Biomedical subjects

Dorota Targosz

Publications and source records attributed to Dorota Targosz.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Chemical poisonings among Kraków inhabitants in 1972 and 2002.

The patterns (frequency, poisoning type, toxic agent involved) of adolescent and adult poisonings in Kraków in 1972 and 2002 are presented. The analysis includes data for poisoned patients treated at the Kraków Department of Clinical Toxicology in 2002 and 1972, and all on the spot fatal cases subjected to post-mortem autopsy and toxicological examinations at the Department of Forensic Medicine in both the years. As much as 4116 poisoned cases (males 2722; females 1394) were treated in 2002 compared to 1485 (males 649; females 836) in 1972. There was no substantial difference between a number of poison related fatalities on the spot in years analysed: 126 (males 105; females 21) in 2002 and 122 (males 84; females 38) in 1972. An elevation in poisoning incidence rate per 10,000 of Kraków inhabitants was also noted in 2002 compared to 1972 (54.3 vs. 30.0). A pharmaceuticals (32.9%) followed by CO (18.2%) and mixed pharmaceuticals (16.2%) were mostly involved in poisoning cases in 1972, whereas ethanol (46%), pharmaceuticals (13.2%), pharmaceuticals co-ingested with ethanol (7.8%), narcotics (7.8%), mixed pharmaceuticals (6.7%), and CO (5.2%) were mostly involved in poisoning cases treated in 2002. A mortality rate both concerning only a people who died in hospital or/and those who died on the spot (prior to any treatment) was significantly higher in 1972 compared to 2002.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[The frequency of suicide attempts depending on gender and the age structure].

Sex and the age structure have been for decades the crucial factors determining the dimensions of suicide. In the literature of the subject, it is possible to find different interpretations concerning the widely known facts of larger effectiveness of suicide among males. Females, on the other hand, exhibit suicidal behaviour and suicide attempts several times bigger than the number of completed suicides. In comparison with wide literature dealing with the problematic of completed suicide, the number of publications concerning suicide attempts is, both in foreign and in Polish literature rather scarce. That is why the present authors have undertaken the analysis of suicide attempts by subjects hospitalized in the Department of Clinical Toxicology Jagiellonian University College of Medicine in Krakow in the years 2000-2002. On the basis of the medical documentation, 2757 cases of attempted suicide through self-intoxication by subjects undergoing treatment in the toxicological department. In the period concerned, the number of hospitalizations after suicide attempts increased from 856 cases in the year 2000 to 971 cases in 2001, and subsequently slightly decreased to 930 cases in 2002. The highest indicator of suicide attempts through self-intoxication has been observed among adolescents and young adults. In the absolute values, within the span of the years in question, there is a substantial predominance of suicide attempts undertaken by adults ranging in age from 20 and 50. On the contrary, in the oldest age group (over 60), the number of suicide attempts through self-intoxication was in the years concerned the lowest. In contrast with completed suicide, where the proportion of males to females is 4:1, in the group examined, females constituted 50% of subjects after suicide attempts. The number of females after suicide attempts in the consecutive years analysed was higher among adolescents and young women under 30. Despite drawbacks in data gathering, there is convincing testimony indicating that suicide is the result of number of complex risk factors. Sex and the age structure belong to non-modifiable factors, and thus emphasis should be put on the importance of the gathering of relevant data and on further research into the factor of sex and age structure in suicide attempts and completed suicide.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Fluctuations and seasonality in suicidal attempts].

