Biomedical subjects

W Jedrychowski

Publications and source records attributed to W Jedrychowski.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

[Cigarette smoking by mothers during pregnancy and pulmonary function of their school age children].

The paper examines the relation of maternal smoking during pregnancy and lung function of 1029 schoolchildren aged 9 years. Children from Cracow whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy had significantly lower lung function than the children whose mothers had not smoked in this period. On average, spirometric data of FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75% and PEFR were 1.1%, 4.7%, and 3.2% lower respectively, in those children whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy. The effect was statistically significant after accounting for potential confounders such as current smoking habit of parents. The results provide a new support for the hypothesis that deficit in lung function among children is associated with maternal smoking in pregnancy. The strongest effects were found to involve the function of small airways.

Asthma↗

PubMed1997

[Respiratory tract symptoms in school children exposed to indoor and outdoor air pollution].

The epidemiologic study has been carried out in 1129 nine-year old schoolchildren in 4 city areas of Krakow, which differed in air pollution levels. Indoor air quality was assessed by the presence of the environmental tobacco smoke, type of domestic heating and the presence of molds or dampness on the walls. The occurrence of two or more respiratory symptoms (chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheezing, dyspnea attacks, breathlessness or hay fever) was associated significantly with the outdoor air pollution score (chi 2 for trend = 13.315, df:1, p = .0000), with molds/dampness on the walls (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.45-3.22) and allergy in children (OR = 5.94, 95% CI: 4.12-8.59). Since the results have shown the significant relationship between allergy and outdoor air pollution as well, the study confirms that outdoor pollutants increase the risk of allergic sensitization of young children.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed1996

Confronting the prenatal effects of active and passive tobacco smoking on the birth weight of children.

The purpose of the paper is to present the effects of active and passive tobacco smoking during pregnancy on the birth weight in the sample of 1165 schoolchildren covered by the health survey in Cracow. Data on main-stream tobacco smoke (MS) and side-stream tobacco smoke (SS) and the birth weight of children were collected by standardized interviews with mothers. As expected, exposure to MS tobacco smoke was the single strongest factor related to the reduced birth weight, however, the effect was statistically significant only in those respondents who confirmed the cigarette smoking over the whole pregnancy period. On the basis of multiple regression model considering child's gender, active and passive smoking during pregnancy, parity and gestational age, it was estimated that MS tobacco smoke is to reduce the birth weight on average by about 210 g, however, in heavy smokers up to 450 g. The effect of SS tobacco smoke was to reduce birth weight by about 60 g after accounting for confounders. Both effects of active and passive smoking in pregnancy were statistically significant. When the self-reported smoking status was compared with plasma cotinine levels in women at delivery, a substantial misclassification error has been disclosed and it resulted mainly from the low sensitivity (47%) of the self-reported data on smoking status. This exposure bias may lead to a significant underestimation of correlation between low birth weight (< 2500 g) and tobacco smoking of mothers in pregnancy. Odds ratio (OR) corrected to exposure misclassification was much higher than the crude one (corrected OR = 8.0, crude OR = 2.9).

Birth Weight↗

PubMed1996

[Variability of respiratory system reactions to air pollutants. Epidemiologic study of children in Cracow].

The main purpose of the study was to corroborate the hypothesis that the history of allergic skin reactions is the marker of individual susceptibility of respiratory tract to air pollutants in children. The study has been carried out in two contrast areas of the city regarding the air pollution level. In the dirty area the annual daily mean concentrations of particulate matter was 51.5-74.5 micrograms/m3 and sulfur dioxide 58.4-73.8 micrograms/m3; in the cleaner part of the city the corresponding concentrations were 31.7 and 36.1 micrograms/m3. The medical examination of 171 children covered standardized interviews with mothers and spirometric measurements. The results obtained showed that despite the marked decline in air pollution level, the current level of common air pollutants in the city is hazardous to the health of inhabitants. The children with history of allergic skin reactions have been affected much stronger by the higher level of air pollutants than other children. Beside the higher frequency of chronic cough or phlegm, wheezing or shortness of breath, they had significantly poorer lung function measured by FEVI/FVC index.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1996

[Atopy and low birth weight as determinants of susceptibility of children to acute respiratory tract infections].

