Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Several studies have been conducted to determine handgrip strength cutoffs that can identify people living with frailty. However, the handgrip strength cutoff value, which can detect individuals living with frailty based on the Clinical Frailty Scale, has not been determined before. The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of handgrip strength to detect individuals living with frailty by using Clinical Frailty Scale as a reference scale. METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out by including patients who applied to the geriatric outpatient clinic of a university hospital. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed on all patients. Level 4 and above were considered as living with frailty according to Clinical Frailty Scale. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the handgrip strength cutoff values for predicting individuals living with frailty. RESULTS: The median age of 742 patients included in this study was 72.0 years (25p-75p: 68.0-77.0), of which 59.3% (n=440) were female and 49.3% (n=366) were living with frailty. The median Clinical Frailty Scale level was 3.0 (25p-75p: 3.0-4.0). According to the results of binary logistic regression analysis, age, sex, and handgrip strength displayed a statistically significant relationship with frailty (p<0001, p=0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). As a result of the receiver operating characteristic analysis performed to determine the handgrip strength cutoff values that predict frailty, cutoff values of 16 kg for females and 26.7 kg for males were identified. The area under the curve values for females and males were 0.679 (p<0.001) and 0.790 (p<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Handgrip strength can be used alone as a predictor to identify individuals living with frailty.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common virus of the reproductive tract, is linked to cervical cancer, and can be prevented by vaccination, which is most effective if the vaccine is administered before sexual activity begins. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional, and qualitative study was based on a survey containing 15 questions delivered to schools in three cities in the ABC region. Two schools from high-income neighborhoods and two from low-income neighborhoods were selected in each city based on real estate values. Data were expressed in absolute numbers and percentages and interpreted by descriptive analysis. The statistical tests of association were performed. RESULTS: Twelve schools were invited and nine agreed to participate. Of the 4,503 questionnaires delivered, 1,921 were completed by parents and guardians. The vaccination rate was 56.05% in private schools and 66.58% in public schools. Private vs. public school was not an independent factor for vaccination, but residing in a low-income neighborhood and city was a determinant factor. Approximately 40% of the parents/guardians reported not having their children vaccinated, primarily due to concerns about adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Despite being freely available and proven effective, the human papillomavirus vaccine remains underutilized. The reasons exposed in this paper may be useful in strategies to enhance vaccination coverage. Trial registration: This study was approved by the research ethics committee under the number 2.143.196.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: In women who are believed to have ovarian cancer but have a poor performance status or have advanced disease thought to be beyond the scope of primary cytoreductive surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be administered with acid cytology and/or tru-cut biopsy referral. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy, adequacy, safety, and reliability of these minimally invasive interventional procedures. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with a suspicion of ovarian cancer who reported to Bezmialem University Hospital between 2014 and 2021, underwent ultrasound-guided acid cytology and tru-cut biopsy, and also had postoperative final pathology results. RESULTS: On comparing acid cytology and tru-cut biopsy at the same time with the postoperative final pathology results, it was seen that the positive predictive value was 100% in all groups. It was revealed that the sensitivity of acid cytology was 64%, the specificity was 100%, the negative predictive value was 12%, and the accuracy of the test was 65%. The sensitivity of the tru-cut biopsy was 91%, the specificity was 100%, the negative predictive value was 42%, and the accuracy of the test was 92%. In the case of both procedures, the sensitivity was calculated as 93% and the accuracy of the test was calculated as 93%. There were no false-positive cytology and biopsy results. CONCLUSION: Due to its high reliability and accuracy, the combined application of these minimally invasive methods has the potential to routinely replace more invasive methods for adequate tumor sampling, such as diagnostic laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a communication and health education page on external cephalic version through the social media Instagram and, second, to assess the degree of patients’ prior understanding of the external cephalic version procedure. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 133 singleton pregnancies (until 41 weeks of gestation), for which an online questionnaire (Google Forms) was applied on the social media Instagram, with four sections. The questionnaire was applied between January 2022 and December 2023. Before the intervention (reading the content displayed on Instagram), sections 1, 2, and 3 were applied, and after reading, section 4. Pregnant women of any gestational age who received prenatal care at our service were included. Patients<14 years of age and those who could not read were excluded. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found after reading the content made available on Instagram, with a positive evolution after reading (p<0.001). Of this sample, 100% felt that knowledge about the external cephalic version should reach the major population of pregnant women, 131 (98.50%) opined that they would talk to other pregnant women about it, and 113 (84.96%) said that they would perform the procedure if they had indications for it. CONCLUSION: This study provided a comprehensive overview of pregnant women's knowledge about external cephalic version. Through the results obtained, it is possible to observe the evolution of pregnant women's knowledge about external cephalic version after reading the content available on Instagram. In addition, the pregnant women expressed a strong desire to share information about the external cephalic version with other pregnant women.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of body mass index on the diagnostic and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: A total of 446 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were divided into four groups according to their body mass index: normal weight (body mass index<25 kg/m2) (n=130), overweight (25≤body mass index<30 kg/m2) (n=166), obese (30≤body mass index<35 kg/m2) (n=112), and morbidly obese (body mass index≥35 kg/m2) (n=38). Perioperative findings were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The preoperative median parathormone level in the morbidly obese group (204 pg/mL, min:max 72:1,178) was significantly lower than that in the normal-weight (246 pg/mL, min:max 60:4,262) (p=0.026) and obese (251 pg/mL, min:max 74:2,094) (p=0.012) groups. The osteoporosis rate in the normal-weight group (51%) was higher than that in the overweight (35.4%) (p=0.041) and morbidly obese (25%) (p=0.023) groups. The symptomatic hypocalcemia rate in the normal-weight group (10.2%) was significantly higher than that in the obese group (1.8%) (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: Normal-weight patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have higher blood parathormone values, higher rates of osteoporosis, and postoperative symptomatic hypocalcemia compared to patients with higher body mass index. For this reason, the surgeon should consider the possibility of symptomatic hypocalcemia after undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism in normal-weight cases.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of music-supported acceptance and commitment therapy on perceived stress and pain levels in cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 79 cancer patients participated in this controlled, pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental study (experimental group: n=29; control group: n=50). The intervention group received eight sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy with music, while the control group received standard care. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale and the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory. RESULTS: The post-test Perceived Stress Scale scores of the experimental group were statistically significantly lower compared to the control group (26.17±3.52 vs. 28.88±5.73, p<0.05), indicating a reduction in perceived stress. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in pain severity scores between the groups (9.62±2.33 in the experimental group vs. 8.06±3.14 in the control group, p<0.05). The effect size for stress reduction was moderate (Cohen's d=-0.54). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that a music-supported acceptance and commitment therapy reduced perceived stress, pain severity, and pain interference in cancer patients. Nurses should actively involve non-pharmacological methods in pain and stress management planning in collaboration with patients and their families. They should create a therapeutic environment and take necessary measures to enable patients to benefit from non-pharmacological interventions.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of loneliness in the effect of women's social media addiction on aesthetic procedure behavior. METHODS: The study was carried out with a total of 1,166 women. The data were evaluated by correlation and SPSS PROCESS macro 4 regression analysis with the Introductory Information Form, Social Media Addiction Scale-Adult Form, Social Media and Changing Perception of Aesthetic Procedures in Society Scale, and Ruls-6 Loneliness Scale. RESULTS: When the mediating role of loneliness was examined in the effect of social media addiction on having aesthetic procedures, it was determined that both social media addiction (β=0.481) and loneliness (β=0.075) significantly positively affected the perception of having social media aesthetic procedures. A positive relationship was determined between Social Media Addiction Scale-Adult Form, Social Media and Changing Perception of Aesthetic Procedures in Society Scale total score, sub-factor mean scores, and Ruls-6 Loneliness total scores (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: It was found that loneliness had a low-level effect on the effect of social media addiction on aesthetic behavior.