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Background/aim: The most commonly prescribed anti-seizures medications (ASMs) for the treatment of epilepsy are currently topiramate, zonisamide, lacosamide, carbamazepine and levetiracetam. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative metabolic acidosis and the use of ASMs prior to craniotomy operations. Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated patients who underwent intracranial surgery with craniotomy under general anaesthesia between May 2020 and April 2023 and used ASMs. The patients were classified into four groups based on the pharmacological mechanisms of action of the ASMs administered before intracranial surgery (Group-I, zonisamide or topiramate; Group-II, lacosamide; Group-III, carbamazepine; Group-IV, levetiracetam). Metabolic acidosis severity was defined based on base excess (BE) levels: mild (-3 to -5), moderate (-5 to -10), and severe (below − 10). The study investigated the correlation between ASMs and the severity of metabolic acidosis in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative blood gas measurements. Results: Out of 35 patients, 24 patients underwent intracranial surgery and 11 patients underwent epilepsy surgery. There were statistically significant differences in the severity of metabolic acidosis between preoperative (p < 0.001), intraoperative (p < 0.001) and postoperative (p = 0.01) groups. The preoperative mean BE of group-I was − 4.7, which was statistically lower than that of group-III (p = 0.01) and group-IV (p < 0.001). Intraoperatively and postoperatively, group-I had a mean BE of -7.5 and − 3.2, respectively, which was statistically lower than that of groups II (p = 0.007; p = 0.04), III (p = 0.002; p = 0.03), and IV (p < 0.001; p = 0.009). There was no statistically significant difference in BE between groups II, III and IV at all three time points. Group I had the lowest BE at all three time points. Intraoperative bicarbonate was administered to all patients in group I, whereas no intraoperative bicarbonate was required in the other groups. In group I, 50% of patients required postoperative intensive care. Conclusion: The use of ASMs in patients undergoing surgery is important in terms of mortality and morbidity. Topirimat and zonisamide are ASMs that can cause preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative metabolic acidosis. Patients receiving topirimat or zonisamide are particularly susceptible to metabolic acidosis. Special care should be taken in the management of anaesthesia in patients receiving these drugs, and monitoring of the perioperative metabolic status is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence and severity of depression in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Materials and Methods: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered to 74 patients with RP and 60 healthy controls. Biomicroscopic anterior segment and fundus examination, visual field, optical coherence tomography, and full-field electroretinography tests were performed in all cases. Variables were evaluated with bivariate, multiple linear, and ordinal logistic regression analyses. Results: The RP group included 40 (54%) male and 34 (46%) female patients, while the control group included 23 (38%) male and 37 (62%) female subjects. The patient group had a mean age of 39.20±12.4 years, median best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.10 decimal (1.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]; range, 1.3-0.7 logMAR), and median visual field mean deviation (MD) score of -28.00 decibels (dB) (range, -1.00 to -34.00 dB). The median BDI score was statistically significantly higher in the patient group (19 points) than in the control group (12 points) (p<0.001). Moderate to severe depression (BDI ≥20) was detected in 61% of patients, while this rate was 25% in healthy controls. BCVA and visual field MD values were identified as predictors of depression score and severity level. The patients' age and gender did not affect total depression score or severity. Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of depression were found to be higher in RP patients than in healthy controls. There was a significant relationship between the patient's functional vision tests and the frequency and severity of depression. Depression reduces the reliability of visual function tests and impairs patients' quality of life. Therefore, assessing mental health as well as functional tests is important in patients with RP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of University of Health Sciences Journal of Nursing is the property of Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study aimed to explore the perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care among nurses who work in three different countries with different cultures as well as the factors influencing their perception. This is a cross-sectional multicultural study conducted with a total of 1090 nurses from Türkiye, Albania, and Italy. Data were collected through the "Individual Information Form" and the "Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale". Nurses' mean score on the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale was above average. It was also found that country, marital status, religious belief, Islamic religion, training for spiritual care, and using spiritual practices to cope with difficulties or illnesses influenced nurses' perception of spirituality and spiritual care. It was concluded that nurses from the three countries associated spirituality and spiritual care with religion and that some personal characteristics influenced their perceptions of spiritual care. The results highlight the need for training in spiritual care to improve nurses' perceptions and practices of spiritual care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: It was previously shown that the levels of several biomarkers increase due to acromegaly disease-related inflammation, and some markers are parallel to the disease's activity. The current study compared the possible relationship of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) with acromegaly disease activity in healthy subjects. