Background: This study aims to evaluate the depression status and quality of life of the patients at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medical School.Methods: This cross-sectional, analytic study included 170 inpatients (124 males, 46 females, mean age 45.7 +/- 18.2 years; range 7 to 80 years) at the Department of Thoracic Surgery between 15 June 2012 and 15 February 2013. Depression status was evaluated With Beck Depression Inventory, quality of life was evaluated with 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (short form-36).Results: Mean Beck depression score was 11.06 +/- 8.79. Of subscales of short form-36; mean scores of physical role limitations, emotional difficulties and general health were low; and mean scores of mental health and social functioning were the highest. When scores of quality of life were compared with depression status, there were statistically significant differences in all subscales of short form-36 between those with and without depression. Scores of quality of life were higher in those without depression. When patients were analyzed in three diagnosis groups as lung cancer, lung infection and thoracic emergencies, number of male patients in all groups was higher than females, indicating a significant relationship between diagnosis and sex (p=0.004). While the diagnosis of lung cancer affected physical functioning and emotional difficulties the most, thoracic emergencies affected general health, vitality and emotional difficulties the most. However, lung infections affected emotional difficulties the most.Conclusion: The quality of life, social and physical functionality are negatively affected in all chronic diseases, and the individuals' satisfaction from life decreases. Measuring the depression levels and quality of life of patients will not only assist us in having a better understanding of the disease, but also provide better evaluation of treatment responses.

Obesity is still an actual subject because of its rapidly increasing prevalence. Although it is not a serious disease by itself, obesity plays an important role in the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovasculer diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and interleukin-6, leptin, hs-CRP and fibrinogen in obese and non-obese individuals.Methods: This study, which is an analytical study in the case-control type, was conducted on 329 adult individuals. Heights, weights, body mass indexes (BMI), waist circumferences, blood pressures, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c, HDL-c, hs-CRP, leptin, IL-6, fibrinogen, and insulin levels were measured.Results: Of all the participants, 204 (62.0%) were female, 125 (38.0%) were male; 71 of them were of (21.5%) normal weight, 89 (27.1%) were overweight and 169 were (51.4%) obese. There was a significant correlation between low educational level and obesity (p<0.001). The married participants exhibited higher rates of being overweight and obese than other groups (p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between FBG, TG, HDL-c levels in male/female gender and BMI, statistically (p<0.05). In our study, a significant correlation was found between insulin, insulin resistance, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, leptin levels, low HDL-c levels and obesity (p<0.05). No statistically significant relationship was found between IL-6 and obesity (p>0.05). As a result of the multiple regression analysis, HOMA-IR, leptin ve hs-CRP levels was found as the effective basic factors on obesity. On the other hand, there was a significant relationship between high blood pressure and obesity (p<0.001).Conclusion: In our study, high fasting blood glucose, TG, insulin, insulin resistance, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, leptin and low HDL-c levels were found to be correlated with obesity. This correlation leads to many diseases, notably diabetes mellitus and cardio-vascular diseases.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an endocrinopathic disorder defined by a cluster of abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, high blood glucose level, and high blood pressure; the condition is recognized as a risk factor for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS and related factors in adults.Method: This observational, cross-sectional analytic survey was conducted on 930 representative unselected people who applied with any problem to Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic. Of the participants, weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose level, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels were measured. MetS diagnosis was defined by the US National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) guideline.Results: Of all the participants, 676 (72.7%) were female, 254 (27.3%) were male, the mean age was 52.64 +/- 12.16, 851 (91.5%) married, 238 (25.6%) illiterate, 319 (34.3%) primary school graduate, 556 (59.8%) were housewives. Of the total subjects, the overall frequency of MetS was 44.1% (49.0% in female, 31.2% in male). When we compared the results of MetS and gender, the frequency of MetS was higher 2.11 times among female (OR=2.110, 95% CI: 1.557-2.861), and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). Of the hypertensive individuals, 73.0% presented MetS. When we compared with the hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals, the risk of MetS was higher 8.62 times among the hypertensive individuals (OR=8.622, 95% CI: 6.39211.631), and statistically, this difference was significantly higher (p=0.001).Conclusion: MetS frequency was higher especially women in this study. Currently, this issue is also a crucial issue for our developing country like the other western developed countries. Resulting in chronic diseases, it is thought that the syndrome can be prevented by nutrition, physical activity and healthy lifestyle.