Usefulness of laboratory parameters and chest CT in the early diagnosis of COVID-19

In the present study, the importance of laboratory parameters and CT findings in the early diagnosis of COVID-19 was investigated. To this end, 245 patients admitted between April 1st, and May 30th, 2020 with suspected COVID-19 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to chest CT findings and RT-PCR results. The non-COVID-19 group consisted of 71 patients with negative RT-PCR results and no chest CT findings. Ninety-five patients with positive RT-PCR results and negativechest CT findings were included in the COVID-19 group; 79 patients with positive RT-PCR results and chest CT findings consistent with COVID-19 manifestations were included in COVID-19 pneumonia group. Chest CT findings were positive in 45% of all COVID-19 patients. Patients with positive chest CT findings had mild (n=30), moderate (n=21) andor severe (n=28) lung involvement. In the COVID-19 group, CRP levels and the percentage of monocytes increased significantly. As disease progressed from mild to severe, CRP, LDH and ferritin levels gradually increased. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve corresponding to the percentage value of monocytes (AUC=0.887) had a very good accuracy in predicting COVID-19 cases. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that CRP, LYM and % MONO were independent factors for COVID-19. Furthermore, the chest CT evaluation is a relevant tool in patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 pneumonia and negative RT-PCR results. In addition to decreased lymphocyte count, the increased percentage of monocytes may also guide the diagnosis

Reliability of two common classifications for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease if using MRI: Pediatric orthopedists vs. radiologists

In patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP), the Catterall and Herring classifications based on standard hip radiographs are frequently used. In this study, the compatibility of classification systems in hip radiographs and MR images of LCP patients was examined among specialist working in the departments of Orthopedics and Radiology, and the reliability was investigated. In this study, which included 37 Perthes patients, two separate presentations were prepared in which the radiological imaging of the patients was determined by drawing lots. Six experienced specialists were selected as observers, three of whom were radiologist and three of pediatric orthopedists. Each presentations were sent to the observers one month apart. They were asked to categorize visual data. Data were evaluated with percent agreement (PA) and Gwet's AC1 method. In the Catterall classification, agreement among pediatric orthopedists decreased in MRI examination, while an increase was observed among radiologists. In the Herring classification, while pediatric orthopedists remained at a similar level, radiologists' inter-observer reliability increased. When the intra-observer reliability was examined, it was observed that the radiologists in the Catterall classification and the orthopedists in the Herring classification were more stable in the evaluations made with MRI. The usability of both classification systems, which provide prognostic prediction, in MRI examinations is a crucial unknown. It is fruitful that both radiologists and pediatric orthopedists work together in novel classification systems to be created using MRI. [Med-Science 2022; 11(4.000): 1507-10

An investigation into the effects of kinesiotaping for posture correction on kyphosis angle, pain, and balance in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis-associated thoracic kyphosis

Although positive effect of kinesiotaping in reducing back pain in addition to exercise was observed in 6-week follow-up, no additional contribution to exercise was demonstrated in kyphosis angle and balance assessment. Instantaneous positive effect of taping was observed in kyphosis angle and static balance measurement using a SportKAT device measurements 30 min after taping. Objective The present study aims to investigate whether kinesiotaping for posture correction in patients with osteoporosis-related increased kyphosis provides additional benefits to routine osteoporosis and balance exercises in reducing dorsal kyphosis angle, pain, and balance. Method A single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with unblinded assessments at baseline, week 3, and week 6 and additional measures 30 min immediately after taping in intervention group only. Forty-two female osteoporotic patients with hyperkyphosis were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group received an exercise program plus 3 sessions of kinesiotaping over the upper back; the control group received only an exercise program. The primary outcome measure was dorsal kyphosis angle, measured using a digital inclinometer. Secondary outcome measures were pain assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS 0-10 cm) and balance assessed with the Berg Balance Scale and SportKAT device. Results The study was conducted on 22 patients with an average age of 64 +/- 7.08 in the control group and 20 patients with an average age of 63.1 +/- 8.8 in the treatment group. There was not a significant difference when dorsal kyphosis angle of the two groups was compared in terms of the change between the baseline and week 6. The mean change in the control group was 0.86 +/- 2 while it was 0.70 +/- 1.75 in the intervention group. No significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of balance measurements. Significant differences were seen in favor of the intervention group when the VAS pain scores of the two groups were compared in terms of the change between the baseline and week 3 (p < 0.001) and the baseline and week 6 (p < 0.001), while no such difference was identified when the changes between weeks 3 and 6 were compared between the two groups. A significant effect on dorsal kyphosis angle and balance was also shown in the treatment group 30 min after taping. Conclusion Application of kinesiotaping may have short-term positive effects on pain, but is unlikely to have significant effects on kyphosis angle or balance for women with osteoporosis. Positive changes seen in kyphosis angle and balance 30 min after taping are short-lived

