Treatment of fibromyalgia among patients with mastalgia and fibromyalgia improved mastalgia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of fibromyalgia (FM) treatment on mastalgia by performing fibromyalgia screening in patients who applied for mastalgia and whose underlying cause could not be found. METHODS: Patients who applied to Kocaeli University General Surgery Outpatient Clinic between November 2017 and November 2020 with breast pain were included (n=120). Patients without cancer, systemic disease, previous breast surgery, and breast mass larger than 3 cm (n=30) were referred to the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic. A total of 13 patients (43%) were diagnosed with FMS. Twelve of them were given selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (duloxetine) treatment for 3 months. Turkish version of the Short Form - 36 (SF-36) quality of life scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Cardiff breast pain score before and after treatment were compared. The remaining 17 patients were followed as only mastalgia. RESULTS: Patients with fibromyalgia and mastalgia had similar demographic results. At the end of the 3rd month, the complaints of breast pain completely regressed in all of the patients. Statistically significant changes were detected in VAS score, the number of trigger points, and SF-36 quality of life scores, Cardiff breast pain score after duloxetine treatment. CONCLUSION: In the presence of unexplained mastalgia, fibromyalgia should be kept in mind. Duloxetine treatment improved the breast pain and quality of life in patients with mastalgia and fibromyalgia.

Intraductal botulinum toxin injection suppressed the inflammation in experimental acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is inflammation of pancreas in which pancreas enzymatic activity is increased. Parasym-pathetic innervation of pancreas plays an important role in several functions of pancreas. Botulinum toxin (BTx) might be a tool to suppress the pancreas activity in AP. METHODS: In the preliminary experimental study, BTx (15U/kg) was administered directly and intraductal ways. After 10 days, blood amylase, lipase, trypsinogen, insulin, and glucagon levels were compared and no significant difference was seen between groups. Intraductal BTx administration is preferred for experimental AP model in rats; control, AP, intraductal BTx, and AP with Intraductal BTx (AP+BTx). AP was created by intraperitoneal injection of cerulean 20 µg/kg/injection (5 times). After 24 h, serum amylase, lipase, IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-10 were measured and pancreas tissue was evaluated for inflammation and necrosis. RESULTS: Mean serum amylase, lipase IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels of the AP group were significantly higher compared to the other groups (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the amylase and lipase levels of control, BTx, and AP+BTx groups. Serum insulin and glucagon levels in AP group were significantly higher than control and BTx groups (p<0.05). However, there is no significant difference between the insulin and glucagon levels of AP and AP+BTx groups. in pathological evaluation. In AP+ BTx group, there is less amount of centrilobular necrosis and there is mild inflammation and hyperplasia of pancreatic duct epithelium. CONCLUSION: Administration of intraductal BTx suppressed the AP without making significant suppression in endogenous activity of pancreas.

Protective effects of rectal ozone administration on colon anastomoses following radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) following rectal surgery is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy disrupts the wound healing process in rectal surgery. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of intra-rectal ozone application on rectal anastomoses after radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed on animals. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, ozone group, radiotherapy group, and radiotherapy/ozone group. Ozone was administered intrarectally in the ozone group and water was administered intrarectally in rthe control group for 5 days. The radiotherapy group received 20 Gy of pelvic radiotherapy. The radiotherapy/ozone group received 20 Gy of pelvic radiotherapy after the administration of ozone. Afterward, colon resection followed by an anastomosis were performed under general anesthesia in all groups. Anastomotic segments were resected to evaluate tissue hydroxyproline (HYP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, perform a histological evaluation, and measure bursting pressure. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding tissue MPO levels (p = 0.55). Tissue HYP levels were significantly decreased in the radiotherapy group (p = 0.04). Bursting pressure was found to be significantly lower in the radiotherapy group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between adhesion scores in the control and ozone groups. Exudate formation was significantly lower in the radiotherapy group (p < 0.05). The lowest macrophage scores were found in the radiotherapy group (p < 0.05). Fibroblast scores were the highest in the control group and the lowest in the radiotherapy group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-rectal ozone application significantly improved the anastomotic healing process after radiation exposure.

