The Evaluation Of Smoking Cessation Treatment Success and Related Factors in Adults Age 65 Years and Older.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate smoking cessation treatment success and factors associated in older adults. METHODS: In the retrospective cohort study, the patients' sociodemographic data, smoking history, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence scores (FTND), type of treatments (Pharmacological treatments, behavioral counseling, and/or both) and the number of follow-up sessions in the Smoking Cessation Outpatient Clinic were taken from hospital files of the patients. Treatment success was evaluated as one year of abstinence from smoking. RESULTS: Participants' reported with 53% classified as high-very high nicotine dependence. Overall, 36% reported abstinence from smoking for one year or more. Treatment success was associated with higher attendance at follow-up sessions. Using pharmacologic treatments and behavioral counseling together was proved to be more effective than behavioral counseling alone. CONCLUSIONS: One-year smoking cessation was achieved in one-third of older adults attending a smoking cessation clinic. In older adults in this sample low FTND scores, use of combined pharmacologic and behavioral treatment, and attendance at follow up sessions were associated with one year smoking abstinence. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Older adults should be referred for smoking cessation treatment. Use of combined pharmacological and behavioral counseling is recommended. Efforts to enhance attendance at follow-up sessions should be considered.

Assessment of eating habits of preschool children and parent attitudes / Avaliação dos hábitos alimentares de pré-escolar e atitudes dos pais

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate preschoolers' eating behaviors and parents' attitudes. Methods This descriptive observational study employed a convenience sampling method to investigate the eating behavior of preschool children aged 3-6 years. Data was collected through a Personal and Parent Information Form and the Children's Eating Behavior Inventory. The study included 206 participants, and the findings provide insights into parental attitudes toward feeding and children's eating behaviors in 3-6 age group. Results The study sample included 206 parents of children between the ages of 3 and 6, with the majority of children having a normal weight. Parents' responses to the survey questions revealed significant correlations between children's weight percentiles and parental education level, maternal body mass index level, and income level. Positive eating behaviors in children were positively correlated with parental age and education level, income level, child age, and child percentile level, while negative eating behaviors were negatively correlated with parental age, educational status, income level, and positively correlated with maternal body mass index level. Gender differences were observed, with male children exhibiting lower mean scores in negative eating behaviors, maternal views and behaviors, child food preparation behavior, and negative meal situations compared to female children. Conclusion We found that parental education level and income level were correlated with children's positive eating behavior, while they were negatively associated with negative eating behavior. Negative eating behavior and food preparation behavior were lower in boys than in girls.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo observacional descritivo teve como objetivo investigar os comportamentos alimentares de crianças em idade pré-escolar e as atitudes dos pais. Métodos Foi utilizado um método de amostragem por conveniência para coletar dados sobre o comportamento alimentar de crianças com idades entre 3 e 6 anos. Foram aplicados um Formulário de Informações Pessoais e de Pais e o Inventário de Comportamento Alimentar Infantil, e a análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o programa IBM®SPSS® 16.0. O estudo contou com a participação de 206 pais fornecendo informações sobre as atitudes dos pais em relação à alimentação e os comportamentos alimentares das crianças na faixa etária de 3 a 6 anos. Resultados A amostra do estudo incluiu 206 pais de crianças com idades entre 3 e 6 anos, sendo a maioria das crianças com peso normal. As respostas dos pais às perguntas da pesquisa revelaram correlações significativas entre os percentis de peso das crianças e o nível educacional dos pais, índice de massa corporal materno e nível de renda. Comportamentos alimentares positivos nas crianças foram positivamente correlacionados com a idade e nível educacional dos pais, nível de renda, idade da criança e percentil de peso da criança, enquanto comportamentos alimentares negativos foram negativamente correlacionados com a idade dos pais, nível educacional, nível de renda e positivamente correlacionados com o índice de massa corporal materno. Foram observadas diferenças de gênero, com as crianças do sexo masculino apresentando pontuações médias mais baixas em comportamentos alimentares negativos, visões e comportamentos maternos, comportamento de preparação de alimentos infantis e situações negativas durante as refeições em comparação com as crianças do sexo feminino Conclusão Demonstra-se que o nível educacional e o nível de renda dos pais estão relacionados ao comportamento alimentar positivo das crianças, enquanto estão inversamente associados ao comportamento alimentar negativo. Comportamentos alimentares negativos e comportamentos de preparação de alimentos foram menores em meninos em comparação com meninas.

