Development, validity and reliability study of a compliance scale for the COVID-19 outbreak prevention recommendations

Background/aim: During the intense periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, legal measures were taken for its containment. However, since legal precautions cannot be implemented continuously, hand washing, mask usage and obeying social distance rules are important in combating the pandemic. Complying with these rules is mostly individual decisions. The behavior of individuals has a prominent place in the course of the pandemic. In this study, we aimed to develop a scale which could measure compliance with outbreak measures. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in two stages after evaluation of the content validity of the item pool formed by the research group by experts. For construct validity, the scale subdimensions were determined in 250 people between the ages of 18-70 years at the first stage and the definitive version of the 20-item scale was constructed. In the second stage, exploratory factor analysis was repeated in a group of 484 people, and confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Cronbach's alpha coefficients, Spearman-Brown coefficients, test-retest methods were used to determine reliability. Results: The variance explanation of the scale consisting of 20 items and two subdimensions in the explanatory factor analysis is 63.434% (n = 484). Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in CMIN/DF = 3.540, RMR = 0.043, NFI Delta 1 = 0.928, TLI rho 2 = 0.939, CFI = 0.947, RMSEA = 0.072, SRMR = 0.0368. Cronbach's alpha value of the scale is 0.95; and the Spearman Brown coefficient equal length analysis resulted in 0.928. The temporal consistency of the scale was evaluated with the test-retest method (P = 0.893). The structure, content validity, temporal consistency, item discrimination, and internal consistency were evaluated and found to have acceptable valid, reliable properties. Conclusion: The outbreak prevention recommendation compliance scale is a valid and reliable tool with which compliance with the prevention plans can be evaluated.

A Comparison of 1,470-nm Endovenous Laser Ablation and Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Great Saphenous Veins 10 mm or More in Size.

BACKGROUND: To compare 1,470-nm endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of patients with great saphenous vein diameters of 10 mm or more. METHODS: One hundred twenty consecutive patients presenting to the cardiovascular surgery department with a great saphenous vein diameter exceeding 10 mm at the saphenofemoral junction between January and December 2013 were included in the study. The first randomly selected 60 patients (group 1) received 1,470-nm EVLA and the other 60 patients (group 2) received RFA. Patients were assessed on the second day, the first week, and the first, third, and sixth months. Major and minor complications were recorded. RESULTS: Minor complications in EVLA and RFA were hyperemia at 20% and 30% (P = 0.50), ecchymosis at 16.7% and 48.3% (P = 0.02), and edema at 40.0% and 65.5% (P < 0.08), respectively. No major complication was observed in any patient. Recanalization developed during monitoring in 3 patients in the RFA group, a rate of 5%. No recanalization was observed in the EVLA group. Success rates in the EVLA and RFA groups were 100% and 95%, respectively. Mean time to return to daily activity was 0.7 days in the EVLA group and 1.4 days in the RFA group (P < 0.006), whereas mean time to return to work was 1.8 days in the EVLA group and 2.2 days in the RFA group (P < 0.07). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of pain during the procedure or postoperatively. Less pain was reported in the EVLA during both (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: EVLA using a 1,470-nm radial fiber is superior to RFA in the treatment of saphenous veins larger than 10 mm in diameter.

Longitudinal pulmonary functional loss in cotton textile workers: a 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to cotton dust causes several diseases affecting the lungs, but only limited information is available on effects of long-term exposure. In this study, we aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in selected parameters of pulmonary function in textile workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study began with 196 textile workers in 2006 and was completed in 2011 with 49 workers. We used standardized tests for pulmonary function on participants on the first day of the workweek in June of 2006 and 2011. Environmental samples of cotton dust were gathered with a vertical elutriator. Loss of pulmonary function was assessed based on gender and smoking status. RESULTS: The mean number of years participants worked in the textile factory was 7.61 ± 1.83 years, and the mean age was 35.3+5.8 years. The annual FEV1 loss of all workers was 53.2 ml, giving a ratio of annual FEV1 loss to baseline FEV1 of 1.4%. Pulmonary function parameters of all participants in 2011 were significantly lower than those in 2006 (for all, p<0.05). In both surveys, pulmonary function in current smokers was lower, but this difference was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first data on pulmonary functional loss in Turkish textile workers and supports the findings of other cohort studies that workers with long-term exposure to cotton dust may lose some pulmonary function. The ratio of annual FEV1 loss to baseline FEV1 appears to be a more accurate and comparable method than annual FEV1 loss for evaluating pulmonary functional loss.