Serum cholecystokinin levels can be a predictive factor for difficult cholecystectomy: Decreased cholecystokinin receptor levels.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is being performed frequently in general surgery practice. Estimation of difficult cholecystectomy is very important to take precautions against complications. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is an important enzyme for gall-bladder motility. CCK receptor is the target for CCK. Fibrosis and emptying problems of gallbladder are related with difficult cholecys-tectomies. We aimed to evaluate the association between plasma CCK and difficult cholecystectomy and try to explain the mechanism. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of patients with cholelithiasis Patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy were classified into easy, difficult and very difficult preoperatively using LC difficulty scores. Pre-operative gallbladder empting ratios were measured by ultrasonography. Serum C-reactive protein, and postprandial serum CCK and pancreas polypeptide levels were measured before the operation. Operation data including operation times, adhesion scores, and complications were collected. Tissue CCK receptor levels and tissue fibrosis scores were obtained. RESULTS: Easy, difficult, and very difficult LC (DLC) groups were consisted of 34, 28, and 8 patients, respectively. Gallbladder emp-tying was 60% in easy LC group, but 15% in very DLC group. Plasma CCK levels in easy group (37.4 pg/ml) were significantly lower than plasma CCK levels of difficult (58.6 pg/ml), and very difficult groups (66.23 pg/ml). Tissue CCK receptor levels of easy, difficult, and very difficult were 372.4, 178.3, and 144.1 ng/100 mg, respectively. Adhesion scores and fibrosis scores of very difficult group were significantly higher than other groups. Operation times were significantly longer in very difficult group. There were two conversions to open in very DLC group (25%). CONCLUSION: CCK is a reliable parameter for determining the difficulty of LC. Decreased CCK receptor levels with fibrosis of gallbladder are the probably responsible mechanism.

Radiological, Clinical, and Histological Findings in the Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus with Phenol Injection.

Objective: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease is a chronic discharging wound that causes pain and loss of quality of life. Phenol application is an outpatient procedure with low complications and low recurrence rates. We evaluated the radiological, histological, and clinical results of phenol application. Methods: A total of 44 consecutive patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease underwent phenol application in Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, General Surgery Clinic between December 2015 and March 2017. Demographics, complaints, symptom duration, and the number of sinuses were recorded. Patients were examined using ultrasonography (USG) before surgery and two months after surgery. Four patients who wanted rhomboid excision and Limberg flap procedure underwent preoperative local phenol application and were excluded from the study. The excised tissues were used for pathological evaluation. Results: Purulent discharge was the leading symptom. All of the patients had hair in the preoperative USG evaluation, whereas five patients had still hairs in the sinuses in the postoperative USG examination. Four of these cases had recurrences on a 2-month follow-up. After phenol application, a 10% volume decrease was observed. Pathological examination was performed in four cases with phenol application, and in pathological material, the sinuses looked sclerotic and fibrotic. Conclusions: Our study revealed that a single phenol application achieved 90% success. However, no significant difference was observed in the cavity volume after phenol injection.

Liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome: A challenging but handable procedure.

BACKROUND: Establishing venous outflow in liver transplantation for patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome is crucial and requires various surgical techniques. The outcomes of these patients exibits distinct problems including vasculary thrombosis and biliary complications. METHODS: In this single center study, the outcomes and surgical features of 33 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome who were carried out liver translantation (27 patients from living donor). Another group was formed among patients underwent liver transplantation due to other etiologies and the outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The most-seen type was the classical type of Budd-Chiari syndrome (25, 75.8%). For twenty-six patients inherited or acquired prothrombotic disorders were identified (78.2%) in Budd-Chiari group. Average follow-up was 29.7 ± 15.5 months. We have observed no recurrence of disease in our BCS patients. When the two groups was compared in terms of thrombotic complications, there was a significantly increased risk in BCS group (p = 0.014). Our 1 and 3-year survival rates for the BCS group were 81.8% and 78.8%, respectively. In the control group, 1 and 3-year survival rates were 93.3% and 88.9%, respectively. Log-rank test analyses showed no statistically significant results. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation with individual surgical and postoperative treatment strategy for patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome provides comparable outcomes.

