Clinical course of psoriasis patients that discontinued biologics during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundSince psoriasis is a chronic disease, it is not recommended to discontinue the treatment agents used. However, in real life, the treatment of psoriasis patients may be interrupted for various reasons. During the pandemic period, the treatment of many patients was also interrupted. ObjectivesTo evaluate relapse and clinical worsening in psoriasis patients whose biological therapy was interrupted during the pandemic and reveal associated factors. MethodsThe study included patients aged >= 18 years, who were followed up with moderate and severe chronic psoriasis controlled by the last biological agent [Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75 response achieved] but had to discontinue their treatment during the pandemic. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, clinical course after the discontinuation of these agents, presence of clinical worsening, and relapse were evaluated. Risk factors were analyzed with the logistic regression analysis. ResultsThe study included 169 patients, with a mean age of 47.3 +/- 14.5 (18-87) years. The mean biologics-free time was 18.2 +/- 12.3 (2-56) weeks. Clinical worsening was detected in 41.4% and relapse in 48.5% of the patients. The significant risk factors for clinical worsening and relapse in both univariate and multivariate analyses were alcohol use during the biologics-free period, total time off biologics, and the presence of an additional triggering factor. The use of secukinumab and ustekinumab was found to be a protective factor against clinical worsening in multivariate analyses. ConclusionAs the biologics-free period is prolonged, the likelihood of clinical worsening and relapse increases, therefore, we do not recommend discontinuing biological agents

The retrospective evaluation of patientswith acute bronchiolitis

Amaç: Bronsiolit, küçük hava yollarının inflamatuar obstrüksiyonundan kaynaklanan ve özellikle 6 aydan küçük çocuklarda en sık hospitalizasyon nedeni olan bir hastalıktır. Bu çalısmada, klinigimize bronsiolit nedeniyle kabul edilen olguların demografik özellikleri, klinik bulguları, tedavisi ve prognozu analiz edildi. Bulgular: Olguların %59,7'si (n=40) erkek, %40,3'ü (n=37) kız olup, %40,3'ü kıs, %29,9'u ilkbahar, %23,9'u sonbahar, %6'sı yaz mevsiminde hastanemize kabul edildi. En büyük hasta gurubunu 3-6 aylık bebekler (%35,8) olusturmaktaydı. Ilk basvuru sikayetleri %85'inde öksürük, %53,7'sinde hırıltı ve %34,3'ünde atesti. Atopi öyküsü üç ve daha fazla atak geçirenlerde %41.6, bir ve iki atak geçirenlerde %20olarak saptandı. Sonuç: Ailede atopi öyküsü bulunmasının bronsiolitli olgularda atak sayısını ve steroid gereksinimini arttırdıgı görüldü.Aim: Bronchiolitis is an under respiratory tract disorder which is caused by the inflammatory obstruction of the small airways. It is also the most common reason for hospitalization of children younger than 6 months. In this study, demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, treatment and prognoses of patients who had been admitted to our clinic due to bronchiolitis were investigated. Findings: 59.7% of patients were male, and 40.3% were female. 40.3% were admitted to our hospital in winter, 29.5% in spring, 23.6% in fall and 6% in summer. The largest group of patients consisted of infants between 3-6 months (35.9%). Initial complaints were coughing in 85%, wheezing in 53.7% and fever in 34.3%. Of the patients history of atopy was determined more frequently (41.6%) among those who suffered from three or more attacks compared with patients who experienced one to two attacks (20%). Result: A history of atopy in the patient's family increases the number of bronchiolitis attacks and the need for steroid

Fronto-striatal structures related with model-based control as an endophenotype for obsessive–compulsive disorder

