Smoking Cessation and Attitudes, Belief, Observation, and Education of Medical Students, in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is an important public health problem around the world.Aim of this study is to assess attitudes,belief and observation of the students on smoking cessation and medical education. METHODS: This study is part of a multi-country study called "Global Health Profession Student Survey". The study population consisted of third year medical students in Turkey. The sample consisted of a total of 1834 medical students from randomly selected 12 medical schools. RESULTS: Of the students, 1209 (92.1%)thought that health professionals should get specific training on cessation techniques, and that health professionals should serve as "role models" for their patients and the public. The percentage of the students who answered "Health professionals should routinely advise their patients who smoke to quit smoking" was 1211 (93.3%). Of the students, 1204 (60.8%) responded that health professionals who use other tobacco products were less likely to advise patients to stop smoking. The percentage of the students who had received a formal training on smoking cessation approaches was 48.2% (1196). Of the students, 91.5% (1203) had heard of nicotine replacement therapies in tobacco cessation programs. More than half of smokers tried to quit smoking last year, and majority of them did not take professional help or advice. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of students are aware of health professionals' role on smoking cessation. Most of the students are willingness to take specific formal training on tobacco. Student's behaviours and attitudes were different by gender and smoking status.Improvement of tobacco cessation issues in medical curricula will be beneficial.

The prevalence of chronic and episodic migraine in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Migraine is the most important cause of headache leading to a decrease in the quality of life in children and adolescents. The prevalence of episodic (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) increases with increasing age, which especially focused in recent years. METHODS: To evaluate the prevalence and determinants of migraine in children and adolescents, we performed this school-based epidemiological study. First part of the study was performed in 2001 that included 5562 children. Second part of the study was performed in 2007 in adolescents including 1155 young. After the main reports published, we made a new analysis in the database that focused on migraine. RESULTS: Totally, 10.4% of the children, predominantly the girls, received the diagnosis of migraine when they grew older (1.7% CM, 8.6% EM). CM frequency increased with increasing ages (doubled at 12 years, P = 0.035). The significant risk factors for having CM were found to be age, gender, and father and sibling headache histories. Most of the clinical characteristics of migraine are far from classical knowledge in children with CM. In adolescents, 18.6% were diagnosed as migraine (1.5%CM, 17.1%EM) with a predominance of girls without age difference. When they reached puberty after 6 years, double the number of cases with CM was headache free. Most of the young changed their headache characteristics during the follow-up period independent from management strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that CM is an important cause of headache in both children and adolescents with some defining headache characteristics and risk factors concentrated in different age-groups.

Prevalence of depression as measured by the CBDI in a predominantly adolescent school population in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional randomised study involving a predominantly adolescent school population (ranging from the 6th to the 11th grades) was conducted to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of depression in adolescents in the city of Mersin, Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A stratified sample of 4256 students was selected as representative of the city's adolescent school population. The students were divided into two groups according to diagnosis (Group I: depressive adolescents; Group II: adolescents without depression). The age range varied between 10 and 20 years, with a mean of 14.53 years (S.D. = 1.89), i.e. a mean of 14.73 years (S.D. = 1.79) for Group I, and 15.5 years (S.D. = 1.9) for Group II. Data was obtained via two structured questionnaires designed to determine the presence and clinical characteristics of depression both in adolescents and in their parents. In addition, the Child Beck Depression Inventory (CBDI) was administered to all students participating in the study. After quality control of data, the study sample was reduced to 4143 adolescents. The mean age of the students was 11.23 +/- 6.44 years, and the ratio of boys/girls was 1.19:1. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression according to the CBDI (cut-off point: 19) was found to be 12.55% in this study group, with a significantly higher prevalence of depression in girls than in boys. Binary regression analysis demonstrated that the most important factors involved in the onset of depression in adolescents were having problems with parents, staying down a grade, and humiliation at school, and that the most common symptoms were feelings of worthlessness/guilt, sadness, emptiness, irritability and somatic disorders. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional prospective randomised school-based study has examined sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adolescents with depression in a student population. It was found that in this study group there was a relatively high level of depressive symptoms, with a clear predominance of females over males. Other clinical characteristics of adolescents with depression have been discussed in the context of previous investigations.

Prevalence of essential tremor: door-to-door neurologic exams in Mersin Province, Turkey.

Estimates of the prevalence of essential tremor (ET) are probably low because screening questionnaires have been used. The authors estimated the prevalence of ET in Mersin Province, Turkey, in 2,253 individuals aged >or=40 years, all of whom were examined by study neurologists. There were 89 ET cases (prevalence = 4.0%, 95% CI = 3.2 to 4.8%). The prevalence of ET may be higher than previously estimated. This is important when defining the extent of the health care problem.