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and paraoxonase activity (PON1) in smokers and nonsmokers.Design andmethods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 100 smokers and 100 nonsmokers. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), TAS, TOS and PON1 levels of the participants were determined in the blood samples. TAS and TOS were determined by using the automated measurement method. Paraoxon was used as a substrate for measuring PON1 activity.Results: A statistically significant difference could not be found between smokers and nonsmokers in terms of mean FBG, LDL-c, HDL-c, TC, TG, TAS, TOS, PON1, oxidative stress index (OSI) and body mass index (BMI). Mean TAS and TOS levels were higher in men than women (p = 0.001). As age (p = 0.022) and age to start smoking (p = 0.023) increased, TOS level decreased. As the age to start smoking (p = 0.001) increased, TAS level decreased whereas as BMI (p = 0.001) increased, TAS level also increased. A statistically significant relationship could not be established between age, age to start smoking, duration and amount of smoking, dependence score and BMI and PON1 (p > 0.05).Conclusions: In our study, although no significant correlation could be established between smokers and nonsmokers in terms of mean TAS, TOS and PON1, it is a fact that TAS, TOS and PON1 in the organism are affected by many factors and therefore there is a need for more extensive studies in this regard. (C) 2013 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Objective: Osteoporosis (OP) is a disease of bones that leads increasing risk of the bone fracture, decreasing of mineral density (BMD) and deterioration of bone microarchitecture. In this study, it is aimed to assess the quality of life by using QUALEFFO-41 scale in postmenopaused women with and without osteoporosis.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional analytic survey was conducted on 280 postmenopaused women. BMD of the patients was diagnosed and osteoporosis-specific quality of life criteria (QUALEFFO-41) was used to determine the quality of life.Results: In our study, the mean age of the participants was 56.9 +/- 8.3. Of the participants, 38 (13.6%) were osteoporotic, 156 (55.7%) were osteopenic, 86 (30.7%) were normal. While the age and menopause duration increased, osteoporosis frequency increased (p<0.001), but while body mass index (BMI) increased, osteoporosis frequency decreased (p<0.001). When their activities increased, osteoporosis frequency decreased (p=0.006) and osteoporosis frequency was higher in having previous fracture history (p=0.015). When the women's quality of life compared with the results of DXA, a negative, moderate significant relationship was found. The quality of life was decreasing in the individuals having older age and lower education level. Quality of life of was higher in workers, individuals having high income level, having exercise and high activities (p<0.001).Conclusion: While OP was higher with aging, menopause duration, having previous fracture history; OP was lower for high activitiy and for high BMI. While the quality of life was higher in workers, individuals having high income, having exercise regularly; the quality of life was lower in aging, OP and lower educational level.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess osteoporosis (OP) risk factors in postmenopausal women and 10-year major osteoporosis and femur facture risks using the World Health Organization's fracture risk assessment scale (FRAX (R)).Material and Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was carried out on 340 postmenopausal women. Considering participant risk factors and bone mineral densities and using the FRAX (R) risk assessment scale, their 10-year major osteoporotic and femur fracture was assessed.Results: The mean age of the women in our study was 57.5+/-7.8. Of the participants, 47 (13.8%) were osteoporotic, 177 (52.1%) were osteopenic, and 116 (34.1%) were normal. As age increased, OP frequency increased (p<0.001), and as body mass index (BMI) increased, OP frequency decreased (p<0.001). Considering OP existence, there was a statistically significant relation between major OP risk and femur fracture risk, calculated using BMD and without using BMD (p<0.001). Major OP fracture risk, calculated using BMD, was low in 94.7% of the subjects, mild in 5.0%, and high in 0.3%. When osteoporosis risk factors were assessed, while OP frequency in those with 2 or fewer clinical risk factors (CRFs) was 12.8%, OP frequency was 28.0% in those with 3 or 4 risk factors.Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that the FRAX (R) risk assessment scale, which is used to assess 10-year OP fracture risk, is a significant, cost-efficient, easy-to-use assessment criterion whether BDM is applied or not.