Factors affecting success and abstinence within a smoking cessation clinic: A one-year follow-up study in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Successful smoking cessation requires personal, environmental and pharmacological support. In our clinic, pharmacological treatment lasts up to three months. In this study, we aimed to investigate smoking cessation rates, the effects of follow-up visits and pharmacological therapies on smoking cessation in our smoking cessation clinic for one year. METHODS: Our study included 505 patient files that were randomly selected from the 5271 patients who were admitted to our outpatient clinic for smoking cessation in 2015-2016 and at least one year has passed from treatment initiation. Patients, who agreed to participate in this study, provided information on their smoking cessation status, treatment duration and drug side effects. Data were recorded on electronic media for statistical analysis. Significance was evaluated at p<0.05. RESULTS: Our study was conducted on 505 patients that were randomly selected, 309 (61.2%) males and 196 (38.8%) females. The mean age was 38.9±10.3 years. There were 313 (61.9%) participants who stopped smoking after treatment and 229 (45.3%) were not smoking currently. The smoking cessation rate of males (57.9%) was significantly lower than that of females (68.4%) (p=0.019). The rate of relapse of males (12.9%) was significantly lower than that of females (20.9%) (p=0.017). Side effects occurred in 68 (13.5%) patients, 32 taking varenicline and 36 taking bupropion. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, 45.3% of the patients had stopped smoking after one year. Smoking cessation rates were higher in the early stages of treatment than at late periods. Approximately half of the participants had never attended follow-up visits. Due to the low number of follow-up visits, both pharmacological treatment and motivational support were insufficient for effective smoking cessation therapy.

Determining health-promoting behavior in smokers preparing to quit: a holistic and personalized approach.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation practices enable health professionals to identify lifestyle of their patients as an initial step to achieve predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the smoking habit and health-promoting behavior of patients who planned to quit smoking. METHODS: In this descriptive study, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) was implemented to current smokers admitted to smoking cessation outpatient clinics of two tertiary hospitals. Patients without any comorbidities were included. Sociodemographic variables, Fagerström dependency test, and smoking habit were recorded. Descriptive and analytical statistical evaluations were performed. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients, 134 men (67%) and 66 women (33%) with a mean age of 34.49 ± 8.82, were included to the study. Among them, 90 (45%) were white collar, and 110 (55%) were blue-collar workers. Patients with BMI ≥ 25 were 126 (63%); Fagerström test score median was 7. Packages per year, dependency scores, the age the patients started smoking, and cigarettes smoked per day inversely correlated with health-promoting behavior. Our patients had high scores in spiritual growth and interpersonal relationships and had low scores in physical activity and stress management. Health-promoting behavior, health responsibility, self-actualization, and interpersonal relationships were less favorable in blue-collar workers than white-collar workers. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking behavior affects especially physical activity and stress management in the study population preparing for smoking cessation. Health-promoting activities in smokers are influenced by occupation as well as dependency levels and smoking habits. Differences exist among white and blue-collar workers in health-promoting behavior. Defining and screening multiple health risk behavior in smokers empower predictive measures and targeted preventive medicine, such as maintaining healthy nutrition and leaving sedentary lifestyle along with efforts to quit smoking. Awareness about health-promoting behavior and thus identifying smokers who need lifestyle interventions can provide and attenuate a holistic and personalized approach in preventive medicine.

-174 G/C polymorphism of interleukin 6 gene is not significantly different in Turkish professional short and long distance runners.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a kind of multifunctional cytokine and involved in mediating muscle repair metabolism, and therefore athletic capacity.  Muscular and circulating IL-6 levels increase in response to physical exercise. Responsible gene coding for IL-6 has a functional polymorphism in its promoter region, -174 G/C (rs1800795). We aimed to analyze the association of G allele and GG genotype in Turkish professional athletes and compare the allelic and genotypic difference between short distance and long distance runners. For this purpose, we enrolled 40 (24 short distance runners and 16 long distance runners) Turkish professional athletes to the study. Real time genotyping procedure was carried out to determine the -174 G/C polymorphism. G allele and GG genotype was more prevalent than the others in our cohort. We found no statistically significant difference between short and long distance runners in the terms of genotype (p=0.07). Our study suggests that-174 G/C polymorphism of IL-6 gene differs in athletes, G allele and GG genotype is higher than the other ones, at least in Turkish athletes, and therefore should be taken into consideration when determining genetic aspects of athletes. Further studies are necessary to confirm our results and show the effect of the given polymorphism in sports science.

