Yasin Etli

The effect of altitude and climate on the suicide rates in Turkey

Suicide is one of the most important public health problems. There was an association between suicide and several factors such as psychiatric diseases and psychological characteristics, somatic illness, cultural, socioeconomic, familial, occupational and individual risk factors. Also, high altitude and climatic factors including high temperature, cloudiness, more sunshine and low rainfalls were defined as some of these risk factors in the literature. In this study, we aimed to investigate correlation between suicide rates and altitudes of all cities in Turkey and between suicide rates and climatic factors including Rainfall Activity Index, Winter Mean Temperatures, Summer Mean Temperatures and Temperature Difference between January and July previously defined by several authors in the broad series in Turkey. In Turkey, 29865 suicidal deaths occurred in 10 years period between 2006 and 2015. Of them, 21020 (70.4%) were males and 8845 (29.6%) were females. In this study, we found that high altitude above 1500 m, winter median temperature lower than -10 °C and hard temperature changes above 25 °C between winter and summer of settlements were important factors that affected on female suicide rates appropriate to knowledge which defined in previous studies. In conclusion, we suggested that the associations among suicide rates with altitudes and climate should be studied in wider series obtained from different countries for reaching more reliable results.

Hypothermia Deaths in Van Province (Turkey)

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate autopsy findings in hypothermia-related deaths in Van Province (Turkey), the city which is near the Turkey-Iran border. Methods: Autopsy reports of 43 hypothermia fatalities were retrospectively reviewed. Data about age, gender, nationality of cases, seasonality of deaths, crime scene findings, autopsy findings, manner of deaths, risk factors for hypothermia, other traumatic lesions and toxicology were obtained from autopsy records and scene investigation records. Results: There were 36 males and 7 females. The mean age was 20.5. More than half of the cases died or were found dead in the spring months. All but one of the cases was found dead outdoors. There were common red colored livor mortis in 33 cases (76.7%), antemortem traumas in 16 cases (37.2%), cold erythema in 26 cases (60.5%), myxedema in one case, bloody discoloration in the synovial fluid in 11 (84.6%) cases, Wischnewski spots in 32 cases (74.4%). Conclusion: Illegal refugees are an important social problem in Turkey. Hypothermia should be considered as a cause of death for refugees when they are found especially in the cold provinces. In the diagnosis of hypothermia bloody discoloration of the synovial fluid is confirmed to be a valuable finding. Wischnewski spots remain valuable for positive identification.

The evaluation of relationship between disability rates and age and gender

Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (WHO) tarafından eksiklik, “psikolojik, fizyolojik veya anatomik bir yapı veya fonksiyonun kaybı ya da anormalliği”; maluliyet ise, “bu eksiklik ile ilişkili olarak ortaya çıkan bir sakatlık, herhangi bir kısıtlama ya da bir şekilde bir insan için normal sayılan ölçüler dâhilinde bir faaliyet gerçekleştirme yeteneği olmaması hali” olarak tanımlanmıştır (1). Akkurt, vücudun veya ÖZET

The effects of gender and age on forensic personal identification from frontal sinus in a Turkish population.

Objectives: To define the dimensions of the frontal sinus in groups standardized for age and gender and to discuss the reasons and the effects of the variations. Methods: Frontal sinus measurements were obtained from paranasal CT scans of 180 males and 180 females in the Radiology Department of Dursun Odabas Medical Center of Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, which is located in Eastern Turkey, between February and March 2016. The width and height of sinuses were measured on a coronal plane, and the anteroposterior length was measured on an axial plane. Volumes were calculated using the Hospital Information Management Systems and Image Archiving and Management System program. The Statistical Package of the Social Science version 13 was used for statistical analyses. Results: We determined differences in the frontal sinus measurements of different age groups in a Turkish adult population. Frontal sinus dimensions were usually higher in females and lower in males after 40-49 years of age than their younger counterparts, but the measurements were lower in females and higher in males in 70≤ years of age group than 60-69 years of age. Left frontal sinus was dominant in young age groups but right frontal sinus was dominant in groups 40-49 years of age or older. Conclusion: We observed crossing of the measurements between the different age groups, which we could not find clear explanations. The results of such studies may affect forensic identification from frontal sinus measurements.

Medical Malpractice in Mass Circumcision Activity Two Cases

It is estimated that one sixth of worldwide male population have been circumcised due to religious, cultural or medical causes. It is reported that the complication rate of circumcision ranges are between 0.2% and 5%. In this study, clinical picture which developed in two cases following circumcisions during the same mass circumcision activity which was applied in the same hospital, at the same time and by the same doctor, was evaluated. At the same time, medico-legal process was debated for these cases after comparison with literature knowledge. In conclusion, we suggested that mass circumcision activities should be avoided as much as possible. Even if, in cases where mass circumcision is inevitable due to socio-economic circumstances like seen in our country, the procedures for illuminating families should not be ignored, circumcision activities should be applied by competent and adequate number of medical professionals, in conditions suitable for asepsis-antisepsis guidelines, in accordance with scientific principles and applicable legislation. Thus, complication rate will reduce and claims of medical malpractice will be prevented.