Increased enthesopathy in patients with familial Mediterranean fever: evaluation with a new sonographic enthesitis index.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of enthesopathy in familial Mediterranean fever by using a newly developed sonographic method, the Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI). METHODS: The study included 50 consecutive patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 57 healthy sex- and age-matched control participants. Six entheseal sites (olecranon tuberosity, superior and inferior poles of the patella, tibial tuberosity, and superior and inferior poles of the calcaneus) on both lower limbs were evaluated. All sonographic findings were identified according to MASEI. Validity was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean total enthesitis scores ± SD were 7.54 ± 4.99 for patients and 3.63 ± 3.03 for controls (P < .001). No statistically significant correlation was found between the MASEI score and familial Mediterranean fever duration or colchicine treatment duration. There was no difference between the MASEI score and the presence or absence of arthritic involvement among the patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.649-0.839). When analyzed by sex, men with familial Mediterranean fever had significantly higher MASEI scores than women (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed significant enthesopathy in patients with familial Mediterranean fever. The findings support the hypothesis that familial Mediterranean fever and spondyloarthropathy may have common inflammatory mechanisms and suggest that the MASEI scoring system can be incorporated into clinical protocols for studying patients with familial Mediterranean fever in daily practice.

Sociodemographic variables and depression in Turkish women from polygamous versus monogamous families.

In this study, we aimed to determine the different sociodemographic variables of polygamous and monogamous wives, and the relationship between depression and polygamous marriage. Seventy-nine polygamous wives and 73 monogamous wives from Kahramanmaras, located in southern Turkey, were interviewed. After reviewing the data, we suggest that there is a statistically significant difference between polygamous wives and monogamous wives in terms of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores. The results highlighted many implications for clinical practice and for future research. Additional research needs to be conducted in order to investigate the effects of polygamy on women's mental health.

Sonographic evaluation of subclinical entheseal involvement in patients with Behçet disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical entheseal involvement in patients with Behçet disease via ultrasound using a newly developed method, the Madrid sonography enthesitis index. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 36 patients with Behçet disease and 46 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. All patients with Behçet disease who had no clinical evidence of arthritis or enthesitis underwent an ultrasound examination. All sonographic findings were identified according to the Madrid sonography enthesitis index. Madrid sonography enthesitis index values of patients and control subjects were compared by Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test. Validity was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Total enthesitis score was 12.16 ± 6.16 among patients with Behçet disease and 2.06 ± 2.18 among healthy control subjects (p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve established an ultrasound score greater than 4.5 in the Behçet disease group as the best cut-off point differentiating case subjects from control subjects. This cutoff was exceeded by 88.8% of the patients with Behçet disease. When the Madrid sonography enthesitis index score in each affected enthesis was evaluated, patients with Behçet disease had significantly higher scores than did control subjects when all entheseal sites were compared (all p values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to our knowledge to show significant subclinical enthesopathy of the triceps tendon enthesis in patients with Behçet disease who had no arthritic involvement. These data suggest that the Madrid sonography enthesitis index scoring system for sonographic detection of enthesopathy should be incorporated into the clinical protocol for evaluating patients with Behçet disease in routine clinical practice.

The approach of smokers to the new tobacco law and the change in their behaviour.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study is; to assess the approach of smokers to tobacco law, examine changes in their smoking related behaviors after the new law and determine the factors associated with these changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data collected by questionnaire including 30 question. We applied the questionnaire to 1509 current smokers, and ex-smokers who quitted smoking after the law. SPSS packet programme was used for analyses. RESULTS: Participants consisted of 419 (28.0%) female, 1090 (72.0%) male with an average age of 33.6 ± 10.5 years. Although 80% of them knew that passive smoking is harmful to non-smokers, rate of smoking at home and in the car were very high. 869 (58.0%) of participants supported the law. 87 (5.8%) smokers quitted smoking after the law, 316 (20.9%) reduced. While health problems (37.3%) were the most frequent reason for quitting, restriction of smoking area had the most effect to reduce (54.2%). CONCLUSION: We satisfied that; the new tobacco law encouraged smokers to quit smoking. In addition, the majority of smokers supported the law.

Evaluation of antivaccination movement in Turkey: qualitative reports of family physicians.

