Ergun Bozoglu

The Comparative Effects of Valsartan and Amlodipine on vWf Levels and N/L Ratio in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Hypertension

High levels of circulating Von Willebrand factor (vWf) and increased neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio may reflect vascular inflammation in hypertensive patients. In present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of valsartan as an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and amlodipine as a calcium channel blocker on the vWf levels and N/L ratio in patients with essential hypertension. Patients were randomized to one of the following intervention protocols: calcium channel blocker (amlodipine, 5–10 mg/day) as group A (n = 20 mean age = 51.85 ± 11.32 y) and angiotensine II receptor blocker (valsartan, 80–320 mg/day) as group B (n = 26 mean age = 49.12 ± 14.12 y). Endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation were evaluated with vWf levels and N/L ratio in hypertensive patients before treatment and after treatment in the 12th week. No statistically significant differences were found among the groups in terms of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). There was a significant decrease in vWf levels (P < .001) and N/L ratio after treatment (P = .04, P < .001, respectively) in both the groups. Von Willebrand factor levels and N/L ratio are very important markers having a role in vascular inflammation and antihypertensive treatment with amlodipine and valsartan may improve cardiovascular outcomes by decreasing these biomarkers.

Observations on Edema Formation and Resolution in Gleich Syndrome: Essential Role of the Kidneys in Effective Arterial Blood Volume Regulation

Gleich syndrome is clinically present with episodes of angioedema, hypereosinophilia, oliguria, and weight gain due to fluid retention which may be sudden and remarkable, sometimes increasing to 10–20% of the baseline weight. The purpose of this study was to evaluate body fluid regulation and hormonal responses during the episode of angioedema and during the recovery phase in a patient with Gleich syndrome. A 24-year-old male was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of recurrent attacks of swellings of face, upper arms, and legs, marked weight gain, and oliguria. On first admission, the patient was in a remission phase, and the initial physical examination showed no abnormalities. Underlying disorders causing edema, such as heart, kidney, and liver diseases, and the recognized causes for hypereosinophilia, such as allergy, parasites, and collagen diseases, were ruled out. After 2 months, since his course was monitored, the patient was hospitalized. During days 10–19, he developed pronounced nonpitting edema of face, upper arms, and legs. Constant leukocytosis and hypereosinophilia, oliguria, and marked weight gain were also noted. A clinical remission was observed without any medication: intensive diuresis, loss of weight, regression of edema, and decreased eosinophil and leukocyte counts within 2 weeks. Physiological mechanisms during edema and resolution are discussed. In conclusion, our patient represents a suitable model for the protection of effective arterial blood volume because of the absence of underlying disorders causing edema. The kidneys play an essential role in the effective arterial blood volume regulation.

Amlodipine Increases Vitamin D Levels More Than Valsartan in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients: Pointing to an Additional Effect on Bone Metabolism or a Novel Marker of Inflammation?

Hypertension is a major challenge for public health. Appropriate antihypertensive treatment seem to provide a better life with lower morbidity and mortality rates. Another pathologic condition, osteoporosis, mainly affects postmenouposal women, and constitutes a growing body of risks after a particular age. As bone is a dynamic organ system that is directly related to calcium and phosphor metabolism, imbalance in these two parameters upon aging or menopause finally may lead to osteoporosis. Today, both osteoporosis and high blood pressure are major morbidities, especially in the elderly population. There are some intriguing results on the effects of antihypertensive agents on bone metabolism in the literature. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of widely used antihypertensive agents, valsartan and amlodipine on vitamin D levels in newly diagnosed hypertensive population. We found that amlodipine increased vitamin D levels significantly in patients with a newly diagnosed hypertension on a 12-week treatment duration compared to valsartan.

Functions and oxidative stress status of leukocytes in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

This study was conducted to establish the functions and oxidative stress status in leukocytes of adult patients with nephrotic syndrome. Thirty adult patients with nephrotic syndrome and 32 controls were included. Phagocytosis ability, the killing ability of the micro-organism phagosited of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and monocytes, along with oxidative stress parameters of PMNLs were assessed. There was no statistically significant difference in phagocytosis function of PMNLs and monocytes of patients when compared to those of controls. PMNL burst activities of the patient and control groups also showed no difference; however, the monocyte burst activities of patients were significant (p = 0.012). The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in PMNLs of the patients with nephrotic syndrome were significantly higher (p = 0.026) when compared to those of controls. In comparison with those of the control subjects, the patients had also higher selenium levels in their PMNLs (p < 0.001). Although PMNL malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels of the patients seem to be higher than those of controls, the difference had no statistical significance (p = 0.071). Conclusively, in the patients with nephrotic syndrome, PMNLs appear to be exposed to an oxidative stress as indicated by their increased GSH-Px activities and selenium content. However, PMNLs in nephrotic syndrome patients seem to be coping with the insulting oxidative stress, as suggested by their near-normal MDA productions. Furthermore, these data suggest that nephrotic syndrome appears not to have an influence on phagocytosis and killing abilities of granulocytes and monocytes as long as these cells can overcome the oxidative stress to which they are exposed in this disease.