Liver Transplant in Patients With Portal Vein Thrombosis: The Experience of 55 Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Portal vein thrombosis is no longer a contraindication for liver transplantation. However, varied outcomes are still reported with regard to patients with complete portal vein thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data of 505 patients who underwent liver transplant between January 2014 and June 2017. Of 505 patients, 55 (10.9%) had portal vein thrombosis, which included 37 patients (67%) who had living-donor and 18 patients (33%) who had deceased-donor liver transplant. According to Yerdel classification, 5 (9%), 28 (51%), 12 (22%), and 10 patients (18%) had grade I, II, III, and IV portal vein thrombosis, respectively. RESULTS: Thrombectomy was successful in 46 patients (84%). Forty-three patients had patent portal inflow (93.5%), but 3 patients (6.5%) required a second thrombectomy on day 1 posttransplant. Of 10 patients with grade IV portal vein thrombosis, 9 (16%) underwent extra-anatomic portal vein anastomosis. Of these 9 patients, 7 (77.7%) showed patent portal inflow during the early postoperative period. Median follow-up time was 15.5 ± 13.1 months. During this time, portal vein stenosis was detected in 5 patients. Risk of repeat thrombosis was not significantly different between patients with deceased-donor and patients with living-donor liver transplant. Overall patient survival rates for patients with and without portal vein thrombosis were 73% (40/55) and 84% (376/450), respectively, which showed significant difference (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to early-grade portal vein thrombosis, complete portal vein thrombosis still provides a treatment challenge with high risk of morbidity and poor early outcomes in liver transplant recipients.

Relationship between functional constipation and anal-retentive behavior features.

OBJECTIVES: Constipation is the most commonly seen defecation problem related to several environmental factors. Defecation is learned in the childhood anal period in which anal characteristic features appear. Problems in the childhood anal period may affect not only characters but also defecation function. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between constipation and anal characteristic features of participants with functional constipation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with functional constipation were included into the study according to the ROME III criteria. Patients with irritable bowel disease, slow transit constipation, outlet obstruction constipation, malignancy, and psychiatric diseases were excluded from the study. Patients filled out Personality Belief Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Obsessive Belief Questionnaire. The results were compared with healthy individuals. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients with functional constipation were included in the study. Avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, antisocial, narcissistic, and paranoid personality traits were found to be higher in patients with constipation than in the control group. Perfectionism/certainty, importance and control, and hospital anxiety scores were found to be higher in patients with constipation than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Constipation may be related to several factors, such as socioeconomic environment, emotional stress, age, and diet, among others. Here, it was found that anal-retentive behavior features are prominent in functional constipation. Biofeedback, which can be regarded as psychotherapy of defecation control, can be used for treatment.

Effectiveness of new parameters in the evaluation of pneumoperitoneum-related acute kidney injury in rats

Background/aim: Pneumoperitoneum with high pressure results in decreased glomerular filtration rates (GFRs). Cystatin-C (Cys-C), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and interleukin 18 (IL-18) are new parameters in the evaluation of GFR instead of creatinine. The aim of this study is to show the effects of pneumoperitoneum on renal function with the help of these new acute kidney injury markers. Materials and methods: Sixty rats were divided into 10 groups according to the length of time and degree of pneumoperitoneum pressure achieved during CO2 insufflation: 0 mmHg (control) for 1 h; 4 mmHg for 1, 2, and 4 h; 8 mmHg for 1, 2, and 4 h; and 12 mmHg for 1, 2, and 4 h. Serum samples were obtained to measure the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Cys-C, NGAL, and IL-18. Results: There were no differences between the serum creatinine levels of the groups. Serum levels of BUN, Cys-C, NGAL, and IL-18 were significantly increased in the 2nd hour of the experiment. This increase was more prominent at high pressures. Conclusion: Although serum creatinine is a practical way of estimating GFR, it has been shown that Cys-C, NGAL, and IL-18 are superior in the estimation of decreased GFR in pneumoperitoneum.

Relationship of functional constipation and anal-retentive behavior features.

