Publications by authors named "Bahadir M Berktas"

Distinguishing critical laboratory biomarkers for disease severity at the time of hospital presentation is important for early identification of patients who are most likely to have poor outcomes and effective use of health resources. This study aimed to evaluate whether electrolyte imbalances on hospital admission predict severe disease and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We retrospectively collected data on the blood electrolyte concentrations of 286 COVID-19 patients at admission.

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Severe cases of COVID-19 are being reported in patients with comorbidities and drug-induced immunosuppression. The risk seems to depend on the type of immunosuppressive agents used, and it is particularly high with rituximab because of its long-lasting effects. We report a 71-year-old man with COVID-19, mantle cell lymphoma, and rituximab-associated immunodeficiency.

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The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence of different postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and their associated risk factors in patients who have undergone various elective surgical procedures in an oncological surgery center. Ninety five adult patients were studied prospectively for one year period. For the study group, predictors of pulmonary complications of interest were determined as age, gender, body mass index, co morbid conditions (preexisting history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease), site and type of the operation, smoking history, The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, physical examination and chest X- Ray findings, pulmonary function tests, type and duration of anesthesia, surgical incision site and length and presence of nasogastric tube suction.

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Recent studies have associated short-term exposure to respirable particulate matter (PM(10)) and sulphur dioxide (SO(2)) with peak flow decrements, increased symptoms of respiratory irritation, increased use of asthma medications, and increased admission and hospitalization for asthma. To further delineate the association between SO(2), PM(10) exposure and asthmatic response, we compiled daily records of asthma emergency room visits from our hospital and data of meteorological conditions, SO(2) and PM(10) concentrations in Ankara area. Weekly averages of daily counts of emergency room visits for asthma were significantly associated with average weekly SO(2) and PM(10) exposure on previous week (r= 0.

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