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Biomedical subjects

O N Pamuk

Publications and source records attributed to O N Pamuk.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Temporary catheter infections in hemodialysis patients: results from a single center in Turkey.

In this study, we aimed to determine the frequencies of catheter exit-site infection (CESI), catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) and catheter colonization (CC); causative microorganisms; and resistance patterns in patients with temporary hemodialysis catheters. From March 1999 to March 2000, 67 hemodialysis patients (38 males, 29 females; median age: 52, range: 17-84) were evaluated. The CDC criteria were used to diagnose CESI, CR-BSI and CC. The tips of catheters were cultured by Maki's method. At the same time, two different blood cultures, one from peripheral vein and the other through the catheter lumen were drawn. Swab cultures from the catheter exit sites were also performed. The isolation and identification of bacteria were performed by conventional methods and the susceptibility testing by the Kirby-Bauer method. CESI, CR-BSI and CC were found in, respectively, 20 (29.8%), 16 (23.8%) and 11 (16.4%) patients. The etiologic agents in CR-BSI were as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (5), coagulase-negative staphylococci (2), Enterococcus sp. (1), Escherichia coli (1), Acinetobacter sp. (1) and Proteus sp. (1). Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci and methicillin-resistant S. aureus were found in proportions of 45.5% and 63.6% in CESI and CR-BSI+CC. The only risk factor for the development of CR-BSI and CC was intravenous drug use. In our center, the majority of CESI, CR-BSI and CC were due to staphylococci and there was a high rate of methicillin resistance.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of serum antibodies to hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with primary glomerulonephritis.

We retrospectively analysed the medical records of patients who underwent renal biopsy in our nephrology department over the past 8 years. Our aim was to discover the frequency of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with primary glomerulonephritis (GN) in Turkey, a moderately endemic country for both infections. The study included 144 male and 104 female patients aged between 12-70 years. The frequency of HBsAg and anti-HCV were found to be similar to healthy controls, respectively 6.5% and 1.6% (p>0.05). As is true for low endemic countries, HBV and HCV infections might be rarely associated with GN in Turkey.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Colchicine neuromyopathy: a report of six cases.

Colchicine has been in use for therapeutic purposes for many years. It can, however, cause subacute onset muscle and peripheral nerve toxicity in patients with chronic renal failure. In this report we describe 6 patients who developed neuromyopathy after the administration of colchicine. All patients presented with proximal muscle weakness, elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and neuropathy and/or myopathy on electromyography (EMG). The diagnosis of colchicine toxicity was confirmed in all cases by the normalization of CK levels and EMG after discontinuation of the drug. Toxicity developed in 4 renal failure patients on therapeutic doses of the drug, while one patient took a massive dose for suicidal reasons, and the other was on high-dose therapy. Patients using colchicine--especially those with renal failure--should be warned about the side effects of the drug and physicians should be careful in the administration of the drug.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Henoch-Schönlein purpura in two brothers imprisoned in the same jail: presentation two months apart.

We present two brothers who came to us with similar complaints within a two-month interval and who were diagnosed as having Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Interestingly, the two brothers were prisoners in the same jail. In addition, we shall review the small number of familial Henoch-Schönlein purpura cases that have been reported in the literature to date. Our two patients exhibited arthritis and/or arthralgia, purpuric skin lesions, abdominal pain and hemiaturia, and were treated with steroids. We did not detect the presence of any inciting agent and hypothesize that an undefined factor present in the shared environment might have triggered the disease in two subjects with a similar genetic background.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of Behçet's disease in rural western Turkey: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of Behçet's disease (BD) in a rural area of Western Turkey. METHODS: This study was conducted in seven villages in the rural Havsa region which has a total population of 5727. The physicians and medical students visited every household and distributed a questionnaire on the symptoms of rheumatic disorders. One of the questions was whether they had ever suffered from mouth ulcers. If the response was affirmative the proband was examined by a rheumatologist and a dermatologist for other symptoms. The individuals with true aphthous ulcerations had pathergy tests and were invited to the hospital for ophtalmic examinations. RESULTS: Of the 5203 individuals who participated in this survey, 4861 were 10 years or older. 124 out of 190 individuals who responded positively to the question regarding the presence of mouth ulcers had true aphthous ulcerations. 115/124 underwent a pathergy test and 4 showed positive reactions without any other stigmata of BD, except for folliculitis in one. Among the individuals with a negative pathergy test, 2 had acneiform skin lesions and 1 a genital ulcer. No individual exhibited any ocular symptoms or findings characteristic for BD. Only 1 person with aphthous ulceration, folliculitis and a positive pathergy test was considered to have BD. CONCLUSION: In this survey, the prevalence of BD was found to be 2: 10,000 (95% confidence interval 0 to 4.3: 10,000). This figure is lower than what has been reported in four previous studies from different regions in Turkey. This finding might be due to ethnic distribution and geographical differences.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The variation in chronic widespread pain and other symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. The effects of menses and menopause.

