Aslı Korur

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor administration among hemoglobin S trait donors: A single center experience from the Eastern Mediterranean region

Assessment of Hemoglobin S trait donors has gained importance together with the increased allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplant activity for sickle cell disease in the regions where the disease is prevalent. Outcomes of Granulocyte‐Colony Stimulating Factor (G‐CSF) administration are obscure for hemoglobin S trait donors. This study aims at investigating the incidence of hemoglobin S carrier status and outcomes of G‐CSF administration among donors who live in Eastern Mediterranean region.

QTc prolongation during peripheral stem cell apheresis in healthy volunteers.

Today, voluntary donation of peripheral blood stem cells by healthy donors for allogeneic hemopoietic cell transplantation is common worldwide. Such donations are associated with small but measurable risks of morbidity and mortality. Most complications are associated with citrate infusion during cell collection. We studied the effects of citrate infusion on the QTc and other vital parameters during and after peripheral stem cell apheresis in volunteers.

A Rare Complication Developing After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Wernicke’s Encephalopathy

Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin. Thiamine deficiency can present as a central nervous system disorder known as Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which classically manifests as confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. Wernicke’s encephalopathy has rarely been reported following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Herein, we report Wernicke’s encephalopathy in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia who had been receiving prolonged total parenteral nutrition after haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported from Turkey in the literature.

Secondary erythrocytosis due to waterpipe smoking: A case report

In recent years, waterpipe smoking has gradually increased in our country, as in the world. Waterpipe smoking is a severe public health problem as cigarette smoking. Although the toxic substances are considered to be softened through passing from water, there is exposure to toxic substances and risk for contamination with some type of severe diseases. In addition, erythropoiesis is known to be induced with increased carboxy hemoglobin amount in blood and related secondary erythrocytosis may develop. Smoking-related tissue hypoxia is among the most common causes of secondary erythrocytosis. Herein, we presented a case that was admitted to family medicine clinic with various symptoms and diagnosed with narghile-related secondary erythocytosis.

Effectiveness of Visual Methods in Information Procedures for Stem Cell Recipients and Donors.

Objective: Obtaining informed consent from hematopoietic stem cell recipients and donors is a critical step in the transplantation process. Anxiety may affect their understanding of the provided information. However, use of audiovisual methods may facilitate understanding. In this prospective randomized study, we investigated the effectiveness of using an audiovisual method of providing information to patients and donors in combination with the standard model. Materials and Methods: A 10-min informational animation was prepared for this purpose. In total, 82 participants were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 received the additional audiovisual information and group 2 received standard information. A 20-item questionnaire was administered to participants at the end of the informational session. Results: A reliability test and factor analysis showed that the questionnaire was reliable and valid. For all participants, the mean overall satisfaction score was 184.8±19.8 (maximum possible score of 200). However, for satisfaction with information about written informed consent, group 1 scored significantly higher than group 2 (p=0.039). Satisfaction level was not affected by age, education level, or differences between the physicians conducting the informative session. Conclusion: This study shows that using audiovisual tools may contribute to a better understanding of the informed consent procedure and potential risks of stem cell transplantation.

Is the Game Over or Starting Again? The Role of the Transplant Team in Genetic Counseling for Adult Sickle Cell Disease Recipients

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with nonmyeloablative regimens has become more feasible and it is currently performed more frequently in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) [1]. Hsieh [1] reported successful outcomes for adults with a regimen of alemtuzumab and low-dose total body irradiation (TBI) in transplants from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donors. We have obtained sustained full chimerism in 13 adults with protocols including antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and busulfan without any significant complications (unpublished data). For unrelated donors, the ongoing STRIDE study uses conditioning regimens containing ATG, fludarabine, and busulfan. Bolaños-Meade et al. [2] achieved a cure with HLA-haploidentical transplants performed with ATG, fludarabine, and low-dose TBI. Given that these protocols may allow assisted or spontaneous pregnancies, fertility issues need to be examined [3] because the patient may think that he/she is completely cured after allogeneic transplantation and that he/she no longer carries the hemoglobin S (Hb S) gene. This erroneous belief may lead to the delivery of a homozygous Hb SS infant if the partner has a high risk of being a Hb S gene carrier when marriages of close relatives occur, as in some populations like Eti-Turks.

