Magdalena Błażek

Introduction: Alveolar echinococcosis is a chronic and potentially severe parasitic disease that often requires long-term treatment and is associated with considerable uncertainty regarding prognosis. These characteristics may contribute to significant psychological burden in affected individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the intensity of fear of disease progression among patients diagnosed with echinococcosis treated with different therapeutic approaches and to identify medical and psychosocial factors associated with higher levels of this fear. Method: A total of 35 patients with a diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis participated in the study. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure anxiety, stress, and knowledge about the disease. Additional data were collected regarding the course of treatment and the nature of social responses after disclosure of the diagnosis. Results: A high level of fear of progression was reported by many patients—seven individuals rated their fear as maximal or near-maximal (9–10 on a 0–10 scale). Statistical analysis showed no significant associations between fear levels and medical variables such as treatment type, drug importation, or presence of side effects. However, a significant relationship was found between the intensity of fear and social reactions. Patients who experienced non-supportive or stigmatizing responses (e.g., shock, distancing, inappropriate comments) reported significantly higher levels of fear of progression compared to those who received support and understanding. Conclusions: Fear of disease progression may constitute a substantial psychological burden in patients with alveolar echinococcosis. In this sample, FoP was significantly associated with psychological and psychosocial variables, including negative social reactions, whereas no statistically significant associations were detected with the evaluated medical and treatment-related variables. These findings highlight the importance of considering the psychosocial context of AE and support the integration of psychological assessment and support into the clinical care of affected patients.

The choice of medical specialty does not arise solely from a sense of calling, but is a complex psychological and social process. The goal of the study was to examine whether selected psychological characteristics: emotional intelligence (EI; overall score and the dimensions of recognizing and using emotions) and sense of coherence (SOC; overall score and the dimensions of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness), together with indicators of student functioning (study-related satisfaction, study-related stress, peer relationships, financial status), are associated with medical students’ declared specialty choice (procedural vs. non-procedural) as well as with their preferences for commonly chosen specialties. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 s-year medical students at Medical University in Gdańsk, Poland. Standardized tools were used to measure EI (Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - INTE - Polish version of Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test), SOC (Sense of Coherence Scale - SOC-29) and self-developed survey to assess academic experiences (study-related satisfaction and stress, peer relationships, financial status). Data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Higher overall EI was associated with a preference for non-procedural specialties. The ability to recognize emotions was negatively associated with choosing paediatrics and non-procedural specialties. Higher study satisfaction favoured a preference for paediatrics and non-procedural specialties. A preference for plastic surgery was associated with higher overall EI and lower overall SOC, whereas a preference for endocrinology was associated with better self-reported peer relationships. Medical students’ specialty preferences are associated with psychological factors and academic experiences. The results may support career counselling and mentoring programs, helping students make more informed career decisions. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-026-09195-7.

Objective: This study aimed to identify key predictors of family resilience among engaged couples within a systemic family framework. Background: Family resilience arises from a dynamic interplay of individual, relational, and contextual factors, shaping how families adapt to stress and adversity. Existing research highlights the relevance of goal orientation, coping strategies, and intergenerational influences, yet their joint impact remains underexplored in premarital relationships. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for supporting couples in the transition to long‐term partnership and family life. Method: The study involved a convenience sample of Polish engaged couples aged 21 to 35, with engagement durations of up to three years. Participants completed four validated instruments: the Family Resilience Assessment Scale–PL, the Multidimensional Plans Questionnaire, the Brief COPE Inventory, and the Family Rating Scales. Correlational and regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of family resilience. Results: Goal orientation, exposure to diverse life experiences, and the use of religious coping strategies were found to significantly enhance family resilience. Additionally, open communication and satisfaction with one's family of origin emerged as crucial protective relational factors. These elements jointly explained a substantial proportion of the variance in resilience scores. Conclusion: Resilience in engaged couples is strengthened by a combination of personal goals, adaptive coping, and positive family‐of‐origin dynamics. These factors interact to build a relational foundation capable of withstanding challenges. Implications: The findings offer valuable guidance for developing premarital programs and family interventions that foster communication, goal‐setting, and intergenerational understanding.

