Introduction and objective: The purpose of this paper is to systematically review articles and new research in the context of bipolar geriatric patients. Materials and methods: PubMed searches were completed using the key terms bipolar disorder, bipolar elderly, bipolar depression, bipolar elderly treatment and review articles. In addition, references in these resources were searched. Search dates: 2010 to 2022. Description of the state of knowledge: Mental disorders in the context of the elderly concern all depressive disorders. A problem with other disorders such as bipolar disorder is also increasingly recognized. In the elderly, it is quite rare in the general cross-section of society, but it may have a higher percentage, e.g. in nursing homes and care institutions. This review article shows both the difference and the similarities in the course of this disease in older and younger patients. The most important and common aspect for both age groups is psychotherapy with parallel pharmacological treatment. The greatest difficulty in pharmacotherapy in the elderly is polypharmacy and numerous drug interactions, as well as different pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the drugs used compared to younger patients. Attention should also be paid to the differentiation of bipolar disorder from different types of dementia and other cognitive disorders. Therefore, one should strive to carefully assess the patient's need for a given treatment, establish appropriate periodic monitoring of treatment, and assess the risk of taking or not intervening. This article also aims to review new research and drugs that seem promising, while the individualized and interdisciplinary approach to a geriatric patient with BD is the most important finding of this review. Summary: Bipolar disorder in older people, compared to the younger population, should be treated pharmacologically in combination with psychotherapy. The elderly patient population requires a multidisciplinary approach due to the number of drugs used in a large number of diseases.

The aim of this study was to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentrations and their major determinants in healthcare workers (HCWs) after full vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine. We recruited 847 individuals vaccinated with two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, who completed the questionnaire, and whose antibody concentrations were tested after 3 and 6 months after full vaccination. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were measured on the routinely employed Siemens Atellica system. The cutoff for positivity was ≥21.8 BAU/mL. Three and 6 months after vaccination, the majority of participants were seropositive. Median concentrations of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG significantly decreased from 1145 BAU/mL (IQR: 543–2095) to 225 BAU/mL (IQR: 100–510). Major positive determinants of antibody levels were fever after both doses of vaccine, prior-COVID-19 exposure, and muscle pain after the first dose. Lack of symptoms after the second dose and time since vaccination were significant negative determinants of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentrations. No other factors, including age and gender, or underlying comorbidities had a significant effect on antibody levels in HCWs. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 response after two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine was independently associated with prior-COVID-19 exposure, time since vaccination, and the occurrence of symptoms after either dose of vaccine. Easily reportable adverse reactions may facilitate the identification of immune response in HCWs.

Wprowadzenie: W ostatnich latach nastąpił dynamiczny rozwój nowych metod kształcenia na kierunkach lekarskich. Poza tradycyjnymi formami przekazu wiedzy, tj. wykłady ex cathedra oraz nauczanie anatomii w prosektorium, równolegle rozwijają się metody online z wykorzystaniem różnorodnych form przekazu informacji w wersji cyfrowej. Konieczność dostosowania metod nauczania do nowych warunków otoczenia wynika m.in. z rozwoju digitalizacji, przyspieszonego w trakcie pandemii COVID-19.Cel: Celem pracy był przegląd dostępnych cyfrowych narzędzi edukacyjnych, metod kształcenia na odległość, potencjału centrów symulacji medycznej oraz innych nowoczesnych metod przydatnych w edukacji medycznej.Materiał i metody: Dokonano przeglądu wiodących pozycji dostępnego piśmiennictwa, najczęściej używanych platform edukacyjnych, produktów wirtualnej rzeczywistości, a wszystko to w odniesieniu do aktualnych wymagań jakości kształcenia.Wyniki i ich omówienie: Dynamiczny rozwój nowych technologii umożliwia obniżanie kosztów nauczania na kierunkach medycznych poprzez stwarzanie alternatywnych metod nauczania. Możliwe staje się zastąpienie ludzkich preparatów anatomicznych poprzez drukowanie ich modeli w technologii druku 3D czy nauka anatomii z wykorzystaniem wirtualnej rzeczywistości (WR). Rozwój symulacji medycznej poprzez symulacje wysokiej wierności czy WR umożliwia nauczanie różnych umiejętności klinicznych, w tym praktycznych (kompetencje miękkie), w bezpiecznych, kontrolowanych, wystandaryzowanych warunkach. W ostatnich latach zmienił się również model bezpośredniej relacji mentora ze studentami – z tradycyjnego (pytania i odpowiedzi) na niestandardowe, tj. problem based learning, którego istotą jest umiejętność prowadzenia dyskusji w grupie, zawiązywania zespołów i samokształcenia.Wnioski: 1. Szeroka oferta nowoczesnych i innowacyjnych metod kształcenia na kierunkach lekarskich może zwiększyć efektywność i uatrakcyjnić proces kształcenia na kierunkach lekarskich. 2. Nadal główną osią kształcenia kolejnych pokoleń lekarzy pozostają zajęcia przy łóżku chorego z aktywnym nauczaniem umiejętności praktycznych przez doświadczonych nauczycieli edukatorów.