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in a single center. It included 40 acromegaly patients (25 active/15 controlled) (47.7 ± 9.4 years, 20 female/20 male) and 24 healthy individuals (49.9 ± 10.1 years, 13 female/11 male) with age-sex-body mass index similar to the patient group. Demographic data, metabolic and hormonal parameters, and GDF-15 levels of the study population were studied. Results: The median GDF-15 levels were significantly higher in patients with acromegaly compared to healthy subjects (HS) (280.4 (Q1-Q3: 197.0-553.2) vs. 213.3 (Q1-Q3: 179.9-297.2) ng/L, P = .01). Serum GDF-15 levels of active and controlled acromegaly patients were comparable (P = .39). Interestingly, compared to HS, GDF-15 levels were significantly higher in controlled disease (P = .013), whereas GDF-15 levels tended to be higher in active disease but did not reach statistical significance (P = .06). Growth differentiation factor-15 levels were positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.304, P = .01) and HbA1c (r = 0.292, P = .02). When evaluated across the entire cohort, GDF-15 levels were found to be higher in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic individuals (P = .04). Conclusion: Plasma GDF-15 levels were increased in the patients with acromegaly compared to healthy subjects. This increment may be due to accompanying diseases such as diabetes rather than a disease-specific effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the physical, mental, and social well-being of humans worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and mental state of female employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 726 participants. Data was collected using the Personal Information Form, fear of COVID-19 scale, and brief symptom inventory. RESULTS: The fear experienced by women during the social isolation and quarantine period was associated with depression, anxiety, somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety and paranoid experiences. CONCLUSION: Women, young people, the elderly and single individuals were most likely affected psychologically during the pandemic. Thus, interventions and psychological evaluations are recommended at an early stage to minimize this effect. Such interventions must be implemented considering the strategic planning and coordination of risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To examine the prevalence of smoking among medical faculty students in Turkey, and to explore the associations between smoking, depression, and other factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among medical students in Konya, Turkey, from November 2018 to February 2019. The first section included eight questions pertaining to sociodemographic details. The second comprised nine questions addressing smoking and other harmful habits. The third section involved the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence while the fourth was the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The study was completed with a total of 1117 participants (90.2% of all students). In regard to smoking, 813 (72.78%) were non-smokers, 98 (8.77%) were ex-smokers, and 222 (19.87%) were active smokers. Notably, 16.29% of students (n = 182) had a high BDI score (≥17). Male sex, good economic status, depression diagnosis at any time in life, and alcohol use were independently associated with active smoking. Being a senior student and regular exercise were independently associated with a low (<17) BDI score, whereas depression diagnosis at any time in life and drug use were independently associated with high (≥17) BDI. Conclusions: Almost 20% of medical school students were active smokers, with about a 2.5-fold higher prevalence among males compared to females. There is a significant association between smoking frequency and symptoms of depression. Policies targeting modifiable risk factors can reduce smoking and depression among future physicians, which can have a strong impact on population-wide smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate prognostic factors, determine the best course of treatment methods, and assess oncological results in individuals diagnosed with uterine sarcoma. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 2001 and August 2023, 30 patients with uterine sarcomas (US) were included and analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Sixteen patients (53.3%) had uterine leiomyosarcoma, 6 patients (20%) had high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma, 8 patients (26.7%) had low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. RESULTS: The median follow-up of all participants was 50 months. Recurrence was detected in 43.3% of the patients. 