Inter Collegas

Suboptimal health and cardiovascular risk: Questionnaire-based assessment using SHSQ-25 and SF-36

V.R. Burdina — 2025-09-30

In press

Background. Suboptimal health is considered an intermediate state between complete health and the early manifestations of chronic diseases. Its detection at the preclinical stage is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders and other chronic pathologies.

Aim. To systematize and analyze subjective health indicators in apparently healthy individuals and determine their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors using the SHSQ-25 and SF-36 questionnaires.

Materials and Methods. A total of 509 individuals aged 34.31±13.79 years were examined. The SHSQ-25 and SF-36 questionnaires were used to assess suboptimal health status and quality of life. Body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and total cholesterol levels, smoking index, and endothelial function were measured using computer photoplethysmography. Multifactorial discriminant analysis was applied for health status classification, and mathematical models were developed to assess the risk of arterial hypertension. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and group comparisons based on different levels of risk factors.

Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki (1964–2024) and European Community Directive 86/609 on the participation of humans in biomedical research.

Results. In the examined individuals, five health status clusters were identified: optimal health status, suboptimal health with low risk factors, suboptimal health with high risk factors, cardiovascular phenotype of suboptimal health with low risk factors, and cardiovascular phenotype of suboptimal health with high risk factors. Subjective health assessments obtained using the SHSQ-25 showed significant correlations with blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), endothelial function indicators, body mass index, total cholesterol, and glucose levels. High SHS scores were associated with reduced quality of life according to SF-36, particularly in the physical and mental health components, confirming the impact of suboptimal health on daily activity and psychological well-being.

Conclusions. The SHSQ-25 and SF-36 questionnaires are effective primary screening tools for identifying individuals with suboptimal health and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Their use in the clinical practice of physical therapists and occupational therapists allows timely identification of at-risk groups and planning of preventive or rehabilitative measures. Health status mathematical modeling improves the accuracy of risk assessment and can be integrated into the physiotherapy program.

Keywords: physical therapy and rehabilitation, subjective health, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life, chronic disease prevention.

Archived: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17904917

Fractal analysis of mandibular bone architecture: A novel contour smoothing algorithm for whole-slice quantification

O.Yu. Stepanenko — 2025-09-30

In press

Background. The study of mandibular bone architecture is crucial for understanding remodeling, osteogenesis, and resorption processes under normal and pathological conditions. Traditional morphometric methods often rely on limited regions of interest and do not account for the hierarchical self-organization of bone tissue or the complexity of its surface configuration. There is a need for a modified fractal analysis technique focused on assessing the surface complexity of the entire bone slice rather than just its volume filling.

Aim. To develop an original modification of the contour smoothing method for studying mandibular bone architecture on computed tomography images, enabling the analysis of whole bone slices independent of region of interest selection.

Materials & Methods. The methodological study utilized digital cone-beam computed tomography images of the mandibular bone. The fractal dimension was calculated using a custom "contour smoothing" algorithm across six stages with increasing smoothing radii (2, 4, 8, 16, 32 pixels). Statistical data processing included the calculation of linear regression and the coefficient of determination to assess fractal properties; calculations and graphical visualization were performed using Excel 2016 (Microsoft, USA). The study was conducted as part of the initiative research project "Development of clinical and morphological methods of researching the structures of the human body" (State Registration No.0123U100367, 2023–2025).

Research Ethics. The study was approved by the Ethics and Bioethics Committee of Kharkiv National Medical University.

Results. The analysis revealed that the dependence of variables remained linear during the first four stages (smoothing radii 2–8 pixels). At these stages, the bone trabeculae demonstrated monofractal properties. At stages 5 and 6 (radii 16–32 pixels), linearity was disrupted due to the loss of cortical plate contours, leading to a decrease in the approximation coefficient. Consequently, the optimal scaling range for the mandibular bone was determined to be stages 1–4.

Conclusions. The developed contour smoothing algorithm effectively quantifies the complexity of endosteal surface configurations and internal bone contours. This method offers a robust, resolution-independent approach for evaluating bone remodeling and resorption activity, suitable for diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing implant integration.

