A Latvian version of the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS) was completed by 229 Latvian university students. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed six relatively independent factors labeled Magical Abilities, Psychokinesis, Traditional Religious Belief, Superstition, Spirit Travel, and Extraordinary Life Forms. Based on the motivational-control model, it was hypothesized that the societal stressors affecting Latvian society during the last 50 yr. have led to a reduced sense of personal control which, in turn, has resulted in increased endorsement of paranormal beliefs to re-establish a sense of control. The motivational-control hypothesis was not supported. Results indicated that (except for Traditional Religious Belief in women), the majority of these students were disbelievers in paranormal phenomena. As hypothesized, Latvian women reported significantly greater paranormal belief than men.

Background and Objective. Sexual health is an important part of a woman’s life and well-being. Female sexual dysfunction is a complicated problem, it is often underestimated in the healthcare process, and its management is complex. Giving women the opportunity to talk about sexual problems is a fundamental part of healthcare and may improve their quality of life. The aim of this study was to find out patients’ experience and attitudes toward the involvement of gynecologists addressing sexual issues, to disclose the main barriers to initiate a conversation, and to assess the prevalence of sexual disorders among patients in a gynecological clinic. Material and Methods. A questionnaire-based approach was used to survey 18- to 50-year-old voluntary patients in the gynecological clinic. The study population comprised 300 different gynecological (except oncologic) patients independently of reasons for being in the clinic. The duration of the study was 6 months. Results. Only one-third of the patients had ever been asked about their sexual life by a gynecologist, whilst the majority (80%) of the respondents reported they would like to be asked and discuss sexual issues. The patients mostly did not complain because of psychoemotional barriers, and shame was the main barrier for patients to talk about their problems. Sexual dysfunction was a frequent disorder among gynecological patients, reaching especially high levels in the arousal (46.41%) and lubrication (40.67%) domains. Conclusions. The assessment of sexual health is insufficient in gynecological care, and sexual history-taking and evaluation of sexual functions should be included in routine gynecological health assessments.

Посттравматическое стрессовое расстройство (ПТСР) -это симптомокомплекс, наблюдающийся у лиц, переживших травматический стресс. Патофизиология ПТСР связана с преобладанием процессов перевозбуждения. Предположительно, в основе патологических изменений при ПТСР лежит феномен эксайтотоксичности. Последствием эксайтотоксичности является оксидативный стресс (ОС). Исследовали возможность коррекции ОС путём применения органического Se у пациентов с риском развития пост-травматического стресс-синдрома. Проспективное рандомизированное исследование, проведённое у лиц Латвийского контингента международных операций до и после участия в миротворческой миссии, показало, что у пациентов, принимавших Se, степень выраженности клинической симптоматики ПТСР, определяемой в пунктах анкеты PCL-M, снизилась на 5,85% по отношению к исходному, а также на 46,03% по отношению к исходному снизилась распространенность ПТСР (Prevalence Rate). Выявлена статистически значимая корреляция между параметрами ОС, распространённостью ПТСР и клинической выраженностью симптомов ПТСР.Ключевые слова: селен, оксидативный стресс, эксайтотоксичность, посттравматическое стрессовое расстройство.

Summary Introduction. Many medical and conservative surgical treatment options are available but still hysterectomy remains the most common gynecological procedure performed worldwide. These procedures are performed because of actual and possible malignant diseases, and benign conditions including pelvic pain, dyspareunia, uterine myomas, adenomyosis, endometriosis, and menometrorrhagia. The impact of hysterectomy on sexual function has always been a great concern to women and is a major source of preoperative anxiety. Data regarding the impact of hysterectomy on women's sexual functioning are not clear and consistent, many women report improvement of sexual functioning after hysterectomy, which may be due to relief of symptoms, while others complain of sexual dysfunction as a result of hysterectomy. Also discussion about advantages of cervix sparing operations is still controversial. Aim of the study. Aim was to assess and compare pre- and post-operative quality of sexual life of gynecological patients undergoing planned hysterectomy, and to find out opinions of patients and their partners about expected impact of operation and changes after surgery. Material and methods. Questionnaire method was used to survey gynecologic patients undergoing planned subtotal / total hysterectomy due to benign indication. Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire – Female (SQoL-F) was used to assess quality of sexual life before and after surgery. Questions about other influencing factors and patients' opinions before and after operation were added. 38 completed questionnaires were used for data analysis. Results. Only 55% of subtotal hysterectomy group and 38.9% of total hysterectomy group told their partners completely about planned surgery. Mean period of beginning sexual activities after operation was 5.15 weeks after surgery in subtotal hysterectomy and 5.78 weeks in total hysterectomy group. SQoL-F after three months post-operation period was 6.50 points less in total hysterectomy group, which was not statistically significant. There was a slight statistically insignificant decrease of SQoL-F points within each group after three months observation period: -0.44 points in subtotal hysterectomy group and -2.47 points in total hysterectomy group. Although patients of total hysterectomy more frequently (22.2% vs. 5%) indicated negative impact on sexual function after operation, differences were not statistically significant. There were no differences in co-morbidities, concomitant medications, hormone use history and post-operative complications between groups. Conclusions. Patients before hysterectomy are worried about possible negative impact of surgery on their sexual function, they do not talk to their partners candidly about planned surgery. There were no statistically significant changes of sexual quality of life found after subtotal and total abdominal hysterectomy operation after three months observation period.

Psychosomatic aspects of chronic low back pain syndrome The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships between emotional distress and pain syndrome, its characteristic parameters and impact on the quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain. The study included 110 patients, mean age 44.2 ± 8.0 years, with clinical diagnosis of lumbar spine disk pathology with chronic low back pain syndrome. The results showed that the studied patients differed by their emotional state. Emotional distress was associated with high intensity and specific symptoms of low back pain syndrome. Musculoskeletal dysfunction was associated with both physical and psychoemotional factors. The interaction of chronic low back pain syndrome complexity and biopsyhosocial factors is shown by a correlation between cytokines IL-10 and IL-8 level in blood serum and both pain intensity and duration, characteristics of emotional and physical status, and level of physical activities.