THE EFFECT OF POSTURE SUPPORT CORSET ON BALANCE, QUALITY OF LIFE, DORSAL KYPHOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH KYPHOSIS DUE TO OSTEOPOROSIS

WOS: 000326136800003Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of posture support corset (kypho-orthosis) on balance, quality of life, and dorsal kyphosis angle in patients with kyphosis due to osteoporosis. Materials and Method: Twenty-nine patients were randomized into two groups. One group (n=14) was given the conventional osteoporosis exercises, and the other group (n=15) was given the kypho-orthosis in addition to these exercises. Kyphosis angle and height were measured. Evaluations were done by Kinesthetic Ability Trainer device, single foot balance test, Timed Up & Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis at baseline, and after one and three months. Results: In both groups, a significant improvement was found after treatment in terms of values measured by Timed Up & Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, right and left foot balance test, the physical and mental functional dimensions of quality of life and dorsal kyphosis angle. A significant difference was found in height at three months in the corset group. Conclusion: Using kypho-orthosis does not provide additional benefit to the exercise program on balance, dorsal kyphosis angle and the quality of life; but it contributes to height increase by providing the patients with a more vertical posture

THE EFFECT OF POSTURE SUPPORT CORSET ON BALANCE, QUALITY OF LIFE, DORSAL KYPHOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH KYPHOSIS DUE TO OSTEOPOROSIS

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of posture support corset (kypho-orthosis) on balance, quality of life, and dorsal kyphosis angle in patients with kyphosis due to osteoporosis

HIV Pozitif Gebeliklerde Seçilen Doğum Şeklinin,Doğum Süresinin ve Doğum Travayı TakibininFetal Bulaş Açısından Perinatal vePostnatal Sonuçlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Giriş: İnsan immün yetmezlik virüsü (HIV); dünyada ilk olarak 1981 yılında tanımlanmış olup, ülkemizde ise ilk vaka 1985 yılında görülmüştür.1985 yılında toplam üç olan vaka sayısı, 30 Haziran 2019 itibariyle toplam 21.988’dir. HIV bulaş yolları ele alındığında, halen tüm HIV vakalarının%48.6‘sının bulaş yolu bilinememektedir. Bu durum %1’lik gibi oldukça düşük oranlarda bildirilen anneden bebeğe bulaşın gerçekte daha da yüksekoranlarda olabileceğini düşündürmektedir.Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmada hastanemizde doğum yapan HIV pozitif anneden doğan bebeklerin perinatal öykülerinin ve laboratuvar özelliklerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Hastanemizde 2009-2019 yılları arasında doğum yapan HIV ile enfekte anne bebeklerinin perinatal öyküleri velaboratuvar özellikleri geriye dönük olarak incelenmiş, HIV enfeksiyonunave gebelik seyrine ait bilgiler, bulunabildiği kadarıyla tıbbi kayıtlardan eldeedilmiştir. Bulgular: HIV ile enfekte anneden doğan 15 bebeğin (%60 erkek, %40 kız)annelerinin 2’sine (%13.3) gebelikten önce, 7’sine (%46.7) gebelik sırasında,6’sına (%40) ise doğum sırasında HIV tanısı koyulduğu belirlendi. 8 annenin(%53.3) gebelik sırasında antiretroviral tedavi aldığı, 2 (%13.3) gebenin normal spontan doğum ile doğum yaptığı saptandı. Normal spontan doğumile doğan bebeklerden birine zidovudin profilaksisi başlanmış ve izlemindebebeğin sekiz haftalık profilaksi sonrasında HIV viral yükünün halen negatifolduğu görülerek profilaksisi kesilmiş, diğer bebek ise anne tarafından izinsiz olarak götürülmüştür. Göç İdaresi ile iletişime geçilmiş ancak anne ve bebeğe ulaşılamamıştır. 3 (%20) gebede erken membran rüptürü öyküsü saptanırken, en uzun travay süresi de 16 saat olarak belirlendi. 11 (%73.3) gebedoğum sırasında intravenöz zidovudin tedavisi ve 13 (%86.6) bebek antiretroviral profilaksi almıştı. HIV viral yükü bakılmış olan 11 bebeğin biri hariçdiğerlerinin viral yükü negatif saptanmıştır. HIV viral yükü pozitif (300.000kopya/mL) olan olgu 38. gestasyon haftasında sezaryen ile doğmuş olup,annesi doğum sırasında tanı almış, doğum sonrası hastaya üçlü (zidovudin,lamivudin, nevirapin) antiretroviral profilaksi başlanmıştı.Sonuç: Türkiye’de HIV enfeksiyonu çok sık görülmemekle birlikte, olgu sayısı yıllar içinde giderek artmaktadır. HIV’in anneden bebeğe perinatal geçişi,doğum öncesi, sırası ve sonrasında alınacak önlemler ile azaltılabilir. Özellikle, gebelikte HIV enfeksiyonu tanısının geç konulmaması ya da atlanmamasısağlanmalı ve HIV ile enfekte gebelerin takibi HIV konusunda uzman merkezlerce yapılmalıdır.Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first described in1981 in the world, and the first case in our country was seen in 1985. Thetotal number of cases is 21.988 as of 30 June 2019, which was 3 in 1985.Considering the transmission routes of HIV positive cases in our country,the rate of transmission from mother to baby seems to be 1%, but it is likely that this ratio will be higher if 48.6% of all cases are not known.Material and Methods: In this study, perinatal histories and laboratoryfeatures of babies born from HIV-positive mothers are planned to be analyzed retrospectively. As far as possible information on HIV infection andthe course of pregnancy has been obtained from the medical records andthe perinatal history and laboratory features of HIV-infected mother’s babies who delivered between 2009 and 2019 at our hospital were analyzedretrospectively Results: Fifteen infants’ (60% male, 40% female) mothers were diagnosedin 2 (13.3%) before pregnancy, 7 (46.7%) of the mothers during pregnancy,and 6 (40%) of the mothers during delivery. It was ascertained that eightmothers (53.3%) received antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy and 2(13.3%) mothers delivered by normal spontaneous vaginal route. Zidovudine prophylaxis was started in one of the babies born with a normal spontaneous vaginal route, and the HIV virus load was still negative after eightweeks of prophylaxis and the prophylaxis was discontinued, the other babywas taken by the mother without permission. Premature membrane rupture was detected in three (20%) pregnant women, and the longest labortime was 16 hours. Eleven (73.3%) pregnant women received intravenouszidovudine therapy and 13 (86.6%) babies received antiretroviral prophylaxis. The viral load of the others was negative except one of the 11 babieswhose HIV viral load was examined. The patient with a positive HIV viralload (300.000 copies/mL) was born by cesarean at 38 weeks of gestationand her mother was diagnosed during delivery and triple antiretroviralprophylaxis (zidovudine, lamivudine, nevirapine) was started on to baby.Conclusion: Although HIV prevalence is not high in Turkey, the number ofcases has been increasing over the years. Perinatal transmission of the HIVvirus from mother to baby can be reduced by measures to be taken before,during and after birth. In particular, it should be ensured that HIV infectionis not diagnosed late or missed during pregnancy, and HIV-infected pregnant women should be followed up by centers which specialized in HIV

