The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic stressor on the state-trait anxiety level.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect that the coronavirus diseases-2019 pandemic will likely have on public and its impact on the state-trait anxiety level of the masses. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from May 28 to June 5, 2020, in Turkey, with Kayseri province being the first ring of the chain, and comprised adult citizens of either gender living in Turkey during the pandemic period who could use online technologies. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised was used to determine the effects of the pandemic on the public, and the State Anxiety Inventory and the Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to determine the anxiety level of the public. Data was analysed using SPSS 25 and Stata 14. RESULTS: Of the 1507 subjects, 862(57.2%) were females and 645(42.8%) were males. The largest age group was 18-29 years with 573(38%) sucjects, while the smallest group was aged >60 years with 53(3.5%) subjects. The mean score of State Anxiety Inventory was 39.3±11.3 and mean Trait Anxiety Inventory score was 42.8±8.7, while the Impact of Event Scale-Revised mean score was 27.4±14.5. Each one unit increase in the Impact of Event Scale-Revised total score increased state anxiety score 1.10 times and trait anxiety score 1.07 times. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing age had a protective effect on state-trait anxiety. Consequently, an increase in Impact of Event Scale-Revised score led to an increase in the anxiety level.

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.

Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity and other disruptive behaviour disorder symptoms among primary school-age children in Kayseri, Turkey.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD), and their influencing factors on primary school-age children. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2045 students, 7-15 years old, who were randomly selected from seven schools in Kayseri, Turkey, in 2012. Participants were stratified by socioeconomic status. Data were collected using the Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Behavioural Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S). For statistical analyses, the t-test and analysis of variance were used. Results Rates of disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs) among children were as follows: ADHD, 6.2%; CD, 14.4%; and ODD, 6.7%. The prevalence of ADHD was higher in boys and children whose mothers were homemakers and from poorly-educated and low-income families, compared with their peers. CD was more prevalent among boys and children 13-15 years old, whose parents had low income levels and were separated. ODD was higher in boys and children whose mothers were homemakers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the overall prevalence of DBDs in our study area is 27.4%, which is similar to the pooled worldwide prevalence. Adverse family factors are closely associated with the prevalence of DBDs.

The relationship of sleep problems to life quality and depression.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the level of depression, the level of life quality, and the relationship between these, in patients applying to sleep centers for various sleep problems. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 229 patients who applied for polysomnography at sleeping centers under supervision of the Neurology and Chest Diseases Clinics of Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey between June and August 2013. The data collection tools were a socio-demographical data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). For statistical analyses, the Student t-test, Kruskal-Wallis-variant analysis, and chi-square tests were used. Significance level was considered as p<0.05. RESULTS: In our study, patients who were older aged, married, not working, and who had a chronic disease, and a severe depressive symptom were observed to have significantly poorer sleep quality. While patients with any chronic disease had significantly higher scores for total PSQI and depression, their physical, mental, and social WHOQOL-BREF scores were significantly lower. The PSQI total scores, and depression scores of the smoking patients were significantly higher for physical, mental, and social WHOQOL-BREF fields. There was a positive correlation between PSQI scores and BDI scores while there was a negative correlation among BDI, PSQI, and WHOQOL-BREF life quality sub-scale scores. CONCLUSION: Sleep quality was significantly poorer in patients who were older aged, married, not working, and who had a chronic disease, and a severe depressive symptom. There was a significantly negative correlation among depression, sleep quality, and life quality, while there was a significantly positive correlation between life quality and depression.

