Tayyar Sasmaz

Unexpectedly low prevalence and unusual characteristics of RLS in Mersin, Turkey

Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical presentation of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a Turkish population. Methods: A face-to-face, population-based epidemiologic survey was conducted. Multistep, stratified, cluster, and systematic samplings were used. A total of 3,234 adults were interviewed. Results: Of the 3,234 participants, 103 (3.19%) experienced RLS. This prevalence rate is lower than those of other epidemiologic studies conducted among European and North American populations. RLS was found to be more common among women, cigarette smokers, and individuals residing in high altitudes. The self-reported mental and general health status of patients was worse than in the control subjects. The prevalence of RLS did not differ by age or body mass index. Conclusion: The discrepancy in RLS prevalence studies (including the authors’) suggests that prevalence varies among different races, thus supporting a genetic predisposition.

Prevalence of essential tremor Door-to-door neurologic exams in Mersin Province, Turkey

Estimates of the prevalence of essential tremor (ET) are probably low because screening questionnaires have been used. The authors estimated the prevalence of ET in Mersin Province, Turkey, in 2,253 individuals aged ≥40 years, all of whom were examined by study neurologists. There were 89 ET cases (prevalence = 4.0%, 95% CI = 3.2 to 4.8%). The prevalence of ET may be higher than previously estimated. This is important when defining the extent of the health care problem.

The sensitivity and specificity of the case definition criteria in diagnosis of headache: a school-based epidemiological study of 5562 children in Mersin.

The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of recurrent headaches in schoolchildren (ranging from 2nd to 5th degrees) in Mersin city of Turkey and to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and positive likelihood ratio of the diagnostic headache characteristics in children with migraine and Tension Type Headache (TTH) using neurologists diagnosis as the gold standard. The stratified sample of study was composed of 5562 children. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 49.2% (2739 of 5562) and the prevalence of current headache was 31.3% (859 of 2739). TTH was more common than migraine (24.7% vs. 10.4%). The most sensitive headache characteristic for migraine was ‘severity of pain’ and the most sensitive definitive symptom is ‘duration of headache’ in children with TTH. IHS-based symptom definition criteria are highly beneficial in diagnosis of childhood headache, if used together with detailed clinical assessment.

Prevalence and factors affecting headache in Turkish schoolchildren.

Abstract Background : Headache is a public health problem affecting life quality negatively. The present cross‐sectional, selective (2nd–5th grades) study was conducted to determine the prevalence of recurrent headache in schoolchildren in Mersin, a city of Turkey.

The prevalence of pediculosis capitis in schoolchildren in Mersin, Turkey

Background  Pediculosis capitis is an endemic parasitosis affecting many countries of the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of head lice infestation in Mersin, Turkey.

The Sensitivity and Specificity of the Case Definition Criteria in Mersin

The objectives of the present study were: (i) to estimate the prevalence of recurrent headaches in schoolchildren (ranging from 2nd to 5th degrees) in Mersin city of Turkey; (ii) to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and positive likelihood ratio of the diagnostic headache characteristics in children with migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) using neurologists diagnosis as the gold standard. The stratified sample of study was composed of 5562 children. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 49.2% (2739 of 5562) and the prevalence of current headache was 31.3% (859 of 2739). TTH was more common than migraine (24.7% vs. 10.4%). The most sensitive headache characteristic for migraine was ‘severity of pain’ and the most sensitive definitive symptom was ‘duration of headache’ in children with TTH. International Headache Society-based symptom definition criteria are highly beneficial in diagnosis of childhood headache, if used together with detailed clinical assessment.

Epidemiological-based childhood headache natural history study: After an interval of six years

Headache is a common problem among adolescents, and variations can be observed in headache types and characteristics. The present study aimed to reach 5562 Turkish children who were investigated six years previously in a school-based childhood headache project, and to evaluate their current headache status. Investigators interviewed the available students with structured questionnaires. New and old data were matched and analyzed. The present study included 1155 adolescents (mean age 15.2 ± 1.1 years), with 582 boys (50.4%) and 573 girls (49.6%). The prevalence of headache was 78.7% (tension-type headache [TTH] 57.5%, migraine 18.6%, unspecified 2.6%). The prevalence of headache was 45.2% six years previously. In the intervening six years, headache prevalence increased and the headache types changed significantly (Kappa: 0.04, p < .01). The most important variation during this time was the significant increase in TTH. Analgesic use was determined in 70.2% of adolescents with headache, with this ratio being higher in migraineurs. In conclusion, there were an increase in headache prevalence and a significant change in headache types over the previous six years. It can also be suggested that new country-based management strategies are required.

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.

Awareness of emergency contraception among university students in Mersin, Turkey

Aim:  The aim of this study is to determine the degree of knowledge, behavior and attitude of university students in Mersin towards emergency contraception (EC).

The sociodemographic factors related with the adolescent pregnancy

Abstract Objective The adolescent pregnancy is one of the most important problems in the 21st century. The adolescent pregnancies pose more health risks to both mothers and babies when compared with the adult pregnancies. Of all the births in the world, 11% are given by the adolescents. The aim of the study was to determine the sociodemographic factors concerning with the adolescent pregnancy. Methods This study was conducted at 18 primary health care centers in Mersin, Turkey. The adolescent group was comprised of pregnant women younger than 19 years, the adult group was comprised of pregnants aged between 20–29 years. The questionnaire was conducted with face-to-face interviews. Results Respondents included 107 pregnant adolescents and 110 pregnant adults. The median age of adolescent group and adult group was 18 and 26 years, respectively. About 61.7% of the pregnant adolescents and 94.5% of the pregnant adults were officially married. In the adolescent group, the family frequency without social security was more than that in the adult group. In the adult group, the frequency of opposing the adolescent pregnancy for their families was more than that in the adolescent group. The adolescent pregnancy among sisters and friends of the adolescent pregnants was more frequent compared with that in the adult group. Conclusions The family frequency without social security was more in the adolescent group. This situation is certain to cause more problems for the adolescents in benefiting from the health care services. We are absolutely think that efforts should be made so as to improve the society in terms of social and cultural aspects.