İsmail Hamdi Kara

Acute poisoning cases admitted to a university hospital emergency department in Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the biological effects of acute poisoning, the nature of agents involved and the pattern of poisoning in Diyarbakir City, in the Southeast Anatolian region of Turkey, during 2000. Method: Hospital records of all admissions to the Emergency Department (ED) of Dicle University Hospital following acute poisoning were revised and all data from January to December 2000 were analysed. The present study included 44 (25.9%) male (M) and 126 (74.1%) female (F), a total of 170 patients. The M/F ratio was 1.0/3.5. Results: The mean age of patients was 23.39±6.3 years; 63 (37.1%) of them were under 20 years of age and 147 (86.5%) were under 30 years of age. Most intoxication cases occurred during the summer season (93 of 170 patients). On a monthly basis, admissions during April, May and July were most common (24, 26 and 30 patients, respectively). Sixty-two (36.5%) cases involved accidental poisoning while 108 (63.5%) involved deliberate poisoning. In suicide attempts, intoxications were more common in females (77 cases, 71.3%, P < 0.05), and in unmarried persons (74 cases, 68.5%, P < 0.05). There were only two deaths (1.2%) among the 170 admissions of acute poisonings. One of the deaths was due to pesticide poisoning and the other was due to medical drug abuse. Tachycardia (59, 34.7%), vomiting (55, 32.4%) and loss of consciousness (42, 24.7%) were frequently observed, whereas hypersecretion (15, 8.8%), bradycardia (5, 2.9%), convulsion (8, 4.7%) and hypertension (2, 1.2%) were less frequent. Among pesticide poisoning cases the incidence of convulsion (6, 10.2%), miosis (6, 10.2%), and hypersecretion (12, 20.3%) were significantly higher when compared to other cases (P–0.018, P B < 0.0001 and P B < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: In the Southeast Anatolian region of Turkey, pesticide intoxication is common especially among young, unmarried females and most of these intoxications are intentional self-poisonings. The annual rate of poisoning-related ED visits and mortality were found to be within expected ranges; psychoactive agents being the most common cause.

Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Biochemical and Hematological Parameters and Cytokines in Healthy and Obese Individuals

BACKGROUND The typical nutritional plan in Ramadan may have beneficial influences on the inflammatory state, as well as on metabolic and anthropometric parameters. We aimed to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on biochemical and hematological parameters and cytokines in healthy and obese individuals. METHODS This study was performed during the Ramadan holy month (September and October 2007). The study group consisted of 10 obese males and the control group consisted of 10 males with a normal body mass index (BMI), who were admitted to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic of Dicle University Medical Faculty in Diyarbakir, Turkey, and who indicated that they were going to fast throughout the entire month of Ramadan. Individuals with any acute or chronic disease or medication during the study were excluded. Height, weight, BMI, and waist and hip circumferences were measured. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), urea, creatinine, insulin, total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and cytokine levels were evaluated. RESULTS The average age of the participants was 27.4 ± 5.2 years. Of the study group, 7 fulfilled the criteria of metabolic syndrome. Significant weight reduction, significant decrease in BMI, and significant decrease of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were observed in study group; weight and BMI reduction were insignificant and no significant change was observed in FBG levels, but a significant increase was observed in HOMA-IR in the control group. Post-Ramadan systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, serum white blood cells (WBC) count, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, TG, and ALT levels were significantly lower in both groups compared to pre-Ramadan values. CONCLUSION Ramadan fasting has beneficial influences on the inflammatory state, as well as metabolic and anthropometric parameters.

Effectiveness of collagenase in the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease.

Abstract.Purpose: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease (SPSD) is a disease affecting young patients, which results in a long-term loss of productive power, and also tends to have high rates of morbidity since it has no ideal treatment. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of topical collagenase in the treatment of SPSD. Methods: In the present study, 40 patients admitted to our department were separated into two groups. Excision and marsupialization with dressing by bacterial collagenase was performed in the first group, while the treatment was excision and marsupialization without dressing by bacterial collagenase in the second group. Results: We determined that the healing in terms of the width and depth of the wound in the first week and in depth of wound in the second week was better in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.040, P = 0.020, P = 0.048, respectively). The duration of wound healing was 21.9 ± 1.3 days in group 1, and 28.1 ± 1.3 days in group 2 (P = 0.0001). The recurrence rate in the intergluteal area, which heals by granulation and has no hair follicles, tends to decrease when a partial closure is obtained. Conclusion: We therefore recommend an excision, marsupialization, and dressing with bacterial collagenase, in cases with noncomplicated SPSD.