Perceived social support systems` and depression`s effects on attitudes regarding coping strategies for the disease in patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perceived social support systems`, and depression`s effects on attitudes regarding coping strategies for the disease in patients with epilepsy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 182 epileptic patients who applied to the Neurology Polyclinics of the Faculty of Medicine at Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey between November 2011 and November 2012. As data collection tools, we used the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Systems, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Assessment Scale for Coping Attitudes. RESULTS: We found that epileptic patients most frequently employed emotion-oriented coping strategies. Among the emotion-oriented coping strategies, religious coping ranked first, positive reinterpretation and growth came second, while using instrumental social support, which was one of the problem-oriented coping strategies, ranked third. The most frequently used non-functional coping methods were `focus on and venting of emotions`. The most influential variables on coping strategies of epileptic patients were age, gender, educational level, family structure, type of seizures, and the interference of the disease in communication. We found a negatively significant correlation among the scores of depression and emotion-oriented coping strategies, dysfunctional coping strategies, and problem-based coping strategies, while there was a positive correlation found between dysfunctional coping strategies and emotion-oriented coping strategies. CONCLUSION: The most influential variables on the coping strategies of epileptic patients were age, gender, educational level, family structure, type of seizures, and the interference of the disease in communication.

Change in reference body mass index percentiles and deviation in overweight and obesity over 3 years in Turkish children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: This aim of this study was to update information on body mass index (BMI) references and prevalence of overweight and obesity in Turkey, and to compare our data with previous local and international data. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Turkish school-age children living in Kayseri, Turkey in 2008. BMI references were calculated and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined. Growth curves were produced and compared with concomitant (4 years ago) local and international data. RESULTS: A total of 4241 children (2339 girls and 1902 boys) aged 6-18 years were included. The 5th and 50th percentiles of boys in the current study were approximately 0.8-1.2 units lower than those reported previously. The 95th percentile in our study was higher than those found in previous studies. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was found to be higher in the current study when compared with a previous study (3.9%-4.5% and 15.4%-18.0%, respectively). In the current study, obesity was found to be increased in boys (4.8%-5.4%) but decreased in girls (4.8%-3.5%) when compared with a previous study. We found that our BMI references were significantly higher until 15-16 years of age for the 85th and 95th percentiles compared with World Health Organization standards. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information on updated BMI references and the prevalence of overweight and obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity should be screened in short periods. In the evaluation of overweight and obesity, international standards and local references should be evaluated together.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of technicians working at hospitals towards testicular cancer and self-examination of testicles in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to determine knowledge level of technicians working in hospitals about testicular cancer (TC) and self-examination of testicles (TSE) and to determine levels of consciousness and implementation status about TSE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with technicians working in hospitals (n=243) between 2nd January-31st May 2012 at private and governmental hospitals in urban Kayseri. Healthy control subjects (n=235) who were similar to technicians in terms of age, education level and income status were also included to the study. Chi-square test was used in comparison of categorical variables. RESULTS: Technicians were significantly more aware of TC than controls, but the latter were found to have significantly more information about TSE. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of knowing how to do TSE and 80% of both groups were unaware this exam. Of technicians, 19.8% and of controls, 25.5% did TSE, the difference being statistically insignificant. First reason for not doing TSE was "not-knowing" among technicians (48.1%) while it was "ignorance" among controls (66.8%). Of technicians doing TSE, 37.5% did as it came to their mind while 51.7% of controls performed TSE several times in the previous year. Technicians were significantly more afraid of getting TC than controls (p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: It was determined in the present study that rates of TSE were similar between technicians and controls. However compliance with the recommended frequency and right method was low. Consequently, public health educationshould be planned and applied in order to increase the knowledge of TC and TSE.

