Evaluation of functional constipation frequency and related factors.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of functional constipation (FC) in Izmir using ROME IV criteria, as well as to investigate the relationship of FC with various factors, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and personality traits. METHODS: This study was designed as cross-sectional analytical research. The participants were those aged 18 and over who applied to Family Health Centers (FHC). Participants were randomly selected from 11 FHC. Data were collected via a face-to-face interview, a questionnaire designed by the researcher using ROME IV criteria, the OCD module in the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. RESULTS: The study included 990 participants, 502 (50.7%) women and 488 (49.3%) men. According to the ROME IV criteria, 7% (n = 69) of the participants in our study had FC. OCD was found to be present in 13% of the cases. This rate was found to be significantly higher (P = 0.003). The emotional stability scores of FC patients were found to be significantly lower (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: FC is a common gastrointestinal system complaint in primary care and emphasizes the importance of the diagnostic approach, particularly in patients presenting with constipation due to treatment differences. Individuals with FC diagnoses had a significantly higher incidence of OCD, and their emotional stability levels were significantly lower. It should be noted that psychiatric diseases and personality traits may also play a role in this situation in individuals diagnosed with FC.

What is the relationship between serum uric acid level and insulin resistance?: A case-control study.

Diabetes, arises from either an absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin or insulin resistance of peripheral tissues. For assessing long-term blood glucose concentration and insulin resistance, the utilization of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is widespread. Insulin resistance can lead to hyperuricemia by reducing the kidney ability to excrete urate, thus increasing sodium reabsorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between serum uric acid levels and insulin resistance. This was a retrospective case-control study. A total of 2530 applications in 2-year time were included in the study. Patient, known hypertension status, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, uric acid, HDL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride/Tg, HbA1c laboratory values and Tg/HDL ratio were examined. A statistically significant difference existed in the median uric acid values between the insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive groups (P < .001). Additionally, a weak positive statistical correlation was identified between uric acid and HOMA-IR values (R = 0.299; P < .001) and uric acid and Tg/HDL values (R = 0.357; P < .001). This study concludes that there is a positive correlation between serum uric acid levels and insulin resistance.

The impact of economic and social factors on the prevalence of hepatitis B in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Viral Hepatitis is one of the major global health problems, affecting millions of people every year. Limited information is available on the impact of social and economic factors on the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Turkey. This study, contrary to other studies in the literature, was undertaken with the aim of examining the Majority of the excluded data come from the volunteers. METHODS: There are medical and the social-economic factors affecting the prevalence of HBV. This research, while taking medical factors as control variables, clarify the social and economic factors affecting the prevalence of HBV by utilising clinical data with the use of the Binary Probit Model (BPM). The BPM estimation is a powerful tool to determine not only the factors but explain also the exact impacts of each factor. RESULTS: The estimations of the BPM shows that economic and social variables such as age, gender, migration, education, awareness, social welfare, occupation are very important factors for determining HBV prevalence. Compared to the youngest population, the 46 to 66+ age group has a higher prevalence of HBV. The male respondents were 5% more likely to develop HBV compared to females. When region-specific differences are taken into account, migrating from the poorest parts of the country such as the eastern and south-eastern regions of Turkey are approximately 16% more likely to be infected. The welfare indicators such as a higher number of rooms in the respondent's house or flat decreases the probability of having HBV and, relatively higher income groups are less likely to develop HBV compared to labourers. The Self-employed/Business owner/Public sector worker category are approximately 10% less likely to develop HBV. When people are aware of the methods of prevention of HBV, they are 6% less likely to be infected. Previous HBV infection history increases the probability of having HBV again B by 17%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings strongly suggest that the impact of social and economic factors on the prevalence of HBV is vital. Any improvements in these factors are likely to reduce prevalence of HBV.

Evaluation of the neuropathic pain in the smokers.

OBJECTIVES: Nicotine addiction is one of the most important causes of the general failure of treatment and keeping the habit of smoking. Peripheral neuropathy is a leading factor of smoking. This study aimed to analyze the association of neuropathic pain and addiction levels of individuals. METHODS: The study was performed on the day on which the smokers visited the hospital for any reason. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN-4) Scale and Fagerström Addiction Survey were administered to the individuals after obtaining their consent. RESULTS: In total, 444 individuals were included in the study, and 57.2% of them were males (n = 254). The age average of the individuals with neuropathic pain (46.4±12.3 years) was significantly higher than that of those without pain. The individuals with pain smoked approximately 31.8±18.3 packet/year cigarettes, whereas those without pain smoked approximately 22.4 ± 15.5 packet/year cigarettes; the difference was significant statistically (p<0.05). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis with the backward elimination method, the existence of pain was found to be PR = 2.22 (95% GA, 1.26-3.91) in terms of sex, DM existence was found to be PR = 1.97 (95% GA, 1.02-3.81), and for each standard deviation increase (2.7) in Fagerström scale, PR was 1.29 (95% GA, 1.14-1.46). CONCLUSION: Smoking is a risk factor for neuropathic pain. In our study, the possibility of neuropathic pain increases as the duration of smoking and addiction level increase, and with diabetes, this rate increases even more. It is extremely important that the smokers should be informed regarding these facts and possibilities.