S. Erhan Deveci

Epidemiological features of irritable bowel syndrome in a Turkish urban society.

Background and Aim:  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a widespread functional bowel disorder and its prevalence in Western societies ranges from 3‐20%. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of IBS in eastern Turkey, particularly in urban parts of Elazig where 250 000 people live.

Prevalence and Consultation Behavior of Self-Reported Rectal Bleeding by Face-to-Face Interview in an Asian Community

Background and Aim: Although rectal bleeding is a common gastrointestinal symptom, there are very few community-based studies, and all of these studies were conducted in the West. So far the epidemiologic characteristics of rectal bleeding have not been defined in an Asian country. We aimed to characterize self-reported rectal bleeding and its association with functional bowel disorders in Turkey. Factors affecting healthcare-seeking behavior were reviewed as well. Subjects and Methods: In this study, 760 subjects were chosen randomly. Questionnaires were completed by nurses during face-to-face interviews with each participant. Results: Of the 707 (93%) subjects included in this study, 9.5% had functional dyspepsia, 8.6% had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), 24.5% had functional constipation, and 13.8% had functional abdominal bloating. The prevalence of rectal bleeding in the previous year was 14.7%. The recent onset of rectal bleeding was 2.7%. Rectal bleeding was more common among subjects younger than 45 years. Subjects who had functional constipation or constipation-dominant IBS reported rectal bleeding more frequently than others. The rate of consultation was only 41.3% among the subjects with rectal bleeding. Subjects aged ≧45 years and who had marked bleeding or bleeding more than twice a day or fear of cancer sought healthcare more frequently than others. Conclusion: Rectal bleeding is as common a symptom in Turkey as in Western countries. Advanced age and fear of cancer were independent predictors of consultation behavior in this group.

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Elazig, Eastern Turkey

BACKGROUND To investigate the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the urban and rural areas of the Elazig Region of Turkey. METHODS A questionnaire was conducted and spirometric measurements were made, based on the BOLD protocol. A total of 1270 individuals, over 18 years of age, were included in the study, comprising 610 individuals from the city center and 660 from the rural area. The questionnaire included demographics, symptoms and possible risk factors. The description and staging of COPD were in accordance with GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease). RESULTS Of the 1270 cases, 1206 (94.9%) were able to complete the questionnaire and undergo spirometric analysis. Of these 1206 cases, 1188 (98.5%) were used in the final assessment; the remainder were excluded due to errors in the spirometric analysis. Of the cases included in the study, 43.2% (25.9% female; 56.7% male) were current smokers. The prevalence of COPD at ≥ 18 years old was 4.5% (female 2.5%; male 6%); the prevalence at ≥ 45 years old was 11.5% (female 5.9%; male 15.1%). The majority of the COPD cases were at stages I and II (22.6% and 66%, respectively). The prevalence of COPD was higher among current and former smokers (5.8%) than non-smokers (2.8%). In general, the risk factors for COPD were found to be age, male gender, smoking, living in a rural area, and low income. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of COPD in Elazig, Turkey was highest among the elderly and smokers, and constituted primarily stages I and II of the disease.

Opinions of high school students in central Elazig about elderliness

Methods Students attending five different types of high schools in central Elazig (a city in Turkey) during the 2009–2010 school year constitute the study population. One class was randomly selected from each high school. Out of 650 students, 640 participated in the study. The data were evaluated by using the SPSS program; percentage, mean, and chi-square analyses were used. Findings Of all the students, 41.7% defined the elderly as those who are 60 years of age or older. When asked the question “What does elderliness mean to you?”, the majority of the students, 27.2%, responded “peace and resting”. The second most common answer, given by 23.6% of students, was “sickness/tiredness”; 16.6% responded “wisdom/experience”. Many students (30.3%) stated that the most difficult thing about living with the elderly was their interference in everything; 30.6% of students stated that there was no difficulty at all. According to 42.7% of the students, the greatest problem that the elderly face is health. Of all of the students, 58.3% stated that they feared growing old. Conclusion Our study has concluded the following: 1) High school students have a conventional perception of elderliness and 2) They embrace the elderly and think that perspectives on elderliness will change through education.