Recent theories suggest a shift from model-based goal-directed to model-free habitual decision-making in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, it is yet unclear, whether this shift in the decision process is heritable. We investigated 32 patients with OCD, 27 unaffected siblings (SIBs) and 31 healthy controls (HCs) using the two-step task. We computed behavioral and reaction time analyses and fitted a computational model to assess the balance between model-based and model-free control. 80 subjects also underwent structural imaging. We observed a significant ordered effect for the shift towards model-free control in the direction OCD>SIB>HC in our computational parameter of interest. However less directed analyses revealed no shift towards model-free control in OCDs. Nonetheless, we found evidence for reduced model-based control in OCDs compared to HCs and SIBs via 2nd stage reaction time analyses. In this measure SIBs also showed higher levels of model-based control than HCs. Across all subjects these effects were associated with the surface area of the left medial/right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Moreover, correlations between bilateral putamen/right caudate volumes and these effects varied as a function of group: they were negative in SIBs and OCDs, but positive in HCs. Associations between fronto-striatal regions and model-based reaction time effects point to a potential endophenotype for OCD

Henoch-Schonlein purpuralı hastaların analizi

Amaç: HSP'li hastalarımızın epidemiyolojik ve klinik özellikleri, laboratuar bulguları ve hastalıgın seyrinin incelenmesi amaçlandı. Yöntem: 2000-2006 yılları arasında, hastanemiz Çocuk Saglıgı ve Hastalıkları Klinigi'nde Henoch-Schonlein Purpurası tanısı alan ve izlenen 45 hasta retrospektif olarak incelendi. Bulgular: Hastaların 27 (%60,0)'si kız, 18 (%40,0)'i erkek, kız / erkek oranı 1.5 idi.Yas ortalaması 6 yas 9 ay (8 ay-14 yas) olarak saptandı. Basvuru sikayetleri sıklık sırasına göre döküntü (%100), yürüyememe ve/veya eklem agrısı (%71,1) ve karın agrısı (%40,0) idi. Hastaların % 57,7'inde ortalama 12 gün önce geçirilmis enfeksiyon öyküsü tespit edildi. Fizik muayenede purpurik döküntü (alt ekstremite ve gluteal bölgede %100, yaygın %11,1), artrit (32 hastada, %71,1, en sık ayak bilegi ve diz eklemlerinde), ates (9 hastada, %20,0) bulundu. Laboratuar bulguları anemi (8/45 hasta, %17,7), lökositoz (6/45 hasta, %13,3), trombositoz (16/45 hasta, %35,5), sedimentasyon yüksekligi (16/25 hasta, %64,0), CRP pozitifligi (33/34 hasta, %97,0), hematüri (4/45 hasta, %8,8), proteinüri (2/45 hasta, %,4,4), gaitada gizli kan pozitifligi (14/42 hasta, %33,3) bulundu. Hematüri ve proteinüri devam etmedigi için hiçbir hastada böbrek biyopsisine gerek duyulmadı. Gastrointestinal sistem tutulumu oldugu düsünülen 17 hastaya steroid tedavisi baslandı ve ortalama 9.1 gün kullanıldı. Perforasyon, invaginasyon gözlenmedi. Ortalama 15. günde 9 hastada relaps görüldü. Santral sinir sistemi tutulumu hiçbir hastada yoktu. Sonuç: Henoch-Schonlein Purpurası çocukluk çagında sık görülen benign karakterli bir hastalık olup komplikasyon ve sekel oranı oldukça düsüktür.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiologic features, laboratory finding and outcome of disease in our patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Methods: Fourty-five patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura who were diagnosed and observed in our department of pediatrics between 2000-2006 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Twentyseven (60.0%) of the patients were female and 18 (40.0%) were male, female to male ratio was1.5. Mean age of the patients was 6 year 9 months (8 months-14 years). İnitial symptoms and findings in the time of admission with decreasing frequency were purpura (100%), disability to walk and/or arthralgia (71.1%) ve stomachache (40.0%). An infection history was present in 57.7% of the patients in the last 12 days. In physical examination, purpura (lower extremity and hips 100%, diffuse 11.1%), arhtritis (32 patients, 71.1%, mostly diffused on ankle and knee), fever (9 patients, 20,0%) were discovered. Anaemia (8/45 patients, 17.7%), leukocytosis (6/45 patients, 13.3%), trombocytosis (16/45 patients, 35.5%), increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (16/25 patients, 64.0%), positive CRP (33/34 patients, 97.0%), hematuria (4/45 patients, 8.8%), proteinuria (2/45 patients, 4.4%), positive fecal blood tests (14/42 patients, 33.3%) were determined. Renal biopsy was not needed as there was no persistant hematuria and proteinuria. 17 patients who had gastrointestinal involvement were treated with steroid therapy for a mean period of 9.1 days. Perforation and invagination was not observed. Relapse was seen in 9 patients. (mean duration 15th day). There was no nervous system involvement in any patients. Conclusion: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura is a frequent benign disease of childhood. Complicatios and sequeles are infrequent

