EVALUATING PESTICIDE USE AND SAFETY PRACTICES AMONG FARMWORKERS IN GALLIPOLI PENINSULA, TURKEY.

Unsafe pesticide use among farmworkers is a major public health problem in Turkey. This study aimed to investigate pesticide use and safety practices of farmers in a village of Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. This cross sectional study was conducted with 117 farmers. The questionnaire included questions on demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and safety practices concerning pesticides. The mean age of participants was 42.8 years, and 38.5% was female participants. Of the total 177 respondents, 77.8% reported that they prepared the chemical mixture at a public fountain, whereas 22.2% prepared it in their houses. Almost half (44.4%) reported that they experienced at least one health problem after pesticide application in the previous one year. Total scores for pesticide safety practices of the subjects, who declared that they experienced at least one health problem after the application in the previous one year, were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001). Their responses about safe use of pesticides and storage conditions were very striking. Our findings indicated that there is a need to increase health promotion activities through training, and the local administrations should promote safe use of pesticides by farm workers.

PREVALENCE OF FALLS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG AGED POPULATION: COMMUNITY BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM TURKEY.

AIM: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of falls among persons aged 65 years and older in Qanakkale, Turkey. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between May-September 2013. A total of 1,001 elderly living in Çanakkale city centre were included into our study. The research was carried out with face-to-face interviews and survey forms. The survey form consists of seven sections: demographic characteristics, significance of ageing, daily activities, quality of life and social network in old age, use of health services and health problems, bad habits, and the European Health Impact Scale. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 19.0. For data investigation the chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of falls at home or outside was 32.1% among elderly in the last six months period. The prevalence of falling for women at home as well as outside was statistically significantly higher than for men (p < 0.05). According to multivariate analysis results the risk of falling at home or outside was increased by 2.7 times in women (95% CI: 1.90-3.75), by. 2.1 times in those who cannot take care of themselves (95% Cl: 1.33-3.29), and by 1.7 times in those who have low quality of life (95% Cl: 1.24-2.43). CONCLUSIONS: This community based cross-sectional study showed that prevalence of falling was high in aged persons living in centre of Çanakkale located in the western part of Turkey. Moreover, the risk was increased in women, those who cannot take care for themselves, and those with low standard of living.

Prevalence of unintentional injuries and related risk factors among university students in Canakkale city, western Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence of unintentional injuries and associated risk factors among university students in Canakkale city, Turkey. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007-2008. Atotal of 4,762 students completed the questionnaire. Risk factors associated with the rate of accidents were assessed by chi-square analysis and effects of these factors on unintentional injuries were described by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The rate of unintentional injuries among university students was 14.9% during the previous 12 months. The most reported injuries occurred on the road (43.8%), at home (33.2%) and outside the home (26.9%) such as workplaces, schools or sports venues. The prevalence of unintentional injuries was significantly higher in males than females (18.1% vs. 12.0% p <0.05). Results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that male gender (OR 1.51), studying in college and vocational school (OR 1.34), perception of very bad (OR 0.49) or good economic status (OR 0.49), drinking alcohol (OR 1.52), using illicit substances (OR 1.70), having a diagnosed illness (OR 1.36), or having risk of developing depres- sion (OR 1.54) had significant effects on the risk of unintentional injuries (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that male gender, studying in college and vocational schools, illicit substance use, poor economic conditions, having a diagnosed illness and risk of developing depression can be risk factors for unintentional injuries among university students. Public health training programmes giving priorityto high-risk groups such as university and high school students may be a valuable tool in reducing unintentional injuries among young people.