Four-site skinfolds and body fat percentage references in 6-to-17-year old Turkish children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: As skinfolds from four-sites (triceps, biceps, subscapular, suprailiac) and body fat percentage in 6-17 years is lacking in Turkey. This study was undertaken to produce references for four-site skinfolds and body fat percentage in children and adolescents. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2007-May 2008 in Kayseri, Turkey, after approval by ethics committee of Erciyes University and local educational authority. Data were obtained from the Determination of Anthropometric Measures of Turkish Children and Adolescents Study-II. Using multistage sampling method, 4285 children were selected from the schools representing city centre, rural and urban areas of the province. Skinfolds were measured from four sites and body fat percentage was calculated according to Westrate and Deurenberg equation. LMS Chart Maker Pro version 2.3 software was used to obtain skinfold references. RESULTS: There were 1914 (44.6%) boys, 2371 (55.3%) girls in the study; the age range being 6-17 years. The peripheral skinfolds increased with age for girls (7.2 mm at age 10 versus 8.7 mm at age 17), while this was true for boys until 10 years (6.2 mm at age 10 versus 4.2 mm at age 17) after which the values gradually decreased. In terms of central skinfolds, girls had higher numbers in each age (11.7 mm for boys versus 12.8 mm for girls at age 6; 24.9 mm versus 26.3 mm at age 17). CONCLUSION: Skinfolds and body fat percentage provide information that helps monitor secular trends in obesity in Turkey and may be used to make national and international comparisons in the future.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of women working in government hospitals regarding breast self examination.

BACKGROUND: Breast self examination (BSE), performed regularly every month, is one of the most important methods in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study was performed with the aim of establishing the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of women working in government hospitals within the province of Samsun regarding BSE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January-March 2012, on a total of 550 women (500 health personnel, and 50 general administration services (GAS) workers) from 7 government hospitals and the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Centre (CEDSEC). Percentages were used for the descriptive statistics, and the chi-square test for the evaluation of statistical importance. Values of p<0.05 were accepted as significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 36.2± 15.3, and 42.5% were in the 30-39 year old age group, 78.0% being married. Seventy-eight point four percent (78.4%) of the health personnel and 76.0% of the GAS workers performed BSE. However, the rates of performing BSE regularly every month were only 25.6% and 5.0%. Within the health personnel, 1.4% stated that they did not perform BSE because they found it unnecessary as they had no history of breast cancer in their family, 3.6% did not do so due to fear and stress, 13.2% because they forgot, and 14.6% because they had no complaints. Some 22.2% of the health personnel and 52.0% of the GAS workers had undergone mammographic evaluation, the difference being significant (p<0.05), 84.1% of the health personnel and 61.9% of the GAS workers knowing symptoms of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Women in society should be brought to a certain level of awareness and knowledge regarding BSE. It is of the utmost importance that health personnel, who carry the responsibility for counseling and enlightening society, should interiorize the necessary knowledge, attitudes and behavior.

The effect of sleep duration and quality on academical success of the elementary school children in Kayseri Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sleeping habits of primary school children and establish link between sleeping hours and academic achievement. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2007, involving 2422 students of 6-8th grades in 12 primary schools located in Kayseri, Turkey. A questionnaire was presented to the students on the basis of probability sampling method. Academic performance was evaluated with regard to their school grades. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the total 2422 questionnaires distributed, 1966 (81.2%) were used for further evaluation. The mean sleeping period of the students during school days was 8.86 +/- 1.10 hours. The number of students having difficulty in waking up in the morning was 940 (47.8%), while 910 (46.3%) were confused when they woke up during the night, and the 886 (45.1%) had nightmares, while 609 (31.0%) were sleepy all day long. As the sleeping period increased, the probability of a mediocre achievement in science lessons increased by 1.33 fold and poor achievement increased by 1.57 fold. Besides, the probability of a mediocre achievement in mathematics lessons increased by 1.36 fold, and poor achievement increased by 1.67 fold. For Turkish language lessons, these increases were found to be 1.40 and 1.60 respectively. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative relationship between sleeping time and successful scores in Turkish (r = -0.65, p < 0.025) and science (r = -0.061, p < 0.036) lessons. CONCLUSION: As the sleeping period increased, the academic achievement of the students was negatively affected. The academic success was low in children who felt sleepy throughout the day.

Change in waist circumference over 3 years in Turkish children and adolescents.

