Prevalence and Correlates of Dry Eye in a German Population Sample.

PURPOSE: In this cross-sectional survey, we assessed the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in a representative German population sample. In addition, we examined the associations between DED, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and level of fatigue. Finally, we further validated the German version of the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire and present norm data of the German population. METHODS: A random sample of German residents aged 16 years and older was recruited between October and December 2021. All participants completed the SPEED, Short Form 36, and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory 20 questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the 2495 participants who completed the survey, 450 (21.6%; 95% confidence intervals 20.0-23.1) reported a SPEED total score of ≥4, indicating a positive screening for DED. DED was significantly more common in women and older age. Participants who screened positive for DED reported significantly higher levels of fatigue and lower values in all domains of HRQoL. A receiver operating characteristic curve of the SPEED was generated using an ophthalmologist's diagnosis. The area under the curve was estimated to be 0.886 (95% confidence intervals 0.858-0.913). A cutoff score ≥4 seemed to be appropriate as an indicator of DED. Cronbach's α was excellent (0.95). CONCLUSIONS: DED is common in the German population. We confirmed associations with sex, age, HRQoL, and fatigue level, indicating a high burden of DED. The German version of the SPEED is a valid instrument for the assessment of DED symptoms.

The Ege Agraphia Test Battery for Identifying the Writing Disorders in Cases with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease. / Ege Agrafi Test Bataryasi'nin Hafif Bilissel Bozukluk ve Alzheimer Hastaligi Olgularindaki Yazma Bozukluklarini Belirlemedeki Yeri.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to create an agraphia test battery specific to Turkish language, to obtain normative data for the performance and error types of this test and to demonstrate its success in detecting cognitive disorders in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) cases that can't be diagnosed by formal neuropsychological tests due to the fact that writing is a complex function. METHOD: For this purpose, 20 healthy control (HC) subjects, 20 MCI cases and 20 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) of 1 were evaluated with Ege Agraphia Test Battery. RESULTS: Significant differences between the performance points and the error types of HC subjects, MCI cases and AD patients were obtained. As the cognitive impairment of the subjects in the study got worse, the writing skills also became worse revealing lower test points. Besides, some statistically significant differences between the error types of MCI cases and AD patients were found. CONCLUSION: Ege Agraphia Test Battery is not only a practical test, but also is the first defined agraphia test specific for Turkish language. Writing disorders in cases with MCI support the view that MCI is a transition period for AD. Further studies are required to increase the test data and proper rearrangements of the test battery.

Myasthenia gravis and thymoma coexisting with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

We describe a 34-year old man presenting with subacute generalized myasthenic symptoms. His clinical features and laboratory investigations demonstrated both myasthenia gravis and myotonic dystrophy type 1. The computerized tomography of chest revealed anterior mediastinal mass. The lymphocyte-rich thymoma was removed surgically and he received radiotherapy. Recent observations suggested that the patients with myotonic dystrophy may have an increased risk of benign and malignant tumours but its coexistence with thymoma is very rare. The risk of thymoma associated with myotonic dystrophy is unknown.

Pure mutism due to simultaneous bilateral lenticulostriate artery territory infarction.

A case of pure mutism without pseudobulbar palsy and other neurological findings resulting from simultaneous bilateral lenticulostriate artery territory infarction is presented. A 45-year-old woman suffered a transient ischemic attack with nonfluent aphasia and right hemiparesis. Six months later, she developed pure mutism without oral apraxia, pseudobulbar signs, and motor deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral infarction in the lentiform nucleus regions. In the available data, there is only one report of simultaneous bilateral lenticulostriate infarction. To date, in all reported cases of mutism of subcortical vascular origin there are also various degrees of pseudobulbar signs and motor deficits and the responsible lesions are mostly consecutive. The case presented here is the first to show pure vascular mutism without other neurological findings.

Domestic violence against 116 Turkish housewives: a field study.

In order to clarify the factors associated with domestic violence against married women and to learn the attitude of women toward violence and toward the inquiry of health personnel about domestic violence, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 116 married Turkish women. The prevalence of domestic physical violence was found to be 41.4%, emotional violence 25.9%, sexual violence 8.6%, and controlling behavior 77.6%. Physical violence experienced at any time in their life was 50.9%. Rate of physical violence was found related with lower formal education of both women and husbands and their place of birth. The opinion of "husbands must not beat their wives" was more common among women with formal education. Eighty-two percent of women indicated that they would be willing to answer questions regarding domestic violence by health personnel. In conclusion, cultural background and formal education of either woman or man influence the likelihood of imposing or tolerating violent behavior at home. Inquiry about violence may be a routine in women's health care practice, and it is welcome by most women.