Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder and urinary incontinence in western Turkey: results of a population-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in western Turkey. METHOD: This cross-sectional, population-based survey was carried out between May and October 2012. A random sample of 2128 women and men aged ≥18 years was selected from the health registries. A questionnaire including sociodemographic data, comorbid conditions, lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder and urinary incontinence symptoms, body mass index, vital signs, and dipstick urinalysis was developed. The questions were answered by the participants, and remaining data were provided by the site staff. International Continence Society definitions were used. RESULTS: A total of 1571 (74%) individuals agreed to participate, and analysis were carried out on 1555 people (636 men [40.9%] and 919 women [59.1%]) after 16 individuals with a nitrite-positive dipstick test were excluded. Lower urinary tract symptoms were reported by 71.0% of the study population. The prevalence of storage, voiding and post-micturition symptoms were 56.1% (44.2% men, 64.1% women), 39.3% (40.9% men, 37.8% women) and 30.7% (38.6% men, 28.7% women), respectively. The most prevalent storage symptom was urgency, which was reported by 29.3% of the study population (20.1% men, 35.6% women). The prevalence of urge, stress and mixed urinary incontinence were: 6.5% (3.9% men, 8.2% women), 14.1% (3.9% men, 21.2% women) and 5.6% (0.8% men, 9.0% women), respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first and largest population-based survey evaluating the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in Turkey. Our findings show these symptoms are highly prevalent in western Turkey.

Patterns of active and passive smoking, and associated factors, in the South-east Anatolian Project (SEAP) region in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is an important health threat in Turkey. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and main factors associated with smoking in persons of 15 years and over, and the frequency of passive smoking in homes in the South-east Anatolian Project (SEAP) Region in Turkey. METHODS: A cross sectional design was employed. The sample was chosen by the State Institute of Statistics using a stratified cluster probability sampling method. 1126 houses representing the SEAP Region were visited. Questionnaires about tobacco smoking and related factors were applied to 2166 women and 1906 men (of 15 years old and above) in their homes. Face-to-face interview methods were employed. Participants were classified as current, ex, and non-smokers. The presence of a regular daily smoker in a house was used as an indication of passive smoking. The chi-square and logistic regression analysis methods were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking, in those of 15 years and over, was 11.8% in women and 49.7% in men. The prevalence of current smokers was higher in urban (34.5%) than in rural (22.8%) regions. The mean of total cigarette consumption was 6.5 packs/year in women and 17.9 packs/year in men. There was at least one current smoker in 70.1% of the houses. CONCLUSION: Smoking is a serious problem in the South-eastern Anatolian Region. Male gender, middle age, a high level of education and urban residency were most strongly associated with smoking.

Plasma copper and zinc levels in pregnant women in Gaziantep, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Trace elements such as copper and zinc are important factors on the health of pregnant women, fetus and embryonic development. Since these elements have important influences on health of pregnant women and the growing fetus, this study was designed to evaluate the zinc and copper status of pregnant women in Gaziantep, Turkey. METHODS: This study was designed as a prevalence study. Twenty-two health station region were chosen in 13 health centers in the province of Gaziantep city in 1999, and copper and zinc levels were examined in 415 pregnant women living in these regions. Plasma copper and zinc concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically. Analysis of variance and "t" tests were used in the statistical analysis of means. RESULTS: In the examination, plasma copper and zinc levels were found as 220.67 mg/dl and 124.91 mg/dl. While zinc concentrations were not altered significantly throughout gestation, copper levels of pregnant women increased significantly as duration of pregnancy progressed. CONCLUSION: Plasma copper was higher in all trimesters of gestation when compared to normal range of non-pregnant women. The zinc levels of pregnant women were mostly within normal range. It decreased significantly in the pregnant women >35 years of age and in those whose education was literacy and less. Therefore, zinc supplementation in pregnant women is recommended in these groups.