Numerous studies show that changes occurring in a woman’s organism during menopause may lower her quality of life. This study involved 630 healthy postmenopausal women from Poland. Its purpose was to assess their quality of life in relation to socio-demographic variables, medical data and personality profiles. The authors used the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess quality of life, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory to measure personality traits, and the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index to estimate severity of climacteric symptoms. The study demonstrated significant relationships between quality of life and variables such as: age, education, employment status, and the use of menopausal hormone therapy. An analysis of personality traits revealed correlations between the openness to experience scores and the quality of life within physical functioning, vitality, and mental health. Neuroticism, agreeableness and extroversion significantly correlated with all quality of life domains. Conclusions: (1) Age, education and employment status have significant effects on the selected quality of life domains after menopause. (2) Quality of life within the general health domain was assessed lower by MHT-users (Menopausal hormone theraphy (MHT)). (3) Health-related quality of life is also influenced by personality traits, which are relatively stable throughout life.

(1) The specificity of a nurse’s work, apart from performing medical procedures, is characterized by intensive contacts with other people. Stress is an inevitable part of a nurse’s job and can affect their physical and mental health. Thus, strategies for coping with stress play an important role in improving health or well-being by reducing the level of stress. (2) The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of coping strategies in predicting the overall health of nurses. The study also assessed the impact of personality traits and emotional control (anger, depression, anxiety) on the choice of coping with stress among nurses. (3) The study included 811 nurses from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, with an average age of 40 (SD = 9.8), working mainly in hospitals (82%). The research was carried out with a diagnostic survey method, using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaire, NEO-Five Factor Inventor, Courtland Emotional Control Care Scale, General Health Questionnaire 30, and a demographic questionnaire. (4) Among the surveyed nurses, the dominant style of coping with stress was the style focused on emotions (MT 0.43), followed by the style focused on avoidance (MT 0.42). There were mental problems among 46.1% of the respondents. Nurses with mental problems according to GHQ-30 were characterized by a high intensity of coping styles focused on emotions (30.2%), avoiding (18.7%), and engaging in alternative activities (32.3%) (p = 0.000). (5) Most of the surveyed nurses have a tendency to cope with stress through an emotional-focused style, which may be associated with a higher level of occupational stress.

The aim of this study was to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women, depending on serum Mg and Zn levels. The study involved 171 postmenopausal women from Poland, who were not using menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The intensity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using a standard research technique, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The plasma Mg and Zn concentrations were measured. Depressive symptoms of different severity levels were diagnosed in 36.8 % of the women. The mean serum Mg level was 1.53 ± 0.28 mg/dL, and Zn level was 72 ±14 μg/dL. The women with higher serum Mg and Zn levels had less depressive symptoms, and this observation is a precious information which can be used when planning depressive disorder prevention programmes.

Background. Presently, diabetes is one of the major problems of healthcare, both in medical and socioeconomic terms, in most countries worldwide. a key role in the proper functioning of diabetic patients is played by health behaviors, which result in specific health effects. Objectives. the analysis of health behaviors and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes. Material and methods. the study was conducted at the national health care centre "kMw centrum zdrowia" in Stargard. the study included 215 people aged 30-87 suffering from diabetes. the study was carried out by means of a diagnostic survey method, and the research tool used was a questionnaire. it consisted of three parts, the first of which was the authors' questionnaire, the second was the health behavior inventory (hbi), and the third was the acceptance of illness Scale (aiS). Results. an analysis of the results has shown that the majority of the study sample (59.1%) gained high scores for an increase on health behaviors according to the hbi-approximately 7-10 sten scores. the average level of an overall increase in health behaviors exhibited by the participants (hbi) amounted to 91.0 ± 14.82 points. the respondents demonstrated similar levels of average results regarding all categories of health behaviors according to the hbi. Data analysis related to illness acceptance has indicated that the average level of illness acceptance of the study subjects amounted to 31.80 ± 7.91 points. Conclusions. Patients with diabetes showed high levels of health behaviors and illness acceptance, and the results depended upon the subjects' education, duration of the illness and health education. Females and patients suffering from diabetes for a long period of time require psychological support to resolve disease-related problems, cope with difficulties and develop positive attitudes towards the disease.

(1) The following research question was formulated: What are the relationships between enteral nutrition and selected anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters? The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the nutritional status of patients within one year from their admission to the Enteral Nutrition Clinic. (2) The study group included 103 participants. For the purpose of analysing their nutritional status, the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Nutritional Risk Score (NRS) scales were used, anthropometric measurements were taken, and blood laboratory tests were performed. The assessment of changes in the indicated parameters was conducted at three time intervals: upon admission (T0) and 6 and 12 months after admission (T6 and T12, respectively). (3) The study group showed a significant improvement in the circumference of their upper and lower limbs. Nutrition therapy had an effect on the levels of erythrocytes, iron concentration, the activity of liver enzymes, and C-reactive protein levels. (4) The enrolment of patients into the Nutritional Therapy Programme had a positive effect on the selected results. 1. Twelve months after the introduction of nutritional intervention, an increase in erythrocyte count was particularly marked, and there was a decrease in the CRP (C Reactive Protein) level as well as the activity of liver enzymes. There was no significant effect of enteral nutrition on albumin and protein values. 2. To ensure the greatest efficiency of enteral nutritional therapy, it is to be continued for more than six months. 3. Nutritional interventions resulted in a significant increase in upper and lower limb circumferences among the study group. 4. For the purpose of identifying patients at risk of malnutrition, medical personnel should systematically raise their qualifications, and educational measures on this issue should be implemented at the stage of medical training at medical universities.