Background: The mental health of medical students is a global concern, with high rates of depression, anxiety, burnout, and suicidal ideation. Despite growing awareness, mental health services in higher education remain inconsistent and underfunded in many countries. Poland represents a particularly vulnerable case, with a rapidly expanding medical education sector, limited public investment in student mental health. This study presents the third edition of a nationwide assessment evaluating psychological support services for medical students across all accredited Polish medical universities in 2025. Methods: An 11-item questionnaire was administered to all 33 Polish universities offering medical degree programmes. The questionnaire assessed service availability, delivery modalities, language accessibility, funding, communication strategies, crisis response, and targeted support for vulnerable student groups. Data collection took place between January and March 2025, with a response rate of 79% (N = 26). Results: Out of 26 institutions, 25 reported offering some form of psychological support for medical students. Services were free of charge at most universities and typically managed by internal university units. Hybrid delivery models were predominant (84%), while only 48% imposed no limit on the number of consultations. Multilingual support was available at 84% of institutions, and 80% provided supplementary mental health initiatives, such as workshops and mindfulness sessions. However, only 36% offered targeted services for at-risk groups, and just one institution published data on service utilization. Significant disparities were observed in funding, scope, accessibility, and evaluation practices. While some institutions demonstrated innovative and inclusive approaches, many lacked integration, transparency, and sustainability. Conclusions: Despite measurable progress since 2019, psychological support for Polish medical students remains fragmented and reactive. While many academic institutions have taken meaningful steps to support student mental health, lasting and equitable change might require systemic coordination and long-term investment. Without it, even the most dedicated local efforts risk being insufficient- ultimately undermining not only students’ well-being, but also the quality, safety, and sustainability of the future healthcare workforce.

Cancer treatment affects every area of a patient's life. Currently available cancer treatment methods not only increase the chances of survival, but also challenge patients to return to their pre-disease lifestyle. This means that a patient's functioning both during and after the disease consists not only of satisfaction in the spheres of family life and work life, but also sexual functioning. The primary objective of the presented study was to assess the sexual functioning of female patients, taking the type of treatment, quality of life domains and sociodemographic factors into account. The study was conducted on 70 women between the ages of 32 and 84 at the Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy of the University Clinical Center, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecologic Endocrinology in Gdansk, Poland in 2021. The results indicate that patients who experience less discomfort and have better ratings of their overall functioning also report better ratings of their sexual functioning, and are less likely to report irritating complaints. Women treated with radiation therapy report more difficulties in functioning than patients who did not receive this treatment.

Background: Increased inflammation and heightened physiological stress reactivity have been associated with pathophysiology of depressive symptoms. The underlying biological mechanisms by which inflammation and stress may influence neurogenesis are changes in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway, which is activated under stress. Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) has anti-inflammatory properties and can increase stress resilience. Whether n-3 PUFAs alter KYN stress response is unknown. Objectives: This placebo-controlled study investigated the effect of n-3 PUFAs on KYN metabolism, inflammation, depressive symptoms, and mood. Moreover, stress-induced changes following a laboratory stressor have been assessed. Methods: In this placebo-controlled study, 47 healthy male adults received either 4 g n-3 PUFAs per day (Omega-3 group) or a placebo (Placebo group) for 12 weeks. Results: A significant group-by-time interaction was found for the inflammatory markers gp130 (F = 7.07, p = 0.011), IL-6R alpha (F = 10.33, p = 0.003), and TNF_RI (F= 10.92, p = 0.002). No significant group-by-time interactions were found for KYN metabolites, depressive symptoms, and mood (except for Hedonic tone (F = 6.50, p = 0.014)), nor for stress-induced changes in KYN metabolites and mood following a laboratory stressor. Conclusions: Overall, increased n-3 PUFA levels in healthy men ameliorate inflammatory markers but do not ameliorate KYN metabolism, depressive symptoms, mood, or KYN metabolism and mood following a stress induction. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT05520437 (30/08/2022 first trial registration).

