Working at Night in Hospital Environment is a Risk Factor for Arterial Stiffness

Aim: Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In previous studies, emotional stress has been reported to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of anxiety, stress and fatigue associated with working at night in hospital environment on arterial stiffness in physicians. Methods: The study was carried out with 30 physicians employed in Medical Faculty of Uludağ University between October 2011 and March 2012. Measurements were made using Pulse Wave Sensor HDI system (Hypertension Diagnostics Inc, Eagan, MN)(Set No: CR000344) by radial artery pulse wave at the onset and end of night shift. Results: The mean age of night doctors included in the study was 26 years (range: 22-38) and the female/male ratio was 2/1. It was determined that mean values of arterial stiffness were significantly higher after night shift (1330±360 dyne/sn/cm-5) compared to mean values before night shift (1093±250 dyn/s/cm-5) (p=0.01). In the evaluation of other parameters before and after night shift, no statistically significant difference was detected (p>0.05). Conclusion: The increasing arterial stiffness in hospital employees after night shift could be attributed to the effects of stress and fatigue experienced during night shift. (The Me di cal Bul le tin of Ha se ki 2012; 50: 93-5

The Relationship of Acute Exacerbation Severity with Uric Acid and Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Aim: Acute exacerbation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may result in a lot of systemic consequences due to hypoxemia and systemic inflammation. We investigated uric acid levels and uric acid to creatinine ratio in COPD patients developing acute exacerbation. Methods: We included 25 patients who had been admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD according to the GOLD diagnosis and treatment guidelines between May and December 2011. Uric acid and creatinine levels were recorded from blood samples of the patients. Results: Average uric acid and uric acid to creatinine ratio values were 5.7±2.09 mg/dl and 7.32±3.0 in patients with mild hypoxemia, 6.4±2.1 mg/dl and 7.01±2.9 in those with moderate hypoxemia, and 6.7±2.0 mg/dl and 9.1±1.8 in those with severe hypoxemia, respectively. While no statistically significant correlation was found between uric acid levels and uric acid to creatinine ratio in the three groups (p=0.97, p=0.76, respectively), these values were found to increase along with increasing severity of hypoxemia. Conclusion: Uric acid levels and the ratio of uric acid to creatinine remained unchanged while severity of hypoxemia increased during acute exacerbations of COPD, however, these values were found to increase with increasing severity of hypoxemia. (The Medical Bulletin of Haseki 2013; 51: 147-50