Gait speed and related factors in Parkinson's disease.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gait speed and various factors in ambulatory patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. [Subjects] Fifty ambulatory patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who were admitted to an outpatient clinic were included in this cross-sectional study. [Methods] The Hoehn and Yahr Scale was used for measurement of the disease severity.

Evaluation of Managerial Needs for Palliative Care Centers: Perspectives of Medical Directors.

Background: Palliative therapies have an important role in increasing the quality of healthcare and in dealing with physical and psychosocial problems due to cancer. We here aimed to evaluate the managerial perspectives and opinions of the hospital managers and clinical directors about specialized palliative care centers.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted in two large-scale hospitals in which oncology care is given with medical directors (n:70).

Geriatrics education is associated with positive attitudes toward older people in internal medicine residents: a multicenter study.

Objective: The number of older people is growing fast in Turkey. In this context, internal medicine residents and specialists contact older people more frequently. Thus, healthcare providers' knowledge and attitudes toward older people is becoming more important.

The effects of orthotic intervention on nerve conduction and functional outcome in carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective follow-up study.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of using night orthosis for 6 weeks in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), including a follow up after 3 months using electrophysiological and functional outcome measurements.

Study Design: 12 week follow-up prospective study.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with a total of 36 hands diagnosed as CTS were included.

Increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: The increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been reported previously. We aimed to evaluate the presence of metabolic syndrome and to assess the insulin resistance associated with chronic inflammation in patients with PsA.

Methods: Fifty-nine (34 females, 25 males) consecutive PsA patients were enrolled in this study.

Long-term prognosis of mild functional tricuspid regurgitation after mitral valve replacement.

Objective: Functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is the most common type of tricuspid insufficiency and occurs approximately in 30% of patients with mitral valve disease. The major etiologic factor in the triggering of right ventricular dilation and thus causing functional tricuspid regurgitation, is pulmonary artery hypertension secondary to mitral valve disease. We aimed to analyze long-term outcomes of patients with mild tricuspid regurgitation at the time of mitral valve replacement.

Frequency and predictors for falls in the ambulatory patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a longitudinal prospective study.

The aim of this multicentre study is to investigate the incidence and risk factors for falls in ambulatory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. One hundred and eighty-five ambulatory RA patients who have been followed up in 3 different centres were included in study. Patients were a part of Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Follow-up Program.

Evaluation of turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA) and HPLC methods for glycated haemoglobin determination.

Background: Various factors may affect the accuracy of hemoglobin (Hb) A1c measurements that are widely used to monitor glycemic control in diabetic patients. This study was aimed to compare the values of HbA1c obtained by two different methods, Roche Tina-quant second and thirdgeneration HbA1c assays based on the turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) cation-exchange method used by Arkray Adams HA-8160 analyzer.

Methods: Measurements of HbA1c were carried out in blood samples from 2,917 patients using above-mentioned methods.

Is there a real adrenal axis dysfunction in patients with amyloidosis associated with familial Mediterranean fever?

Systemic amyloidosis with AA-type amyloid deposition is the major complication of FMF, leading to end stage renal disease. There is no clear data on the prevalence of adrenal involvement in patients with FMF amyloidosis. The aim of this study is to determine the adrenal axis function in patients FMF with amyloidosis.

Expression of Ki-67, p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concomitantly in growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas; which one has a role in tumor behavior ?

Objective: In many pituitary tumor, immunohistochemical studies have been shown to be correlated with different aspects of tumor behavior.There is no study up to date in which markers of Ki-67, p53, VEGF were evaluated concomitantly in GH-secreting adenomas.This study aims to determine which marker has a major role in tumor behavior and whether these markers have a cut-off value to distinguish invasive adenoma from non-invasive pituitary adenoma.

Criminal activities of the elderly in Turkey during the years 2000-2005.

The aging of the population is one of the most important demographic events of the 21st century. The aim of this study is to define the basic variables related with criminal behavior among the elderly for cases over 60 years. A retrospective assessment of the criminal data (255 cases) consists of the period between 2000 and 2005 of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Turkish Ministry of Justice.

Frequency, features, and factors for falls in a group of subacute stroke patients hospitalized for rehabilitation in Istanbul.

Falling is a major complication seen in stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency, features, and factors for falls affecting subacute stroke patients hospitalized for rehabilitation. Ninety-nine subacute stroke patients, hospitalized for rehabilitation were evaluated prospectively in this study.

[Evaluation of "life-threatening" definition and negligence in children treated in the emergency surgery service burn unit (from the viewpoint of forensic medicine)].