AIM: To observe change in waist circumference (WC) over 3 years in children and adolescents and to compare these data with local and international references. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The data of the second study determining the anthropometric measurements of Turkish children and adolescents (DAMTCA-II) were used to calculate WC percentiles. A total of 4234 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years (1890 boys and 2344 girls) were enrolled. The 3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th, 95th and 97th percentiles and z-scores were computed by the LMS Method. RESULTS: The mean WC was significantly higher in boys than in girls in 12.5, 13 and 15-17 year old children (p < 0.001). The prevalence of central obesity (WC ≥ 90th percentile) was 13.5% (14.3% in boys and 12.9% in girls, respectively). There was no significant difference in prevalence of abdominal obesity, between each gender (p = 0.179) and age group from 6-17 years (p = 0.590). In a comparison with the available contemporary international references, the 50th percentiles of these references were similar to those in Bulgaria, but markedly higher than those of Malaysian children and of Chinese children living in Hong Kong. CONCLUSIONS: The prominent finding of this study was the significant increase in WC percentiles in a short time in both genders. In addition, the WC references are similar to other regional references, but significantly higher than those of East Asia.

Prevalence of and influencing factors for chronic headaches among pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of headaches and their influencing factors among pregnant women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 3 to April 29, 2005, with 1357 women receiving routine pregnancy check-ups at the obstetric clinics of the community health institutions of Kayseri, Turkey. A structured questionnaire and the Zung Depression Scale were used to collect data. RESULTS: Overall, 24.6% (95% confidence interval, 22.3%-26.9%) of the participants had headaches before pregnancy, whereas only 17.9% (95% confidence interval, 15.9%-20.1%) had headaches during pregnancy. Although the headache prevalence was lower during than before pregnancy, it was high among the participants aged 35 years or older, those who received help in their housework, and those who were multiparous. Moreover, the Zung depression score was significantly high among those experiencing headaches. CONCLUSION: The significant decrease in headache prevalence observed during pregnancy may be the result of a pregnancy-specific hormonal status. However, the most significant factors influencing the frequency of headaches in the participants were related to their socioeconomic status and the severity of depression.

Comparison of SF-36 and WHOQOL-100 life quality scales in early period tuberculosis subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the quality of life levels of early-period tuberculosis subjects by using the Short Form-36 and World Health Organisation's Quality of Life-100 scales and to compare the similar fields of the two scales. METHOD: The cross-sectional research, including 92 active tuberculosis subjects, was conducted from January 2007 to January 2008 at the Ministry of Health and Research's Sanitorium in Kayseri, Turkey. The two standard formats and a survey form developed by the authors were used as a means of data collection. The Bland-Altman method was used to determine the adaptation of standard protocols in physical, social and psychological functions, general health perception, pain and vitality areas. SPSS version 15 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: As a result of applied correlation analysis, a positive significant, but moderate, common relation was found between the two scales as regards similar subfields (physical function r=0.391, general health perception r=0.436, social relations r=0.411, and spiritual health r=0.546) (p< 0.001). The subgroups of the scales Cronbach-Alfa reliability coefficient were observed to vary between 0.63 to 0.94.The adaptability of the two scales was observed under physical, social and psychological functions, general health perception, pain and vitality/energy subfields by the Bland-Altman method. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed the fact that there was adaptability between similar subfields of the two standard protocols in early-period tuberculosis subjects.

The relationship between periodontal disease severity and state-trait anxiety level.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the paroxysm related to periodontal disease and the state-trait anxiety level in patients attending a periodontology clinic in Turkey. METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved 141 patients > or = 18 years old attending the periodontology clinic at the Dental Faculty of Erciyes University, Turkey, between January and March 2009. A questionnaire developed by the researchers, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Index and the Community Periodontal Index were used for data collection. SPSS 15, chi square test and unpaired students' t test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Gingivitis was present in 101 (71.6%) patietns, while periodontitis was found in 40 (28.4%). The mean age of periodontal patients was significantly higher than those of gingivitis patients (p < 0.05). Graduates were less likely to develop periodontitis than those who had only primary education (p < 0.05). Gingivitis was seen to be significantly higher in patients having poor oral hygiene (p < 0.05). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores of periodontal patients was significantly higher than those of gingivitis patients (p < 0.05). Patients with high state anxiety scores were more likely to have periodontitis. The most important variables associated with periodontitis and gingivitis were age, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, income level and needs for treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: Periodontal treatment will improve if anxiety is diagnosed and relieved by different methods.

The knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among healthcare workers in Kayseri, Turkey.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type and cause of death among women in many countries. Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) is an effective diagnostic method for breast cancer. This study aimed to determine the knowledge level and practice frequency of BSE among healthcare workers in Kayseri, Turkey. Data were collected via a questionnaire that was prepared based on information in the literature. The questionnaire was composed of 2 sections: sociodemographic characteristics and practice and knowledge related to BSE. The sample group included 246 healthcare workers. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, (post hoc) Dunn, and chi tests were used in the analyses of data. The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 29.0 (5.6) years. Most (58.1%) were married, and a family history of breast cancer was reported by 12.2%. Of the respondents, 35% stated that they did not know how to conduct an examination of their breasts. Although 52.4% (n = 129) of the women reported that they performed BSE, only 17.0% (n = 22) reported doing so on a monthly basis. The practice of BSE was significantly associated with older, more educated medical secretaries; a positive personal history of breast problems; and a positive family history of breast cancer (P < .05). Healthcare workers had a low mean level of knowledge about the practice of BSE (mean [SD] score, 11.70 [10.07]; range, 0-40). The scores of the women who stated that they practiced BSE were significantly higher (P = .000) than those who reported that they did not. Healthcare workers need to improve their knowledge of and sensitivity toward BSE.

Should the Nottingham Health Profile or the Short Form-36 be given preference in stroke?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the usefulness of the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) as general outcome measures for chronic stroke patients with respect to the response rate, internal consistency reliability, validity analyses, and agreement in similar domains of the 2 instruments. METHODS: In this prospective study, 90 consecutive stroke patients attending the Neurology outpatient clinic at Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey from March 2004 to March 2005 were evaluated for the study. Seventy outpatients who had a stroke 6 months previously were included in the study. As a datacollecting device, SF-36 and NHP scales were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of patients with highest quality of life score (ceiling effect) was higher for the NHP scale (10-35.7%) than for the SF-36 scale (1.4-37.1%). The prevalence of patients with lowest quality of life score (floor effect) was also higher for the NHP scale (1.4-45.7%) than for the domains of SF-36 (1.4-30%). The internal consistencies of the subscales of both the SF-36 and the NHP showed satisfactory values. Regarding convergent validity, correlations were found between comparable subscales of the 2 instruments. Limits of agreement in similar domains of the 2 instruments were very large. In all 5 demonstrated Bland-Altman plots, there was agreement of the scales in the measurement of the similar fields of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Both the SF-36 and the NHP have acceptable degrees of reliability, convergent validity, and response rate. Limits of agreement in similar domains of the 2 instruments were very large.

Is the quality of life different in patients with active and inactive tuberculosis?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in outpatients with active and inactive tuberculosis, and to study the relations between QOL and demographic and socio-cultural chracteristics and variables concerning the disease and depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Included in the present study were 196 active and 108 inactive cases who attended Dispensary for Tuberculosis within a one year period, plus 196 healthy controls. In this study, questionnaire form, SF 36 quality of life scale and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used. RESULTS: It was determined that in all fields of QOL, scores of the control group were higher than those of the patient groups. QOL scores in physical and social functionality dimensions of inactive cases were higher than in active cases (p < 0.001 ). As BDI scores increased in active and inactive cases, physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) decreased. As the treatment period increased in active cases, MCS increased. In active and inactive cases, marital status and accompanying diseases have an effect on the decrease of PCS scores (p < 0.05). In patients with tuberculosis, the QOL of men, single, patients with a high level of education and those not having a disease that accompanies tuberculosis were found to be high (p < 0.05). The QOL was negatively correlated with age and BDI, while being positively correlated with monthly income, daily sleep period and treatment period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is stated that in inactive tuberculosis cases, as in active cases, QOL is deformed and demographic-socio cultural chracteristics, depression, daily sleep period, treatment period and accompanying diseases are factors that affect quality of life.

