RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Given the lack of a previous study assessing understandability and considering there is only one study assessing the readability and quality of online information related to thyroid nodules, we aimed to assess the readability, understandability, and quality of online patient education materials on thyroid nodules. METHODS: Materials were identified through an online search performed by inputting the term "thyroid nodule" into Google. A total of 150 websites were identified, 59 met the inclusion criteria. Websites were classified as academic and hospital (N.=29), physician and clinic (N.=7), organization (N.=12), and health information websites (N.=11). The readability was evaluated using an online system performing a group of validated readability tests. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) was utilized to assess the understandability. The quality was evaluated through the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. RESULTS: Among all websites, the mean reading grade level was 11.25±1.88 (range, 8-16), well above the recommended sixth grade reading level (P<0.001). The mean PEMAT Score was 57.4±14.5% (range, 31-88%). For all groups of types of websites, the understandability score was below 70%. There was no statistical difference between the groups for the average reading grade level or the PEMAT score (P=0.379 and P=0.26, respectively). The average JAMA benchmark score was 1.86±1.38 (range 0-4), health information-based websites scored the highest (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Online resources on thyroid nodules are written at grade levels above the recommended reading level. Most resources scored poorly using the PEMAT and varied in quality. Future work should focus on developing understandable, high-quality, and grade-level appropriate materials.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Aim of our study was to determine the relation of obesity with vitamin D levels in type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 101 type 2 diabetic patients and made a correlation analysis in all parameters. Then we classified our diabetics according to their body-mass indices and compared their 25 hdroxy vitamin D3 levels. RESULTS: We found negative correlation between 25O HD and body mass index (BMI) (P: <0.001, r: -0.23). When we classified our diabetics according to their body mass indices as normal, overweight and obese, and compared their 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 levels, we determined that in every BMI group 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels were not found to be significantly different. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that at least in a Turkish population with type 2 DM vitamin D levels are low and correlate with BMI, but when vitamin D levels are so low, as obesity worsens vitamin D levels does not lessen.
RESUMO
Thrombophilia is a rare but potentially catastrophic phenomenon occurring in patients having tendency of thrombosis. It may lead to serious complications. The etiology of thrombophilia is thought to be multifactorial and related to both acquired and inherited factors. Inflammatory bowel disease is an acquired cause of thrombophilia. Thromboembolic events are seen during inflammatory bowel disease, especially during the active period of the disease. In inflammatory bowel disease, thrombus formation in portal, splenic and mesenteric veins are not common. Besides, the association of genetic disorders related to metabolism of homocysteine with inflammatory bowel disease has been evidenced, especially in Crohn disease and rarely in ulcerative colitis. We present a rare case of ulcerative colitis in association with combined portal, splenic and mesenteric vein thrombosis. The patient was recently diagnosed with the disease which was in the inactive period. Interestingly, our patient was also heterozygous for the mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have focused on the relationship between halitosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori. In this study we aimed to investigate the interaction between halitosis and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings. METHODS: Patients who previously had dyspepsia and had undergone endoscopic examination were included in the study. Symptoms of dyspepsia were investigated by means of a questionnaire that investigated halitosis. Patients who suffered from objective halitosis (confirmed by questions both to the patient and their relatives) were further investigated. Patients with known local or systemic causes of halitosis or structural disorders at endoscopy were excluded. RESULTS: The study included 358 patients (121 men and 237 women) with dyspeptic symptoms. The patients with and without halitosis had mean ages of (39.4 ± 13.5) and (43.1 ± 14.9) years, respectively. Patients without halitosis were significantly older than those in the halitosis group (P < 0.05). Patients in the halitosis group had significantly higher frequencies of regurgitation, bloating and nausea (P < 0.05) when compared to patients without halitosis. Endoscopic findings, including esophagitis, open cardia, hiatal hernia, gastritis and duodenitis, were comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of halitosis was high in patients with dyspepsia who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Halitosis had a close relationship with several upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including regurgitation, nausea and bloating. There was no significant association between upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings and halitosis.
