Suction bullae as a complication of prolonged cupping

WOS: 000235223600042PubMed: 16487127

Keloid secondary to therapeutic cupping: an unusual complication

WOS: 000230729400027PubMed: 15987309

Response to vaccination against hepatitis B in patients with Behcet's disease

ERKEK, BULENT/0000-0002-9041-341XWOS: 000231611700006PubMed: 16174066Background and Aims: Hepatitis B virus infection is an important public health problem in Turkey. Although hepatitis B vaccination is regarded as safe and effective for the general population, recommendations for hepatitis B immunization in patients with Behcet's disease are not clear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the response of patients with Behcet's disease to hepatitis B vaccination and to determine whether hepatitis B vaccination has any adverse effects on the course of the disease. Methods: Thirteen patients with Behcet's disease and 15 healthy individuals were enrolled into a prospective study. All subjects received the 3-dose series of routine hepatitis B vaccine. Anti-hepatitis B surface response was evaluated 1-3 months after the third dose of vaccine. Results: The responder rates for patient and control groups were 12/13 (92.8%) and 14/15 (93.8%), respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of both the responder rates and mean antibody titers. Conclusions: These preliminary findings might suggest that the majority of patients with Behcet's disease develop protective antibody response after hepatitis B vaccination and that the immune response against hepatitis B surface antigen is adequate, efficient and intact. (C) 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

Factors Affecting Duration of Hospital Stay in Deceased COVID-19 Patients

Ercan Kurtipek,1 Mehmet Mermer,1 Bilgenur Y&inodot;ld&inodot;r&inodot;m,1 Mehmet Akif Yazar,2 Mustafa Duran,3 Faysal Duksal4 1Department of Chest Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Konya City Hospital, Karatay, Konya, Turkey; 2Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, University of Health Sciences, Konya City Hospital, Karatay, Konya, Turkey; 3Department of Cardiology, University of Health Sciences, Konya City Hospital, Karatay, Konya, Turkey; 4Department of Chest Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital, Selcuklu, Konya, TurkeyCorrespondence: Ercan Kurtipek, Department of Chest Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Konya City Hospital, Karatay, Konya, Turkey, Email [email protected]: Extensive research has been conducted to identify the predictive criteria for COVID-19 disease. White blood cell, C-reactive protein, CRP/albumin ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and ferritin are among the indicators of increased inflammatory response; hence, they could be used to determine the prognosis of COVID-19 cases. Within the scope of this study, we aimed to elucidate the predictivity of NLR, CAR and other laboratory parameters on the duration of hospital stay and mortality in patients with COVID-19.Materials and Method: The data of 1516 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in our institution have been analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups those who deceased within the first 10 days of hospitalization (Group I, ≤ 10 days) and those who deceased in the later period (Group II, > 10 days). Age, gender, time to mortality after hospitalization, neutrophil count, CRP, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), and d-dimer values were obtained from blood samples taken during hospitalization.Results: NLR and CAR values were significantly higher in those who died in the first 10 days compared to the other group (p< 0.02 and p< 0.001, respectively). In addition, WBC, neutrophil, CRP and d-dimer levels were statistically significantly higher than the other group (p< 0.05). Logistic regression analysis results for NLR and CAR were significant. The cut-off values were calculated (5.74 and 4.27, respectively) for both parameters. Among the most common comorbid diseases were hypertension (HT) in 41%, coronary artery disease (CAD) in 41.7%, asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 36.7%, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 36.1%.Conclusion: NLR and CAR may have a decisive influence in determining the length of stay in hospital for patients who die in hospital due to COVID-19. In addition, it is recommended that COVID-19 cases with diabetes be followed closely.Keywords: COVID-19, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, CRP/albumin ratio, hospital mortality, predictive valu

Nicolau's syndrome in a newborn caused by triple DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) vaccination

PubMed: 16631955[No abstract available

Evaluation and impact of chronic cough: comparison of specific vs generic quality-of-life questionnaires

Ekici, Arif B/0000-0001-6099-7066WOS: 000229400900014PubMed: 15945562Background: Chronic cough is a common condition that has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To investigate whether chronic cough is associated with adverse psychological and physical effects on quality of life (QoL) using different HRQoL questionnaires. Methods: Forty patients were recruited for the study. The diagnostic workup was mainly based on the pathogenic triad in chronic cough: postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The HRQoL was evaluated with the cough-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (CQLQ), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Symptom scores were significantly correlated with the CQLQ and LCQ (beta =.415 and beta = -.272, respectively) but not with the SF-36. A statistically significant difference was found in all questionnaires, except the physical component summary domain of the SF-36, after specific therapy. Correlation between the 2 specific HRQoL questionnaires was moderate to high when pretreatment and posttreatment scores were compared (r = -0.42 and r = -0.60). Concurrent validity of the LCQ was higher than the CQLQ when compared with the SF-36 domains. The effect size of each specific QoL questionnaire was I or higher after treatment, whereas it was much less in the SF-36. There was no change in depression with treatment despite anxiety. Posttreatment symptom scores were related with anxiety (r > 0.40) Conclusions: Because HRQoL is important to patients, a cough-specific HRQoL instrument, either the CQLQ or LCQ, should be routinely used to optimally evaluate the impact of cough on patients and to evaluate the efficacy of cough-modifying agents. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005;94:581-585

Carotid intima-media thickness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and survival: A multicenter prospective study

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive method assessing atherosclerosis. Objective: It was aimed to determine relationship and survival between COPD and CIMT. Methods: CIMT was measured using Doppler ultrasound (USG) in 668 stable COPD patients at 24 centers. Patients were followed-up for 2 years. Results: There were 610 patients who completed the study. There were 200 patients CIMT with &lt;0.78 mm (group 1), and 410 with CIMT ? 0.78 mm (group 2). There was a significant difference at the parameters of age, gender, smoking load, biomass exposure, GOLD groups and degree of airway obstruction (FEV1) between groups 1 and 2. Our results revealed positive correlations between mean CIMT and age, smoking load (pack-years), biomass exposure (years), exacerbation rate (last year), duration of hypertension (years) and cholesterol level; negative correlations between CIMT and FEV1 (P &lt; 0.05). According to logistic regression model, compared with group A, risk of CIMT increase was 2.2-fold in group B, 9.7-fold in group C and 4.4-fold in group D (P &lt; 0.05). Risk of CIMT increase was also related with cholesterol level (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with infrequent exacerbation, it was 2.8-fold in the patients with frequent exacerbation (P &lt; 0.05). The mean survival time was slightly higher in group 1, but not significant (23.9 vs 21.8 months) (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study is the first regarding CIMT with combined GOLD assessment groups. It has revealed important findings supporting the increase in atherosclerosis risk in COPD patients. We recommend Doppler USG of the carotid artery in COPD patients at severe stages. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Lt