risk factors for and prevalence of coronary artery disease in heavy vehicle drivers

To investigate the frequencies of risk factors and the prevalence of coronary heart disease [CAD] in heavy vehicle drivers. This cross-sectional type study was conducted between November 2004 and September 2006 in heavy vehicle male drivers registered with the Sivas Professional Drivers Association, Sivas, Turkey. From 400 individuals, 200 heavy vehicle male drivers, and 200 control subjects, 90% were reached for the sample. A questionnaire including sociodemographic specifications, body mass index [BMI], and risk factors for CHD was performed and some blood and physiologic parameters such as lipid profiles, fasting glucose level, resting ECG, were checked in all individuals; if required exercise ECG and angiography was performed. The drivers' weight, body fat mass, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein, and BMI means were higher than the control group at a statistically significant level, and their mean high-density lipoprotein level, which is a protective factor for CAD, was lower than the control group at a statistically significant level. In the drivers' group, 9 of the 109 exercise ECGs [8.3%], and in the control group 3 of 61 [4.9%] were evaluated as abnormal. In 5% of the drivers, the exercise test was evaluated as positive and this prevalence was 1.7% in the control group [p=0.081]. A total of 3.3% of the participants had a positive exercise ECG. Periodic health check-ups for heavy vehicle drivers would allow for the diagnosis of heart disease at an early stage and the initiation of necessary treatment. Health education for this group could also have a part in the decrease and elimination of some risk factors for CAD

Serum leptin levels and malnutrition in patients with chronic renal failure

To investigate the correlation between serum leptin levels, body mass index, and triceps skin fold thickness, which are anthropometric measurements, as well as serum albumin levels in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. We studied 75 patients [48 males, 27 females; ages between 18-82] at the Hemodialysis Unit, Cumhuriyet University Medical School; Private Sivas Dialysis Center; Hemodialysis Unit, Sultan Izzettin Keykavus Hospital; and the Hemodialysis Unit, SSK Sivas Hospital between January 2003 and February 2004. Patients were excluded if they had been on dialysis for less than one year, if they were anuric, or if they had been on dialysis with jugular or subclavian catheter and long-term permanent port catheter. Similarly, patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disorders, and hepatic cirrhosis or hepatitis B, hepatitis C carriers as well as those on active tuberculosis therapy were excluded. C-reactive protein was measured in all patients and those with above normal values were excluded. While the mean age for the males was 44.52 +/- 16.53 years [18-77], it was 48.29 +/- 14.32 years [22-82] for the females. The mean triceps skin fold thickness for males was 6 +/- 1.81 mm [3-11.3 mm], and for females, it was 14.07 +/- 8.79 mm [4.3-33.3 mm]. The mean body mass index for males was 20.77 +/- 2.61 kg/m 2 [14.8-26.6 kg/m 2], and for females, it was 25.36 +/- 6.47 kg/m 2 [17.3-42.2 kg/ m 2] The mean serum leptin level for males was 4.61 +/- 4.20 ngr/dl [0.1-18.7 ngr/dl], and for females, it was 52.06 +/- 61.67 ngr/dl [0.6-172.5 ngr/dl]. A positive correlation was observed between triceps skin fold thickness and leptin, both in the male group [r=0.478;P<0.05], and in the female group [r=0.876;P<0.05]. Body mass index and leptin were also correlated positively both in the male group [r=0.502; P<0.05] and in the female group [r=0.905; P<0.05]. No correlation was established between serum albumin levels and leptin. Leptin did not correlate with other measured parameters. Our study demonstrates that serum leptin levels positively correlated with body mass index and triceps skin fold thickness, which are malnutrition parameters. Therefore, the leptin hormone may be utilized in obtaining preliminary information regarding malnutrition