Platelet indices as a predictor in the differentiation of Behçet's disease from recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate complete blood count parameters in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) who present with oral ulcers and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in order to determine whether they could be used as discriminatory biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2023. The study population consisted of three groups: patients with BD who had oral ulcer manifestation (n=85, BD-Group), patients with idiopathic RAS (n=186, RAS-Group) and healthy controls (n=90, HC-Group). All data about participants, on their first application, including sociodemographic and clinical data, comorbidity status, laboratory results were collected retrospectively from the hospital computer records and patients' charts. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of age (p=0.235) and sex distribution (p=0.450). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit values of the BD-Group were significantly lower, while platelet distribution width (PDW) was significantly higher, compared to the other two groups (p<0.001 for all). Low MPV (<9.15) (56.47% sensitivity and 90.86% specificity), high PDW (≥15.75) (75.00% sensitivity and 94.96% specificity) and low plateletcrit (<0.237) (55.29% sensitivity and 79.46% specificity) could significantly distinguish BD patients with oral ulcer onset from patients with RAS. CONCLUSIONS: PDW, MPV, and plateletcrit may be useful biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of oral ulcers when distinguishing between BD and RAS. However, these results need to be supported by further comprehensive studies.

Prevalence of rectus diastasis is higher in patients with inguinal hernia.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of rectus diastasis (RD) in patients with inguinal hernia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicenter, cross-sectional study. Patients with inguinal hernia were included in the study group (IH) and those with benign proctologic complaints created the control group (CG). Age, gender, BMI, family history for inguinal hernias, comorbid diseases, alcohol use, smoking, constipation, malignancy, chemotherapy, number of births, multiple pregnancies and prostate hypertrophy history of all patients in both groups were recorded. All patients were evaluated for RD and umbilical hernias by physical examination. RESULTS: A total of 528 consecutive patients were included in the study (292 IH / 236 CG). Overall prevalence of RD was 35.6% and it was significantly higher in IH than in CG (46.9% vs 21.6%, p < 0.001). Also, umbilical hernia was more frequently detected in the patients with inguinal hernia. Other risk factors for RD were age, BMI, DM, BPH and smoking. The mean inter-rectus distance for 528 patients was 18.1 mm; it was 20.71 ± 10.68 mm in IH and 14.88 ± 8.82 in CG (p < 0.001). It was determined that the increase in age and BMI caused an increase in the inter-rectus distance, and that the presence of DM, inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia increased the inter-rectus distance quantitatively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of RD seems to be higher in patients with inguinal hernia comparing to that in general population. Increased age, high BMI and DM were found to be independent risk factors for RD development.

Magnetic resonance visualization of iron-loaded meshes in patients with pain after inguinal hernia repair.

PURPOSE: Chronic post-operative inguinal pain (CPIP) is defined as pain lasting more than 3 months and the incidence is less than 4% after laparoscopic hernia repair. CPIP can have several causes. In this study, we aimed to show that 3D-iron loaded mesh preparations are useful in radiological evaluation of post-operative complications, especially patients with chronic pain and the mesh status of operated inguinal hernia cases. METHODS: A total of 450 cases who had been operated for inguinal hernia with 3D-iron loaded mesh and who had ongoing pain at the post-operative period were included in this study. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was performed at the post-operative 90th day of the seven symptomatic (groin pain, limitation of movement) cases which were operated using a 3D-iron loaded mesh, 10 × 15 cm in size, (DynaMeshEndolap visible with 25% MRI-visible filaments, FEG TextiltechnikmbH, Aachen, Germany) for inguinal hernia repair to evaluate mesh status, localization, and local complications. Gradient echo sequences in the sagittal, axial, and coronal sections on MRI were discussed by two radiologists. Mesh localizations, their relationship with surrounding structures and their complications related with mesh were evaluated by two radiologists (D.Y, D.E.T.S). RESULTS: No significant radiological findings related to defined anatomical structures were found in the MRI images of the study group. The dimensions measured on the sagittal, axial and coronal images were correlated with original mesh sizes and no significant shrinkage was detected. CONCLUSION: Mesh position and deformation as shrinkage can be the mesh-related cause of pain. The incidence of CPIP in our patients is less than 2%. 3D-iron loaded meshes were monitored with MRI in CPIP patients and there was no mesh-related changes found in our study. The use of MRI-visible meshes will most likely help us to monitor mesh preparations and show potential time-dependent changes in mesh characteristics and consequent complications. In case of doubtful clinical postoperative hernia recurrence or chronic groin pain, mesh position can be identified by MRI and unnecessary surgical intervention can be avoided.