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of systemic inflammation response index, systemic immune-inflammation index, platelet/hemoglobin ratio, and other defined low-grade inflammatory indices in predicting preeclampsia. METHODS: The presented retrospective case-control study was conducted on 304 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and 240 low-risk pregnant women who gave birth between 2019 and 2021 in Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, a tertiary center. Patient information was obtained from the hospital database. Patients diagnosed with preeclampsia, along with possible predictive indices in the first trimester, were evaluated to predict the development of preeclampsia. The indices were neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, AST/platelet ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, platelet/hemoglobin ratio, creatinine/platelet ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index (neutrophil×platelet/lymphocyte), and systemic inflammation response index (neutrophil×monocyte/lymphocyte). These indices were calculated from the first-trimester routine blood test results and compared between preeclampsia and control groups. The indices were also evaluated for the predictive value regarding the severity and onset time of the disease. RESULTS: In the first trimester, hemoglobin counts were lower in the preeclampsia group, whereas creatinine and monocyte counts were higher. The platelet/hemoglobin count ratio was significantly higher in the preeclampsia group, with a p-value of 0.025. According to receiver operating characteristic analyses, a platelet/hemoglobin count ratio of 21.41 was identified as the optimal cut-off value for the disease prediction. CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammation response index and platelet/hemoglobin ratio were evaluated along with the other indices to predict preeclampsia. The platelet/hemoglobin ratio was found to be higher in the preeclampsia group in the first trimester, making it a promising index for preeclampsia prediction.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Pelvic inflammatory disease is one of the most common gynecological diseases, and 15% of cases are accompanied by tubal-ovarian abscesses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of abscess mass size, serum procalcitonin, and other biochemical markers in patients with tubo-ovarian abscesses in predicting surgical intervention. METHODS: This case–control study included 113 women who were diagnosed with tubo-ovarian abscess, hospitalized, and started on antibiotic treatment. Demographic characteristics, biochemical markers, ultrasound findings, and length of hospital stay were recorded during medical treatment. RESULT: In terms of demographic characteristics, there was no significant difference between cases requiring complete recovery with medical treatment and cases requiring surgery for complete recovery. While serum cancer antigen 125 level was not statistically significant, there was a significant difference among biochemical markers: serum white blood cell level (18,007.0±6,406.3; p=0.001), C-reactive protein level (261.2±122.2; p<0.001), procalcitonin level (0.88±0.46; p<0.001), and abscess mass size (6.1±1.2; p<0.001) in cases that required surgery for full recovery. The highest sensitivity variable predicting surgical intervention in tubo-ovarian abscess patients was abscess mass size (cut-off value>5.25 cm and area under the curve 0.768) with a sensitivity of 72.2%. The second highest sensitivity variant, procalcitonin (cut-off value>0.635 ng/mL and area under the curve 0.756), showed a sensitivity of 70.4%. CONCLUSION: Although procalcitonin provides information about the severity of the disease in patients with tubo-ovarian abscesses, evaluation of the abscess mass size along with its size was useful in deciding surgical intervention.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the early detection and treatment of cardiac dysfunction on overall survival in cancer patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 60 cancer patients with concurrent cardiac dysfunction, admitted between January 2020 and November 2022. Patients were divided into an early treatment group (n=35), where treatment began within 24 h of diagnosis, and a late treatment group (n=25), where treatment started after 24 h. The clinical efficacy, early diastolic filling velocity, fractional shortening, left ventricular ejection fraction, and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 scores were compared before and after treatment. Adverse reactions, cardiovascular events, and 1-year survival rates were also evaluated. RESULTS: The early treatment group showed higher total effective and survival rates compared to the late group (p<0.05). The post-treatment levels of early diastolic filling velocity, fractional shortening, left ventricular ejection fraction, and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 scores were statistically significantly higher in the early group (p<0.05), with no notable differences in adverse reactions (p>0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a