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Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of an oral anticoagulation knowledge (OAK) test in Turkish patients on warfarin therapy at an anticoagulant outpatient clinic. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at an ambulatory anticoagulation clinic and included patients older than 18 years who had been using warfarin for at least six months. Patients' demographic and clinical data were collected. Internal consistency was calculated using the Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20) coefficient, and the test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of the OAK test was assessed. Results: Patients' mean age was 59.83 +/- 11.93 (26-90) years (n=240; 133 women). The mean score of the OAK test was 14.19 +/- 3.01. The test-retest reliability of the scale (n=30) was moderate for the total score (p

Objectives The aim of the present study is to evaluate the diagnostic powers of fractional magnesium, sodium and potassium as markers of renal tubular damage in normotensive type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with respect to microalbuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Materials and methods Forty healthy volunteers and 91 normotensive T2DM patients were included in the study. Patient group was divided into two according to albuminuria level; 49 were normoalbuminuric and 42 were microalbuminuric. In addition to albumin in urine, urine and serum Na, K, Mg and creatinine values were measured to calculate fractional electrolyte excretion rates. Results In normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric groups, fractional excretion of magnesium (FEMg) values were found to be significantly higher than the control group (p Conclusion For renal tubular damage predicted by microalbuminuria, FEMg could be accepted as a candidate biochemical marker with diagnostic and prognostic value.

Clinical pharmacist-led medication dose adjustment is required to provide safe and effective pharmacotherapy in patients with impaired renal function. This study aimed to assess clinical pharmacist-led medication dose adjustments in hospitalised patients with impaired renal function by comparing three online drug information databases.This retrospective observational study was conducted in an internal medicine ward between November 2016 and February 2017 among hospitalised patients with at least one estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) valuelt;60 mL/min/1.73 msup2/sup. Clinical pharmacist-led medication dose adjustments according to eGFR were performed by comparing three online drug information databases: Micromedex, Medscape and Lexicomp. The number of items related to dose adjustments detected during the study period and the concordance between databases were evaluated.This study was conducted among 100 hospitalised patients (mean age 74.6±13.2 years) with impaired renal function. Clinical pharmacists detected at least one medication dose adjustment in 71.0% of patients. Among these patients, it was found that physician-led medication dose adjustments were made in only 15.5% of them. Of 1053 medications, the number of medications that required dose adjustments were 149 (14.2%), 151 (14.3%) and 163 (15.5%) according to Micromedex, Medscape and Lexicomp, respectively. The Fleiss kappa coefficient was 0.875 and the agreement of the three clinical decision support systems were almost perfect.In renal dose adjustments, Micromedex, Lexicomp and Medscape are concordant as online drug information databases. Clinical pharmacists could detect medication dose adjustment requirements in hospital patients with impaired renal function. The potential positive impact of clinical pharmacist-led medication dose adjustment should be investigated in further studies.

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly patients with cancer. Method This study was conducted at outpatient oncology clinic from December 2014 to March 2015 among elderly cancer patients. Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment criteria were used to identify potentially inappropriate medication in elderly patients. Results Among 114 cancer patients 55.26% of them were male and the mean age of them was 71.78 ± 5.50 (years). The most common concurrent diseases were hypertension in 45 (39.47%) and diabetes in 26 (22.81%) patients. Polypharmacy (≥5 medications) was seen in 94.73% of them. Eighteen patients (15.79%) utilized medications inappropriately according to Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions criteria. Medication omissions were identified in 112 patients (98.25%) with Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment criteria. Conclusions Clinical pharmacists could improve the current prescribing practices in elderly patients with cancer by assessing potentially inappropriate medications.

Summary Background The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clustering of factors that are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. A low-grade inflammatory process acts as the underlying pathophysiology, which suggests that the MS may have a detrimental effect on coronary interventions, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery performed with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We aimed to evaluate the effect of the MS on morbidity and mortality rates in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing CABG. Methods We prospectively included 152 patients (109 males and 43 females; mean age 60.1 ± 8.6 years) who underwent elective CABG on CPB between January and September 2011. Early postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were compared between subjects with and without the MS. Diagnosis of the MS was based on the American National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Results Of the study group, 64 patients (42%) had the MS. The two groups were similar in age and gender. In the postoperative period, rates of atrial fibrillation, wound infection, pulmonary complications, and lengths of intubation, hospitalisation and intensive care unit stay were significantly higher in MS patients (p < 0.01). The MS was significantly associated with wound infection (OR 6.64, 95% CI: 1.72–25.75), pulmonary complications (OR 6.44, 95% CI: 1.58–26.33), arrhythmia (OR 5.47, 95% CI: 1.50–19.97) and prolonged intubation (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05–1.32). The mortality rate was 3.1% in the MS group and 1.1% in the non-MS group, with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusion The MS was associated with a higher rate of early postoperative morbidity following CABG, without having a significant effect on the mortality rate.

