Evaluation of pro-atherogenic lipid profile and high atherohenic indexes in patients with Behçet's disease: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease is a systemic auto-immune and auto-inflammatory chronic disease in which genetic and environmental factors play a role. Patients with Behçet's are at significant risk for developing many comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases. AIMS: It was aimed to investigate the relationship between serum lipid parameters and atherogenic indexes to evaluate the cardiovascular risk status in patients with Behçet's disease. PATIENTS/METHODS: This study was designed as a single-center, retrospective case-control study. The study was conducted with 212 patients over 18 years of age, 106 in the case group and 106 in the control group. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in lipid values between the patients with Behçet's disease and the control group. While the serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHC) levels were significantly higher, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was low in patients with Behçet's disease. From atherogenic indexes, Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) (0.03 ± 0.27 vs. -0.07 ± 0.23, p = 0.003), Castelli Risk Index I (CRI-I) (4.24 ± 1.07 vs. 3.02 ± 0.96, p < 0.001), Castelli Risk Index II (CRI-II) (2.65 ± 0.81 vs. 1.84 ± 0.59, p < 0.001) and Atherogenic Coefficient (AC) (3.24 ± 1.07 vs. 2.02 ± 0.96, p < 0.001) levels were significantly higher in patients with Behçet's disease. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that patients with Behçet's have a higher pro-atherogenic lipid profile and atherogenic indexes at high risk. Patients with Behçet's have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with atherosclerosis.

Retrospective Evaluation of Ingrown Toenails in a Tertiary Reference Center.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical characteristics of ingrown toenails in one of the biggest reference centers in Turkey. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients admitted to Ufuk University Hospital with ingrown toenail between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019. Clinical characterstics and demographic features of all of the participants were evaluated, and then the study population was divided into two groups: group 1 (patients ≤20 years old) and group 2 (patients >20 years old). These groups were compared in terms of clinical findings. RESULTS: Disease duration, body mass index, rate of medications for chronic diseases, and rate of joint diseases were significantly higher in group 2. Rates of hyperhidrosis and sudden weight gain were significantly higher in group 1 (P < .05). Severity of ingrown toenail was significantly different between groups (P = .006). Stage 1 was the most common stage in both groups, and rate of stage 3 was higher in group 1. Onycoshisis and was more common in group 1, and nail thickening was more common in group 2 (P < .05). Nail wire and aluminum chloride were the most common treatment modalities in groups 2 and 1, respectively (P < .05). Periungual edema, presence of pus, hypertrophy, and granulation were more common in group 1 (P < .05). Thin nail plate was more common in group 1, and normal and thick nail nail plates were more common in group 2 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characteristics of ingrown toenail vary between younger and older populations. Thus, an individualized approach is preferred in the management of ingrown toenail for different age groups.

Attitudes of Dermatologic Patients Towards COVID-19 Vaccines: a Questionnaire-Based Survey.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the attitudes of patients with various dermatologic diseases towards coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. The present questionnaire-based study was conducted on patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ufuk University Hospital, between January 1 and 31, 2021. The study population was divided into two groups based on their ages: (1) < 40 age group (n = 188) and (2) ≥ 40 age group (n = 111), and answers given to 35 specific questions were compared between the groups. The older group had significantly higher levels of anxiety compared to the younger group (p = 0.017). Although approximately 60% of cases in the older group were dedicated to being vaccinated, 40% of the younger participants were not sure about vaccination (p < 0.001). The most frequently demanded vaccine types were the inactivated and mRNA vaccines in the elderly and young groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Statistically significant positive weak correlations were observed for age, chronic disease of medication, and presence of severe COVID 19 cases in the environment (r = 0.125 p = 0.031, r = 0.184 p = 0.001, r = 0.122 p = 0.035, respectively). Dermatologic patients had generally positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination, and their preferences were affected by age.

Perspectives of dermatology specialists and residents on COVID-19 vaccines: A questionnaire-based survey.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the perspectives of dermatology specialists and residents on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. METHODS: Present questionnaire-based study was conducted on dermatology residents and specialists between January 5 and 20. A non-validated online questionary evaluating the attitude of the participants about the COVID-19 vaccine was performed. In the first step of the study, data related to the demographic features, all participants' clinical characteristics, and working conditions were recorded. Thereafter answers given to 12 specific questions were recorded. The study population was divided into two groups: dermatology residents (n = 138) and specialists (n = 159). Mentioned variables were compared between the two defined groups. Furthermore, a correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between vaccination acceptance and various study parameters. RESULTS: Majority of the cases had positive attitudes against COVID-19 vaccines. However, there were significant differences between the resident and specialist groups related to the source of information, working conditions, degree of concern, and type of vaccines. Statistically significant negative, weak correlations were observed for age and duration of medical practice (r = -.128, P = .028; r = -.132, P = .041 respectively). Statistically significant positive weak correlations were observed for chronic diseases, level of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines, number of information sources about COVID-19, and previous COVID-19 infection (r = .133, P = .021; r = .207, P < .001; r = .335, P < .001; r = .176, P = .002 respectively). CONCLUSION: The acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination may be affected by working conditions, medical experience, level of knowledge and the presence of risk factors for severe disease among dermatology residents and specialists.