Krakow Region Research Articles

Early Middle Ages pottery with admixture of calcium carbonate in ceramic mass (examples from hillforts in the Nida Basin)

Among vessels used in the Early Middle Ages in the area of western Lesser Poland, the special attention should be paid to specimens made of ceramic mass with leaning admixture composed of minerals containing calcium carbonate. Such vessels are usually determined as Cracow “white” pottery. It seems that the centre of production of pottery with ceramic mass with admixture of calcium carbonate was situated in Lesser Poland in Cracow region. A particular place in this group has pottery production in the Nida Basin in hillforts in Stradów. There is the matter if pottery with leaning admixture of calcium carbonate could have been some kind of a tribal emblem. It seems that it could. The product so sensitive to changes, impermanent and challenging - for more than 200 years -was dominating among vessels in western Lesser Poland. The attachment to tradition of production vessels from challenging material requiring attention at each stage of production (mainly firing) testifies creating and maintaining the specific style and consciousness of its integrating meaning inside the group. From the outside it proves affiliation with the group. The group producing vessels made of calcium carbonate masses may be mentioned in written sources Vistulans.

Józef Żurowski’s (1892–1936) Activity as the Conservator of Archeological Artefacts in the Lesser Poland Region

The article aims to present the multifaceted activity of Józef Żurowski (1892–1936), an archaeologist and conservator of prehistoric artefacts in Małopolska. The study relies on extensive archival material and Żurowski’s numerous publications. In the years 1920–1936, he was the conservator of the Krakow region and later the West Małopolska region, acting successively on behalf of the State Group of Prehistoric Monuments Conservators and the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw. Żurowski’s most outstanding achievements include carrying out the first excavations in the banded flint mine in Krzemionki, conducting research on multicultural sites in Złota, supervising the digging of the monumental Krakus Mound, discovering and interpreting the first burials of the Bell Beaker culture in Poland, as well as examining many early medieval cemeteries. As a conservator, he not only inventoried and excavated many archaeological sites – such as numerous strongholds, barrows, and the caves of the Ojców Jura – but also ensured their protection and preservation. Józef Żurowski died prematurely at 45, yet he is one of the most distinguished Polish archaeologists of the Second Polish Republic.

The use of malacological analysis in studies on anthropogenic transformations in microhabitats: an example from the Cracow region, southern Poland

The presented study is dedicated to the assessment of the scope and degree of anthropopressure, and the dependence of its intensity on the characteristics and nature of micro-environments. The research was based on the subfossil remains of molluscs. Eleven profiles of Late Holocene sediments in the Dulówka valley near Cracow were subjected to malacological analysis. In the upper part of the valley, there are calcareous tufas containing rich molluscan assemblages with a large share of shade-loving species. In the lower part, malacofauna dominated by open-country snails occurs in fluvial sediments. Radiocarbon dating has shown that mollusc-bearing deposits represent the last 2,000 years. The diversity of ecological features of molluscan assemblages in different parts of the valley depends on the intensity of anthropopressure. In the upper part, natural forest communities have survived to the present day, and anthropopressure has only been marked to a limited extent. The lower section has undergone a major transformation, mainly due to deforestation and the development of agricultural areas. Unfavorable terrain conditions for the human economy should be considered the major cause of the low anthropopressure intensity in the upper part of the valley. The malacological analysis used in the study allowed showing a significant diversity of microhabitats within the valley and its uneven susceptibility to human interference in natural processes.

Behind and Beyond Lenin and Dzerzhinskiy: Soviet-Polish Cooperation in Historical-Revolutionary Cinema (1960s–1980s)

Lenin and Dzerzhinskiy were the most promoted “divinities” in Soviet popular culture. The two leaders also had valuable characteristics for propagandising the “friendship of peoples” between the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of Poland: Lenin had lived two years in the Krakow region whereas Polish revolutionary Dzerzhinskiy became a statesman in Soviet Russia. Between the 1960s and 1980s, Soviets and Poles coproduced three movies featuring Lenin and Dzerzhinskiy as transnational heroes: Lenin in Poland, by Sergey Yutkevich and Evgeniy Gabrilovich (1966), No Identification Marks (1979–1980) and Fiasco of Operation “Terror” (1981–1983) by Anatoliy Bobrovskiy and Yulian Semënov. The paper considers the interactions between Soviet and Polish professionals during the preparation, the shooting, and the release of these movies as examples of the “Statesocialist Mode of Production” and of its “micro-politics” (Szczepanik 2013). In the 1960s, Soviets and Poles officially got along well at the ideological level. Yet a muffled antagonism continued about the representation of their nation. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, revolutionary history about Dzezhinsiy was a mere setting for mainstream movies. Once political issues had been driven to the background, the professional advantage of joint movie productions became more obvious. Co-production offered professionals multiple opportunities: to enjoy tourism abroad, go shopping, improve skills by working with foreign colleagues and cutting-edge technologies. Although the involvement of some might have been motivated by personal interests, both countries ended up benefiting from the joint projects.