Increased inflammation and heightened physiological stress reactivity have been associated with pathophysiology of depressive symptoms. The underlying biological mechanisms by which inflammation and stress can affect neurogenesis is through alterations of the kynurenine (KYN) pathway, which is activated under stress. Meanwhile, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) supplementation has anti-inflammatory properties and may enhance stress resilience. Whether n-3 PUFA alters stress responsivity KYN is unknown. This placebo-controlled trial examined the effect of n-3 PUFA on KYN metabolism, inflammation, depressive symptoms and mood; and stress-induced changes following a laboratory stressor. Using a placebo-controlled design, 47 healthy male adults were received 4g/d of Omega-3, or a placebo for 12 weeks. A significant group-by-time interaction was found for inflammation markers - gp130 (F= 7.07, p = 0.011), IL-6R alpha (F= 10.33, p = 0.003), and TNF_RI (F= 10.92, p = 0.002). No significant group-by-time interactions were found for mood or depressive symptoms, except for Hedonic Tone (F= 6.50, p = 0.014), neither for KYN metabolites and stress-induced changes to the KYN metabolites and mood following a laboratory stressor. Overall, elevating n-3 PUFAs levels in healthy males ameliorates inflammatory markers but does not ameliorate KYN metabolism, depressive symptoms, mood, or stress responsivity KYN metabolism and mood. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier NCT05520437 (30/08/2022 first trial registration).

Background: Cancer-related fatigue is a complex syndrome and the most frequently reported complaint, especially during treatment. Sometimes a large discrepancy in patient fatigue estimations between the patients themselves and medical staff is observed. The main goal of this study was to compare fatigue from the patients’ and the medical staff’s perspectives.Participants and procedure: The methods used included author-designed surveys for both the patient (questions about fatigue, intensity, causes and influence on life constructed mostly in the form of numerical rating scales) and the medical staff (the same questions on the perception of the patient’s fatigue), the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, and the EORTC QLQ-C30. The study involved 51 cancer patients during chemotherapy treatment.Results: For 63% of the subjects, there was convergence of fatigue assessments made by patients and staff. Differences were visible in the staff’s and patients’ assessment of the intensity of fatigue experienced by the patients. The simple question “Are you fatigued (yes or no)?” corresponded to all questionnaires and scales in the case of patients. The equivalent question to the staff, “Is the patient fatigued (yes or no)?”, corresponded only to the patients’ current assessment of fatigue and with no other score on the questionnaire or scale that the patients filled out about their fatigue. Also, patients identified more causes of fatigue and staff overestimated the influence of chemotherapy on fatigue. Of the patient subjects, 51.4% did not know of any ways to cope with fatigue, and most of them talked about it only to family and friends.Conclusions: Despite existing recommendations on the need to screen and educate patients in this matter, the issue of fatigue still re-quires attention.

The aim of epidemiological studies is to determine the prevalence of particular health problems in a study group over a specific period. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in eight people worldwide suffer from mental disorders. There are many different types of mental disorders, including cognitive, psychotic, organic mental, emotional, behavioural regulation or personality disorders.¹ The report ‘Health at Glance: Europe 2018’ says that approximately 84 million EU citizens (17.3%) have suffered from a mental condition. Mental problems are most prevalent among the Finns, the Dutch and the French (approx. 19% of the population). On the other hand, Poles, Romanians and Bulgarians are affected to a lesser extent (less than 15% of the population). The reason for such a difference may not be the better health condition of the inhabitants of Central or Eastern Europe but rather the underdeveloped health culture related to mental and emotional health problems – i.e. citizens’ low level of awareness, inability to notice health problems, the stigmatisation of people with mental health problems and inadequate access to relevant specialists.²