Evaluation of serum galectin-3 levels at Alzheimer patients by stages: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neuroinflammation has a critic role in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases. The activation of microglia is the main actor in this process. The aim of this study to collect data on the role of microglial activation in the etiology, and the possible continuum at the stage of disease through the evaluation of serum galectin-3 levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: This was a prospective and cross-sectional study conducted on patients who were diagnosed as having AD using the criteria of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) and stages determined with the scales of Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with healthy controls. RESULTS: In our study, we studied 118 people, 57 with AD and 61 healthy people as a control group. In the AD patient group, serum galectin-3 levels were higher compared with the control group (p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in either group in other collected parameters (p > 0.05). It was observed that in all patients with AD, parallel to the stage of the disease, serum galectin-3 levels, patience's age, and duration of disease were statically and significantly increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, serum galactin-3 levels may be associated with AD and maybe a potential biomarker for the identification of disease in the early stages. In future years, serum galectin-3 levels may become an important biomarker and therapeutic agent for chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

The prevalence of sarcopenia and dynapenia according to stage among Alzheimer-type dementia patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this study, the aim was to identify the prevalence of sarcopenia and dynapenia according to disease stage among Alzheimer-type dementia (AD) patients and collect data to suggest precautions related to reducing the disease load. METHODS: The study was completed with 127 patients separated into stages according to Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) criteria and 279 healthy volunteers aged 18-39 years and 70-80 years abiding by the exclusion criteria who agreed to participate in the research. Our prospective and cross-sectional study applied the CDR and mini mental test (MMSE) to patients with disorder in more than one cognitive area and possible AD diagnosis according to NINCDS-ADRDA (National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) diagnostic criteria. The patient and control groups had skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), muscle strength and physical performance assessed with sarcopenia diagnosis according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: In our study, in parallel with the increase in disease stage of AD patients, the prevalence of sarcopenia (led by severe sarcopenia) and dynapenia was higher compared to a control group of similar age. CONCLUSION: In chronic, progressive diseases, like AD, identification of changes in parameters, like muscle mass and strength and reductions in physical performance in the early period, is important for identification and to take precautions in the initial stages considering the limitations of the preventive effects of treatment applied after diagnosis of AD.

Serum C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and restless legs syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to assess the variation in serum C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR), a biomarker of peripheral inflammation and oxidative stress, in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). METHODS: The study included a total of 380 individuals including 197 with RLS diagnosis. RLS diagnosis was determined according to the "International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group" questionnaire. Disease severity was assessed according to the "International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Severity Scale''. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with restless legs syndrome was 52.5 ± 12.7 years, while the mean age in the control group was 50.8 ± 11.2, with no statistically significant difference found (p = 0.156). The hemoglobin, iron and ferritin levels in the patient group were lower than in the control group (p < 0.001; p < 0.01; p < 0.001), with total iron binding capacity levels higher than the control group (p < 0.001). The mean ferritin in the RLS group (49.8 ± 51.2) was lower than the control group (76.9 ± 44.7). In patients, the c-reactive protein, albumin and c-reactive protein/albumin ratio were found to be 0.21 ± 0.18, 4.43 ± 0.31 and 0.07 ± 0.05, respectively. When compared with the control group, the patient group had high c-reactive protein (CRP), CAR and low albumin levels (p < 0.001). Among patients with "very severe" disease severity, ferritin levels were found to be lower than those with "moderate" disease severity. Additionally, patients with "very severe" disease had albumin levels which were significantly low compared to those with "mild" disease severity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study supports the hypothesis that serum albumin level, ferritin, CRP, and CAR may be associated with restless legs syndrome.

Prevalance of sarcopenia according to decade.

AIM: Our study aimed to identify Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMMI) cut-off values for sarcopenia diagnosis in our population and determine the prevalance of sarcopenia, and to collect data about reducing the disease load. METHOD: The study was completed with 515 volunteers divided into groups based on ages of 18-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years and 80 years and older. All groups had SMMI, muscle strenght physical performance assessed, with sarcopenia diagnosis made using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: Together with advancing decades, there were significant reductions observed in SMMI, hand grip test (HGT) and 4-m walking test (4MWT) values. For females and males, the reduction in HGT and 4MWT values began after 50 years of age, while the reduction in SMMI began after 70 years for males and after 60 years for females. The prevalance of sarcopenia in the 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 years plus age intervals were identified as 7%, 10.6%, 15.4%, 21.2% and 36.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Identification of sarcopenia prevalence in our population is important due to limitations of treatment administered after diagnosis is made.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with geriatric depression diagnosis.

AIM: In this study, the aim was to identify the prevalence of sarcopenia among patients with geriatric depression (GD) diagnosis and to collect data to illuminate precautions to reduce disease load. METHOD: The study was completed with 116 patients (GD group) aged 65 years or older with possible or definite depression diagnosis according to the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) criteria and 301 volunteers aged from 18 to 39 years (control 1) and above 65 years (control 2). Our prospective and cross-sectional study applied the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to control 1 group and the GDS and Mini Mental Test (MMSE) to control 2 and GD groups. All groups had skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), muscle strength, and physical performance assessed with sarcopenia diagnosis according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: In our study, in parallel with the severity of disease in patients with GD diagnosis, the prevalence of sarcopenia (led by severe sarcopenia) was observed to be high compared to the control group. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 12.7%/24.2% among women and 13.8%/44.0% among men and 13.4%/32.8% in total in the control 2 and GD groups, respectively. There was a significant increase observed in the prevalence of sarcopenia, led by severe sarcopenia with a definite depression diagnosis. CONCLUSION: For GD patients, diagnosis of sarcopenia in the early stages and precautions like improving muscle functions with protein support in diet and resistance exercises will make it possible to contribute to improving clinical results of the disease.

Assessment of mental health of carers according to patient stage of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this study the aim was to collect data to assess the mental health of carers for patients with diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) according to disease stage and to examine precautions to reduce the patient and disease load on carers. METHODS: The study included 144 patients with staging according to modified Hoehn and Yahr criteria and 144 patient relatives who provided care support for patients every day, for some or all of the day, and who were over the age of 18 years and accepted participation in the research. Our prospective and cross-sectional study performed detailed neurological examination of patients, and after completing the 'Personal Information Form' with the interviewer every patient, with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) according to 'UK Brain Bank' diagnostic criteria, had the 'Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)' and 'Modified Hoehn and Yahr scale (HYS)' applied. Carers first completed the 'Personal Information Form' and then had the 'Short Symptom Inventory (SSI)' applied. RESULTS: As the stage of disease increased, the points for all sub-scales of the Short Symptom Inventory increased. CONCLUSION: With the parallel increase in disease scores and UPDRS stage scores, the points obtained by carers on the SSI sub-scales increased. This data shows that with progressing disease stage, the load on the carer increases and mental health begins to be disrupted.