ObjectiveApelin is a novel adipocytokine with a significant role in ischemia/reperfusion injury that is synthesized and secreted in myocardial cells and coronary endothelium. There is debate on its value for the diagnosis and prognosis of myocardial infarction. We aimed to investigate plasma apelin level in patients with acute ST segment elevation (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction and its relationship with left ventricular function and prognostic parameters.MethodsForty-one patients with STEMI, 21 patients with NSTEMI and 10 patients as control group with normal coronary angiograms were included. Plasma apelin level at presentation was investigated regarding its relationship with other diagnostic and prognostic parameters.ResultsApelin level was significantly higher in acute myocardial infarction (0.31 ± 0.56 ng/mL) compared to control group (0.08 ± 0.05 ng/mL) (p 0.05). No correlation was found between apelin and NT-proBNP, hsCRP, troponin, ejection fraction (EF) and Killip score (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between apelin and TIMI, GRACE and Gensini scores (p ConclusionApelin level was found to be high in acute myocardial infarction. With its inotropic and vasodilator effects, apelin was thought to have a protective role against severe ischemia.

Giriş ve Amaç: Dispepsili genç hastalarda alarm semptomlarının olmaması malignite yokluğuna dair güvenilir bir gösterge olarak kabul edilmektedir. Ancak alarm semptomlarının pozitif prediktif değeri nispeten zayıf kalmaktadır. Bu çalışmadaki amacımız alarm semptomlarının üst gastrointestinal sistem maligniteleri için tanısal değerini ve alarm semptomlarının yanısıra üst gastrointestinal sistem malignitelerini predikte eden farklı kriterlerler olup olmadığını araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: 01.07.2011 ile 15.12.2012 tarihleri arasında Haydarpaşa Numune EAH Endoskopi Ünitesi’ne çeşitli nedenlerle üst gastrointestinal sistem endoskopisi yapılması amacıyla yönlendirilen 18-70 yaş arasında 200 hastaya hazırlamış olduğumuz anket yapılarak alarm semptomlarının olup olmadığı sorgulandı. Herhangi bir alarm semptomu varlığının ve tek tek alarm semptomlarının üst gastrointestinal sistem malignite prediksiyonu açısından duyarlılıkları, seçicilikleri, pozitif prediktif değerleri ve negatif prediktif değerleri hesaplandı. Bulgular: Çalışmada üst gastrointestinal sistem malignite prevalansı %3.5 olarak bulundu. Malignite görülen olguların tamamında herhangi bir alarm semptomu tespit edilirken, malignitesi olmayan olgularda alarm semptomu görülme oranı %91.2 idi. Herhangi bir alarm semptomu varlığının ve her bir alarm semptomunun pozitif prediktif değeri düşük, negatif prediktif değeri yüksek saptandı. Maligniteli olguların %28’i iyi differansiye, %28’i orta differansiye, %44’ü az differansiye idi. Üst gastrointestinal sistem malignitesi ile kilo kaybı olan ve sarılık, abdominal kitle ya da lenfadenopati olan olgular arasında istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı ilişki saptandı. Malignite tanısına 45 yaş ve üstünde olmak, disfaji, kilo kaybı, anoreksi, sarılık ve gastrik cerrahi öykü parametrelerinin etkilerini lojistik regresyon analizi ile değerlendirdiğimizde malignite ile ilişkileri istatistiksel olarak anlamlı (p: 0.002; p

We investigated the effect of ciprofloxacin, rifampicine and doxycycline on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in allergic asthma patients and healthy volunteers. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were isolated with ficoll-hypaque gradient centrifugation method. MPO activity was assayed with modified o-dianisidine, GSH by Ellman's and MDA levels by Beuge's method. PMN functions and MDA levels of patients significantly decreased when compared with healthy volunteers. Ciprofloxacin significantly increased PMN functions, MPO activity and MDA levels of both groups. We have demonstrated that ciprofloxacin has beneficial effects on MPO activity and PMN functions in allergic asthma patients and healthy volunteers.

We present a case of tuberculous peritonitis in a 46-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab, and we review the association between anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy and tuberculosis. This case illustrates that tuberculosis can develop with atypical clinic and uncertain laboratory findings and may mimic malignancies during adalimumab therapy.

