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BACKGROUND: While absenteeism refers to not attending work, presenteeism is defined as not being present at work. These two conditions, which negatively affect employee health, can be indicators of work efficiency, work peace, work safety and work engagement. OBJECTIVE: Several factors were evaluated in this study concerning absenteeism and presenteeism among factory workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among workers in a factory operating in a heavy industry in southern Turkey in 2021. A survey consisting of 57 questions was applied to 152 factory workers by face-to-face interview method. The participants' behaviour over the last month was evaluated regarding absenteeism and presenteeism. RESULTS: It was reported that 24 (15.8%) of all employees were absent from work in the last month (absenteeism), excluding holidays and sick leave, and that 20 (13.2%) employees engaged in presenteeism, working when they should not have been at the workplace. There was a high absenteeism rate among employees who had an acute illness and were dissatisfied with their jobs. Several factors have been associated with presenteeism, including poor economic conditions, family health problems, previous unemployment, working overtime, job dissatisfaction, poor relationships with colleagues and difficulty finding a replacement, acute illness, sleep problems and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: To increase the productivity and commitment of employees, it may be useful to identify the reasons for absenteeism and present behaviours, to facilitate effective interpersonal communication skills by examining the organisational climate of employees, and to regulate workload based on a comprehensive assessment of the health status of employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Earthquakes disproportionately affect women and exacerbate gender and social inequalities. This study aims to investigate the psychological impact of the earthquake in Türkiye on women and the associated factors. Methods This is a survey-based study. We collected data from 498 women residing in cities most affected by the earthquake. Results Participants' mean age was 27.72 ± 5.4. Over 78% of the participants lost at least one family member, and 43.7% lost at least one child due to the earthquake. The mean average of Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) scores was 100.8 (SD = 8.37), and the Global Severity Index was 1.9 (SD = 0.16). Regression analysis showed that higher education levels predicted poor outcomes across most BSI dimensions. Losing a family member and shelter and injury status were also predictors for several mental health outcomes of the BSI subscales. Conclusions Earthquakes significantly impact women's well-being and may have a broader impact on the whole family. There is an urgent need to provide psycho-social interventions in the response and recovery phases of the crisis to meet the affected women's needs. This includes providing basic needs with attention to women-specific needs, restoring social networks, addressing gender-based violence and providing gender-sensitive specialized interventions for those who need further support. [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]

Introduction: Child abuse and neglect is a widespread and pressing issue, with serious and long-term adverse effects on children's physical and psychological health. Pediatricians play a crucial role in detecting and addressing cases; however, studies have shown challenges in reporting cases encountered in clinical practice. This study aims to examine pediatricians' attitudes towards reporting cases of child abuse and neglect encountered in their clinical practices, as well as the factors influencing these attitudes. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatricians in Istanbul. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and formal training about child neglect and abuse, attitudes about dealing with it, experience, and reporting behavior. The data was collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. The study provides insights into the current awareness and response of Istanbul's pediatricians towards child neglect and abuse. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22, employing descriptive and comparative statistics such as frequency, mean, standard deviation, and correlation tests. Ethical approval was obtained from the Istanbul Medipol University Ethics Committee. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and online consent was obtained from the participants. Results: The study involved 126 pediatricians. Results showed that pediatricians had generally positive attitudes toward reporting child neglect and abuse. Gender and marital status did not significantly influence attitudes, but pediatricians who were parents scored higher on reporting Responsibility. Additionally, it was shown that those with more professional experience had a higher reporting responsibility score. Structured training on child abuse and neglect has been shown to increase pediatricians' reporting responsibility scores and exhibit less anxious attitudes. Conclusion: This study highlights pediatricians' positive attitudes toward reporting child abuse and neglect and identifies influencing factors such as training, professional experience, and collaboration. It emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges like awareness of reporting procedures and concerns about negative consequences. Comprehensive training, clear reporting protocols, and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential for increasing reporting rates and improving the detection of child abuse and neglect. The study contributes to enhancing child protection systems in Turkey by providing insights into pediatricians' attitudes toward reporting child abuse and neglect. [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]

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]

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]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) in patients treated for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and to evaluate comorbid/confounding factors. Method: The study included patients treated for AIS who were divided into three treatment groups: those receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator therapy (tPA); patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy (MT); and those receiving both tPA and MT. PUs were classified according to the international classification system and factors that may influence their development were investigated. Results: A total of 242 patients were included in this study. The incidence of PUs in patients treated for AIS was 7.4%. Most PUs were located on the sacrum (3.7%), followed by the gluteus (3.3%) and trochanter (2.9%). With regards to PU classification: 29% were stage I; 34% were stage II; and the remainder were stage III. Age was not a significant factor in the development of PUs (p=0.172). Patients in the tPA group had a lower PU incidence (2.3%) than patients in the tPA+MT group (15.7%) and MT group (12.1%) (p=0.001). Patients with PUs had a longer period of hospitalisation (18.5±11.92 days) than patients without a PU (8.0±8.52 days) (p=0.000). National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at admission were higher in patients with PUs than in patients without a PU (14.33±4.38 versus 11.08±5.68, respectively; p=0.010). The difference in presence of comorbidities between patients with and without PUs (p=0.922) and between treatment groups (p=0.677) were not statistically significant. The incidence of PUs was higher in patients requiring intensive care, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.089). Conclusion: In this study, patients treated for AIS with high NIHSS scores at admission and/or receiving MT were at higher risk for PUs, and so particular attention should be given to these patients in order to prevent PU development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, awareness, and behaviors of dentists and senior dental students regarding oral cancer (OC). Materials and methods: This study included 168 dentists and senior dental students who had completed all theoretical educations and clinical practices. An online survey was administered to all participants to assess their awareness of the risk factors for OC, clinical knowledge, and behaviors. The participants' demographic characteristics and knowledge of OC were analyzed. Results: Of the participants, 48.8% were female and 51.2% were male. Their mean age was 27.04 ± 5.56 years (range: 21–51). In addition, 59.5% were dentists, and 40.5% were senior dental students. The dentists' mean time since graduation was 6.38 ± 5.64 years (range: 1–27). Routine oral mucosa examination for OC was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05). Among all participants, 33% of dentists and 51.5% of senior dental students had poor knowledge of OC-related or possibly predisposing factors. Routine evaluation of OC-related and predisposing risk factors, including human papillomavirus infection, smoking, alcohol use, trauma-related non-healing oral lesions caused by long-term incompatible prostheses, and poor oral hygiene, was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Educating dental students about a more comprehensive oral examination and early diagnosis of OC would help overcome the current lack of adequate knowledge and attitudes in OC prevention and early detection. A core curriculum compatible with the global standards on OC should be provided to dental students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Sarcopenia and obesity are independent diseases that result in decreased muscle strength and function. Few studies have been conducted on the association of sarcopenia and obesity, especially in women. This study aims to measure the possibility of sarcopenic obesity in women with obesity. Methods: Our study was organized using a prospective cross-sectional study in Turkey. A total of 135 volunteer were included in the study. Inclusion criteria required the patients to have a BMI >35 kg/m² or BMI >40 kg/m² and no current comorbid disease. The exclusion criteria included: age (<18 and >70 years were excluded), history of muscle