Use of polypharmacy and herbal medication on quality of life in elderly patients at Okmeydani hospital's polyclinics in Istanbul, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine what should be done as a preventive medicine physician by analysing the effect of polypharmacy and herbal treatment. METHODS: This survey-based, cross-sectional study was carried out at Istanbul Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from February to May 2015, and comprised patients using two or more medicines at full strength for at least 240 days. The patients were classified into two groups. Group A comprised those who were using less than 4 medications (at least 2), while group B comprised patients using more than 4 medications. The short version of World Health Organisation's quality-of-life questionnaire was applied. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 350 participants, 106(30.3%) were receiving herbal treatment while 244(69.7%) had no such treatment. Group B patients had meaningfully lower scores for body, spiritual, social and external environment (p=0.001). Moreover, the patients having no herbal or supportive treatment scored significantly higher in the physical, spiritual, social relations and external environment (p=0.001). In group A, patients receiving no herbal treatment scored meaningfully higher in all fields, including physical (p=0.009), social relations (p=0.043) and external environment (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Old age, living alone, level of education, having a regular monthly income, the number of drugs used, chronic diseases and herbal treatments affected the life quality.

The Analysis of Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width Levels in Appendicitis.

We aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width, which are also known as the markers of platelet count, in acute and perforated appendicitis. The data of 202 patients who applied to general surgery clinic in Mustafa Kemal University Hospital from 2007 to 2012 with acute appendicitis were analyzed retrospectively. The findings were separated to two groups due to the perforation status (perforated vs. non-perforated). Age, sex, leukocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were examined. The mean age of the patients was 35.8. Twenty-one of all cases were perforated appendicitis (10.4 %), and the rest was acute appendicitis (non-perforated) (n = 181, 89.6 %). The mean platelet volume value was 9.8 ± 2.1 fL; mean thrombocyte count, 340.9 × 10(9)/L; and mean platelet distribution width value, 18.3 %. There were statistically significant differences between sex and age, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width. There was a positive correlation between mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet. Age, leukocyte, platelet, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were higher in cases with perforation as a comparison with non-perforated cases. We think that mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width may be valuable markers to detect the risk of perforation in early periods of acute appendicitis.

A 5-year retrospective evaluation of snakebite cases in Hatay, Turkey.

Snakebites are relatively rare medical emergency cases that might lead to serious consequences. This study aims to evaluate snakebite cases in terms of medical follow-up, antivenom therapy and antivenom reactions. Medical records of patients admitted to emergency department between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010 were retrospectively investigated. Snakebite-related cases of a total of 125 patients were included in the scope of the study. Of the total 125 cases, 54.4% were male and 45.6% were female. Most of cases (n: 65, 52%) were aged over 30 years, while the mean age was 34.87 ± 19.29 years. Snakebite-related applications to the emergency department were mostly seen in June with 27 cases. Upon admitting, all patients were recorded to be conscious and showing good general conditions; however, they suffered from pain and edema at the site of bite. Of all, 25 patients only suffered from bite injury and ecchymosis due to snakebite. The site of bite was upper extremities in 66 patients (52.8%), whereas it was lower extremities in 58 (46.4%). Of all, antivenom was unnecessary in 25 (20%) patients, while four antivenoms were administered to each of the 23 (18.4%) patients. Furthermore, six (4.8%) patients needed nine antivenom administrations for each. Anaphylaxis (n: 2, 1.6%), compartment syndrome (n: 2, 1.6%) and serum sickness (n: 1, 0.8%) encountered in remaining cases. Of all, 86 (68.8%) patients were hospitalized in the emergency department, while 25 (20.0%) patients were followed up by observation in emergency service. Only one patient was treated and followed up in intensive care unit. Implementation of antivenom therapy is considered unnecessary for the treatment of all snakebite cases. Antivenom reactions and number of related cases might be reduced by continuous close monitoring, appropriate prophylaxis and controlled slow infusion administration of medications.

Evaluation of Mean Platelet Volume values in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is an important indicator of platelet activation. It is known that MPV increases in patients with coronory artery disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our aim was to measure the MPV in lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: The present study was designed to examine the platelet function by measuring MPV in non-obese women with PCOS. A total of 50 outpatients with PCOS were included. The control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects. Serum platelet, MPV, and white blood cell (WBC) levels were compared and evaluated retrospectively in all participants. These values were compared by statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant difference in between groups regarding MPV (p═0.357), WBC (p═0,414) and platelet (p═0,666). CONCLUSION: There are studies implying MPV increase in PCOS patients, in our patients MPV levels did not correlate with PCOS except for patients with obesity. We think that PCOS itself has no effect on MPV levels and obesity changes MPV levels.