Intermittent catheterization in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: obstacles, worries, level of satisfaction.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the obstacles in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face performing intermittent catheterization (IC), also their worries and level of satisfaction. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-nine patients performing IC for at least 3 months were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about their opinions on IC. RESULTS: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves, 10.4% had performed by their mothers, 7.8% by another caregiver and 7.4% by their spouse. For the 72 (26%) patients unable to apply IC, reasons were insufficient hand function (56.1%), being unable to sit appropriately (35.4%) and spasticity (8.5%). In all, 70% of male patients had insufficient hand function, 20% could not sit and 10% had spasticity while 56.3% of female patients could not sit, 37.5% had insufficient hand function and 63% had spasticity. Difference between sexes was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Worries patients had when starting IC were fear of being dependent on IC (50.2%), accidentally injuring self (43.8%), embarrassment (43.2%), causing an infection (40.2%), bleeding (32.7%), fear of feeling pain (30.2%) and hygiene (24.7%). More women felt embarrassment; other items were similar in both sexes. In all, 46.9% of patients had urinary incontinence in intervals. CONCLUSION: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves. Men's most common obstacle was insufficient hand function while women's was being unable to sit appropriately. Patients' most common worries were being dependent on IC for life. In all, 46.9% had incontinence in intervals; 47.9% said IC improved their life quality; and 97.4% preferred IC over continuous catheterization.

Neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: treatment and follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Multi-center, cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate the treatment methods and follow-up of neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury retrospectively using a questionnaire. SETTING: Turkey. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-seven patients who had spinal cord injury for at least 2 years were enrolled from six centers in the neurogenic bladder study group. They were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about treatments they received and techniques they used for bladder management. RESULTS: The study included 246 male and 91 female patients with a mean age of 42±14 years. Intermittent catheterization (IC) was performed in 77.9% of the patients, 3.8% had indwelling catheters, 13.8% had normal spontaneous micturition, 2.6% performed voiding maneuvers, 1.3% used diapers and 0.6% used condom catheters. No gender difference was found regarding the techniques used in bladder rehabilitation (P>0.05). Overall, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs; anticholinergic drug use was similar between genders (P>0.05). The most common anticholinergic drug used was oxybutynin (40.3%), followed by trospium (32.6%), tolterodine (19.3%) darifenacin (3.3%), propiverine (3.3%) and solifenacin (1.1%). The specialties of the physicians who first prescribed the anticholinergic drug were physiatrists (76.2%), urologists (22.1%) and neurologists (1.7%). Only four patients had previously received injections of botulinum-toxin-A into the detrusor muscle and three of them stated that their symptoms showed improvement. Most of the patients (77%) had regular follow-up examinations, including urine cultures, urinary system ultrasound and urodynamic tests, when necessary; the reasons for not having regular control visits were living distant from hospital (15.3%) and monetary problems (7.7%). Of the patients, 42.7% did not experience urinary tract infections (UTI), 36.4% had bacteriuria but no UTI episodes with fever, 15.9% had 1-2 clinical UTI episodes per year and 5% had ⩾3 clinical UTIs. The clinical characteristics of patients with and without UTI (at least one symptomatic UTI during 1 year) were similar (P>0.05). The frequency of symptomatic UTI was similar in patients using different bladder management techniques (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The most frequently used technique for bladder rehabilitation in patients with SCI was IC (77.9%). In all, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs, oxybutynin being the most commonly used drug. Also, 77% of patients had regular control visits for neurogenic bladder; 42.7% did not experience any UTIs.