Perceptions of epilepsy of three different groups in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate epilepsy-related knowledge, behavior, perceptions, and attitudes of people with epilepsy, their relatives, and a control group (390 participants in total) at the State Hospital Neurology Clinic, Yuksekova City, Turkey. METHODS: The Survey of Epileptic Patient Relatives on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Regarding the Disorder was used and included questions about descriptive characteristics, familiarity with epilepsy, attitudes toward epilepsy, and understanding of epilepsy. Data on SPSS 15.0 software were analyzed with the χ(2) test. RESULTS: Patients (95.3%), their relatives (89.2%), and controls (63.3%) felt primarily fear when they heard the diagnosis of epilepsy. Most participants would not let their child marry a person with epilepsy, with no statistically significant difference between groups (P>0.05). Patients (66.7%) and relatives (70%) saw no problem in people with epilepsy having children; there was a statistically significant difference between groups on this point because of the control group's response (31.5%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients and relatives showed similar attitudes and behaviors, perhaps because they had common information and experience regarding the disorder.

Effect of high aluminum concentration in water resources on human health, case study: Biga Peninsula, northwest part of Turkey.

Widespread and intense zones of silicified, propylitic, and argillic alteration exist as outcrop around the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey. Most of the springs in the study area surface out from these altered volcanic rocks. The concentrations of aluminum (Al) in these springs ranged from 13.17 to 15.70 ppm in this region. These high levels of Al were found to exceed the maximum allowable limits (0.2 ppm) depicted in national and international standards of drinking water quality. Therefore, the effect of high Al in water resources on human health was evaluated in this research. A total of 273 people aged above 18 years and living in the Kirazli region (whose water supply is from springs emerging from these alteration zones) and in the Ciplak-Halileli region (whose water supply is provided from an alluvium aquifer) were selected as the research group. For this group, a questionnaire was completed that contained questions on descriptive characteristics of humans and a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered by the authors using the face-to-face interview technique. A neurological examination was then performed by the neurology specialist as a second-stage investigation. Finally, 10 ml of venous blood samples were obtained from these people as a third-stage analysis to determine the serum Al levels together with vitamin B(12), folic acid, and thyroid-stimulating hormone parameters. The result typically revealed that the MMSE score was less in 31.9% and there was no statistically significant difference between the two regions. However, the result also showed that neuropathy in the history (including a careful past medical history) was significantly higher in the Kirazli region.

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in the elderly living in nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: : Communal living situations such as nursing homes create a risk for the spread of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and HCV in the elderly living in 2 nursing homes in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: : A total of 227 persons (mean age, 76.11 +/- 8.55 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. All individuals were investigated seroprevalence for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs immunoglobulin G (IgG), anti-hepatitis B core IgG, and anti-HCV IgG. RESULTS: : Positive seroprevalence was 11.9% for HBsAg, 48.0% for anti-HBs IgG, 25.1% for anti-hepatitis B core IgG, and 2.5% for anti-HCV IgG. Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity was 12.4% in males and 11.5% in females (P > 0.05); and the seroprevalence was 10.4% for those living in nursing homes for 1 year or less and 13.0% for those living in nursing homes for more than 1 year (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: : The fact that nearly half of those living in nursing homes had not encountered hepatitis B infection or had not received hepatitis B vaccination indicates the need for administering hepatitis B vaccines in this group.

Seroprevalences of herpes simplex virus type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Aim was to detect the seroprevalences of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and Chlamydia trachomatis in a subpopulation of Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in the "Golbasi" rural area of Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Ten milliliter of peripheral blood was drawn from 1,115 women over 15 years old. Once the sera were separated, ELISA was used to detect seropositivity. Data were transferred to Epi Info Version 6.0 statistical program and the analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among all participants, 53.5% were found to be seropositive for HSV-2 and 52.2% were found to be seropositive for C. trachomatis. CONCLUSION: This study detected a much higher HSV-2 and C. trachomatis seroprevalence for the Turkish population than expected and previously reported. A percentage around 50% for both agents creates an important conflict with the common misbelief of the Turkish population that sexually transmitted diseases are not common in this population. This study points out the importance of preventive measures and the need for greater surveillance for sexually transmitted infections among the Turkish population.

The analysis of hormones and enzymes extracted from endocrine glands of the neck region in deaths due to hanging.

