The Evaluation Of Smoking Cessation Treatment Success and Related Factors in Adults Age 65 Years and Older.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate smoking cessation treatment success and factors associated in older adults. METHODS: In the retrospective cohort study, the patients' sociodemographic data, smoking history, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence scores (FTND), type of treatments (Pharmacological treatments, behavioral counseling, and/or both) and the number of follow-up sessions in the Smoking Cessation Outpatient Clinic were taken from hospital files of the patients. Treatment success was evaluated as one year of abstinence from smoking. RESULTS: Participants' reported with 53% classified as high-very high nicotine dependence. Overall, 36% reported abstinence from smoking for one year or more. Treatment success was associated with higher attendance at follow-up sessions. Using pharmacologic treatments and behavioral counseling together was proved to be more effective than behavioral counseling alone. CONCLUSIONS: One-year smoking cessation was achieved in one-third of older adults attending a smoking cessation clinic. In older adults in this sample low FTND scores, use of combined pharmacologic and behavioral treatment, and attendance at follow up sessions were associated with one year smoking abstinence. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Older adults should be referred for smoking cessation treatment. Use of combined pharmacological and behavioral counseling is recommended. Efforts to enhance attendance at follow-up sessions should be considered.

Is there a correlation between hypomagnesemia linked to long-term proton pump inhibitor use and the active agent?

BACKGROUND: One of the electrolyte disorders considered to be linked to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) use is hypomagnesemia. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of hypomagnesemia linked to long-term PPI use and the correlation with active agents. METHODS: The study included 305 patients aged over 18 years with PPI use of 1 year or longer and attending the internal diseases clinic for any reason from April 2019 to December 2019. A survey study was performed about the demographic characteristics and PPI use of patients. Laboratory parameters, such as the hemogram, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin B12 concentrations were recorded. Magnesium concentrations were measured by a colorimetric method. RESULTS: Of the patients 140 (45.9%) were female and 165 (54.1%) were male. The most commonly used PPI active agent was pantoprazole. The duration of PPI use varied from 1-25 years with a mean of 4.31 ± 4.52 years. Of the patients 51.5% reported no medication side effects. The most commonly observed side effect was constipation (n = 98, 32.1%). The mean magnesium concentration was 1.95 ± 0.02 mg/dL. Hypomagnesemia was identified in 65 (21.3%) patients and the incidence increased as age and duration of use increased. Patients using omeprazole had significantly lower magnesium levels compared to patients using pantoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole. CONCLUSION: In light of the data obtained it was concluded that hypomagnesemia linked to PPI use is associated with the type of PPI. While patients using rabeprazole had the lowest rates, those using omeprazole had significantly higher rates of hypomagnesemia. Additionally, there was a proportional correlation between age and duration of use with the risk of development of hypomagnesemia.

Prevalence and predictors of psychological response during immediate COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: COVID-19 pandemic has created a serious psychological impact worldwide since it has been declared. This study aims to investigate the level of psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish population and to determine related factors. METHODS: The study was carried out by an online questionnaire using the virtual snowball sampling method. The sociodemographic data were collected on the following subjects: participants' experience on any signs of infection within the last month, the history of COVID-19 contact-treatment-quarantine, level of compliance with precautionary measures, the sources of information and level of knowledge about the pandemic process and their belief levels on the knowledge they acquire. Besides, the questions that take place in the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) were asked to participants. RESULTS: Of the 3549 participants, anxiety was found in 15.8%, depression in 22.6%, stress in 12.9%, and psychological trauma in 20.29% based on moderate and above levels. Female gender, young age, higher education level, being single, high monthly income, presence of psychiatric illness, a large number of people living together, having any signs of infection, and contact history with COVID-19 infected person or contaminated object are identified as risk factors that may increase psychological impact. Compliance with the rules was found to reduce the risk of psychological response. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and acknowledging these factors can help to formulate the interventions to reduce the stress levels of the population.

Relationship between anaemia during pregnancy and preterm delivery.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between preterm delivery and maternal anaemia. This retrospective cohort study was completed with 483 women; 294 of them had a normal delivery and 189 had a preterm delivery. The haemoglobin (Hb) values of all the women participating in the study were measured in the first and second trimesters, and the average Hb values were calculated. The pregnant women participating in the study were divided into three groups, according to their Hb level: those with Hb level <10 g/dl, those with Hb level between 10 and 11 g/dl and those with Hb level >11 g/dl. In crude analysis, women with low Hb levels had an increased rate of preterm delivery (odds ratio, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.07-5.49). Our study provides data that low Hb level is effective in preterm delivery. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Serum Hb levels have inconsistent associations with a risk of preterm delivery. What the results of this study add? Compared with term delivery Hb levels are lower in preterm delivery. It is necessary to take into account the Hb levels of both the first and second trimester of the pregnancy when describing the pregnancy anaemia. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Given these results, physicians should take into account anaemia in pregnancy when considering the risk of a preterm delivery.