Effects of different bladder management methods on the quality of life in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Multi-center, cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of different bladder management methods on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Turkey. METHODS: Consecutive SCI patients (n=195, 74.4% males), for whom at least 6 months had elapsed since the injury, were included and evaluated in five groups: normal spontaneous micturition (NSM), micturition with assisted maneuvers (MAM), aseptic intermittent catheterization by patient (IC-P), aseptic IC by an attendant/caregiver (IC-A) and indwelling catheterization. The King's Health Questionnaire was used to evaluate the patients' QoL. RESULTS: The bladder management groups were similar regarding age, time elapsed since injury, education level, marital and occupational status. There was no difference among the groups in general health perception, personal relationships and sleep/energy domain scores. While the NSM group had generally the lowest scores, that is, better QoL, the IC-A group had the highest scores, that is, poorer QoL, in most of the domains. When the patients were grouped according to the frequency of urinary incontinence or American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades, no difference was found in the domain scores of the groups except the symptom severity domain scores. No significant difference was found between paraplegic and tetraplegic patients in the King's Health Questionnaire domains. CONCLUSION: The QoL was notably affected in SCI patients in IC-A group and negative effects on emotional status, physical and social activity limitations were observed, as well.

Efficacy of treatment with a kinaesthetic ability training device on balance and mobility after stroke: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the addition of a kinaesthetic ability training device could enhance the effect of a conventional rehabilitation programme on balance and mobility in hemiparetic patients late after stroke. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial. SETTING: The rehabilitation ward of a university hospital. Thirty hemiparetic patients (mean age (SD) of 57.4 (8.1) years) late after stroke (mean time since stroke (SD) 545.2 (99.9) days) were assigned randomly to an experimental or a control group. INTERVENTIONS: The control group (n = 15) participated in a conventional rehabilitation programme. The experimental group (n = 15) participated in balance training with a kinaesthetic ability training device in addition to a conventional rehabilitation programme for four weeks, five days a week. OUTCOME MEASURES: Kinaesthetic ability training static and dynamic balance indices, balance and lower extremity subscores of the Fugl-Meyer Stroke Assessment Instrument (FMA), total motor and locomotor subitem scores of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were evaluated at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS: The experimental group had greater improvement in measures of balance including static (P = 0.045) and dynamic balance index (P = 0.001) and FMA balance score (P = 0.001) than the control group. No between-group differences were detected in subscore of FMA, total motor and locomotor subscores of FIM. There were significant improvements in balance subscores of FMA, static and dynamic balance indexes in the experimental group and in sub-item scores of FIM and lower extremity scores of FMA in both groups. CONCLUSION: Kinaesthetic ability training in addition to a conventional rehabilitation programme is effective in improving balance late after stroke. However, this improvement is not reflected in individual functional status.

Metoprolol treatment decreases tissue myeloperoxidase activity after spinal cord injury in rats.

Neutrophil infiltration has been reported to play an important role in spinal cord injury (SCI). In addition to their cardioprotective effects, beta-blockers have been found to have neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system, but their effect on SCI has not yet been studied. In the current study, we investigated the effect of metoprolol on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, a marker of neutrophil activation, in the spinal cord after experimental SCI in rats. Rats were divided into six groups: controls received only laminectomy and spinal cord samples were taken immediately; the sham operated group received laminectomy, and spinal cord samples were taken 4h after laminectomy; the trauma only group underwent a 50g/cm contusion injury but received no medication; and three other groups underwent trauma as for the trauma group, and received 30mg/kg methylprednisolone, 1mg/kg metoprolol, or 1mL saline, respectively. All the medications were given intraperitoneally as single doses, immediately after trauma. Spinal cord samples were taken 4h after trauma and studied for MPO activity. The results showed that tissue MPO activity increased after injury. Both metoprolol and methylprednisolone treatments decreased MPO activity, indicating a reduction in neutrophil infiltration in damaged tissue. The effect of metoprolol on MPO activity was found to be similar to methylprednisolone. In view of these data, we conclude that metoprolol may be effective in protecting rat spinal cord from secondary injury.