OBJECTIVES: Constipation is the most commonly seen defecation problem and related with several environmental factors. Learning defecation is learned in the childhood anal period in which anal characteristic features appear. Problems in the anal period of childhood may affect not only the characters but also the defecation function. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between constipation and anal characteristic features of participants with functional constipation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with functional constipation were included in the study according to the ROME III criteria. Patients with irritable bowel disease, slow transit constipation, outlet obstruction constipation, malignancy, and psychiatric diseases were excluded from the study. Patients filled out the Personality Belief Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Obsessive Belief Questionnaire. The results were compared with healthy individuals. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients with functional constipation were included in the study. The avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, antisocial, narcissistic, and paranoid personality beliefs were found to be higher in patients with constipation than in the control group. Perfectionism/certainty, importance and control, and hospital anxiety scores were found to be higher in patients with constipation than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Constipation may be related to several factors, such as socioeconomic environment, emotional stress, age, and diet, among others. Here we found that anal-retentive behavior features are prominent in functional constipation. Biofeedback, which can be regarded as psychotherapy of defecation control, can be used for treatment.

Obesity and Bariatric Surgery awareness in the Kocaeli province, a leading industrial city in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: An increase in the prevelance of obesity is a worldwide problem. It many serious health problems, especially cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Conservative therapies such as diet modification and exercise are the most preferable obesity treatments. Bariatric surgery is the most appropriate treatment in suitable patients. Several studies showed that a very low number of patients prefer bariatric surgery even though it would be appropriate. This study aimed to assess and raise awareness about the obesity level, its complications, and treatment methods, especially bariatric surgery among obese patients in Kocaeli, which is one of the most socio-economically developed cities, as well as the leading industrial city in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was designed to assess the knowledge about obesity, its complications, and bariatric surgery in the Kocaeli province. It was administered to 232 adult patients with a body mass index greater than 30 in different outpatient clinics where patients suffering obesity were treated. RESULTS: It has been seen that although the contribution factors and complications of obesity are well known, awareness of the body mass index was insufficient. Most of patients have tried to lose weight at least once and most patients have heard of bariatric surgery before. However, the details were not well known. The gastric band method is the most known method, and the most known risk of surgery was death. The main source of knowledge about bariatric surgery was television. The increasing body mass index affects patients' attitudes toward the surgery positively. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of bariatric surgery is inadequate in the Kocaeli province, which is one of the most socio-economically developed cities, as well as the leading industrial city in Turkey. More social responsibility projects and more objective elucidating via television and social media are also needed to increase the awareness of bariatric surgery.

Scoring Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: An Effective System for Predicting Recurrence?

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a breast disease without a definitive etiology. There are no definitive classifications, scoring systems or certitudes. The aim of this study is to define the factors related to the recurrence and design a scoring system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who were admitted to the general surgery department with symptoms of granulomatous mastitis were evaluated by ultrasonography and underwent antibiotic therapy. Granulomatous mastitis is diagnosed by core biopsy and treated with steroid therapy. Patients without improvement underwent surgery and were included in the study. In total, 53 patients were included in the study. There were 8 recurrent cases. Factors related with recurrences were defined. RESULTS: Number of births over 2, duration of lactation more than 18 months, body mass index greater than 31, having fistula in physical examination, abscess collection in ultrasonographic examination, and luminal inflammation score over 2 were scored as 1. Severity score in recurrent cases were 5.1±0.6 whereas 1.9±1.0 in nonrecurrent cases. CONCLUSION: Granulomatous mastitis score is a tool targeted at predicting the risk of recurrences. The patients with these factors are more prone for recurrences.

Factors affecting successful colonoscopy procedures: Single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Colonoscopy is a gold standard procedure for several colon pathologies. Successful colonoscopy means demonstration of the ileocecal valve and determination of colon polyps. Here we aimed to evaluate our colonoscopy success and results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study was performed in Istanbul Eren hospital endoscopy unit between 2012 and 2015. Colonoscopy results and patient demographics were obtained from the hospital database. All colonoscopy procedures were performed under general anesthesia and after full bowel preparation. RESULTS: In all, 870 patients were included to the study. We reached to the cecum in 850 (97.8%) patients. We were unable to reach the cecum in patients who were old and obese and those with previous lower abdominal operations. Angulation, inability to move forward, and tortuous colon were the reasons for inability to reach the cecum. Total 203 polyp samplings were performed in 139 patients. We performed 1, 2, and 3 polypectomies in 97, 28, and 10 patients, respectively. There were 29 (3.3%) colorectal cancers in our series. There was no mortality or morbidity in our study. CONCLUSION: General anesthesia and full bowel preparation may be the reason for increased success of colonoscopy. Increased experience and patient-endoscopist cooperation increased the rate of cecum access and polyp resection and decreased the complication rate.