Background: In Turkey, childhood vaccination rates are decreasing in the context of increasingly visible antivaccination movements. Aims: To evaluate the antivaccination movement based on communication experiences between family physicians and antivaccine parents in Turkey. Methods: We conducted 39 face-to-face in-depth interviews with family physicians in Sakarya Province who had experiences of communicating with antivaccine parents during October-December 2019. With the permission of the participants, audio recording was obtained in all interviews except one; these were transcribed verbatim and checked. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data. Results: The most common concern about vaccination was the possible side-effects, followed by the origin of the vaccines, religious concerns and distrust of vaccines. The physicians said they assumed an inquisitive, informative and anxiety-relieving attitude towards antivaccine parents.They said they were able to persuade most parents to vaccinate their children and that highly educated parents or those whose attitudes and behaviours were strongly influenced by their religious leaders were the hardest to convince. Physicians emphasized the importance of trust in increasing vaccine acceptance and noted the need to educate religious leaders and families to introduce mandatory vaccination policies. Conclusion: Parents had various reasons for refusing childhood vaccinations, however, the family physicians used persuasive methods to convince them to accept the vaccinations. Strengthening the communication and persuasive skills of health care professionals regarding vaccination may help increase acceptance of childhood vaccinations.

Religious officials' knowledge, attitude, and behavior towards smoking and the new tobacco law in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco control effort should be first started in people that are looked upon as role models for the general population. We aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of religious officials towards smoking and the new tobacco law. METHOD: The study group was comprised of 492 Imams and 149 Quran course instructors working in Kahramanmaras city of Turkey, 641 religious officials in total, and our survey form was applied on 406 (63.3%) of those religious officials who agreed to participate in the study. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (6.9%) participants were current smokers and 35 (8.6%) were ex-smokers. 99.8% of the religious officials believed that smoking was harmful and/or prohibited in terms of religion. While 43.6% respondents thought smoking was "haram" (forbidden by Islam), 56.2% believed it was "makruh" (something regarded as reprehensible, though not forbidden by God according to Islam). 85.2% of the participants were aware of the recent tobacco law. 55.5% of the respondents, who were aware of the recent tobacco law, evaluated their knowledge level on the law as adequate, whereas 44.5% evaluated it as inadequate 92.4% of the participants noted that religious officials should play active roles in tobacco control effort. CONCLUSION: Smoking rate among religious officials is much lower than that of general public. In order to help religious officials to take a more active role on this issue, they should be trained on the subject and appropriate platforms should be established.

The relationship between serum testosterone levels and bladder storage symptoms in a female population with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between bladder symptoms and serum testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients diagnosed with PCOS according to ESHRE/ASRM criteria in two clinics were evaluated for the effects of testosterone on bladder symptoms. The effect of testosterone on bladder symptoms was quantified by self-administered pelvic pain and urgency/frequency questionnaire (PUFq) and an extra special question performed for urge incontinence. Ultrasonographic bladder capacity and postvoid residual volume were also recorded in all patients. Correlation between serum testosterone level and total, symptom and bother scores of PUFq, score of each question of PUFq separately, and ultrasonographic findings were analyzed. RESULTS: The median (range) age, testosterone, DHEAS, estradiol, glucose, urine pH, urine density, ultrasonographic bladder capacity, and PUFq score were 25 years (17-40), 53 ng/dl (25-229), 258 µg/dl (92-645), 74 pg/ml (20-184), 81 mg/dl (62-128), 5.5 (4.8-7.0), 1.015 (1.001-1.028), 400 ml (100-650), and 2.5 (0-23), respectively. Significant positive correlation was found between serum testosterone level and total, symptom and bother scores of PUFq, symptom of dyspareunia, urgency, nocturia, and bladder/pelvic pain. There was no correlation between serum testosterone level and ultrasonographic findings such as bladder capacity, postvoid residual volume and symptom of frequency. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that women who have higher serum testosterone level are more likely to report bladder symptoms.