Spigelian hernias: a prospective analysis of baseline parameters and surgical outcome of 34 consecutive patients.

Most of the papers published on spigelian hernia are either case reports or small retrospective series. In this prospective multicenter study, we aimed to outline the specific features of spigelian hernias and patients' characteristics more clearly. Surgeons enrolled patients to be entered into the database as they diagnosed and treated the hernias at will. The baseline and surgical outcome parameters were noted in each patient. A painful mass was the main presenting complaint in half of 34 patients. Accurate preoperative diagnosis was possible in 31 patients. Open intraperitoneal mesh repair was the preferred technique. The mean hospital stay and time until return to normal daily activities were 4.1 and 15.6 days. Although a rare condition, diagnosis of a spigelian hernia is not difficult once remembered. Its surgical repair seems to cause few complications and is very well tolerated by the patient.

Importance of left anterior hemiblock development in inferior wall acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and angiographic importance of left anterior hemiblock (LAHB) during acute inferior myocardial infarction (AIMI) by comparing patient groups with and without LAHB after AIMI. One hundred seventy-two patients (141 men and 31 women) between 28 and 84 years of age (mean 55 +/-10 years) with AIMI were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to electrocardiogram (ECG) criteria: group I comprised 25 patients in whom ECG pattern characteristic of LAHB developed, group II comprised 147 patients without this pattern. According to the electrocardiogram, patients were placed in group I if the mean QRS axis was deviated to the left < 30 degrees in the frontal plane with the following pattern: increased S-wave voltage and decreased R-wave voltage in leads II, the appearance of a deep S-wave in lead II, and a terminal positive R-wave in lead aVR. Coronary angiography was performed within 2 weeks. A coronary stenosis was considered if the vessel diameter was narrowed by > 50%. The dominant coronary artery was classified as right or left or balanced. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated from left ventriculography. The mean age of the patients in group I was significantly higher (58 vs 54 years, p = 0.007), while the risk factors were similar in both groups. Left anterior descending (LAD) and multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) were found to be significantly higher in group I compared with group 11 (80% vs 38%, p=0.0001; 84% vs 52%, p=0.001, respectively). The mean LVEF was found to be lower in group I (51% vs 56%, p=0.04). Peak creatine phosphokinase MB (CKMB) values were not different (216 vs 162 IU/L, p = 0.09). The frequency of left dominant or balanced coronary artery was determined to be higher in group I (44% vs 17%, p = 0.018). LAHB development during AIMI can be an indicator of LAD lesions, multivessel coronary artery disease, and impaired left ventricular systolic function.

Effect of the isolated left bundle branch block on systolic and diastolic functions of left ventricle.

BACKGROUND: We planned this study to evaluate the effects of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on systolic and diastolic functions of left ventricle (LV) that have not previously been investigated in detail. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five cases diagnosed as isolated LBBB according to the standard electrocardiographic criteria (group I, mean age: 60 +/- 12 years) were taken as the case group and 65 cases with normal conduction system (group II, mean age 58 +/- 14 years) were taken as the control group. Echocardiography was performed to all patients and coronary angiography was performed to 21 patients in group I and 35 patients in group II. In addition to standard systolic and diastolic function parameters, isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), and ejection time (ET) were measured by echocardiography, and the myocardial performance index (MPI) [(IRT+ICT)/ET] was calculated. LV end-diastolic pressure was calculated for the patients undergoing coronary angiography. RESULTS: In group I, LV end-systolic diameter was greater (3.1 +/- 0.4 cm vs 2.8 +/- 0.4 cm, P <.001) and ejection fraction was lower (64% +/- 6% vs 68% +/- 6%, P <.001) than those of group II. Rapid filling deceleration time and rate was markedly different in group I (respectively, 133 +/- 50 ms vs 166 +/- 24 ms, P <.001; 608 +/- 291 cm/s(2) vs 383 +/- 116 cm/s(2), P <.001). In addition, it was found that LBBB caused shortening of LV diastolic period and ET markedly (respectively, 347 +/- 116 ms vs 394 +/- 106 ms, P =.03; 255 +/- 40 ms vs 294 +/- 21 ms, P <.001) and prolongation of IRT and ICT (respectively; 124 +/- 36 ms vs 91 +/- 16 ms, 96 +/- 35 ms vs 38 +/- 9 ms, P <.001). The MPI was predominantly higher in group I (0.89 +/- 0.29 vs 0.40 +/- 0.06, P <.001). Invasively determined LV end-diastolic pressure was found higher in group I (14 +/- 3 mm Hg vs 10 +/- 3 mm Hg, P <.001). CONCLUSION: A marked elevation of the LV MPI and end-diastolic pressure, parallel to changes of conventional echocardiographic parameters, in patients with isolated LBBB points out that LBBB causes marked deterioration on LV systolic and diastolic functions.