Relationship between mean platelet volume and retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of mean platelet volume (MPV) on diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, ocular findings and MPV values were retrospectively reviewed in 192 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patients were classified into four groups according to ocular findings, as follows: group 1, diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (n = 70); group 2, diabetic patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 64); group 3, diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 58); and group 4, healthy controls (n = 100). RESULTS: A significant difference was found in MPV values between groups 2 and 4 (P = 0.001), between groups 3 and 4 (P = 0.001), and between groups 1 and 4 (P = 0.004). No significant difference was found in MPV values between groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.241) and between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.460); whereas there was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.015). The three diabetic groups (groups 1, 2, and 3) were compared with each other. While there was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.015), there was no significance between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.46), and between group 1 and 2 (P = 0.241). Logistic regression analysis found a 1.40-fold increase in the risk of retinopathy development (OR: 1.404; P = 0.002) and a 1.46-fold increase in the risk of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (OR: 1.466; P = 0.002) as the MPV value increased. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients, the risk of retinopathy development increases with higher MPV values.

Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and nocturia with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on whether there is an association between nocturia, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether there is an association between nocturia and endothelial dysfunction in patients with BPH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two men with a diagnosis of BPH and 42 age-matched controls were enrolled. All patients were assessed for frequency and duration of nocturia, and prostate volume, completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, and underwent brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) evaluation. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between FMD and frequency of nocturia (r = -0.879, p < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between duration of nocturia and FMD (r = -0.890, p < 0.0001). In addition, FMD was significantly decreased in the BPH group compared with the control group (6.0 ± 0.09 to 7.8 ± 0.10%) (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In patients with BPH, nocturia is associated with endothelial dysfunction and may be an insidious risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Development of acute dystonia in three brothers due to metoclopramide.

One of the agents that cause dystonic reactions is metoclopramide. In this study, we presented three individuals of the same family who were admitted to our hospital while receiving the treatment of metoclopramide because of developing acute dystonic reaction. Appropriate doses of metoclopramide therapy had begun to all brothers with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis. After receiving the first dose of medication, acute dystonia was observed within half an hour in these brothers who used metoclopramide. Thus, if there is a patient who developed acute dystonia in the same family due to metoclopramide, avoiding from use of metoclopramide will be beneficial for other members of the family.

Investigation of parvovirus B19 seroprevalence, endothelin-1 synthesis, and nitric oxide levels in the etiology of essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many studies have focused on the role of pathogen infection in hypertension (HT). It has been postulated that increased vascular tonus in HT is basically related to the imbalance between vasodilator, such as nitric oxide (NO), and vasoconstrictor, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), substances secreted by endothelium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) in the etiology of essential HT and the effect of HPV B19 on ET-1 and NO levels in this disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 135 participants were enrolled in the study (90 patient and 45 controls). Antibodies to HPV B19 and ET-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Nitric oxide levels were calculated according to the Griess reaction. RESULTS: Of the total participants, 27 patients (30%) and 7 control subjects (15.6%) had IgM positive (P = .068), whereas 27 patients (30%) and 14 control subjects (31.1%) had IgG positive (P = .895). There was no statistical difference between patients and control subjects in terms of serum ET-1 and NO levels. CONCLUSIONS: The role of HPV B19 in the etiology of essential HT was not shown in the present study. A larger sample may be needed for the investigation of these relations.

Comparison of quantiferon test with tuberculin skin test for the detection of tuberculosis infection in children.

The efficacy of Quantiferon-TB gold test (QFT-GIT) remains to be documented in pediatric population. Tuberculin skin test (TST) is a conventional test available for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We aimed to investigate the concordance between QFT-GIT and TST in children with and without tuberculosis infection. Ninety-seven patients, aged 3 months-14 years, admitted to pediatric outpatient clinics of Dr. Sadi Konuk Training Hospital Bakirköy, Turkey between March 2008 and April 2009 were recruited. Demographic features, TST results, history of exposure to active tuberculosis (TB), chest X-ray findings, clinical history, presence of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination scar were recorded. Patients were categorized into four groups namely, active TB, LTBI, no TB and healthy. It was found that BCG scar positivity did not influence QFT-GIT results. There was a statistically significant agreement between QFT-GIT and TST results (κ = 0.486; p < 0.01). In patients ≥ 5 years of age, TST positivity and QFT positivity had a significant relationship (p < 0.01). In all patient groups, sensitivity and specificity was 65.85 % and 82.14 %, respectively. In active TB group, TST and QFT-GIT results demonstrated significant agreement ratio of 40.8 % (κ = 0.364; p < 0.01). Sensitivity and specificity was 100 % and 30 %, respectively. Utilization of QFT-GIT in the diagnosis of LTBI reduces false-positive results and prevents unnecessary treatment with INH and its adverse effects.

