Turk J Med Sci
-
Analysis of interventions for special patient groups is important for the planning of health services, especially emergency medical services. In this study, we aimed to evaluate emergency medical service (EMS) interventions for the elderly and determine the decisive factors affecting transfer to the hospital of EMS team over 2 years (2017 and 2018) in İzmir. ⋯ Ambulance interventions are more frequently required in urban areas than in the countryside, and calls are mostly made during daytime hours and during winter months. The decision to transfer a patient to the hospital is based on the patient’s respiratory status, skin examination, state of consciousness, pulse, systolic blood pressure, call time, and the preliminary diagnosis of the crew.
-
The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is reported to be roughly 80% in Turkey, and only very few culture-based studies are available on antibacterial resistance in adult dyspeptic patients. This study was carried out in adult dyspeptic patients with an aim to: (i) detect H. pylori by invasive tests (culture, polymerase chain reaction, and histopathology) and (ii) determine the current resistance rates of H. pylori isolates to six antibiotics, including rifampicin. ⋯ This study revealed the current prevalence of H. pylori in adult dyspeptic patients as 75.6%, and thereby, showed that infection with this pathogen remains highly prevalent. Although resistance to metronidazole and levofloxacin has increased over time, clarithromycin resistance rate has decreased. The high levels of resistance to metronidazole and levofloxacin limit the empirical use of these antibiotics in the eradication protocol. Owing to the low level of resistance determined for rifampicin, this antibiotic could be included in the eradication protocol, in the event of the need for rescue therapy in Turkey.
-
The aim of this descriptive article is to share the experience in Ege University, Turkey with favipiravir in the treatment of severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. ⋯ This study provides relevant information for the treatment of COVID-19, suggesting that favipiravir was associated with significant clinical and laboratory improvements in the majority of the patients, is a safe drug with no serious side effects and would merit further investigation.
-
In up to 20% of epilepsy patients, seizures may not be controlled despite the use of antiepileptic drugs, either alone or in combination. These individuals are considered to have drug-resistant epilepsy. Drug-resistant epilepsy is usually associated with intellectual disability, psychiatric comorbidity, physical injury, sudden unexpected death, and low quality of life. Early detection and prediction of drug-resistant epilepsy are essential in determining the patient’s most appropriate treatment option. This retrospective study aimed to determine the clinical, electroencephalographic, and radiological factors associated with medically intractable childhood seizures. ⋯ In the course of childhood epilepsy, some clinical features may predict the outcome. Early identification of patients with high risk for drug-resistant epilepsy will help plan the appropriate treatment option. Further prospective studies should confirm these findings.
-
Observational Study
The Effect of Different Levels of Pneumoperitoneum Pressures on Regional Cerebral Oxygenation During Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low- and high-pressure pneumoperitoneum pressures applied during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on regional cerebral oxygenation saturation (rSO2). ⋯ We believe that low-pressure pneumoperitoneum, especially in robotic surgeries, such as robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), can be applied safely.