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Objective: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer among women. Many BC patients suffer from sleep problems, which have a negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). Our study aims to investigate sleep problems in BC patients treated with active chemotherapy or in remission in comparison with a healthy control group (HCG), given the importance of sleep disorders and QoL. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted. Four different surveys including sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), hospital anxiety and depression scale and The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer core quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) were used to collect study parameters. Results: Of 164 participants, the mean age was 42.0±11.7 years. Overall PSQI median score for all participants was 6 points (range, 3-9 points). PSQI median value was higher in cancer patients compared to the control group, which were 6 points (range, 4-9 points), and 4 points (range, 3-7 points), respectively (p=0.004). The mean depression score was 5 points (range, 3-8 points) in BC patients, and 4 points (range, 2-6 points) in HCGs, respectively (p=0.025). Having BC diagnosis was an independent factor increasing the risk of bad sleep quality in compared to healthy controls (odds ratio: 2.568, 95% confidence interval: 1.169-5.645; p=0.019). Conclusion: There was a close association between poor sleep quality, depression and QoL scores in patients with BC. In patients with breast cancer, appropriate management of associated comorbidities will aid a better quality of life in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The number of admissions for severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D) increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We aimed to investigate whether there has been a change in this situation in recent years. Materials and Methods: All children with T1D who were diagnosed in our tertiary hospital between 2019 and 2023 were included. Plasma insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and antibodies against thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, insulin, islet cell, glutamic acid decarboxylase, tissue transglutaminase IgA, and endomysium IgA were measured. Results: The frequency of moderate–severe acidosis at admission, which increased after pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period, returns to its previous levels over time but still shows a statistical difference compared to the pre-pandemic period (P = .012). Age, blood gas pH and HCO3 level, C-peptide, HbA1c, and length of stay of children at the time of admission were compared year by year (years 2019-2023). No statistical differences were observed (P = .509, P = .181, P = .069, P = .469, P = .346, P = .946), respectively. A significant difference was observed in venous glucose (P < .001) and insulin (P = .001) according to years. Also, no significant difference was found about the degree of acidosis according to age (P = .334). Conclusion: Although the frequency of DKA in children with newly-diagnosed T1D increased in the first years of the pandemic, it has been decreasing over the years toward pre-pandemic levels. The frequency of DKA is still higher than the pre-pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although vaccines are considered safe for most people, patients with some chronic diseases have been very hesitant to get vaccinated, especially at the initial stages of vaccination. We conducted a survey among patients with epilepsy (PWE) who are currently experiencing hesitations, aiming to investigate the vaccination rates against Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and the side effects emerged in vaccinated patients. Methods: Two hundred nineteen PWE were questioned during a routine outpatient follow-up through previously prepared questionnaires that contained questions about patients' demographic features, information about the vaccination status, and its adverse effects. Results: We included 219 PWE in the study of which 112 (51.1%) were female and 107 (48.8%) were male. One hundred eighty patients (82.1%) had been vaccinated at least once, 75% of the patients preferred two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, 9.4% of the patients preferred two doses of Sinovac's inactivated vaccine, 6.1% of the patients preferred three doses of Sinovac, and 9.4% of the patients preferred Sinovac and BNT162b2 vaccines. Seventy-seven (42.7%) patients reported that they experienced side effects after vaccination whereas ten patients (5.5%) reported worsening of their seizures after vaccination; one person stated that she/he was hospitalized in the intensive care unit due to status epilepticus. Conclusion: Generally, the tolerance of COVID-19 vaccines has progressed with mild side effects in most cases, which is consistent with previous studies in the general population, similarly no serious and previously unreported side effects were found in our study. Our study showed that COVID-19 vaccines are well-tolerated and safe for seizures in PWE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caregiving has become an increasingly important medical and social issue in recent decades. We performed a cross-sectional study on pulmonary patients and accompanying informal caregivers who were hospitalized in the chest disease ward of a tertiary center in Turkey between January 2020 and April 2021. Informal caregivers were asked to complete the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. A total of 141 inpatients (39% female, mean age: 76.8 ± 10.2 years) and their informal caregivers (77% female, mean age: 54 ± 11.9 years) were evaluated. The caregivers were classified as light to medium burden (group 1, burden score ≤40) and medium to heavy burden (group 2, burden score >40). The mean burden score was 35.7 ± 13.3 points. The number of female caregivers was higher in group 2 (p = 0.025). There was a positive correlation between the burden score and female gender (p = 0.002) and the number of chronic diseases of caregivers (p = 0.020). Statistical analysis revealed a negative correlation between the burden score and the level of education (r = > −0.174, p = 0.040). Caregiver burden is related to the characteristics of the caregiver rather than those of the patient being cared for. Female caregivers with lower education and more than one chronic disease perceive a higher caregiver burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Antibiotics are often prescribed for the treatment of various infections and prophylactic purposes in dental practice. Their improper use can cause microbial resistance to antibiotics, which poses a world-wide threat. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the knowl edge and attitudes of dentists and dentistry students about antibiotic prescription practices for prophylaxis and the treatment of dental infections in pediatric patients. Methods: A questionnaire was e-mailed to 2,100 dentists and 300 senior dentistry students. The questionnaire was filled out by the participants within a 2-month period (May–June 2020). A 30-point scoring system was developed to assess the knowledge levels of the dentists according to the guidelines. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. One-way ANOVA test and the Chi-Squared test were used to compare qualitative variables. Results: The response rate was found to be 24.2% for dentists and 49% for senior dentistry students. 19.4% of the participants were found to be moderately knowl edge able and 80.6% of them were highly knowledgeable. Students' knowledge scores were found to be higher than the general dentists and other specialists (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between students and pedodontists. Conclusion: Dentists were found to have sufficient knowledge about the usage of antibiotics in children, but there is still a lack of information about circumstances under which antibiotics should not be prescribed. Dentists and dentistry students should attend continuing education programs to keep their information up-to-date and should also prescribe antibiotics in adherence with the current guidelines to prevent antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main aim of this study was to compare older patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to those with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) according to their dependency in daily living activities and comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters. Method: A total of 227 AD and 123 DLB patients underwent a geriatric assessment that included comorbidities, number of drugs used, falls, urinary incontinence, hand grip strength, Mini‐Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment Scale, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Basic and instrumental activities of daily living were assessed by the Barthel Index and the Lawton scale, respectively. Results: The mean age of the participants was 83.4 years, and 73% were female. There were no statistically significant differences between AD and DLB patients in age, gender, cognitive function, or comorbidities except for coronary artery disease (P < 0.05). The number of falls, drugs used, and ISI and Epworth scores were higher in patients with DLB than patients with AD (P < 0.05). DLB patients had lower MNA, Tinetti scale, and hand grip strength scores than AD patients. The ratio of patients highly dependent in basic daily activities as a whole was significantly greater in DLB than in AD (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the overall levels of dependency in instrumental activities. Conclusion: DLB patients are more dependent on their caregivers than AD patients. Nutritional deterioration, sleep disorders, falls, balance and gait problems, decreased muscle strength, and multiple drug use are more common in those with DLB compared to those with AD. The management of older patients with DLB may be more difficult than older patients with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the effect of family function, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic adjustment on postpartum depression Design and Methods: This descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted in 337 postpartum mothers. Findings: Fifty‐five mothers scored above the depression scale cutoff point (>13). Emotional violence from husband, poor problem solving and communication, low relationship satisfaction, dyadic adjustment, and consensus were important risk factors for postpartum depression (p <.0.05). Practice Implications: Family function and partner relationships should be a key focus for midwives and nurses in the postpartum period. Providing psychological interventions aimed at improving relationship functioning can help protect mothers against postpartum depression. [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]

Background: During the COVID‐19 pandemic, there were difficulties in planning the nursing workforce and personal protective equipment. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify the experiences and views of nurses on personal protective equipment use and nursing workforce planning in Turkey. Methods: This descriptive and cross‐sectional study was conducted between 23 December 2020 and 3 May 2021, among 362 nurses who agreed to participate in this study voluntarily. Results: The findings showed that the satisfaction scores were significantly higher for those nurses who worked in 8‐h shifts, were not assigned to different clinics, were notified by an official letter and 1 week or month in advance before assignment compared with nurses in other categories. Conclusions: The problems that have arisen in the COVID‐19 pandemic process have made it clear that there is a need for a nursing services management model in the event of an epidemic. Implications for Nursing Management: This study reveals the need for the 'Nursing Services Management Model in the Event of an Epidemic' by discussing the problems of nurse workforce planning and protective personal equipment management from the perspective of nurses who experienced these problems at first hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the vaccination rates and the levels of awareness on pneumococcal, influenza, tetanus and hepatitis B vaccination among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Material and Methods: The study was performed on patients with DM who presented to the outpatient Clinic of Internal Disease at Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital. Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their vaccination status, attitude, and awareness about vaccines. Results: A total of 293 patients [121 (41.3%) males and 172 (58.7%) females] with a mean age of 65 years were included in the study. The mean duration of diabetes was 15 years. Overall, 47.8% of patients reported awareness about the need for vaccination while the rate of being unvaccinated was 52.2%. Reasons for the lack of vaccination were as follows: 67.3% of patients were unaware of the reason for not receiving vaccines; 17.5% patients did not want to be vaccinated; 13.3% patients reported that their physicians did not recommend vaccination; 1.5% reported unavailability of vaccines, and 0.4% reported negligence. Among vaccinated cases, 34.1% were vaccinated against flu; 20.8% against tetanus; 9.9% against pneumonia; 7.8% against hepatitis; and 5.1% received vaccination for other diseases. Conclusion: The levels of vaccine awareness and vaccination rates are low among diabetic patients. It is essential to raise vaccination awareness among this patient population. The health authorities and departments need to develop effective strategies to increase vaccination rates across the country. [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]

Background: One of the most common behavioral problems in patients with dementia is eating problems, which are known to increase the risk of malnutrition. However, few studies have been conducted in this patient group regarding the relationship between eating difficulties and nutritional status. Purpose: This study was designed to determine the eating difficulties faced by patients with dementia and to evaluate the relationship in this population between eating difficulties and malnutrition. Methods: This study was carried out in a dementia outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. This cross-sectional, case-control study included 50 patients and 50 healthy controls as participants. Participants were assessed for eating difficulties and for nutritional, cognitive, and functional statuses. Results: The patients with dementia had more difficulties in terms of self-feeding skills. Although problems related to manipulating food on the plate and the use of utensils were not seen in the control group, these problems were found in 30% of the participants in the dementia group (p <.001). Moreover, 30% of the patients in the dementia group were unable to eat without assistance (p <.001). Associations were found between eating difficulties and age, duration of illness, and cognitive and functional (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) statuses. In addition, self-feeding skills were found to be associated with nutritional status. Rate of malnutrition or risk of malnutrition was higher in patients with dementia than in those in the control group. Conclusions: In this study, compared with the control group, patients with dementia had more problems in self-feeding skills such as manipulation of food on a plate, use of utensils, need for assistive tools, ability to eat without assistance, and negative eating behaviors (refusal to eat). An association was found between eating difficulties and nutritional status. Evaluating eating difficulties is recommended in patients with dementia to prevent nutritional deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare updated weight and height percentiles of 6-17-year-old children from all socio-economic levels in Kayseri with previous local references and other national/international data. Methods: The second study "Determination of Anthropometric Measurements of Turkish Children and Adolescents study (DAMTCA II)" was conducted in Kayseri, between October 2007 and April 2008. Weight and height measurements from 4321 (1926 boys, 2395 girls) school children aged between 6 to 17 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Using these data, weight and height percentile curves were produced with generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) and compared with the most recent references. Results: Smoothed percentile curves including the 3rd, 5th, 10th, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th, 95th, and 97th percentiles were obtained for boys and girls. These results were compared with DAMTCA I study and with two national (İstanbul and Ankara) and international data from Asia and from Europe. Conclusion: This study provides updated weight and height references for Turkish school children aged between 6 and 17 years residing in Kayseri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders and nocturnal hypoxia are common in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with a poor functional outcome in stroke patients. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between nocturnal hypoxia and functional outcome in the rehabilitation phase of stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty patients with stroke and 20 controls were included. Functional status was evaluated with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Pulse oximetry was performed overnight from 21.00 h to 07.00 h. Baseline awake oxygen saturation, nocturnal oxygen saturation, the lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation, and the >4% Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) were calculated. RESULTS: The mean oxygen saturation measurements were not significantly different among the groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the FIM scores and the oxygen saturation measurements of the stroke patients (p > 0.05). The baseline oxygen saturation in patients with disease duration of 3 months or less was 94.67, and it was 96.56 (p = 0.016) in those with disease duration of more than 3 months. CONCLUSION: This study showed that nocturnal oxygen saturation was not associated with functional outcome in the rehabilitation phase of stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]