70 research outputs found
Serum interleukin‐6, procalcitonin and C‐reactive protein levels in subjects with active Behçet's disease
No full textBackground Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines, including serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10, and turnout necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been proposed as disease activity markers in Behcet's disease (BD), although studies have shown conflicting results for IL-6. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in active 1313 have not yet been investigated
Reliability of Web-based teledermatology consultations
No full textWe studied the reliability of teledermatology diagnoses made using a Web-based system. Clinical photographs and information relating to 125 patients were placed on a Web server. Three dermatologists made the most likely diagnosis via a Web interface. The reference diagnosis was made in a face-to-face consultation with a fourth dermatologist; where appropriate it was confirmed histologically. The teledermatologists were correct in 57% of cases when viewing the images alone. Their diagnostic accuracy improved to 70% when additional clinical information was available. The rate of agreement between the teledermatologists ranged from 44% to 70% (kappa =0.22-0.32). Seventy-seven per cent of the patients were correctly diagnosed by at least two dermatologists when clinical information was provided. A Web-based system appears to be reliable for teledermatology. A single well trained teledermatologist may give better results than a group of less well trained clinicians
Prevalence of obesity among adolescents in Eastern Turkey: A cross-sectional study with a review of the local literature
No full textBackground: The World Health Organization defines obesity as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can damage health. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and risk factors in high school students in Erzurum City Center. Study Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The number of students participating in the study was 845, including 47.6% females and 52.4% males. Data collection was done by surveys filled in under supervision. Anthropometric measurements were performed by the researchers. Predictions of the Extended International Obesity Task Force were used for body mass index. Parents' body mass indexes were calculated by self-report and classified according to cut-off points for adults in the world health community. A systematic review of the local literature published between 2004 and 2013 was drafted. Results: In girls and boys, the frequency of overweight was 26.9% and 25.7%, respectively, while the frequency of obesity was 12.4% and 9.5%. A logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal significant risk factors for overweight/obesity. Weekly exercise status [odds ratio = 3.0, 95% confidence interval CI (1.2u7.8)] and school transfer % CI = (1.1u7.2) were important independent risk factors for obesity. The local literature showed a 4.3-fold increase in the prevalence of obesity within 10 years. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in adolescents requires the implementation of effective programs to fight this epidemic. Health education targeting peers and their parents, peer education, screening of risk groups, and controlling the sale of unhealthy foods can be some interventions
Serum homocysteine level in Behcet's disease
No full textRecent studies of the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in Behcet's disease have shown contradicting results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the serum homocysteine level in patients diagnosed as having Behcet's disease. Venous blood was taken from 27 patients with Behqet's disease and 21 healthy controls. Serum homocysteine levels were measured using fluorescence polarization immunoassay. In addition, serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The mean levels of vitamin 1312, folic acid, and homocysteine were not significantly different in patients with Behqet's disease when compared with the healthy controls (p = 0.17, p = 0.13, and p = 0.05, respectively). The results of this study confirmed that homocysteine levels were not elevated in Behqet's disease when compared with the control group. Further studies in a subset of Behcet patients with a history of thrombosis are needed to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in the thrombotic form of the disease
Depression, anxiety levels and general psychological profile in Behcet's disease
No full textBackground: Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disease with unknown etiology. Until today, the role of emotional stress and the real incidence of psychiatric symptoms in this disease have not been clarified yet. Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the general psychological profile of the patients diagnosed as having BD as well as their depression and anxiety levels in order to investigate the psychiatric aspects of this disease. Material and Methods: Twenty-three patients with BD and 17 patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis who made up the control group were examined by the Beck Depression (BDI), Beck Anxiety (BAI) and Brief Symptom Inventories (BSI). Results: The mean BDI score of the BD group was 11.69 +/- 6.93, and the corresponding value was 9.11 +/- 7.34 for the psoriasis group. The mean BAI score of the BD group was 21.39 +/- 13.68 and this level was 12.41 +/- 10.70 for psoriasis patients. The mean BSI score of the BD group was 61.30 +/- 43.66 and it was 30.41 +/- 28.77 for the control group. The mean BDI, BAI and BSI scores of the patients diagnosed as having BD were significantly higher than those of the control group (F = 0.234, F = 0.508, F = 0.549 and p < 0.05). Conclusion: BDI, BAI and BSI scales are useful to evaluate the psychiatric aspects of BD. The results of our study revealed that the collaboration of a dermatologist and psychiatrist is essential for the follow-up of patients with BD. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
Impact of pharmaceutical promotion on prescribing decisions of general practitioners in Eastern Turkey
No full textAbstract Background Commercial sources of information are known to have greater influence than scientific sources on general practitioners' (GPs) prescribing behavior in under developed and developing countries. The study aimed to determine the self-reported impact of pharmaceutical promotion on the decision-making process of prescription of GPs in Eastern Turkey. Methods A cross-sectional, exploratory survey was performed among 152 GPs working in the primary health centers and hospitals in Erzurum province of Eastern Turkey in 2006. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used. The questionnaire included questions regarding sociodemographics, number of patients per day, time per patient, frequency of sales representative visits to GPs, participation of GPs in training courses on prescribing (in-service training, drug companies), factors affecting prescribing decision, reference sources concerning prescribing and self-reported and self-rated effect of the activities of sales representatives on GPs prescribing decisions. Results Of 152 subjects, 53.3% were male and 65.8% were working at primary health care centers, respectively. Mean patient per day was 58.3 ± 28.8 patients per GP. For majority of the GPs (73.7%), the most frequent resource used in case of any problems in prescribing process was drug guides of pharmaceutical companies. According to self-report of the GPs, their prescribing decisions were affected by participation in any training activity of drug companies, frequent visits by sales representatives, high number of patient examinations per day and low year of practice (p Conclusion The results of this study suggest that for the majority of the GPs, primary reference sources concerning prescribing was commercial information provided by sales representatives of pharmaceutical companies, which were reported to be highly influential on their decision-making process of prescribing by GPs. Since this study was based on self-report, the influence reported by the GPs may have been underestimated.</p
CD44 and hyaluronate in the differential diagnosis of dermatofibroma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
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