Keywords: theoretical and experimental medicine, mandible, bone architecture, morphometry, computed tomography, fractal dimension.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (clinical case)

M.M. Oros — 2025-09-30

In press

Background. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder belonging to the group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies caused by prion agents. Despite numerous studies, early diagnosis of CJD remains challenging due to the non-specific nature of symptoms in the initial stages and their similarity to other rapidly progressive dementias and psychiatric disorders.

Aim. To present a clinical case of the sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with an emphasis on diagnostic difficulties and possibilities for confirming the diagnosis.

Materials and Methods. A 47-year-old female patient with progressive cognitive impairment, cerebellar ataxia, and extrapyramidal disorders was examined. Neurological assessment included evaluation of the level of consciousness, motor functions, and coordination. Laboratory investigations comprised ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis for specific biomarkers, particularly the 14-3-3 protein, which is an important marker for confirming the diagnosis of CJD.

Research Ethics. The patient was included in the study after providing informed consent. The study was conducted in full compliance with existing international and national bioethical standards and regulations (the Nuremberg Code and the WMA Declaration of Helsinki, 1964–2024) regarding ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects.

Results. The patient demonstrated characteristic clinical manifestations, including rapidly progressive dementia complicated by pronounced cerebellar ataxia and coordination disturbances. MRI findings revealed atrophic changes in the basal ganglia and cerebellum, which are typical of CJD. EEG showed periodic sharp-wave complexes, the main diagnostic criterion for this disease. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed an elevated level of 14-3-3 protein, which further confirmed the diagnosis of CJD.

Conclusions. Considering the characteristic clinical manifestations, EEG and MRI changes, and the presence of the specific 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid, the diagnosis of CJD was confirmed in vivo. Identification of these changes is a key step for timely confirmation of the diagnosis and determination of further patient management strategies. Given the rapid progression of CJD and the absence of etiotropic therapy, neuro-palliative care represents an essential component of management, enabling symptom relief and improvement of the patient’s quality of life during disease progression.

Keywords: electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, 14-3-3 protein, cerebrospinal fluid, neuro-palliative care.

Traditional public communities in Ukraine (lecture)

N.M. Martynenko — 2025-09-30

In press

Background. The study of Ukrainian communities in the 15^th–18^th centuries is relevant for understanding the mechanisms of social self-organization and the formation of Ukrainian identity.

Aim. To analyze the structure, role, and interrelationships of communities to determine their influence on social and cultural processes.

Materials and Methods. Historical-cultural, comparative-historical, and system-structural methods were applied in this study. This investigation was a part of individual research work of authors. The lecture is intended for students of medical faculties.

Research Ethics. The interpretation of historical and cultural phenomena is objective, free from bias engagement. The object of the study comprises historical communities that do not involve the participation of living people; thus, consent for participation is not required.

Results. It was established that the peasant community had performed such functions as collective land ownership, mutual assistance, social support, self-governance, and justice. Guild communities regulated crafts (quality, prices, training). The Cossack community was a unique military-political formation that defended Ukrainian lands, fought for freedom, and possessed developed organs of self-governance. Brotherhoods were the communities formed for defense of Orthodoxy under conditions of confessional pressure. They founded schools, printing houses and fought for the rights of Orthodox population. Youth communities were institutions for the socialization of unmarried youth, ensuring their integration into the rural community. They possessed a regulated structure and self-governance, which governed relationships and facilitated leisure organization. The collective mutual aid was an institution of collective assistance in Ukrainian community, possessing a regulated structure of invitation, and a farewell ritual.

Conclusions. The peasant community regulated the economic life of the village, the system of social protection, and self-governance. Guild communities ensured quality control, the protection of artisans' interests, and corporate solidarity. The Cossack community combined a professional military function with developed self-governance. Brotherhoods were established for the preservation of Orthodox identity and the development of Ukrainian culture and education; they were institutions of civil society and promoted national self-organization. Youth communities were a system of learning that regulated social interaction and maintained the stability of the village. The toloka was a mechanism of social integration, collectivism and responsibility.

Keywords: history of Ukrainian culture, peasant community, guild community, Cossack community, Brotherhood, youth community, toloka.

Requirements for the design of manuscripts of scientific articles of journals of the Kharkiv National Medical University (in force from 2 July 2025)

2025-07-02