Introduction. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease that includes a number of various symptoms, among which the most characteristic symptom is fatigue. Diagnostic criteria are not unambiguous and vary depending on the scientific society by which they were developed. The aim of this review is to discuss the phenomenon of chronic fatigue, including its diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. Material and methods. 45 articles published were reviewed and placed in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Results. Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as a group of symptoms whose dominant symptom is fatigue that persists after rest for at least 6 months. The Oxford or CDC criteria are most commonly used to make the diagnosis. Statistics on prevalence are inconclusive. There are several theories of origin - infectious, immunological, neuroendocrine, bioenergetic, neurological, autonomic and genetic. Other symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include sleep and memory disorders or muscle and joint pain. Current treatment focuses on symptomatic treatment, including education, diet, and physical activity, as well as pharmacotherapy for pain, sleep, and cognition. Discussion. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome undoubtedly is a medical challenge, due to non-specific symptoms, multifactorial pathogenesis and difficult to estimate prevalence of this disease. Future scientific development should focus especially on exploring the pathomechanism of CFS, which would enable the implementation of causal treatment.

Introduction: Uric acid is the end product of purine nucleotide metabolism in the human body. Elevation of uric acid in the blood is known as hyperuricemia. Its participation in the development of gout is well known. According to the latest reports, it plays a role in developing cardiovascular and central nervous diseases. Aim: This review article discusses the mechanisms and risk factors of hyperuricemia, its complications, and treatments that highlight hyperuricemia as a multi-faceted disorder requiring optimal treatment and rehabilitation. Material and Methods: Pubmed and ClinicalKeys databases were used for searching for relevant research results. We focused on studies published in less than 5 years, but older references were also analyzed, if they brought valuable reports to our work. Results: The analysis of the presented articles can indicate the role of hyperuricemia not only in the formation of gout, but also in hypertension, cardiovascular and kidney diseases and neurological disorders. Conclusions: Due to the increase in the incidence of hyperuricemia worldwide and its consequences, maintaining an adequate level of uric acid is an essential aspect of patient management for clinicians. In addition to pharmacological treatment of hyperuricemia, patients should be considered for diet modification and increased physical activity. Further studies are needed to improve guidelines and recommendations for treating hyperuricemia and patient education.

Introduction: Recently, knowledge about transplantation among the general public has diminished. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this transplantation-related crisis, but has simultaneously contributed to the greater development of online education. The aim of the study was the assessment of the level of general public knowledge regarding transplantation and suggesting new possibilities of utilizing digital forms of information transfer in the process of societal transplant education (STE). Material and methods: An online survey questionnaire, containing questions related to common transplantation knowledge, was conducted among students of faculties of medicine. Results: Nearly the entire study group indicated that increasing knowledge as regards organ transplantation may prove to have a significant impact with respect to donating organs after death for transplantation. The study revealed that over 60% of respondents held a false belief that a declaration of intent was a legally binding document rather than only a declaration of will. Over 20% of respondents erroneously believed that the donor’s family had the right to object to organ procurement for transplantation. Facebook, websites for patients and applications were indicated as effective forms of STE. Having obtained the results, the first Polish prototype of an “e-transplant” application was designed for the purposes of STE. Conclusions: The level of knowledge concerning organ donation for transplantation is insufficient among the general public and necessitates the development of modern STE methods. All forms of information transfer in the virtual media space become particularly useful for the purposes of STE, including the created application. Keywords: societal transplant education digitalization