The potential dynamics of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is discussed in the literature of the field. Recent publications suggest modest changes in level of cognitive impairment after first psychotic episode. Present article attempts to explore cognitive differences between patients and controls across age groups and differences between age groups in clinical group. One hundred and twenty-eight hospitalized patients with schizophrenia (64 women and 64 men) and 68 individuals from the control group (32 women and 32 men) aged 18–55 years were examined. The patients were divided into age groups (18–25, 26–35, 36–45, 46–55). Both groups were examined using Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, Trail Making Test (A and B), Stroop Test, verbal fluency test and Wechsler digit span. Patients with schizophrenia obtained significantly lower scores versus the control group in regard to all the measured cognitive functions (Mann–Whitney U; p < 0.05. Most deficits were present in all age groups, however, statistically important impairment in executive functions (WCST) were present only in “older” groups. Patients with schizophrenia obtained less favourable results than the control group in all age groups. Deficits regarding executive functions do not seem to be at a significant level among the youngest group, whereas they are more noticeable in the group of 46–55-year-olds. Executive functions are significantly lowered in the group aged 36–45 in comparison to the “younger” groups. The level of cognitive functions shows a mild exacerbation in connection with age, whereas cognitive rigidity proved to be related to the number of years spent without hospital treatment.

Cel: Montrealska Skala Oceny Funkcji Poznawczych MoCA jest przesiewowym narzędziem do wykrywania łagodnych zaburzeń poznawczych (Mild Cognitive Impairmnent –MCI). Dotąd dostępna była w Polsce jedna wersja tej metody. Aby móc ocenić progresję zaburzeń albo efektywność terapii wymagane są dwie wersje o udokumentowanej równoważności. Przetłumaczono angielską wersję 7.2. metody i zaadaptowano ją kulturowo aby utrzymać odpowiednią rzetelność pomiaru. Następnie zbadano równoważność obu polskich wersji. Niniejszy artykuł ma na celu przedstawienie procesu adaptacji polskiej wersji skali MoCA 7.2. oraz wyników badań nad równoważnością obu dostępnych polskich wersji.Metoda: 66 pacjentów psychiatrycznych (37 mężczyzn, 29 kobiety) z różnego stopnia i różnej etiologii dysfunkcjami poznawczymi, zostało przebadanych za pomocą obu wersji Montrealskiej Skali Oceny Funkcji Poznawczych. Kolejność podawania metod była losowa, nie stosowano pomiędzy nimi żadnych przerw czasowych.Wyniki: Nie stwierdzono istotnych różnic (p=0,601) w wynikach ogólnych pierwszej polskiej wersji MoCA oraz wersji równoważnej. Równoważność mierzona współczynnikiem korelacji rho Spearmana (rho=0,926) okazała się bardzo wysoka.Wnioski: Obie polskie wersje skali MoCA są równoważne i mogą być potencjalnie użyteczne w badaniach z powtarzanym pomiarem, przy ocenie progresji zaburzeń poznawczych oraz w badaniach nad efektywnością leczenia. Możliwość ich kolejnego użycia stwarza warunki do śledzenia możliwości poznawczych pacjentów, bez konieczności podawania tego samego materiału testowego.

Diagnosis of suicide risk is a clinical challenge requiring an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach. Except for psychological explanation of the suicidal mechanism, there is evidence that it is associated with brain chemistry disturbances as oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to explore the role of oxidative stress components in suicidality comparing subjects at different stages of suicide. The study included psychiatric inpatients aged 18–64 (n = 48) with different psychiatric diagnoses. Blood specimens were collected from subjects and tested for oxidative stress biomarkers: superoxide dismutase (SOD), dityrozine (DT), oxidative stress index (OSI), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC trolox), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), total oxidant status (TOS), catalase (CAT), advanced glycoxidation end products (AGE), NADPH oxidase (NOX), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). The Columbia Severity Suicide Scale (C-SSRS) was used for suicidality assessment. Subjects with a history of suicide ideations over the last three months had significantly higher levels of NOX, AOPP, and OSI. There was no significant relationship to any oxidative stress component levels either with a history of suicide behaviors or with suicide attempts over the last three months. The levels of NOX and AOPP were both positively correlated to the intensity of suicidal thoughts. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between a number of suicide attempts during a lifetime with AGE and DT and negative with CAT. Similarly, the subjects with a history of suicide attempts had significantly higher AGE and DT levels and lower CAT values. The study confirmed that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of suicide and specific oxidative stress measures vary in suicidal and non-suicidal psychiatric inpatients.

Background: Poland is a country with restrictive laws concerning abortion, which is only allowed if the mother’s life and health are in danger, in case of rape, and severe defects in the fetus. This paper specifies the forms of support expected by women considering termination from their family, people in their surroundings and professional medical personnel. Methods: Between June 2014 and May 2016 patients eligible to terminate a pregnancy for medical reasons were asked to complete an anonymous survey consisting of sixty questions to determine patient profile and forms of support expected from the society, family and professional medical personnel as well as to assess informational support provided. Results: Women do not take into consideration society’s opinion on pregnancy termination (95%). The majority of the respondents think that financial support from the state is not sufficient to provide for sick children (81%). Despite claiming to have a medium standard of life (75%), nearly half of the respondents (45%) say that they do not have the financial resources to take care of a sick child. The women have informed their partner (97%) and closest family members (82%) and a low percentage have informed friends (32%). Nearly one third (31%) have not talked to the attending gynecologist about their decision. Conclusions: The decision to terminate a pregnancy is made by mature women with a stable life situation—supported by their partner and close family. They do not expect systemic support, as they believe it is marginal, and only seek emotional support from their closest family. They appreciate support provided by professional medical personnel if it is personal.