LIMPRINT study - the Turkish experience

Background: Lymphedema and chronic oedema is a major healthcare problem in both developed and non-developed countries The LIMPRINT study is an international health service based study to determine the prevalence and functional impact in adult populations of member countries of the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF). Methods: 1051 patients from 8 centers in Turkey were recruited using the LIMPRINT study protocol. Data were collected using the core and module tools which assess the demographic and clinical properties as well as disability and QoL. Results: Most of the Turkish patients were recruited from specialist lymphedema services and were found to be female, housewives and having secondary lymphedema due to cancer treatment. The duration of lymphedema was commonly less than 5 years and most of them had ISL Grade 2 lymphedema. Cellulitis, infection and wounds were uncommon. The majority of patients did not get any treatment or advice before. Most of the patients had impaired QoL and decreased functionality, but psychological support was neglected. Although most had social health security access to Lymphedema centres nevertheless access seemed difficult due to distance and cost. Conclusion: The study has shown the current status and characteristics of lymphedema patients, treatment conditions, the unmet need for the diagnosis and treatment as well as burden of the disease in both patients and families in Turkey. National health policies are needed for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment in Turkey that utilise this informative data

Relationship between urinary incontinence and quality of life/depression in elderly patients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between urinary incontinence (UI) and quality of life/depression in elderly patients. Methods: The study included a total of 109 elderly adults aged 65 years and older, consisting of 44 patients with and 65 patients without UI. Demographic data were recorded and UI was assessed using a questionnaire. The Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination was used to evaluate cognitive function. Depression status was assessed using the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale and quality of life was assessed using Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey scoring. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of the elderly patients with UI was 80.06 ± 6.25 years; 21 (47.7%) were women and the other 23 (52.3%) were men. The mean ± SD visual analog scale score for the severity of UI was 6.22 ± 0.85; the mean ± SD number of diurnal voidings was 7.20 ± 0.87 and the mean ± SD number of nocturnal voidings was 3.81 ± 0.97. The mean ± SD depression score of elderly patients with UI was significantly higher than those without UI (p < 0.0001). There was a strong negative correlation between depression and UI (p < 0.0005; r = −0.886). Both the mental and physical scores of the SF-36 quality of life scale were significantly lower in elderly patients with UI than in those without (p < 0.005). An increased risk of depression (5.90-fold) was found in elderly patients with UI compared with those without UI. UI was found to cause a 0.037 point reduction in the physical component score and a 0.055 point reduction in the mental component score; these are statistically significant. Conclusion: UI in elderly adults leads not only the loss of physical abilities, but also to changes in their mental condition