statistically significantly higher 1-year survival probability in the early treatment group (log-rank p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Early detection and treatment of cardiac dysfunction in cancer patients can improve treatment efficacy and survival rate, better improve cardiac function and quality of life, and reduce the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of cardioplegic solutions on myocardial protection factors in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and to evaluate the relationship between these effects and early clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 78 patients were included in the study. The data of patients who received del Nido cardioplegia (Group 1; n=39) and blood cardioplegia (Group 2; n=39) during the operation were grouped and compared. Preoperative and postoperative routine parameters such as creatine phosphokinase, troponin I, C-reactive protein, and demographic data were recorded, and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Perfusion time, cross-clamp time, act pump, preoperative C-reactive protein, preoperative creatine phosphokinase, preoperative troponin I, postoperative C-reactive protein, postoperative creatine phosphokinase, postoperative troponin I values were significantly different between del Nido and blood groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Del Nido cardioplegia provided myocardial protection and early postoperative favorable results compared to blood cardioplegia, which may make it a viable option for conventional cardiopulmonary bypass.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated head posture in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and explored the effects of postural changes on clinical parameters. METHODS: In total, 81 individuals diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorders participated in this cross-sectional prospective study. Demographics, pain status, head posture, and jaw movement data were collected. Head posture was assessed using the Posture Screen Mobile application. RESULTS: Results indicated moderate negative correlations between pain and mouth opening (rho=-0.437, p<0.001) and maximum mouth opening (rho=-0.427, p<0.001). Anterior translation showed weak positive correlations with mouth opening and maximum mouth opening, while right lateral translation exhibited a weak positive correlation with pain (rho=0.264, p=0.017). Posterior angulation showed weak significant correlations with pain, mouth opening, and maximum mouth opening. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that head posture has a significant influence on temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms. Treatment strategies addressing postural abnormalities may help alleviate symptoms and enhance the quality of life in temporomandibular joint disorder patients.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Isthmocele or cesarean scar defect is a pouch-like defect in the myometrium at the isthmic level that is thought that it might occur as a result of the insufficient healing process of the uterine incision after cesarean section. It is important not to underestimate isthmocele and its preventive measures since it might cause serious gynecologic and obstetric complications. However, the best suturing technique suitable for the prevention of isthmocele formation is yet to be identified. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three different uterine closure techniques applied during cesarean section on isthmocele formation. METHODS: In this prospective study, a total of 120 term (>37 weeks) pregnant women with no history of cesarean section and scheduled for primary cesarean section were randomized preoperatively to three different uterotomy closure techniques (baseball, single-locked, and single-unlocked groups). RESULTS: In a total of 43 patients, postoperative third-month sonography revealed isthmocele as an anechoic triangular area with ≥1 mm depth at the scar site. Compared with the single-locked and single-unlocked groups, isthmocele development was significantly lower in the baseball-type closure group (47.5% in the single-locked, 46.2% in the single-unlocked, and 15.4% in the baseball-type closure group). The group with the highest residual myometrial thickness, that is, 5.7 mm, was again the patients who underwent baseball sutures. CONCLUSION: Uterotomy closure with baseball-type suturing seems to be an advantageous method as compared to the traditional techniques in terms of preserving the residual myometrial thickness and preventing isthmocele formation.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the physical activity level in the third trimester and the time of labor onset. