In the general population, the lowest mortality risk is considered to be for the body mass index (BMI) range of 20–24.9 kg/m². In chronic diseases (chronic kidney disease, chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) the best survival is observed in overweight or obese patients. Recently above-mentioned phenomenon, called obesity paradox, has been described in patients with coronary artery disease. Our aim was to analyze the relationship between BMI and total mortality in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the context of obesity paradox. We searched scientific databases for studies describing relation in body mass index with mortality in patients with ACS. The study selection process was performed according to PRISMA statement. Crude mortality rates, odds ratio or risk ratio for all-cause mortality were extracted from articles and included into meta-analysis. 26 studies and 218,532 patients with ACS were included into meta-analysis. The highest risk of mortality was found in Low BMI patients—RR 1.47 (95 % CI 1.24–1.74). Overweight, obese and severely obese patients had lower mortality compared with those with normal BMI–RR 0.70 (95 % CI 0.64–0.76), RR 0.60, (95 % CI 0.53–0.68) and RR 0.70 (95 % CI 0.58–0.86), respectively. The obesity paradox in patients with ACS has been confirmed. Although it seems to be clear and quite obvious, outcomes should be interpreted with caution. It is remarkable that obese patients had more often diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, but they were younger and had less bleeding complications, which could have influence on their survival.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system mainly affecting young adults. The aim of this paper is to review the literature concentrating the main national MS registries in selected countries of the world. We performed a systematic review to determine the MS epidemiology reported on prevalence, incidence, environmental factors, treatment, social consequences of MS and neurological disability or progression among MS-affected people. We got the information on the high-MS prevalence in Sardinia, Sweden or Sicily and on the effects of MS treatment in United States of America, Italy or Germany. We emphasized environmental factors taking into account as MS risk factors. We concluded that there were many descriptions of MS status in particular countries, but they were often insufficiently detailed and not uniform enough to compare it. The paper indicated an importance of the MS epidemiology in the light of the healthcare or quality of life of the MS patients, but further research is needed to optimize this issue.

(1) Background: To report and analyze the presence of residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection among Polish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with different disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). (2) Methods: The study included 426 individuals with MS treated with DMTs and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 12 Polish MS centers. The data were collected through to 31 May 2021. The information included demographics, specific MS characteristics, course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and residual (general and neurological) symptoms lasting more than four and 12 weeks after the initial infection. The results were obtained using maximum likelihood estimates for odds ratio and logistic regression. (3) Results: A total of 44.84% patients with MS reported symptoms lasting between four and 12 weeks after the initial infection; 24.41% people had symptoms that resolved up to 12 weeks, and 20.42% patients had symptoms that lasted over 12 weeks. The most common symptoms were: fatigue, disturbance of concentration, attention, and memory, cognitive complaints, and headache. None of the DMTs were predisposed to the development of residual symptoms after the initial infection. A total of 11.97% of patients had relapse three months prior or after SARS-CoV-2 infection. (4) Conclusion: Almost half of individuals with MS treated with different DMTs had residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. None of the DMTs raised the probability of developing post-acute COVID symptoms.

(1) Background: The present study aims to report the side effects of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were being treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. (2) Methods: The study included 2261 patients with MS who were being treated with DMTs, and who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in 16 Polish MS centers. The data collected were demographic information, specific MS characteristics, current DMTs, type of vaccine, side effects after vaccination, time of side-effect symptom onset and resolution, applied treatment, relapse occurrence, and incidence of COVID-19 after vaccination. The results were presented using maximum likelihood estimates of the odds ratio, t-test, Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact p, and logistic regression. The statistical analyses were performed using STATA 15 software. (3) Of the 2261 sampled patients, 1862 (82.4%) were vaccinated with nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Mild symptoms after immunization, often after the first dose, were reported in 70.6% of individuals. Symptoms included arm pain (47.5% after the first dose and 38.7% after the second dose), fever/chills/flu-like symptoms (17.1% after the first dose and 20.5% after the second dose), and fatigue (10.3% after the first dose and 11.3% after the second dose). Only one individual presented with severe side effects (pro-thrombotic complications) after vaccination. None of the DMTs in the presented cohort were predisposed to the development of side effects. Nine patients (0.4%) had a SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed despite vaccination. (4) Conclusions: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is safe for people with MS who are being treated with DMTs. Most adverse events following vaccination are mild and the acute relapse incidence is low.

Aim of the Study: Cardioembolic stroke accounts for approximately 15-25% of ischemic strokes and is characterized by a poor prognosis. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is more commonly diagnosed in the elderly.The aim of the study was the assessment of the manifestations of AF in patients hospitalized due to cerebral stroke, with particular attention paid to newly diagnosed AF. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 998 cerebral stroke patients. The data were analyzed for sex, age, cerebral stroke risk factors, drugs, NIHSS, RANKIN scores and ECG recordings on admission and at discharge. Results: The mean age of disease onset was 73 ± 16 years. Women accounted for 50.8% of patients. AF prior to hospital admission was diagnosed in 20.1% of patients, while de novo AF in 26.3% of patients during hospitalization. Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and smoking were more commonly reported in ischemic stroke patients without AF compared to patients with ischemic stroke and AF. Ischemic heart disease, more frequent deaths, and a worse prognosis were more frequently observed in patients with ischemic stroke and AF compared to patients without AF. The first manifestation of AF in 25% of stroke patients was related to the period of the first 10 days of hospitalization. Discussion: The above data should prompt neurologists, cardiologists and family doctors to try to detect AF as a risk factor for ischemic stroke which worsens patient prognosis, prolongs hospital stay and contributes to increase in mortality, especially when more effective drug treatment is currently possible.