Unexpectedly low prevalence and unusual characteristics of RLS in Mersin, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical presentation of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a Turkish population. METHODS: A face-to-face, population-based epidemiologic survey was conducted. Multistep, stratified, cluster, and systematic samplings were used. A total of 3,234 adults were interviewed. RESULTS: Of the 3,234 participants, 103 (3.19%) experienced RLS. This prevalence rate is lower than those of other epidemiologic studies conducted among European and North American populations. RLS was found to be more common among women, cigarette smokers, and individuals residing in high altitudes. The self-reported mental and general health status of patients was worse than in the control subjects. The prevalence of RLS did not differ by age or body mass index. CONCLUSION: The discrepancy in RLS prevalence studies (including the authors') suggests that prevalence varies among different races, thus supporting a genetic predisposition.

The sensitivity and specificity of the case definition criteria in diagnosis of headache: a school-based epidemiological study of 5562 children in Mersin.

The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of recurrent headaches in schoolchildren (ranging from 2nd to 5th degrees) in Mersin city of Turkey and to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and positive likelihood ratio of the diagnostic headache characteristics in children with migraine and Tension Type Headache (TTH) using neurologist's diagnosis as the gold standard. The stratified sample of study was composed of 5562 children. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 49.2% (2739 of 5562) and the prevalence of current headache was 31.3% (859 of 2739). TTH was more common than migraine (24.7% vs. 10.4%). The most sensitive headache characteristic for migraine was 'severity of pain' and the most sensitive definitive symptom is 'duration of headache' in children with TTH. IHS-based symptom definition criteria are highly beneficial in diagnosis of childhood headache, if used together with detailed clinical assessment.

The sensitivity and specificity of the case definition criteria in diagnosis of headache: a school-based epidemiological study of 5562 children in Mersin.

The objectives of the present study were: (i) to estimate the prevalence of recurrent headaches in schoolchildren (ranging from 2nd to 5th degrees) in Mersin city of Turkey; (ii) to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and positive likelihood ratio of the diagnostic headache characteristics in children with migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) using neurologist's diagnosis as the gold standard. The stratified sample of study was composed of 5562 children. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 49.2% (2739 of 5562) and the prevalence of current headache was 31.3% (859 of 2739). TTH was more common than migraine (24.7% vs. 10.4%). The most sensitive headache characteristic for migraine was 'severity of pain' and the most sensitive definitive symptom was 'duration of headache' in children with TTH. International Headache Society-based symptom definition criteria are highly beneficial in diagnosis of childhood headache, if used together with detailed clinical assessment.

Efficacy of three short-term regimens of itraconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

BACKGROUND: Itraconazole is an oral antifungal agent, which has been proved to be effective in pityriasis versicolor. Different regimens for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor have been studied and good results were obtained with short-term treatment regimens. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the classical regimen of 200 mg/day itraconazole for 5 days with the regimens of 400 mg/day for 1 and 3 days. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with pityriasis versicolor were recruited into a randomized study. The patients were divided into three groups, each composed of 20 people. Mycological and clinical assessments were done before and on the 7th and 28th days after the treatment. Results were evaluated with the chi-squared test. RESULTS: The regimen of 400 mg/day itraconazole for 3 days was found to be as effective as the classical regimen of 200 mg/day for 5 days in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. The regimen of 400 mg/day itraconazole for 1 day was found to be ineffective. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that a short course of itraconazole, 400 mg/day for 3 days, appears to be an effective and alternative treatment for pityriasis versicolor.

Characteristics and compliance of patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in Turkey.

Compliance is often poor in patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). We assessed some characteristics of LTOT patients and factors associated with non-effective use of LTOT in Turkey. A questionnaire was sent to 1100 patients who purchased their oxygen equipment between January 1995 and September 1999 from the largest oxygen company in Turkey. The questionnaire included items about daily duration of oxygen therapy, home situation, lifestyle, education level of the patient, smoking habits and side effects of oxygen therapy. In addition, patients were asked whether supplementary medical and technical education on oxygen therapy was explained to them. 379 patients responded. The patients had been receiving LTOT for 24.3 +/- 13 months. The mean duration of oxygen therapy was 9 +/- 6.8 hours/day. Only 28.2% of the patients managed to receive oxygen therapy for 15 h or more daily. 33.2% of the patients were told to use oxygen only when they had difficulty in breathing. 6.9% of the patients continued to smoke and 8.7% of the patients had complaints related to oxygen therapy. Logistic regression analysis identified that the likelihood of achieving effective oxygen therapy increased 4.5 fold (p < 0.001) when the physician gave pre-treatment education to the patient about the therapy, and effective use increased 3.8 fold (p < 0.002) when the patients were closely followed-up by the physician. We conclude that pre-treatment education of the patient about the therapy and close follow-up by the physician may increase the compliance rate to LTOT.

