Pain and quality of life in Turkish cancer patients

This study was designed to examine the relationship between patients' pain severity and their self‐reported quality of life, to evaluate factors that may affect pain and quality of life, and to assess patients' opinions and practices on the use of analgesics. The study was conducted with 260 cancer patients. Data were collected using a Quality of Life Scale and Visual Analog Scale questionnaire. It was found that mean scores of pain, all subdomains of quality of life, and overall mean scores of patients were at a moderate level, the lowest score in the subdomains of quality of life was in the psychological subdomain and the highest was in the spiritual subdomain. It was also found that as severity of pain experienced by patients increased, their general activities, mood, activeness, sleep, and nutrition were negatively affected. As severity of pain experienced by patients increased, their quality of life worsened. Patients were observed to have insufficient knowledge and a poor understanding with respect to the use of analgesics. In conclusion, it is very important for nurses to assess factors that can complicate pain management and to establish an effective pain control.     

Enhanced perfusion in eyes and cerebral perfusion defects in a patient with Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is known as the most common form of inherited mental retardation. In our study, brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed in a 6 year-old boy diagnosed with FXS. Diffuse bilateral uptake of Technetium-99m hexamethyl propylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) was noted in his orbits, as well as cortical perfusion defects (hypoperfusion in the right parietal and the left temporal lobe). Ophthalmologic examination showed no pathological findings. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no abnormality in the orbital structures, although hypoplasia of cerebellum and vermis was visualized. Since the patient was crying during the injection, the increased blood flow or the increased metabolism of the eyes and/or ocular muscles may be responsible for this orbital finding. Alternatively, the enhanced uptake of HMPAO in the orbits may reflect the pathology associated with FXS, because patients with FXS might have visual-motor abnormalities. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report documenting such an orbital uptake of HMPAO. Moreover, the visualization of decreased cerebral perfusion, with the normal findings of MRI, indicates that brain SPECT imaging with HMPAO is helpful for detecting brain abnormalities in children with FXS.     

Low level of compliance with tuberculosis treatment in children: monitoring by urine tests

Patient compliance should be ensured in an effective tuberculosis control programme. We measured patient compliance by detecting antituberculous drugs in the urine of 237 outpatients receiving one to three antituberculous drugs. Positive controls were 20 hospitalised patients, supervised to receive isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF) and pyrazinamide (PZA), and negative controls were not on any drugs. Among the 237 study patients, only 67% were found to be taking the appropriate treatment and 8% had taken none. We conclude that a remarkable number of patients (33%) were non-compliant with treatment. The detection of antituberculous drugs in the urine is a quick, simple and inexpensive means of measuring adherence to treatment. Unless directly observed therapy (DOT) is adopted, we recommend routine urine testing for antituberculous drugs to identify defaulting patients.     

Change in contraceptive choices and the effect of education on use of contraception at the family planning clinic of Si?li Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate change in contraceptive use and the effect of education on fertility and contraceptive attitudes at our family planning clinic. METHODS: For this retrospective review, medical charts from Si?li Etfal Training and Research Hospital Family Planning Center were obtained. Records were evaluated for 2514 women in 1997 and 2268 women in 2002. RESULTS: During the 6-year period studied, significant decreases occurred in the number of births, elective abortions, gravidity and number of living children (p < 0.001). When the patterns of method use were compared, use of intrauterine devices and of coitus interruptus diminished whereas pill and condom use increased. Parallel with the rise in educational level, intrauterine device use declined whereas pill and condom use rose significantly (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The sociocultural and educational levels of women affect their contraceptive choices. Policies aimed at raising the socioeconomic and educational level of women should be supported to prevent maternal and fetal complications as a result of unwanted pregnancies.     

Ossifying fibroma in the nasopharynx a case report

Ossifying fibroma localized in the nasopharynx of a 35-year-old man with histopathologic and radiologic findings has been reported. Because of its rarity, the subject has been presented and discussed.     

Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis manifesting as intracerebral hemorrhage associated with herpes simplex virus type I

Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHL) is a rare and usually fatal disorder characterized by an acute onset of neurological abnormalities. It may occur in association with a viral illness or vaccination. Radiology and brain biopsy are essential for the diagnosis. We present a case of AHL mimicking or manifesting as intracerebral hemorrhage associated with herpes simplex virus. A 3-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with cerebral hemorrhage. The findings of cerebrospinal fluid, MRI and electroencephalogram indicated acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis associated with herpes simplex virus involving the left parietal cortex (hemorrhage) and the right temporal lobe (encephalitis). The patient received intravenous dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg/24 h divided q6 (six times a day) for 5 days, tapered slowly to discontinuation over the next 5 days) and aciclovir (15 mg/kg/every 6 h for 14 days). His clinical condition markedly improved, and after 3 weeks he was discharged from the hospital with moderate right hemiparesis. Mild hemiparesis with normal psychometric testing was determined when he was checked 6 months later. AHL remains misdiagnosed as viral encephalitis because it produces different protean clinical forms. Pediatric patients admitted with cerebral hemorrhage and infarct should be evaluated for presence of hemorrhagic encephalitis-causing agents, especially for herpes simplex. Since, as in our case, treatment with corticosteroid and acyclovir markedly improves conditions of herpes simplex-caused AHL, we suggest that early diagnosis and treatment is of importance for the prognosis.     

Effect of obesity on inflammatory markers and renal functions

AIM: To examine the relationship between inflammation criteria and body mass index in otherwise-healthy obese schoolchildren and to evaluate the effect of obesity on renal functions. METHODS: Sixty-five otherwise-healthy obese children (median age 10.8 y, range 7.1-16.5 y; median body mass index 26.8 kg/m(2), range 19.9-38.7 kg/m(2)) and 20 healthy controls (median age 12.4 y, range 10.1-17.1 y; median body mass index 18.8 kg/m(2), range 17.3-23.1 kg/m(2)) were included. Blood and urine samples were taken from every child. RESULTS: Children in the obese and control groups had similar age and sex distributions (p>0.05). Inflammatory mediators were higher in obese children (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between glomerular filtration rate and body mass index in the whole study group (r=0.39, p=0.001). A positive correlation was found between body mass index standard deviation and inflammatory mediators and glomerular filtration rate. No significant difference existed regarding protein and microalbumin excretion in the urine. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory mediators increased significantly in obese children, and the glomerular filtration rate increased as the body mass index increased. To prevent obesity-related complications in adulthood, it is important to take measures to prevent development of obesity during childhood.