Clinically Positive Axillary Lymphadenopathy May Lead to False Diagnosis of Overstaged Breast Cancer in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome: A Case Report

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that chronic inflammation and lymph node proliferation. Patients with SS carry a greater risk of developing lymphoproliferative malignancy. In addition to other organ cancers, breast cancer may also occur in these patients. Considering these, breast cancer in patients with SS can be misdiagnosed as being in an advanced stage particularly in the presence of axillary lymphadenopathy. Here, we report a rare case of a 45-year-old woman with SS who presented with a breast mass. Radiology showed a 4 cm solid lesion and conglomerates of axillary lymphadonepathy. A breast biopsy revealed ductal carcinoma in situ. A modified radical mastectomy was performed; however, no axillary metastases were detected. Clinicians should remain vigilant to the possibility that a false clinical impression of axillary metastasis may occur in such patients with breast cancer. Therefore, axillary node status should be verified first

The Experiences of Violence and Occupational Health Risks of Sex Workers Working in Brothels in Ankara

Objective: The aim of this study was to reveal and discuss occupational health risks, violence against sex workers working in brothels and their working conditions in Ankara. Materials and Methods: The study included 138 sex workers. Data were collected at face to face interviews with a questionnaire composed of 40 questions about socio-demographic features, familial characteristics, reasons for becoming a sex worker, experiences of violence and occupational health risks. Results: Twenty-two point five percent of the women were aged 21-30 years and 39.9% were aged 31-40 years. The mean time of education was 5.9 +/- 3.5 (0-14) years. Forty-eight point five percent of the women were exposed to physical abuse and 13% of the women had been exposed to sexual abuse in their childhood. Fifty-five point eight percent of the women reported that their clients always used condoms, but 97.1% of the women noted that their clients insisted on not using a condom. Fourteen point five percent and 70.3% of the women were exposed to physical and verbal violence respectively from their clients. Ten point one percent of the women suffered sexual assault while working. Conclusion: Sex workers, like other people, should have human rights, all types of violence that they face should be eliminated and the social conditions they are exposed to should be improved. Sexually transmitted diseases, the most important health risk of sex workers, should be considered as occupational diseases in the new regulations.WoSScopu

Clinical predictors of response to pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical predictors of response to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in a sample of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A total of 55 patients diagnosed as OCD according to revised 3rd edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria underwent a 12-week standardized SSRI treatment. According to 'treatment response', defined as at least a 35% drop in the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale total score, OCD patients were divided into two groups. A total of 32 (58.2%) patients who responded to treatment and 23 (41.8%) who did not, were compared in terms of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The authors' findings demonstrated that the severity of obsession-compulsions and disability in work, social and family lives at the beginning of treatment were significantly higher in OCD patients who did not respond to treatment in comparison to those who did. Linear regression analysis, however, revealed that Sheehan Disability Scale-work score at baseline was a predictor of response to SSRI treatment. The higher levels of disability at the beginning of treatment in patients with OCD are associated with a poorer response to SSRI

Cigarette Dependence among Males and Females Aged 50+Living in Izmir, Turkey

WOS: 000299266500033PubMed ID: 22126571Background: Smoking, the most important preventable cause of death overall, is also the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Tobacco consumption has a direct or indirect relationship with most types of cancer. In Turkey, the second leading cause of death is cancer, with lung cancer the most prevalent. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the level of cigarette dependence among men and women aged 50+, living in Izmir. Methods: This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional field study, carried out with the participation of a total of 2,497 subjects. Results: It was found that 48.8% of the participants used to be smokers, and 95.5% of the smoking participants had been smoking for at least 11 years at the time of study. 36.1% of the participants were being exposed to secondhand smoke at home, and almost one third of the smokers (29%) had a moderate level of dependence. Conclusions: Continuing education may help high-risk groups develop good habits for a healthier lifestyle such as smoking less and quitting smoking, thereby reducing the level of morbidity and mortality of most common types of cancer

The Complex Genetic Landscape of Hereditary Ataxias in Turkey and Implications in Clinical Practice

Background The genetic and epidemiological features of hereditary ataxias have been reported in several populations; however, Turkey is still unexplored. Due to high consanguinity, recessive ataxias are more common in Turkey than in Western European populations