disease, malignancy, psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disease and psychosis, malnutrition, and recent corticosteroid (CS) use (within the last three months). Probable sarcopenia is determined by low skeletal muscle strength, and confirmed sarcopenia is defined if there is both low skeletal muscle mass and low skeletal muscle quality. Muscle strength was measured with isometric dynamometry using the handgrip method. A six-minute walk test (6MWT), in which we measured walking speed, was performed to determine the physical performance of the patients. We adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) using height squared (ASM/height2) bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure the muscle mass. Results: Patients' mean age was 43 (11.4) (20-69) years. Of the total participants, 64.6% were in the age range of 40-59; 19.2% of patients were defined as possible sarcopenia; and 2.2% had confirmed sarcopenia. A total of 78.5% of patients did not meet any of the sarcopenia criteria. We determined that there was no difference in anthropometric measurements between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients (P>0.05), except for waist and hip circumferences. However, we did observe a noteworthy distinction in waist and hip circumference measurements between the two groups, with sarcopenic patients exhibiting larger circumferences (P=0.05 and P=0.032, respectively). Our study revealed a significant disparity in the results of the six-minute walk test and handgrip strength values between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients (P<0.001). Specifically, non-sarcopenic patients demonstrated higher values in both tests.. Conclusion: Obesity and sarcopenic obesity will continue to be a public health problem in the future among middle-aged women. It should be considered that the prevalence of decreased muscle strength was high in our study group, and physical performance decreased due to muscle strength. We concluded that as success in the six-minute walk test and handgrip values increased, the diagnosis of sarcopenia decreased, and each increase in platelet count increased the risk of sarcopenia in obese female 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: 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]

Introduction: Hypertension targets many organs. This study investigates left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which can lead to conduction disorders, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) was assessed using serum asymmetric dimethyl-arginine (ADMA) levels. Methods: The study included a total of 90 voluntary participants: 30 patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, 30 hypertensive patients without hypertrophy, and 30 normotensive healthy controls. Serum ADMA levels were used to detect endothelial dysfunction. Results: The results showed that serum ADMA levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in serum ADMA levels between the two subgroups of patients, with or without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). A correlation analysis was performed, revealing no correlation between serum ADMA levels and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Discussion and Conclusion: There appears to be no direct relationship between LVH and endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, inflammatory processes seem to contribute to the development of LVH rather than endothelial dysfunction. The duration of exposure to high blood pressure and the stage of hypertension are also believed to impact this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objective: The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to determine the point prevalence and associated risk factors of medical device‐related pressure injuries (MDRPI) in intensive care patients in Turkey. Background: MDRPI remain a clinical problem that has garnered the attention of healthcare professionals. Design: This study used a cross‐sectional design and was conducted over a single day in all intensive care units. Method: Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews, observation, skin examination and detailed diagnosis of MDRPI development and influencing factors. Presence of pressure injuries on the skin in the areas where the patient's medical device was placed was defined. The study was reported according to the STROBE declaration. Results: MDRPI developed in 65 out of 200 patients included in the study (32.5%). The most frequent locations were on the face (71%). The MDRPIs were commonly associated with nasogastric tube (29.2%), endotracheal tube (18.5%) and CPAP mask (15.4%). A significant proportion of these injuries were mucosal (53.8%, n = 35). The majority of the skin pressure injuries were classified as Stage II (18.5%, n = 12). The risk increased 14 times in patients who were hospitalised for 9–16 days and 13 times in those who received mechanical ventilator support. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that MDRPI developed in approximately one of three patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit, and the length of hospital stay and mechanical ventilator support were important determining risk factors. The high prevalence of MDRPI may indicate inadequate nursing care quality. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses be aware of risk factors and evaluate the suitability and safety of medical devices. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution was involved in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The most common musculoskeletal problems associated with pregnancy are low back pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle pain. The belief that LBP is a problem that occurs during the normal course of pregnancy and it will go away after delivery impairs women's quality of life. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of LBP and the factors associated with LBP in pregnant women in Türkiye. It also aims to increase health-care professionals' awareness of this situation. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 147 pregnant women who applied to the obstetric clinic of Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital between September 2020 and December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. All questionnaires were filled in by a single midwife during face-to-face interviews. Functional disability was measured by the Turkish version of the Oswestry Disability Index. Results: The prevalence of pregnancy-related low back pain (PRLBP) was 86%. The prevalence of a history of LBP is 44%. Pregnant with a history of LBP had higher PRLBP during pregnancy (94.2%, p<0.001). Age, gestational week, and weight gain during pregnancy were the risk factors related to PRLBP (p<0.05). Women with PRLBP had significantly increased Oswestry score, maternal age, gestational age, and weight gain compared to pregnant without LBP (p<0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: A significant increase in the prevalence of PRLBP was observed in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Especially, young pregnant with excess weight gain during pregnancy and LBP history are candidates for PRLBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: It has been reported that both the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the common carotid artery (CCA) are associated with hypoxia, also observed in late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR). However, it has not yet been investigated whether these Doppler measurements differ in cases of late-onset FGR. This study evaluated the ICA and the CCA Doppler parameters in late-onset FGR fetuses and compared these measurements with those of healthy fetuses. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study comprised 75 singleton pregnancies diagnosed with late-onset FGR between the 32nd and 37th weeks of gestation, alongside 75 healthy fetuses paired 1:1 based on obstetric history and gestational age between June 2022 and May 2023. The Delphi consensus of 2016 was used for the definition of late-onset FGR. The exclusion criteria were congenital anomalies, presence of any additional disease, maternal body mass index over 35 kg/m², abdominal scars hindering ultrasound visualization, use of medications such as antenatal steroids, sympathomimetics, and indomethacin that affect vascular function, drug use, smoking during pregnancy, concurrent preeclampsia, and multiple pregnancies. Upon the patients' admission to the hospital, their demographic characteristics were documented, and ultrasonographic examinations and Doppler measurements were subsequently performed. The Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery (UA) encompassed measurements of the systolic to diastolic ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI), and peak systolic velocity (PSV). The carotid artery Doppler velocimetry of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), ICA, and CCA encompassed measurements of the PI, resistance index (RI), and PSV. We assessed the diagnostic performance of Doppler measurements for late-onset FGR through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: In the late-onset FGR group, the mean UA-SD was higher (2.7 [0.6] vs. 2.5 [0.5], P=0.006), and the mean UA-PI (0.8 [0.2] vs. 0.9 [0.2], P=0.011) and mean PSV (35.6 [8.2] vs. 41.1 [7.1], P<0.001) were lower compared to the control group. In the late-onset FGR group, carotid Doppler measurements were more pronounced than UA Doppler measurements. Moreover, ICA Doppler measurements exhibited superior diagnostic performance in predicting late-onset FGR compared to other Doppler measurements (Area under the curve [AUC]=0.777, P<0.001 for ICA-PI; AUC=0.751, P<0.001 for ICA-RI; AUC=0.749, P<0.001 for ICA-PSV). Conclusion: In fetuses with late-onset FGR, UA Doppler measurements showed minimal differences compared to healthy fetuses, but differences in carotid Doppler measurements, especially in the ICA, were more pronounced. Therefore, in the management of fetuses suspected of having late-onset FGR, a more detailed Doppler examination might be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 Karya Journal of Health Science is the property of Karya Journal of Health Science 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 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.)