Comparison between the use of adsorbed and aqueous immunotherapy material in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus sensitive asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND: dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der PI) is the major allergen which causes allergic asthma and perennial rhinitis. The extracts of Der PI may be used in treatment of patients who are unresponsive to pharmacological treatment and avoidance of allergens. The success of immunotherapy (IT) depends on the selection of appropriate patients and allergens as well as a regular follow up. OBJECTIVE: three different groups of IT materials and a placebo were tested on 34 patients with Der PI sensitive asthma. Clinical evaluations of allergen challenge and in vitro immunologic tests were made on the patients before, on the 6th month and at the end of the second year of IT. The results were compared to the placebo treated group. RESULTS: there were no significant differences among the groups in regard to age, sex and duration of illness. The time required for reaching the maintenance dose for group I (Alutard), II (APSI retard Ca) and III (Greer ) was 15.40 +/- 0.69, 18.2 +/- 4.0 and 108 +/- 33 weeks, respectively. Even though there was some significant difference between those receiving aqueous IT and the placebo (p < 0.05), there was a greater significant difference between those receiving adsorbed IT and placebo (p < 0.00001). Also there was a significant difference between the I and II groups receiving adsorbed IT. There was no significant difference in the maximum tolerated doses between group I and II (p > 0.05), but significant differences was found between group III and the other two groups (p < 0.05). Specific IgE levels were not changed by IT. There were no differences in the side effects scores among the groups (p < 0.05). The maximum tolerated dose of the diluted skin prick test (DSPT) solution increased significantly after 6 months and two years treatment as compared to the dose before specific immunotheraphy (SIT). Significant differences were found between group III and group I or group II as well as between the groups under treatment and that group given a placebo (p < 0.05). The maximum tolerated dose with the bronchial provocation test (BPT) increased significantly after IT (p < 0.05). The differences between the groups under treatment and that given a placebo were significant (p < 0.05). A significant increase was detected in the levels of the Der PI specific IgG4 after IT (p < 0.01). The difference between the treatment groups and the placebo group was significant. There was a significant difference between group I and the other groups (p < 0. 05) but differences between group II and III was not significant (p > 0.05). No significant correlation was found between (1) spIgE and the symptom medication score (SMS) (2) sp IgE and spIgG4 (3), DSPT and BPT. A significant positive correlation was found between the maximum tolerated dose with DSPT and increase in spIgG4 (r = 0.33, p = 0.046). A negative correlation was found between SMS and spIgG4 (p = 0.012, r = -0.42) after IT. CONCLUSION: SIT with Der PI is an effective and reliable treatment in allergic asthmatic children. Adsorbed extracts may be preferable to in childhood because of effectively, safety, tolerability and, fewer numbers of injection. The best IgG4 response and velocity of maintenance doses achieved was found in group I. Easy, cheap and safe parameters such a SMS and DSPT can be useful for a follow-up of SIT. Further investigation is required to determine which one of the products is the best.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders in Southern Turkey.

Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody prevalence was investigated in 228 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). Twenty-six of 228 (11.40%) patients with LPDs were positive for anti-HCV which was higher than the donor population (P = 0.0007). Nine of 98 cases with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, five of 47 cases with multiple myeloma, seven of 36 cases with Hodgkin's disease, four of 38 cases with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and one of nine cases with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia had anti-HCV antibody. In all patients, odds ratio (OR) for anti-HCV was 24.09. This value was higher in patients less than 35 years as 62.04 for below 25 years and 32.00 for between 25-35 years. Our findings suggest that HCV infection might be a causative and/or contributing factor in lymphoproliferation.

Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in prostate specimens: frequency, significance and relationship to the sampling of the specimen (a retrospective study of 121 cases).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of PIN (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) in prostate specimens and the relationship of PIN with PCA (prostatic carcinoma) and amount of sampling of the specimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the haematoxylin-eosin stained slides of 121 cases diagnosed between 1990 and 1995 were re-examined retrospectively. The amount of sampling of prostate specimens was also re-examined. RESULTS: PIN was observed in 47.9% of all prostate specimens. The frequency of incidental PIN was 71.4% in cystoprostatectomy specimens. PIN was present in 58.3% of the cases with PCA. We observed foci of high-grade PIN adjacent to sites of invasive carcinoma in 100.0% of prostatectomy specimens with PCA. PIN was high-grade in 100.0% of the carcinomatous prostates with PIN. It was multifocal in 53.4% of 58 cases with PIN. Incidental PCA was identified in 14.3% of cytoprostatectomies for bladder cancer. The average number of paraffin blocks of prostatic tissue was 4.1 (+/-2.6) in cases with PIN and 3.2 (+/-1.4) in cases without PIN. CONCLUSION: In prostate specimens, the determination of PIN is very important since it is the most likely precursor of PCA. The probability of detecting PIN and PCA in a prostate specimen is directly related to the amount of sampling.