Mineralogical and geochemical studies of secondary mineral assemblages related to deterioration of building materials

The study was aimed at mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of secondary phases related to deterioration of historic building materials. The investigations, carried out in the Holy Trinity Basilica in Krakow, Poland, focused on the southern facade of the 17th-century Myszkowskis Chapel, built of the Miocene Pinczow limestone. Lower part of the facade is covered with a cement render, and the exposed foundations are made of Jurassic limestone and Cretaceous sandstone, both of local origin from the Krakow region and neighbouring Carpathians, in the form of irregular blocks bound with a cement mortar. The wall surface exhibits clear signs of damage; from dark grey soiling and scaling to efflorescences. Sampled materials, deteriorated, altered crusts and efflorescences were analysed with optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman microspectroscopy methods. The secondary minerals distinguished include abundant gypsum CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O, less common thenardite Na 2 SO 4 (and/or mirabilite Na 2 SO 4 ·10H 2 O), aphthitalite (K, Na) 3 Na(SO 4 ) 2 , darapskite Na 3 (SO 4 )(NO 3 )·H 2 O, ettringite Ca 6 Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 (OH) 12 ·26H 2 O, monosulphite Ca 4 Al 2 O 6 SO 3 ·11H 2 O, as well as scarce nitre KNO 3 , nitratine NaNO3 and halite NaCl. Gypsum usually forms surface crusts and fills the pores inside some materials. The efflorescences, sampled from the exposed foundations, consisted of thenardite and/or mirabilite, aphthitalite and darapskite, whereas ettringite and monosulphite were connected with cement renders. Traces of nitre, nitratine and halite were detected at various elements of the chapel facade and foundations. The origin of the salts is related to composition and physicochemical properties of the building materials, as well as to anthropogenic factors.

Long-term trends in the prevalence of congenital heart defects in patients with Down syndrome in southern Poland

IntroductionDown syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in humans. Patients have typical dysmorphic features and various congenital malformations. Congenital heart defects were reported as the most common of the latter, occurring in approximately 50% of the cases.The aimWe aimed to analyse the long-term trends in the prevalence of Down syndrome and related heart defects in the population of southern Poland (Krakow region)Material and methodsWe analysed 500 consecutive patients with Down syndrome who were born from 2006 through 2017 and were diagnosed at the Department of Medical Genetics, Jagiellonian University. Next, we compared our results with the data obtained in previous regional studies.ResultsThe prevalence of Down syndrome in the assessed period was 1.65 per 1,000 live births and was similar to the historical prevalence in our region. Cardiac malformations were detected in 57.6% of the patients and the common atrioventricular canal (CAVC) was the most frequent anomaly (35.1%). However, detailed analysis of the frequency of severe heart defects that usually require prompt surgical treatment in the course of infancy revealed that the percentage of CAVC has been significantly lower in recent years (p=0.033).ConclusionsThe prevalence of Down syndrome and the overall frequency of congenital heart defects have not significantly changed in recent years. However, the frequency of CAVC has decreased, which could be related to the technical progress in prenatal detection of this severe anomaly, and to the subsequent elective terminations of affected pregnancies. Further population studies are required to confirm the presence of this trend and elucidate its background.