Looking at trauma and deaths: Diyarbakır city in Turkey

There were 329 trauma related deaths in Diyarbakir in 1997. Of these 226 were male (69%) and 103 were female (31%). The median age was 20 years old (range 1-82 years). Of the deaths, 30.5% were under 10, 51% were under 20 and 67% were under 30 years old. Two hundred and eleven deaths occurred in the hospital while 118 deaths occurred prehospital. Seventy-seven percent of hospital deaths (191) occurred in the first day. The most common cause of death was multiple injuries (151, 46%). Head injuries were the main reason for 128 deaths (46%). The most common mechanism of death was motor vehicle accident (131, 40%). The second was falls from a residential building (117, 33.7%).

The Prevalence and the Characteristics of Tuberculosis Patients Undergoing Chronic Dialysis Treatment: Experience of a Dialysis Center in Southeast Turkey

Tuberculosis remains a significant health problem for patients receiving chronic dialysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of tuberculosis among patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) undergoing chronic hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Between 1999 and 2006, we diagnosed 21 active tuberculosis patients among a total of 674-dialysis patient in our dialysis center (582 patients on hemodialysis and 92 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis program). Fourteen patients developed extrapulmonary tuberculosis (generally tuberculous lymphadenitis, n = 8) and seven patients developed pulmonary tuberculosis. All patients who developed tuberculosis after starting dialysis had low creatinine clearances and, in general, anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Three of patients greater than 40 years died. In conclusion, tuberculous lymphadenitis was the most frequent form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in our dialysis population. If no cause is found despite extensive investigations in an end stage renal failure case with fever, loss of weight, and/or atypical lymphadenopathy, the physician should consider the possibility of tuberculosis. Finally, it was considered that ESRF is associated with depressed immune system and elevated risk of tuberculosis; thus, in this population, clinicians must evaluate patients carefully.

The Evaluation of Postdialysis L-Carnitine Administration and Its Effect on Weekly Requiring Doses of rHuEPO in Hemodialysis Patients

Background. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the effect of postdialysis administration of parenteral l-carnitine supplementations on hematological parameters and also on weekly requiring dose of the recombinant human erythropoietine (rHuEPO) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Material and Methods. The stable 34 patients (17 male, 17 female) were enrolled in the study who were on rHuEPO therapy and a regular maintenance HD program at 5 h, three times a week with bicarbonate dialysate and with biocompatible membranes in HD Center of Medical Faculty Hospital in University of Dicle. rHuEPO was administered subcutanously at 80–120 U/kg/week. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, rHuEPO therapy (n = 17) and Group 2, rHuEPO therapy +l-carnitine (n = 17). l-carnitine (l-carnitine ampul, Santa Farma) 1 g was injected postdialysis intravenously via venous route of the dialytic set, three times a week. The patients hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), serum iron (Fe+ 2), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation index (TSI), and serum ferritin (Fer) levels were followed during the 16-week period. The weekly requiring doses of rHuEPO and hematological parameters of patients were recorded at the beginning of the study, at 8 weeks, and at 16 weeks of the study period. Results. In group 1 (n = 17, 13 female, four male), the mean age was 38.8 ± 12.1 years, mean period time on HD therapy was 18.1 ± 14.9 months, and mean Kt/V value was 1.48 ± 0.28. In group 2 (n = 17, 13 male, four female), the mean age was 48.1 ± 15.4 years, mean period time on HD therapy was 34.4 ± 23.0 months, and mean Kt/V value was 1.29 ± 0.20. The hematological parameters of the groups were found as follows: in group 1, Hgb: 7.9–10.8 g/dl, Hct: 25.3–32.5%; in group 2, Hgb: 10.2–11.8 g/dl, Hct: 30.6–35.4%, respectively (p< 0.05). The target Hgb/Hct values were achieved at the end of the study in both groups. Both groups were the same according to their serum Fe+ 2 markers (p > 0.05). But unlike serum Fe+ 2 markers, there were significant differences on weekly requiring doses of rHuEPO therapy between groups. While in group 1, the mean weekly requiring dose of rHuEPO was 6529 U/week (120 U/kg/week) at the beginning of the study, and maintenance weekly requiring dose of rHuEPO was 3588 U/week (66 U/kg/week) at the end of the study, in group 2, they were 4882 U/week (80 U/kg/week), and 1705 U/week (28 U/kg/week), respectively. According to these values, the total reduction in weekly requiring dose of rHuEPO was 45% in group 1, and 65% in group 2; the net gain was 20% in group 2 (p< 0.05). Conclusions. If other factors related to anemia are excluded, the postdialysis parenteral l-carnitine therapy can be considered in selected stable patients, which may improve anemia and may reduce the weekly requiring dose of the rHuEPO and also be cost-effective.

