The effects of smoking cessation on the ratios of neutrophil/lymphocyte, platelet/lymphocyte, mean platelet volume/lymphocyte and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The amount of smoking, level of smoking addiction and smoking cessation have effects on blood cells, blood lipid levels, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV)/lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) and monocyte/high- density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR). Methods In this self-controlled experimental study, we included individuals who applied to a smoking cessation clinic and quit smoking. Their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the amount of cigarettes consumed (pack/year), their Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) results, haemogram values before and 6 months after quitting smoking, NLR, PLR, MPVLR, MHR and blood lipid levels before and after the treatment were compared retrospectively. Results The mean (SD) age of the 239 individuals who participated in the study was 41.7 (10.9) years and 55.2% of them were women. Their mean FTND score was 7.06 (2.0), and most of them (47.7%) had a very high level of addiction. After the smoking cessation treatment, their neutrophil, platelet, MPV, red cell distribution width, platelet distribution width (PDW), cholesterol, triglyceride, low- density lipoprotein, NLR, PLR, MPVLR, MHR and HDL values increased (p<0.05). The amount of smoking and level of dependence were negatively correlated with HDL, and positively correlated with other parameters. Conclusion After smoking cessation, in addition to dyslipidaemia, the NLR, PLR, MPVLR and MHR values also decreased, and the difference was found to correlate with the level of addiction and the amount of smoking.

An Evaluation of Obstetric Characteristics and Contraceptive Use Among Refugee Women.

Background This study aimed to assess the obstetric characteristics of refugee women and evaluate their knowledge and usage of contraception methods. Methodology This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 400 married refugee women aged 18-49 years who presented to the Foreigners Outpatient Clinic between 2018 and 2020. In the Foreigners Outpatient Clinic, a health worker filled in a 23-question form for all refugee women to obtain their obstetric history and information regarding contraception methods. The 23-item form comprised 11 questions about the sociodemographic characteristics of refugee women, seven questions about their obstetric history, and five questions about their knowledge and attitudes about contraception methods. Statistical analyses were performed using the data obtained from these forms filed in the outpatient clinic. Descriptive data were presented as frequency, percentage distribution, mean, and standard deviation. Results The average age of the participants was 31.36 ± 8.36 years, with 52.8% of the participants being Afghan women. Overall, 70% of participants were either only literate, learned to read and write without ever going to school, or were primary school graduates. Moreover, 61.1% of refugee women aged ≤18 years at the time of first birth were Somali, Sudanese, and Saudi Arabian nationals, significantly outnumbering other refugee women (p = 0.03). The rate of having ≥three children among Pakistani participants was 90.0%, which was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.04). The proportion of Afghan women who received counseling on family planning was lower (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between refugee women's knowledge of using a contraception method (p = 0.09). As a contraception method, the most significant use of injection was by refugee women from Somalia, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia (p = 0.03); tubal ligation was used by Afghan women (p = 0.01); and implanted by Pakistani women (p = 0.01). No difference was found in the use of condoms, pills, and intrauterine devices. Conclusions On evaluating the obstetric characteristics of refugee women, it was determined that the number of pregnancies and the rate of giving first birth at the age of 18 and under were high. On the other hand, there was no difference between refugee women regarding condom and pill use; however, it was observed that the rate of using these methods at some point in their lives was high. Hence, it can be concluded that immigration seriously affects women's reproductive health, makes it difficult to obtain protection methods, and paves the way for having unplanned and large numbers of children.

Self-esteem, metacognition, and coping strategies in cancer patients: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Self-esteem refers to a person's positive and negative attitudes towards the self, and metacognition is an upper system providing awareness and direction of events and mental functions. Coping refers to the specific and psychological efforts used to deal with stressful events or the negative effects of the agents of these. The aim of this study was to evaluate self-esteem, metacognition status and coping attitudes in patients with cancer, which is known to have severely destructive psychological effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty adult cancer patients who were followed up in the medical oncology clinic between July 2018 and June 2019 and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls as control group were included in this study. All the participants were applied with a sociodemographic data form, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the Metacognition Assessment Scale, and the Copying Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) inventory, and their results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The groups comprised 50% females with a median age of 58 (33-82) years. The values related to the degree of participation in discussions, problem-focused coping, active coping, planning, and state of emotional vulnerability were low in the cancer patient group compared to the control group (P < 0.005 for all). The sustaining of their self-image, feeling threatened in interpersonal relationships, and degree of daydreaming were higher, and in the metacognition tests, the positive beliefs related to anxiety, uncontrolled or dangerous negative thoughts, nonfunctional coping, religious coping, joking, reckless behavior, substance use, denial, and mental disengagement scores were higher (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Self-esteem was lower in cancer patients and upper level cognitive functions and problem-focused coping were determined to be worse compared to healthy controls. In the light of these results, psychosocial support given to cancer patients in this respect could contribute to quality of life and social conformity.

Risk factors special to eastern culture for the development of anal fissure.

AIM: To reveal the effect of diet, bowel functions and toilet habits on the development of anal fissure. METHODS: One hundred patients complaining of anal fissure were included to the case group; and one hundred age- and gender-matched patients referred for other reasons except for anorectal complaints were included to the control group. The information was obtained by face to face interviews using questionnaires. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in coffee, fruit, and meat consumption between the groups. The patients suffering from anal fissure avoided paprika consumption. The rate of anal fissure incidence was higher in squat toilet users. CONCLUSION: This study is the first study which evaluates the risk factors such as paprika consumption and squat toilet usage that are specific to Eastern culture. Further studies including large numbers of population are needed to evaluate different risk factors for anal fissure development (Tab. 2, Ref. 11). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.