Effects of lumbar lordosis and pelvic inlet orientation on the outcome of the transobturator tape sling operation in women.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between changes in lumbar lordosis (LL) and/or pelvic inlet (PI) orientation and the outcome of a transobturator tape (TOT) sling procedure. METHODS: The study population consisted of 70 patients who underwent the TOT sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence, and were evaluated by a stress test at the sixth month after the surgery. The women were defined as continent on the absence of both subjective complaint of leakage and objective leakage as a result of the test. Cases that failed, even though improvement may have been observed, were considered incontinent. With the use of a standardized protocol, lateral lumbosacral spine/pelvic X-rays were taken with the participants standing in their usual upright posture with hands kept at chest level. From these X-rays, the angle of LL and PI were measured. RESULTS: Of the 70 cases, 42 were continent and 28 were incontinent according to the evaluation done during the sixth month after the TOT procedure. There were no significant differences with respect to age, body mass index, gravidity, vaginal parity, pelvic organ prolapse and comorbid diseases between the continent and incontinent groups. The mean angle of PI in the continent group (34°, range 20-50) was significantly lower than in the incontinent group (37°, range 28-60) (p = 0.012). There was no significant difference in the median angle of LL (32°, range 15-50 in continent group, 34.5°, range 21-56 in incontinent group, p = 0.13) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Women with continence after the TOT sling procedure have lower angle of PI than women with incontinence.

Medical faculty and school of health student knowledge of and behavior regarding swine flu and vaccine, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

This study was carried out to determine Medical Faculty and School of Health student knowledge of and behavior regarding swine flu and vaccine. The study was carried out at Kahramanmaras Sutcuimam University School of Health among the medical faculty and students. All 296 students of the Kahramanmaras Sutcuimam University School of Health and 76 students of the Faculty of Medicine were supposed to participate in the study. Ninety-six point one percent of the students in the study know high fever was one of the symptoms of swine flu, 91.8% said it was spread directly by sneezing or coughing and 95.5% knew washing hands with soap and water especially after coughing and sneezing, should be done to reduce the.risk of infection. Sixty-five point four percent of students knew fatigue and body aches were adverse effects of the swine flu vaccine. Only 9.6% of students received the pandemic flu vaccine. Their knowledge regarding symptoms and methods of spread was low, but regarding measures taken for prevention was high. Both swine flu knowledge and vaccine knowledge were higher in those who received the flu vaccine than in those who did not receive it. In pandemic situations, training should be given immediately to medical, midwifery and nursing students who are models for society.

[The assessment of knowledge about recent tobacco law number 5727 among our university students, academic and administrative staff]. / Üniversitemiz ögrencileri ile akademik ve idari personel arasinda 5727 sayili yeni tütün yasasina iliskin bilgi düzeyi degerlendirmesi.

In this study we investigated the level of knowledge and ideas of the university students and staff, about the last stage of Tobacco Law No. 5727, which came into force on 19 July 2009 in our country. This is descriptive questionnaire survey. Study's universe was consisting of the students 2009-2010 academic year studying in our universities and academic and administrative staff. A total of 2271 people were included the study. In our study, smoking prevalence was 21.3%. The prevalence for narghile smoking as 4.8% was the highest among students. 94.9% of participants thought that passive smoking increased the risk for human health. Asked whether the banned places, the most correct answers were; the school (97.0%), bank branches (96.3%) and hospitals (96.2%) as the most incorrect answers were; in the garden of hospital (55.7%), garden of private education (53.4%) and the school playground (46.1%). 87.6% of the participants were supporting the new tobacco law. 61.3% of smokers were supporting the law (p= 0.000). 54.3% of narghile-smokers support the law, and this rate was lower than cigarette smokers. Overall, tobacco law is known and supported between our students and staff. More information and supervision should be given about the banned places like school garden and private course gardens which were the high rate of false knowledge. The support to law among students is lower than staff. Similarly narghile use among students is often more. The community should be informed also about the other tobacco products.

The effect of video presentation showed in the outpatient clinic waiting area on the success of inhaler device use in chronic respiratory diseases.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Nonadherence to inhalation therapy and incorrect inhalation technique is an important problem for optimal disease management in patients with chronic respiratory disease. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of an inexpensive and effortless method which would be able to improve the inhalation technique of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The video showing the correct use of inhaler devices was played continuously for 3 months in the waiting room of the chest diseases polyclinic, on the big screen TV. The patients, who were not prompted to watch the video, were divided into two groups, as those who visited the outpatient clinic before (n = 300, Group 1) and after (n = 300, Group 2) the video playback began. Patients' ability to use their own inhaler devices was observed without intervention, scored according to the standard 'Ability of Inhaler Device Use' scale and the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The inhaler use skill of the patients in the second group was significantly higher except for the Turbuhaler. In Group 2, among the "video watchers" subgroup, there was significant improvement in all device types. CONCLUSION: Presentation of the use of inhaler devices on the screens in the waiting area of the outpatient clinics of health facilities will provide significant benefits and allow reducing the failure of treatment due to incorrect/incomplete device usage.