Characteristics of Special Type Breast Tumors in Our Center.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different histological types. Ductal breast cancer constitutes the vast majority of the breast cancers. However limited data are present in the rest of breast cancers called special or rare type breast cancers. Here in this study, we tried to describe the clinical features of special type breast cancers in our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study was performed in Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery between January 2000 and January 2016. Women diagnosed with primary breast cancer other than ductal carcinoma were included to the study. In total, 101 patients were evaluated according to histologic types, molecular types, Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) stages, and grades. Survival of the patients was also evaluated. RESULTS: Medullary and metaplastic types showed basal type; tubular, mucinous, micropapillary carcinoma, cribriform, lobular and apocrine tumors showed luminal type molecular pattern. Neither the existence of ductal carcinoma nor any histologic types had any effects on survival. Apocrine tumors were presented in younger ages. CONCLUSION: Histologic types of breast cancer are closely related with the molecular types of the breast cancer. Tumor size, grade, stage of the disease can show differences among histological types which might be due to the genetic background, late onset or limited number of patients. In order to achieve more significant results, multicenter national studies are needed.

Duodenal and jejunal Dieulafoy's lesions: optimal management.

Dieulafoy's lesions (DLs) are rare and cause gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from erosion of dilated submucosal vessels. The most common location for DL is the stomach, followed by duodenum. There is little information about duodenal and jejunal DLs. Challenges for diagnosis and treatment of Dieulafoy's lesions include the rare nature of the disease, asymptomatic patients, bleeding symptoms often requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment in symptomatic patients, variability in the diagnosis and treatment methods resulting from different lesion locations, and the risk of re-bleeding. For these reasons, there is no universal consensus about the diagnosis and treatment approach. There are few published case reports and case series recently published. Most duodenal DLs are not evaluated seperately in the studies, which makes it difficult to determine the optimal model. In this study, we summarize the general aspects and recent approaches used to treat duodenal DL.

Absorbable Versus Nonabsorbable Sutures for Skin Closure: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies focused on skin closure using absorbable or nonabsorbable sutures involved small samples and produced conflicting results. The optimal method of skin closure still remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of absorbable versus nonabsorbable sutures for skin closure. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared outcomes of absorbable versus nonabsorbable sutures for skin closure. RESULTS: A total of 1748 patients in 19 RCTs were analyzed. There was no significant difference between absorbable sutures and nonabsorbable sutures in the incidence of wound infections, cosmetic outcomes, scar formation, wound dehiscence, and patients' or patient caregivers' satisfaction. Better cosmetic results were achieved by using intradermal absorbable sutures compared with nonabsorbable sutures in subgroup analysis, but this result might be affected by insufficient follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Absorbable sutures for skin closure were not inferior to nonabsorbable sutures. It should be recommended due to its great cost and time savings. Well-designed RCTs with sufficient follow-ups are needed to adequately clarify whether better cosmetic results can be achieved using intradermal absorbable sutures.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.

After technological advances and increased experiences, more complicated surgeries including distal pancreatectomy can be easily performed with acceptable oncologic results, and decreased mortality and morbidity. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) has been shown to have several advantages including less blood loss, less hospital stay, less pain. Several studies comparing open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) and LDP resulted that both techniques have similar results according to pancreas fistulas, oncological results, costs and operation indications. Morbidity is very low in high volume centers, for this reason at least ten cases should be performed for the learning curve. Several authors remarked important technical points in LDP in order to perform safe and acceptable LDP in several studies. Here in this review, we aimed to overview the results of previous studies about LDP and discuss the technical points of LDP.