The aim of the study was to analyze seasonality and temporal fluctuations in suicide attempts by persons living in Krakow and hospitalized in the Department of Clinical Toxicology CMUJ in the years 2000-2002. The research focussed on the frequency of suicide attempts in relation to the time of the day, day of the week, and month of the year. Temporal fluctuations in the frequency of suicide attempts have been assessed on the basis of the data from medical documentation concerning 2757 suicide attempts by individuals ranging in age from 14 to 90 years. The group consisted of 1607 females and 1150 males. According to the results of the research, seasonality and temporal fluctuations in the frequency of suicide attempts is different for males and females. In the case of the males examined, no dependence between the frequency of suicide attempts and a particular month or season has been observed. In the case of females, on the contrary, the data indicate the existence of a seasonal pattern with the peak in the spring (or early part of the summer), and in the autumn--in October and November. In males, the peak day for attempted suicide was Monday, whereas in females--Sunday and Monday. As regards the time of the day, both the results of the present research and data collected by WHO/EURO indicate that suicide attempts occurred most frequently in the evening, late in the evening or in the early part the night. In conclusion, it has been emphasized that the majority of suicide attempts, especially by females, occurs late in the evening or early in the night. This finding seems to be of particular importance for suicide prevention--it can contribute to the increase in the effectiveness of the organization of work in the Crisis Intervention Centres and make therapists and patients' families aware of the existence of periods of an increased suicide risk. The research has been conducted owing to the cooperation between the department of Clinical Toxicology, CMUJ and the Department of Adult Clinical Psychiatry, CMUJ in Kraków. The results obtained, together with the results of the research conducted by the centres participating in WHO/EURO are vital for suicide prevention and treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Intake of nutrients in daily nutritional ratios by opiate dependent persons during methadone maintenance therapy].

The aim of the study was the evaluation of the nutritional habits of the opiates dependent persons before and during methadone maintenance treatment. We examined 48 persons (36 males and 12 females) three times: first time before the methadone treatment, then after 2 months of treatment, and third time after 9 months of treatment. During each examination we performed 24-hour recall four times. Collected data were processed by author's software in order to get information about daily supply of main nutrients (proteins, fat, fatty acids, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, cholesterol), minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, sodium) and vitamins (vitamin A, B1, B2, niacin, C). The changes between the results of following examinations were tested by using the t-Student test. The results were compared with daily norms recommended on the safe level of intake for each age and gender group. In the majority of cases the diet of examined persons was quite reach in protein, but we noticed too low daily intake of fats, essential fatty acids, some minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc) and vitamins B1, B2 and C. After 2 months of methadone treatment the daily intake of fats, saturated fatty acids, essential fatty acids, cholesterol, dietary fibre, some minerals and vitamins decreased in men group, but in the last examination we noticed renewed growth in quantity of those nutrients in daily diet of examined persons. We did not observe it in the group of women.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Nutritional status of opiate-dependent persons before and during methadone maintenance therapy].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of opiate dependent patients who where classified to participate in the methadone maintenance treatment and to give the answer to the question how the nutritional status of these patients was changing during this programme. We examined 48 persons (12 women aged 21-37 years and 36 men aged 20-46 years). All of them were participants of the methadone maintenance treatment. The patients were examined three times: first time just before the methadone treatment, then after 2 months and third time after 9 months of treatment. The anthropometrics measurement: body weight and height (it allowed us to calculate the BMI), two skin fat folds and the measurements of the body composition (using the bioimpedance method) were performed. The changes between the results of subsequent examination were tested using the t-Student test. As a result of the first examination we showed out that the majority of patients had a proper nutritional status evaluated by BMI. Poor nutritional status has been more often found than excessive nutritional status among examined patients, especially in the group of women. During the nine months of methadone maintenance treatment the statistically significant growth of body weight was observed and it derived from the increasing fat body mass and muscle mass. As a result of that we noticed the diminishing number of underweight people. More of examined people had overweight and in the group of men even obesity.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[A group carbon monoxide poisoning].

The aim of the study was to present the group carbon monoxide poisoning in Kraków in December 2003. Despite the reanimation procedure one fatal case was stated on the spot (HbCO--60% according to post-mortem toxicological examination). CO threshold limit values were significantly exceeded in the whole building. The inhabitants (15 persons) were transported to the Department of Clinical Toxicology Jagiellonian University Medical College. Also 4 staff members of the ambulance and 2 policemen called to the incident, were diagnosed and observed. Totally, toxicology medical care was given to 21 CO exposed persons. In 8 of them acute CO poisoning of minor grade was stated. Any clinical symptoms of poisoning in the rest of CO exposed persons were noted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Rules of telephone poison information service: guidelines for call management].

