Concordance of LDL-C Estimating Equations with Direct Enzymatic Measurement in Diabetic and Prediabetic Subjects.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-established biomarker in the management of dyslipidemia. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the concordance of LDL-C-estimating equations with direct enzymatic measurement in diabetic and prediabetic populations. The data of 31,031 subjects included in the study were divided into prediabetic, diabetic, and control groups according to HbA1c values. LDL-C was measured by direct homogenous enzymatic assay and calculated by Martin-Hopkins, Martin-Hopkins extended, Friedewald, and Sampson equations. The concordance statistics between the direct measurements and estimations obtained by the equations were evaluated. All equations evaluated in the study had lower concordance with direct enzymatic measurement in diabetic and prediabetic groups compared to the non-diabetic group. Even so, the Martin-Hopkins extended approach demonstrated the highest concordance statistic in diabetic and prediabetic patients. Further, Martin-Hopkins extended was found to have the highest correlation with direct measurement compared with other equations. Over the 190 mg/dL LDL-C concentrations, the equation with the highest concordance was again Martin-Hopkins extended. In most scenarios, the Martin-Hopkins extended performed best in prediabetic and diabetic groups. Additionally, direct assay methods can be used at low values of the non-HDL-C/TG ratio (<2.4), as the performance of the equations in LDL-C estimation decreases as non-HDL-C/TG decreases.

Validation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equations in pediatric population.

Several studies have shown a high prevalence of dyslipidemia in children. Since childhood lipid concentrations continue into adulthood, recognition of lipid abnormalities in the early period is crucial to prevent the development of future coronary heart disease (CHD). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the most used parameters in the initiation and follow-up of treatment in patients with dyslipidemia. It is a well known fact that LDL-C lowering therapy reduces the risk of future CHD. Therefore, accurate determination of the LDL-C levels is so important for the management of lipid abnormalities. This study aimed to validate different LDL-C estimating equations in the Turkish population, composed of children and adolescents. A total of 3,908 children below 18 years old at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hospital (Sivas, Turkey) were included in this study. LDL-C was directly measured by direct homogeneous assays, i.e., Roche, Beckman, Siemens and estimated by Friedewald's, Martin/Hopkins', extended Martin-Hopkins' and Sampson's formulas. The concordances between the estimations obtained by the formulas and the direct measurements were evaluated both overall and separately for the LDL-C, triglycerides (TG) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) sublevels. Linear regression analysis was performed and residual error plots were generated between each estimation and direct measurement method. Coefficient of determination (R 2) and mean absolute deviations were also evaluated. The overall concordance of Friedewald, Sampson, Martin-Hopkins and the extended Martin-Hopkins formula were 64.6%, 69.9%, 69.4%, and 84.3% for the Roche direct assay, 69.8%, 71.6%, 73.6% and 80.4% for the Siemens direct assay, 66.5%, 68.8%, 68.9% and 82.1% for the Beckman direct assay, respectively. The extended Martin-Hopkins formula had the highest concordance coefficient in both overall and all sublevels of LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and TG. When estimating the LDL-C categories, the highest underestimation degrees were obtained with the Friedewald formula. Our analysis, conducted in a large pediatric population, showed that the extended Martin-Hopkins equation gives more reliable results in estimation of LDL-C compared to other equations.

Validation of Friedewald, Martin-Hopkins and Sampson low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equations.

BACKGROUND: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an important biomarker for determining cardiovascular risk and regulating lipid lowering therapy. Therefore, the accurate estimation of LDL-C concentration is essential in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and prognosis. Sampson recently proposed a new formula for the estimation of LDL-C. However, little is known regarding the validation of this formula. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to validate this new formula with other well-known formulas in Turkish population, composed of adults. METHODS: A total of 88,943 participants above 18 years old at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hospital (Sivas, Turkey) were included to this study. LDL-C was directly measured by homogeneous assays, i.e., Roche, Beckman and Siemens and estimated by Friedewald's, Martin-Hopkins', extended Martin-Hopkins' and Sampson's formulas. The concordances between the estimations obtained by the formulas and the direct measurements were evaluated both in general and separately for the LDL-C, TG and non-HDL-C sublevels. Linear regression analysis was applied and residual error plots were generated between each estimation and direct measurement method. Coefficient of determination (R2) and mean absolute deviations were also calculated. RESULTS: The results showed that the extended Martin-Hopkins approach provided the most concordant results with the direct assays for LDL-C estimation. The results also showed that the highest concordances were obtained between the direct assays with the extended Martin-Hopkins formula calculated with the median statistics obtained from our own population. On the other hand, it was observed that the results of the methods may differ in different assays. The extended Martin-Hopkins approach, calculated from the median statistics of our population, gave the most concordant results in patients with "low LDL-C level (LDL-C levels < 70 mg/dL) or hypertriglyceridemia (TG levels ≥ 400 mg/dL)". CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of the formulas in different assays may vary, the extended Martin-Hopkins approach was the best one with the highest overall concordances. The validity of the Martin Hopkins' and Sampson's formulas has to be further investigated in different populations.

Adaptation of the Aphasia Impact Questionnaire-21 into Turkish: Reliability and validity study.