The purpose of the paper was to evaluate the extent to which acute respiratory infections in children are related to individual susceptibility due to allergy and low birth weight. In the group of children with allergy confirmed by medical doctors the spells of respiratory infections were significantly higher than among those without allergy. It was particularly evident for total number of spells whenever and not only experienced in the last year. In children with low birth weight (< 2,000 g) there was also the higher incidence of infection spells than in children with normal birth weight. In the multivariate analysis after accounting for main confounding variables it was demonstrated that only allergy and low birth weight increased substantially incidence of acute respiratory episodes. Relative risk calculated for the incidence excess of respiratory spells (above the 95% confidence interval) in allergic children was 2.3 (95% CI: 2.1-3.5) and in children with low birth 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2-4.4). Attributable risk (ARpop) for allergy was 21.4% and for low birth weight 2.4%, however, attributable risk is exposed (ARexp) among allergic children was 62.4% and in children with low birth weight 55.5%).

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

[Controlled clinical studies for topographic analysis of atrophic gastritis and stomach cancer].

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relation between intestinal and diffuse stomach cancer at its various locations with topography of atrophic gastritis. The study population consisted of 3435 patients who reported over the period of 1991-94 for the first time to gastroenterological outpatient clinics of 7 university medical centers in Poland. Among these subjects there were 131 histologically proved consecutive cases of gastric carcinoma. The reference group consisted of 1540 patients among whom endoscopic examination did not reveal peptic ulcers, polyps, deformations of antrum or bulbus duodenum and mucosa erosions. Among the gastric cancer cases there was a higher prevalence of atrophic gastritis in the intestinal than in the diffuse type. The highest prevalence of atrophic gastritis irrespective of its degree and stomach area was observed in the tumour-area of intestinal cancer located distally (78.9%), and the lowest in the tumour-free area in diffuse proximal cancer (18.5%). Prevalence of atrophic pangastritis (atrophic gastritis present both in the corpus and antrum) was also highest in intestinal distal cancer (69.2%) and lowest in diffuse proximal cancer (21.7%). For other types of cancer the prevalence rates of atrophic pangastritis was 50.0% in intestinal proximal cancer and 37.5% in diffuse distal carcinoma. The age-adjusted correlation coefficients between gastritis score in the tumour-area and tumour-free area were highly significant. It was shown that only atrophic pangastritis was significantly associated with gastric cancer irrespective of its histology and location (OR = 3.8, 95% CI:2.4-6.0), however, it was much stronger related to the intestinal gastric cancer panga (OR = 5.9, 95% CI: 3.1-11.0), than to the diffuse carcinoma (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.3).

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Cigarette smoking of mothers in pregnancy and environmental tobacco smoke as factors of increasing susceptibility of older children to acute respiratory infections].

The purpose of the study was to compare the susceptibility to respiratory morbidity in a cohort of 1129 9-years old children being exposed to congenital and postnatal environmental tobacco exposure with that of not exposed cohort. Results of the study provides strong evidence that older children who were exposed to ETS in their home environment were considerable more susceptible to acute respiratory tract illnesses than unexposed ones. As there was a dose-response relationship between degree of exposure (for lower ETS exposure OR = 1.32; for higher ETS exposure OR = 1.74) and excess rates of respiratory episodes this supports the existence of a causal explanation for the association observed. The significant trend of increased susceptibility in children to respiratory infections with the level of ETS exposure after exclusions of allergy and smoking in pregnancy suggests the existence of direct effect of ETS exposure on the child's respiratory health that is independent of atopy and in utero exposure to tobacco smoke products.

Child↗

PubMed1996

[Impact of active and passive smoking during pregnancy on birth weight of the newborn].

