Search

Type 1 diabetes (T1D), one of the most common childhood diseases worldwide, can cause hearing loss through its systemic effects. Diabetes-induced hearing loss is considered a progressive sensorineural hearing loss with a gradual onset typically occurring at high frequencies. We investigated extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing sensitivity in children with T1D who did not complain of hearing loss as an early marker for hearing loss at the standard/conventional frequency range of hearing.We evaluated 42 children (21 with T1D and 21 healthy controls) in a case-control design. Conventional and EHF (14,000, 16,000, and 18,000 Hz) audiometry were performed. The diabetes group underwent routine blood biochemistry and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements. The data were analyzed by the Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.The mean hearing thresholds were significantly higher (p0.05) in the diabetes group than in controls at 500, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz (all15 decibel hearing level [dB HL]). The number of ears with thresholds15 dB HL at 14,000-18,000 Hz but ≤ 15 dB HL at 500-4,000 Hz was significantly higher in the diabetes group than in the control group (p = 0.049).Children with diabetes showed normal hearing thresholds within the conventional audiometric frequency range; however, they presented higher hearing thresholds during EHF audiometry when they were compared with controls. Audiometry in these children should be performed using frequencies above 8,000 Hz combined with the conventional frequency range. EHF audiometry could be an effective method for identifying subclinical hearing loss in children with diabetes. Thus, diabetic children with an EHF mean hearing threshold above 15 dB HL should be monitored more closely in terms of blood glucose regulation to prevent diabetes-related hearing loss at the conventional frequency range.

To investigate the effect of preoperative mental state on postoperative satisfaction and quality of life in patients undergoing septoplasty and inferior turbinate ablation surgery.A total of 41 patients who underwent septoplasty and inferior turbinate ablation surgery due to nasal congestion were included in the study. Patients were asked to complete the Mental Symptoms Checklist Revised (SCL-90 R), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQoL-BREF-TR), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) tests before and after their surgery. The surgical procedure for all patients was performed by a single ear-nose-throat physician. The preoperative and postoperative test results were then compared.A significant decrease was noted in the postoperative SCL-90 R somatization (p 0.001), additional items (p = 0.001), and global severity index (GSI) (p = 0.002) scores; a significant increase was observed in the postoperative WHOQoL-BREF-TR physical health score (p = 0.029); and a significant decrease was seen in the postoperative VAS scores (p 0.001). The preoperative SCL-90 R GSI showed a negative correlation with the postoperative WHOQoL-BREF-TR total score and a significant positive correlation with the postoperative VAS scores (p 0.05 for all). There was a significant difference between those with a postoperative VAS score of ≤ 2 and 2 in terms of GSI and all preoperative SCL-90 R subscale scores, except for the additional items subscale. Increased preoperative psychological symptoms reported by the patients were associated with a lower perception of postoperative quality of life.The preoperative mental state of patients undergoing septoplasty and inferior turbinate ablation surgery affects postoperative satisfaction and quality of life. In addition, the recognition of this parameter may contribute to the treatment management of these patients and the legal protection of physicians.

DergiPark: 819194 tmsj Aims: This study aims to identify the thoughts and opinions of medical schools’ students and academicians about the distance medical education and examination system that has been rapidly applied during the COVID-19 pandemic Methods: A ques- tionnaire was prepared via Google Forms which consisted of a total of 3 sections. Informed consent was obtained in the first section and participants were directed to “student” or “academician” section. There were 28 questions for the students and 24 questions for the academicians. Categorical variables were demonstrated as numbers and percentages, whereas continuous variables were presented as minimum, maximum, and mean values. Chi-squared test was used to compare preclinic and clinic year students, and the academicians in preclinic, medical, and surgical fields. Results: A total of 321 participants completed the questionnaire. The mean participant ages were 21.4 years and 41.68 years for the students and the academicians, respectively. Only 30% of the students thought the distance education lessons were beneficial while it was 35.5% for the academicians. 25.8% of the academicians and 29.6% of the students were indecisive on the matter. When the examination process was taken into account 67.7% of the academicians and 56.9% of the students thought the online examinations were not reliable. Conclusion: It is predicted that the pandemic process will continue in the next academic years. Considering the current situation, distance education seems to be the best option to ensure that the learning process can continue while protecting the health of students and academicians. Although distance education is not sufficient by itself in medical education during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a method that should be used in almost every field of medical education, especially in the preclinical phase. Both the distance education, and online examination process require improvements and they are needed to be supported with face to face lectures and practices.

Aims: This study aims to evaluate medical students’ knowledge, thoughts, and awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Metho- ds: A questionnaire consisting of 31 questions was prepared for this descriptive study. In the questionnaire, medical students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. Categorical variables are demonstrated as numbers and percentages, whereas continuous variables are presented as minimum, maximum, and mean values. Results: A total of 575 participants completed the questionnaire. The mean participant age was 21.7 years. Fifty-two percent of participants knew about the coronaviridae family before the outbreak and 38.8% were informed about COVID-19 in their medical schools. Of the students, 99.7% stated that the first case’s origin was in China. Eighty percent of the participants stated that droplet spread is the transmission route of COVID-19. The most common opinion about the incubation period of the SARS CoV-2 was two to twelve days. Being older than 65 years old, having a comorbidity, being immunosuppressed, or working in the healthcare sector were the most particular risk factors to get infected. The majority of the participants follow the vaccine developments from social media, radio and television. According to 75.83% of the participants, all people should wear a mask in daily life for protection. Conclusion: The epidemiology and diagnostic factors of COVID-19 are well known by medical students. To minimize informa- tion pollution and raise awareness, medical students should be educated about pandemic and management of it. Further evalu- ation with various methods and more participants may help to better understand the awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic in medical students.

BackgroundAllergen immunotherapy (AIT) leads to the production of antiallergen immunoglobulin (IgG) or “blocking antibody” in the serum and an increase in antiallergen IgG and IgA in nasal secretions. There is also a decrease in the usual rise in antiallergen IgE that occurs after the pollen season.MethodsIn this paper, mechanisms of action of allergen immunotherapy is reviewed.ResultsRegulatory T (Treg) cells and their cytokines, primarily interleukin (IL) 10 and transforming growth factor beta, suppress T-helper type 2 immune responses and control allergic diseases in many ways. AIT induces a shift in the proportion of IL-4–secreting T-helper type 2 cells in favor of IL-10-secreting inducible Treg cells specific for the same allergenic epitope that increases in number and function. Different types of inducible Treg control several facets of allergic inflammation. There are two main types of immunotherapy: subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is efficacious and is indicated for the reduction of seasonal symptoms. Sublingual immunotherapy involves the regular self-administration and retention of allergen extract under the tongue for 1–2 minutes before the extract is swallowed. The allergens cross the mucosa in 15–30 minutes and are then captured by tolerogenic dendritic cells and processed as small peptides. Next, via the lymphatic system, a systemic immune response is created to produce an early decrease in mast cell and basophil degranulation.ConclusionAIT is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe intermittent or persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis. AIT can be administered to those >5 years of age and has been shown to be safe in children as young as 3 years of age. In this article, AIT and other types of immunotherapies were discussed as well as the indications for immunotherapy.