COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN MILITARY PERSONNEL – COMBATANTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent yet underrecognized complication of metabolic syndrome (MS), with important medical and social implications. Impairment of cognitive abilities in these patients can reduce quality of life and increase the long-term risk of dementia and social maladaptation. This study evaluated the prevalence and clinical features of cognitive disorders (CDs) in military personnel—combatants—diagnosed with MS. Eighty-two patients with MS (main group) and 40 patients with arterial hypertension (AH) without MS (control group) underwent comprehensive assessment, including
neuropsychological testing, biochemical analysis (lipid profile, glucose), blood pressure measurement, and statistical evaluation. Absence of cognitive impairment was significantly more frequent in the control group (χ2=11.7, p<0.01), whereas moderate CDs predominated in the MS group (χ2=4.2, p<0.05). The MS group demonstrated significantly lower performance across most neuropsychological measures, including screening scales, auditory-verbal memory, attention, processing speed, speech, and spatial orientation. Depression and anxiety scores correlated negatively with MMSE (r=–0.3, p<0.05) and positively with deficits in word memorization, naming, and attention tasks. Elevated triglycerides were associated with poorer attention and delayed recall (p<0.05), while low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels correlated with more errors in delayed reproduction (p<0.05). Findings indicate that in military personnel with MS, CDs are predominantly neurodynamic and, at present, do not result in complete social or domestic maladaptation. However, affected individuals remain at elevated risk for progression to severe cognitive impairment and dementia, underscoring the need for early detection and targeted preventive interventions.
Keywords: metabolic syndrome, cognitive disorders, metabolic disorders, hypertriglyceridemia, military personnel, combatants
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CARDIOVASCULAR-RENAL-METABOLIC SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKMS) is characterized by a vicious cycle where each pathogenic link exacerbates the others, contributing to progressive deterioration in cardiac function, renal performance, and metabolic stability. The study aimed to assess kidney, heart, and metabolic functions in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and examine these charac- teristics in dependence on endogenous intoxication severity. A number of 110 CHF patients (main group, MG) and 90 patients without CHF (control group, CG) were studied. The MG had a median age of 69.9 years, with 74.5% male patients. Echocardiographic parameters, renal function markers, and endogenous intoxication indices were measured. CKMS subgroups were stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): GFR1 (>90 mL/min/1.73 m2), GFR2 (60–90 mL/min/1.73 m2), and GFR3 (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2). MG patients exhibited significantly higher serum creatinine (97.7 μmol/L versus 72.8 μmol/L) and urea levels (7.1 mmol/L vs. 5.3 mmol/L), alongside lower eGFR (67.1 vs. 87.0 mL/min/1.73 m2) compared to CG (p<0.006). Survival analysis revealed a cumulative event-free survival rate of 60.8% in patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 75.2% in those with eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p=0.04). Structural heart abnormalities, including reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and increased left ventricle end-diastolic diameter, correlated with declining eGFR levels. Body mass index was inversely related to eGFR and positively associated with adverse cardiac remodeling, hypertension, and metabolic dysregulation. Patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 demonstrated more severe lipid abnormalities and systemic inflammation, reflected in elevated fibrinogen and middle-mass molecules. CKMS in CHF patients is characterized by impaired renal filtration, metabolic instability, and cardiac dysfunction. These changes correlate with systemic inflammation and endogenous intoxication, underscoring the need for integrated therapeutic strategies targeting these interrelated pathologies.
Keywords: cardiovascular-renal-metabolic syndrome, chronic heart failure, eGFR, endogenous intoxication, systemic inflammation
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STRUCTUTAL-FUNCTIONAL HEART STATE IN PATIENTS WITH HENOCH-SCHÖNLEIN PURPURA DEPENDING GALLBLADDER CONDITION

