ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism is suggested to be a risk factor in stroke in some populations, either by affecting lipid parameters or independently. Its effect on lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is not known. The roles of apoE polymorphism and of high Lp(a) levels in atherosclerotic stroke (AS) in the Turkish population are unclear. Our aim was to investigate the relationship of apoE alleles and Lp(a) level with AS and the relationship of apoE alleles with Lp(a) and other lipid parameters. METHODS: ApoE polymorphisms and lipid parameters were prospectively evaluated in 85 patients and 77 controls with normal brain imaging. RESULTS: Only hypertension, diabetes mellitus, associated vascular diseases and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be independent risk factors for stroke. However, in the presence of apoE/E4 allele, increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol), apolipoprotein B (apoB) and Lp(a) levels and in the presence of apo E/E3 allele, only Lp(a) levels were determined as risk factors. CONCLUSION: This study showed that while apoE polymorphism was not a risk factor itself, high Lp(a), LDL-chol and apoB were determined to be risk factors in E3 or E4 carriers.
Subject(s)
Apolipoprotein E3/genetics , Apolipoprotein E4/genetics , Atherosclerosis/genetics , Cerebral Infarction/genetics , Lipoproteins/blood , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Apolipoproteins A/blood , Apolipoproteins B/blood , Atherosclerosis/epidemiology , Atherosclerosis/metabolism , Cerebral Infarction/epidemiology , Cerebral Infarction/metabolism , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/epidemiology , Genotype , Humans , Lipoprotein(a)/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Polymorphism, Genetic , Risk Factors , Stroke/epidemiology , Stroke/genetics , Stroke/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Quality of life (QOL) of immigrant groups with mental disorders should be compared with similar patients in the country of origin. Therefore, this study evaluated the QOL in Turkish patients who were in treatment because of depressive disorders in Ankara and Berlin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with depressive disorders were recruited from services in Ankara and Berlin. The same researcher interviewed all patients and assessed socio-demographic characteristics, symptomatology, psychiatric diagnosis and QOL. RESULTS: QOL of patients in Ankara was significantly higher than that of patients in Berlin. Satisfaction with specific life domains also showed significant differences between the two groups. Factors positively associated with QOL in Berlin were marital status, shorter duration of marriage, fewer occupants per household, a relaxed religious attitude, being informed about the illness by the physician, and lower levels of symptoms. In Ankara, only initial help seeking behavior and level of depressive symptoms were associated with QOL. CONCLUSION: QOL of Turkish patients with depression in Berlin appears lower than that of similar patients in Ankara. Different factors may influence QOL of Turkish patients with depression living in the place of origin and having emigrated to Germany.