Our study was designed to determine whether the hormone and enzyme levels that we have mentioned in serum specimens can be used in postmortem examinations of the cases of hanging or not. Our research includes the postmortem results of the thyroid tissue pathologic examinations, serum levels of triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroxine (fT4), thyrotropin (TSH), thyroglobulin, parathormone (PTH), calcitonin, and amylase in cases of death due to hanging. The mean of fT3 and thyroglobulin levels were higher in hanging cases than those of sudden death cases. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In our study, we obtained data demonstrating that high postmortem levels of free T3 and thyroglobulin may be indicators of vital reaction in hanging cases. In such cases of death, it seems that applying pressure on the neck region where the thyroid gland is located causes the leakage of thyroglobulin as well as fT3, the active form of the thyroid hormone.

The role of expectations in patients' hospital assessments: a Turkish university hospital example.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to conduct a preliminary assessment of patient attitudes regarding important aspects of service dimensions using SERVQUAL. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The SERVQUAL scale is routinely used at the Baskent University Hospitals Network, Turkey. The study consisted of 550 randomly chosen patients who presented to any member of the hospital network during January and February 2006 and received treatment as inpatients or outpatients at those healthcare facilities. FINDINGS: The patients' perceived scores were higher than expected for an ordinary hospital but lower than expected for a high-quality hospital. Young patients had a high-expected service score gap and a low adequate service score difference. Highly educated patients had a high-expected service score difference. Uninsured patients had a low adequate service score difference. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Baskent University multidisciplinary healthcare teams have performed periodic patient satisfaction surveys in order to identify strengths and problem areas, formulate the quality improvement objectives and monitor progress towards achieving these objectives. However, patient satisfaction survey results are often highly positive. In these cases, improving care is not easy because measures are not sensitive enough to changes. Therefore a more sensitive measurement tool based on the SERVQUAL scale was developed. The authors believe that patient opinions are extremely important because they provide information that is not necessarily emphasized by managers or health care professionals, resulting in a more complete assessment of past performance and a clearer road map for future action.

The role of expectations in patient assessments of hospital care: an example from a university hospital network, Turkey.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to document a study, in which the SERVQUAL scale was used to evaluate hospital services, conducting a preliminary assessment of patient attitudes regarding the important aspects of service dimensions. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The SERVQUAL scale was implemented into routine use at the Baskent University Hospitals Network in Baskent, Turkey. The study consisted of 550 randomly chosen patients who presented to any member hospital in that network during January and February 2006 and received treatment as inpatients or outpatients at those healthcare facilities. The SERVQUAL scale was utilised to evaluate hospital services. FINDINGS: A questionnaire was completed by a total of 472 (86.0 per cent) patients. The perceived scores of the patients were higher than expected for an ordinary hospital but lower than expected for a high-quality hospital. The highest difference between the perceived service score and the expected service score was found at the Alanya Application and Research Center in Alanya, Turkey. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper demonstrates the use of the SERVQUAL scale in measuring the functional quality of the hospitals assessed.

Associations between respiratory health and ambient air quality in Canakkale, Turkey: a long-term cohort study.

Few epidemiological studies investigating the association between air pollution and health are available in Turkey. The aim of this cohort-type study is to examine the relationships between ambient air quality, respiratory diseases, and decreases in pulmonary function over a year in three different towns in Canakkale: Canakkale Central town (region I), Lapseki town center (region II), and Can town (region III). Region III had four different sub-regions, which were Can town center (region III-A), and the villages located around Can town, namely Durali (region III-B), Kulfal (region III-C), and Yuvalar (region III-D). In the first stage of the study, a detailed questionnaire was completed by the participants (n = 1152) in face-to-face interviews and pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed. In the second stage of the study, PFT measurements were repeated 1 year after the first stage. Particulate matter, SO2, NO2, and ozone were gathered from air quality monitoring stations located in the centers of the three regions. The most polluted area was region III, while region I and region II were the least polluted areas. The risk of pulmonary function decline throughout a year was 2.1 times higher in region III, 2.4 times higher both in regions III-B and III-C, and 1.6 times higher for smokers in all regions. In the present study, ambient air quality was worse in region III (industrialized region), which influenced PFT scores and the prognostics for chronic respiratory diseases. The findings of this study should be considered for future investment plans in this region related to human and environmental health needs.

