Self-medication with antibiotics: questionnaire survey among primary care center attendants

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and reasons for self-medication with antibiotics within the last 12 months among primary healthcare center attendants aged 18 or over, in Ankara. Methods A questionnaire was applied by face to face interview technique to 2696 subjects attending at five primary healthcare centers. Information on demographic characteristics, intention to self-medication with antibiotics and self-medication within last 12 months were collected. Results It was found that 28% of the subjects were storing antibiotics at home. The percentage of self-administering antibiotics was 19.1% in the last 12 months. The most common reasons for self-administration of antibiotics were sore throat (59.6%), fever (46.2%), and cough (40.0%). Other reasons were dental infection, rheumatism, and fatigue. According to age groups, the most common self-medicating group was those aged 40–49 with 23% while the least self-usage was in the 60–69 age groups with 11.8%. Male sex, being single, educational level of secondary school or higher, being employed and not having social security increased self-administration of antibiotics ( p<0.05). Conclusions The study indicated the need for legal regulations regarding the sale of antibiotics without prescription and, health education is required for the community to decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics and self-medication

Immunogenicity of a Haemophilus influenzae type b–tetanus conjugate vaccine when administered separately or in combined vaccines for primary immunization in two consecutive national schedules in Turkey

SummaryBackgroundIn Turkey, the Haemophilus influenzae type b–tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (Hib) was replaced by the combined diphtheria–tetanus–acellular pertussis and inactivated polio vaccine (DTaP–IPV/Hib) in 2008. This shift to the new schedule created different cohorts of vaccinated children as a consequence of the different schedules used. We evaluated the immunogenicity of the Hib vaccine in infants vaccinated with these different schedules.MethodsThree groups of children were evaluated: group 1 comprised 145 infants vaccinated with diphtheria, tetanus, and whole cell pertussis (DTwP), oral polio vaccine (OPV), and Hib vaccines simultaneously at separate sites; group 2 comprised 204 infants vaccinated with the DTaP–IPV/Hib combined vaccine; group 3 comprised 100 infants vaccinated with a mixed schedule of DTwP, OPV, and Hib for the first one or two doses, followed by DTaP–IPV/Hib vaccine to complete the series.ResultsAnti-polyribosylribitol phosphate (anti-PRP) titers ≥0.15μg/ml were similar in groups 1, 2, and 3. However, in group 1, who received all the vaccines at separate sites, ≥ l.0μg/ml long-lasting antibody titers and anti-PRP geometric mean titers were higher (p=0.001).ConclusionThis study showed that even one dose administered in combination with other vaccines in a primary series decreased the level of anti-PRP

Effects of dietary interventions on 24-hour urine parameters in patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary factors on 24-hour urine parameters in patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones. A total of 108 of idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones were included in the study. A 24-hour urinalysis was performed and metabolic abnormalities were measured for all of the patients. All of the patients were given specialized diets for their 24-hour urine abnormalities. At the end of first month, the same parameters were examined in another 24-hour urinalysis. Hyperoxaluria, hypernatruria, and hypercalciuria were found in 84 (77%), 43 (39.8%), and 38 (35.5%) of the patients, respectively. The differences between the oxalate, sodium, volume, uric acid, and citrate parameters before and after the dietary intervention were significant (p < 0.05). The calcium parameters were not significantly different before and after the intervention. We found that oxalate, sodium, volume, uric acid, and citrate—but not calcium—abnormalities in patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones can be corrected by diet. The metabolic profiles of idiopathic calcium oxalate stone patients should be evaluated and the appropriate dietary interventions should be implemented to decrease stone recurrence

Immunogenicity, safety and clinical outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

IntroductionThe mRNA-based BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine has been shown to elicit robust systemic immune response and confer substantial protection against the severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with a favorable safety profile in adolescents. However, no data exist regarding immunogenicity, reactogenicity and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 vaccines in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In this prospective observational cohort study, we examined the humoral immune responses and side effects induced by the BNT162b2 vaccine, as well as, the rate and symptomatology of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections after completion of dual-dose BNT162b2 vaccination in adolescents with T1D and compared their data with those of healthy control adolescents. The new data obtained after the vaccination of adolescents with T1D could guide their further COVID-19 vaccination schedule.MethodsA total of 132 adolescents with T1D and 71 controls were enrolled in the study, of whom 81 COVID-19 infection-naive adolescents with T1D (patient group) and 40 COVID-19 infection-naive controls (control group) were eligible for the final analysis. The response of participants to the BNT162b2 vaccine was assessed by measuring their serum IgG antibodies to the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), 4–6 weeks after the receipt of first and second vaccine doses. Data about the adverse events of the vaccine was collected after the receipt of each vaccine dose. The rate of COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections was evaluated in the 6-month period following second vaccination.ResultsAfter vaccinations, adolescents with T1D and controls exhibited similar, highly robust increments in anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers. All the participants in the patient and control groups developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers over 1,050 AU/ml after the second vaccine dose which is associated with a neutralizing effect. None of the participants experienced severe adverse events. The rate of breakthrough infections in the patient group was similar to that in the control group. Clinical symptomatology was mild in all cases.ConclusionOur findings suggest that two-dose BNT162b2 vaccine administered to adolescents with T1D elicits robust humoral immune response, with a favorable safety profile and can provide protection against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection similar to that in healthy adolescents

Studies on detection of platelelminth parasites living in endoparasites in Velvet fish (Tinca tinca L. 1758) in Uluabat Lake.

22.11.1990 - 12.06.1991, tarihleri arasında Uluabat gölünden temin edilen 51 adet Kadife balığı(Tinca tinca L.1758) üzerinde, parazitolojik incelemeler yapılmıştır. İncelemeler sırasında, bağırsakta aynı türden, toplam 1646 tane bireye rastlanmıştır. Canlı ve total boyanmış 25 parazit üzerinde, yapılan inceleme ve ölçüm sonucu, ilgili parazitin Plathel-minthes grubundan Asymphylodora tincae olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Avrupa güneyinden Uluabat gölüne kadar uzanmış olan bu parazit, Barbus barbus göz ardı edilecek olursa, Kadife balığının (Tinca tinca L.1758) Spesifik paraziti olduğu kanaatini vermektedir.In this study that has been done between 22.11.1990 and 12.6.1991, 51 tenchs (Tinca tinca L.1758) have been examined. During this study 1646 Asymphvlodora tincae (Digenea) which were living in their intestines, have been recorded. It has been created impression that this parasites geographically have been distrubted from south Europe to Uluabat Lake and specific parasite of tenchs if Barbus barbus is excepted

Precision of Novice Sonographers Concerning Median Nerve and Achilles Tendon Measurements

Ozcakar L, Palamar D, Carli AB, Aksakal FN: Precision of novice sonographers concerning median nerve and Achilles tendon measurements. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2011; 90: 913-916