Awareness of Osteoporosis and its Related Factors After Distal Radius Fractures in Patients Aged 45 Years and Older

Objective: Osteoporosis is an important health problem with regard to morbidity, mortality, and negative effects on quality of life as well as health-related costs. Distal radius fracture is one of the most frequent fractures and it has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of further fractures. Awareness and treatment of osteoporosis is important to prevent further fractures in patients with osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of osteoporosis and related factors in distal radius fracture patients

The Importance of Echocardiography in Detecting Coronary Artery Anomalies in Children

Objective: There is no established current algorithm of treatment and clinical follow-up in children with coronary artery anomalies. We analysed the clinical characteristics, diagnosis treatment options of children and adolescents identified with coronary artery anomalies Method: In this retrospective study, 4000 children who attended to our clinic were included between January 2016 and January 2018 at paediatric cardiology department. We reviewed the medical records of 12 patients who had suspicion of coronary-artery anomalies by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: Twelve cases were detected to have coronary artery anomalies. All patients were children-adolescent with a mean age at the time of diagnosis of 10.7 +/- 5 years. None of the patients had cardiac ischemia symptoms. Most common anomaly (5 patients) was the left circumflex coronary artery (Cx) originating from the right coronary artery (RCA). Surgical therapy is recommended in two of 12 patients with interarterial course of coronary artery anomaly. Conclusion: Echocardiography is an important diagnostic tool in childhood due to acoustic window quality. It is crucial to identify children, particularly children with anomalous origin of coronary arteries who will participate competitive sports. Additional imaging tools including computer tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and coronary angiography are needed to confirm the definite diagnosis

The Presence of Osteoporosis and Subdinical Vertebral Fracture in Patients Over 45 Years of Age With a Fracture of the Distal and of the Radius

Objective: The purpose of this study was to research the presence of osteoporosis and Subclinical Vertebral Fracture (SVF) in patients with a fracture of the distal end of the radius (FDER)