Elderly and aged asthma have different characteristics: results of a multicenter study

Background/aim: Characteristics of asthma in the elderly population is not well-known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate asthma in the elderly population, to compare disease characteristics between patients diagnosed <60 (aged asthma) and ≥60 (elderly asthma) years of age. Materials and methods: The study was a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional type. A questionnaire was filled out to patients 60 years of age and over, that have been followed for asthma for at least 3 months. Asthma Control Test (ACT), eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was filled out, inhaler device technique was assessed. Results: A total of 399 patients were included from 17 tertiary care centers across the country. Mean age was 67.11 years and 331 (83%) were female. The age at asthma diagnosis was ≥60 in 146 (36.6%) patients. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years were older (p < 0.001), had higher education level (p < 0.001), more commonly had first-degree relative with asthma (p = 0.038), asthma related comorbidities (p = 0.009) and accompanying rhinitis/rhinosinusitis (p = 0.005), had better asthma control (p = 0.001), were using less controller medications (p = 0.014). Inhaler technique was correct in 37% of the patients with no difference in between the groups. Treatment compliance was better in elderly asthma patients (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, having well-controlled asthma (odds ratio = 1.61, CI = 1.04-2.51), and high medication adherence rate (odds ratio = 2.43, CI = 1.48-4.0) were associated with being in the elderly asthma group. Conclusion: The characteristics of asthma are different among patients aged 60 years and over which seems to be related to onset age of asthma. In our cohort, the elderly asthma patients had higher education level, and treatment adherence and asthma control was better. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years of age did not have more severe disease

The frequency of complementary and integrative medicine methods in headache patients and their spending habits

WOS: 000446399100006PubMed ID: 29306601Background: It is known that complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) methods are especially used by patients with chronic headaches. The aim of our study is to increase the knowledge on this topic, to provide objective data about use in Turkish headache patients. Methods: This study included 425 patients with headache. The survey form prepared was filled in under the supervision of a health professional. The questionnaire included 2 items, about CIM methods and finance. Results: Among the patients evaluated, 316 were female, and 109 were male. All of 52% answered yes to the question "did you ever use any CIM treatment method for headaches during your life?". The most frequently used methods were combined (herbal + one or more other method) (29.6%), herbal (9.4%) and cupping therapy (4.2%). Among the patients that used combined methods, 26.9% had spent 30-100 TL (5-25 euro), 20.6% had spent 100-300 TL (25-70 euro), 26.9% had spent 300-500 TL (70-120 euro) and the last two groups that formed 12.6% had spent 500-1000 (120-250 euro) and >1000 TL (>250 euro). Conclusion: Half of the patients that applied to outpatient clinic with headaches use one or more of these methods and make budgets in accordance with their income levels. Physicians should have sufficient knowledge and clinical opinions about the CIM methods used by headache patients

A Potentially Fatal Outcome of Oral Contraceptive Therapy: Estrogen-Triggered Hereditary Angioedema in an Adolescent

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by recurrent angioedema attacks with no urticaria. This disease has a high mortality due to asphyxia. Level of complement component 4 (C4), C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) level and function, and genetic mutations determine different endotypes of HAE. Clinical presentation and the triggers of vasogenic edema may change according to the endotypes. An adolescent girl with oligomenorrhea, obesity, hirsutism, and acanthosis nigricans was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and prescribed ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate containing oral contraceptive (OC). On the sixteenth day of treatment, she developed angioedema of the face, neck, and chest leading to dyspnea. Adrenaline, antihistamine, and corticosteroid treatments were ineffective. In the family history, the patient’s mother and two cousins had a history of angioedema. C1-INH concentrate was administered with a diagnosis of HAE. C4 and C1-INH level and activity were normal. Genetic analysis identified a mutation in the factor 12 (F12) gene, and the diagnosis of F12-related HAE was made. OC treatment was discontinued. She has had no additional angioedema attacks in the follow-up period of two years. OC containing estrogen may induce the life-threatening first attack of F12-related HAE even in children. Recurring angioedema attacks in the family should be asked before prescribing estrogen-containing OC pills

Distribution of GABPB1 gene rs7181866 polymorphism in rugby players

929-932Nuclear respiration factor 2 is an important respiratory factor for cellular metabolism formed by polypeptides produced by the GA binding protein transcription factor subunit alpha (GABPA) and GA binding protein transcription factor subunit beta 1 (GAPPB1) genes. A functional polymorphism on the GABPB1 gene (rs7181866, G/A) alters the cellular respiration metabolism by affecting the protein dynamics. In this context, here, we examined the distribution of GABPB1 rs718186 polymorphism in professional rugby players to see its relationship with their stamina. Twelve rugby players participated in the study. Genotyping was performed by Real-Time PCR after DNAs were isolated from blood cells using commercially available isolation kits. In our cohort, the AA genotype and the A allele were superior to the AG and GG genotypes and the G allele. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of Genotypes (p=0.9027) and allelic groups (p=0.6948) in the athlete and control groups. Studies have revealed the relationship between endurance characteristics of athletes and rs7181866 AA genotype and A allele. These studies will be an important data source for future studies in sports genetics and GAPPB1 analysis

Tuz Stresinin Sorgum×Sudanotu Melezinde Çimlenme ve Fide Gelişim Özelliklerine Etkisi

Sorgum×Sudanotu (Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense) greengo çeşidinde farklı tuz dozlarının çimlenme ve fide gelişimine etkisini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülen bu araştırmada, tohumlar petri kabında, karanlık ortamda 20±1°C’de çimlendirilmiştir. Çalışmada petri kaplarına 16 farklı tuz (NaCl) dozu (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300 mM NaCl) uygulanmıştır. Deneme tesadüf parselleri deneme desenine göre 10 tekrarlı olarak kurulmuştur. Çalışmada, çimlenme oranı (%), ortalama çimlenme gün sayısı (gün), radikula (kökçük) ve plumula (sapçık) uzunluğu (cm), radikula ve plumulanın yaş ve kuru ağırlıkları (g) belirlenmiştir. Çimlenme oranı verileri homojen olmadıklarından, Kruskal-Wallis ile analiz edilmiş ve karşılaştırma için Dunn testi kullanılmıştır. Homojenlik gösteren diğer özellikler ise tesadüf parselleri deneme deseninde analiz edilmiş ve Tukey çoklu karşılaştırma testi ile ortalamalar karşılaştırılmıştır. Yapılan istatistik analiz sonucunda incelenen tüm parametrelerin tuz uygulamasından önemli derecede etkilendiği belirlenmiştir. Araştırmada incelenen tüm parametreler birlikte değerlendirildiğinde, Sorgum×Sudanotu melezinin (Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense) greengo çeşidinin çimlenme ve fide gelişimi bakımından 220 mM NaCl dozuna kadar olan (0-200 mM aralığında) tuz uygulamalarını tolere edebildiği sonucuna varılmıştır