Association with Asthma and Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Quality

Objective:We aimed to evaluate the frequency and severity of restless legs syndrome in patients with asthma and the effect of the disease on sleep quality.Materials and Methods:Forty-three patients followed by asthma and 30 healthy people were included in the study. The diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome was made according to the criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Excessive daytime sleepiness scores were determined according to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). According to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) the sleep quality and according to the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) the insomnia was determined.Results:Male/female rate in the asthmatic group was 1/8, and the mean age was 48.88 years. The healthy control group was selected to be gender and age-matched. Restless Legs syndrome was found 25.58% (n=11) in the asthmatic group and 16.7% (n=5) in the control group, and it was also not statistically significant. The number of asthmatic patients with ESS ≥10 was six, while there was one person in the control group, and it was not statistically significant. According to the PSQI values, there was a significant difference between the asthmatic group and the control group (p<0.001); when ISI values were examined, there was no statistically significant difference between them.Conclusion:In our study, it was found that the sleep quality deteriorated at high rates in the asthmatic group. However, as expected in asthmatic patients, Restless Legs syndrome, insomnia, and incidence of excessive daytime sleepiness were not significantly higher than the control group

Analysis of the Role of Physicians in the Cessation of Cigarette Smoking Based on Medical Specialization

OBJECTIVE: Physicians do not adequately use their unique professional privilege to prevent patients from smoking. The aim of this study was to investigate the type and extent of advice given to patients by physicians of different medical specialties regarding smoking cessation. METHODS: In total, 317 volunteer physicians were included in this study. The participants rated their attitudes toward the smoking habits of their patients by completing a questionnaire. The approaches used to address the smoking habits of patients significantly differed among physicians working at polyclinics, clinics and emergency service departments (

Evaluation on Antimicrobial Activity of The Lichen Pleurosticta acetabulum

In this study, the ethanol extract of the lichen Pleurosticta acetabulum (Neck.) Elix amp; Lumbsch (Parmeliaceae) was investigated for their antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms by the disc diffusion method. Mycobacterium smegmatis CCM 2067, Micrococcus luteus CCM 169, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 8427, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313, Klebsiella pneumoniae UC57, Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064, Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Rhodotorula rubra DSM 70403, Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Kluyveromyces fragilis ATCC 8608 were used as test microorgams. We have found that the ethanol extract of the lichen has a potential antimicrobial effect against all tested microorganisms, forming inhibition zones between 12.6-22.4 mm, as compared with the standard antibiotics. Notably, the extract has a strong effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, especially Candida albicans. In conclusion, P. acetabulum may assist in the discovery of new antimicrobial agents that can serve as selective agents or in the preparation of new combined therapeutic drugs. However, the effect of this lichen species on more pathogenic organisms should be investigated and further and detailed pharmacological and toxicological studies should be conducted

The Relationship Between Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Time and the Degree of Smoking Dependence in Smokers with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT), degree of smoking dependence, cumulative smoking burden and OSAS severity in smokers. Material and methods: 123 patients (Group 1) with OSAS and 92 healthy controls (Group 2) were included in the study. Group 1 was divided into smokers (Group 1a) and non-smokers (Group 1b). In Group 1a, cumulative smoking burden and Fagerström nicotine dependence test (FNDT) were questioned. Saccharin test was applied to Groups 1 and 2. Student-t, Mann-Whitney-U, Anova, Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the means. Results: NMCT was higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.005). The duration of NMCT was higher in Group 1A than Group 1B (p = 0.002). In Group 1a, NMCT values of mild and moderate OSAS patients were longer than in Group 1b (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). NMCT values of patients with mild dependence were shorter than those with moderate or severe dependence (p = 0.032, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Mucociliary clearance time was higher in smokers with OSAS than non-smokers. While OSAS has a negative effect on mucociliary clearance, smoking also exacerbates the condition

The relationship between nasal mucociliary clearance time and the degree of smoking dependence in smokers with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT), degree of smoking dependence, cumulative smoking burden and OSAS severity in smokers. Material and methods: 123 patients (Group 1) with OSAS and 92 healthy controls (Group 2) were included in the study. Group 1 was divided into smokers (Group 1a) and non-smokers (Group 1b). In Group 1a, cumulative smoking burden and Fagerström nicotine dependence test (FNDT) were questioned. Saccharin test was applied to Groups 1 and 2. Student-t, Mann-Whitney-U, Anova, Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the means. Results: NMCT was higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.005). The duration of NMCT was higher in Group 1A than Group 1B (p = 0.002). In Group 1a, NMCT values of mild and moderate OSAS patients were longer than in Group 1b (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). NMCT values of patients with mild dependence were shorter than those with moderate or severe dependence (p = 0.032, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Mucociliary clearance time was higher in smokers with OSAS than non-smokers. While OSAS has a negative effect on mucociliary clearance, smoking also exacerbates the condition

Knowledge and attitudes of the pharmacists, prescribers and patients towards generic drug use in Istanbul - Turkey

