The effectiveness of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in individuals diagnosed with PTSD due to torture and severe human right violations

Abstract Introduction: Various psychotherapies have been applied to individuals who have been subjected to torture and severe human rights and to patients with PTSD, however, studies assessing the effectiveness of such therapies are limited. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is said to be used frequently in practice for these patient groups. Yet, there are scarcely any studies assessing its efficacy. In this study, we aim to assess the effectiveness of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in patients with PTSD associated with torture and severe human rights violations. Additionally, the study seeks to monitor the continuity of therapy within the first year and its relationship with overall clinical change. Methods: 70 patients with PTSD related to torture and severe human rights violations who applied to the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey were given psychoanalytic psychotherapy. CGI-S and CGI-I scales were applied to the patients (in Months 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12); and the patients' continuity of therapy and the changes in their recovery during the one-year psychotherapy period were assessed. Results: 38 (54.3%) of the patients were female. Their mean age was 37.7 years (SD = 12.25), while their mean baseline CGI-S score was 4.67. The mean length of treatment was 21.9 sessions (SD = 20.30). As the number of sessions increased, the final CGI-I scores of the patients improved significantly (p <.001) towards recovery. The change towards recovery became more evident particularly in the patients who had continued the therapy for more than 12 sessions. Mean scores for CGI-I scale were 3.46, 2.95, 2.23, 2.00, and 1.54 for months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 respectively. In addition, the drop-out rate was 34% (24 patients) for those who dropped out of therapy prematurely without any CGI-I assessment (9 patients) and those who dropped out of therapy with no improvement in their CGI-I scores –i.e. with CGI-I scores of 4-7 (15 patients). Conclusions: Considering the limited literature in the field, this study has provided significant data on the effectiveness of the use of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in individuals diagnosed with PTSD related to torture and severe human rights violations, despite its limitations –including not involving a control group. Furthermore, the findings might offer important clues regarding the relationship between continuity of therapy and clinical change

Turkish thoracic society early career members task force group’s virtual congress notes: european respiratory society international congress 2020

In this article, Early Career Task Force Group members of the Turkish Thoracic Society summarize the European Respiratory Society 2020 virtual congress. Current developments in the field of respiratory diseases were compiled with the addition of sessions specific to coronavirus disease 2019 this year. Almost all of the congress sessions were examined, and the important and striking results of the congress were highlighted. Congress sessions were attended by expert researchers, and the prominent messages of each session were highlighted in short summaries. They were then grouped under relevant titles and ranked in order of meaning and relation. It was finalized by a team of researchers

Turkish Thoracic Society early career members task force group's virtual congress notes: European Respiratory Society International Congress 2020

In this article, Early Career Task Force Group members of the Turkish Thoracic Society summarize the European Respiratory Society 2020 virtual congress. Current developments in the field of respiratory diseases were compiled with the addition of sessions specific to coronavirus disease 2019 this year. Almost all of the congress sessions were examined, and the important and striking results of the congress were highlighted. Congress sessions were attended by expert researchers, and the prominent messages of each session were highlighted in short summaries. They were then grouped under relevant titles and ranked in order of meaning and relation. It was finalized by a team of researchersTurkish Thoracic Society (TTS

What We Learned about COVID-19 So Far? Notes from Underground

The novel coronavirus pandemic poses a major global threat to public health. Our knowledge concerning every aspect of COVID-19is evolving rapidly, given the increasing data from all over the world. In this narrative review, the Turkish Thoracic Society Early CareerTaskforce members aimed to provide a summary on recent literature regarding epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment,prevention, and control of COVID-19. Studies revealed that the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus showed significant identityto SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor is an important target of the SARS-CoV-2 while entering anorganism. Smokers were more likely to develop the disease and have a higher risk for ICU admission. The mean incubation periodwas 6.4 days, whereas asymptomatic transmission was reported up to 25 days after infection. Fever and cough were the most commonsymptoms, and cardiovascular diseases and hypertension were reported to be the most common comorbidities among patients. Clinicalmanifestations range from asymptomatic and mild disease to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Several patients showed typicalsymptoms and radiological changes with negative RT-PCR but positive IgG and IgM antibodies. Although radiological findings may vary,bilateral, peripherally distributed, ground-glass opacities were typical of COVID-19. Poor prognosis was associated with older age, higherSequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and high D-dimer level. Chloroquine was found to be effective in reducing viral replicationin vitro. Likewise, protease inhibitors, including lopinavir/ritonavir, favipiravir, and nucleoside analogue remdesivir were proposed to bethe potential drug candidates in COVID-19 management. Despite these efforts, we still have much to learn regarding the transmission,treatment, and prevention of COVID-19WOS:0005409044000092-s2.0-8508693317