Investigating The Relationship Between, Sleep Quality, Fatigue, Quality Of Life, Physical Activity, Lower Extremity Physical Function, Balance And Mobility In Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Bu çalışma ülkemizde prostat kanseri (PKa) tanılı hastalarda yapılan fizyoterapi ve rehabilitasyon alanındaki ilk çalışmadır ve PKa olan hastalardaki uyku kalitesi, yorgunluk, yaşam kalitesi, fiziksel aktivite, alt ekstremite fiziksel fonksiyonları, denge ve mobilite arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek amacı ile yapılmıştır. Değerlendirmeler için Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi İndeksi (PUKİ), Kronik Hastalık Tedavisinin Fonksiyonel Değerlendirmesi- Yorgunluk Anketi (KHTFD-Y), Kanser Tedavisinin Fonksiyonel Değerlendirilmesi- Prostat Anketi (KTFD-P), Godin Boş Zaman Egzersiz Anketi (GBZEA), Kısa Fiziksel Performans Bataryası (KFPB), Süreli Kalk ve Yürü Testi (SKY) kullanılmıştır. KTFD-P ile KHTFD-Y (r=0,660, p=0.002) arasında pozitif yönde, KTFD-P ile KYT (r=-0,663, p=0.001) arasında negatif yönde iyi derecede korelasyon vardı. KFPB ile KYT (r=-0,504; p=0,023) arasında orta derecede negatif yönde korelasyon saptandı. Çalışmamızdan elde ettiğimiz sonuçlara göre yorgunluğun fazla olmasının yaşam kalitesini olumsuz yönde etkileyebileceği düşünüldü. Ayrıca denge ve mobilitenin azalmasının yaşam kalitesini düşürebileceği ve alt ekstremite fonksiyonlarının azalmasının denge ve mobiliteyi olumsuz yönde etkileyebileceği düşünüldü. Değerlendirilen tüm parametrelerin ilişkileri bu çalışmada gösterilmiştir. Bu ilişkilerin incelenmesinin PKa hastalarına yönelik fizyoterapi ve rehabilitasyon yaklaşımlarının planlanmasına yol gösterici olabileceği düşünülmektedir.This is the first study which focuses on physiotherapy and rehabilitation in prostate cancer PCa patients in our country and was performed to examine the relationship between quality of sleep, fatigue, quality of life, physical activity, lower extremity functions, balance and mobility in patients with PCa. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Questionnarie (FACIT-F), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate Questionnaire (FACT-P), Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used for evaluation. A strong positive correlation between FACT-P and FACIT-F (r=0.660, p=0.002) and negative correlation was found between FACIT-F and TUG (r=-0.663, p=0.001). A moderate negative correlation was determined between SFPB and TUG (r=-0.504; p=0.023). The results of the present study, increased fatigue may affect quality of life in negative way. Furthermore, it was thought that decrease in balance and mobility may diminish the quality of life and decreased physical functions of lower extremity may affect balance and mobility in negative way. The relationship between whole the evaluated parameters were demonstrated in this study. It was thought that the investigation these relationships will guide physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches for PCa patients

A new era of seeking knowledge for #lymphedema on social media: A detailed Instagram hashtag analysis

Instagram® is one of the most active social media platforms with over a billion users worldwide. Since the importance of education on lymphedema has been established due to the chronic nature of the disease, seeking knowledge attracts much attention not only clinically but also on social platforms such as Instagram ®. Our aim was to examine content by analyzing posts tagged with hashtags on Instagram ® related to lymphedema. Nine predefined hashtags related to lymphedema were used to search posts uploaded to Instagram® via the Apify tool. Retrieved public posts were classified and analyzed by four researchers for their content and post-type. We found that the vast majority of sharing on Instagram® in the context of lymphedema and its related aspects have relatively low scores for both relevancy and accuracy with a 77% irrelevancy rate. The best posts were those determined to be educational, which were found 57% relevant and correct. Medical professionals should consider that disseminating true guidance and therapy carries importance for patients with lymphedema and treatment success. The ability for patients to reach knowledge via social media might also be an important aspect in reliving suffering due to lymphedema. However, our results demonstrate that Instagram® might not be a good platform for patients to discover reliable information about lymphedema. Copyright by International Society of Lymphology

The Importance of Preventive Physiotherapy in Patients Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Objective Prostate cancer (PCa) is observed in men aged 50 years and older. The incidence increases in parallel to aging. Survival rate for PCa increases with effective screening programs and therapies. Elongated life expectancy may lead to a decrease in quality of life, muscle strength and physical activity level; an increase in fatigue and sleep problems. To preclude the occurrence of these symptoms, the preventive physiotherapy approaches may be used in PCa patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude of patients with PCa towards preventative physiotherapy approaches. Materials and Methods Patients who were diagnosed with PCa in Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology were invited to participate in the preventive physiotherapy services provided in Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Oncologic Rehabilitation Unit. Results Three hundred forty-four patients were invited, only 20 (5.8%) patients participated in the study. Twenty (5.8%) patients did not attend the appointment despite agreeing to participate in the study. Other 304 (88.4%) patients did not join the study for several reasons. Conclusion The reason for low participation rate may be inadequate information of PCa patients about preventive physiotherapy. The results of this study highlight the need for making preventive physiotherapy applications recognizable for PCa patients