Revitalization and preservation of biodiversity. Focus on water bodies in the Cracow region

Abstract The studies included 2 water bodies in Cracow (Kraków), 6 water bodies in the commune of Zabierzów (Cracow County) and 4 in the commune of Niepołomice (Wieliczka County). The studies were carried out in June 2018 and May 2019. The ways on management of the water bodies were compared. Problems related to revitalization were identified. One of these problems is the preservation of biodiversity. In some cases revitalization reduces biodiversity. This can happen due to the liquidation or limitation of the reed bed zone. Such a situation was observed in the water bodied of Zelków and Karniowice (com. Zabierzów). Both have ornamental functions now. Removal of most of reed does not disturb mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), but makes it impossible to nest for other birds such as moorhen (Galinula chloropus). Moorhens were observed in two former fish ponds in Staniątki (com. Niepołomice) and in the pond of the Kaczeńcowa street. In one of them revitalization caused the diminishing of the water area, but did not change the character of the water body. Bird species were recorded at water bodies.

Extension of the Road Network as the Determinant of Development of the Regions on the Example of Cracow (Poland)

The construction and development of the road network determines the economic level of the region and the country. The aim of the publication is to show the relationship between extension of the road network and the development of the warehouse and industrial areas located in the city and the Krakow region. The methodology of research works consisted in the use of data contained in local spatial information systems for the analysis of land development. The research was carried out at the Rybitwy area. It is an area located in the south - eastern part of Krakow. This area is considered to be the logistic center of Krakow and has been analyzed in the aspect of the impact of the construction of the eastern bypass of the city, on the development of facilities with a warehouse and industrial function. The eastern bypass of Krakow is located along the S7 expressway connecting southern Poland (Zakopane) with its northern end (Gdansk). The conducted research proved that over the period of the investment (2010-2018), more than 19,000 m2 of warehouse and production space were built in the area of Rybitwy. The increase in interest in the analyzed area is also confirmed by a significant increase in the degree of lease in this area. Before the construction of the bypass, the vacancy rate was equal 30% of the area intended for rent, while on the date of analysis (2018) already only 10%. This shows the development of the studied area and its attractiveness for entrepreneurs. In addition, the development of the road infrastructure in the form of the eastern bypass of the city of Krakow (along the S7 route) has contributed to the creation of a special economic zone in the area of the Wieliczka commune. This commune is adjacent to Krakow. The Wieliczka Economic Activity Zone, due to its location in the vicinity of the Krakow agglomeration and direct access to the S7 expressway, encourages entrepreneurs to locate their businesses in this area. At the date of the analysis over 30, 000 m2 of warehouse and production space were built there. Therefore, the development of the road infrastructure is an important factor determining the location of industrial or warehouse facilities, which contributes to the economic development of the region, as well as to the increase of the competitiveness of the Polish economy.

The prevalence of HPV infection in rectal cancer – Report from South – Central Poland (Cracow region)

Some studies suggest that HPV infection may be important carcinogenic factor in development of some part of colorectal cancers. However, in the worldwide literature concerning this type of tumours, the great variability in HPV frequency is noticed. In Poland, the incidence of HPV infection in colorectal cancers was examined in five studies so far and their results are also conflicting. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the HPV presence in the group of 120 patients with adenocarcinomas of rectum. HPV infection was assessed on the basis of DNA extracted from collected formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumour specimens. Viral presence was evaluated using two PCR based methods: nested PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR) with primers specific for HPV16. All HPV positive samples were subjected to virus genotyping using AmoyDx® Human papillomavirus (HPV) Genotyping Detection Kit and P16 immunostaining. Among 120 evaluated colorectal tumours, HPV DNA was detected in 2 cancers (1.67%) by nested PCR and in 2 (1.67%) tumours by qPCR, including 1 sample diagnosed as HPV positive on the basis of both PCR variants. Two HPV positive cancers had HPV16 infection and other one HPV18. All three tumours with positivity of HPV DNA were P16 negative. In south – central Poland, HPV infection in rectal cancers probably has not influence on rectal carcinogenesis.

Tuberculosis transmission in the population of patients from the Krakow Region (Poland) based on the epidemiological and molecular methods.