Association of Leptin Levels and Disease Activity in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have reported a link between metabolic parameters and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although the evidence is limited in early RA. We aimed to investigate the relationship between disease activity and adipocytokine levels in subjects with early RA. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with early RA (symptom duration ≤12 months) were enrolled. Disease activity was determined by DAS28-CRP. Patients were treated with DMARDs according to the EULAR recommendations. Subjects were tested before and five months after treatment. RESULTS: Early RA patients with high disease activity (DAS28-CRP > 4.9) had greater BMI (31.2 ± 6.8 kg/m2 vs. 26.7 ± 4.1 kg/m2; p = 0.006) and higher leptin levels (14.62 ± 15.60 ng/mL vs. 7.82 ± 8.00 ng/mL; p = 0.048). Levels of other adipocytokines were not significantly different. Leptin levels were similar in subjects with mild/moderate disease activity and controls. DAS28-CRP was correlated with leptin (r = 0.303, p = 0.039). Leptin levels decreased significantly after treatment (from 10.86 ± 12.34 ng/mL to 9.22 ± 9.29 ng/mL; p = 0.047) along with insulin levels (from 13.68 ± 21.90 mU/L to 7.09 ± 4.72 mU/L; p = 0.010) and HOMA-IR (from 4.39 ± 9.53 to 1.70 ± 1.38; p = 0.012). HDL cholesterol levels increased (from 41 ± 10 mg/dL48 ± 10 mg/dL; p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Leptin levels were associated with disease activity in patients with early RA and these levels decreased after treatment with DMARDs. Further research is needed to elicit leptin's role to regulate disease activity in early RA.

Knowledge levels about Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever among midwifery and nursing students in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge levels of students in the Midwifery and Nursing Departments of the School of Health Sciences in Kahramanmaras Sutcuimam University (KSU) about Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and to examine the factors influencing those knowledge levels. The study was conducted between April-June 2009 in the School of Health Sciences, KSU, Turkey. All the midwifery and nursing students in the School of Health Sciences at that time, 296 individuals, were included in the study. Questionnaire forms, developed from literature data and comprised of 66 questions, were given to the students, and they were asked to fill them out. Twenty-four point seven percent of the students were not available, thus 223 students(75.3%) were included in the study. Seventy-five point three percent of students stated a viruse was the cause for CCHF, 78.9% stated CCHF is seen between April and September in Turkey, and 80.7% stated there was no vaccine avaiable against it. Ninety-three point three percent of the study group stated that CCHF was transmitted by tick bite, 75.8% and 53.4% stated CCHF can be transmitted by exposure to blood of an infected animal or direct contact with an acutely infected animal, respectively. Thirty-three point two percent of students stated CCHF had no specific treatment. The mean knowledge score of students regarding CCHF was 54.6 +/- 14.8. The CCHF scores of the nursing students were significantly higher than those of the midwifery students. The CCHF knowledge scores did not vary by age or college year.

Sedation during noninvasive mechanical ventilation with dexmedetomidine or midazolam: A randomized, double-blind, prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Effective noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) requires a patient to be comfortable and in synch with the ventilator, for which sedation is usually needed. Choice of the proper drug for sedation can lead to improved clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine and midazolam on sedation and their effects on hemodynamics and gas exchange. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, intensive care unit patients with acute respiratory failure due to acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing NIV were equally randomized to receive a loading dose of 1 µg/kg IV dexmedetomidine or 0.05 µg/kg midazolam over 10 minutes followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.5 µg/kg/h dexmedetomidine (group D) or 0.1 mg/kg/h midazolam (group M). The following parameters were measured by a blinded clinician at baseline and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after the loading dose was administered: Ramsay Sedation Score (RSS), Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (RSAS), Bispectral Index (BIS), arterial blood gases, and vital signs. A second blinded investigator determined dosing changes according to the outcome of maintaining a target sedation level of RSS 2 to 3, RSAS 3 to 4, and BIS >85. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were assessed for enrollment in the study; 4 did not meet the inclusion criteria and 1 refused to participate (men/women 19/21; mean age 58/60; all patients were receiving bronchodilators, steroids, antibiotics, and mucolytics). In both groups (n = 20), RSS significantly increased and RSAS levels and BIS values significantly decreased after the loading dose, compared with baseline (P < 0.05). RSS levels were significantly lower beginning at 4 hours in group D compared with group M (P < 0.05). RSAS levels were not significantly different between the 2 groups in the first 8 hours. However, RSAS levels were significantly higher at 8 hours after the loading dose was administered in group D compared with group M (P < 0.01). BIS was significantly higher in group D throughout the study period (P < 0.05). Respiratory rates and gas exchange values were not significantly different between the Accepted for publication April 7, 2010. 2 groups. The number of times a change in infusion dose was needed was significantly lower in group D (2 patients with 1 change each) than in group M (3 patients with 1 change, 1 patient with 2 changes, and 3 patients with 3 changes each) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine and midazolam are both effective sedatives for patients with NIV. Dexmedetomidine required fewer adjustments in dosing compared with midazolam to maintain adequate sedation.