The purpose of the paper was to compare the effects of active and passive tobacco smoking during pregnancy on the birth weight of newborns and to validate self-reported smoking habit against the plasma cotinine level. Investigations on birth weight have been carried out in the sample of 1165 schoolchildren. Data on tobacco smoke and the birth weight of children were collected by standardized interviews with mothers. It was disclosed that the effect of passive smoking in never smokers was weaker (weight reduction by 73.1 g) than that of active smoking. It was estimated that active tobacco smoking of 10 or more cigarettes per day is to reduce the birth weight by about 450 g. Both effects of active and passive smoking in pregnancy were statistically significant. When the self-reported smoking status was compared with biochemical marker of exposure (plasma cotinine > 10 ng/ml) in 158 women at delivery, it became apparent a low sensitivity (43%) of the self-reported data on smoking, however, combined with high specificity (95%). It was shown that the exposure bias lead to a significant underestimation of association between low birth weight and tobacco smoking.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Effects of Deomestic Gas Cooking and Passive Smoking on Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Asthma in Elderly Women.

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of indoor air pollution resulting from the use of gas stoves for cooking on women more than 65 years old, who may be more susceptible than younger women to the harmful effects of pollutants. A total of 1,544 women living in Cracow took part in a survey. The data were collected to standardized interviews dealing with respiratory symptoms (coughing, phlegm production, dyspnea on exertion), chronic chest diseases diagnosed by a doctor, active and passive smoking, educational level, type of cooking fuel used, and average time spent daily in cooking. Lung function was tested with a spirometer. Comparison of the prevalence of respiratory symptoms by daily duration of cooking of smokers with that of never-smokers showed more symptoms in smokers even in the low-exposure category. In multivariate analysis, the effects of duration of cooking with gas on asthma for the highest exposure category in terms of odds ratios (ORs) were 2.8 for the never-smokers and 2.4 for the smokers; however, passive smoking had no significant effect. As regards dyspnea on exertion, both gas cooking and passive smoking had significant effects in never-smokers (OR for gas cooking 7.2, for passive smoking 2.2). The OR for dyspnea due to cooking with gas in smokers was 3.1. Mean FVC and FEV&inf1; levels were not decreased among passive smokers or those who were subject to high levels of gas-cooking exposure.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Review of recent studies from central and Eastern Europe associating respiratory health effects with high levels of exposure to "traditional" air pollutants.

The serious environmental problems caused by decades of Communist mismanagement of natural resources in countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been brought to light in recent years. All environmental media, including air, water, food, and soil have been burdened with toxic chemicals. Large segments of the population have been, and are now being exposed to air pollution levels exceeding guidelines established by western countries and by international health organizations. This review focuses on epidemiologic evidence regarding health effects of poor air quality in Central and Eastern Europe. It appears that short-term high levels of air pollutants (primarily particulates and SO2) may increase mortality in sensitive parts of the population. Associations were also seen between air pollution levels and prevalence of respiratory diseases as well as lung function disturbances in adults and children. One study indicated that urban air pollution increased the risk of lung cancer. Several investigations pointed to strong interactions between risk factors. The poor scientific standard of the studies often makes it difficult to evaluate the findings. Several steps should be taken to develop environmental epidemiology in Central and Eastern Europe, including international collaboration in research projects and training.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1995

[Prospective epidemiologic study on respiratory diseases in children in Cracow. Pilot study].

After introducing the main purpose of the project on the outdoor and indoor air quality and children's health in Cracow, the paper presents the results of the pilot study carried out in the higher polluted city area (suspended particulate matter: 51.5-74.5 micrograms/m3/year; SO2: 58.4-73.8 micrograms/m33/year) and in the less polluted area (suspended particulate matter: 31.7 micrograms/m3/year; SO2: 36.1 microgram/m3/year). The pilot study covered 171 children. There was an excess of chronic respiratory symptoms in children from the higher polluted area, but only the frequency of shortness of breath in boys and attacks of shortness of breath with wheezing in girls were significantly higher in those living in the polluted area. Spirometric indices were significantly lower in both boys and girls in the residence area with the higher air pollution level. The data on prevalence of respiratory diseases in the pilot study will be used to estimate the size of the sample needed in the other stages of the prospective study.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed1995

[Occupational exposure and histologic differentiation of lung cancer. Retrospective assessment in Cracow].