The transmission of tuberculosis may affect the incidence rate of the disease in Poland. Genetic methods are of assistance in tracing the infection transmission, identifying its sources, determining the risk groups, and focusing on the preventive actions. The objectives of this study lie in an assessment of tuberculosis transmission by genetic methods with the assistance of the standard epidemiologic interview. The genome DNA of 275 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains from tuberculosis patients, inhabitants of the city of Krakow, was subjected to a genetic analysis via the spoligotyping method and the IS6110-Mtb1-Mtb2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. If the DNA profiles were identical in both of the PCRs, they were considered identical and classified within one molecular family. Among 275 strains, 104 genetic patterns (spoligotypes) were identified. Two hundred and three strains were divided into 66 molecular families (clusters) and analyzed with the IS6110- Mtb1-Mtb2 PCR method. Eighteen clusters were separated. In the Mtb1-Mtb2 clusters, 21 patients were in the risk groups (the homeless, prisoners, and nursing home residents). We did not confirm any direct or temporary contacts between the patients constituting the Mtb1-Mtb2 clusters (apart from the risk groups). However, the patients in these clusters often lived in the same parts of Krakow. The standard epidemiologic interview in tuberculosis patients should be combined with genetic methods. Active transmission of tuberculosis occurs largely among the individuals maintaining probably periodic contacts. The patients who are in the risk groups may play an important role in the transmission of tuberculosis.

Mesolithic settlement in the Tenczyn Hummock region

This article addresses the issue of the Mesolithic settlement in the Tenczyn Hummock region. Although Mesolithic artefacts have been encountered in this region systematically since the beginning of the 19th century, they have never become the subject of any elaboration discussing this issue individually. Jointly, from the area of the Tenczyn Hummock and its immediate surroundings 29 Mesolithic sites have been identified. Most of them are finds of single objects that based on their typological features can be associated with the Mesolithic period. The Mesolithic sites are mainly concentrated within the southern peripheries of the Tenczyn Hummock. Based on the analysis of the materials presented in this paper, the authors concluded that most of them should be linked with the late phase of the Komornica culture, although there were also a few elements revealing connections with the Janisławice culture. The Mesolithic occupation in the Tenczyn Hummock region was strictly associated with the Vistula valley, and constituted an integral part of the Mesolithic settlement in the Cracow region. Upon comparing it with the well-recognised Palaeolithic settlement, the completely different nature of the former becomes clearly evident. The Mesolithic sites, contrary to the Palaeolithic ones, were not directly associated with the exploitation of Jurassic flint outcrops. Most of them are remains of small camps, the distribution of which marks the zone of penetration of hunter-gatherer societies from the Vistula valley.

Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe w regionie krakowskim w latach 1945-1946

The article presents the research of students at the Siedlce University. The author of the text "Polish People's Party in the Krakow region in 1945-1946" is a student at the Institute of History and International Relations.

Działalność Obozu Narodowo-Radykalnego i Ruchu Narodowo-Radykalnego w Krakowie i na terenie województwa krakowskiego w latach 1934–1939

Activities of the National-Radical Camp and Falanga National-Radical Camp in Krakow and the Krakow region in the years 1934–1939 The goal of the article is to describe the activities of the initially legal, and later illegal, National-Radical Camp (ONR) in Krakow and its region in the years 1934–1939. The main period of activity for this organisation in Krakow itself and the Krakow region was in 1934 and, after its breakup, as the Falanga National-Radical Camp in the years 1937–1939. Groups also existed in Tarnow, Nowy Targ and Zakopane. Numerous splits, its illegal structures, lack of funds for activities, arrests and invigilation of its ranks by police informers did not help the development of the party. The name of the organisation changed a few times, but it remained subordinate to the leaders of the Falanga National-Radical Camp in Warsaw. The small number of active members did not prevent it from penetrating various political, economic and cultural environments with the objective of obtaining new members or necessary funds. All the activities of ONR in Krakow were, however, more of a hooligan than a revolutionary nature. It did not play a significant role in the political scene in Krakow after the end of the 1930s.

