The main aim of the study was to analyze and compare attention and memory performance in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in healthy controls. 28 patients with CF, 30 patients with IBD and 30 healthy subjects took part in the study (all in age range of 7-17). All subjects were in intellectual norm. To analyze the functioning of attention, the d2 Test of Attention by Brickenkamp (d2 test) was applied. Memory performance was assessed using the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) and the Trial of 10 words. The CF and IBD groups committed significantly more errors in the d2 test than the healthy controls. The CF group also had significantly higher fluctuation rates and received significantly lower scores in overall concentration performance than the control group. Patients with CF made more mistakes and had fewer correct memory projections in BVRT than the healthy controls. Patients with IBD committed significantly more errors in BVRT than the control group. Patients with CF and IBD also got significantly lower scores in the Trial of 10 words than the control group. Pediatric patients with CF and IBD performed more poorly than the healthy controls on attention and memory tests. More distinct cognitive impairments were observed in the CF group. Further research is needed to find the underlying mechanisms and clinical and/or functional significance of observed cognitive deficits.

IntroductionDepression may affect up to 9.8% of adolescents and young adults and is associated with significant life-long consequences. The aim of our study was to assess the association between symptoms of depression and demographic factors such as gender, having brothers or sisters, background (rural/small town or urban permanent place of residence), perceived financial status, current living arrangements, year and major area of study.Material and methodsOne thousand one hundred eighty-three students of medical or similar faculties, 71% of whom were females, anonymously answered the Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS) and completed a demographic questionnaire.ResultsWe found that 6.5% of all participants (n = 77) had depression according to Kutcher's criteria whereas 1.5% of them (n = 18) reported suicidal thoughts. We also observed the influence of such factors as gender (p < 0.009), year (p < 0.001), major area of study (p < 0.034), and financial status (p < 0.000–0.003), on depression scores. Moreover, depressive symptomatology was most frequent in subjects who were only children, in freshmen and in students of psychology (11.5%, 13.2% and 16.7% respectively). However, we did not observe an impact of such agents as students’ permanent place of residence (p = 0.929) or current living arrangements on depressive symptoms (p = 0.940).ConclusionsSusceptibility to depression fluctuates throughout the course of study and depends on factors associated with the study itself such as the student's major or year of study and other socio-demographic agents, i.e. gender or self-reported financial status.

BackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disease described as a neurodevelopmental disorder as the impairment of social and communication functions. Life of the people with ASD depends on the early introduction of intensive therapeutic programmes, modifying the undesirable behaviours, and aimed at teaching social and communication skills.AimsThe goal of the present work is to estimation the functioning of families with an ASD child and compare it to the functioning of families with children not diagnosed with ASD.MethodsThe study was performed using Flexibility and Cohesion Evaluation Scales. The study included 70 parents of ASD children, and 70 parents with children without diagnosed ASD, as the control group.ResultsThe parents of children with autism achieve lower results in the Balanced Cohesion sub-scale than the control group. Also, the parents of ASD children obtained higher scores in the Disengaged sub-scale than the control group.ConclusionsThe results of this papers can suggesting the risk of the appearance of a disturbed family system, functioning in families with children with ASD, which should be a trigger for providing these families with early family functioning diagnosis and consequent support and therapy.

StreszczenieWstęp: Istotnym predyktorem zachowań drogowych kierowców są determinanty temperamentalno-osobowościowe. Głównym celem pracy było określenie zależności między determinantami temperamentalno-osobowościowymi (neurotyzm, ekstrawersja, poziom lęku jako cechy) a drogowymi zachowaniami ryzykownymi przejawianymi przez kierowców transportu medycznego. Materiał i metody: Badaniu poddano 106 mężczyzn z terenu województwa wielkopolskiego -kierowców pracujących w opiece zdrowotnej, mających uprawnienia do prowadzenia pojazdów uprzywilejowanych. Do realizacji celów badawczych pracy zastosowano ankietę własnego autorstwa dotyczącą drogowych zachowań ryzykownych wśród kierowców transportu medycznego. W celu określenia predyspozycji temperamentalno-osobowościowych zastosowano metody kwestionariuszowe oparte na samoocenie: Kwestionariusz Osobowości Eysencka (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire -Revised -EPQ-R) oraz polską wersję Inwentarza Stanu i Cechy Lęku (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory -STAI). Wyniki: Wykazano, że kierowcy o cechach introwertywnych częściej niż osoby ekstrawertywne deklarują prowadzenie pojazdów o obniżonej sprawności technicznej. Poziom lęku jako cechy może wpływać na przejawianie zachowań rozpraszających, podejmowanie decyzji o jeździe niesprawnym pojazdem, a także na prowadzenie pojazdu w złym stanie psychofizycznym oraz utrzymywanie zbyt małej odległości od pojazdu poprzedzającego. Im wyższe natężenie cechy lęku, tym wyższe natężenie ww. danych zachowań. Wnioski: Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań można przyjąć, że istnieje zależność między determinantami temperamentalno-osobowościowymi a deklarowanymi przez kierowców transportu medycznego zachowaniami ryzykownymi na drodze. W myśl uzyskanych wyników cechami różnicującymi badane osoby są wymiary ekstrawersji i lęk jako cecha. Med. Pr. 2014;65(4):485-496 Słowa kluczowe: ratownik medyczny, drogowe zachowania ryzykowne, ekstrawersja, introwersja, neurotyzm, lęk Abstract Background: Personality determinants are an important predicator of road behaviors in drivers. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between personality determinants (neuroticism, extraversion, level of anxiety -features) and distinguishable risky behaviors of drivers of medical transport vehicles. Material and Methods: The study covered 106 male drivers from the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, working in health care, having a license to drive emergency vehicles. To achieve the research objectives a questionnaire was developed and applied. It concerned risky road behaviors among drivers of medical transport. The personality suitability was determined using the questionnaire methods on self-assessment: Polish versions of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire -Revised (EPQ-R) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. Results: It was shown that drivers with introverted characteristics declare driving vehicles of reduced technical efficiency more often than extroverts. The level of the anxiety as a trait A-characteristic affects the display of distra...

Introduction: Depression is an increasingly common mental disorder. Among the factors significantly contributing to its occurrence is permanent pain. Thence high percentage of people struggling with depression in chronically ill people and the elderly. Depression is diagnosed late, which is a serious problem in the comprehensive recovery process. Aim: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the relationship between the occurrence of RA and depression, taking into account data such as gender, age and place of residence. Material and Methods: The study involved 163 adults - 116 people with RA and 47 healthy people. The Beck Depression Inventory was used for research purposes. It consists of 21 questions, to which the patient answers according to the symptoms appearing in the last two weeks. Results: Analysis of the results of the examined and control groups indicates a higher percentage of occurrence of depression symptoms in people diagnosed with RA. In women, depression was more common than in men. In addition, there were more depressive episodes in women in the study group than in healthy women. There were no significant differences in the study and control groups of men and depending on age and place of residence. Conclusion: The presence of RA has a significant impact on the occurrence of depressive disorders. Illness and gender are a determining factor for depression. Research shows that women are more likely to be affected than men. Rapid intervention of doctors is very important, which can prevent the negative effects of the disease, i.e. suicidal thoughts. Prevention is therefore important. People with chronic illnesses should be under psychological support.