Age-related hearing loss associated with cognitive impairment in the Polish cohort of the PURE study

Background

Currently, dementia is estimated to be the seventh most common cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. The main aim of this study is to analyze the association of presbycusis and cognitive impairment in the study population. Secondary aim is to identify the risk and prevalence of presbycusis taking into account bio- socio-demographic factors among the residents of Wrocław and surrounding villages.

Methods

Data from 891 participants (559 women and 332 men; mean age: 60.7 years; range: 39-81) in the Polish cohort of the PURE study who met the inclusion criteria for the PURE MIND sub-study and who had a cognitive and functional assessment completed (MoCA test, DSST test, TMT parts A and B, CES-D, SAGE test).

Results

Hearing loss was a significant risk factor for cognitive impairment as assessed using the MoCA, DSST, TMT A and TMT B tests. Mild cognitive impairment (MoCA < 26 score) was present in nearly half of those with hearing loss compared to 26.0 per cent of those without hearing loss (p = 0.036). Hearing loss increased the chance of MCI almost 1.5-fold [OR 1.34; CI 0.93-1.93]. Multivariate regression analysis showed that those with hearing loss, hypertension and diabetes scored significantly lower (worse) on the MoCA test (by -0.52 points [95% CI -0.99 to -0.06]; -0.48 points [95% CI -0.96 to -0.01] and -0.69 points [95% CI -1.16 to 0.23], respectively). Excessive body weight and diabetes increased the chance of developing hearing loss by more than 1.5-fold [OR 1.64; CI 1.03-2.68; OR 1.59; CI 1.04-2.41, respectively]. Hearing loss was significantly more common among men (22.3%), irrespective of level of education. The MCI was more common among rural residents (54.8% vs. 34.8%) and in participants with lower levels of education.

Conclusion

Age-related hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor for dementia, emphasizing the importance of routine hearing assessments and timely interventions. Integrating hearing loss management with strategies targeting vascular and metabolic health can help mitigate cognitive decline.

Depression in Cardiac Patients Is a Major Cardiovascular Event Risk Factor: A 12-Month Observational Study

Background: Depression is a known factor in poor cardiovascular outcomes but is often underassessed in cardiac units. This study evaluates the impact of depression on cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac interventions. Methods: The study included 133 patients who underwent uncomplicated procedures for degenerative aortic valve stenosis (n = 40), acute coronary syndrome (n = 29), or chronic coronary artery disease (n = 64). Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). The primary endpoint was a major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE). Patients were followed up for 12 months. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify MACCE risk factors. Results: Depression was more frequently screened by HAM-D than BDI (42.9% vs. 30.8%, p < 0.001). During follow-up, 26 (19.5%) MACCEs occurred. In univariate analysis, risk factors included BDI score ≥ 11, HAM-D score ≥ 8, diabetes on insulin, anticoagulant use, atrial fibrillation, and serum creatinine level ≥ 130 µmol/L. Depression in the BDI increased the risk of the MACCE 3.6-fold (95%CI: 1.64-8.0, p = 0.001), whereas in the HAM-D, it increased the risk 4.9-fold (95%CI: 1.97-12.24, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed HAM-D score ≥ 8 as the strongest predictor of MACCE (HR: 3.08, 95%CI: 1.18-8.08). Conclusions: Depression is a common finding in cardiovascular patients, and it is a strong risk factor for one-year cardiovascular mortality and adverse event risk. Therefore, we believe that common guidelines should be elaborated between relevant psychiatry and cardiology scientific societies.

Negative psychological and physiological effects of social networking site use: The example of Facebook

Social networking sites (SNS), with Facebook as a prominent example, have become an integral part of our daily lives and more than four billion people worldwide use SNS. However, the (over-)use of SNS also poses both psychological and physiological risks. In the present article, we review the scientific literature on the risk of Facebook (over-)use. Addressing this topic is critical because evidence indicates the development of problematic Facebook use ("Facebook addiction") due to excessive and uncontrolled use behavior with various psychological and physiological effects. We conducted a review to examine the scope, range, and nature of prior empirical research on the negative psychological and physiological effects of Facebook use. Our literature search process revealed a total of 232 papers showing that Facebook use is associated with eight major psychological effects (perceived anxiety, perceived depression, perceived loneliness, perceived eating disorders, perceived self-esteem, perceived life satisfaction, perceived insomnia, and perceived stress) and three physiological effects (physiological stress, human brain alteration, and affective experience state). The review also describes how Facebook use is associated with these effects and provides additional details on the reviewed literature, including research design, sample, age, and measures. Please note that the term "Facebook use" represents an umbrella term in the present work, and in the respective sections it will be made clear what kind of Facebook use is associated with a myriad of investigated psychological variables. Overall, findings indicate that certain kinds of Facebook use may come along with significant risks, both psychologically and physiologically. Based on our review, we also identify potential avenues for future research.

The Degree of Meeting the Needs of Older People with Frailty Syndrome in the Residential Environment in Relation to Interventions-Experimental Study

The study aimed to determine the degree of satisfaction with health, psychological, environmental, and social needs and to determine the effects of a nutritional intervention, physical activity, and comprehensive activity (nutritional intervention plus physical activity) on the degree of satisfaction of the needs of older people with frailty syndrome (FS). The study included 188 residents (140 women and 48 men) and was conducted using the Fried scale and Camberwell's modified brief needs assessment. In addition, data were collected on age, sex, educational level, type of the previous occupation, marital status, remaining in a relationship, co-residents, place of residence, work status, financial situation, and help with housework. Intervention groups were formed: G1-diet, G2-physical activity, G3-comprehensive therapy, and G4-control. Stage 1 (T1)-3 months after the first examination, stage 2 (T2)-after another three months, the measurements from stage 0. In all groups, the majority were women, respondents with a low or medium level of education in relationships. The degree of need satisfaction in groups G2, G3, and G4 depended on the measurement time (p = 0.019, p = 0.007, p = 0.016). The introduction of physical activity and physical activity in combination with dietary changes most effectively influenced the increase in the level of need satisfaction in elderly patients with frailty.