Introduction: Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) has been shown to be a strong predictor of the extent and severity of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We aimed to determine the early risk estimation of CVD by using ABI and Framingham risk score (FRS) in this study.Materials and Method: In this study, 250 people aged >= 50 years were included. We calculated FRS of the participants using an automatic calculator. We calculated ABI by using the blood pressure data of the four extremities.Results: The mean value of ABI was 1.13 +/- 0.12 (min=0.80, max=1.96). Of the participants, nine (3.6%) had low ABI (<= 0.95). There were significant negative correlations between ABI and age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and FRS. In the people aged >= 60 years, ABI risk increase (<= 0.95) was found to be 3.878 times greater compared with people aged <60 years. Among diabetics, the value for FRS1 was found to be 16.349 times greater compared to non-diabetics.Conclusion: The prevalences of the main risk factors of CVD are quite high in the population. Screening the individuals aged 50 or more is necessary for the early diagnosis and management of main risk factors of CVD. Low ABI (<= 0.95) and FRS can be used to estimate the risk of future cardiovascular events.

The aim of this study was to determine the eating habits, body perception and depression status of the university students.This cross-sectional analytic study was performed among 262 students attending Vocational Education faculty of a university.The Eating Attitude Test (EAT), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were performed for all students.In our study, according to the results of EAT, 5% (n=13) had ≥30 score (with eating disorders) and 95% was <30 score (without eating disorders).The mean scores of EAT in patients with eating disorders (EDs) and without EDs were 35.38±4.42 and 13.33±5.78respectively.In terms of distrubition of body mass index (BMI), being underweight was significantly higher in girls and being overweight was higher in boys (p<0.001).When we compaired the mean value of age, Beck depresyon score and body mass index in patients with EDs and without EDs, statistically, we could not find any difference (p>0.05).While weight loss and the idea on maintaining the same weight were significantly higher among females than males, the idea of weight gain was higher in males compared to females (p=0.004).In this research, doing physical exercise was insufficient in both genders.All university students should be provided with healthy nutrition conditions, sufficient and wellbalanced meals at low prices should be given and educational nutrition programs should be presented at certain intervals.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the frequency of osteoporosis and 10-years fracture probability in postmenopausal women by using the WHO fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX (TM)). Materials and Methods: Our study group consisted of 254 postmenopausal women who attended to the family outpatient clinic. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). 10-years fracture probability was assessed using the WHO fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX (TM)) with or without the measurement of BMD, separately. Results: The mean age of the participants was 56.82+/-7.79 (min=36, max=78) years, 81.9% of subjects (n=208) were housewives, 57.5% (n=146) were obese and 19.3% (n= 46) were smokers. The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was 14.9% and 39.2%, respectively. When we investigated T-score of L1-L4, we found that 38.2% (n=97) were between -1 and -2.5 (osteopenia), 21.3% (n=54) were below -2.5 (osteoporosis) and 40.6% (n=103) were -1 and over (normal). Femur DXA measurements showed that 17.38% (n=44) of the participants were osteoporotic and 45.7% (n=116) were osteopenic. In trochanter, 6.3% (n=16) was osteoporotic and 33.5% (n=85) was osteopenic. For a major osteoporotic fracture, the probability ranged from 0.5% to 12.0% and from 0.1% to 7.1% with or without the measurement of BMD, respectively. For hip fracture, the probability ranged from 0.0% to 10.0% and from 0.0% to 5.6% with or without the measurement of BMD, respectively. Conclusion: Early detection of osteoporosis and prediction of fracture risk among postmenopausal women is very important for clinical practice both in terms of preventing the undesirable health effects and decreasing substantial morbidity, mortality, and medical costs caused by osteoporosis. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2012;58:126-35.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the frequency, severity, and risk factors for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in healthcare personnel. METHODS:This cross-sectional study was performed at the Outpatient Family Medicine Clinic of Meram Medical Faculty in Konya, Turkey and included 354 healthcare personnel who were working at the Meram Medical Faculty Hospital between October 2010 and June 2011. The International RLS (IRLS) rating scale was used to calculate RLS severity. The RLS symptoms positive patients were investigated for neurological examination. RESULTS:Of all the participants, 277 (78.2%) were female. The overall prevalence of RLS according to the 4 essential criteria in the participating healthcare personnel was 15% (n=53) (16.9% male, 14.4% female). Gender (p=0.726) and age (p=0.197) were not significantly related to RLS. According to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) the severity scale for RLS, of the RLS positive patients, 16% were classified as mild (n=8), 40% as moderate (n=21), and 44% as severe (n=24). Approximately, 54.7% of 53 RLS patients had a positive family history of the disorder. CONCLUSION:Restless leg syndrome is a treatable disorder; however, it is still widely misdiagnosed by physicians. The history of the patient and family is very important in the diagnosis of RLS.

