Environmental risk factors in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis in Kayseri: a case control study

Background: our purpose is to evaluate the possible relationship between multiple sclerosis (MS) and environmental factors in Kayseri. Methods: this case control study was conducted on 100 patients with MS and 100 sex-aged and residential area matched control. Data was collected by using face to face interviews. Questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part was comprised of items related with the participants’ sociodemographic features. The second part was related with factors thought to be involved in the occurrence or aggravation of the disease. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: logistic regression analysis revealed the following as possible risk factors in MS cases: economic status (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.14 adjusted 7.19; Confidence Interval 95% (CI): 0.05-0.43), having a sensitive personality (OR:4.51; 95% CI: 1.10-18.45), familial history of MS (OR:3.28; 95% CI: 1.3-8.27), history of cranial and spinal injury (OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.11-8.08), cooking oil consumption (OR:0.07 adjusted 13.5; 95% CI: 0.03-0.20), consumption of legumes and grains (OR: 0.11 adjusted 8.9; 95% CI: 0.03-0.41), and living in dwellings within a distance of 500 meters from transformer basestations (OR: 6.5; 95% CI: 1.54-28.21). Conclusions: we believe that it is necessary to inform the individuals about the risk of MS and their relatives of the results of large-scale joint studies and to offer suggestions based on the data obtained

Environmental risk factors in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis in Kayseri:a case control study

<p><strong>Background</strong>: our purpose is to evaluate the possible relationship between multiple sclerosis (MS) and environmental factors in Kayseri.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> this case control study was conducted on 100 patients with MS and 100 sex-aged and residential area matched control. Data was collected by using face to face interviews. Questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part was comprised of items related with the participants’ sociodemographic features. The second part was related with factors thought to be involved in the occurrence or aggravation of the disease. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for analysis.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> logistic regression analysis revealed the following as possible risk factors in MS cases: economic status (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.14 adjusted 7.19; Confidence Interval 95% (CI): 0.05-0.43), having a sensitive personality (OR:4.51; 95% CI: 1.10-18.45), familial history of MS (OR:3.28; 95% CI: 1.3-8.27), history of cranial and spinal injury (OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.11-8.08), cooking oil consumption (OR:0.07 adjusted 13.5; 95% CI: 0.03-0.20), consumption of legumes and grains (OR: 0.11 adjusted 8.9; 95% CI: 0.03-0.41), and living in dwellings within a distance of 500 meters from transformer basestations (OR: 6.5; 95% CI: 1.54-28.21).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> we believe that it is necessary to inform the individuals about the risk of MS and their relatives of the results of large-scale joint studies and to offer suggestions based on the data obtained.</p

Factors affecting blood pressure control in women aged 15–49

Background: While 25% of adult women in the world are hypertensive, the percentage of women, who cannot achieve blood pressure control despite taking medication, is 55.9 ± 1.5%. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and control rate of hypertension and to detect the factors affecting this situation in women in the 15-49 age group. Material and Methods: 700 women in the 15-49 age group were selected and a questionnaire was applied. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured and spot urines were collected on the same day. 24-hour sodium excretion and daily salt intake were calculated using the Kawasaki method. Results: While 14.3% of the women were hypertensive, only 19% of them were able to achieve blood pressure control. Fifty eight percent of the hypertensive women use more than 15 g / day of salt and the estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion of these women was 311.6 ± 39.5 mmol / l. Hypertensive women using less than 5 g / day of salt were 0.3%. Salty foods consumed by the hypertensive women were pickles (55.6%), cheese (92.6%), olives (88.8%), vine leaves (71.6%), sujuk and Turkish pastrami (47.6%), and tomato paste (100%). Conclusions: In our study, participants were consuming large amounts of salt and there was a positive correlation between salt intake and blood pressure. Therefore, all efforts for sodium restriction are very important in the management of hypertension