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Background : In this study, the aim was to investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) presence on carotid intima-media thickness, which is an early sign of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study is a retrospective study conducted with type 2 diabetic patients who were followed up in the gastroenterology and diabetes outpatient clinic. The relationship between the presence of Hp and laboratory findings, demographic and clinical characteristics, intima-media thickness and pathology findings were analyzed in patients who underwent endoscopy for dyspepsia. Results: A total of 73 cases meeting the inclusion criteria, 32 males (43.8%) and 41 females (56.2%), between 42 and 83 years with an average age of 59 ± 10 years were included in the study. Of the cases, 31 (42.4%) were found to be Hp positive. Among the participants, the presence of carotid plaque was observed in 17 (40.5%) of the Hp negative patients and 16 (51.6%) of the Hp positive patients (p = 0.476). The presence of Hp increases the left carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) by 0.092 mm (p = 0.018) at 95% significance level on the left. In addition, age has an effect on the increase of left CIMT (β = 0.007, p < 0.001) and right CIMT (β = 0.009, p < 0.001). LDL-C levels have an effect on right CIMT (β = 0.001, p = 0.003). Conclusion: We demonstrated that the presence of Hp increases the carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, LDL-C and age have an increasing effect on intima-media thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: There is a close relationship between the development of diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and associated factors of NAFLD in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients according to the ultrasound examination and noninvasive hepatic fibrosis indices. Material and methods: 316 patients who were followed up in the Internal Medicine Diabetes clinic, over the age of 18, diagnosed with T2DM were included retrospectively. NAFLD was noted using ultrasound. NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) were used as non-invasive hepatic fibrosis indices. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD with hepatic ultrasound was 89.7% in T2DM patients. Among non-invasive fibrosis indices, NFS and FIB-4 were similar, but APRI was significantly higher in moderate-severe hepatosteatosis group (p values = 0.355, 0.246 and 0.003 respectively). In logistic regression analysis, while mild hepatosteatosis was associated with BMI and NFS (p = 0.004, p = 0.008), moderate to severe hepatosteatosis as associated with BMI and serum triglycerides (p < 0.001, p = 0.019). Conclusions: The prevalence of NAFLD is high in patients with T2DM. The frequency and degree of NAFLD is associated with the NFS, BMI and hypertriglyceridemia. While NFS is associated with mild hepatosteatosis; moderate to severe hepatosteatosis is associated with BMI and serum triglycerides. [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]