A population-based case-control study was performed in Cracow, Poland. Male cases and controls were identified from the Cracow Death Register. Information were obtained by mailed questionnaire from next-of-kin on smoking, occupational branch, occupational exposures and other pertinent variables. Response rates were 73.5% in cases and 72.0% in controls. For cases that underwent a bronchial biopsy or surgical excision the histological diagnosis of the tumor was obtained from clinical records. The case group contained 343 subjects with squamous cell carcinomas, 151 small cell carcinomas and 106 adenocarcinomas. 27 cases showed other histological types (large cell carcinoma and not classifiable). Analysis was performed separately by histological type for occupational exposure variables adjusted for smoking. Long-term exposure to mineral dust and metal dust (20 years or more) was found to be a significant risk factor for small cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The effect was more pronounced if the analysis was restricted to the age groups "less than 70 years". The highest relative risk due to occupational exposures was found for squamous cell carcinoma and mineral dust exposure for more than 20 years (RR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.43-4.19). The estimated effect of mineral dust on small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was slightly lower (RR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.16-4.53 and RR = 2.04, 95% CI 0.89-4.64, respectively). The effect of metal dust and fumes appeared to be about the same for squamous and small cell carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

CYP1A1 messenger RNA levels in placental tissue as a biomarker of environmental exposure.

The human CYP1A1 gene codes for an inducible enzyme system involved in biotransformation of certain xenobiotics, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; some of the metabolites are carcinogenic and mutagenic. Effects of environmental exposures (smoking, air pollution, and diet) on CYP1A1 gene induction in placental tissue and the modulation of induction by the CYP1A1 MspI RFLP were evaluated in two groups from Poland: 70 mother-child pairs from Krakow, a city with elevated air pollution; and 90 pairs from Limanowa, a less polluted area. Compared to placentas from nonsmoking women, CYP1A1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in placentas from current smokers (P < 0.001). Ex-smokers also had significantly higher placental mRNA levels, including women who quit smoking prior to pregnancy (P < 0.01). A marginal increase in CYP1A1 mRNA with environmental tobacco smoke exposure was evident. Within Krakow, there was an increase in CYP1A1 mRNA with ambient pollution at the place of residence for each woman, which was significant among women who were not employed away from the home (P < 0.05 controlling for smoking status, diet, and use of coal for heating). Significant increases in mRNA were associated with dietary consumption of smoked meat, cheese, and fish (P < 0.01). The CYP1A1 MspI RFLP was not a significant determinant of CYP1A1 mRNA levels after controlling for smoking and other variables. Human placenta provides a readily available and responsive system that can serve as a model for evaluating environmental and genetic determinants of CYP1A1 induction.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Relation between residential radon concentrations and housing characteristics. The Cracow Study.

The survey on indoor radon exposure was undertaken to explain whether the excess in lung cancer deaths in Cracow city center may be attributed to this particular exposure. A total of 310 detectors was placed in households randomly chosen from three homogenous strata of residential buildings. The first stratum included house in the old city center constructed predominantly out of the stone bricks. The second stratum covered area of the city with big apartment condominiums built out of concrete blocks. The third stratum consisted of single family houses located in a suburban area. From each of these residency strata a random sample of equal number of households has been chosen and the radon detectors were placed in households located at different levels of buildings. The three-month radon sampling data were used to determine the distribution of various levels of radon in the households. In the measurement of radon exposure the Landauer alpha-track samplers were used. The data collected show that the best single predictor of indoor radon concentrations was type of building. Other variables found to be associated significantly with indoor concentrations were household level in the building and house age. In general, residences with a concrete slabs and dwellings with rarely-opened windows were found to have slightly higher radon concentrations.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

PubMed1994

[Ethanol as a risk factor in the pathogenesis of precancerous states and changes in the gastric mucous membrane].

The paper presents results of the epidemiological, clinical and experimental data regarding the link between alcohol abuse and cancer that demonstrate an important role of ethanol in stomach cancerogenesis. The role of ethanol is more evident in stomach as it is the organ exposed more directly and often to higher ethanol concentrations. Ethanol may develop its detrimental activity in carcinogenesis through several mechanisms: by its solvent effects, by inducing alimentary and immunological deficiencies, by acting as a vehicle for carcinogens, by facilitating their activation or by inhibiting DNA repair.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed1994

Ventilatory lung function level as a predictor of survival among the elderly.