The use of generic drugs has increased significantly in recent years. Since generic drugs are available at a lower cost, they provide an opportunity for savings in drug expenditure. Thus, use of generic drugs is encouraged especially in developing countries. There are only a few studies concerning the perceptions and attitudes of the healthcare providers and patients towards generic drug use. Methods: The present study was conducted by a face to face questionnaire in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul in April 2010. From randomly chosen respondents, 68 pharmacists, 56 prescribers and 101 patients consented to participate in the study. Results: Thirty one and 32 % of the pharmacists and prescribers, respectively, expressed that they believed that the generics did not differ from the original drugs, whereas only 24% of the patients believed so. Forty percent of the pharmacists and 82% of the prescribers told that they were unsure about the bioequivalence of the generics. Ten percent of the patients claimed that they immediately accept generic substitution by the pharmacist, while 26% accepted it if it was substituted by the prescriber. Cost was the most important factor taken into consideration about generic substitution (92% for prescribers; 83% for patients and 82% for pharmacists). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that healthcare providers as well as the drug consumers have insufficient knowledge about generic drugs. Therefore, they should be better educated with respect to generic substitution.El uso de medicamentos genéricos ha aumentado significativamente en los últimos años. Como los genéricos están disponibles a menor coste, proporcionan una oportunidad para ahorrar en el gasto en medicamentos. Así que en los países en desarrollo se estimula el uso de medicamentos genéricos. Hay pocos estudios sobre las percepciones y actitudes de los profesionales de la salud y los pacientes hacia el uso de medicamentos genéricos. Métodos: El presente estudio se realizó con una entrevista presencial en el distrito de Kadikoy de Estambul en abril de 2010. Una muestra aleatoriamente seleccionada de 68 farmacéuticos, 56 prescriptores y 101 pacientes aceptó participar en el estudio. Resultados: El 315 y 32% de farmacéuticos y prescriptores respectivamente expresaron que creían que los genéricos no se diferenciaban de los medicamentos originales, mientras que sólo el 24% de los pacientes pensaba así. El 40% de los farmacéuticos y el 82% de los prescriptores dijo que no estaba seguro sobre la bioequivalencia de los genéricos. Un 10% de los pacientes afirmó que aceptaban de inmediato la sustitución genérica por el farmacéutico, mientras que un 26% la aceptaba si era sustituida por el prescriptor. El coste era el factor más importante tomado en consideración en la sustitución genérica (92% de los prescriptores, 83% de los pacientes, y 82% de los farmacéuticos). Conclusión: Nuestros hallazgos demuestran que tanto los profesionales de la salud como los consumidores de medicamentos tienen conocimientos insuficientes sobre medicamentos genéricos. Por tanto, deberían educarse mejor en relación a la sustitución genérica

Smoking Cessation Success and Affecting Factors in Geriatric Patients

Background: There are difficulties in the treatment of smoking cessation in elderly patients. However, elderly smokers who gave up smoking had lower rates of death from heart attack, stroke, and cancer, as well as improved cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate the affecting factors and the success of smoking cessation rate in patients aged 60 and over in Turkey. Methods: Six smoking cessation outpatient clinics from four provinces were included in the study. The records of 1,065 patients who applied to a smoking cessation outpatient clinic between 2016 and 2019 and who were 60 yr of age or older were scanned. Overall, 917 cases that could be reached after treatment were included in the study. Smoking cessation rates at the first month, 3rd month, 6th month, 9th month and 12th month were given. Results: Of the 917 cases, 65.1% were male and 34.9% were female. Smoking cessation rates were 45.6% on the first month, 39% on the third month, 35.1% on the sixth month, 31.2% on the ninth month, and 30.3% at the twelfth month. Smoking cessation success was higher in men than in women. Conclusion: Since the success of smoking cessation in the elderly was similar to that of adults. Since smoking is an independent risk factor for death in the elderly, there should be greater willingness to provide elderly patients with smoking cessation treatment to reduce physical function loss and promote healthier aging

Analysis of the Role of Physicians in the Cessation of Cigarette Smoking Based on Medical Specialization

OBJECTIVE: Physicians do not adequately use their unique professional privilege to prevent patients from smoking. The aim of this study was to investigate the type and extent of advice given to patients by physicians of different medical specialties regarding smoking cessation. METHODS: In total, 317 volunteer physicians were included in this study. The participants rated their attitudes toward the smoking habits of their patients by completing a questionnaire. The approaches used to address the smoking habits of patients significantly differed among physicians working at polyclinics, clinics and emergency service departments (p<0.001). Physicians working at clinics exhibited the highest frequency of inquiring about the smoking habits of their patients, while physicians working at emergency service departments exhibited the lowest frequency. RESULTS: Physicians from different medical specialties significantly differed in their responses. Physicians specializing in lung diseases, thoracic surgery, and cardiology were more committed to preventing their patients from cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The role of physicians, particularly pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons, is critical in the fight against cigarette smoking. Promoting physician awareness of this subject is highly important in all other branches of medicine