Determination of serum trace elements (Se, Fe, Zn), macrominerals (Ca, Na, Cl), and physical activity levels in COVID-19 patients

Objective: This study mainly aims to determine serum trace elements, macrominerals, and physical activity levels in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy con-trols. Materials and methods: This prospec-tive study was conducted among COVID-19 patients (group I, n = 20) and healthy con-trols (group II, n = 20). Serum trace element levels (Se, Fe, and Zn), macrominerals (Ca, Na, and Cl), vitamin D, ferritin, and physical activity levels were determined. Results: Of the participants in group I, 90% had Se defi-ciency, 65% had Fe deficiency, and 35% had Zn deficiency. In addition, 45% of the par-ticipants in group II had Se deficiency. There was Ca deficiency (60%), Na deficiency (40%), and Cl deficiency (30%) in COVID-19 patients. Healthy controls did not have any macromineral deficiencies. The trace ele-ment levels including Se, Fe, and Zn were not statistically significant (p > 0.05); how-ever, the micromineral levels including Ca, Na, and Cl were significantly lower between groups (p < 0.05). There were vitamin D de-ficiencies in 90% and 70% of the participants in group I and group II, respectively. Ferritin levels were significantly higher in group I than group II (p < 0.05). All the participants had low physical activity levels in group I, and 40% of the participants had low physi-cal activity levels in group II. Conclusion: This study showed that COVID-19 patients might have lower Ca, Na, and Cl levels than healthy adults. In addition, high rates of Se, Fe, Ca and vitamin D deficiencies, and ferritin lev-els may be seen in COVID-19 patients. More-over, COVID-19 patients may have low levels of physical activity

The effects of clinical and home-based physiotherapy programs in secondary head and neck lymphedema

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) and home programs on external lymphedema, staging of lymphedema, fibrosis, and three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning and volume evaluation in head and neck lymphedema. Study Design A prospective randomized controlled study. Methods Twenty-one patients were randomly divided into three groups: CDP (n:7), home program (n:7), and control (n:7). Assessment methods were applied at baseline and 4 weeks later for all groups. MD. Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol was implemented to evaluate head and neck external lymphedema, staging of lymphedema, and fibrosis. A 3D scanner and a software were used to determine and calculate the volume of the head and neck region via 3D surface scanning. Head and neck external lymphedema and fibrosis assessment criteria were performed to evaluate visible soft tissue edema and the degree of stiffness. Results The severity and volume of lymphedema decreased in the CDP program group (P < .05). Besides, external lymphedema and fibrosis at submental region were decreased in both CDP program and home program groups (P < .05). Conclusions While the benefits of home program are limited, a CDP program may be more effective in the management of lymphedema and fibrosis in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The clinical trial registration number: NCT04286698, date: 02/25/2020, retrospectively registered. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2020Projects of Scientific Investigation at Gazi University [47/2018-06]This study was funded by Projects of Scientific Investigation at Gazi University (grant number 47/2018-06)

Clinical characteristics of and services provided for patients with lymphedema referred to a physiotherapy program during the years 2009 through 2019

Background: Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive disease whose diagnosis involves determination of clinical and demographic characteristics. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with lymphedema and their various diagnoses. We studied patients who were referred for physiotherapy services at any point during the years 2009 through 2019. Methods: Retrospective data were collected from the files of 430 lymphedema patients. The type, cause, localization, stage, and severity of lymphedema and physiotherapy needs were analyzed and reported. Results: Primary and secondary lymphedema were observed in 18 (4.2%) and 412 (95.8%) patients, respectively. The patients' mean body mass index score was 30.66 kg/m(2). The data indicated that the most common cause of secondary lymphedema was breast cancer and its treatments (n = 196, 47.6%). Other causes were chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) (n = 140, 34%), lipolymphedema (n = 11, 2.7%), and other types of cancers (n = 65, 15.7%). According to the affected body regions, 416 patients had unilateral/bilateral upper and lower extremity lymphedema and 14 had head and neck lymphedema. The patients were followed with a home-based physiotherapy program (n = 353, 82.1%) or they underwent treatments through an outpatient program (n = 77, 17.9%). Conclusions: Most patients admitted to the clinic had a diagnosis of breast cancer and CVI. The severity and stages of lymphedema were variable. The data indicated that most patients were followed through a home-based physiotherapy program. These results may set a frame for understanding the treatment and care needs of patients with lymphedema