Oya Itil

The effects of body fat distribution on pulmonary function tests in the overweight and obese.

Objectives: To determine the predominant pulmonary function abnormality in overweight and moderately obese subjects and to evaluate the correlation between the severity of lung function impairment and the degree of obesity. Methods: Fifty-three volunteers underwent physical examination, skin fold measurements, and standardized pulmonary function tests. Thirty-one women and 22 men with a mean age of 40.2 (18–66) years were studied. Results: The reduction in functional residual capacity (FRC) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV) were the most common abnormalities in overweight and obese subjects. The reduction in static lung volume was correlated with the degree of obesity in women and men. Stepwise multiple regression coefficients were obtained separately for women and men. Subscapular skinfold was the best predictor in women for FRC and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and BMI were found the best for ERV. WHR was found predictive for forced vital capacity, total lung capacity, and FRC in men. Conclusions: The lung volumes are substantially affected in our overweight and obese subjects. This influence is focused on different parameters of respiratory functions in men and women in relation to body fat distribution.

Prevalence of insomnia and its clinical correlates in a general population in Turkey.

The prevalence of insomnia is influenced by environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of insomnia and its sociodemographic and clinical correlates in a general population‐based survey in Turkey.

Fungi and indoor conditions in asthma patients

This study was carried out with 127 asthmatic patients and 127 controls, which aimed to compare and evaluate the environmental conditions in the homes of asthmatic patients and the control group. Air samples were obtained by using an air sampler and the mean mould colony counts were established. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most common isolated species. No significant difference was observed with regard to various house conditions and the mean mould colony counts between the houses of patients and controls. The mould colony counts were found to be lower in houses with wooden parquet flooring. The odds ratio for stone floors vs. wood floors was 2.3 (95% CI 1.08–4.98) for mould growth.

Task-based learning programme for clinical years of medical education.

CONTEXT Task-based learning (TBL) is an educational strategy recommended for the later years of the medical education programme. The TBL programme was adopted for clinical years in the 2000-2001 academic year in Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine (DEUSM). OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to describe the TBL programme of DEUSM. METHODS DEUSM outlined 50 clinical tasks for fourth-year students and 37 for fifth-year students. The tasks were grouped into four and five blocks. Interdisciplinary practicals, lectures and patient visits were organised in each tasks schedule. The tasks were the focus of learning and each discipline contributed its own learning opportunities to the attached tasks. Formative and summative methods were used to evaluate the programme. CONCLUSION Based on the experience and feedback provided by the students and trainers, the authors considered TBL an applicable and advisable approach for the clinical years of medical education.

A prospective, multicentre clinical trial comparing cisplatin plus gemcitabine with cisplatin plus etoposide in patients with locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective:  Cisplatin‐gemcitabine (PG) and cisplatin‐etoposide (PE) combinations are active regimens for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study aimed to compare PG with PE in the treatment of patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLC.

Tl-201 uptake in bone and soft tissue involvement of sarcoidosis.

The authors describe a 38-year-old man who was referred to the nuclear medicine department because of pain and swelling of his fingers in both hands. Tc-99m MDP and Tl-201 scans were performed to evaluate the lesions. A Tc-99m MDP bone scan showed hyperemia and increased uptake in the lesions. A Tl-201 scan showed marked uptake in both early and delayed images in the lesions of his fingers. Bone biopsy and histologic examination confirmed sarcoidosis. This case indicates that Tl-201 uptake can be seen in bone lesions resulting from sarcoidosis.

Airway and sleep disorders in patients with acromegaly

Acromegaly is a multisystemic disorder caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH). Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) such as sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) may occur in acromegaly. The aim of study was to assess the presence of sleep disorders and evaluate the systemic complications on respiratory, cardiovascular, and upper airway systems in acromegalic patients.

Absenteeism and Delay to Work Due to Sleep Disorders in the Turkish Adult Population: A Questionnaire-Based National Survey

Sleep problems may have negative effects on work–life balance, overall health, and safety. We aimed to investigate the association between sleep disorders and absenteeism and delay to work (being late or tardy) among the working adult population. The study was conducted by using data from a large survey of working adults who participated in the Turkish Adult Population Epidemiology of Sleep Study (TAPES) managed by Turkish Sleep Medicine Society (TSMS). Secondary analyses was employed to examine absenteeism and delay to work and their associations with sleep problems, including sleepiness by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), parasomnias, sleep apnea (by Berlin Questionnaire), sleep quality (by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and restless leg. History of any absenteeism and delay to work was observed in 276 (18%) and 443 (29%) out of 1,533 working adults, respectively. In the multivariate analyses, absenteeism was associated with younger age, female gender and poor sleep quality, while delay to work was associated with younger age, poor sleep quality, parasomnia, and sleepiness. In the presence of absenteeism and delay to work, sleep disorders including sleepiness, poor sleep quality, and parasomnia should be considered. Such evaluation may improve worker well-being and provide some additional benefits in terms of increasing productivity and lowering work-related costs.