The fresh waters of the Krakow region as the lower source for heat pumps

The fresh waters of the Krakow region as the lower source for heat pumps

Architecture of the Polish People’s Republic as a Reflection of Political Ideas

The article proposes to consider the conception of architecture as a way of presentation of political ideas through aesthetic categories, basing on the analysis of the socialist constructions: the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw and Nowa Huta (Krakow region). This article explores the functions of architecture in the presentation of the political ideology of the Polish People’s Republic. The issue of political engagement of art, including architecture, remains relevant at the present stage, when the problem of political manipulation is still widespread in society. The environment, organized by the architecture, is also constantly affects the emotions, the mind and human be-havior. It is possible to transfer pre-programmed information through architectural structures. The subject of the research demands the interdisciplinary approach. The methodological foundation of the research is going to base on the comparative, problem-chronological, semiotic methods, art and system analysis. The article presents the architecture of the Polish People’s Republic as a special socio-political space, easily re-enco ded according to the regime change. This can be noticed in the renaming of streets and squares, replacing the world’s heroes by the national ones, etc. With the establishment of the communist regime in Poland, the principle of socialist realism was introduced into the culture; the art was subordinated to the needs of ideology and politics. The author explores the role of the architectural construction of the Polish People’s Republic in the changes in the structure of society. The special attention is focused on the relation of the modern Polish society to the heritage of the communist era. The author concludes that the architecture is a visual interpretation of the political reformations in the country and the most long-term symbol of the communist era political aesthetics.

STREFA TEKTONICZNA KRAKÓW–LUBLINIEC NA ODCINKU KRAKOWSKIM W ŚWIETLE DANYCH UZYSKANYCH Z NOWYCH OTWORÓW BADAWCZYCH TROJANOWICE 2 I CIANOWICE 2

THE KRAKOW SECTOR OF THE KRAKOW LUBLINIEC TECTONIC ZONE IN THE LIGHT OF DATA OBTAINED FROM NEW BOREHOLES OF TROJANOWICE 2 AND CIANOWICE 2 Abstract. The paper presents the results of two fully cored exploratory boreholes of Trojanowice 2 and Cianowice 2 that targeted a depth of 600 m. They were drilled north of Krakow in 2007, in the villages of Grebynice and Zielonki. The main objective of the boreholes was to test the concepts on the nature of the contact zone between the Upper Silesian Block and the Malopolska Block in the northern outskirts of Krakow, and to map the trend of the Krakow–Lubliniec fault zone in this area. The zone is a boundary between the above-mentioned regional tectonic units. The Trojanowice 2 borehole reached the Lower Devonian deposits and the underlying Lower Cambrian rocks (Borzeta Formation (Fm.)) whose range is limited to the south-eastern part of the Upper Silesian Block. The Cianowice 2 borehole drilled (under the Jurassic) Ediacaran flysch-like siliciclastics, lithologically and tectonically similar to the coeval rocks identified in the western and southern part of the Malopolska Block. Therefore, it has been assumed that the Krakow–Lubliniec fault zone, separating the Upper Silesian Block from the Malopolska Block, is located between these boreholes. Based on data from the Trojanowice 2 borehole and other wells drilled in this area, it has been proved that the Krzeszowice Graben, accentuated in the structure of the Cenozoic (Miocene) and Mesozoic succession in the Krakow region, is of Variscan age and the bounding faults were reactivated during the Alpine movements. The Cianowice 2 borehole has enabled the examination and stratigraphic documentation of the Ediacaran rocks and allowed assigning the same age to the lithologically similar deposits in the adjacent Jerzmanowice, Beb³o and DB-4 boreholes. Previously, these deposits were included in the Silurian Mrzyglod Formation (Fm.). The paper also discusses the results of other studies that have been carried out during documenting of the boreholes.

Toxic elements in free-living freshwater fish, water and sediments in Poland

Abstract Samples for analysis were collected from 10 areas, including the major Polish rivers and lakes, with different sources of environmental pollution (industrial, municipal, and farming). The materials was taken from the lakes of Mazury, located in a non-industrialised region, from the Brda River, an area impacted by pig farms, from the lakes of Lipczyno Wielkie/Pomerania, from the Wkra River, an area impacted by poultry farms, from the Dunajec River at the Roznowski Reservoir, from the Vistula River at Cracow and Warsaw, from the Odra River at Wroclaw and the Warta River estuary, and also from Rybnik Power Station Reservoir. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg, and As were analysed in 397 fish muscle and 128 sediment samples using an atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The analytical procedures were covered by a quality assurance programme. It was demonstrated that the average concentrations of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in fish were in the low hundredths and thousandths of a mg/kg and never exceeded permitted limits established for food. Higher values of these elements were found in fish from bodies of water located in the zone of influence of large urban agglomerations, especially the Cracow region. High concentrations of lead and cadmium were also found in Vistula River sediments near Cracow, where the maximum values were 134.10 mg/kg and 21.24 mg/kg dry weight for lead and cadmium respectively. The average concentration of mercury in a predatory fish muscle (0.179 mg/kg) was almost twice as high as in the omnivorous fish (0.103 mg/kg). Only a single fish sample exceeded the maximum limit for this metal (0.50 mg/kg) and did not present a risk to consumers’ health.