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare washed red blood cell (WRBC) transfusion versus nonwashed RBC (NWRBC) transfusion in terms of posttransfusion potassium levels in dialysis patients on a day when the patient did not receive dialysis. Materials and methods: The patients were randomly assigned into two groups, i.e. those receiving WRBCs (n = 21) and those receiving NWRBCs (n = 17). Both groups received one unit of RBCs. Serum potassium and sodium levels were measured before and at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th hours after transfusion. Results: In the WRBC group, the changes in the serum potassium levels at the 3rd, 4th, and 6th hours after transfusion were significant compared with pretransfusion levels. In the serum potassium levels mean decreases by 0.38 ± 0.57 mEq/L at the 3rd hour (P = 0.006), by 0.32 ± 0.47 mEq/L at the 4th hour (P = 0.005), and by 0.32 ± 0.51 mEq/L at the 6th hour (P = 0.009) after transfusion were significant compared with the pretransfusion levels. Conclusion: Although nonwashed RBC transfusion does not change serum potassium levels, washed RBC transfusion significantly reduces serum potassium levels. Washed RBC transfusion is considered to be safer in hemodialysis patients with hyperkalemia and anemia.

Objectives The present study aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on thyroid nodule formation and goiter development in healthy subjects living in Istanbul, an iodine-sufficient region. This study was designed as a prospective, randomized, and observational study. Methods Included in the study were voluntary hospital staff and relatives of patients between the ages of 28 and 71 who had no known disease or drug use, who have been living in Istanbul and had been smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day for at least 10 years. Nonsmoker volunteers (45) shared similar demographic characteristics and were matched for age to the (46) smokers. By means of thyroid ultrasounds performed in all participants, volumes of the right and left lobes of the thyroid gland, and number, diameter and characteristics of nodules were evaluated. Results Comparing the smokers and nonsmokers, no statistically significant difference was determined in terms of presence of nodules and volumes of the left and right thyroid lobes (P = 0.68, P = 0.09, and P = 0.63, respectively). Making enhanced diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland, but not to a statistically significant degree. Smoking was observed to have no effect on non-toxic nodules, or the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxin, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroid peroxidase, or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Conclusions Smoking does not effect, to a statistically significant degree goiter development thyroid nodule formation in iodine-sufficient regions like Istanbul.

Herediter hemorajik telenjiektazi, otozomal dominant geçişli, birçok klinik bulguyla karakterize, anormal vasküler formasyonla ilişkili nadir gözlenen bir hastalıktır. Biz bu vakada, gastrointestinal sistemin multiple bölgesinde (özofagus, mide korpus ve antrumu, duodenum) anjiodisplazik lezyonlarla seyreden, öyküsünde dört kez geçirilmiş miyokard infarktüsü bulunan, acil servise melena ile başvuran 65 yaşındaki olguya tanı anında yapılan argon plazma koagülasyon ve supportif yaklaşım kombinasyonun tedavi başarısını gözlemledik. Tanı anında uygulanan argon plazma koagülasyon ve bipolar koagülasyon yöntemleri bir çok çalışmada tercih edilen yöntemler olmuştur. Bu nedenle biz bu olgumuzda argon plazma koagülasyon yöntemini ve çalış-malarda etkisi kanıtlanmış konservatif tedavi kombinasyonunu tercih ettik. Bizim vakamızın argon plazma koagülasyon yöntemiyle beraber destek tedavisine verdiği hızlı cevap argon plazma koagülasyonun herediter hemorajik telenjiektaziye bağlı anjiodisplazik lezyonlarda seçkin tedavi yöntemi olduğu görüşünü desteklemektedir., Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome), a vascular disorder with autosomal dominant transmission, has a variety of clinical manifestations. In this case, we monitored a 65-year-old female who admitted to our hospital with gastrointestinal bleeding. Her history revealed repeated myocardial infarction (4 times). We diagnosed multiple angiodysplastic lesions with endoscopic examination. We evaluated the success of combination treatment with argon plasma coagulation and supportive approach at the time of diagnosis. argon plasma coagulation and bipolar coagulation methods have been reported as the preferred treatments in several studies. Therefore, we preferred the combination of argon plasma coagulation and conservative treatment methods in our case. The rapid healing observed with this treatment supports that combination treatment is effective in angiodysplastic lesions associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Objective: In this study we evaluated the elastic properties of the aorta in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and their relation with left ventricular diastolic function by transthoracic echocardiography. Patients and Methods: Aortic transthoracic echocardiography was performed and the aortic elasticity was evaluated using the following parameters; strain, the beta index and distensibility. results: There was significant difference in terms of aortic strain (5.79% vs. 9.45% p