5-year survival ratio was 73.3%, 5-year disease-free survival ratio was 66.7%, the overall survival ratio was 70% and the overall disease-free survival rate was 56.6%. No difference was observed between groups in terms of survival comparisons. No statistically significant effect of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy, and combined treatments on median overall survival and median disease-free survival was detected (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Uterine sarcomas are uncommon malignancies characterized by a poor prognosis, even in early stages, and they are associated with a high recurrence ratio. The most effective treatment method remains unclear to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the prognosis of patients admitted to a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) and the admitted patient population, intensive care conditions, and the workload of intensive care staff. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that analyzed data from all tertiary ICUs (a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 59 units per month) of eight training and research hospitals between January 2022 and May 2023. We compared monthly data across hospitals and analyzed factors associated with patient prognosis, including mortality and pressure injuries (PIs). Results: This study analyzed data from 54,312 patients, of whom 51% were male and 58.8% were aged 65 or older. The median age was 69 years. The average number of tertiary ICU beds per unit was 15 ± 6 beds, and the average occupancy rate was 83.57 ± 19.28%. On average, 7 ± 9 pressure injuries (PI) and 10 ± 7 patient deaths per unit per month were reported. The mortality rate (18.66%) determined per unit was similar to the expected rate (15–25%) according to the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score. There was a statistically significant difference among hospitals on a monthly basis across various aspects, including bed occupancy rate, length of stay (LOS), number of patients per ICU bed, number of patients per nurse in a shift, rate of patients developing PI, hospitalization rate from the emergency department, hospitalization rate from wards, hospitalization rate from the external center, referral rate, and mortality rate (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although generally reliable in predicting prognosis in tertiary ICUs, the APACHE II scoring system may have limitations when analyzed on a unit-specific basis. ICU-related conditions have an impact on patient prognosis. ICU occupancy rate, work intensity, patient population, and number of working nurses are important factors associated with ICU mortality. In particular, data on the patient population admitted to the unit (emergency patients and patients with a history of malignancy) were most strongly associated with unit mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The increase in the prevalence of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and related comorbidities in children creates a social and financial burden. In our study, we aimed to evaluate liver findings together with anthropometric and laboratory data with twodimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), one of the SWE types, which is a noninvasive method for assessing tissue stiffness in children with obesity, and to obtain quantitative data that can be used in early diagnosis and follow-up. Materials and Methods: In our single-center, observational cross-sectional study, liver gray scale findings, 2D-SWE findings, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory values of 48 children with obesity and 50 healthy children aged between 5 and 18 years, both between groups and in prepubertal and pubertal subgroups, are compared. Results: A significant difference was found in the liver stiffness indicator kilopascal (kPA) values and between aspartate aminotransferase values in the prepubertal period and alanine aminotransferase values in the pubertal period (P < .001). No significant difference was found between insulin, HOMA-IR, waist circumference, waist/height ratio, and kPA. Conclusion: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography can be easily applied in the pediatric population as a practical, noninvasive, reproducible, and highly compatible technique. In this regard, 2D-SWE may be useful in the early diagnosis and follow-up of hepatosteatosis and fibrosis in children with obesity and NAFLD-risky cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Determining the risks in terms of preventing the formation of pressure sores and the progression of existing wounds is very important in reducing mortality. In our study, we aimed to determine the factors affecting the formation of pressure ulcers and the stage of the wound in patients hospitalized in a palliative care center. Methods: The material of our cross-sectional and retrospective study consisted of patients hospitalized in a palliative care center between January 2017 and February 2018. The age, gender, primary diagnosis, comorbidities, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocyte, neutrophil, C-reactive protein, albumin, and prealbumin values, and NRS 2002 scores of the patients were recorded; and the relationship of these variables with pressure ulcer information was analyzed. Results: Of the patients participating in our study, 277 (55.1%) were female, and 226 (44.9%) were male. According to the results of our study, the risk of pressure ulcers increases in patients over 65 years of age and in female patients. Having a cerebrovascular accident or dementia/Alzheimer's disease increases the risk of advanced wounds. The presence of hypertension or cardiovascular disease increases the risk of pressure ulcers. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease have not been found to be associated with wounds. Low albumin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, and high lymphocyte levels are associated with advanced wounds. There was no statistically significant relationship between prealbumin, CRP, neutrophil levels, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and pressure ulcers. Discussion and Conclusion: There is a strong relationship between the formation and progression of pressure ulcers and the diagnosis, nutritional status, presence of anemia, and hypertension. Taking precautions by being aware of the risks in elderly patients with chronic diseases and in need of care is of great importance in terms of preventing pressure ulcers, which increase morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bosphorus Medical Journal / Boğaziçi Tıp Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal is the property of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal is the property of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: There are very few studies about the oral health status of juvenile inmates. This study aimed to determine past dental attendance, medicament usage, and smoking habits, besides oro-dental status, including caries prevalence and periodontal health status of juvenile inmates in detention centers. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 juvenile male inmates (meanage: 16.65±0.91) in a detention center in Istanbul-Turkey. After taking general demographic information, the subjects were clinically examined according to WHO criteria. In addition, the Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) were recorded at Ramfjord teeth to evaluate periodontal status. All data were statistically analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0 programme, Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and One-way ANOVA test. Results: Average length of stay was 6.54±8.38 months. 44.4% of inmates have never visited a dentist. The mean DMF-T, PI, and GI scores of the subjects were 6.78±4.07, 1.18±0.55, and 1.13±0.47, respectively. In addition, 80.2% of inmates smoked before being taken to the detention center. Conclusion: This study indicated that the oral health of detained inmates was poor. Prison health services should not be isolated but integrated into national and regional health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: The study examined the clinical symptoms and lifetime traumatic experience in female patients with conversion disorder (CD). Methods: The study sample consisted of patients from a metropolis (CD-metropolis group, n=60), patients from a non-metropolis city (CD-NMC group, n=60), and healthy controls (n=60). The study was completed with 180 women. The Dissociative Events scale (DES), Childhood Trauma questionnaire-28 (CTQ-28), Traumatic Experiences checklist (TEC), and a data form were used to evaluate the participants. Results: Some specific symptoms (inability to speak, numbness in hands and arms, pseudoseizures, paralysis in hands and arms, and fatigue) and coexisting suicide attempts and dissociation symptoms were more common, CTQ-28, DES, and TEC scores were higher, and TEC Family Support scores were lower in the CD-metropolis group than in the CD-NMC group (p<0.05 for all). Conclusion: Metropolitan life is associated with a different clinical symptomatology, more frequent coexisting problems of attempted suicide and/or dissociation symptoms, and more frequent lifetime trauma compared with NMC life in the context of CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In this cross-sectional study, whether there is a difference in the prevalence of developmental/behavioral problems in children of those who received mono/polytherapy during pregnancy; How Valproic Acid (VPA) exposure affects developmental/behavioral characteristics compared to other antiseizure medications (ASM) was also investigated. Method: 64 children of 46 women with epilepsy (WWE) with children aged 0--18 years were included. Ankara Development and Screening Inventory (ADSI) for their children up to the age of six and The Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 4--18-CBCL/4--18 scale was applied for the ages of 6--18. Children exposed to prenatal ASM were divided into two groups as polytherapy and monotherapy. Children exposed to monotherapy were investigated by drug exposure, as well as exposure to VPA and other ASMs. Chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables. Results: When monotherapy and polytherapy groups were compared, a significant difference was found in the language cognitive development area of the ADSI (p=0.015) and in terms of the sports activity variable in CBCL/4--18 (p=0.039). When the VPA monotherapy and other ASM monotherapy groups were compared, a significant difference was found in terms of sports activity in CBCL-4--18 (p=0.013). Conclusion: It was found that language and cognitive development can be delayed, the level of engagement in sports activities can be reduced in children exposed to polytherapy. The rate of doing sports activities in valproic acid monotherapy exposure may decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-flow nasal cannula therapy has been shown to be useful in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory failure caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus disease-2. The ROX index can help predict the success of high-flow nasal cannula in coronavirus disease-19-related acute respiratory failure. However, the timing of ROX- index assessment is still unclear to protect the patients from complications due to early or delayed intubation. Aims: To evaluate the relation between ROX index patterns within the first 48 hours of the therapy and high-flow nasal cannula success rates. The secondary aim was to determine other possible predictors of high-flow nasal cannula failure. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit between April 2020 and January 2022 with coronavirus disease-19-related acute respiratory failure and treated with high-flow nasal cannula were included in the study. Patients' demographics, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings at intensive care unit admission; ROX indices at initiation, 2nd, 8th, 12th, 24th and 48th hours of high-flow nasal cannula; and outcomes were recorded. Results: In the study period, 69th patients were managed with high- flow nasal cannula for at least 2 hours. While 24 patients (34.7%) were successfully weaned from high-flow nasal cannula, 45 (65.3%) patients failed. Overall mortality at day 28 was 44.9%. ROX indices were lower in the high-flow nasal cannula failure group through the 12th, 24th, and 48th hours of the therapy, no significant change was observed (P = 0.33). While an overall increase in ROX index patterns were detected in patients weaned from high-flow nasal cannula (P = 0.002). Pairwise analyses revealed that ROX indexes remain stable during the first 8th hours in both groups, then improved to 12th hours of the therapy in successfully high-flow nasal cannula-weaned patients. Conclusion: Dynamic assessments of the ROX indexes could be more suggestive rather than a point assessment to identify patients who would benefit from the high-flow nasal cannula or deteriorate in coronavirus disease-19 related acute respiratory failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the immunoglobulin G-receptor-binding domain (IgG-RBD) response and changes in fibrinogen and D-dimer concentrations in individuals with a past coronavirus infection and followed by CoronaVac. Methods The study consisted of a total of 116 participants. Blood samples were drawn from subjects 21–25 days after they received first and second doses of CoronaVac as well as from individuals with a past infection. Fibrinogen, D-dimer, and IgG-RBD concentrations were measured. Results The IgG concentrations of the vaccinated subjects were significantly higher (P <.001), fibrinogen levels were lower (P <.001), and D-dimer levels increased following the second vaccination compared with the first vaccination (P =.083). No difference was obtained in IgG-RBD between vaccinated and previously infected individuals (P =.063). The differences in fibrinogen and D-dimer were statistically nonsignificant between both groups. Conclusion The CoronaVac vaccine appears to be safe and effective. It is essential for individuals to take personal protective measures, such as using masks and distancing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease emerged in 2019, spread in Turkey as all over the world rapidly. In this process, young people began to experience some mental problems due to the fear of contagion, as well as some changes in their lifestyles. Aims: In this study it is aimed to investigate anxiety and depression levels of medical school students and the factors associated with these mental problems. Method: The forms were sent over the internet to the officials responsible for medical education at universities in various regions of Turkey. A total of 2,778 medical faculty students were included in the study. Students were asked to fill out the sociodemographic data form, the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Test. Results: Students' 67.3% were female and 31.7% were male. About 90.2% of the students in the PHQ-9 scale had depressive symptoms in the major depressive disorder (MDD) dimension, and 44.5% in the GAD-7 scale had moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. Gender, being a preclinical student, history of psychiatric treatment in the past, currently receiving psychiatric treatment, death of someone due to pandemic, economic and health situation, perception of mental health were found associated with MDD and Moderate/Severe Anxiety symptoms. Students with Anxiety and MDD reported significantly more anxiety about contamination and negative beliefs about precautions' sufficiency. Conclusions: It was determined that medical school students in our country showed anxiety and depression at a remarkable level during the pandemic. Examining the underlying causes of these high rates will be beneficial in terms of taking precautions during the long-term pandemic. In literature, there are a limited number of studies on this subject in our country, we believe that our study will be useful in future studies to determine the underlying causes of mental illnesses and what can be done to help students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We aimed to determine the frequency of drug allergy and the risk factors associated with drug allergy with a standard questionnaire to be answered by the participants. Methods: In this study, we prepared and administered a questionnaire to inquire about drug allergy, recurrence of allergy, clinical findings, treatment for allergy, and accompanying comorbidities in outpatients admitted to the internal medicine clinic. Results: A total of 261 (138 men and 123 women) participants were included in this study. The prevalence of drug allergy was 36.8% in the study. It was observed that the most common cause of drug allergy was antibiotics (22.7%), acetylsalicylic acid (antipyretic drugs) (14.4%), and gastric protectors (10.3%). Among the allergic symptoms, urticaria (24.7%) stands first, angioedema (23.7%) second, and hematological problems third (15.5%). The fourth and the fifth are eye findings (13.4%) and skin findings (12.4%), respectively. The history of asthma and drug allergy in first-degree relatives was significantly higher in the group with drug allergy (p<0.001). Male gender, latex allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, diabetes, and recurrent urinary tract infection were risk factors associated with drug allergy. Discussion and Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of drug allergy was found to be 36.8% in patients who applied to the Internal Medicine Clinic. It has been observed that male gender may be associated with drug allergy along with some chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between dialysis adequacy and the incidence of symptoms in subjects treated with HD. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at two HD centers. The data were collected with the 'Descriptive Characteristics Form of the Participants' and the 'Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI)'. The study was reported according to the STROBE Declaration. The study was completed with 120 patients. The most common symptom reported was feeling tired or decreased energy and the least common was difficulty concentrating. No statistically significant relationship was found between DSI results and the Kt/V or urea reduction rate levels used to evaluate dialysis adequacy. Dialysis-related symptoms can also be seen in patients with adequate dialysis levels. It is therefore necessary to query the symptoms experienced by the patients at regular intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess validity and reliability of Turkish oral hygiene‐related self‐efficacy (OHSE) scale, and the scores of general self‐efficacy (GSE) and OHSE in the patients with gingivitis and chronic periodontitis (CP). Additionally, the effect of motivation and oral hygiene instructions on the OHSE scores and plaque index (PI) was also aimed. Materials and methods: GSE and OHSE scores were obtained from 210 patients with gingivitis and CP (Group A). After determination of "cut‐off" values on OHSE scores, patients with OHSE scores <30 (OHSE‐low) and ≥50 (OHSE‐high) were included in Group B (gingivitis, N = 25; CP, N = 27). PI values were determined, and motivation and oral hygiene instructions were performed in Group B at baseline. PI measurements and OHSE questionnaire were repeated at 1 and 3 months. Results: The intraclass reliability coefficient and Cronbach's alpha for Turkish translation of OHSE scale were 0.920 and 0.911. OHSE scores significantly correlated with GSE scores and smokers had lower OHSE scores than those of non‐smokers in patients (n = 210). In both gingivitis and CP groups, OHSE scores increased and PI values decreased at 3 months. PI values were lower in gingivitis and CP groups with OHSE‐high scores compared to patients with OHSE‐low scores at 3 months. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it seems that Turkish version of OHSE questionnaire is reliable and valid. Patients with OHSE‐low scores in both gingivitis and CP groups were less successful in performing daily plaque control, compared to patients with OHSE‐high scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The identification of skin toxicities due to radiotherapy in cancer patients is important in planning strategies to eliminate or reduce the severity of potential skin reactions. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of skin toxicity in patients receiving radiotherapy and to determine the evidence-based practices of patients in dealing with skin toxicity. Methods: The study sample consisted of 84 patients treated between December 2016 and May 2017 in the Department of Radiation Oncology at a university hospital. Skin toxicity was categorized using the Classification of Skin Reactions Associated with Radiation Therapy Form, which was developed by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare quantitative variables; chi-square test was used for categorical variables. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the patients who had received radiotherapy, 70.2% (n = 59) had an acute skin reaction, RTOG Grade-1 skin reactions being the most frequent(44%, n = 37). The degree of RTOG skin toxicity was found to increase as the RT dose increased. Evidence-based applications such as aloe vera (8.3%, n = 7), using high-factor sunscreen for sun exposure (16.7%, n = 14), and moisturizing the skin (32.1%, n = 27) were not frequent. The evidence-based practice score of the Grade-1 group (17.00 ± 2.53) was higher than that of the Grade-0 group (12.6 ± 5.44) or Grade 2 and above (14.32 ± 4.25). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that skin toxicity is quite prevalent among RT patients. Randomized clinical trials are required to propose solutions to this problem. Additionally, these findings support the importance of the patient training for the prevention of skin toxicities and the necessity of taking precautions after the RT treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Anxiety and depression can affect patients with asthma. It has been shown that asthma-related quality of life has previously been associated with asthma control. The aims of the present study were to investigate the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms among Turkish patients with asthma, and to evaluate the relation of anxiety and depression symptoms with asthma control and quality of life in these patients. Materials and Methods: A total number of 174 patients regularly followed-up by the asthma clinics were included to the study.Since27 patients had bronchiectasis and were receiving concomitant antidepressant therapy, 147 patients were requested to complete the ACT (Asthma Control Test), HAD (Hospital Anxiety Depression) questionnaire and asthma-specific quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ). Results: Of all patients with asthma,30.6% had anxiety symptoms and 45.6% had depression symptoms, while asthma was adequately controlled (ACT≥20) in 49%. Patients with asthma and depression symptoms had significantly