BackgroundThe aim of the study was to analyze selected clinical and sociodemographic factors and their effects on the quality of life (QoL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients registered in the Polish MS Registry.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study performed in Poland. Data on personal and disease-specific factors were collected between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, via the web portal of the Polish MS Registry. All patients were assessed by a physician and asked to complete the Polish language versions of the following self-evaluation questionnaires: EuroQol 5-Dimensions, EuroQoL Visual Analog Scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to determine the factors associated with QoL.ResultsThe study included 2,385 patients (female/male ratio 2.3:1) with clinically confirmed MS (mean age 37.8±9.2 years). Average EuroQol 5-Dimensions index was 0.72±0.24, and the mean EuroQoL Visual Analog Scale score was 64.2±22.8. The average Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale score was 84.6±11.2 (62.2±18.4 for physical condition and 23.8±7.2 for mental condition). Lower QoL scores were significantly associated with higher level of disability (odds ratio [OR], 0.932; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.876–0.984; P=0.001), age >40 years (OR, 1.042; 95% CI, 0.924–1.158; P=0.012), longer disease duration (OR, 0.482; 95% CI, 0.224–0.998; P=0.042), and lack of disease modifying therapies (OR, 0.024; 95% CI, 0.160–0.835; P=0.024). No significant associations were found between QoL, sex, type of MS course, patient’s education, and marital status.ConclusionThe Polish MS Registry is the first national registry for long-term observation that allows for self-evaluation of the QoL. QoL of Polish patients with MS is significantly lower compared with the rest of the population. The parameter is mainly affected by the level of disability, duration of the disease, and limited access to immunomodulatory therapy.

Epidemiologic data on multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland are limited. Our objectives were to assess a mean annual incidence rate, and MS prevalence on December 31, 2015 in the Swietokrzyskie province (central Poland). We analyzed data of 1525 patients, collected in the Polish Multiple Sclerosis Registry. On December 31, 2015, overall crude prevalence of MS was not less than 121.3/100,000 (95% CI, 114.6-128.4). Significantly higher prevalence was recorded in females (167.1; 95% CI, 155.6-179.1) than in males (73.2; 95% CI, 64.2-82.6; P<0.001). The age-adjusted prevalence standardized to the European standard population was 114.2/100,000 (95% CI, 106.2-121.5). The female-male ratio was 2.4:1. The mean annual incidence was 4.5/100,000 (95% CI, 3.8-5.2). Increased MS prevalence and incidence compared to 2010 and previous studies from Poland confirmed that central Poland is a high risk area for MS.

BackgroundComprehensive epidemiologic data for multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland are limited. The aim of this cross-sectional population-based study was to determine the incidence and prevalence of MS in the Swietokrzyskie Region (central Poland).MethodsThis study identified MS cases every year between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014. The study area population on the prevalence day (December 31, 2014) was 1,263,176 (646,506 women and 616,670 men). A total of 1462 patients with a clinically definite diagnosis of MS according to McDonald’s criteria (2005), recorded in the Polish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, were considered for estimation of crude, age- and sex-specific prevalence, and incidence.ResultsThe overall crude prevalence rate of confirmed MS patients was 115.7/100,000 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 111.2–121.4). A significantly higher prevalence was recorded in females (159.6/100,000; 95 % CI, 151.1–165.3) than in males (69.7/100,000; 95 % CI, 62.4–77.3) (P < 0.001). Age-adjusted rates for the Polish and European Standard Population were 109.8/100,000 (95 % CI, 105.4–114.8) and 106.6/100,000 (95 % CI, 101.1–111.2), respectively. The female/male ratio was 2.4. The mean annual incidence was 4.2/100,000 (95 % CI. 3.7–4.4).ConclusionThe incidence and prevalence of MS in the Swietokrzyskie region confirm that central Poland is a high risk area for MS. Compared with previous epidemiologic studies from Poland, the prevalence of MS has increased during recent years.

Introduction: Comprehensive epidemiologic data for multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland are limited. Aim of the research: To analyse patient-reported quality of life and selected clinical and socio-demographic factors of patients registered in the Świętokrzyskie Cohort of the Polish Registry of Multiple Sclerosis (RejSM). Material and methods: Participants were residents of Świętokrzyskie Province, and the data were collected between January 1 st 2014 and December 31 st 2015 by the RejSM web portal. After registration by doctors, the respondents assessed their quality of life individually using the Polish language versions of self-assessment questionnaires, the EuroQol (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS), and the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29). Results: Of 1525 registered patients, 765 agreed to perform self-assessments of life quality and were included in the study. The mean degree of disability measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was 3.8 ±2.3. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.78 ±0.28, and the mean EQ-VAS score was 65.6 ±23.8. Assessment score with MSIS-29 averaged 86.4 ±22.4 (64.2 ±19.6 for physical state and 24.7 ±7.8 for mental state). Only 34.7% of respondents were economically active. Lower quality of life was significantly associated with higher disability scores (p < 0.001), age over 40 years (p < 0.001), longer disease duration (p < 0.001), no access to therapy (p < 0.001), and unemployment (p = 0.002). No correlation was found between life quality and sex, course of disease, level of education, place of residence, or family status. Conclusions:The main factors decreasing life quality among patients in Świętokrzyskie Province are advanced disability, old age, long disease duration, and limited access to both employment and immunomodulatory treatment.

This paper presents a new system architecture for controlling industrial devices using Mixed Reality (MR) applications and a new method based upon them for measuring the distance between real and virtual points. The research has been carried out using a physical robot and its Digital Twin (DT). The possibility of controlling them using gestures recognized by Mixed Reality goggles has been presented. The extension of the robot’s environment with a 3D model capable of following its movements and positions was also analyzed. The system was supervised by an industrial Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) serving as an end point for the data sent by the goggles and controlling the movements of the real robot by activating the corresponding control. The results of the preliminary measurements presented here concerned the responsiveness of the system and showing the influence of system parameters in the accuracy of distance estimation between measured points.

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In the course of work on a linear actuator based on a magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA), a research workstation was constructed enabling the examination of pneumatic valves featuring an electromechanical transducer created with MSMA technology. In this article, the general construction of the research workstation is presented, together with an initial study of a demonstrator of a pneumatic, one-stage, one-way throttle valve. In the presented demonstrator, a simple replacement of a electromechanical transducer into a transducer created with MSMA technology was performed. In addition, the study also describes the problems appearing in such structures along with potential troubleshooting methods.