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty women with low-risk pregnancies, who gave birth at 37 weeks of gestation or beyond, and completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study. According to the gestational age at delivery, the study population was divided into case (≥41 weeks) and control (37–406/7 weeks) groups. The clinical characteristics and the physical activity levels of the two groups were compared. The physical activity levels of the participants were also compared according to the delivery route. RESULTS: The nulliparity rate (54.3 vs. 21.7%), the median gestational weight gain (10.5 [2–30] vs. 10 [2–25] kg), and the cesarean delivery rate (27.7 vs. 6.6%) were higher in the case group than the control group (p<0.05). While the median level of sedentary activity was higher, the median moderate-intensity activity level and the median household/caregiving activity level were lower in the case group than the control group (p<0.05). The level of sedentary activity was also higher in women who gave birth by a cesarean section than vaginally (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Physical activity in the third trimester was associated with the time of labor onset. Decreased moderate-intensity and household/caregiving activity levels and an increased level of sedentary activity in the last trimester of pregnancy were found in women who gave birth at ≥41 weeks of gestation. A decreased level of sedentary activity was observed in women who gave birth vaginally.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Studies investigating the relationship between the gut microbiome and osteoarthritis have increased in recent years. However, data on the relationship between joints and the gut microbiome are limited. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relation between knee joint fluid and gut microbiota in patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: This study included 40 individuals, 20 of whom were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and 20 of whom were considered healthy controls. Joint-fluid and stool samples were taken from the participants. Bacteria isolated from the samples were identified using a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry device. RESULTS: Twenty-nine different bacteria were isolated from the stool samples and five bacteria were isolated from the joint-fluid samples. In our study, the same types of microorganisms (Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus hominis) were isolated from the stool and joint-fluid samples. CONCLUSION: The data obtained in our study shed light on the uncertainty of how microorganisms, especially those identified in the knee and hip in the literature, reach these regions. The presence of intestinal bacteria in the knee joint fluid of osteoarthritis patients indicates that intestinal bacteria, especially in individuals with a weak immune system, malnutrition, and obesity, pass through the intestinal wall and reach other parts of the body via the bloodstream, a condition also known as "leaky gut."

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate independent risk factors for diversion colitis induced by the surgical interruption of fecal flow in the non-functional colon. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study with 163 patients who underwent low anterior resections and created prophylactic ileostomies for rectal cancer between January 2014 and June 2023 at the Department of General Surgery, Air Force Medical University Tangdu Hospital. Colonoscopy results of the non-functional region of the distal colon and clinical variables were collected, including age, sex, body mass index, pathological tumor node metastasis staging, ileostomy method, diversion time, receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy or not, suffering from preoperative inflammatory bowel disease or postoperative anastomotic leakage or not. Diagnosis of diversion colitis based on the results of the patients’ colonoscopy results. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis of diversion colitis-related risk factors were performed subsequently. RESULTS: The morbidity of diversion colitis is 53.4% (87/163) in our study. Multivariate analysis showed that risk factors for diversion colitis included single-lumen prophylactic ileostomy (63.2 vs. 30.3%, OR 4.481, 95%CI 1.897–10.584, p<0.001), diversion time ≥90 days (79.3 vs. 40.8%, OR 4.474, 95%CI 1.849–10.826, p<0.001), inflammatory bowel disease (17.2 vs. 3.9%, OR 7.491, 95%CI 1.839–30.507, p=0.005), radiotherapy (58.6 vs. 42.1%, OR 0.515, 95%CI 0.196–1.352, p=0.178). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that single-lumen prophylactic ileostomy, diversion time, and inflammatory bowel disease are independent risk factors for diversion colitis.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sexually transmitted disease education provided via Instagram on university students’ knowledge and attitudes about sexually transmitted diseases. METHODS: This pretest-posttest control group experimental study was conducted on 69 participants (Instagram group: 30, control group: 39). Participants in the Instagram group followed the @sexualinfectmarmara Instagram account prepared by the researchers. Five modules about sexually transmitted diseases prepared by the researchers were shared on this account. RESULTS: When the pre-training STD scores of the Instagram and control groups were compared with the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) analysis, it was found that the scores of the Instagram group were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group. No significant difference was found between the sexually transmitted disease scores. After the training, the participants in the Instagram group responded significantly more with disagreement to the statement "sexually transmitted disease patients are easily recognized in society." CONCLUSION: Instagram can be a new and alternative educational tool for increasing the sexually transmitted disease knowledge and attitude levels of university students.