Special Journal of the Medical Academy and other Life Sciences.

Stress faced by medical students – a outlook on prevalence of burnout amongst medical students and their ways of stress coping

Ungku Binti Ungku Fadzil — 2024-12-20

Background: Medical education is recognized as one of the most stressful fields of study, exposing students to significant mental and physical challenges. The high prevalence of burnout among medical students has been attributed to demanding curricula, rigorous examinations, and other external stressors. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal achievement, can adversely impact students' academic performance and overall well-being. Addressing burnout and understanding stress-coping mechanisms are essential to support medical students' mental health.

Methods and Materials: A descriptive study was conducted among 72 international medical students at Kursk State Medical University (KSMU). Participants, spanning from the first to sixth year, completed an anonymous online survey comprising 45 closed-ended questions. The survey included demographic data, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure burnout dimensions, and the Brief-COPE questionnaire to assess coping mechanisms. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the levels of burnout and coping strategies adopted by students.

Results: The findings revealed that medical students experienced moderate levels of burnout, with emotional exhaustion being the most prominent component. While depersonalization was relatively low, students exhibited significant emotional stress without losing interest in their studies. The majority of participants adopted adaptive coping mechanisms such as problem-focused coping (e.g., seeking solutions and advice) and emotion-focused coping (e.g., venting, humor, and spirituality). Maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-blame and self-distraction, were observed but less prevalent. Academic workload was identified as the primary stressor, followed by financial constraints and relationship challenges.

Conclusion: The study highlights moderate burnout levels among international medical students, emphasizing the importance of effective stress management strategies. Adaptive coping mechanisms were preferred over maladaptive ones, reflecting students' resilience. Targeted interventions, such as counseling programs and stress management training, are recommended to further support medical students' mental health and academic success.

Contemporary Strategies for Comorbid Obesity, Hypertension, and Chronic Heart Failure in Primary Care: An Evidence-Based Perspective

Mathialagan Ramalingam — 2024-12-20

Background: The growing prevalence of comorbid obesity, hypertension, and chronic heart failure (CHF) represents a significant public health challenge, particularly in primary care. These conditions create a complex clinical triad that exacerbates cardiovascular risk, worsens prognosis, and increases healthcare burdens. Understanding the multifaceted pathophysiology and adopting evidence-based strategies is essential for improving patient outcomes.

Methods and Materials: This study synthesized data from clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and peer-reviewed journal articles, focusing on evidence-based management of obesity, hypertension, and CHF. Sources included PubMed, Cochrane Library, NICE guidelines, and studies on advanced diagnostics, pathophysiology, and emerging therapeutic approaches such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Results: The findings highlight the critical role of neurohormonal dysregulation, inflammation, and metabolic derangements in the development of comorbidities. Pharmacological interventions like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists demonstrated significant cardiovascular and renal benefits, while personalized lifestyle modifications, including diet and tailored exercise regimens, improved outcomes. Furthermore, novel biomarkers and genetic insights enable precision risk stratification and early intervention strategies in primary care.

Conclusion: Integrated, multidisciplinary approaches are essential for managing comorbid obesity, hypertension, and CHF. Combining personalized pharmacotherapy with innovative diagnostics and lifestyle interventions optimizes clinical outcomes, reduces disease progression, and enhances quality of life. Addressing barriers in primary care will further refine the management of these high-risk patients.

Poor social relationships and apathy

Irina Vasilieva — 2024-12-20

Introduction: Apathy as a person’s lack of goal orientation [1] is not only common, but is also associated with significant problems: reduced functional level, caregiver distress and poor illness outcome [2]. Frontal-subcortical system(s) are implicated in the causation of apathy; moreover there subtypes based on the various frontal-subcortical loops may thus exist [3]. Sheldon Cohen discusses 3 variables that assess different aspects of social relationships-social support, social integration, and negative interaction. The author argues that all 3 are associated with health outcomes [4].

Material and Methods: There were analyzed articles from PubMed database from the last 5 years 2019-2024, mentioned such words as “apathy”, “poor social relationships”, “health outcomes”. Other scientific sources in this direction were also considered [1-15]. In the available scientific medical literature remains scientifically undeveloped mass apathy or social apathy which is confused with the social isolation of an individual and not of a population of people in apathy.

