Evaluation of von Willebrand factor and protein/creatinine ratio in idiopathic sudden hearing loss / Evaluación del Factor Von Willebraund y la Relación Proteína/Creatinina en la Hipoacusia Súbita Idiopática

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of von Willebraund Factor (vWF) in plasma and the protein/creatinine ratio in urine in patients with idiopathic sudden acute hearing loss, which we think to be caused by epithelial dysfunction. Materials-Methods Thirty patients with a sudden hearing loss and thirty healthy individuals were included in the study. Before the treatment, blood and urine were collected from the patients and the control group to investigate the levels of the protein/creatinine ratio and the levels of vWF. The test results of the patients group were compared with those of the control group. Results We found that the levels of vWF increased in the patient group, which was statistically significant (P<.05). The protein/creatinine ratio in the urine increased in the patient group, but this was not statistically significant (P>.05). In addition, we found that the vWF and urine protein/creatin ratio of the patients who benefited from treatment were lower than those who did not benefit. Conclusions This study showed that sudden sensorineural hearing loss may result from endothelial dysfunction. However, more studies that include more patients are needed in order to support this. (AU)

Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los niveles de factor de von Willebraund (vWF) en plasma y la relación proteína/creatinina en orina en pacientes con hipoacusia aguda súbita idiopática, que creemos que es causada por una disfunción epitelial. Material-Método Treinta pacientes con hipoacusia súbita y treinta individuos sanos fueron incluidos en el estudio. Antes del tratamiento, se recogieron sangre y orina de los pacientes y del grupo de control para investigar los niveles de relación proteína/creatinina y los niveles de vWF. Los resultados de las pruebas del grupo de pacientes se compararon con el grupo de control. Resultados En la literatura, se sabe que la cantidad de proteína en la orina y las elevaciones en los niveles de vWF en plasma son las consecuencias de la disfunción endotelial. Encontramos que los niveles de vWF aumentaron en el grupo de pacientes y esto fue estadísticamente significativo. Sin embargo, la relación proteína/creatinina en la orina aumentó en el grupo de pacientes, pero esto no fue estadísticamente significativo. Además, encontramos que el vWF y la relación proteína/creatina en orina de los pacientes que se beneficiaron del tratamiento fueron más bajos que los que no se beneficiaron. Conclusiones Este estudio muestra que la pérdida auditiva neurosensorial súbita puede resultar de una disfunción endotelial. Sin embargo, se necesitan más estudios que incluyan más pacientes para respaldar esto. (AU)

Evaluation of von Willebrand factor and protein/creatinine ratio in idiopathic sudden hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of von Willebraund Factor (vWF) in plasma and the protein/creatinine ratio in urine in patients with idiopathic sudden acute hearing loss, which we think to be caused by epithelial dysfunction. MATERIALS-METHODS: Thirty patients with a sudden hearing loss and thirty healthy individuals were included in the study. Before the treatment, blood and urine were collected from the patients and the control group to investigate the levels of the protein/creatinine ratio and the levels of vWF. The test results of the patients group were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: We found that the levels of vWF increased in the patient group, which was statistically significant (P<.05). The protein/creatinine ratio in the urine increased in the patient group, but this was not statistically significant (P>.05). In addition, we found that the vWF and urine protein/creatin ratio of the patients who benefited from treatment were lower than those who did not benefit. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that sudden sensorineural hearing loss may result from endothelial dysfunction. However, more studies that include more patients are needed in order to support this.

The Effects of Different Types of Nasal Packing on Odor Function and Mucociliary Function After Septum Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated how the Merocel and nasal splint packing placed in the nose after septoplasty surgery affects the olfactory and mucociliary functions of the nose in the early period, and compared the 2 packing with each other. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 60 patients with isolated septal deviation and 30 patients in the control group. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Nasal splint was inserted after septoplasty in group A (n = 30). Merocel was inserted in group B (n = 30). The Sniffin sticks test and saccharin test were applied to the patients before surgery and 15 days after the surgery. The same tests were applied to the control group consisting of 30 patients and the results were compared. RESULTS: No complications, such as postoperative bleeding, submucoperichondrial hematoma, or abscess formation, were found in both groups. Mucociliary function was improved after septoplasty, and it was statistically significant, but there was no statistically significant difference between both packing groups. A statistically significant difference was found for the odor test in patients who used nasal splint packing in comparison with patients who used Merocel in the early period. CONCLUSION: The odor test showed significant differences between the 2 groups and this was statistically significant in the early period. Mucociliary function was better after surgery, but there was no statistical difference in the different nasal packing groups.