Tolerability to paracetamol and preferential COX-2 inhibitors in patients with cross-reactive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Acetylsalicylic acid/aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used drugs that may cause hypersensitivity reactions in a substantial proportion of patients. Physicians ought to be aware of these situations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to present the clinical characteristics and rates of tolerability to cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor analgesics in patients who had admitted due to multiple cross-reactive type of NSAID hypersensitivity. METHODS: The files of the patients who had admitted with multiple NSAIDs-induced symptoms were investigated retrospectively. Age, sex, underlying diseases, clinical manifestation, skin test results, and drug provocation test results were analyzed. RESULTS: In 105 patients with multiple cross-reactive type of NSAID hypersensitivity, we found the rate of cross-reactivity to any of the relatively safe alternatives including paracetamol, meloxicam, and nimesulide to be 16.1%. The rate of cross-reactivity to these relatively safe drugs was significantly higher in patients with a history of anaphylaxis induced by NSAID intake (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of COX-1-mediated multiple NSAID hypersensitivity can be often established with a detailed history. Although rare, severe hypersensitivity reactions may be observed in these patients. Undesired situations for both patients and physicians may be avoided by testing relatively safe paracetamol and COX-2 inhibitors in experienced centers.

The effect of abo and rh blood group antigens on admission to intensive care unit and mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection.

AIM: The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic significance of ABO and Rh blood group antigens along with various parameters in patients followed-up with the diagnosis of COVID-19. METHODS: We evaluated 397 patients who were follow-up and treated due to COVID-19 infections. The ages, genders, chronic diseases, ABO and Rh blood group antigens, admission rates to Intensive Care Units (ICU), and mortality rates of the patients were analyzed. FINDINGS: The mean age of the 397 patients with COVID-19 was 47±17 years. In the blood group analysis of the patients, A Rh-positive (A +) was the most frequently seen blood type (176 patients, 44.3%) followed by O Rh-positive (0 +) (109 patients, 27,5%); 38 patients were Rh negative (Rh -) (9,6%). 53 of the patients (13,4%) were followed in ICU and 29 patients died (7,3%). Neither mortality nor admission to ICU was seen for Rh - group. The comparison of Rh groups concerning the need for ICU admission revealed a significantly high rate of ICU admission in the Rh + group (p=0,011), while no significant relationship was found between mortality and Rh antigen (p=0,069). CONCLUSION: The most frequently seen blood type among COVID-19 patients was A +. The Rh + blood group was found in all cases who were admitted to ICU and had a death outcome. The Rh + blood group was found in a significantly high number of patients who were admitted to ICU, while no significant relationship was found between mortality and Rh blood group.

Prevalence of positive potassium sensitivity test which is an indicator of bladder epithelial permeability dysfunction in a fixed group of Turkish women.

OBJECTIVE: Traditional epidemiologic studies of interstitial cystitis (IC) have focused on diagnosed cases alone while many patients who appear to have IC have been eliminated due to strict diagnostic criteria. An association between positive potassium sensitivity test (PST), epithelial permeability dysfunction (EPD) and painful bladder syndrome/IC (PBS/IC) has been reported but limited attention has been given to these relationships in the epidemiologic area. This study was designed to seek further evidence of potassium sensitivity and therefore bladder EPD in a fixed group of Turkish women. METHODS: All female workers of the two textile factories were evaluated for PBS/IC-specific symptoms by using the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) scale and then all were asked to volunteer for PST and further clinical evaluation. Subjects who volunteered for PST were separated into two groups: group 1 consisted of subjects who had a PUF score of >or=7 and group 2 (control group) consisted of subjects who had a PUF score of