UDC 616.12-002.77:616.5-003.214:616.366 

Introduction. Cardiovascular complications are the common in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP; IgA-vasculitis). Heart condition is strictly connected with gall bladder (GB) changes. However the heart condition in patients with HSP in dependence of gallbladder status was not studied before.
Purpose. To reveal peculiarities of heart structure and function in patients with HSP in dependence of gall bladder condition.
Material and methods. We analyzed data from 75 patients with active HSP, which underwent the treatment according to guidelines of Helsinki Declaration. Investigated patients included 57% females and 43% males, middle age – 47.7±4.3 years; middle body mass index (BMI) 27,9 kg/m2. Patients were divided into 6 groups: group 0 – normal intact GB (38.7%); group 1 – sludge, polyposis and cholesterosis of GB (14.7%); group 2 – bent GB body (10.1%); group 3 – GB neck deformations and signs of chronic cholecystitis (18.7%); group 4 – cholelithiasis (10.1%); group 5 – patients with removed GB (7.7%). Digital data was processed with the statistical methods, the quantitative variables are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Values of р<0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results. Patients with HSP significantly more often had some GB disorders than its intact status (61.3% vs 38.7%, р<0.05). Group 1 with sludge, cholesterosis and polyposis of GB was characterized by the normal values of EchoCG parameters. Patients with bent GB body (group 2) had bigger arrhythmia frequency and heart rate close to the maximal value but the best EchoCG. Group 3 had the most often left axis deviation and quite rare arrhythmias. Group 4 of patients with HSP and cholelithiasis was characterized by the maximal frequency of arterial hypertension, the highest frequency of arrhythmias, the most often presence of both bundle branch block and the worst EchoCG parameters. Group 5 of patients with HSP and removed GB was characterized by the maximal frequency of presence of left ventricle hypertrophy, the highest heart rate and left axis deviation. Heart structure in these patients can be estimated as better than in patients with cholelithiasis.
Conclusions. The heart and GB conditions in patients with HSP are tightly connected. The worsening of GB condition was accompanied by worsening of structural and functional heart parameters. Cholecystectomy can improve heart condition. Patients with HSP and GB disorders need more thorough examination and early correction of biliary diseases.
Keywords: Henoch-Schönlein purpura, gall bladder, heart structure and function, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, arrhythmia, heart block. 

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GLUTATHIONE ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM STATUS OF MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION DUE TO COMBAT TRAUMA

УДК: 612.015.11:616.69-008.1:616-001

Introduction. Most military personnel survive serious injuries, but many are left to live with long-term sexual and reproductive disorders. The injuries often result in psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, which negatively affect behavioral health and sexual function. There is emerging evidence linking erectile dysfunction (ED) to oxidative stress. Overall, combat trauma is characterized by a broad response of the body to harmful effects involving all body systems, leading to significant changes in the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance.

Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum of men with ED due to combat trauma (shrapnel and bullet wounds) and healthy men (control group). Both the study and control groups were divided into two age groups (young and middle age groups). Antioxidant activity was studied by measuring glutathione peroxidase (GP), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GsT).

Results. A comparison of the groups using the Kruskal–Wallis method revealed a significant decrease in the GPx and GR activity in blood lymphocytes and serum in men with ED due to combat trauma compared with healthy men of corresponding age groups. It was shown that GPx activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients of the young age group was 1.64-fold lower, and in patients of the middle age group 1.70-fold lower than in the control group (P <0.001). Similar changes were observed in blood serum. GR activity in blood lymphocytes in patients of the young and middle age groups was 1.42-fold lower than in healthy men (P <0.001). In blood serum, GR activity in patients of the young age group was 1.70-fold (P <0.001) and in patients of the middle age group 1.56-fold lower than in healthy men (P <0.001). GsT activity in blood lymphocytes in both age groups increases by 1.2-fold, however these changes were not significant (P >0.05).

Conclusion. Erectile dysfunction caused by combat trauma is accompanied by a significant decrease in the activities of antioxidant defense enzymes – glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. There is no difference between age groups of patients with erectile dysfunction due to combat trauma. However, the activity of glutathione S-transferase practically does not change, although there is a tendency for its increase.

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METHODS FOR ASSESSING THE SIZE AND DEPTH OF BURN WOUNDS

Introduction: Assessment and treatment of open soft tissue injuries, in particular thermal injuries, is an important issue in surgery, as the correct choice of treatment tactics depends on the accurate determination of the wound size and depth. Reliable assessment of burn wounds allows for treatment adjustments, data storage for scientific research and improved prognosis, reducing the length of hospital stay of patients.

Objectives: Review the methods of assessing the size and depth of a skin defect and, in particular, a burn wound.

Materials and methods: To conduct the review, we analyzed literary sources in English and Ukrainian found on PubMed, Cochrane Library, ResearchGate, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Searches were performed using MeSH keywords covering burn depth, measurement of skin defects, and non-invasive imaging techniques. The analysis included publications from 2000 to 2024, but primary sources were also considered for a complete description of methods.

Results: Analysis of methods for determining planimetric characteristics and depth of burn wounds revealed certain disadvantages, including difficulty in use and high cost. Most of these techniques require considerable time and resources, which limits their practical application in clinical settings.

Conclusions: Further research should prioritize the development and implementation of more accessible, user-friendly, and cost-effective techniques for the evaluation of burn wounds. The ideal solution would be the introduction of new technologies or improvement of existing approaches to ensure the accuracy of measurements, ease of operation, and seamless integration into existing treatment protocols. This will significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with burns.

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