We aimed to evaluate acute kidney injury (AKI), occurrence of recovery and risk factors associated with permanent kidney injury and mortality in the elderly individuals.Evidence for this study was obtained from retrospective cohort study from our center.A total of 193 patients (65 years, mean age: 79.99 ± 6.93) with acute kidney injury were enrolled in this study between 2011 and 2012. PATIENTS with kidney failure or renal replacement therapy (RRT) history at admission were excluded.Main outcome measurements: serum creatinine (SCr), estimated GFR (with CKD-Epi) and complete blood counts were evaluated at baseline and daily basis thereafter. The AKI was defined based on Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification.Among 193 patients, 43 (22%) patients required RRT. Mortality rate was 18% (n = 36) SCr levels were restored within 9.9 ± 6.7days on average (8-39 days). Sixteen patients (12.7%) required RRT after discharge. The mean hospital stay was 10.1 ± 8.6 days (7-41 days). Mortality rate of patients who have no renal recovery was higher (44.8% vs. 4.8%) than renal recovery group (p 0.01).The AKI represents a frequent complication in the elderly patients with longer hospital stay and increased mortality and morbidity. Our results show that dialytic support requirement is an independent predictor of permeant kidney injury in the elderly AKI patients. Older age, low diastolic blood pressure, high CRP and low hemoglobin levels were independent risk factors for mortality.

Chronic skin ulcers require extensive, systemic differential diagnosis; thus, they are difficult to diagnose and treat. Transient or persistent hypercoagulable states are among the rare causes of skin ulcers. Here, we present the case of a 27-year-old woman patient with recurrent, nonhealing skin ulcers of 8 years’ duration, who had been treated unsuccessfully with various medications under different diagnoses at different clinics. On admission, a skin biopsy demonstrated occlusive vasculopathy, and the search for an inherited hypercoagulable state revealed a heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and hyperbaric oxygen. On treatment, the skin lesions healed and did not recur.

The group G streptococcal endocarditis is a rare form of infective endocarditis. In this form of infective endocarditis, serious neurological complications most commonly develop. We reported this case because of its being an unusual form of infective endocarditis that was caused by Group G Streptococcus. We also reviewed the literature. The patient was admitted to infectious disease service with a presumptive diagnosis of central nervous system infection. Blood cultures were positive for group G streptococcus. There was a mass on the posterior surface of the mitral valve which was 2x 2.5 cm in length on the echocardiography. In the cranial computerized tomography of our patient, slightly increased contrast media uptake was observed in the both parietal lobes, in the both frontal lobes, and in the anterior areas of right occipital lobe. Therefore, this case was assumed as infective endocarditis caused by group G streptococcus with multiple cerebral emboli. Ceftriaxone was given for 4 weeks and gentamicin was given for 2 weeks, and progressive improvement of the patient’s condition was seen.

Osteoporosis that is by far the most common metabolic bone disease, has been defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing a person to an increased risk of fracture. Anabolic therapy with teriparatide, recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH 1-34), stimulates bone formation and resorption and improves trabecular and cortical microarchitecture. Teriparatide is indicated for the treatment of men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture, including those who have failed or are intolerant of previous osteoporosis therapy. In conclusion, although teriparatide seems quite effective in the treatment of osteoporosis, it may cause life-threatening hypercalcemia. Therefore, patients should be closely monitored if symptoms of hypercalcemia are present during teriparatide treatment. Sustained hypercalcemia due to teriparatide treatment can not be seen in literature so we wanted to emphasize that severe hypercalcemia may develop due to teriperatide.

The activation of the platelets plays a key role in the formation of thrombosis. The variables such as mean platelet volume, platelet factor 4 and β-thromboglobulin have been used in the demonstration of the platelet activation. However, when the literature was reviewed, there was not found any study investigating the level of β-thromboglobulin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Our goal is to evaluate the β-thromboglobulin levels together with mean platelet volume in patients with arthritis. This study is a clinical study which has a control group that has been designed prospectively, and in this study, Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic follow-up patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy control group were studied. All patients and healthy volunteers were examined β-thromboglobulin and mean platelet volume. Twenty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 21 healthy volunteers participated in the study. β-Thromboglobulin mean was found as 98.00 ± 60.49 ng/mL in rheumatoid arthritis group and it was 62.38 ± 30.41 ng/mL in healthy control group. The differences between these groups were significant in terms of the levels of β-thromboglobulin (p = 0.02). We found significant differences between the groups in terms of mean platelet volume (p = 0.049). In this study, the level of β-thromboglobulin was found significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic inflammatory disease. This result could be an indicator, such as platelet activation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, or it may be a helper marker in the follow-up and treatment of developing cardiovascular risk.

Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The role of increased pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) has not been studied in RV dysfunction. We investigated the relationship between PAS and RV function in SLE patients without cardiovascular symptoms.The study included 32 patients with SLE (30 males, 2 females; mean age 34+/-9 years) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (28 males, 2 females; mean age 36+/-5 years). All the subjects underwent echocardiographic examination. Using Doppler echocardiography, PAS was calculated by dividing maximal frequency shift of the pulmonary flow by the acceleration time. To assess RV function, RV myocardial performance index (MPI) was determined by the sum of isovolumetric contraction and relaxation times divided by the ejection time. In addition, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was measured on two-dimensional M-mode recordings.Compared to the control group, patients with SLE exhibited significantly higher PAS (p=0.004) and RV MPI (p=0.001), and lower TAPSE (p=0.001). In univariate correlation analysis, SV MPI was significantly correlated with PAS (r=0.60, p=0.001), age (r=0.48, p=0.003), SLE duration (r=0.51, p=0.002), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (r=0.36, p=0.03). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that PAS (95% CI 0.002-0.005; p=0.001) and SLE duration (95% CI 0.001-0.004; p=0.004) were independently associated with RV MPI. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was found between TAPSE and RV MPI (r= -0.48, p=0.005). Twenty-four SLE patients had normal RV function (TAPSEor = 17 mm). Eight patients with RV dysfunction (TAPSE17 mm) had significantly different RV MPI (p=0.001), PAS (p=0.002), age (p=0.04), and SLE duration (p=0.004).Our data suggest that increased PAS is strongly associated with the development of RV dysfunction in patients with SLE.

Platelets play an important role in developing intravascular thrombus, the major cause of acute coronary syndromes. We investigated the clinical value of mean platelet volume (MPV) in coronary atherosclerosis and its possibility of being an independent risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (MI).Two hundred patients who underwent coronary angiography were included in the study. Thirty-five patients were randomly selected for each of the four study groups of stable (SAP) and unstable (USAP) angina pectoris and MI with and without ST-segment elevation. Sixty patients with chest pain having normal coronary angiograms were controls. The groups were compared regarding age, sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, positive family history, number of diseased vessels, lipid profile, complete blood count, creatine kinase (CK)-MB, Troponin-I, and MPV.MPV was found to be elevated in MI patients compared with controls (p0.001) and SAP (p0.05) and patients with two- (p0.001) and three-vessel (p0.001) disease. We observed a significant association between MI and higher MPV (or = 12 fl). High MPV (p0.001) and WBC (p0.001) were independent risk factors, among others. CK-MB, Troponin-I, and higher MPV demonstrate MI risk with 87%, 70%, and 87% specificity, respectively, while higher MPV only demonstrates coronary artery disease with 98% specificity.Our study shows high MPV is an independent risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis and MI. Because this is a simple, economic, and practical method, we suggest MPV be considered with other conventional risk factors.

… Turkish Soc Cardiol

Amac: Calismamizda diabetes mellitus (DM)’lu hastalarin polimorf nuveli lokosit (PNL) fonksiyonlari ile saglikli gonullulerin miyeloperoksidaz (MPO) aktivitesi, glutatyon (GSH) ve malondialdehit (MDA) duzeylerini karsilastirip arasindaki iliskiyi saptamayi amacladik. Bunun yaninda siprofloksasin, rifampisin ve doksisiklinin PNL fonksiyonlari, MPO aktivitesi ve GSH ile MDA duzeyleri uzerine immunomodulator etkilerini arastirdik. Yontemler: Calismamizda Tip 2 diyabeti olan 13 hasta ve 13 saglikli gonullu yer almaktadir. Antibiyotiklerin PNL fonksiyonlari uzerine olan etkileri in vitro kosullarda arastirildi. PNL’ler (1x107 hucre/ml) venoz kandan Ficoll-hypaque gradient santrifugasyon metodu kullanilarak izole edildi. PNL’lerin MPO aktivitesi modifiye O-dianisidin yontemi, GSH miktari Ellman yontemi ve MDA duzeyleri ise Beuge yontemi kullanilarak belirlendi. Bulgular: DM’lu hasta PNL’lerinin fagositik (p