Neslihan Bozkurt

Pantoprazole-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are highly effective drugs for patients suffering from peptic ulcer and gastro-esophageal reflux diseases, but recent studies have indicated possible risks with the long-term use of PPIs, such as osteoporosis, fractures, increased risk of pneumonia, diarrhea, iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies. There are publications written as a case study that indicate thrombocytopenia as side effects of PPIs, but there is no study on this subject. This study aimed to investigate the development of thrombocytopenia in patients with short-term use of PPI-infusion therapy. In this study, the records of the patients were evaluated retrospectively, for the period between January 2012 and January 2013. Thirty-five patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were enrolled. Platelet counts were analyzed before treatment, and on the first, second and third day of treatment, respectively. All patients were treated with intravenous pantoprazole. Hemogram values of patients were analyzed before and after PPI infusion treatment. Platelet counts were found to decrease from the first day to the third day of treatment (249 714.29/µl, 197 314.29/µl, 193 941.18/µl, 183 500/µl, respectively). The platelet count decrease was statistically significant (p < 0.001). After cessation of infusion therapy, platelet counts began to rise on the fourth day. Three patients had severe thrombocytopenia on the third day of the treatment. (69 000/µl, 97 000/µl and 49 000/µl respectively). Platelet counts recovered after discontinuation of treatment. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PPIs may cause thrombocytopenia, and this result should not be ignored. In particular, patients with PPI infusion therapy should be monitored more closely.

Evaluation of Platelet Distribution Width and Mean Platelet Volume in Patients With Carotid Artery Stenosis

Platelets contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Platelet activation has been linked with increased mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW). We investigated the association between PDW, MPW, and the degree of carotid artery stenosis (CS). Patients (n = 229) were divided into 3 groups according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria. Demographic and clinical features were collected retrospectively. Correlation analysis showed a positive association between PDW and the degree of CS. However, there was no significant correlation between CS and MPV. Moreover, we observed that PDW and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were independent predictors of the degree of CS. This study showed that PDW, not MPV, is related to the degree of CS. Platelet distribution width could be a useful biomarker for CS. Whether targeting PDW will be of clinical benefit remains to be established.

Evaluation of Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

OBJECTIVE Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) affects the cardiovascular system, and epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Despite this, the association between EFT thickness and pHPT has not been studied in a clinical setting. This study aimed to assess EFT thickness in patients with pHPT. METHODS The study included 38 patients with pHPT and 40 healthy controls. EFT thickness, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), serum levels of parathormone (PTH) and calcium, and blood chemistry profiles were determined in all subjects. Correlation and regression analyses were performed with EFT thickness and CIMT as dependent variables and age; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; body mass index (BMI); presence of diabetes mellitus; and free plasma glucose (FPG), PTH, and serum calcium (Ca) levels as independent variables. RESULTS Both the mean EFT thickness and the mean CIMT were significantly greater in the pHPT group than the control group (P < .001 for both). Correlation analysis showed that EFT thickness was significantly correlated with CIMT, age, systolic blood pressure, and PTH and serum Ca levels. Furthermore, the regression analysis revealed that EFT thickness retained its independent and positive association with FPG and serum Ca levels. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that EFT thickness may be a useful marker of early atherosclerosis in patients with pHPT. Furthermore, the increase in EFT thickness appears to be due to hypercalcemia.

Primer Hiperparatiroidi Nedeniyle Opere Edilen Vakalarda Eşlik Eden Tiroid Patolojilerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Purpose: In this study we aimed to evaluate thyroid pathologies in patients with primaryhyperparathyroidism who underwent surgery for parathyroidectomy.Methods: Patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism betweenthe years of 2006-2012 were included in this retrospective study. Before and after surgery,hormonal and biochemical examinations of the patients and results of preoperative imagingstudies were recorded.Results: Of the patients included in the study, 86 were female and 12 were male. Preoperativemean serum calcium level was 12.25 ± 1.48 mg/dL (normal range 8.5-10.1 mg/dL), meanparathyroid hormone (PTH) level was 425.09 ± 440.47 pg/mL (normal range 11-65 pg/mL).The thyroid ultrasound records of 93 patients were available. Of these patients, 26 (28%) hadnormal ultrasound, 18 (19.4%) had solitary nodule, 43 (46.2%) had multinodular goiter and 4(4.3%) had thyroiditis (without nodule) and 2 (% 2.2) had solitary nodule with thyroiditis.Adenoma was detected by ultrasonography in 45.2 % of patients, and by scintigraphy in 72.7of patients. Parathyroidectomy and thyroidectomy were performed at the same time in 54 of 98patients (65.1%). Of these patients Seven (7.1%) had papillary thyroid cancer, 30 (30.6%) hadbenign multinodular goiter, 8 patients (8.2%) had benign solitary nodule, 2 patients (2%) hadlymphocytic thyroiditis, and 7 (7.1%) had normal thyroid tissue.Conclusion: Thyroid diseases are frequently encountered with primary hyperparathyroidism.Therefore, before performing parathyroidectomy with minimally invasive procedure, patientsmust be evaluated for thyroid disorders