Pharmacogenetic Aspect of Intravitreal Ranibizumab Treatment in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Five-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the role of complement factor H (CFH) in response to intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) treatment, which is administered to patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 90 nAMD patients' 90 eyes were evaluated. IVR was injected once a month for three consecutive months, and then, patients were followed up for five years by using pro re nata method. RESULTS: Average visual acuity (BCVA) values in TT group for the third, fourth and fifth years were found to be significantly higher than those in TC and CC groups, while average BCVA values in TC group were significantly higher than those in CC group (all p = .000 < .0167). CONCLUSION: Patients with CFH TT genotype responded significantly better to treatment after third year, while patients with CC genotype had a poorer response to IVR.

Psychosocial functioning in pediatric patients with pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are the most commonly seen anterior chest wall deformities. Recent studies reveal that minimal invasive repair of pectus deformities improves the quality of life. Our aim is to assess the psychosocial functioning and sociodemographic characteristics of pediatric patients with pectus deformities and evaluate the differences between patients operated on with minimal invasive repair techniques and nonoperated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Thirty-two patients with pectus deformities who were operated on 6 months or more before and 31 nonoperated patients participated in the study. The Children's Depression Inventory, Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, Capa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - Self-Report Version (SDQ-SR), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children - Trait Version were completed by the patients. The SDQ-Parent Report Version (SDQ-PR) was completed by their parents. RESULTS:  There were no statistically significant differences between operated and nonoperated patient groups in terms of total scores on the psychiatric rating scales. Prosocial behavior subscale scores in SDQ-SR (P = 0.013) and SDQ-PR (P = 0.019) were lower in the operated group. CONCLUSION: Prosocial behavior levels were lower in the operated group. Further exploration of the psychosocial profile of pediatric patients with pectus deformities would better elucidate their needs in the course of their socioemotional development.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the nuss questionnaire modified for adults.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest wall deformity. The Nuss Questionnaire modified for Adults (NQmA) is a disease-specific health-related quality of life assessment tool for patients with pectus deformities. The aim of this study is to adapt the NQmA into Turkish. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-five patients with PE were participated, with an age range of 14 to 29 years. All patients underwent a physical examination and had not undergone corrective surgery. The Turkish version of the NQmA was completed by patients and their parents. RESULTS: The content validity index based on expert opinions was 91% for the patient questionnaire and 96% for the parent questionnaire. The Cronbach's alpha value for the NQmA was found to be 0.805 for the patient questionnaire and 0.800 for the parent questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess construct validity. Two factors explained 51.1% of the total variance in the patient questionnaire (psychosocial: 31.145%, Cronbach's alpha=0.818; physical: 19.955%, Cronbach's alpha=0.862). In the parent questionnaire, two factors explained 51.422% of the total variance (psychosocial: 26.097%, Cronbach's alpha=0.743; physical: 25.325%, Cronbach's alpha=0.827). Construct validity was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the NQmA was found to be valid and reliable for the assessment of quality of life in patients with PE.

Quality of life improves after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall deformity. This deformity may cause physical limitations and psychosocial problems. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum on the quality of life. METHODS: This study included 88 patients, aged 18.44 ± 3.93 years (85.2% male), who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum; 40.9% had an associated anomaly or disease, and 17.0% had scoliosis. The patients and their parents completed the patient and parent forms of the Nuss questionnaire modified for adults preoperatively and 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: The patients' median Nuss score increased from 31 (interquartile range 31-35) preoperatively to 43 (interquartile range 43-46) at 6 months after the operation (p = 0.000). The parents' preoperative score of 33 (interquartile range 29-36) increased to 38 (interquartile range 34-41; p = 0.000). Improvements in the physical and psychosocial component scores of the Nuss questionnaire were also significant in the patient (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, respectively) and parent forms (p = 0.005, p = 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum significantly improved the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of patients. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term changes related to quality of life.