This study aims to determine the relationship between adult colorectal cancer screening behaviors and health literacy levels. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the relationship between adult colorectal cancer screening behaviors and health literacy levels. Of the participants, only a small proportion had undergone this screening (9.3%). Having an intestinal disease (OR = 23) and having a relative with colorectal cancer (OR = 8) had the highest effect on colorectal screening. There were significant differences between the colorectal screening groups concerning most THLS-32 subgroup scores, including the THLS-32 total score. Health literacy affects colorectal cancer screening rates. Primary care workers, especially community health nurses, are in an ideal position to increase health literacy and thereby increase cancer screening rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet addiction is a growing behavioral health problem in modern societies. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction (IA) and social media addiction (SMA) and their relationship with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and internet usage patterns among medical students. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 medical students in a medical faculty, in Istanbul. Self-report questionnaires comprised sociodemographic status, lifestyle habits, internet and social media usage behavior, the Young Internet Addiction Test-short form (s-IAT), and the Bergen Social media addiction scale. The total prevalence of IA was 16.1% (11.8–20.4%), 17.2% (12.8–21.7%) in males and 14.8% (10.7–19.0%) in females. The total prevalence of SMA was 6.1% (3.3–8.9%), 4.8% (2.3–7.3%) in males and 7.4% (4.3–10.5%) in females. No significant difference was found between the sexes in terms of IA and SMA. IA was higher in grade 3 students than in grade 6 students. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that reading books at least once per month, high life satisfaction, performing physical activity at least twice per week, and using the internet for communication purposes were independent preventive factors for IA. The current study shows that IA and SMA are common in medical school students. Moreover, IA is associated with socioeconomic characteristics and lifestyle habits such as reading books, life satisfaction, and physical activity. To protect medical school students from IA and develop healthy behaviors, it is necessary to develop prevention strategies and design and implement awareness and education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit for poisoning and the factors associated with their outcomes. Materials and Methods: Patients who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for poisoning over the 11-year period between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' demographic characteristics, poisoning agent, whether the poisoning was unintentional or intentional (suicide attempt), clinical findings at admission, indication for hospitalization, antidote administered, and supportive and extracorporeal treatments were examined. Results: During the study period, poisonings accounted for 9.4% (436/4653) of pediatric intensive care unit admissions. Of these, 419 patients with complete records were included in the analysis. Drug poisonings accounted for 81.9% of cases (multiple drugs in 38.5%). The most common drug group was central nervous system drugs (47%). Of the symptomatic patients, 56.5% had central nervous system-related findings and 55% had gastrointestinal findings. Before pediatric intensive care unit admission, 52.7% of the patients received activated charcoal and 7.4% received antidote therapy. In the pediatric intensive care unit, 68.9% of patients received no medical treatment, while 71.5% of those who received medical treatment had organ involvement. Multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict whether patients will require treatment during the intensive care follow-up showed that antidote administration before pediatric intensive care unit admission was associated with the need for medical treatment (odds ratio: 25.6, 95% CI: 6.8-96, P < .05). Three patients died, and the mortality rate was 0.72%. Conclusion: Childhood poisoning is a widespread and important problem. Effective management in pediatric emergency and intensive care units contributes to patient survival without sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors associated with disability and quality of life (QoL) in Turkish patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Patients and methods: Between January 2018 and January 2019, a total of 256 SSc patients (20 males, 236 females; mean age: 50.9±12.4 years; range, 19 to 87 years) who were diagnosed with SSc were included in the study. Disability and health-related QoL (HRQoL) were evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), scleroderma HAQ (SHAQ), Duruöz Hand Index (DHI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Linear regression analysis methods were used to describe factors associated with disability and QoL of the patients. Results: All disability scores were higher and HRQoL scores were lower in diffuse cutaneous SSc patients compared limited cutaneous SSc, and differentiations were significant (p=0.001 and p=0.007). In multiple regression, pain (VAS) was the strongest predictor for high disability and low QoL scores (p<0.001) as HAQ (β=0.397, 0.386, 0.452), SHAQ (β=0.397, 0.448, 0.372), DHI (β=0.446, 0.536, 0.389), PCS (β=-0.417,-0.499, -0.408) and MCS (β=-0.478, -0.441, -0.370) in combined, lcSSc and dcSSc patients respectively. The factors associated with high disability and low QoL scores were forced vital capacity for HAQ (β=-0.172, p=0.002) and SF-36 PCS (β=0.187, p=0.001); disease duration for HAQ (β=0.208, p<0.001), DHI (β=0.147, p=0.006), and SF-36 PCS (β=-0.134, p=0.014); 6-minute walk test for HAQ (β=-0.161, p=0.005) and SF-36 PCS (β=0.153, p=0.009); and modified Rodnan skin score for SHAQ (β=0.250, p<0.001) and DHI (β=0.233, p<0.001) in SSc patients. Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide for HAQ (β=-0.189, p=0.010) and SHAQ (β=-0.247, p=0.002); erythrocyte sedimentation rate for DHI (β=0.322, p<0.001); age for SF-36 PCS (β=-0.221, p=0.003) and body mass index for SF-36 PCS (β=-0.200, p=0.008) and MCS (β=-0.175, p=0.034) were the other variables associated with high disability or low QoL scores in SSc subsets. Conclusion: Clinicians should consider the management of the pain and its sources as a key to improve better functional state and quality of daily life in SSc. [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]

