccine and 16% a viral vector vaccine. Every other person in the non-vaccinated group declared their intention to get a vaccination. A trend was observed whereby people co-living with persons from the risk group, who are at risk of a severe form of COVID-19, showed greater willingness to get a vaccine. The study results identified the role of universities in increasing the vaccination rate among students, both in terms of education about vaccinations and in shaping pro-vaccine attitudes among students, as well as organizing vaccinations on university campuses to facilitate the process.

Although handgrip strength (HGS) may be treated as a biomarker of many health problems, there is little evidence on the potential role of HGS in the prevention of pain or anxiety in older adults. We investigated the relationship of HGS to the presence of pain and anxiety among community-dwelling older adults. The study was performed in 2038 outpatients, aged 60 to 106 years. The Jamar hand-held hydraulic dynamometer was used to measure HGS. The prevalence of pain and anxiety was assessed with the Euroqol 5D questionnaire. Symptoms of depression were recorded with 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). In the multivariate logistic regression model taking into account age, sex, BMI and concomitant diseases, the significant influence of HGS on the presence of pain (odds ratio [OR] = 0.988) in the entire study population and among men (OR = 0.983) was found. HGS was a significant independent predictor for the presence of anxiety in the entire study population (OR = 0.987), in women (OR = 0.985) and in men (OR = 0.988). In the fully adjusted model with included GDS, 1 kg higher HGS was still associated with 1.2% and 1.3% lower probability of the presence of pain and anxiety, respectively. We conclude that low HGS is associated with the presence of pain and anxiety among older adults, independent of age, sex, depression symptoms and concomitant chronic diseases. Future research should assess whether improvement of HGS would alleviate psychological dysfunction in older adults.