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Aims: Rheumatological disease flares may occur after many infections. However, our knowledge of the post-Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) flares and related factors is limited. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the axial SpA patients who had COVID-19. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the medical records. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was applied via telephone for pre- and post-COVID-19 SpA symptoms. An increase of 2 points in the BASDAI score or any new extra-articular manifestations were defined as SpA flares and SpA patients were grouped as flares and no-flare. Factors predicting SpA flare were also analyzed. Results: A total of 48 axial SpA patients were included in the study [age, mean+or-standard deviation (SD): 42.3+or-8.6 years;male: 65%]. Post-COVID-19 SpA flare was identified in 19 patients (40%), and new extra-articular manifestations were recorded in 6 patients (13%). Although the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease was more common in the flare group, the difference was not significant compared with that of the no-flare group. Other features of SpA and COVID-19 disease severity were similar between the flare and no-flare groups. In the flare group, the frequency of back pain (84% vs. 62%, p=0.091) and diarrhea (53% vs. 28%, p=0.080), and headache (84% vs. 52%, p=0.021) were higher than the no-flare group. No risk factor for a post-COVID-19 SpA flare could be identified. Conclusions: Post-COVID-19 flare was common in the axial SpA, and even new extra-articular manifestations could be reported. Although some clinical manifestations of COVID-19 were more common in patients with a flare, any predictive factor could not be identified among the study variables.
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Background: To prevent COVID-19 disease SARS-CoV 2 vaccines put into use worldwide with emergency use authorizations despite ongoing safety concerns. Since pyrin mediated infammasome response is dysregulated in FMF, exposure to SARS-CoV 2 proteins via vaccination may potentially trigger infammation, leading to attacks and/or increased rate of adverse events (AE). Objectives: Aim of this study to investigate frequency of adverse events and attacks related to vaccination in recipients of CoronaVac and BNT162b2 comparatively in our FMF patients. Methods: Data regarding, number of vaccine doses, types of vaccines (Coro-naVac or BNT162b2), presence of AEs and/or FMF attacks after any vaccine dose within a month, history of COVID-19 infection before or after vaccination, adherence to FMF treatment during vaccination were collected from hospital database or via telephone. Results: A total of 161 vaccinated FMF patients were included. Mean ± SD age was 40.5 ± 11.7 years. 57.1% was female. 10.6% of the patients had chronic kidney disease and 9.3% had amyloidosis. Most common MEFV mutations were M694V heterozygous (27%) and M694V homozygous (21.6%). 93.2% of the patients were under colchicine, 21.8% under anti-interleukin 1 agents, 2.5% under TNF-a inhibitors. 96.3% of the patients adhered to FMF treatment during vaccination. Vaccination properties and data regarding adverse events are presented in Table 1. 57.8% of patients reported to suffer from an AE/attack after a vaccine dose. Number of patients with AE after BNT162b2 was signifcantly higher (p<0.001). None of the patients had severe AEs. 39 patients had COVID-19 infection prior to primary vaccination. 61.5% of these suffered from an adverse reaction/attack after vaccination, in comparison to 56.6% of the patients without prior COVID-19 infection (p=0.584). When patients with and without AEs/attacks were compared, no signifcant differences were observed regarding age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, FMF treatments and total vaccine doses. Conclusion: We observed considerable number of FMF patients suffered from vaccine related AEs/attacks, particularly with BNT162b2. However, no serious AE was detected. Demographics, clinical characteristics and prior history of vaccination did not signifcantly affect AE/attack occurrence.
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Background: Rheumatological disease fares may be seen after many infections. However, our knowledge for the post-COVID axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) fares and its related factors is limited. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate disease activity and factors that may be associated with disease activity in axial SpA patients in post-COVID period. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the axial SpA patients who have had COVID-19 disease confrmed by a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerized chain reaction (PCR) test result. Demographics, comorbid diseases, active medical treatments for SpA and information regarding COVID-19 clinical courses were collected from medical records. PCR positive patients were reached via telephone and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scored for pre-and post-COVID SpA symptoms. An increase of ≥2 points in the BASDAI score was defned as fare, and SpA groups with and without fare were compared. Factors predicting SpA fare were also analyzed by the logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 48 axial SpA patients were included in our study, 65% of them male and the mean±SD age was 42.3±8.6 years. Post-COVID SpA fare was seen in 38% patients. Demographic, clinical, medical features of the SpA patients and COVID-19 disease severity were similar between Flare and No fare groups. In comparison of the COVID-19 symptoms, although most of the COVID-19 related symptoms were similar between two groups, the frequency of the back pain and diarrhea were higher in the Flare group than No fare group. But in multivariate analysis, only history of the infammatory bowel disease had an increased risk for post-COVID SpA fare (Table 1). Conclusion: The presence of infammatory bowel disease statistically signifcant related post-COVID SpA fares. In addition, diarrhea and back pain symptoms in COVID-19 disease may be stimulating factors for SpA fares but we found no effect of rheumatological therapies.
