Spatial modelling of rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey by geographic information systems (GIS).

We described the recent spatial distribution of rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey and assessed the role of environmental variables in this distribution. We developed an observed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) incidence grid map by using georeferenced rheumatoid arthritis case data (2011) from the centres of 81 provinces and the kriging method with a spherical variogram model in geographic information systems (GIS). We also modelled rheumatoid arthritis incidence in GIS by using complementary spatial database including the grid map layers of 14 environmental variables of Turkey.

Spatiotemporal change and ecological modelling of malaria in Turkey by means of geographic information systems.

We described the spatiotemporal change of malaria (Plasmodium vivax) in Turkey over 34 years (1975-2008), and assessed the role of environmental variables in this change. We developed seven 5-year-period raster maps by using geo-referenced malaria case data from the centres of 81 provinces and the kriging method with a spherical variogram model in a geographic information systems (GIS) model. We also modelled malaria incidence in GIS by using our average malaria incidence raster map, and complementary spatial database including the raster map layers of 14 environmental variables.