Bibliometric analysis of 100 most influential papers related to septic arthritis of native joints.

Aim: Bibliometric studies have gained popularity since they are able to define the characteristics of articles on specific subjects. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of 100 most-cited papers related to septic arthritis of the native joints. Methods: Web of Science database was analyzed and 100 most-cited articles about septic arthritis were determined. The characteristics of the articles including publication year, country, journal, study type, and sponsorship were recorded and investigated for any possible relationship with citation numbers. The visualization of the most commonly used keywords was made by software. Results: The highest citation number and density were 309 and 21.6, respectively. The highest contribution was from the USA with 44 articles. The most common study type was case series with 26 articles. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases journal had the highest number of articles with 8 papers. Fifteen studies were funded. The average citation density of review articles was significantly higher than in clinical and basic science studies (p < 0.001). Citation density was positively correlated with publication year and institution number, while it was negatively correlated with the level of evidence. Conclusion: This study summarizes the general characteristics and research trends of the 100 most influential septic arthritis papers. Citation density and level of evidence performance were better in more recent articles. Additionally, citation density was higher in papers that included contributions from multiple institutions and papers with a high level of evidence. However, a high level of evidence is lacking indicating the need for better study design in future research.

Change in species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of candidemias in an intensive care unit of a university hospital (10-year experience).

Candidemia is a nosocomial infection mostly found in critically ill patients. Our objectives were to evaluate the change in distribution and resistance profile of Candida spp. isolated from candidemic patients in our intensive care unit over two 5-year periods spanning 15 years and to evaluate the risk factors. Records from the microbiology laboratory were obtained, from January 2004 to December 2008 and from January 2013 to December 2017, retrospectively. Antifungal susceptibility was performed by E-test and evaluated according to EUCAST breakpoints. A total of 210 candidemia cases occurred; 238 Candida spp. were isolated in 197 patients (58.8% male; mean age, 59.2 ± 19.6 years). The most predominant risk factor was central venous catheter use. Species distribution rates were 32%, 28%, 17%, and 11% for C. albicans (n = 76), C. parapsilosis (n = 67), C. glabrata (n = 40), and C. tropicalis (n = 27), respectively. Resistance rate to anidulafungin was high in C. parapsilosis over both periods and increased to 73% in the second period. Fluconazole showed a remarkable decrease for susceptibility in C. parapsilosis (94 to 49%). The prevalence of MDR C. parapsilosis (6%/33%) and C. glabrata (0%/44%) increased in the second period. We observed a predominance of non-albicans Candida spp., with C. parapsilosis being the most frequent and C. glabrata infections presenting with the highest mortality. High level of echinocandin resistance in C. parapsilosis and increasing prevalences of MDR C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata seem emerging challenges in our institution.

Reliability and validity of culturally adapted Turkish Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire (SMFA-TR).

AIM: This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the Turkish version of the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Questionnaire (SMFA-TR) which primarily assesses the functional status of patients. METHODS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of SMFA to Turkish was made by the standardized procedure and tested for clinimetric quality. The following analyses were made to evaluate clinimetric quality of the SMFA-TR: reliability with factor analysis and Chronbach's α (construct validity), correlations between SMFA-TR and Short Form (SF)-36 (concurrent validity), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation analyses), floor and ceiling effects. The questionnaire was applied to 166 patients with musculoskeletal problems. All patients filled in the SMFA-TR and the validated Turkish SF-36 questionnaire. Forty-two patients returned to complete the same questionnaires at 10 days. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed a 4-factor structure of the SMFA-TR. Cronbach's α values were over 0.88 for both original subscales (dysfunction and bother) of the SMFA. Internal consistency (0.88-0.94) and test-retest reliability coefficients (0.90-0.98) were high for both subscales. Turkish SF-36 questionnaire conventional subscales showed significant correlations with SMFA-TR subscales. No floor or ceiling effects were found. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the SMFA was found to be reliable and valid for Turkish-speaking patients with musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.

A prospective pharmacovigilance study in the infectious diseases unit of a tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency, causality, severity, preventability and risk factors of ADRs (adverse drug reactions) in infectious disease units are not well defined in the literature. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the ADRs encountered in an infectious disease unit of a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODOLOGY: The patients who were admitted to the infectious disease unit of a tertiary teaching hospital longer than 24 hours between January and December of 2016 were followed prospectively. Patients were observed and questioned for any sign of ADRs. The proportion of ADRs and patient characteristics were investigated. Causality was evaluated by the Naranjo algorithm, severity was determined using the Hartwig classification, and preventability was assessed using the Schumock and Thornton scale. RESULTS: 210 patients were admitted to the unit during the study period, of whom 44 patients (20.9%) experienced 51 ADRs. 5.9% of ADRs were found to be serious according to the Hartwig severity classification. In addition, 88.1% of ADRs were not preventable. The most frequently detected ADR was skin and subcutaneous tissue reactions (33.3%), and systemic antimicrobials were the most common type of drugs that caused an ADR. Prolonged hospitalization (p < 0.001) and usage of an increased number of drugs (p < 0.001) were found to be significant risk factors for ADR development. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged hospital stay and polypharmacy are significant risk factors that increase the incidence of ADRs in infectious disease units. The likelihood of unavoidable ADRs should arouse the attention of clinicians when prescribing antimicrobials.