Correlation Between the Severity of Coronary Artery Ectasia and Monocyte/Lymphocyte, Platelet/Lymphocyte, and HDL/LDL Ratios.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the monocyte/lymphocyte, platelet/lymphocyte, and HDL/LDL ratios as markers of the severity of coronary artery ectasia(CE). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Cardiology, Izmir Katip Celebi University and Balikesir University, Turkey, from January 2017 to October 2018. METHODOLOGY: A total of 7,923 coronary angiographs were retrospectively scanned. Inclusion criteria was >1.5 times dilatated of native coronary artery segment. Exclusion criteria was <1.5 times or no dilatation of native coronary segment compared with normal coronary segment. Demographic features, CE type, clinic status, monocyte/lymphocyte, platelet/ lymphocyte and HDL/LDL ratios are collected. RESULTS: Two hundred and six (2.6%) cases were identified, which had a mean age of 61.4 ±11.4 years. The male to female ratio was 3:1; and 46% of the patients presented with unstable angina. The prevalence of CE was 2.6%; and 118 (57.2%) patients had non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking were the most commonly seen disorders. Markis Type 4 was the most common type of CE determined. A statistically significant correlation was determined among the monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and the increased diameter of ectasia of the vessel. CONCLUSION: Although there should be awareness of CE, many clinicians do not pay as much attention to CE as to coronary stenosis. The results of this study showed that the monocyte/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio are consistent with the ectasia severity. This correlation will be useful for the evaluation of follow-up and treatment success in patients with CE.

The knowledge and attitudes of breast self-examination and mammography in a group of women in a rural area in western Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer appears to be a disease of both the developing and developed worlds. Among Turkish women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to determine levels of knowledge about breast cancer and to evaluate health beliefs concerning the model that promotes breast self- examination (BSE) and mammography in a group of women aged 20-64 in a rural area of western Turkey. METHODS: 244 women were recruited by means of cluster sampling in this study. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic variables, a risk factors and signs of breast cancer form and the adapted version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Bivariate correlation analysis, Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis were performed throughout the data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 37.7 +/- 13.7. 49.2% of women were primary school graduates, 67.6% were married. Although 76.6% of the women in this study reported that they had heard or read about breast cancer, our study revealed that only 56.1% of them had sufficient knowledge of breast cancer, half of whom had acquired the information from health professionals. Level of breast cancer knowledge was the only variable significantly associated with the BSE and mammography practice (p = 0.011, p = 0.007). BSE performers among the study group were more likely to be women who exhibited higher confidence and perceived greater benefits from BSE practice, and those who perceived fewer barriers to BSE performance and possessed knowledge of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: By using the CHBMS constructs for assessment, primary health care providers can more easily understand the beliefs that influence women's BSE and mammography practice.