Relationships between morningness, Big Five personality traits, and problematic Internet use in young adult university students: mediating role of depression

The aim of this study was twofold. Firstly, it explored the relationships between morningness, Big Five personality traits, depression, and problematic Internet use (PIU). Secondly, it examined the possible mediating role of depression in these relationships. The following measures were used: the Internet Addiction Test, the Composite Scale of Morningness, the International Personality Item Pool-Big Five Markers-20, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The participants in the study were 398 university students 18 to 30 (M = 20.37, SD = 2.29) years of age. The study found that PIU Total, PIU Mental Disorder, and PIU Time Management Disorder are positively related to depression and negatively related to morningness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, and Openness. PIU was more often found in individuals with an evening chronotype. The study confirmed the role of depression as a mediator in the relationship of personality traits and morningness to PIU Mental Disorder and PIU Time Management Disorder. For PIU Mental Disorder, the study revealed a full mediation effect of depression in the case of morningness, Emotional Stability, and Extraversion, and partial mediation in the case of Agreeableness and Intellect. For PIU Time Management Disorder, there was a full mediation effect of depression in the case of Emotional Stability, Extraversion, and Agreeableness, and partial mediation in the case of morningness and Intellect. The results highlight the importance of including depression when investigating the relationship between morningness and personality in studies of PIU.

The Role of Facebook Intrusion, Depression, and Future Time Perspective in Sleep Problems Among Adolescents

The main aim of the study was to examine the determinants of sleep problems including Facebook intrusion, depression, and future time perspective. The participants were 426 adolescents, aged M = 14.68. The Future Time Perspective Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire, and the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale were used. It was found that FTP goals were a negative predictor of Facebook intrusion and depression was a positive predictor of Facebook intrusion and sleep problems. Additionally, Facebook intrusion turned out to contribute positively to sleep problems. The results contribute to knowledge on excessive social media use and its relations with mental health; they can be applied in the treatment of addictive social media use.

The Polish adaptation and further validation of the Fear of Being Single Scale (FBSS)

The article discusses the results of the validation and psychometric parameters of the Polish-language version of the Fear of Being Single Scale (FBSS), originally developed by Spielmann and colleagues (2013). The study participants included 175 Polish respondents aged 18 to 67 (M = 27.19, SD = 8.63). The findings confirmed the one-dimensional structure of the Polish FBSS, convergent, discriminant and concurrent validity, reliability of the Polish FBSS, and its high test–retest reliability over a lag of six months. The obtained results make it possible to assess the Polish FBSS as a reliable and valid measure of fear of being single in a Polish non-clinical sample of adults.

Positive and negative adjustment in couples undergoing infertility treatment: The impact of support exchange

BACKGROUND

Perceived social support relates to infertility-related distress in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Studies examining the effect of other support types on both positive and negative adjustment among infertile couples are scarce or non-existent. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of support receipt, provision, invisibility (the discrepancy between one partner's received and the other partner's provided support), and equity (the discrepancy between each partner's received and provided support) on the positive (life purpose) and negative (depressive symptoms) indices of well-being in couples undergoing ART treatment.

METHODS

Depressive symptoms (CES-D), life purpose (PIL), and social support (BSSS) were assessed among 31 married couples (mean age 32.67 years) undergoing ART treatment. Data were analyzed by applying the Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model (APIM) using multilevel modeling.

FINDINGS

Both receiving and providing support had beneficial effects in women and men. However, sub-analysis showed differences according to gender and the support exchange effects. Women reported higher depression and lower life purpose but benefited more from support, and their well-being was more dependent on their own perception of support provision and receipt. Men demonstrated higher adjustment to infertility but benefited less from support, and their well-being was mostly correlated with supportive behaviors of their wives.

DISCUSSION

Adjustment mechanisms of women and men undergoing ART treatment vary considerably; thus, gender should be taken into consideration in interventions. Future studies should focus on costs/benefits and gender differences of visible and invisible support in infertility settings.

Polish Translation and Validation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and the Tinnitus Functional Index

Objective: The need for validated measures enabling clinicians to classify tinnitus patients according to the severity of tinnitus and screen the progress of therapies in our country led us to translate into Polish and to validate two tinnitus questionnaires, namely the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). Design: The original English versions of the questionnaires were translated into Polish and translated back to English by three independent translators. These versions were then finalized by the authors into a Polish THI (THI-Pl) and a Polish TFI (TFI-Pl). Participants from three laryngological centers in Poland anonymously answered the THI-Pl (N = 98) and the TFI-Pl (N = 108) in addition to the Polish versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale as a measure of self-perceived level of depression, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale to assess self-perceived quality of life. Both were used to determine discriminant validity. Two Visual Analog Scales were used to measure tinnitus annoyance and tinnitus loudness in order to determine convergent validity. Results: Similar to the original version of the THI, the THI-Pl showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.93). The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the questionnaire has a three-factorial structure that does not correspond to the original division for functional, catastrophic, and emotional subscales. Convergent and discriminant validities were confirmed. The TFI-Pl showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96) with the reliability ranging from 0.82 to 0.95 for its different subscales. Factor analysis confirmed an eight-factorial structure with factors assigning all items to appropriate subscales reported in the original version of the questionnaire. Discriminant and convergent validities were also confirmed for the TFI-Pl. Conclusion: We translated and validated the Polish versions of the THI and the TFI to make them suitable for clinical use in Poland.