BACKGROUND:The prevalence of chronic pain among the elderly is high (estimated at 25-85%) and may adversely affect their everyday functioning, although it is often unrecognized. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence ...

Introduction: Vascular calcification and arterial stiffening are cardiovascular risk factors among chronic kidney disease patients. Elevated aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) is an independent predictor of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationships between inflammatory and vascular calcification parameters and arterial wall stiffness in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients treated by peritoneal dialysis. Patients and methods: The study included 57 patients (27 women and 30 men) aged from 19 to 75 years (mean age 53 ± 13), treated by peritoneal dialysis during 4–100 months (mean 30.4 months). The concentrations of albumin, lipids, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-18, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), fibroblast growth factor 23, fetuin A, parathyroid hormone (iPTH), total calcium (Ca), and phosphates (Pi) were measured. AoPWV was performed using a tonometric method, common carotid artery intima–media thickness (CCA-IMT) by ultrasonography evaluation, and calcium scoring (CaSc) with multirow spiral computed tomography (MSCT). Results: In univariate analysis, AoPWV correlated negatively with osteocalcin (R = −0.37; P = 0.005) and positively with OPG (R = 0.41; P = 0.002). Additionally, AoPWV was significantly positively associated with inflammatory parameters: IL-6 (R = 0.35; P = 0.009), TGF-β1 (R = 0.27; P = 0.047), and white blood cell (WBC) count (R = 0.33; P = 0.01). There were also positive correlations between AoPWV and imaging data: CCA-IMT (R = 0.32; P = 0.02) and CaSc (R = 0.38; P = 0.004). AoPWV did not correlate with calcium, phosphate, Ca × Pi index, or iPTH concentration. After multiple adjustments, osteocalcin was the only significant predictor of AoPWV. In logistic regression adjusted for age, hypertension, and mean arterial pressure at AoPWV evaluation, only osteocalcin was significantly associated with high (above median) AoPWV values [odds ratio 0.96 (0.92–0.99) per unit increase in osteocalcin]. Conclusion: OPG concentration and some inflammatory markers (WBC count, IL-6, TGF-β1) influenced the severity of arterial wall stiffness in CKD patients. Measurement of osteocalcin seems to be the best predictor of AoPWV.

(1) Background: Evaluation of the quality and reliability of the frailty syndrome videos available on YouTube platform was the aim of this study. (2) Methods: The observational study included 75 videos retrieved by searching seven terms related to frailty syndrome on YouTube. The quality and reliability of the videos were measured using three different tools: quality criteria for consumer health information (DISCERN), the Global Quality Score (GQS), and the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). The video content was categorized according to the following characteristics: video provider, duration, view count, average daily views of the video, average daily views of a channel, channel subscribers, number of days since upload date, likes, dislikes, comments, the external webpages linked to the videos. (3) Results: The videos had a mean duration of 375 s and an average number of views of 1114. The quality of 17 videos assessed in the study was found to be high, 48—intermediate, and 10—low. The high-quality videos had the longest duration, the highest number of views, and points for the DISCERN score. The physician uploaders had the highest mean DISCERN and mean GQS scores, the highest number of views, and the longest duration but the hospital channels had the highest JAMA score. (4) Conclusions: YouTube can be a valuable source of medical information for patients and caregivers. The quality of videos mostly depends on the authorship and the source of video providers—physicians, academic, and health care-related organizations provide the best quality content based on professional medical knowledge.

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing global health concern. Chronic pain, as a common symptom of CKD, particularly among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is influenced by complications, dialysis procedures, and comorbidities. We aimed to evaluate chronic pain and probable neuropathic pain in 96 dialysis patients with ESRD using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 96 patients from a single dialysis center were enrolled for the purpose of this study. ESRD was caused by diseases causing kidney damage, such as diabetes. The average duration of maintenance dialysis was 4.6±5.67 years. Comorbidities, functional and mental assessment, and pharmacological treatment data were collected using a questionnaire. The satisfaction with life scale was also used. Chronic pain was defined as lasting more than 3 months. The DN4 was used to determine the neuropathic component of pain. RESULTS Chronic pain was observed in 63.5% of the study participants, with 47.5% of them reporting the presence of neuropathic pain accompanied by a neuropathic component. Significantly more patients with chronic pain reported mood disorders and reduced life satisfaction, but there was no difference in their activities of daily living-assessed functional status or duration of dialysis. Patients experiencing chronic pain received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, and opioids. CONCLUSIONS Chronic pain, especially with a neuropathic component, is highly prevalent in patients with CKD, and its treatment remains ineffective. Undiagnosed components of pain can contribute to underdiagnosis and inadequate therapy. Further studies and staff education are needed to address this important issue.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and characteristics of COVID-19 cutaneous manifestations among geriatric patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Patients and Methods: Sixty-four nursing home residents in Dobre Miasto, Poland (mean age: 79 years) infected with SARS-CoV-2 were monitored for skin lesions during the epidemic outbreak in 2020. Only five of them presented COVID-19 dermatological manifestation: vesicular (4 cases) and erythematous (1 case) skin lesions, which appeared after the remaining symptoms of the disease had resolved. Results: The average time between COVID-19 onset and cutaneous manifestation was 22 days. Skin lesions persisted in five cases 112, 17, 21,19 and 27 days, respectively, and were often accompanied by pruritus and neuropathic pain. Conclusion: Skin manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection might be misdiagnosed or overlooked, particularly among elderly patients with chronic diseases. The recognition of skin lesions due to COVID-19 might improve patients’ quality of life by reducing the intensity of symptoms such as pruritus or neuropathic pain.