Comparison of Survival and Retention Rates between Infliximab and Adalimumab for Psoriasis: 10-Year Experience at a Single Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: Ten-year survival and retention rate data on biologics are extremely limited, and there is a need to evaluate these metrics based on real-world data as well as on the results of clinical studies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the long-term survival rates of adalimumab and infliximab in real-life practice. METHODS: This study is based on data from the Turkish Psoriasis Registry and the digital records of the Medical School of Bezmialem Vakif University. Baseline data including demographic characteristics, duration of treatment, use of combination treatments, modified regimens, and reasons for treatment termination were extracted. RESULTS: In total, 404 patients (228 on adalimumab and 176 on infliximab) treated between July 1, 2005, and December 31, 2020, were identified. The retention rate was 7.4% for infliximab and 3.5% for adalimumab after 10 years (p = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of infliximab and adalimumab diminishes over time. There were no significant differences in the retention rate between the two drugs, but the survival time was longer for infliximab according to Kaplan-Meier analysis.

A generalized pustular psoriasis flare after CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccination: Case report.

CoronoVac is a non-viable vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2). Nowadays, there has been vaccination program for at-risk groups and older adults in Turkey. We here present 72-year-old male psoriasis patient who developed generalized pustular psoriasis flare after administration of CoronoVac. The COVID-PCR test was negative and investigations for flare etiology were all normal. He was first (to the best of our knowledge) psoriasis patient who developed an erythrodermic flare after the first dose of CoronaVac vaccine.

Evaluation of the Nexus X-ray rules in blunt thorax trauma.

BACKGROUND: There is still no agreed radiographic rule for the evaluation of blunt thoracic trauma. Emergency physicians want radiography according to their experience and examination findings. Various studies have been carried out on this subject and some of these studies have reached findings that can support the initial steps of the rules of radiography. One of them is the rule of Nexus thorax radiography rules. In this study, we aim to determine the accuracy of nexus thorax radiography rules. METHODS: Our study was a prospective cohort study performed in the emergency department of our University Hospital. In this study, 690 patients were evaluated. RESULTS: As a result of our study, we observed that patients were asked for more thoracic trauma because of chest pain, palpation tenderness in the thorax and sudden deceleration mechanism and pathology was found in approximately 25% of all imaging. The most common pathology we observed was rib fracture. Approximately 45% of the patients underwent thorax CT, and thorax CT was the most frequently requested for the detailed examination. When we evaluate the patients according to nexus thorax radiography rules, it was seen that the mechanism of sudden deceleration, intoxication and the disturbing, painful injury was more important than other parameters. The overall sensitivity and specificity of Nexus thorax radiographs were found to be 98% and 38%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the evaluation of blunt thoracic trauma, the rules of nexus thorax radiography are considered useful concerning pathological detection.

Work-related injuries sustained by emergency medical technicians and paramedics in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Evaluated in the present study were locations, descriptions, and results of work-related injuries (WRIs) sustained by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics in Turkey's most crowded city, Istanbul. METHODS: After the present study had been accepted by the urban health authority, a questionnaire was emailed to the healthcare personnel of Istanbul's 195 ambulance stations. RESULTS: Included in the present study were the responses of 901 members of staff (660 EMTs and 241 paramedics), with a mean age of 29.5±6.1 (min: 18; max: 61). The majority of participants (94.9%) had encountered verbal abuse from the public, and 39.8% had encountered physical violence from patients' relatives. Levels of satisfaction with work in emergency medical services (EMS) was also evaluated, and 510 participants (57.6%) were unhappy. Regarding gender, female employees were more likely to be verbally attacked (p=0.01), while males were more likely to be physically attacked (p=0.001). It was reported that motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) were the most common cause of WRIs (81.4%), followed by needle-stick injuries (52.2%), ocular exposure to blood and other fluids (30.9%), and sharp injuries (22.5%). Only 10.5% (n=95) of WRIs were reported to authorities; 488 (54.2%) of participants just attended to the practice to prevent possible WRIs. CONCLUSION: For paramedics and EMTs, risk of WRI is obviously high. Strategies to decrease and prevent verbal and physical violence should be developed.

Single-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lens implantation in the sulcus in eyes with posterior capsule tear during phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate early and late period results of the implantation of single-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) in the sulcus in eyes developing a posterior capsule tear (PCT) during phacoemulsification (PE). SETTING: S.S.K. Vakif Gureba Training Hospital Eye Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: This prospective and noncomparative study consisted of 89 eyes of 88 patients in which PCT developed, with or without vitreous loss, and that were followed up for at least 1 year. The IOL was implanted in the sulcus in all eyes with sufficient capsule support. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior segment biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP), IOL centralization, and fundus were analyzed. RESULTS: Temporary corneal edema, the most frequently observed cause of reduced vision in the early period, appeared in 33 eyes; high IOP in 17 eyes; anterior chamber inflammatory reaction in 5 eyes; clinical cystoid macular edema in 7 eyes; and retinal detachment in 1 eye. The IOL was decentered in 4 eyes and dislocated in 1 eye. Repositioning was performed in 2 eyes. No IOL was removed. In the early period, BCVA was 5/10 and above in 41 eyes; the final BCVA was 4/10 and below in 16 eyes and of 5/10 and above in 73 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of foldable acrylic IOL in the sulcus in eyes developing posterior capsule tear during phacoemulsification surgery maintains the advantages of a small incision. Postoperative visual results were good, complications were few, and IOLs were centered.

Inflight Emergencies During Eurasian Flights.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the incidence and status of urgent medical conditions, the attitudes of health professionals who encounter such conditions, the adequacy of medical kits and training of cabin crew in data-received-company aircrafts suggested by Aerospace Medical Association, and the demographic data of patients. METHODS: Data were collected from medical records of a major flight company from 2011 through 2013. All patients with complete records were included in the study. Numerical variables were defined as median and interquartiles (IQR) for median, while categorical variables were defined as numbers and percentage. RESULTS: During the study period, 10,100,000 passengers were carried by the company flights, with 1,312 (0.013%) demands for urgent medical support (UMS). The median age of the passengers who requested UMS was 45 years (IQR: 29-62). Females constituted 698 (53.2%) among the patients, and 721 (55%) patients were evaluated by medical professionals found among passengers. The most common nontraumatic complaints resulting in requests for UMS were flight anxiety (311 patients, 23.7%) and dyspnea (145 patients, 11%). The most common traumatic complaint was burns (221 patients, 16.8%) resulting from trauma during flight. A total of 22 (1.67%) emergency landings occurred for which the most frequent reasons were epilepsy (22.7%) and death (18.2%). Deaths during flights were recorded in 13 patients, whose median age was 77 years (IQR: 69-82), which was significantly higher compared to the age of patients requiring UMS (p < 0.0001). A total of 592 (45%) patients did not require any treatment for UMS. Medical kits and training were found to be sufficient according to the symptomatic treatments. CONCLUSION: Most of the urgent cases encountered during flights can be facilitated with basic medical support. "Traumatic emergency procedures inflight medical care" would be useful for additional training. Medical professionals as passengers are significantly involved in encountered emergency situations. Adding automated external defibrillator and pulse oximetry to recommended kits and training can help facilitate staff decisions such as emergency landings and tele-assistance.