Usefulness of peak mitral inflow velocity to predict severe mitral regurgitation in patients with normal or impaired left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of peak mitral inflow (E-wave) velocity, which was thought to be easier and more practical than qualitative and quantitative methods used to grade mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients both with normal and low left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). It is known that peak E-wave velocity increases in MR. But correlation of this increase with regurgitant fraction (RF), its usefulness in grading MR, and the effect of EF on peak E-wave velocity have not been studied in detail. METHODS: We prospectively examined 135 consecutive patients with varying grades of MR with echocardiography. MR was evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively, and concordance of these 2 methods was determined. Peak E-wave velocity, A-wave velocity, and E-wave deceleration time were measured and the E/A ratio was calculated. LV isovolumetric relaxation and contraction times were measured. Different MR groups classified by RF were compared with each other. RESULTS: Concordance of quantitative and qualitative evaluation was low in patients with low EF (kappa 0.37 vs 0.65). Peak E-wave velocity and E/A ratio showed significant differences between MR groups. Peak E-wave velocity correlated with the RF and EF (r = 0.47, r = 0.33, respectively, P <.001). Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of peak E-wave velocity >1.2 m/s suggesting severe MR were found to be different in patients with normal and low EF (96% vs 66%, 78% vs 83%, 97% vs 78%, respectively). E-wave deceleration, LV isovolumetric relaxation, and contraction time did not show a correlation with RF. CONCLUSION: Peak E-wave velocity is a screening method that could be used in common for determining severity of MR semiquantitatively, especially in patients with normal EF.

Usefulness of coronary angiography for assessing left ventricular systolic function.

OBJECTIVE: In previous echocardiographic studies, a correlation between ejection fraction of the left ventricle and change in the movement of the mitral annular ring was found. In the light of these studies, we planned to investigate the relationship between systolic shortening (SS) and percent of systolic shortening (PSS), calculated from the long axis frame in coronary angiography and left ventricular systolic function. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight patients (40 men and 98 women; mean age 58 +/- 10 years) who had been referred for coronary angiography and left ventriculography were included in the study. Ejection fraction (EF) was calculated from left ventriculography obtained from 30 degrees right anterior oblique projection. Distance from the lower border of the ostium of the left coronary artery to the most apical border of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was measured at end-systole (ES) and end-diastole (ED) using coronary angiography obtained from the same projection. SS as ED-ES and PSS as SS/ED were calculated. Correlation of SS and PSS with EF was calculated (EF = 13.7 + 4.8 x SS, r = 0.91, p < 0.001 and EF = 14.2 + 6.5 x PSS, r = 0.90, p < 0.01). SS < 7 mm (criterion A) and PSS < 6% (criterion B) suggested that left ventricle EF was less than 50%, with a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 83%, 100%, 95%; 95%, 86% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SS and PSS highly significantly correlate with left ventricular EF. Therefore, left ventriculography could be omitted in selected patients undergoing coronary angiography if it is not necessary to define the anatomic structure of the left ventricle.