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Background/aim: There is limited information on the pathologic changes in the small airways among obese and nonobese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Impulse oscillometry (IOS) measures airway resistance and reactance independently of patient effort. This study aimed to compare airway resistance in small airways using IOS between obese and nonobese patients with OSAS., Materials and Methods: In this real-life cross-sectional study, demographic information was collected from obese and nonobese subjects diagnosed with moderate and severe OSAS without any other underlying diseases. Spirometry and IOS measurements were conducted, and the values of both groups were statistically analyzed., Results: The nonobese group had a mean age of 45.6 ± 11.7 years (median 45), while the obese group had a mean age of 48.4 ± 9.5 years (median 47.5). The mean body mass index (BMI) for the nonobese group was 26.2 ± 2.1 kg/m 2 (median 27 kg/m 2 ), and for the obese group, it was 35.6 ± 6.4 kg/m 2 (median 33 kg/m 2 ). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in R5 - R20 percentage, reactance area (AX), and resonant frequency (Fres) values (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Among obese OSAS patients, there is an increase in resistance in small airways as indicated by IOS values. IOS shows promise as a potential screening tool for diagnosing OSAS., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© TÜBİTAK.)

Background:  Occupational factors, working conditions, age, gender, exercise, acquired habits, and stress affect a person's sleep quality. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep quality, work stress, and related factors among office workers in a hospital., Methods:  This cross-sectional study was conducted with office workers actively working in a hospital. A questionnaire consisting of a sociodemographic data form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Swedish Workload-Control-Support Scale were used to assess the participants.    Results: The mean of PSQI score was 4.32±2.40 and 27.2% of the participants had poor sleep quality. In the multivariate backward stepwise logistic regression analysis, it was found that shift workers were 1.73 times (95% CI: 1.02-2.91) more likely to have poor sleep quality, and a one-unit increase in work stress score increased the risk of having poor sleep quality by 2.59 times (95% CI: 1.37-4.87). An increase in age was found to decrease the risk of poor sleep quality in workers (OR =0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98)., Conclusion:  This study suggests that reducing workload and increasing work control as well as enhancing social support will be effective in preventing sleep disturbances. It is important, however, in terms of providing guidance for hospital employees in planning future measures to improve working conditions.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, and affects a significant proportion of the population. The study was aimed to determine the levels of pro-brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and cardiac markers (creatine kinase, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, troponin T) and evaluate the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea., Material and Methods: Pro-brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and cardiac markers (creatine kinase, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, troponin T) were assessed in blood samples collected before and after continuous positive airway pressure treatment from the 30 patients included in the study, and their results were compared., Results: There was a significant decrease between the baseline pro-brain natriuretic peptide and the 6-month pro-brain natriuretic peptide values after continuous positive airway pressure therapy (P < .05). There was a significant increase in creatine kinase-MB and troponin T values 6 months after continuous positive airway pressure therapy compared to baseline values (P < .05)., Conclusions: A significant decrease was observed in pro-brain natriuretic peptide values after continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea patients without cardiac failure, while a more significant decrease was especially observed among hypertension patients. This finding suggests that pro-brain natriuretic peptide may be used as an early indicator of cardiac dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea patients without any heart diseases except for hypertension.

Blood cells are used as the most sensitive marker to determine the effects and intensity of ionizing radiation. This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the effect of radiation exposure on hematological parameters in healthcare workers who were exposed to radiation in a university hospital between May and June 2021. A total of 339 participants were included, of which 169 (49.9%) were radiation workers and 170 (50.1%) were in the control group. A decrease was observed in white blood cell and neutrophil counts in those exposed to ionizing radiation for less than 10 years; however, white blood cell, neutrophil, hemoglobin levels decreased, and red cell distribution width (RDW) levels increased in those exposed to ionizing radiation for 10 years or more ( p  < 0.005). A statistically significant increase was observed in the RDW and lymphocyte levels as the years of work experience in the profession increase in the group exposed to IR. The findings indicate that the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on the hematopoietic system is related to the frequency and duration of the dose. Hematological parameters can be sensitive biomarkers of low-dose ionizing radiation; possible disturbances in the hematopoietic system can be recognized before the onset of symptoms, and necessary precautions can be taken promptly.

Background: Dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is defined as avascular bone necrosis, usually involving specific parts of the long bones, which is seen in divers or compressed-air workers due to exposure to pressure. We describe a case of DON in an artisanal diving fisherman working underwater for many years. Methods: A 48-year-old male case was admitted to the occupational disease outpatient with left shoulder and arm pain for 1-2 years. Since the age of 20, he has been artisanal diving fishing with a hookah at a depth of 20-25 meters in the sea. In 2011, he received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for widespread pain in the whole body due to decompression sickness (DCS). In the case's left shoulder joint x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, degenerative changes in the acromioclavicular joint and signal changes consistent with osteonecrosis starting from the subcortical area of the humeral head and extending to the proximal shaft of the humerus were observed. Conclusions: DON is among the most common long-term pathologies in professional divers. In Turkey, as in our case, not applying safe decompression procedures and unsafe diving practices are common among diving fishers. In studies, the frequency of exposure to pressure, duration and depth of dive, insufficient decompression, formation of DCS and increasing age were associated with DON. Today, DON remains an occupational hazard with significant medical and social consequences. Diving fishers should be informed about the sequelae of DCS and trained on the safety measures to be taken.

Background: Taxi drivers have an increased risk of low back pain due to both physical and occupational conditions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of low back pain and occupational risk factors among taxi drivers working in İzmir, Turkey., Methods: This study was conducted with 447 taxi drivers at randomly selected taxi stands between April and September 2021. The questionnaire included demographic, individual, and work-related questions; the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire; and the Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS)., Results: The prevalence of low back pain in the last year was 49.7%. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the risk factors for low back pain included having a body mass index of 25-29.9 kg/m2 (OR= 1.67, 95% CI 1.01-2.76) or ≥30 kg/m2 (OR= 2.15, %95 CI 1.19-3.87), no physical activity (OR= 1.66, 95% CI 1.06-2.62), years of work >10 (OR= 3.23, 95% CI 1.89-5.53), no weekly rest period (OR= 3.11, 95% CI 1.42-6.81), having no lumbar support on the driver's seat (OR:1.67, 95% CI:1.05-2.66), or undecisive job satisfaction (OR= 2.07, 95% CI 1.17-3.66). Being undecided about job satisfaction (OR= 2.34, 95% CI 1.15-4.92) and not having physical activity (OR= 2.10 CI 1.08-4.08) were found to be risk factors for reduced BPFS scores., Conclusion: A strong correlation was found between the frequency of low back pain and the BPFS score and occupational factors. Early detection and management of low back pain are critical to avoid increased low back pain and related injuries among taxi drivers.