Comparison of SF-36 and WHOQOL-100 in patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Two widely used evaluation tools for the quality of life are the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (100-item version) (WHOQOL-100), however, these tools have not been compared for patients with stroke to date. The specific objectives of this study were: 1) to study the effect of stroke on quality of life (QOL) as measured by the SF-36 and by the WHOQOL-100, and 2) to compare these two instruments. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Seventy patients who were admitted to the neurology clinic six months after stroke were included in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: As a data-collecting device, the SF-36 and WHOQOL-100 scales were used. An additional questionnaire was administered to obtain demographic data. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Pearson correlation analysis was performed and Blant-Altman Plots were used. Psychometric analysis was performed. RESULTS: In stroke, the most flustered domains of quality of life were vitality and general health perception fields in the SF-36 and in the WHOQL-100, independence level field, overall QOL and general health perceptions. While there was a fair degree of relationship (r= 0.25-0.50) between general health perceptions, physical, social and mental fields that were similar fields of scales, a fair and moderate to good relationship was found between different fields. Limits of agreement in similar domains of the two instruments were very large. In all four demonstrated Bland-Altman plots, there was agreement of the scales in the measurements of similar fields of quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that both the SF-36 and WHOQOL-100 quality of life scales are useful in the practical evaluation of patients with stroke.

Poststroke depressive symptoms and their relationship with quality of life, functional status, and severity of stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms in 6 months after stroke and the quality of life (QOL), clinical and socio-demographical characteristics, functional status, and severity of stroke. METHODS: Ninety consecutive stroke patients who attended the neurology outpatient clinic at Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey from March 2004 to March 2005 were evaluated for the study. Seventy outpatients who had a stroke 6 months previously were included in the study. As a data-collecting device, Short Form 36, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Canadian Neurological Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to obtain clinical and socio-demographic data. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included in the study. Depression measured using BDI was identified in 47.1% of the patients. Total FIM scores, especially motor subscale scores, were decreased in the depressive patients. No difference was found in the stroke severity scores of the depressed and non-depressed patients. The QOL subscale scores, such as physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning, and mental health, were lower in the patient group with high BDI scores. There was a positive correlation between age and BDI scores of the patients. Negative correlations were found between the scores of QOL and FIM in both total and motor subscale scores. CONCLUSION: Poststroke depression seems to be associated with age, education level, QOL, and functional status.

[Evaluation of the level of knowledge of medical secretaries about clinical specimens]. / Tibbi sekreterlerin klinik örnekler hakkindaki bilgi düzeylerinin belirlenmesi.

The rapid development of medical industry in the last 5 years in Turkey led to an increased demand for medical technicians and secretaries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge of students in Occupational School of Medical Documentation and Secretary about the clinical specimens, and to estimate the need for an additional education on clinical specimens. Four hundred and forty eight students from eight universities were participated to this questionnaire survey. Mean age of the participants were 20.4+/-1.66 years and 342 (76.3%) of them were female students. The mean answer rate of students to the questions about clinical specimens was found 3.4+/-1.9% (min-max: 0-10). Correct answer rates were similar for both first and second year students. There was a negative relationship between the educational year and the rate of correct answer, however the correlation was not significant. Additionally, internship period did not have any effect on the level of knowledge. The results of this survey have indicated that the level of knowledge of medical secretaries about clinical specimens was very low. As the roles and responsibilities of medical secretaries in medical industry increases, in order to increase the cost-effectivity, quality and patient satisfaction, the contents of their education programs must be reorganized, and a lecture about clinical specimens should be integrated.