A rules of telephone poison information service for general public and telephone toxicological consultation for medical staff, mainly physicians, are presented in the study. Guidelines for call management: necessity of caller assessment while dealing with information given to the general public and factors that influence successful telephone encounters are presented. The types of questions that are appropriate to ask about patient, considering both the patient state and the toxin(s) involved while dealing with a telephone toxicological consultation are also presented.

Drug Information Services↗

PubMed2004

[Proper use of own data bases warranted by call recording system].

A newly created computer system for call (toxicological information) recording and a Base of Toxic Substances created in native Polish language are presented in the paper. An extended structure of this data base enable to catalogue different groups of toxic substances (e.g. medication drugs, psychoactive substances, pesticides), and toxins (animals' poisons, toxic plants and mushrooms) concerning their specificity. Construction of the Base also enable to reach necessary information quickly. What more, identification of toxic substances could be easier due to possibility enclosing photos.

Databases as Topic↗

PubMed2003

[Cardiotoxicity of vertebrates venoms].

Vertebrate species (fish, amphibians and reptiles) with cardiotoxic venoms properties are described in the paper. A regulatory problems related to breeding of venomous animals are also included.

Amphibian Venoms↗

PubMed2003

[Cobra bites].

The growing trend toward the collection of exotic snakes by private collectors increases the danger to health and life. The analysis of the cases which have occurred in USA, England, Germany and Poland shows that only quick and united effort of experts from the different fields and antivenoms can save the life.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Effect of age on medical complications in acute carbon monoxide poisoning].

The aim of the study was to compare the frequency and clinical course of carbon monoxide poisonings (early or delayed medical complication or death) regarding the age of patients. All symptoms which were not diagnosed on admission but occurred during first three weeks after carbon monoxide exposure were stated as early complication and after three weeks as delayed. A full recovery was noted in 61.8% of patients younger than 60 and only in 28.4% of patients older than 60 years (p < 0.01). The frequency of medical complications and number of deaths were significantly higher in the group of older persons. The toxic myocardial injury followed by respiratory tract inflammations were predominant early complications and a psychoorganic syndrome was a predominant late complication in the oldest group of CO poisoned patients.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2002

[The pattern of poisonings with chemical compounds in Krakow inhabitants hospitalized at the Department of Clinical Toxicology of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in 1997-2001 in relation to age].

The pattern of poisonings in patients hospitalised in the Department of Clinical Toxicology Jagiellonian University Medical College in 1997-2001 was presented in the study. The analysis includes 17,931 patients: 6,016 (33.5%) women and 11,915 (66.4%) men. The rate of patients between 20-39 years old was highest in all the analysed year, however downward trend was noticed. The upward tendency was noted in older group of poisoned patients. A suicidal poisonings were mostly common in 1998 and 1999 in the youngest and oldest groups: 37.1%, 37% in 1998, and 25.5%, 22.2% in 1999 respectively. The medication drugs were the most common cause of acute poisoning only in the group of adolescent patients. Ethyl alcohol was the common cause of poisoning in adult groups. The highest rate of ethanol intoxication was noted in patients between 40 to 59 years old. A 89 lethal intoxication were noted in analysed period. The average mortality rate was low (0.5). A medication drugs (30.4%) followed by ethanol (17.4%), carbon monoxide (13%) and solvents (13%) were involved in lethal poisonings in the oldest group of patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Ventilation efficiency and nervous breathing regulation in ethanol-dependent persons over 50 year of age].

A ventilatory efficiency and nervous breathing regulation in ethanol dependent patients older than 50 years was compared to younger counterparts during controlled, absolute abstinence while hospitalisation in the Department of Clinical Toxicology. Respiratory resistance was the most differential factor: higher in alcoholics compared to the control group and in older alcoholics higher than in younger alcohol dependent patients. Similarly the occlusion pressure was higher in ethanol dependent persons compared to the control group. A normalisation of respiratory function after 9 days of absolute abstinence was stated in the group of younger alcoholics only. The most of respiratory pattern parameters did not change after the abstinence period. Only values of the occlusion pressure was diminished substantially.

Adult↗