Implementation of ISBT 128 Compatible Medical Record System to Facilitate Traceability of Stem Cell Products.

Figure 1. Bar code denotes donation identification number (upper left), blood group (upper right), collection (or production) date and time (middle), product code (lower left), and expiration date and time (lower right). The biohazard mark was placed correctly on the labels of products that were detected to pose infection risks. Implementation of an ISBT 128-Compatible Medical Record System to Facilitate Traceability of Stem Cell Products Kök Hücre Ürünlerinin İzlenebilirliğini Kolaylaştırmak için ISBT 128 Uyumlu Tıbbi Kayıt Sisteminin Uygulanması

Significance of electronic health records: A comparative study of vaccination rates in patients with sickle cell disease

Objective: In this study, we investigated the influence of electronic health records (EHR) and electronic vaccination schedule applications on the vaccination status of patients who were admitted to our Center for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods: The vaccination status against influenza and pneumococcus infection was determined in 93 patients who were admitted to the hematology outpatient clinic, Baskent University Adana Hospital from April 2004 to March 2009. The vaccination status was then re-evaluated following establishment of EHR and electronic vaccination schedules in 2012. Results: Of the 93 patients with SCD 21.5% (n = 20) were vaccinated against pneumococcus and 21.5% (n = 20) were regularly vaccinated against influenza. When the vaccination rates of 59 of 93 patients who presented for their regular control examinations were analyzed following establishment of EHR and vaccination schedules in 2012, these rates were 49.2% (n = 29) and 50.8% (n = 30) for influenza and pneumococcus, respectively, after EHR; there were 23.7% (n = 14) and 20.3% (n = 12), respectively, before EHR. A statistically significant difference was found between the vaccination rates before and after EHR (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although viral and bacterial infections are life-threatening health problems in patients with SCD, the vaccination rates were low in high-risk patients. However, these rates increased after application of electronic vaccination schedules.

Waterpipe Smoking: An Incidios Threat For The Young

Various use types of tobacco include chewing tobacco, pipe, cigar, cigarette smoking and waterpipe smoking. Waterpipe is mostly used by the elderly in middle-east countries.Its use is gradually increasing among the young worldwide and also in our country. It is rapidly becoming common among the young due to newly produced aromatic forms. Tobacco and waterpipe smoking is a serios public health problem. Waterpipe smoking-related health risks are known. Prevention and information done by law makers, local authoroties beside media are of importance for reducing its use. In addition, in the context of “community-oriented patient care” , “proper and effective interventions” and “improvement of health and wellness” principles of family medicine, family physicians‟ being a pioneer for providing sufficient information particulary for the young, family members and the community about this issue and taking measures is of great importance. In this review, it was aimed to improve the awareness of family physicians about waterpipe smoking.

Medication adherence to oral iron therapy in patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the factors affecting medication adherence in patients who use oral iron therapy due to iron deficiency anemia. Methods: A total of 96 female patients in fertile age with mean age of 30±10.1 years (range 18-53) who were admitted to Family Medicine Clinic between 01 January and 31 March 2015 and who had received iron therapy within the recent three years were enrolled in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire form. Results: Of the patients, 39 (40,6%) were detected not to use the medication regularly or during the recommended period. A statistically significant relationship was found between non-adherence to therapy and gastrointestinal side effects and weight gain (p<0.05). Conclusion: Medication adherence is deficient in patients with iron deficiency anemia. The most important reason for this seems gastrointestinal side effects, in addition to weight gain under treatment.