During a population survey in 1986/1987 among community-dwelling elderly in Cracow, aged 65 yrs and over, measurements of ventilatory lung function were carried out on 698 males and 1,211 females. The main objective of the study was to assess the importance of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) as a predictor of survival experienced in this population group over a 6 year follow-up, in comparison with that of sociodemographic variables, smoking habit, chronic respiratory symptoms, hypertension, obesity and self-assessment of health. Statistical analysis of the relationship between mortality and chosen predictors has been performed with Cox proportional hazards statistical model. It was found that in addition to age, the FEV1 level was the most relevant and independent of age survival predictor among the elderly. In males, a reduction of FEV1 by 100 ml after allowing for age, showed a significantly higher risk of dying by 4%, (relative risk (RR) = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.06), and in females by 5% (RR = 1.05; 95% CI 1.05-1.09). Male current or ex-smokers displayed a higher mortality risk due to reduction of FEV1 (RR = 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.09) compared to lifetime nonsmokers (RR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.07); the corresponding RR values in women were 1.12 (95% CI 1.02-1.23) and 1.04 (95% CI 1.00-1.08), respectively. However, the differences found between the smokers and nonsmokers were not significant in either gender group. Other potential predictors considered, such as education, chronic respiratory symptoms, hypertension, self-assessment of health, or obesity, appeared to have been irrelevant in the multivariate analysis.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

[Importance of ventilatory lung function for prediction of survival in elderly persons. Mortality cohort study in Cracow].

The objective of the study undertaken among elderly was to assess the strength and importance of biologic predictors of mortality (blood pressure, ventilatory lung function) in comparison with that of sociodemographic variables (age, sex, education), smoking habit, obesity and health self-assessment. The study covered a sample of elderly (698 males and 1211 females), inhabitants of Cracow city center who attended the mass screening x-ray clinic. The sample examined did not include patients of houses for elderly or geriatric wards. At the occasion of the x-ray examination an epidemiologic interview has been taken from each person and basic clinical measurements (anthropometry, blood pressure and ventilatory lung function) have been performed. Statistical analysis of relation between mortality over 5-year period and chosen predictors has been carried out with Cox proportional hazards model and PC BMDP programs. It was found that beside age FEV1 level is the strongest survival predictor among the elderly. Subjects who had better FEV1 by 500 ml showed significantly lower death risk, by 18% in males and 27% in females after allowing for age and height. The results obtained confirmed the expectation that ventilatory lung function is one of the strongest predictor of survival in elderly. In the sample studied the impact of education, smoking habit, obesity, health self-assessment on the mortality experience was not significant. The effect of hypertension appeared to be relevant only in the female group.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Vodka consumption, tobacco smoking and risk of gastric cancer in Poland.

A multicentre hospital-based incident case-control study with 520 male gastric cancer cases aged < 75 years and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls without cancer has been carried out in Poland to assess potential risks due to smoking and alcohol consumption. It was shown that after adjusting for socio-demographic and dietary confounders and vodka drinking, smoking cigarettes had no significant effect on risk. The estimated relative risk (RR) increased to 2.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] : 0.97-5.28) for intestinal cardia cancer for those who smoked cigarettes without filters. The RR for stomach cancer grew as the frequency and amount of vodka drunk increased. People drinking vodka at least once a week had about a threefold higher risk compared to non-drinkers (RR = 3.06, 95% CI : 1.90-4.95). The effect of vodka drinking on risk was particularly strong for non-cardia cancers of the intestinal type. Those who usually drank vodka before breakfast had an elevated risk (RR = 2.98, 95% CI : 1.60-5.53) which was also present in all the subgroups investigated. Cardia and non-cardia cancer showed differences with respect to the interaction between tobacco smoking and vodka drinking. For cancers of the cardia region the risk was low for non-smokers or those who drank small amounts of vodka. The risk for cardia cancer increased considerably for smokers of cigarettes without filters and vodka drinkers who consumed large amounts (RR = 3.70, 95% CI : 1.13-12.06). For the non-cardia region a uniform increase could be observed for vodka drinking regardless of cigarette smoking status.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