İlkay Keser

The Arg753Gln polymorphism of the human Toll-like receptor 2 gene in tuberculosis disease

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a member of the Toll-like receptor family, plays an important role in recognition of, and subsequent immune response activation against, mycobacteria. The genetic polymorphism of TLR2 (arginine to glutamine substitution at residue 753 (Arg753Gln)) has been associated with a negative influence on TLR2 function, which may, in turn, determine the innate host response to mycobacteria. The aim of the present study was to investigate the Arg753Gln single nucleotide polymorphism of the TLR2 gene in tuberculosis (TB) patients compared to healthy controls. A retrospective case/control study was carried out. The Arg753Gln polymorphism of the TLR2 gene was studied in 151 TB patients compared to 116 ethnically and age-matched healthy control subjects. The TLR2 polymorphism (adenine (A) allele) was observed in 17.9 and 7.7% of TB patients and controls, respectively. When the ratios of the three genotypes were compared between the two groups, the AA genotype was found to be more significantly associated with TB. Allele frequencies for guanine (G) and A were found to be 0.95 and 0.05 in the control group and 0.86 and 0.14 in the TB patient group, respectively. The risk of developing TB disease was increased 6.04‐ and 1.60‐fold for carriers of the AA and GA genotypes, respectively. In conclusion, the present data suggest that the arginine to glutamine substitution at residue 753 polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 gene influences the risk of developing tuberculosis.

Reliability and validity of the Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients (QLQ-Asthma) in a sample of adult asthmatic patients in Turkey

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to translate the 20-item Questionnaire for the Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients (QLQ-Asthma) into Turkish and to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients among Turkish adult asthmatic patients in Turkey. BACKGROUND Asthma can adversely affect the physical, psychological and social domains of health-related quality of life. The Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients is a widely used instrument to measure quality of life in asthma patients. The Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients has not been validated in Turkey. DESIGN Methodological research design. METHODS This study describes the translation process of Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients into Turkish and tests its reliability and validity on quality of life in asthma patients. The study group was composed of 105 stable adult asthmatic patients. The questionnaire was translated using a back-translation technique. The statistical analysis was carried out using Cronbachs alpha to test the internal consistency of the Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients scale while exploratory factor analysis was carried out using principal component analysis with varimax rotation and Kaiser Normalisation to test its construct validity. RESULTS The Cronbachs alpha coefficient reliability for the total scale was 0·84, and internal consistency reliability was in the acceptable range for this instrument. Results indicated that respondents did not have difficulty answering the questions in the Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients. Factor analysis resulted in five-factor structure: physical activities, role activities, emotions, social activities and health perceptions. CONCLUSIONS The Turkish version of the Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients is a reliable and valid supplementary measure of the quality of life in asthma patients, and it is a useful outcome measurement tool for clinical trials conducted in Turkey. RELEVANCE OF CLINICAL PRACTICE: The Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients scale is simple to administer, and Turkish researchers and health care providers can use the Assessment of Quality of Life in Asthma Patients to assess the asthma patients quality of life.