Patient use of complementary and alternative medicine for psoriasis vulgaris and factors believed to trigger the disease: A multicenter cross-sectional study with 1621 patients

Introduction: Due to the chronic recurrent nature of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and lack of definitive treatment for the disease, patients often resort to alternative treatments. Physicians seem to have low awareness of this issue. Objectives: To elicit the perceptions of 1,621 PV patients on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and examine factors reported to worsen PV. Methods: The patients sociodemographic characteristics, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), disease duration, and severity were recorded, and the patients CAM use was questioned in detail. The patients were also asked about factors that worsened PV and their experiences with a gluten-free diet. Results: Of the patients, 56.51% had used CAM. The mean age, illness duration, PASI scores and DLQI of those using CAM were significantly higher. CAM use was significantly higher in those with facial, genital involvement, and arthralgia/arthritis. The patients mostly referred to CAM when PV became severe (46.4%). Of the CAM users, 45.52% used herbal topicals. The physicians of 67.03% did not inquire whether they used CAM. Of the participants, 37.73% considered that stress worsened their disease. Gluten-free diet did not affect PV symptoms in 52.22%. Conclusions: Patients CAM use is often overlooked by dermatologists. Our results showed that more than half the patients used CAM and did not share this information with their physicians. Therefore, the awareness of physicians should be increased and patients should be asked about the use of CAM and directed to the appropriate medical treatment options by physicians

Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and side effects of secukinumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: Real-world data from a retrospective multicenter study

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated that IL-17A inhibition with secukinumab is effective for clearing the skin of patients with psoriasis and has a favorable safety profile. Objective: The authors aim to determine whether secukinumab is effective and safe for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic psoriasis based on clinical experience with this drug. Method: The authors conducted a multicenter retrospective study in nine referral centers and included patients with psoriasis who had received secukinumab between March 2018 to November 2020. Data on demographic characteristics, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, and previous treatments were collected from medical records. Patients were evaluated at 12, 24, and 52 weeks with respect to response to treatment and side effects. Results: In total, 229 patients were recruited for the study. A PASI score improvement of ≥90 points over the baseline was achieved by 79%, 69.8%, and 49.3% of patients at weeks 12, 24, and 52, respectively. The most common adverse events wereCandida infections and fatigue. In total, 74 (32%) patients discontinued treatment by week 52, including due to adverse events, or secondary ineffectiveness. Study limitations: Retrospective design. Conclusions: These findings suggest that secukinumab therapy is reasonably effective in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Comorbidities and time length of the disease can affect the response to treatment. The rates of adverse events were high in this patient population