Platelet P-selectin expression in patients with sickle cell disease who undergo apheresis.

Activated platelets have been identified in patients with sickle cell disease. However, the association of platelet P-selectin expression and automated red cell exchange procedures in these patients is not well known. We hypothesized that altered whole platelet P-selectin expression is associated with automated red cell exchange. Flow cytometric quantification of platelet P-selectin expression was carried out in 23 patients with sickle cell disease before and after automated red cell exchange. P-selectin expression was quantified as a binding index for platelet P-selectin (the percentage of positive platelets multiplied by the mean fluorescence of positive platelets). The patients were divided into two groups: individuals with painful vaso-occlusive crises (four women and five men; group 1) and those in a steady state (six women and eight men; group 2). The 33 exchange procedures were evaluated prospectively and used acid-citrate-dextrose A solution (whole blood to anticoagulant ratio = 14:1). Platelet P-selectin expression did not significantly change after automated red cell exchange. Clinical factors such as the volume of replacement fluid and the citrate infusion rate did not correlate with postapheresis platelet P-selectin expression. In addition, the association of platelet P-selectin expression and automated red cell exchange was independent of other laboratory factors (hematocrit level, hemoglobin S level, platelet count, and nitric oxide level). Finally, the difference between the study groups regarding platelet P-selectin expression before and after apheresis was insignificant. In conclusion, automated red cell exchange procedures do not induce platelet P-selectin expression in patients with sickle cell disease in the steady state or in vaso-occlusive crisis.

Turkey's Epidemiological and Demographic Transitions: 1931-2013.

BACKGROUND: The causes of death have changed with regard to the epidemiological and demographic events in society. There is no evidence of prior research into the epidemiological transition in Turkey. This transition in Turkey should be observed starting with the Ottoman Empire period (19th to early 20th century). However, information about the Ottoman Empire is quite limited. AIMS: To discuss the epidemiological and demographic transitions in Turkey, using demographic, educational and urbanization data in our present study. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive archive study. METHODS: Mortality statistics dating from 1931 and published by the Turkish Statistical Institute were analysed, and the causes of death were coded and classified according to ICD-10. Other data were obtained from the published reports and studies regarding the issue. RESULTS: In the 1930s, Turkey's life expectancy was low (aged 40 years), fertility and mortality rates were high (respectively 45% and 31%), and the main causes of death were infectious diseases. Nowadays, life expectancy is close to 80 years, the total fertility rate has dropped to 2.1 per woman, and the main causes of death are chronic diseases and cancer. The population rate in the urban areas has increased steadily from 24.2% in 1927 to 77.3% in 2012. level of education has also increased during this period. In 1935, less than 10% of women were literate, and in 2013 90% were literate. Qualitative and quantitative increase have been observed in the presentation and access of healthcare services compared to the early years of the Republic. CONCLUSION: Turkey has been undergoing a modernization period in the last 200 years, and it is believed that the epidemiological and demographic transitions result from this period. This process has led to urbanization and an increase in the level of education, as well as a decrease in premature deaths, lower fertility rates, and an increase in the elderly population and chronic diseases. It is therefore our conclusion that Turkey needs policies regarding the elderly population and the management of chronic diseases.

Suramin, Genistein and Collagen Matrix (DuraGen) for Delayed Adjustment after Strabismus Surgery: Which One is Best?

