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Objective: Sleep disturbances may occur more frequently during pandemics due to socioeconomic and psychological factors. Infections may also cause a number of long-lasting complications that can be easily overlooked. In this study, we aimed to examine whether the sleep status of the patients who recovered from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection differs from the individual who lived in the same sociocultural environment but did not have any COVID-19 infection in the same period, or not. Materials and Methods: Two hundred forty-three patients with COVID-19 disease who recovered at least one month before the study enrollment (patient group) and 132 individuals without a history of COVID-19 in the same period (control group) were included. Sociodemographic and medical characteristics of two groups were recorded and a self-assessment form consisting of 17 items was used for sleep evaluation in both groups. Results: Self-assessment scores for the quality of sleep status were lower in patient group (p<0.001). Moreover, subtitle scorings revealed some significant differences between patient and control groups. Patient group reported significantly higher prevalence of sweating at night, waking up tired with headache in the morning, severe snoring, restlessness in legs, and anxiety of not being able to sleep (respectively; p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.016, p=0.016, p=0.032). Conclusion: Sleep was significantly disturbed in patients even after one month following recovery from COVID-19 infection. This may be related to the disease itself, to aggravated stress factors, or both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare total bilirubin levels with monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) values. Patients and methods: The files of patients who underwent polysomnography and had total bilirubin and complete blood count values were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: AHI <5, AHI =5-29.99, and AHI ≥30. All blood parameters and calculated ratios were compared between the groups, and the relationship between these parameters and OSAS severity was investigated. Results: The study included 240 patients (149 males, 91 females; mean age: 47.4±11.9 years; range, 21 to 82 years). High-density lipoprotein values were significantly lower and MHR was significantly higher in the group with AHI ≥30 compared to the other two groups (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). Apnea-hypopnea index was correlated with MHR (r=0.270, p<0.001). The groups were similar in terms of MLR, NLR, PLR, and total bilirubin levels. Conclusion: Considering that these easily accessible blood parameters are affected by many factors, they can only be used as auxiliary parameters in assessing the severity and follow-up of diseases such as OSAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background & Objective: The late-term neurological effects of COVID-19 are not fully understood yet. Herein, we aimed to determine if COVID-19-related acute and late-term neurological symptoms exist in the patient group that differs from the general population during the pandemic period. Methods: Two hundred fifty patients with a history of COVID-19, whose treatments were completed at least one month before enrollment, were examined together with a control group consisting of 150 individuals that lived in the same socio-cultural environment during the same period. A survey that included questions about possible neurological symptoms that might be related to the COVID-19 infection was completed in both groups. Results: The patient and control groups were mostly similar regarding the neurological symptoms in the pre-pandemic period. The control group did not report any new symptoms except ageusia during the pandemic period. Whereas a number of neurological symptoms such as headache, ageusia and anosmia, difficulty in thinking and planning, forgetfulness, clumsiness of one or both hands, dizziness, unsteadiness, numbness in both hands and feet, and neuropathic pain occurred during the infection. Neurological symptoms, except headache and unsteadiness, prolonged to the late-term with a decreased prevalence. Conclusion: The emergence of new neurological symptoms during the pandemic in those with COVID-19 disease, unlike the control group, suggested that these symptoms are related to the infection itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic mentioned some disease-specific problems related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This study determined problems faced by patients using positive airway pressure (PAP) devices due to OSAS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Patients with OSAS using PAP were retrospectively identified. The cases that were contacted by phone were invited to complete the survey. Patients who agreed to participate in the study were asked whether the pandemic process affected their daily lives, OSAS treatment and PAP device use, and their responses were recorded. Results: Fifty patients (37 men/13 women) included in this study. Eleven cases had a history of COVID-19 infection; however, the disease symptoms were not severe in any case. Half of the patients reported that daily living was moderately or severely affected during the pandemic. Eight patients experienced problems with their PAP devices, five patients started to use the PAP devices irregularly during the pandemic, and 10 cases completely stopped using them. Conclusion: A significant portion of the patients experienced serious problems with PAP devices and the daily living activities were affected in half of the them during the pandemic. However, the follow-up and treatment services for many chronic diseases, as for OSAS, have been interrupted in this period that obligate the patients to handle their condition on their own. To provide continuous and adequate health care for OSAS patients under similar conditions in the future, it may be beneficial to establish widespread remote telecommunication systems in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The 6PBRT is a reliable and valid tool in persons with multiple sclerosis. • The 6PBRT effectively measures upper limb function and exercise capacity. • The 6PBRT might be useful in both clinical practice and research settings. The timed walk test is essential for assessing the functional capacity of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). When a decline in ambulation ability and loss of function in the later stages of MS is observed, it is imperative to utilize alternative methods for measuring functional capacity. To investigate the validity and reliability of the Six-Minute Pegboard Ring Test (6PBRT) in persons with MS. Forty-three persons with MS were included in this study. Disease severity was quantified using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The 6PBRT was employed to assess upper extremity function during exercise stress, and vital signs were monitored pre- and post-test. Muscle strength was measured using a digital dynamometer for shoulder flexor, shoulder abductor, and grip strength, in addition to a hand dynamometer. Manual dexterity was evaluated through the 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and walking endurance was assessed using the 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT). Test-retest reliability was computed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The ICC value for the 6PBRT was 0.96 (95% CI 0.92–0.97), indicating excellent test-retest reliability. Significant differences in vital signs were observed before and after conducting the 6PBRT (p < 0.05). A strong negative correlation was found between the 6PBRT score and EDSS (r = -0.650, p < 0.001). The 9HPT of the dominant side demonstrated a moderate correlation with the 6PBRT score (r = -0.502, p = 0.001), whereas no significant correlation was shown between the non-dominant side 9HPT and the 6PBRT score (p > 0.05). Moreover, a positive moderate correlation was shown between the performance on the 2MWT and the 6PBRT score (r = 0.413, p = 0.006). However, no significant correlation was detected between the proximal muscle strength of the upper extremity, handgrip strength, and the 6PBRT score in individuals with multiple sclerosis (p > 0.05). The 6PBRT is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate upper extremity function and exercise capacity in persons with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between electrophysiological findings of diabetic neuropathy (DN) and patients' quality of life, neuropathic pain levels, and well-being., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 centers in Turkey. DN patients were categorized into four stages based on electrophysiological findings using the Baba classification. Scales such as Short Form-36 (SF-36), Douleur Neuropathique 4-Questions (DN4), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and WHO-5 Well-Being (WHO-5 WB) were used to assess quality of life, pain, and well-being. Additional factors like HbA1c levels and diabetes duration were analyzed., Results: Among 323 DN patients, 90 were in stage 1, 84 in stage 2, 72 in stage 3, and 77 in stage 4. There were no significant differences in age or gender between the stages. Diabetes duration and HbA1c levels were significantly lower in stage 1 compared to later stages. SF-36 and WHO-5 WB scores declined, while DN4 and BPI pain interference scores increased in the later stages. These findings persisted after adjusting for confounders such as age, BMI, comorbidities, and diabetes duration., Conclusion: Patients with advanced-stage DN experienced a poorer quality of life, greater pain, and more frequent comorbidities compared to early-stage patients. Electrophysiological findings should be considered in the clinical management of DN., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)