Habits of using social media and the internet in psoriasis patients

Introduction: Psoriasis significantly affects the patients quality of life, which often leads patients to seek online information about this disease. Objectives: To explore the habits of patients with psoriasis related to their use of social media (SM) and the internet to obtain information about their disease. Methods: 1,520 patients completed the survey and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index scores (PASI) and clinical data of the patients were recorded by their physicians. Results: Of the 1,114 patients that reported using SM and internet, 48.38% regularly and 31.14% sometimes resorted to obtain information about psoriasis. The use of SM and internet for psoriasis was statistically significantly higher among young people (P = 0.000), those with university or higher education (P = 0.009), higher DLQI (P = 0.000) and PASI (P = 0.011) scores, facial (P = 0.050), scalp (P = 0.032), hand (P = 0.048), genital (P = 0.001) and inverse (P = 0.000) involvement, and arthralgia/arthritis (P = 0.006). The participants mostly used the Google (86%) and Facebook (41%). More than half of the participants (62.8%) expected dermatologists to inform society that psoriasis is not contagious. Conclusions: Internet and SM being widely available and offering substantial information to be easily accessed make it very attractive for patients to use these platforms to investigate diseases, including psoriasis. If what is presented on SM conflicts with what the physician says, patients mostly trust the latter, but at the same time, they tend not to share the results of their online inquiries with their physicians

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Epidemiology of surgery associated acute kidney injury (EPIS-AKI): a prospective international observational multi-center clinical study

Purpose: The incidence, patient features, risk factors and outcomes of surgery-associated postoperative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) across different countries and health care systems is unclear. Methods: We conducted an international prospective, observational, multi-center study in 30 countries in patients undergoing major surgery (> 2-h duration and postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit admission). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of PO-AKI within 72 h of surgery defined by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Secondary endpoints included PO-AKI severity and duration, use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality, and ICU and hospital length of stay. Results: We studied 10,568 patients and 1945 (18.4%) developed PO-AKI (1236 (63.5%) KDIGO stage 1500 (25.7%) KDIGO stage 2209 (10.7%) KDIGO stage 3). In 33.8% PO-AKI was persistent, and 170/1945 (8.7%) of patients with PO-AKI received RRT in the ICU. Patients with PO-AKI had greater ICU (6.3% vs. 0.7%) and hospital (8.6% vs. 1.4%) mortality, and longer ICU (median 2 (Q1-Q3, 1-3) days vs. 3 (Q1-Q3, 1-6) days) and hospital length of stay (median 14 (Q1-Q3, 9-24) days vs. 10 (Q1-Q3, 7-17) days). Risk factors for PO-AKI included older age, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease), type, duration and urgency of surgery as well as intraoperative vasopressors, and aminoglycosides administration. Conclusion: In a comprehensive multinational study, approximately one in five patients develop PO-AKI after major surgery. Increasing severity of PO-AKI is associated with a progressive increase in adverse outcomes. Our findings indicate that PO-AKI represents a significant burden for health care worldwide

Outcomes of high-risk breast lesions diagnosed using image-guided core needle biopsy: results from a multicenter retrospective study

PURPOSEThe clinical management of high-risk lesions using image-guided biopsy is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the rates at which such lesions were upgraded to malignancy and identify possible predictive factors for upgrading high-risk lesions.METHODSThis retrospective multicenter analysis included 1.343 patients diagnosed with high-risk lesions using an image-guided core needle or vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). Only patients managed using an excisional biopsy or with at least one year of documented radiological follow-up were included. For each, the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category, number of samples, needle thickness, and lesion size were correlated with malignancy upgrade rates in different histologic subtypes. Pearson’s chi-squared test, the Fisher–Freeman–Halton test, and Fisher’s exact test were used for the statistical analyses.RESULTSThe overall upgrade rate was 20.6%, with the highest rates in the subtypes of intraductal papilloma (IP) with atypia (44.7%; 55/123), followed by atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) (38.4%; 144/375), lobular neoplasia (LN) (12.7%; 7/55), papilloma without atypia (9.4%; 58/611), flat epithelial atypia (FEA) (8.7%; 10/114), and radial scars (RSs) (4.6%; 3/65). There was a significant relationship between the upgrade rate and BI-RADS category, number of samples, and lesion size Lesion size was the most predictive factor for an upgrade in all subtypes.CONCLUSIONADH and atypical IP showed considerable upgrade rates to malignancy, requiring surgical excision. The LN, IP without atypia, pure FEA, and RS subtypes showed lower malignancy rates when the BI-RADS category was lower and in smaller lesions that had been adequately sampled using VAB. After being discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting, these cases could be managed with follow-up instead of excision