Valuation of possibility of the silicon based preparations application for strengthening Lublin-type mouldings

At the beginning of XVII-th Century in Little Poland region, flat, geometric decorations were common. Their came from North Germany and appeared in individual types, characteristic for particular regions. Typical variants of decorations were described by J. Szablowski with underlined net (typical for Lublin region), ferrule and geometrical decorations (typical for Cracow region). Cracovian-type decoration resembled West-European decorations and Lublin-Calisia-type were made by local bricklayers, which is hard to be proven, because of the foreign prototypes visible in many Lublin decorations. Article presents valuation of the silicon based preparations application possibility for strengthening Lublin-type mouldings. Valuated preparations differ in compounds. They are applied for conservatory works to strengthen such materials like calcium plasters and mouldings.

Prenatal Exposure to Air Pollution, Maternal Psychological Distress, and Child Behavior

Airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants generated by combustion of fossil fuel and other organic material. Both prenatal PAH exposure and maternal psychological distress during pregnancy have each been associated with neurodevelopmental problems in children. The goal was to evaluate potential interactions between prenatal exposure to airborne PAHs and maternal psychological distress during pregnancy on subsequent behavioral problems in children. In a longitudinal birth cohort study, 248 children of nonsmoking white women in the coal-burning region of Krakow, Poland, were followed from in utero until age 9. Prenatal PAH exposure was measured by personal air monitoring during pregnancy, maternal demoralization during pregnancy by the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Instrument-Demoralization, and child behavior by the Child Behavior Checklist. Significant interactions between maternal demoralization and PAH exposure (high versus low) were identified for symptoms of anxious/depressed, withdrawn/depressed, social problems, aggressive behavior, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems. The effects of demoralization on syndromes of anxious/depressed, withdrawn/depressed, rule-breaking, aggressive behavior, and the composite internalizing and externalizing scores were seen only in conjunction with high PAH exposure. Fewer significant effects with weaker effect sizes were observed in the low-PAH-exposure group. Maternal demoralization during pregnancy appears to have a greater effect on child neurobehavioral development among children who experienced high prenatal PAH exposure. The results provide the first evidence of an interaction between prenatal exposure to maternal demoralization and air pollution on child neurobehavioral development, indicating the need for a multifaceted approach to the prevention of developmental problems in children.

Fracture Risk Prediction in Outpatients from Krakow Region Using FRAX Tool Versus Fracture Risk in 11-year Follow-up

FRAX is a an algorithm accepted by WHO for evaluating fragility fracture risk of women aged 40 years or more. The aim of this study was to use the FRAX tool to verify the risk of fractures in a population of women from the Cracow region in an 11-year follow-up. The study was a retrospective cohort survey evaluating the incidence of fragility fractures over 11 years of follow-up. 5,092 women aged 50 years and more were randomly chosen from a group of 100,000 female patients of the Cracow Medical Centre who came to the Centre for densitometric examination between 1997 and 2001. Finally, 1024 patients were randomized into the study. After an average of 11 years a follow-up telephone survey was conducted among a randomly selected group of patients using a questionnaire corresponding to the one applied in the first survey. 10-year fracture risk was calculated for each patient using FRAX based on the BMI (Body Mass Index) and for 886 women using FRAX based on BMD (Bone Mineral Density) at the femoral neck. The Polish version of FRAX was validated by comparing the predicted risk with the actual incidence of fractures during the 11-year follow-up. The 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture calculated using FRAX based on BMI for the entire group was 5.3% (median, 1st/3rd quartile: 3.5-8.5%) and the probability of a proximal femur (hip) fracture was 1.3% (median, 1st-3rd quartile: 0.7% -2.4%). In 886 women whose BMD T-score at the femoral neck was available, the mean probability of a major osteoporotic fracture was 4.9% (3.3-7.9%) and of a hip fracture 0.9% (0.3-2.3%). The actual absolute fracture risk calculated on the basis of the number of patients who had experienced a fracture during the follow-up was surprisingly much higher than the predicted figure. The risk of a major fracture in the study group was 17.7% and of a proximal femur fracture, 3%. In our opinion, FRAX is a very good screening tool, but not a precise diagnostic tool.