Associations between respiratory health and ambient air quality in Canakkale, Turkey: a long-term cohort study.

Few epidemiological studies investigating the association between air pollution and health are available in Turkey. The aim of this cohort-type study is to examine the relationships between ambient air quality, respiratory diseases, and decreases in pulmonary function over a year in three different towns in Canakkale: Canakkale Central town (region I), Lapseki town center (region II), and Can town (region III). Region III had four different sub-regions, which were Can town center (region III-A), and the villages located around Can town, namely Durali (region III-B), Kulfal (region III-C), and Yuvalar (region III-D). In the first stage of the study, a detailed questionnaire was completed by the participants (n = 1152) in face-to-face interviews and pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed. In the second stage of the study, PFT measurements were repeated 1 year after the first stage. Particulate matter, SO2, NO2, and ozone were gathered from air quality monitoring stations located in the centers of the three regions. The most polluted area was region III, while region I and region II were the least polluted areas. The risk of pulmonary function decline throughout a year was 2.1 times higher in region III, 2.4 times higher both in regions III-B and III-C, and 1.6 times higher for smokers in all regions. In the present study, ambient air quality was worse in region III (industrialized region), which influenced PFT scores and the prognostics for chronic respiratory diseases. The findings of this study should be considered for future investment plans in this region related to human and environmental health needs.

Association between mean platelet volume and disease severity in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important marker that shows the activation and function of the platelets, which is effective in the inflammatory diseases. AIM: To show the relationship between MPV and the development of psoriatic arthritis (PA) in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and the correlation between MPV and psoriasis severity score (PASI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study included 116 patients with psoriatic arthritis (68 female, 48 male) and 41 patients in the psoriasis group (19 female, 22 male) and 90 subjects in the control group (55 female, 35 male). The demographic data of the patients, duration of disease, PASI, the nature of the disease were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume levels of both the PV group (8.79 ±0.86 fl) and the PA group (9.18 ±1.26 fl) were significantly higher compared to the control group (8.42 ±0.74 fl). There was a weak statistically positive correlation between the PASI and the MPV according to the correlation analysis (r = 0.165; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that MPV may be helpful as an indicator of the clinical course of PV and PA. In this regard, that study should be supported by prospective studies to find strong correlations.

Turkey's Epidemiological and Demographic Transitions: 1931-2013.

BACKGROUND: The causes of death have changed with regard to the epidemiological and demographic events in society. There is no evidence of prior research into the epidemiological transition in Turkey. This transition in Turkey should be observed starting with the Ottoman Empire period (19th to early 20th century). However, information about the Ottoman Empire is quite limited. AIMS: To discuss the epidemiological and demographic transitions in Turkey, using demographic, educational and urbanization data in our present study. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive archive study. METHODS: Mortality statistics dating from 1931 and published by the Turkish Statistical Institute were analysed, and the causes of death were coded and classified according to ICD-10. Other data were obtained from the published reports and studies regarding the issue. RESULTS: In the 1930s, Turkey's life expectancy was low (aged 40 years), fertility and mortality rates were high (respectively 45% and 31%), and the main causes of death were infectious diseases. Nowadays, life expectancy is close to 80 years, the total fertility rate has dropped to 2.1 per woman, and the main causes of death are chronic diseases and cancer. The population rate in the urban areas has increased steadily from 24.2% in 1927 to 77.3% in 2012. level of education has also increased during this period. In 1935, less than 10% of women were literate, and in 2013 90% were literate. Qualitative and quantitative increase have been observed in the presentation and access of healthcare services compared to the early years of the Republic. CONCLUSION: Turkey has been undergoing a modernization period in the last 200 years, and it is believed that the epidemiological and demographic transitions result from this period. This process has led to urbanization and an increase in the level of education, as well as a decrease in premature deaths, lower fertility rates, and an increase in the elderly population and chronic diseases. It is therefore our conclusion that Turkey needs policies regarding the elderly population and the management of chronic diseases.