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Bone mineral density is affected by many gene regions. Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs due to decreased bone mineral density and has a polygenetic multifactorial pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of gene variants in eight gene regions related to bone mineral density in patients diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis. METHODS: A total of 60 patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, 50 patients diagnosed with osteopenia, and 40 healthy volunteers (control group) were included in the study. Collagen type I alpha 1 1997G/T, estrogen receptor α PvuII, estrogen receptor α XbaI, vitamin D receptor BsmI, lactase gene, osteoprotegerin G209A, osteoprotegerin T245G, and interleukin-6 G174C gene variants were analyzed. RESULTS: No important difference was found in the distribution of collagen type I alpha 1 1997G/T, estrogen receptor α PvuII, estrogen receptor α XbaI, vitamin D receptor BsmI, lactase gene T13910C, osteoprotegerin T245G, and interleukin-6 G174C gene variants between groups. A significant difference was detected between the distribution of osteoprotegerin G209A gene variants in the patient groups and the distribution of osteoprotegerin G209A gene variants in the control group. On the other hand, no important difference was detected in the distribution of osteoprotegerin G209A gene variants between patient groups. CONCLUSION: The osteoprotegerin G209A gene variant may be associated with the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis in the Turkish population. Other gene variants analyzed that affect bone mineral density were not associated with the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Cinitapride, a gastrointestinal prokinetic, is commonly used for treating functional dyspepsia. However, large-scale, real-world data on its efficacy, especially in patients with overlapping symptoms, are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of cinitapride in Chinese patients with functional dyspepsia, including those with overlapping symptoms, in a real-world setting. METHODS: In this single-arm, prospective, multicentric study, 1,012 Chinese outpatients with functional dyspepsia and functional dyspepsia overlapping with gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and/or functional constipation were treated with cinitapride (1 mg t.i.d.) from May 2019 to March 2021. Symptom improvement was assessed at weeks 2 and 4, with adverse events recorded. RESULTS: At weeks 2 and 4, the overall symptom improvement rate was 62.4 and 90.9%, respectively. Subgroup improvement rates were as follows: functional dyspepsia-gastroesophageal reflux disease, 86.8%; functional dyspepsia-irritable bowel syndrome, 96.2%; functional dyspepsia-functional constipation, 91.7%; and functional dyspepsia-gastroesophageal reflux disease-irritable bowel syndrome, 67.6%. functional dyspepsia patients showed statistically significantly higher improvement than those with overlapping symptoms at weeks 2 (p=0.018) and 4 (p=0.009). The dyspepsia symptom score decreased by 51.0% at week 2 and 74.4% at week 4 (p<0.001). The most common adverse event was asymptomatic electrocardiogram abnormalities (n=8). CONCLUSION: Cinitapride is effective and well-tolerated in treating functional dyspepsia and functional dyspepsia-overlapping gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional constipation in Chinese patients.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine the needs of patients undergoing organ transplantation. METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of 17 patients. Data were evaluated using Colaizzi's seven-stage content analysis method. RESULTS: Two themes such as returning to daily life after organ transplantation and difficulties experienced after organ transplantation were determined. CONCLUSION: Individuals experienced physiological problems and fear of rejection after organ transplantation. Moreover, patients who experienced rejection fell into despair. However, their quality of life increases in the long term. Besides, individuals could not receive social support during transplantation.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to calculate a useful cut-off point of the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography SUVMax value to decide on a computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy for solitary pulmonary nodules of sizes between 11 and 20 mm. METHODS: Between January 2015 and April 2020, patients with solitary pulmonary nodules who underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy were retrospectively reviewed, and those with solitary pulmonary nodules of 11–20 mm in diameter, who had undergone an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography examination before computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy, were included in the study. A total of 76 patients who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no distinguishing finding on the computed tomography examination (p>0.05). The SUVMax values of the malignant solid solitary pulmonary nodules were higher than the benign solitary pulmonary nodules (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The benign and malignant solid solitary pulmonary nodules between 11 and 20 mm have similar computed tomography features. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography is a useful imaging technique for distinguishing benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules. Notably, 4.85 SUVMax value can be used to decide on a computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy procedure in solid solitary pulmonary nodules between 11 and 20 mm with excellent sensitivity and moderate specificity rates.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Adulthood vaccination has not reached adequate levels, both in Turkey and around the world. The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of vaccination in those aged 18 years. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were applied to 686 participants attending Family Health Centers. For the analysis of data, the statistical significance used was p<0.05. RESULTS: Notably, 72.4% of people had at least one vaccination in adulthood. The most frequent vaccinations were tetanus (55.1%), influenza (26.8%), and hepatitis B (8.2%). PATH analysis found that the effect of variables with direct effects on vaccination (apart from the situation of thinking that vaccinations are necessary in adulthood) disappeared in the model in which adult vaccine recommendations were used as mediators. CONCLUSION: The adult vaccination situation is inadequate. It is necessary to inform society about adult vaccinations and recommend vaccination. Tools such as information given during health services and implementations such as social education and brochures, posters, media, and public information spots may be used with this aim.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is a common non-invasive method for assessing ischemic burden, though artifacts can affect accuracy. Speckle-tracking strain echocardiography improves left ventricular function assessment, and global longitudinal strain correlates well with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to compare myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with global longitudinal strain in stable angina pectoris patients. METHODS: A total of 133 suspected coronary artery disease patients who underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled and classified as myocardial perfusion scintigraphy true positives or false positives based on coronary angiography results. Global longitudinal strain values for the epicardium, endocardium, and myocardium (avg) were calculated. RESULTS: Ischemic percentages of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy>12% and mid-wall global longitudinal strain<-18.4% correlated with true positive coronary angiography results. Left ventricular ejection fraction/global longitudinal strain mid ratio positively correlated with coronary artery disease presence and severity. Higher ischemic percentages of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showed a negative correlation (r: −0.2606, p: 0.002) with global longitudinal strain, indicating a greater likelihood of coronary artery disease (OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.08–0.73, p: 0.012). Female sex was linked to fewer true positive myocardial perfusion scintigraphy results. CONCLUSION: The GLS value of the Left Ventricle obtained by two-dimentional strain echocardiography offers sensitivity and specificity similar to myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in the detection of coronary artery disease.. An elevated left ventricular ejection fraction/global longitudinal strain ratio is a significant predictor of the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

Resumen en Inglés:

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy administered at low vs. high pressures in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized into two groups: low-dose group and high-dose group. Each patient underwent a total of four sessions of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy, administered once a week. The radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy was delivered at 4.0 bars for the high-dose group and 1.5 bars for the low-dose group. Both groups received conventional physical therapy program consisting of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, paraffin wax, orthoses, and tendon gliding exercises, three times per week over a 4-week duration. Outcome measures included pain levels, hand grip strength, pinch strength, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, and nerve conduction studies. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited improvements across all measures, except for the nerve conduction studies parameters. In the intragroup analysis, statistically significant differences were observed with small-to-moderate effect sizes for median motor distal latency, median sensory nerve conduction velocity, median sensory distal latency, and the Boston functional status subscale, all favoring the high-dose group (p<0.05). In the low-dose group, a statistically significant difference with a moderate effect size was noted solely for hand grip strength (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: High-dose radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy was significantly better than low-dose radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy with small-to-moderate effect sizes in the recovery of the function and nerve conduction studies parameters of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical Trials Registry: The study was registered on the Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: NCT05681663).