Are treatment guides and rational drug use policies adequately exploited in combating respiratory system diseases?

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to increase awareness regarding the rational use of medicines. The data were obtained via the Material Resources Management System Module of the Ministry of Health. For the appropriateness of treatments, the Global Initiative for Asthma, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, and the guidelines for the rational use of medicines were used. We also investigated whether any de-escalation method or physical exercise was performed. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics to determine the mean, standard deviation, and frequency. The results showed that healthcare providers ignored potential drug reactions or adverse interactions, and reflecting the lack of adherence to the current treatment guides, 35.8% irrational use of medicines was recorded. Thus, de-escalation methods should be used to decrease costs or narrow the antibiotic spectrum, antibiotic selection should consider the resistance patterns, culturing methods should be analyzed, and monotherapy should be preferred over combination treatments

Comparison of alterations in frequency and cost of antibiotic use in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units of a hospital following protocol to an education and research hospital

AiM: The objective of this study is to show the alterations in frequency and cost of antibiotic use in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units of a state hospital after it started to service as an education and research hospital. We also aimed to raise an awareness related to rational antibiotic use. METHODS: The surveillance of antibiotic use and comparison of costs were evaluated in 392 patients in between August 2013-January 2014. The rate and cost of antibiotic use during last 90 days before the protocol of state hospital to research and education hospital and the first 90 days after protocol were evaluated. Antibiotics were assessed according to the treatment protocols of the Committee of Rational Drug Use, Infection Control Committee and Antibiotic Control Committee. Antibiotics were provided from administrative system and the data related to costs were obtained from Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance. The demographic data and the data related to indication for admission to intensive care units, antibiotic dosages and pathogens causing infections were also obtained. For statistical analysis, SPSS program was used and descriptive analysis were made. In comparison of the groups, Mann Whitney U and chi-square tests were used. The data were evaluated within a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In first and second period, 143 patients were hospitalized for 3.18+/-1.13 days and 105 patients were hospitalized for 2.69+/-4.14 days in pediatric intensive care unit(PICU); 79 patients were hospitalized for 17.29+/-3.61 days and 65 patients stayed for 21.29+/-3.29 days in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU), respectively. In the first and second period, cost of antibiotics in PICU was found 341.81+/-744.49 (med:14.91) and 585.35+/-796.62 (med:256.44) (p=0.02) Turkish Liras (TL); in NICU 137.92+/-178.78 (med:14.59) and 247.40+/-370.13(med:19.23) (p=0.76) TL respectively. CONCLUSiON: In the second period, in PICU, duration of hospitalization was found to decrease and costs of antibiotics were higher. In NICU, the duration of hospitalization was longer and although statistically insignificant, costs of antibiotics were slightly higher. Differences between the two periods in term of cost showed that, PICUs and ICUs should revisit their antibiotic preferences from the viewpoint of a pediatric infectious disease physician. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2015; 14(2.000): 107-112

Cinsel ağrı bozukluğu olan Türk kadın örnekleminde penetrasyon bilişlerinin ve cinsel işlevselliğin değerlendirilmesi: Karşılaştırmalı bir çalışma]

Objective: The aim of this investigation is to compare vaginal penetration cognitions and general sexual functionality in women with vaginismus and dyspareunia and healthy controls. Methods: A sample of 210 women (70 women with lifelong vaginismus, 70 women with dyspareunia and 70 women without painful sexual activity) completed a series of validated questionnaires. All participant received Structured Assessment Questionnaire, Golombok-Rust Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire (VPCQ). Results: It was found that when compared to dyspareunia and control group, women with vaginismus have higher cognitive scores of loss of control during penetration in VPCQ. Moreover, vaginismus group have lower level of sexual knowledge, cannot penetrate their fingers into their vaginas, and do not use tampons. Both women with vaginismus and dyspareunia were reported to have more level of negative self-cognitions, catastrophe/pain and genital incompatibility cognitions than those women with no sexual complaints. Moreover, women with vaginismus and women with dyspareunia have more anorgasmia, non-sensuality and sexual dysfunctions than the control group. Conclusion: Our results revealed that Turkish women with sexual pain disorder have similar vaginal penetration cognitions with women living in Western societies. In addition, according to our results it will be beneficial to define another sub group consisting of women who have never experienced sexual intercourse under the title of genito-pelvic pain/ penetration disorder because there are noteworthy differences between vaginismus and dyspareunia

A Retrospective Analysis of Pediatric Patients Admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Service for Carbon Monoxide Intoxication

Objective: The aim of the study is to analyze the general aspects of cases with carbon monoxide intoxication in order to improve the approach to future patients

Evaluation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a marker of inflammatory response in septic arthritis

Is neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio high in patients with septic arthritis? Septic arthritis may lead to higher rates of morbidity or even mortality if not diagnosed on time. This study was planned to answer the question that “Could neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio be utilized to help to diagnose septic arthritis?” The cohort of the study consisted of 39 patients diagnosed with septic arthritis. After ruling out the patients who did not meet the research’s inclusion criteria, the data of 26 patients were evaluated. The control group was collected from healthy volunteers who were admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinic for a routine medical checkup at the same period (n = 26). Complete blood count (CBC) parameters, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios of the septic arthritis and control groups were compared statistically. In comparison, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios of the septic arthritis group were significantly higher than the control group. In conclusion, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio can be utilized in the emergency department or in outpatient clinics to support the diagnosis of septic arthritis

A Risk Assessment Comparison of Breast Cancer and Factors Affected to Risk Perception of Women in Turkey: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The increase in breast cancer incidence has enhanced attention towards breast cancer risk. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of breast cancer and risk perception of women, factors that affect risk perception, and to determine differences between absolute risk and the perception of risk