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of suramin, genistein and collagen matrix for the prevention of inflammation, the reduction of fibrosis and the delay in adjustment after strabismus surgery on a rabbit model. METHODS: By using an adjustable suture technique, a recession of the superior rectus muscle (SRM) was made in 36 eyes of 18 rabbits. Three study groups were created using genistein, suramin and collagen matrix (n = 6 per group). Two control groups utilized dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (n = 6) and balanced salt solution (n = 12). The adjustments and measurements were made on days 2, 7, 14. After enucleation was done on day 21, the degree of inflammation was evaluated quantitatively in histopathological sections and immunohistochemical investigations were performed for tissue expression of cytoplasmic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), MAC 387, TGF-ß and bFGF. RESULTS: The adhesions between conjunctiva and SRM were significantly less in the collagen matrix and suramin groups (p = 0.002) and adhesions between the sclera and SRM were considerably reduced in the genistein and DMSO groups (p = 0.006) on day 7. Force exerted for adjustment was significantly less in the collagen matrix and suramin groups on day 14 (p = 0.006). Expression of b-FGF was significantly lower in the conjunctival epithelium in the suramin and genistein groups (p = 0.0001 for both). TGF-ß was significantly lower (p = 0.001) in the suramin group and VEGF expression was totally absent. MAC 387 expression was lower in the genistein and suramin groups (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Suramin, genistein and collagen matrix successfully reduce adhesions, and facilitate adjustment following recession surgery. Both suramin and genistein effectively suppress growth factor expression, while collagen matrix offers the longest time interval for adjustability after strabismus surgery.

Women with and without menopause over age of 40 in Turkey: consequences and treatment options.

AIM: To investigate the characteristics of menopausal population who gets free first step health-care services from government facilities in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. METHODS: One thousand and forty-nine pre- (N = 403) and post (N = 646)-menopausal females were interviewed with a questionnaire in five different facilities during 2 weeks. RESULTS: The group, who never used oral contraceptive as a family planning method, never smoked and had a low rate of illiteracy (72.5, 72.5, 77.7, and 12.1%, respectively. Mean age of the menopause was 45.8 +/- 5.5 years. Mean years since menopause was 13.2 +/- 9.6 years and mode of the menopause was 10 years. Group of postmenopausal women knew the meaning of menopause as "ceasing of menses" in a significantly higher rate compared to pre-menopausal group (6.9% versus 2.2%, respectively). While rate of the women regularly visiting free health-care facilities and rate of receiving some form of HRT is observed to be relatively low (33 and 29.4%, respectively), no significant differences were observed in symptoms rating between pre- and post-menopausal group restlessness, uneasy feeling, insomnia, flushing, sweating, tachycardia, short memory, bone and muscle pain, and nocturia and therefore such symptoms seem to be unrelated to their menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS: Women are entering to menopause earlier and using the free medical facilities in this region of Turkey less, compared to European population and seeking less help for menopause during this period. They are mostly married, with lower preferences for oral medications, non-smokers, relatively literate group of people; however, with low awareness of their current situation regarding the phenomenon of "ceasing of menses" and its consequences.

The prevalance of epilepsy among college students in Canakkale, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of epilepsy among students of the Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University. This cross sectional epidemiological study was performed on 4762 of 19,988 Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University students in the academic year 2007-2008. Participants that answered "epilepsy" to the question "Do you have any disease diagnosed by a doctor?" in a questionnaire including 4 subgroups were identified. Data were transferred to the Epi-Info Version 6.0 statistics program and controlled data were analyzed in the SPSS 15.0 statistics program. There were 53.1% of female and 46.9% of male students, mean age 20.4 ± 2.1 (range 17-43) years. Twelve (0.25%) students had epilepsy diagnosis, eight (66.7%) female and four (33.3%) male, mean age 20.8 ± 1.8 years. In our study, epilepsy was detected in 0.25% of students (n = 12). Age specific prevalence studies related to epilepsy epidemiology are extremely rare, especially in university students with average intelligence. Thus, we considered that it would be epidemiologically significant to share the results of our cross sectional study with all those involved in epilepsy epidemiology and management.