lower scores in total AQLQ and in all subgroups (p<0.05). Patients with adequately controlled asthma had higher quality of life and lower HAD anxiety and depression scores. A significant negative correlation was found between HAD anxiety and depression scores, and AQLQ and ACT scores (p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms is elevated among Turkish patients with asthma. These patients have poorly controlled asthma and lower quality of life. The presence of anxiety and depression symptoms is negatively associated with asthma control and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study was conducted to determine the pediatric usage of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) by parents in Turkey, the incidence of using these methods, and the factors affecting their use. Design and Methods The sectional and relational design of the study included a sample of 497 parents who took children for treatment at the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Giresun, Turkey. Data for the study were collected via the Personal Information Form and the Evaluation Form for Complementary/Alternative Treatment Use. The data collection tools were filled out by the researchers during the face-to-face interviews. Data obtained from the study were analyzed by Pearson chi-square, Fisher-Freeman-Halton and Fisher's exact (posthoc Bonferroni) tests and Z-test. Results It was determined that 97.7% of the parents had used at least one CAM method. Moreover, the parents had used CAM methods mostly for respiratory complaints. The CAM methods were most commonly used for the symptoms of fever, diarrhea, and cough. It was observed that the most commonly used alternative methods in the past were vitamin/mineral remedies, cold treatments, and hodja (Islamic teacher) consultations, while the most common alternative methods currently used are massage, music, and cold treatment. In addition, the differences found between CAM users in terms of sociodemographic characteristics were not statistically significant. Practice Implications : It is crucial for nurses to learn the characteristics of the health/disease treatments used by those with whom they work in order to increase the efficiency of the service they provide. Thus, it was recommended that nurses should be knowledgeable and aware of the benefits/side effects, treatment methods, and contraindications of CAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The relationship of body mass index (BMI) with functional status differs in diversified geriatric population and various settings. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether BMI is related to functional status independent of age, nutritional status, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy in a group of Turkish community-dwelling female elderly. Design: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design. Setting: Geriatric outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Participants: There were 438 female patients aged 60 years or older included in the analysis. Measurements: Body mass indexes were calculated from weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m). Functional status was assessed with the evaluation of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scales. Diseases and drugs were determined after the evaluation of the patients with comprehensive geriatric assessment, physical examination, first-line biochemical tests, and using the patients' self-report and current medication lists. Results: In total, 438 subjects comprised our study cohort. Mean age was 73.3 ± 6.9 years. Mean BMI was 27.8 ± 5.2 kg/m. Linear regression analysis revealed significant and independent association of lower BMI with higher ADL and IADL scores ( p = 0.02, B = −0.10; p < 0.001, B = −0.17, respectively). ADL and IADL were significantly negatively correlated with BMI in subjects with normal nutrition ( p = 0.03, r = −0.122; p = 0.001, r = −0.183) but not in subjects with malnutrition risk or malnutrition. We suggest that lower BMI is associated with better functional status in Turkish community-dwelling female older people. This association is prominent in the subjects with normal nutritional status. Conclusions: Our study recommends the need for further studies accounting for the nutritional status on the relationship between BMI and functionality in different populations and in different settings. It represents an important example for diversity in BMI-functionality relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular calcification and increased oxidative stress are commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Nitrotyrosine is one of the end products of nitric oxide metabolism and is accepted as an indicator of oxidative stress. Nitrotyrosine levels have been found to be high in ESRD patients. The aim of our study is to investigate the relation between coronary artery calcification and oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. 46 PD and 34 HD patients are included in the study. Coronary artery calcification scoring (CACS) is made by multi slice computed tomography. Patients are divided into 4 groups according to their CACS values as Group 1 (CACS: 0), Group 2 (CACS:1-99), Group 3 (CACS: 100-399) and Group 4 (CACS: ≥400). Serum nitrotyrosine levels were measured. Nitrotyrosine levels were significantly increased in HD patients compared to PD patients. Nitrotyrosine levels were found to be elevated in accordance with increased CACS in PD patients. However, we could not find this relationship in HD patients. There might be an important relationship between CACS and oxidative stress in PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]