Burcu Tokuç

Factors associated with childhood constipation

Aim:  To evaluate factors associated with constipation, determine its risk factors and identify common methods of managing constipation among schoolchildren from ages 7–12 in Edirne, Turkey.

Migraine Prevalence and Some Related Factors in Turkey

Objectives.—The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of migraine in Provincial Center of Edirne.

Domestic Violence Against Married Women in Edirne

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of domestic violence against married women in Edirne, Turkey. This is a cross-sectional study which included a representative sample of the married women living in the Provincial Center of Edirne. The total past year prevalence of some forms of physical domestic violence is 34% in the last 12 months. 93% of women reported that they have been experiencing different forms of verbal and psychological domestic violence. The important risk factors for physical domestic violence were being Roma woman (OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.44-6.12), living with more than four people in the household (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.21-4.36), being unemployed (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.06-4.37), and got married only with her families’ decision (OR = 4.60, 95% CI: 1.42-14.80). Our findings conclude that patriarchal and traditional values, women’s lack of financial autonomy, and low socioeconomic status are the risk factors for physical domestic violence.

The effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on clinical improvement in hemiplegic lower extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke: a single-blind, randomised, controlled trial.

Objective. In this study, the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was evaluated in lower extremity rehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke. Method. The study enrolled 40 patients with chronic stroke. Twenty patients each were assigned to the treatment group and the control group. All patients received a conventional rehabilitation program for a 4-week period. In addition to this rehabilitation program, patients in the treatment group received NMES treatment for hemiplegic foot dorsiflexor muscles for 4 weeks, 5 days a week. The sessions were performed as one session per day and added to a total of 20 sessions. Clinical parameters were evaluated before and after the treatment. Results. Pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluations showed a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion and a significant decrease in the level of spasticity in the treatment group (p < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in the control group between the pre-treatment and post-treatment measures. Although Brunnstrom Stage, Rivermead leg and trunk score and Functional Independence Measurement motor subscore showed a significant improvement in pre- and post-treatment comparisons for both groups, the treatment groups scores were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Functional Ambulation Categories showed a significant improvement in both groups following the treatment; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Use of NMES in hemiplegic foot dorsiflexion can contribute to the clinical improvement of patients when used in combination with rehabilitation programs.

Prevalence of cryptorchidism, retractile testis and orchiopexy in school children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cryptorchidism, retractile testis and orchiopexy and investigate the effects of these clinical conditions on testicular volume among schoolchildren aged 7–12 years. Methods: It was a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The participants were stratified by school population and age and 1,800 questionnaires were distributed. The inguino-scrotal examinations and the testicular volumes of the children were recorded. Results: The parents of 1,500 children agreed to allow their children to be examined. The prevalence of cryptorchidism and orchiopexy was found to be 0.73 and 1.3%, respectively. Retractile testis was found in 3.9% of the children. The mean testicular volume of children having retractile testis (1.82 ± 1.41 ml) was less than the ones who do not (2.38 ± 1.40 ml, p < 0.05). The prevalence was 1.7%, and 4% in the participants who had inguinal hernia also had hernioplasty. Conclusions: The prevalence of cryptorchidism and the mean age of orchidopexy are high among schoolchildren aged 7–12. Retractile testis might have some negative effects on the development of testicular volume in children. Parents and healthcare and education professionals should give special attention to inguino-scrotal diseases.

Personal characteristics of enuretic children: an epidemiological study from South-East Europe.

Introduction: This study examined the personal characteristics of enuretic children and investigated the risk factors of nocturnal enuresis among schoolchildren. Methods: It was a cross-sectional and descriptive questionnaire study and 2,000 children were stratified according to school population, age and gender. The questionnaire was designed for parents to collect information about the prevalence and associated factors as well. Results: Nocturnal enuresis was reported in 159 cases (9.8%). The parameters of bladder control after 2 years of age, urination more than 5 times a day, urinary infection history, history of psychological or physical trauma, siblings with health problems, large family size, lack of a private bedroom, and constipation were more frequent in enuretics (p < 0.05). The parameters of having fecal incontinence, parents and siblings with nocturnal enuresis, low educational level of the mother and poor school performance seem to be risk factors for nocturnal enuresis. However, the parental concern level was high, approximately half of the enuretic children did not visit a physician for management of the problem. Conclusion: Nocturnal enuresis could be a multifactorial problem originating from bladder dysfunction, deranged sleep patterns and psychological and hereditary predisposition. Hereditary disposition and having fecal incontinence may be important risk factors for enuresis.

Neuromuscular Morphometry of the Vaginal Wall in Women With Anterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse

The aim of this study was to compare the changes in hystomorphometry and innervation of the anterior vaginal wall in women with and without anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Neuromuscular morphometry of the uterine ligaments and vaginal wall in women with pelvic organ prolapse

The aim of this study was to compare neuromuscular histomorphometry of the uterine ligaments and vaginal wall in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse.

Histopathological Features of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and the Contribution of DOG1 Expression to the Diagnosis

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) have KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) mutations affecting receptor tyrosine kinase activity and do not benefit from classic treatment regimens. AIMS The aim of this study was to review the algorithm that may be followed for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis in GISTs by investigating the histomorphological parameters and expression characteristics of classical immunohistochemical antibodies used in routine tests in addition to DOG1 expression. STUDY DESIGN Diagnostic accuracy study. METHODS We reevaluated the histological and immunohistochemical parameters of 37 GISTs. The standard immunohistochemical diagnosis and differential diagnosis panel antibodies (CD117, PDGFRα, CD34, vimentin, desmin, SMA, S-100, and Ki67) were studied on the tumor sections. We also used the popular marker DOG1 antibody with accepted sensitivity for GISTs in recent years and the PDGFRα immune marker for which the benefit in routine practice is discussed. RESULTS Classification according to progressive disease risk groups of the 37 cases revealed that 54% were in the high risk, 19% in the moderate risk, 16% in the low risk, 8% in the very low risk and 8% in the no risk group. Cytological atypia, necrosis, mucosal invasion and the Ki67 index were found to be related to the progressive disease risk groups of the tumors (p<0.05). Positive immunoreaction was observed with CD117 and PDGFRα in all GISTs in the study (100%). Positivity with the DOG1 antibody was found in 33 (89%) cases. CD34 was positive in 62% (23) of the cases. CONCLUSION The CD117 antibody still plays a key role in GIST diagnosis. However, the use of DOG1 and PDGFRα antibodies combined with CD117 as sensitive markers can be beneficial.

Prognostic Value of Angiogenesis and Survivin Expression in Patients with Glioblastoma

AIM Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and the most aggressive primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the association between immunohistochemical expression of survivin and angiogenic parameters (microvessel density and vascular pattern) in patients who underwent surgery for GBM. MATERIAL AND METHODS The pathology reports and also clinical and follow-up data of patients with GBM were retrospectively evaluated. Control tissues were obtained from the archive for each antibody (Survivin, CD 34). Then, control staining of these antibodies was performed. Vessels were evaluated according to the standardized assessment of vascular pattern. RESULTS Mean survival for classical vascular pattern was longer than bizarre vascular pattern (p < 0.001). The survival time of patients decreased with increasing score of survivin staining. There was a significant correlation between survivin and survival time (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between microvessel density and survival time (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION With these findings, it is considered that high expression of survivin, bizarre vascular pattern and development of secondary GBM correlates with the low survival rates, however microvessel density has no correlation with the survival rates. Since only malignant cells express survivin, it might be a target protein for the development of novel therapies.