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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of Dental Health Care Workers (DHCWs) in a dental emergency university clinic treating urgent patients during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: A hundred fifteen participants were selected from DHCWs who actively worked during the pandemic in a Dental Emergency Clinic of a university. Depression, anxiety and stress levels of participants were measured with the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale and their insomnia levels were assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index. Correlations between independent continuous and dependent variables tested with Spearman test. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used used to evaluate possible effects of independent variables. The psychological data of the aerosol-generating treatment group were compared to the rest of the participants using Mann-Whitney U tests. In all tests α=0.05 significance level was set. Results: The rates of DHCWs scored above the cut-off points were 54% for depression, 40% for anxiety, 36% for stress and 40% for insomnia. Feeling negative emotions before the pandemic significantly interacted with all psychometric measurements. Younger age, feeling anxious about changing working conditions and/or obtaining personal protective equipment was correlated positively with stress points (p=0.035, p=0.008, p=0.007, respectively). A significant percentage of DHCWs presented high scores on depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia in this study. Conclusion: The authorities and healthcare executives must show programmed leadership and support for DHCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak. The integration of programs developed to mitigate stress among DHCWs recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Technostress which is called a disease of the modern era has significantly increased its impact on educators due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In this period, social studies teachers also encounter technostress intensively. The aim of this study is to determine the relationships between the technostress levels of social studies teachers and the variables of gender, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge [TPACK], school support, and job satisfaction. The study is based on a quantitative research approach and is designed with a correlational survey model. The data of the study were obtained from 270 social studies teachers working in secondary schools. Personal information form, Technostress Scale, Technopedagogic Education Competency Scale (TPACK-deep), School Support Scale, and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form were used to collect the research data. In the analysis of the research data, SPSS 22.0 program was used. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used. As a result of the research, it was found that gender, TPACK, school support, and job satisfaction significantly predict the technostress levels of social studies teachers. Future research may focus on how school culture can be strengthened to reduce the technostress levels of social studies teachers.
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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of Dental Health Care Workers (DHCWs) in a dental emergency university clinic treating urgent patients during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: A hundred fifteen participants were selected from DHCWs who actively worked during the pandemic in a Dental Emergency Clinic of a university. Depression, anxiety and stress levels of participants were measured with the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale and their insomnia levels were assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index. Correlations between independent continuous and dependent variables tested with Spearman test. Mann-Whitney U and KruskalWallis tests were used used to evaluate possible effects of independent variables. The psychological data of the aerosol-generating treatment group were compared to the rest of the participants using Mann-Whitney U tests. In all tests alpha=0.05 significance level was set. Results: The rates of DHCWs scored above the cut-off points were 54% for depression, 40% for anxiety, 36% for stress and 40% for insomnia. Feeling negative emotions before the pandemic significantly interacted with all psychometric measurements. Younger age, feeling anxious about changing working conditions and/or obtaining personal protective equipment was correlated positively with stress points (p=0.035, p=0.008, p=0.007, respectively). A significant percentage of DHCWs presented high scores on depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia in this study. Conclusion: The authorities and healthcare executives must show programmed leadership and support for DHCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak. The integration of programs developed to mitigate stress among DHCWs recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The COVID-19 outbreak, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March, has significantly damaged economic activities in Turkey and worldwide. Most economic activities have stopped or slowed down because of this pandemic. This situation has caused enormous difficulties and impossibilities for individuals to fulfill the obligations they had previously undertaken. These economic difficulties may economically destroy individuals. Therefore, to help individuals cope with these difficulties, some measures have been taken regarding Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law. First, with the Presidential Decree numbered 2279 regulated in article 330 of the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law, the extraordinary suspension institution has entered into force. All mandatory execution processes have stopped as per Law 7226. In this paper, measures undertaken regarding Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law and their legal consequences are discussed. Moreover, possible problems are discussed, and the measures taken with respect to the periods in the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law have been explained. In addition, all enforcement and bankruptcy proceedings have been stopped during this pandemic period. Individuals are not allowed to commence new proceedings. Here, the paper also examines the measures taken regarding the arrest orders and concordat proceedings.