Comparison of the effects of N-acetyl cysteine and erdosteine in rats with renal injury caused by paracetamol intoxication

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic and preventive effects of N-acetyl cysteine and erdosteine on renal injury associated with paracetamol (acetaminophen) intoxication. Materials and methods: Female albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control; paracetamol (1 g/kg, oral); paracetamol (1 g/kg, oral) + erdosteine (150 mg/kg/day, oral); paracetamol (1 g/kg, oral) + N-acetyl cysteine (140 mg/kg bolus, followed by 70 mg/kg, oral); N-acetyl cysteine control (140 mg/kg bolus, followed by 70 mg/kg, oral); and erdosteine control (150 mg/kg/day, oral). Potential renal injury was assessed using biochemical analyses, radionuclide imaging, and histopathological parameters. Results: In the paracetamol group, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were significantly increased compared with controls. Histopathological examination showed tubular vacuolization, tubular necrosis, and remarkable interstitial inflammation. The excretion function was observed to be insufficient on radionuclide imaging. However, in the groups treated with erdosteine or N-acetyl cysteine after paracetamol, biochemical analyses, radionuclide imaging, and histopathological parameters showed significantly less evidence of renal toxicity than that observed in the group receiving paracetamol alone. Less renal toxicity was detected in rats receiving N-acetyl cysteine than in those receiving erdosteine. Conclusion: Renal injury may develop after paracetamol overdose. Erdosteine and N-acetyl cysteine are both effective in the prevention of renal injury when given in the early phase of paracetamol nephrotoxicity. N-acetyl cysteine is more protective than erdosteine.

N-Acetyl cysteine and erdosteine treatment in acetaminophen-induced liver damage

Objective: This study is aimed to investigate the efficacy of erdosteine usage in acetaminophen-induced liver damage and to compare it with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in the treatment and prevention of liver toxicity due to overdose of acetaminophen. Methods: The rats were separated into the following six groups of seven rats each: control group; acetaminophen (1 g/kg, orally); acetaminophen (1 g/kg, orally) + erdosteine (150 mg/kg/day, orally); acetaminophen (1 g/kg, orally) + NAC (140 mg/kg loading dose, followed by 70 mg/kg, orally); NAC (140 mg/kg loading dose, followed by 70 mg/kg, orally); erdosteine (150 mg/kg/kg, orally), subsequently. In all the groups, potential liver injuries were evaluated using biochemical and hematological analyses, oxidant–antioxidant parameters and histopathological parameters. Results: In acetaminophen-treated group, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total oxidant status (TOS) in the blood, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) were significantly increased when compared with controls. However, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased in group treated with acetaminophen, when compared with control group. Levels of AST, ALT and TOS, PT and INR were decreased in groups treated with NAC and erdosteine after acetaminophen administration, but the levels of TAC and GSH were increased. Histopathological improvements were observed in the groups treated with NAC and erdosteine after acetaminophen administration. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that, in the prevention of liver damage induced by acetaminophen intoxication, an early treatment with a single dose of erdosteine was beneficial instead of NAC administration.

Naproxen-induced fixed drug eruption: a case report.

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used for symptomatic relief of arthritis and other painful disorders, such as dysmenorrheal. Pruritus is the most common side effect of naproxen. Fixed drug eruption (FDE) due to naproxen is a rarely reported side-effect. No previous report has declared cross-reactivity between naproxen and other propionic acid derivatives. A 28-year-old man, presented with edematous and erythematous patchy lesion along with pruritus and inflammation on lip, have been suffering since 3 hours. It started after taking naproxen 550 mg for headache. On detailed inquiry, he defined similar symptom which recurred after whenever he took naproxen. Based on clinical and histopathological findings, it is evaluated as naproxen-induced FDE. We have tested cross-reactivity between naproxen and other propionic acid derivatives, and then we obtained negative result for oral provocation test with flurbiprofen. Here, we present a case of naproxen-induced FDE of 28-year-old man, by overviewing literatures.

Carbon monoxide poisoning cases presenting with non-specific symptoms:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless and odourless gas appearing as a result of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. Many domestic or occupational poisonings are caused by CO exposure. Malfunctioning heating systems, improperly ventilated motor vehicles, generators, grills, stoves and residential fires may be listed in the common sources of CO exposure. The aim of this study was to emphasize the significance of early diagnosis of CO poisoning with non-invasive measurement of CO levels of the patients with non-specific symptoms using a pulse oximeter device in the triage. Our study was a cross-sectional study. Patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) due to non-specific symptoms and had a Canadian Triage and Acuity scale level of 4 or 5 were included in the study; 106 (5.9%) of 1788 patients admitted during the study period were diagnosed with CO poisoning. Patients with CO poisoning and the other patients had statistically significant differences in terms of presenting symptoms, namely, headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. More CO poisoning cases were admitted in the fall and winter compared to the spring and summer. The number of CO poisoning victims can be decreased if preventive measures like CO monitoring systems and well-designed ventilation systems are generalized at homes and workplaces. Measurement of carboxyhaemoglobin levels of patients presenting to ED due to non-specific symptoms like headache and dizziness during cold seasons and winter months using a pulse CO-oximeter should be a part of the routine of emergency medicine triage.