Results: The role of three factors in influencing social networks and social capital are demonstrated: neighborhood characteristics and perceptions, poverty and social exclusion and social consciousness. Perceptions of inequality could be a source of social capital as well as demoralization. It is common knowledge that among apparently normal individuals, there are some who are relatively apathetic and others who are highly motivated. For example, Neugarten et all described older adults with an apathetic pattern of normal aging characterized by lifelong characteristics of passivity, low role activity, low self-esteem and low life satisfaction [16].

Conclusion: The causes of apathy have been classified as psychosocial, environmental and biomedical. There is no consensus on diagnostic criteria for apathy as a syndrome. According to a model, poor social skills are thought to make people vulnerable to psychosocial problems pursuant to the wxperience of stressful life events.

Settings Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops after menarche, a disorder diagnosed by the Leptin biomarker

Irina Vasilieva — 2024-12-20

Introduction: All countries irrespective of their developmental stage, face an increasing burden of non-communicable disease including diabetes mellitus (DM) [1,2]. Quantifying the prevalence of DM is important to allow for rational planning and allocation of resources. For example the prevalence of diabetes is high among the Sandy population and represents a major clinical and public health problem [3].

Method and materials: Method and materials: It were analyzed articles from Google Scholar, for the last 5 years, 2019-2024, mentioned such words as: diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and menarche.

Results: The mean age for onset of diabetes in males and females was 57,5 and 53,4 years. The prevalence of diabetes decreased in patients older than 70 years. A Canadian national surveillance study demonstrated a minimum incidence of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents < 18 years of age of 1,54 per 100,000 children per year. Recent data from the United States demonstrated an incidence of 5,1 per 100.000 person years in the 10 to 14 year age group and 11,8 per 100.000 person years in the 15 to 19 years age group. The average age of girls at menarche was 12.4 years [4 ].

Leptin (a peptide hormone that regulates energy metabolism) levels have been shown to be lower in newly diagnosed T1D patients than in insulin-treated T1D patients. Leptin is inversely related to age at menarche [5]. Leptin serves as a clinical and laboratory marker of the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease, and is also used to diagnose obesity and secondary amenorrhea. High leptin levels are one of the factors in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, creating a high probability of thrombosis. It is produced primarily by fat cells and enterocytes in the small intestine. Others researchers find explanations in body mass index, physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness [6].

Conclusion: There is evidence demonstrating variation in insulin sensitivity across the menstrual cycle. So type II diabetes mellitus develops after menarche. Disorders diagnosed by the biomarker Leptin. [7-11].

The impact of different brands of covid-19 vaccination on public health outcomes: analyzing the effectiveness and side effects of these vaccines among ksmu students and their perspectives towards covid vaccinations

Angle Ngiik Ling — 2024-12-20

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of vaccines in reducing infection rates and improving public health outcomes. This study focuses on the impact of different COVID-19 vaccine brands among students at Kursk State Medical University (KSMU). The research investigates vaccine effectiveness in preventing infection, the occurrence of side effects, and medical students’ perspectives regarding vaccination. Understanding these elements is essential to ensure effective vaccination campaigns among future healthcare professionals.

Methods and Materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured online questionnaire. The sample comprised 65 foreign medical students from KSMU across various academic levels. The survey included questions on vaccine types, demographics, side effects, infection history, and personal perceptions. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the trends in vaccine effectiveness, side effects, and student attitudes.

Results: Of the 65 respondents, 95.4% were vaccinated with at least one dose, with Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik Light, and Sinovac being the most common vaccines. Among vaccinated students, 62.9% reported side effects, including fever, fatigue, and muscle pain. Reinfection occurred in 32.8% of vaccinated participants, predominantly after the third dose. Despite this, 65.1% of students believed vaccines effectively prevent COVID-19, and 98.4% encouraged others to get vaccinated.

Conclusion: The study concludes that COVID-19 vaccines, particularly booster doses, significantly reduce reinfection rates and severity of illness. Mixed and same-brand vaccine regimens demonstrated comparable effectiveness. However, persistent reinfection rates highlight the need for continued public health efforts, including booster campaigns and transparent communication to address hesitancy and misconceptions.