SUMMARY AIM: Measles, rubella, mumps and viral hepatitis is still a considerable health problem around the world. The risk of contamination of health care workers is higher related to occupational causes. The aim of the study was to research the measles, rubella, mumps and hepatitis B seroprevalence among the female students of Medical Faculty and to apply the vaccines whom need the vaccination. METHOD: This descriptive study was conducted among female students attending Meram Medical Faculty of Selcuk University. Age and sociodemographic characteristics of 351 female students who participated in the study were recorded on the prepared forms. Serum specific IgG levels for measles, rubella, mumps, HBsAg and anti HBs levels were measured in the serum patterns of the participants. Statistical analyses were perfor¬med using SPSS version 13.0. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 20.5 years (min=16.0, max=29.0). Measles, rubella, and mumps seropositivity were 91.6%, 97.2% and 93.5% respectively. Of the students, 0.7% (n=2) had HBs Ag seropositivity, 42.4% (n=149) had antiHBs seronegativity. The rates of the measles, rubella, and mumps seropositivity were very high among the female students. Sixty two female students (17.7%) required the measles mumps rubella vaccine (MMR). One hundred forty nine female students who have antiHBs seronegativity needed hepatitis B vaccination. CONCLUSION: In order to eradicate measles, mumps, rubella it is necessary that use of MMR vaccine should be expanded nationwide rapidly by the Ministry of Health; the regulation should be revised to include the children born before 2005.

Waist circumference is accepted as a better index of nutrition-related health risks. In this study we aimed to evaluate whether the measurement of waist circumference may clinically be useful as a predictor of obesity/ underweight in children or not. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on 2572 children selected by the cluster sampling method from 178 primary and high schools in Konya. Height, weight, hip and waist circumference were measured in all the cases. The differences of waist circumference according to age and gender were compared to Body Mass Index specific to age and gender. The mean value of waist circumference in boys was statistically greater than that of girls at the ages of 8, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Body Mass Index was statistically greater in boys than girls in the age group of 18 (p=0.037). Obesity prevalence was 7.7% in 8-yearold girl students and 5.3% in 9and 14-year-old boy students. Prevalence of being overweight was 10.9% in 13-year-old girl students and 11.5% in 8 year-old boy students. Prevalence of being underweight was 17.9% in 18-year-old girl students and 20.0% in 7-year-old boy students. Waist circumference measurement is a very cheap, simple, easy and non-invasive method. Therefore, child nutrition can be closely monitored by measurement of waist circumference.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the quality of life and depression among police officers who are quite vulnerable to psychological effects due to the nature of the job they perform. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between May 25112006 and June 15(th) 2006 among 492 police officers working at the Police Organization of Konya. Depression level was examined through the Beck depression Inventory (BDI). In addition, QoL was assessed using the WHO QoL-BREF questionnaire. Results: Of all the participants, 467 (94.9%) were male, and 25 (5.1%) female. Mean age was 37.39 +/- 6.50 (min = 22, max = 53). When the cut-off point of BDI was considered 17.403 (81.9%) police officers had BDI <= 16, and 89 (18.1%) had BDI >= 17 (depressive). The frequency of depression level was significantly higher among the police officers who were in debts, not home owners and could not afford to pay their credit card balances on time (p < 0.05). Thus, there seemed to be a positive correlation between stress and economical problems. Besides, QoL scores were significantly lower among the depressive individuals than non-depressive ones (p < 0.001). Conclusion: As the study clearly indicates, QoL scores were significantly lower among depressive individuals. These results indicate that police officers are subject to high levels of psychological risk. There is an obvious need to provide psychological support and consulting services to the police.