Pantoprazole Sodium–Induced Hyponatremia in a Frail Elderly Adult

elderly adult with an itchy, psoriasiform scalp eruption. Individuals at higher risks include those who are bedbound with multiple medical comorbidities and poor mobility. The prognosis in MF is worse in men, older adults, at a higher stage of disease, and with the folliculotropic variant of MF. This woman had at least T3N1M0B0 disease, compatible with Stage IIB, which is advanced. Overall survival at this stage is 37.8% to 63.2% at 5 years after diagnosis and 19.8% to 53.2% at 10 years. Systemic therapy is indicated because of extensive skin and lymph node involvement. Choices include retinoid (bexarotene), interferon, histone deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., romidepsin, vorinostat), chemotherapy (e.g., methotrexate, doxorubicin, gemcitabine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, fludarabine, etoposide), and biologic agents (e.g., bortezomib, alemtuzumab). Because these treatments are expensive and not readily available, this woman was fortunate to receive the biological treatment and chemotherapy free of charge and had a good outcome.

Undetected Peripheral Arterial Disease Among Older Adults With Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was reported to increase the risk of dementia(s) even more than stroke. We assessed the prevalence of PAD in a group with definite diagnosis of dementia. Methods: Patients aged 65 years or older with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), or AD-VaD were enrolled (n = 162, mean age: 78.87 [6.05] years). An age- and gender-matched control group was also included (n = 190). Peripheral arterial disease was diagnosed by the ankle–brachial index. Results: Frequency of PAD among patients with and without dementia was 35.2% and 16.3%, respectively (P < .001), being similar among different types of dementia. After adjustment for covariates, dementia (odds ratio: 2.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-4.32; P = .003) was among the predictors of PAD diagnosis along with older age, female gender, and diabetes. Conclusions: The prevalence of PAD was more than double in patients with dementia, with no difference among AD, VaD, and AD-VaD types.

Assessment of geriatric predictors of adherence to Zoledronic acid treatment for osteoporosis: a prospective follow-up study

ABSTRACT Objectives Discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment remains high even with the long acting parenteral options. Whether there are some unidentified causes of noncompliance more specific to aged individuals is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate baseline predictors of adherence to Zoledronic acid (ZOL) infusions among non-demented older adults with osteoporosis. Methods Patients aged ≥ 65 years who received a first ever ZOL infusion for osteoporosis were prospectively enrolled. Risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures, comorbidities, geriatric assessment measures, including depression, and anticholinergic burden were determined at baseline. Adherence was defined as taking the next ZOL infusion at 12 months. Results A total of 187 participants were included (mean age: 75.7 ± 6.3 years, female: 77.5%). Adherence to the next ZOL infusion was 66.8% (n = 125). Non-adherent participants (n = 62, 33.2%) had significantly higher frequency of historical height decrease and depression at baseline. Poor adherence was associated with height decrease, presence of depression, and higher anticholinergic burden in univariate analysis. After adjustment for relevant confounders, fragility fracture history (OR: 0.38, 95%CI: 0.17–0.86, p = 0.020), depression (OR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.12–0.82, p = 0.018), and higher anticholinergic burden (OR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.49–0.93, p = 0.017) were the predictors of lower adherence to ZOL infusion. Conclusions The rate of adherence to the next ZOL infusion was still suboptimal among older women and men in this study. Past osteoporotic fractures, depression, and higher anticholinergic drug burden predicted poor ZOL adherence. It was a novel finding that drug-related anticholinergic side effects adversely influenced adherence to another medication without anticholinergic properties.

Remission in visual hallucinatory experiences after citalopram treatment in a patient with dementia: Citalopram in hallucinations

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PREVENTIVE HEALTH MEASUREMENTS IN GERIATRIC PERIOD

Prevention of diseases and improvement of well being are important health labor not only for young adults but also for geriatric population. It is well known that the rate of chronic diseases increase by age. While 80% of geriatric people have at least 1 comorbid disease, 50% of them have at least 2 comorbid diseases. High prevalence and impact of chronic health problems of geriatric population should be considered. Besides, it is important to improve the quality of life with evidencebased interventions before problems occur. It should be noted that the loss of functionality and dependencies are not the inevitable consequences of aging. It is possible to talk about the development of health care for all elderly.

Zoledronic Acid Use and Risk of Cognitive Decline among Elderly Women and Men with Osteoporosis

OBJECTIVES Bisphosphonates are the first line treatment options in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis among elderly women or men. Age associated cognitive decline may increase due to adverse effects of medications. The aim of the present study was to observe the course of cognitive skills in elderly subjects treated with a bisphosphonate. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study enrolled 120 community-dwelling, non-demented women and men with osteoporosis aged 65 and older who were treated with first-ever zoledronic acid. Mini mental state examination (MMSE) was measured along with geriatric depression scale (GDS) measurement, clock drawing test (CDT), and other clinical and laboratory evaluations that could affect cognition at baseline and 12 months. The primary outcome was at least one point decrease in the final MMSE score at one year. RESULTS Scores of MMSE (28.29±2.17 and 28.23±2.37, p=0.681), GDS (3.24±2.88 and 2.96±2.88, p=0.062) and CDT (3.69±0.68 and 3.75±0.60, p=0.268) did not change after zoledronic acid infusion at one year. Education in years and presence of newly started medicines with anticholinergic properties was independently associated with at least one point reduction in MMSE score [odds ratio: 3.07 (%95 confidence interval: 1.00-9.44)]. CONCLUSION Among elderly woman and men with osteoporosis, cognitive functions remained stable 12 months after the administration of first-ever zoledronic acid.