The Relationship between Adiponectin and Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. It is indicated that increased body mass index elevates the risk of developing breast cancer, worsens prognosis, and decreases survival. Several polymorphisms of adiponectin have been shown to affect serum levels of adiponectin and their association with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the adiponectin 45T/G and 276 G/T gene polymorphism and breast cancer in the East Marmara region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was performed in 97 patients with breast cancer and 101 controls in East Marmara in order to evaluate the prevalence of adiponectin gene polymorphism at positions 45 and 276. Patients with familial breast cancer and those who had received chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded from the study. Adiponectin gene polymorphisms were investigated using polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Adiponectin 45T/G gene genotype frequencies of TT, TG, and GG were 61.9%, 37.1%, and 1% in patients with breast cancer, and 67.3%, 30.7%, and 2% in the control group, respectively. Adiponectin 276G/T gene genotype frequencies of GG, GT, and TT were 45.4%, 45.4%, and 9.3% in patients with breast cancer and 55.4%, 39.6%, and 5.0% in the control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that adiponectin 45T/G and 276 G/T gene polymorphism is not associated with breast cancer risk in patients from the East Marmara region.

Problems in Communications with Patients in General Surgery Outpatient Practice.

OBJECTIVE: Communication between the patient and physician is central to medical care. However communication skills in Turkey haven't been gained so much concern. This situation effect the national quality of health care. Here, we tried to perform some basic communication skills and to find the problems with the possible solution suggestions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted for a month in general surgery outpatient department located in the slum part of Ankara with low socio-economic population. Basic communication skills were performed. The age, sex, education levels of the patients were obtained. Total symptom expression and interview time were recorded. Previous medical histories were asked. Interruptions including telephone, door knocking were noted. The questions of the patients at the end of the interview classified as hospital setting, nutrition and treatment. RESULTS: Total 410 interviews were analysed. Mean symptom expression and interview times were 22.9 sec and 7.05 min, respectively. Educated patients, males and young patients expressed symptoms longer than the others (p<0.05). There were 174 interruptions in which total interview time signifantly increased than the non interrupted ones (p<0.05). Final questions about hospital setting were signifantly higher in illiterate patients than the educated ones (p<0.05). Awareness of medical history is higher in educated and young patients. CONCLUSION: Basic communications skills can be performed whether in rural regions. Much more concern should be given to the education of communication skills. The obstacles in communication in medicine are low education levels, and unorganised health system.

Role of ATP-dependent K channels in the effects of erythropoietin in renal ischaemia injury.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Erythropoietin (EPO) has cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects in pathological conditions, including hypoxia and ischaemia-reperfusion injury. One of the targets to protect against injury is ATP-dependent potassium (KATP ) channels. These channels could be involved in EPO induced ischaemic preconditoning like a protective effect. We evaluated the cell cytoprotective effects of EPO in relation to KATP channel activation in the renal tubular cell culture model under hypoxic/normoxic conditions. METHODS: Dose and time dependent effects of EPO, KATP channel blocker glibenclamide and KATP channel opener diazoxide on cellular proliferation were evaluated by colorimetric assay MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide] under normoxic and hypoxic conditions in human renal proximal tubular cell line (CRL-2830). Evaluation of the dose and time dependent effects of EPO, glibenclamide and diazoxide on apoptosis was done by caspase-3 activity levels. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 α) mRNA levels were measured by semi-quantative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT)-PCR. Kir 6.1 protein expresion was evalutaed by Western blot. RESULTS: Glibenclamide treatment decreased the number of living cells in a time and dose dependent manner, whereas EPO and diazoxide treatments increased. Glibenclamide (100 µM) treatment significantly blocked the anti-apoptotic effects of EPO (10 IU/ml) under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. EPO (10 IU/ml) and diazoxide (100 µM) treatments significantly increased (p <0.01) whereas glibenclamide decreased ( p<0.05) HIF-1 α mRNA expression. Glibenclamide significantly ( p<0.01) decreased EPO induced HIF-1 α mRNA expression when compared with the EPO alone group. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the cell proliferative, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of EPO were associated with KATP channels in the renal tubular cell culture model under hypoxic/normal conditions.