Evaluation of the mean platelet volume in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

To evaluate the Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) levels in children diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), during attack and attack-free periods. The records of a total of 117 children with FMF, diagnosed using the Tel-Hashomer criteria, have been scanned. The study consisted of 53 patients during an attack (group 1), 64 patients in attack-free period (group 2), and 57 healthy controls (group 3). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelet count, and MPV levels were retrospectively recorded. The MPV and platelet values in FMF patients during attack (group 1) and FMF patients during attack-free periods (group 2) have been found to be significantly higher than those of the health control group (group 3). Positive correlation has been found between the MPV and platelet values in Group 1 and the disease's severity score (r = 0.224, and r = 0.268, respectively). Positive correlation (r = 0.528, and r = 0.485, respectively) has been also identified between MPV and blood platelet count in patients in Group 1 and 2. No correlation was found between the Colchicine treatment period and MPV (r = -0.005). The MPV values in the complete group of FMF diagnosed children have been found to be much higher compared to those in healthy children. As a consequence, we consider the MPV value as a useful marker that demonstrates the risk of early stage atherosclerosis in children with FMF.

Serum adiponectin and resistin levels in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder.

We aimed to investigate the changes in serum adiponectin and resistin levels in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and control groups. The serum adiponectin and resistin levels of 29 patients (16 females, 13 males) with obsessive compulsive disorder and weight, age and sex-matched 31 healthy controls (17 females, 14 males) were determined. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was applied to all groups. ELISA method was used to measure adiponectin and resistin levels. The mean adiponectin level was 11.92±2.04 ng/ml and resistin level was 13.23±2.78 ng/ml in obsessive compulsive disorder group, while it was 18.81±5.24 ng/ml and 8.17±2.53 ng/ml in control group. Changes in plasma adiponectin and resistin levels in obsessive compulsive disorder may have implications about possible cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities seen in obsessive compulsive patients.

Knowledge, attitude and response of mothers about fever in their children.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine mothers' knowledge about fever, and their attitudes and responses to fever in children, along with the influence of demographic characteristics on the level of knowledge, and to identify occurrences of fear of fever. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 4500 mothers with children 0-12 years of age who were referred to the pediatric health and disease polyclinic and primary care polyclinic over a period of 24 months. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing 32 open-ended, multichoice questions, and assessed using number, percentage and χ(2) analyses. RESULTS: In this study, 36% of mothers regarded body temperatures lower than 37°C as fever; 83% believed that fever was harmful for their children, and 92.3% experienced fear and concern due to their child's fever. The most significant reason for fear was the belief that the child may have a seizure. Moreover, 12% of mothers feared that their child would die due to fever. The level of fear triggered by fever was lower as the education level of the mothers increased. Meanwhile, when their child had a fever, 28.9% of mothers used antifebrile drugs without consulting a physician, while 19% applied cold water and 7.7% applied water with alcohol or vinegar, among other inappropriate practices. CONCLUSION: Increased information about fevers geared towards the caregivers of children, particularly mothers, would prevent the unnecessary treatment of children, as well as minimising delayed and insufficient responses to fever.

The effect of the length of the prodromal period on the metabolic control within the first 2 years in children with diabetic ketoacidosis manifestation.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of clinical and laboratory properties at the time of the initial application of patients recently diagnosed and presenting metabolic indicators of diabetic ketoacidosis who were given disease prognoses in years 1 and 2 after discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 patients admitted to Bakirkoy Maternity and Children's Diseases Training and Research Hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis and recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus were investigated. Patient files were examined within 2 years following discharge. FINDINGS: All 94 study patients (53.2% male and 46.8% female) presented acidosis, ketonuria and hyperglycemia. While a moderate correlation was detected between the prodromal period and HbA(1c) values in year 1, only a slight correlation was seen in HbA(1c) values in year 2. In addition, a slight correlation was observed between the prodromal period and the number of hospitalizations due to diabetic ketoacidosis in the first year. Again, while a moderate correlation was observed between HbA(1c) values and the number of hospitalizations due to diabetic ketoacidosis in year 1, only a slight correlation was seen in year 2. The prodromal period was directly proportional to patient age. RESULTS: Hospital admissions may be reduced through appropriate treatment, follow-up and metabolic control of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In addition, we report a relationship between the prodromal period and HbA(1c) values in type 1 diabetes patients.