Tacettin Inandi

Increased carotid artery intima‐media thickness and impaired endothelial function in psoriasis

Background  Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. This study compared subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid and brachial arteries in psoriasis vulgaris patients and healthy controls using high‐resolution ultrasonography.

Validation of the Turkish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale among women within their first postpartum year

Abstract.Background:The aim of the study was to find out the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and to determine the optimum cut-off value for postnatal depression.Method:Validation of the Turkish version of the EPDS was conducted on a sample of 341 women who were within their first postpartum year. Structured Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders was used as the gold standard test, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate test performance of the EPDS.Results:The study of sensitivity, specificity and predictive values versus SCID-I indicated a cut-off score of 12.5 as the best (sensitivity: 75.5, specificity: 71.5). Positive predictive value was 30.3% and negative predictive value was 94.5%. Cronbach’s alpha value was calculated as 0.72.Conclusions:It was concluded that: (1) values for the validity were respectable, but not excellent; (2) the scale needs to be improved for use in the Turkish population; and (3) the high prevalence of postnatal depression found in this study may be a function of the low validity of the test.

Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome in Housewives Due to a Bleach–Hydrochloric Acid Mixture

The sudden onset of asthmalike symptoms and persistence of airway reactivity following an acute exposure to an irritant gas or vapor has been termed reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). A mixture of sodium hypochlorite (bleach, 40%) and hydrochloric acid (18%) is commonly used as a household cleaning solution in our region. From this mixture, chlorine gas is produced, which can cause airway damage and ensuing RADS. Here we describe findings of patients with RADS due to this cleaning mixture, and determine factors associated with a favorable outcome. Data were collected retrospectively on 55 symptomatic patients presenting to our emergency department after inhalation exposure to a mixture of bleach and hydrochloric acid. Symptoms, past medical and smoking history, details of the exposure, initial peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and oxygenation, and acute reversibility of airways obstruction were documented. All patients met previously defined criteria for the diagnosis of RADS, but did not undergo methacholine challenge testing and bronchoalveolar lavage or histopathologic study. Fifty patients were followed over the course of 3 mo. The majority of exposures (64%) occurred in the bathroom or kitchen. Only 21 of 55 (38%) patients showed an improvement in PEFR of 15% or greater following two β2-agonist inhalation treatments. In follow-up, 48 patients (87%) improved clinically and functionally (FEV1). Seven patients (13%) deteriorated, with ARDS developing in two, one of whom died from respiratory failure. Advanced age, initial low PEFR, exposure in a small enclosed area, use immediately after mixing, and prolonged short- and long-term exposures were associated with a poorer prognosis. This descriptive study is the largest case series in the literature of RADS developing after exposure to a bleach–hydrochloric acid mixture. The optimum acute treatment and long-term outcomes for patients with RADS due to this combination still need to be determined.

Depression and Associated Factors Among Women Within Their First Postnatal Year in Erzurum Province in Eastern Turkey

AbSTRACT Objectives: The aims of the study were to identify associated factors with depression, to estimate prevalence of depression among women in the postnatal first year in Eastern Turkey, and to compare the results with those obtained from western societies. Methods: We randomly selected 728 women in their postnatal first year. The data were collected in 2003 by using a structured questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results: The percentage of the women who had scores ≥ 13 was 34.6%. Having an unemployed husband, premenstrual symptoms, lack of husbands support, any stressful life event during the pregnancy, infant with a health problem, a temperamentally difficult child, and history of psychiatric condition were found to be associated factors with depression in women in this region. Conclusion: The percentage of women with high scores in Eastern Turkey was higher than the reported prevalence in many western countries, and significant relations were identified between depression and social factors.

Effects of diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver on portal vein flow hemodynamics

To investigate the effects of various degrees of diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver on portal vein blood flow with Doppler sonography.

The Effect of Nebulized NaHCO3 Treatment on "RADS" Due to Chlorine Gas Inhalation

Chlorine is one of the most common substances involved in toxic inhalation. As with all irritant gases, the airway injuries caused by chlorine gas may result in clinical manifestations similar to those of asthma. In this study, we investigated the effect of nebulized sodium bicarbonate (NSB) on the treatment and quality of life (QoL) of victims exposed to chlorine gas. Forty-four consecutive patients with reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) due to chlorine inhalation (40 females and 4 males, age range 17–56 yr) were included in this study. Patients were placed in control and treatment groups in a sequential odd–even fashion based on their order of presentation. Treatment of all patients included corticosteroids and nebulized short-acting β2-agonists. Then the control group (n = 22) received nebulized placebo (NP), and the NSB group (n = 22) received NSB treatment (4 cm3 of 4.20% sodium bicarbonate solution). A quality of life (QoL) questionnaire and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed before and after treatments in both groups. The most common symptoms were dyspnea (82%) and chest tightness (82%). Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. Compared to the placebo group, the NSB group had significantly higher FEV1 values at 120 and 240 min (p < .05). Significantly more improvement in QoL questionnaire scores occurred in the NSB group compared to the NP group (p < .001). Thus, NSB is a clinically useful treatment, as tested by PFTs and QoL questionnaire, for patients with RADS caused by exposure to chlorine gas.

DLQI scores in patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars: a prospective case control study

Background: Keloids and hypertrophic scars (HTS) can cause functional impairment and psychosocial burdens, both of which affects quality of life (QoL). Our aim was to compare Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores in patients with keloids and HTS to those of psoriasis patients and normal controls.

Risk factors for depression in the first postnatal year: a Turkish study.

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to identify risk factors for depression and to estimate its prevalence in postnatal mothers.MethodsThis cross-sectional and multi-centre study was carried out on 1,350 Turkish women in their first postnatal year. Measures included a structured questionnaire and the Turkish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).ResultsOf the women, 31.1% had a score of 13 or higher on the EPDS. The mean score and standard deviation was 9.8±5.7. In the multivariate analysis, EPDS scores were significantly associated with economic status, access to support from family members and close friends, emotional distress at the pregnancy, whether the pregnancy was planned, health problems during pregnancy, the perceived standard of baby care after delivery, and mental disorder before and during pregnancy.ConclusionThe prevalence of EPDS-based depression among Turkish women in postnatal the period was high, and was associated with several social, economic and demographical factors.

Seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in children living in eastern Turkey.

Background : The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is higher in developing countries, with most infections occurring in childhood. Because the prevalence in eastern Turkey has not been previously reported, we carried out an investigation to detect the prevalence of H. pylori infection in a large city center in this region.

Validity and Reliability of a Turkish Version of the Body Shape Questionnaire Among Female High School Students: Preliminary Examination

The aim of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) among young people. The BSQ was initially administrated to female high school students (N = 665) and administered a second time to a subset of subjects (N = 144). The subjects also completed the Eating Attitudes Test, the Body Image Satisfaction Questionnaire (a dieting questionnaire) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90), and were weighed, and their body mass indices were calculated. Test-retest reliability of the BSQ was 0.81. The BSQ score correlated highly with the Eating Attitudes Test, Body Image Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Higher BSQ scores were also associated with higher body mass index. The results suggest that the Turkish version of BSQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing body image concerns in teenagers.