Background: The aim of this study is to outline the sociodemographic and traumatic characteristics of children who were referred to the Burn Unit of Emergency Service with burn injuries, to discuss the doctors' approach to these cases, and to compare the prognosis of patient groups with and without life-threat.

Methods: This epidemiological study was carried out between 14 October 2004 and 31 December 2006 and included a total of 134 pediatric patients aged between 0-18 years. A semi-structured questionnaire form was designed to obtain the information from the study population.

Paraoxonase-1 55/192 genotypes in schizophrenic patients and their relatives in Turkish population.

Background: Oxidative stress and free radical-induced toxicity have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we examined paraoxonase (PON1)-55/192 polymorphisms and PON1 activity in patients with schizophrenia, first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients, and healthy controls.

Methods: This study consisted of 292 healthy participants, 267 unrelated patients with schizophrenia and 311 first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients.

Combined impact of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and paraoxonase 1 55/192 gene variants on coronary artery disease in Turkish patients.

Background: We investigated the association of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) 55/192 polymorphisms with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the number of diseased vessels in patients with CAD.

Material/methods: One hundred thirty-nine CAD patients and 119 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Genotypes for PON1 55/192 and MMP-3 5A/6A polymorphisms were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Deaths of the elderly exposed to violence in Turkey.

Due to the socio-cultural and demographical changes that have been taking place in Turkey, differences in types of violence are coming on the scene. The purpose of the present study is to reveal the number of violence deaths and the variation by time in the types of violence resulting in death in the elderly of ages 65 and above in Turkey. Using a retrospective (descriptive) epidemiological method, this study was carried out with 1,326 subjects of ages 65 and above among 17,015 criminal autopsies between years 1996-2001.

Burn and vital risk criteria in industrial accidents (as forensic medicine approach).

Background: Burn traumas resulting from industrial accidents may generate a death risk. In such cases a forensic report should be filled up. In forensic findings, the death risk which is associated with the degree of trauma, of the victim is as important as the treatment of the subject.

Body composition after stroke.

The aim of this study was to compare the body composition, including lean tissue mass, fat tissue mass, and bone mineral content, of the paretic leg with that of the nonaffected leg in patients with stroke and to evaluate the effects of time since stroke, spasticity, and motor recovery on the body composition specifically within the first year after stroke. Thirty-five stroke patients with mean age and standard deviation of 62.69+/-9.

Differences in risk factors for acute coronary syndromes between men and women.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of risk factors for coronary heart diseases in men and women in our population.

Material And Methods: 414 patients (335 men, 79 women) admitted to our coronary intensive care unit with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were evaluated for risk factors.

Results: 74.

Risk factors for mortality of nosocomial bacteraemia in intensive care units.

Objective: The aim of this study was to follow critically ill patients prospectively in intensive care units (ICUs) to determine risk factors for mortality and outcome associated with nosocomial bacteraemia (NB).

Subjects And Methods: A case-control study of 176 patients was conducted to identify the risk factors for mortality of NB in ICU patients. The study was performed in emergency, surgical and general surgical ICUs with 23 beds during a 15-month period.

Occupational accidents and forensic medicine in Turkey.

In Turkey, evaluation of the ratio of loss of working capacity is made according to various laws and regulations. These laws and regulations use different standards in computing the above-mentioned ratio depending on the professional status of the worker, whether he or she is a member of SSK (Social Security Institution) or ES (The Retirement Pension Institution) system. The aim of this study is to point out at the differences and deficiencies in computing the degree of disability and at the need to bring common standards to these computations.

[A different approach to trauma scoring].

Background: We have compared the Injury Severity Score (ISS) at admission to Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center (ES&TC) with the ISS during autopsy. Cases with ISS less than 14 (defined as preventable deaths) were evaluated and the results were compared with those in other countries.

Methods: The study was performed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2002 at Istanbul Medical Faculty TS&ES and the Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine.

Factors influencing treatment compliance among Turkish people at risk for stroke.

Successful management of stroke risk factors depends on adequate knowledge and self-care. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting treatment compliance among people with modifiable stroke risks. We evaluated modifiable risk factors of stroke, recognition of these factors by patients, and patients' compliance with treatment in a teaching hospital.

Skin findings related to chronic usage of anti-epileptic drugs.

Objective: Chronic type skin reactions are defined as unwanted effects of drugs. As there are more benign conditions, skin findings related to chronic usage of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) have not been studied previously. In this study, we investigate the skin findings associated with the chronic usage of AEDs.

Skin findings related to chronic usage of anti-epileptic drugs.

Objective: Chronic type skin reactions are defined as unwanted effects of drugs. As there are more benign conditions, skin findings related to chronic usage of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) have not been studied previously. In this study, we investigate the skin findings associated with the chronic usage of AEDs.