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]

Background: Obesity and cardiovascular diseases are among the major problems for firefighters. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the level of knowledge of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease among firefighters, the prevalence of obesity, and the affecting factors. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 147 firefighters in Turkey, in 2016. Data were collected with the descriptive characteristics form, the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL) Scale. Firefighters' weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Results: The mean age of the all-male participants was 34.88±7.78 years. 42.9% were educated to the high school level. The prevalence of obesity was 22.5%. The obesity level of the firefighters according to their body mass index was affected by their age, mean duration of working, and whether they regularly ate a midday meal; according to their waist measurement, age, marital status, mean duration of working and body type perception affected abdominal obesity (p<0.05). The firefighters' mean score on the CARRF-KL Scale was 16.72±4.74. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among firefighters. At the same time, it was observed that the level of knowledge of many of them concerning the risk factors of smoking, not taking regular physical exercise and cardiovascular diseases was at a medium level. For this reason, it is recommended that firefighters should be informed about cardiovascular risk factors, and education should be conducted on nutrition, exercise, and smoking. The results of this study indicate that occupational health workers (for examples doctor, occupational health nursing) should provide firefighters with services to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. [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]

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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]

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the relationship between cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and bronchopulmonary dysplasia and other neonatal morbidities (sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, respiratory distress syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity) in preterm neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Infants aged <32 gestational weeks who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between March 2014 and November 2014 were enrolled in this prospective study. Cord blood samples were obtained during delivery. 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Patients were divided into two groups according to their 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: 25-hydroxyvitamin D <20 ng/mL and 25-hydroxyvitamin D =20 ng/mL. We used descriptive statistics and multiple regression models to identify risk factors associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. RESULTS: Sixty premature infants were analyzed in this study. The mean cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 13,8±6,8 ng/mL (range 3,5-30,7 ng/mL). Eighty percent of the patients (48/60) had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <20 ng/mL. Among the infants, 21 (35%) developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had higher frequencies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency than the non-bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (p=0.028). Duration of hospitalization was also longer in infants with low levels of cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between infants with and without vitamin D deficiency with respect to respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: This study shows the high rate of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women in the central Anatolian region (Sivas) of Türkiye. Low cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with an increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and prolonged hospitalization in very preterm infants. These data strengthen the necessity for vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Nucleated red blood cells and immature granulocytes are not normally detected in the blood of healthy adults. We aimed to investigate the effect of nucleated red blood cells and immature granulocytes on mortality in order to identify critically ill patients who were admitted to the emergency department, at high risk of death, and who was not traumatic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed retrospectively in the emergency department of a tertiary education and research hospital between January 2021 and June 2021. All patients who died out of trauma and patients who were discharged from the emergency department on the same day were included. Nucleated red blood cells and immature granulocytes parameters were compared between the two groups. The primary outcome was all-cause death in the emergency department. RESULTS: Of the 188 patients included in the study, 129 (68.6%) were male. Nucleated red blood cells (1.88 ± 6.9/µL; 0.02 ± 0.08), % immature granulocytes (2.91 ± 3.04/µL; 0.58 ± 1.63) and immature red blood cells in deceased patients' granulocyte count (0.38 ± 0.46/µL; 0.04 ± 0.04) was significantly more significant than the control group (p < 0.001). When the area under the curve was examined, the highest value was found in nucleated red blood cells (Area under the curve = 0.920, p < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, high nucleated red blood cells, immature granulocyte count, and white blood cell levels were associated with all-cause mortality in the emergency department. CONCLUSIONS: High nucleated red blood cells and immature granulocyte levels may be associated with increased mortality during admission to the emergency department. [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]