Practices for the evaluation and treatment for people with aphasia (PWA) is dominated by an impairment-based view of aphasia. The number of aphasia evaluation tools adapted or developed to reflect PWA's perspective in Turkish is limited. Aphasia Impact Questionnaire-21 (AIQ-21), a tool developed based on the social model of disability, measures the individuals' quality of life from their own perspective. This study sought to adapt and establish the validity and reliability of AIQ-21 in Turkish (AIQ-21-TR) to meet this need. Data from 43 PWA and 61 healthy participants were analysed to determine AIQ-21-TR's construct, criterion, face validity and content validity. Reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficients and the inter-item and item-total score correlations coefficients. Correlation between AIQ-21-TR and Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 Turkish (SAQOL-39-TR) was also calculated. The validity analysis indicated that the Turkish adaptation of AIQ-21 has a high level of construct, content, face, and criterion validity. Similarly, the reliability analysis showed that the adapted questionnaire has an excellent reliability coefficient (α = 0.91). Our findings suggested that AIQ-21-TR may be used as a reliable and valid tool with PWA in clinical and research settings.

Relationship Between Dysphagia and Sarcopenia with Comprehensive Geriatric Evaluation.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia has features of geriatric syndromes and is strongly associated with sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the association between dysphagia and sarcopenia, in a practical way, accompanied by comprehensive geriatric assessment. Dysphagia and sarcopenia were defined by the EAT-10 and SARC-F questionnaires, respectively. Cognition and mood, was evaluated by the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively. Physical performance was assessed by the Timed up and Go Test (TUG) and muscle strength was determined by Hand Grip Strength (HGS). Functionality was stated by Katz and Lawton Indexes. Serum levels of hemoglobin, triglyceride, albumin, and total cholesterol were recorded. A total of 512 (151 male/361 female) patients age 60 and older were included in the study. Prevalences of dysphagia and sarcopenia were 23% and 40.6%, respectively. In multivariate analysis sarcopenia (OR:2.596, p = 0.008), depressive symptoms (OR:1.115, p < 0.001), and lower KATZ scores (OR:0.810, p = 0.036) were independently related with dysphagia. Dysphagic patients with sarcopenia had lower scores on the Katz and Lawton scales (p < 0.001, rpb = 0.380 and p < 0.001, rpb = 0.447 respectively) and TUG performances were worse (p = 0.009, rpb = - 0.254). Serum hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly low in dysphagic patients with sarcopenia (p < 0.001, rpb = 0.345, p = 0.008, rpb = 0.243). Dysphagia is independently associated with sarcopenia, depressive symptoms, and functionality. Dysphagia coexist with sarcopenia is associated with worse clinical consequences than without sarcopenia.

Validity of simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire for Turkish community-dwelling elderly and determining cut-off according to mini nutritional assessment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine a cut-off value for the SNAQ according to both the MNA long and MNA short forms and to assess whether the SNAQ can predict malnutrition or risk of malnutrition in the elderly. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Nutritional status was assessed both by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) long and short forms. All demographic characteristics, mental status, depressive mood, functional status, and frailty were determined. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate the cut-off of the SNAQ according to both the MNA long and short forms for malnutrition or risk of malnutrition. Reliability and validation of the SNAQ was analysed. RESULTS: We included 905 community-dwelling elderly, but those with middle-stage dementia (MMSE score <18, n = 30) were excluded. The mean age ±â€¯standard deviation (SD) was 71.4 ±â€¯5.5 years (49.3% female and 50.7% male). The prevalence of well-nourished, risk of malnutrition or malnutrition were 55.2%, 44.8%, respectively according to the MNA-long form. The prevalence of elderly at risk of future weight loss (SNAQ score of ≤14) was 31.0% (n = 268; 66.0% female, 34.0% male). The area under the curve (AUC) for SNAQ was 0.725 (95% CI 0.690-0.760). The cut-off value of the SNAQ, according to both the MNA long and short forms, was 14 (sensitivity; 50%, 50% and specificity; 84%, 82%, respectively). The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of SNAQ for internal consistency was 0.639. CONCLUSION: The SNAQ was reliable and valid as an appetite screening tool in community-dwelling Turkish elderly.

The Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Sleep Duration in Turkish Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: As in adults, hypertension is also an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in children. We aimed to evaluate the effect of sleep duration on blood pressure in normal weight Turkish children aged between 11-17 years. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the primary and secondary schools of the two central and ten outlying districts of Kayseri, Turkey. Subjects were 2860 children and adolescents (1385 boys, 1475 girls). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured according to the recommendations of the Fourth Report of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Sleep duration was classified as follows: ≤8 hours, 8.1-8.9 hours, 9.0-9.9 hours or ≥10 hours. RESULTS: For short sleeper boys and girls (participants with a sleep duration ≤8 h) the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 35.0% and 30.8%, respectively. In univariate binary logistic regression analyses (age-adjusted), each unit increment in sleep duration (hours) in boys and girls, decreased the prehypertension and hypertension risk by 0.89 [odds ratio (OR)] [confidance interval (CI); 0.82-0.98] and 0.88 (OR) (CI; 0.81-0.97), respectively (p<0.05). In multiple binary logistic regression analyses [age- and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted] the location of the school and sleep duration categories were shown to be the most important factors for prehypertension and hypertension in both genders, while household income was the most important factor, only in boys. CONCLUSIONS: A sleep duration ≤8 h is an independent risk factor for prehypertension and hypertension in Turkish children aged 11-17 years.