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Borrelia species antibodies in patients with schizophrenia: a case-control study from western Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: We examined IgG antibody seroprevalence and risk factors for anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Borrelia sp. in schizophrenic patients. METHODS: This case-control study included 30 schizophrenic patients and 60 healthy individuals. Serological analyses were identified by using ELISA technique. RESULTS: In the case group the Toxoplasma seropositivity was 33.3% and Borrelia seropositivity was 13.3%, while in the control group the Toxoplasma positivity was 21.7% and Borrelia seropositivity was 15.0%. There was no significant difference with regard to seroprevalence between the groups (P = 0.232; P = 0.832, respectively). There was statistically significant difference between case and control groups related to hand and kitchen utensil hygiene after dealing with raw meat (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed the rate of Toxoplasma antibodies was higher in the case group, while the rate of Borrelia antibodies was higher in the control group. In both groups the high rates of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii and Borrelia sp. is thought to be due to neglect of personal hygiene. The present study also is the first to examine the association between Borrelia sp. and schizophrenia. Further studies are needed to determine whether there is an association between Borrelia sp. and schizophrenia or not.

Statistical analysis of causes of death (2005-2010) in villages of Simav Plain, Turkey, with high arsenic levels in drinking water supplies.

The purpose of this research was to compare the causes of death in 5 villages situated in Simav Plain, Turkey, during 2005-2010 where different arsenic levels were detected in drinking water supplies. Since groundwater in Simav Plain had arsenic concentrations that ranged between 7.1 and 833.9 ppb, a two-phase research was formulated. In the first phase, public health surveys were conducted with 1,003 villagers to determine the distribution of diseases. In the second phase, verbal autopsy surveys and official death records were used to investigate the causes of death. In total, 402 death cases were found in the study area where cardiovascular system diseases (44%) and cancers (15.2%) were major causes. Cancers of lung (44.3%), prostate (9.8%), colon (9.8%), and stomach (8.2%) were comparably higher in villages with high arsenic levels in drinking water supplies. Furthermore, the majority of cases of liver, bladder, and stomach cancers were observed in villages with high arsenic levels.

Perception of epilepsy in Turkey in the light of two different cities.

The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of epilepsy in Turkey, from west to east, in Kutahya and Yuksekova, two cities of different sociocultural and ethnic status. This was a retrospective comparison study which evaluated the results of two prior studies investigating stigmatization of patients diagnosed with epilepsy and their first-degree relatives in two different cities of Turkey, Kutahya and Yuksekova. The Survey of Epileptic Patient Relatives on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Regarding the Disorder was used and included questions on descriptive characteristics, familiarity with epilepsy, attitudes toward epilepsy, and understanding of epilepsy. Data collected by use of the SPSS 15.0 software were analyzed with chi2-test. In Yuksekova group, 88.5% of first-degree relatives of people with epilepsy felt primarily fear when they heard the diagnosis of epilepsy in their relatives; in Kutahya group, the respective rate was 19.1% (p < 0.05). The number of participants who objected their child marrying someone with epilepsy was significantly higher in Yuksekova group (p < 0.05); however, if married, the Yuksekova group significantly stated that they should have a baby, revealing the importance of children as an indicator of power and dignity in the eastern region of Turkey (p < 0.05). Although understanding of epilepsy was favorable, educating the community about epilepsy and personal contacts are the major strategies against epileptic stigmatization.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism in Turkish patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: curve progression is not related with MATN-1, LCT C/T-13910, and VDR BsmI.

The role of genetics in the etiopathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between AIS and polymorphisms in MATN-1, LCT C/T-13910, and VDR BsmI genes. 53 Turkish adolescents with diagnosed AIS and 54 healthy adult individuals were included in the study. MATN-1, LCT C/T-13910, and VDR BsmI gene mutations were analyzed with real-time PCR. We did not detect a statistically significant difference between AIS and control groups in respect to those three different gene polymorphisms (p < 0.05). We next evaluated the associations of all three SNPs with scoliosis curve severity. There was no significant difference between curve severity and gene polymorphisms (p < 0.05). In terms of gene polymorphisms, AIS patients with a family history of AIS did not significantly differ from AIS patients who did not have history (p < 0.05). AIS might be caused by many different gene mutations, biomechanical mechanisms that have been modified by environmental factors, different biological interactions, modulation of growth, or a synergy of different factors causing abnormal control of growth. However, the existing knowledge is still not enough to explain the etiopathogenesis of AIS.