Showing papers by "Leszek Bidzan published in 2020"

A Polish and German Population Study of Quality of Life, Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract: Introduction Psychological studies undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic rarely include people in their 60s. In our study, we studied the predictors of the quality of life, wellbeing, sleep and life satisfaction during the pandemic in older people from Germany and Poland, including factors such as risk behaviour, trait anxiety, feeling of threat, sleep quality, optimism, comparing them to three different age groups. Methods 494 adults in four groups: 60+ (N=60), 50-60 (N=139), 36-49 (N=155), <35 (N=140) completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing: socio-demographic data, quality of life, trait anxiety, risk tolerance, coronavirus threat, optimism regarding the pandemic, difficulty relaxing, life satisfaction, wellbeing, sleep quality during the pandemic period. Results Older people rated higher their quality higher of life than younger (mean difference = .74, SE = .19, p < .01) and middle-aged (mean difference = .79, SE = .18, p < .01), life satisfaction than younger (mean difference = 1.23, SE = .31, p < .01) and middle-aged (mean difference = .92, SE = .30, p < .05) as well as wellbeing higher than younger (mean difference = 1.40, SE = .31, p < .01) and middle-aged participants (mean difference = .91, SE = .31, p < .05), but experienced lower levels of trait anxiety and Coronavirus threat (mean difference = -9.19, SE = 1.90, p < .01), compared to younger age groups. They experienced greater risk tolerance (mean difference = 1.38, SE = .33, p < .01), as well as sleep quality (F=1.25; eta2=.01), optimism regarding the pandemic (F=1.96; eta2=.01), and had less difficulty relaxing during the pandemic (F=3.75; eta2=.02) than middle-aged respondents. Conclusions The findings show that the assessed quality of life, life satisfaction and wellbeing during pandemic is affected by the respondent’s age, trait anxiety and the threat of Coronavirus. Older people rated their quality higher of life, life satisfaction and wellbeing during pandemic higher than younger people, but experienced lower levels of trait anxiety and Coronavirus threat compared to younger age groups. They experienced greater risk tolerance, as well as sleep quality, optimism regarding the pandemic, and had less difficulty relaxing during the pandemic than middle-aged respondents.

Use of valproic acid for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in acquired brain injuries

Abstract: Acquired brain injuries are often accompanied by a series of neuropsychiatric disorders. A wide range of pharmacological agents are used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, a more indepth review of the agents used indicates that there are in fact relatively few procedures recommended for use. Anticonvulsants in clud ing valproic acid, are of particular interest. This research aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of valproic acid, as based on a naturalistic observation of patients with various forms of acquired brain injury and who had displayed neuropsychiatric symptoms. The study group consisted of individuals (N = 43) who were treated with valproic acid as the first choice of drug. Both the initial dose and its size during further treatment, as well as the treatment method, were determined based on medical indications. The mental state of the patients was assessed twice: at the time of enrolment for the study and after 12 months. The Cohen-Mansfield Agi ta tion Inventory (CMAI) was used for the assessment. In addition, the degree of cognitive dysfunction was assessed during the baseline study using the MMSE scale. Eventually, 24 individuals were accepted for statistical analysis. They were re-examined after 12 months and took only valproic acid during that period. 24 out of 43 individuals qualified for the study completed the 12month observation period. 11 respondents were excluded from the study due to their inappropriate tolerance. The reported side effects were of a temporary nature (except for hair loss) and of a mild or moderate intensity. It was observed that aggressive and impulsive behaviours were significantly reduced in the study group. The positive therapeutic effect concerned all categories in the CMAI scale, except for verbal aggression. The therapeutic effect of the valproic acid was varied depending on the degree of cognitive impairments. Statistical significance for higher MMSE scores was obtained only for the category of non-aggressive verbal disorders. On the other hand, in the case of lower MMSE scores a significant reduction was observed both in the categories of non-aggressive and aggressive physical behaviours, as well as for the overall CMAI scale result. The results obtained seem to indicate a satisfactory efficacy and acceptable tolerance of valproic acid in the treatment of the neuropsychiatric symptoms accompanying acquired brain injuries.

Relation of cigarette smoking and mood disorders to cognitive impairment progression

Abstract: Background: Both depressive disorders and nicotine use are proven and important risk factors of dementia. The purpose of this study was to verify if cigarette smoking and depression symptoms together are disadvantageous for the prognosis in mild cognitive impairment. Material and methods: A total of 43 patients with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment were included in the study. ADAS-Cog was performed upon inclusion in the study and again at least 2 years later. Additionally, patients with ≥18 points in MADRS were qualified as depressive. The Fagerström scale for nicotine dependence was administered to smokers. Results: Our study shows a relation between severity of depressive symptoms and further deterioration of cognitive functions according to ADAS-cog scale. Regression analysis revealed that smoking associated with severity of depressive disorders is also correlated with the progression of cognitive impairment. Conclusions: The results of our study are based on a small number of subjects and should be regarded as early findings. Moreover, nicotine dependency should not be regarded as an isolated factor affecting mood disorders and cognitive impairment progression. Further studies on larger groups of patients and using more sensitive methods of cognitive function assessment are needed.

Use of Methylphenidate in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Alzheimer’s Patients Treated with Donepezil: Case Series

Abstract: Sleep disorders, inversion of sleep rhythm, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleeplessness at night are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sleep disorders in AD have a diverse pathogenesis and their incidence increases as the disease progresses. Some publications indicate possible beneficial effects of methylphenidate on sleep. We presented two cases of patients with diagnosed AD accompanied by sleep disorders which had a significant impact on their functioning. The pathogenesis of sleep disorders was different in those two cases. In both case studies, the use of methylphenidate brought an immediate clinical effect, improving sleep at night and functioning during the day.