OBJECTIVES: We determined the relationship between the menstrual cycle and fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms in premenopausal women. In addition, we compared the clinical features of FM patients diagnosed pre-and postmenopausally. METHODS: We included 80 premenopausal, and 72 postmenopausal patients with FM. All patients were questioned about the severity of their pain and symptoms of FM by using a visual analog scale (VAS). In addition, the patients were asked questions about symptoms of somatization, depression and anxiety. Postmenopausal subjects were asked about the change in their FM symptoms with the onset of menopause; and premenopausal subjects were asked whether their FM symptoms changed during the menses. In addition, 40 premenopausal patients were requested to fill in a diary about their FM symptoms using VAS throughout one menstrual cycle. RESULTS: Postmenopausal patients had more severe pain on VAS (p = 0.048). Of all the postmenopausal females, 25% said that their FM symptoms started with the onset of menopause and 26.4% said that the severity of their previous symptoms increased after menopause. Of all the premenopausal females, 45% admitted to higher pain severity and 57.5% to a higher fatigue severity during the menses. The patients who defined an increase in their symptoms during the menses were the ones with higher sleep disturbance scores, more somatization symptoms and more tender points (p values < 0.05). The results of the diaries revealed that the mean pain and fatigue scores in the menstrual and luteal phases were higher than the scores in the follicular and premenstrual phases (p values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The menstrual cycle and the onset of menopause affect pain and the severity of other FM-related symptoms in approximately one half of the subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An increased frequency of gallbladder stones in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Factors related to gallbladder stone formation.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we determined the frequency of gallbladder stone (GBS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and evaluated factors which could affect the formation of GBS--such as lipids and the GB motilities of the patients. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen RA patients (92F, 21M, mean disease duration: 8.9 years) and 117 healthy controls (94F, 23M) were included. In all RA patients, the clinical findings were recorded down; biochemical parameters and body mass index (BMI) were determined; and, abdominal ultrasonography was performed. In addition, 16 RA patients and 20 controls who were age-matched were randomly chosen for GB emptying monitored by ultrasound at 30-minute intervals for 2 hours after a mixed meal. Fasting volume (FV), residual volume (RV) and ejection fraction (EF) for all GBs were assessed. RESULTS: There was a tendency towards a higher frequency of GBS including cholecystectomy (11 GBS, 11 cholecystectomy, 19.5%) in RA patients when compared to controls (8 GBS, 5 cholecystectomy, 11.1%) (p = 0.08). The frequency of GBS plus cholecyctectomy in female RA patients (22.8%) was significantly higher than the control group (11.7%, p = 0.044). Logistic regression analysis showed that only older age was significantly associated with the presence of GBS in RA (OR:1.05, p = 0.048). There was no difference between the 2 groups in FV (p > 0.05). RV, PRV and EF were significantly higher in RA patients than in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We diagnosed a higher frequency of GBS in female RA patients when compared to controls. Impaired GB motility in RA patients might contribute to an increased incidence of GBS development.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