Turkish Adult Research Articles

Importance of Parental Consanguinity and Family History of Kidney Disease in the Turkish Adult Chronic Kidney Disease Population: An Epidemiologic Study

Importance of Parental Consanguinity and Family History of Kidney Disease in the Turkish Adult Chronic Kidney Disease Population: An Epidemiologic Study

Clinical Course of Coronavirus disease 2019 C-19 in Patients with Bronchiectasis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the whole world and caused the death of more than 6 million people. The disease has been observed to have a more severe course in patients with chronic lung diseases. There are limited data regarding COVID-19 in patients with bronchiectasis. The aim of this article is to investigate the course of COVID-19 and factors affecting the clinical outcome in patients with bronchiectasis. This study was conducted using the Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database (TEBVEB) to which 25 centers in Türkiye contributed between March 2019 and January 2022. The database consisted of 1035 patients, and COVID-19-related data were recorded for 606 patients. One hundred nineteen (19.6%) of the bronchiectasis patients (64 female, mean age 57.3 ± 13.9) had COVID-19. Patients with bronchiectasis who developed COVID-19 more frequently had other comorbidities (P = .034). They also more frequently had cystic bronchiectasis (P = .009) and their Bronchiectasis Severity Index was significantly higher (P = .019). Eighty-two (68.9%) of the patients who had COVID-19 were followed up in the outpatient clinic, 27 (22.7%) in the inpatient ward and 10 (8.4%) patients in the intensive care unit. There tended to be a higher percentage of males among patients admitted to the hospital (P = .073); similarly, the mean age of the patients admitted to the hospital was also higher (60.8 vs 55.8 years for the outpatients), but these differences did not reach statistical significance (P = .071). In conclusion, this study showed that severe bronchiectasis, presence of cystic bronchiectasis and worse Bronchiectasis Severity Index are associated with the development of COVID-19, but not with the severity of infection.

Weight Misperception is Prevalent Among Turkish Adults and Associated with Higher Age, Body Mass Index and Lower Education Status.

Weight misperception (WM) is common among adults, and it is associated with adverse health outcomes. Research has shown that various factors are associated with weight misperception. Turkish adult population data for weight misperception and related factors do not exist. We conducted a face-to-face cross-sectional descriptive survey in the general internal medicine outpatient clinics of two academic centers. Perception was analyzed both verbally and visually. Misperception was defined for both verbal and visual scales as being thinner than reality misperceptions (TTRM), fatter than reality misperceptions (FTRM), or either of them (ETFTRM). Demographics, anthropometrics, and social determinants of health were analyzed in different misperception groups. 250 patients participated in the study. The median (interquartile range) age was 55 (14), and the BMI was 28.2 (6.9) for females and 26.9 (4.4) for males. 81.2% had ETFTRM, 45.2% had TTRM, and 22.4% had FTRM. Age and BMI were higher in the ETFTRM and TTRM groups, while education level was lower in both. Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher age, higher BMI, and lower education levels were associated with higher TTRM. WM is common among the Turkish adult population. Similar to the previous studies, aging, high BMI, and low education levels are associated with weight misperception. However, in contrast to previous studies, gender, marital status, and employment were not associated with weight misperception in our cohort.

Bronchiectasis in Türkiye: Data from a Multicenter Registry (Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database).

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterized by permanent bronchial wall dilatation. Although it has been known as an orphan disease, it has recently gained attention because of registry-based studies and drug research. We aimed to use a multicenter database to analyze and compare data regarding the etiology, associated comorbidities, microbiological characteristics, and preventive strategies of bronchiectasis in Türkiye to those of other countries. A multicenter prospective cohort study. The multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted between March 2019 and January 2022 using the Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database, in which 25 centers in Türkiye participated. Patients aged > 18 years who presented with respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, and dyspnea and were diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis using computed tomography were included in the study. Demographic information, etiologies, comorbidities, pulmonary functions, and microbiological, radiological, and clinical data were collected from the patients. Of the 1,035 study participants, 518 (50%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 ± 16.1 years. The underlying etiology was detected in 565 (54.6%) patients. While postinfectious origin was the most common cause of bronchiectasis (39.5%), tuberculosis was identified in 11.3% of the patients. An additional comorbidity was detected in 688 (66.5%) patients. The most common comorbidity was cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis was identified in 19.5% of the patients. The most commonly detected microbiological agent was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29.4%). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were used in 70.1% of the patients, and the frequency of exacerbations in the last year was significantly higher in patients using ICS than in nonusers (p < 0.0001). Age [odds ratio (OR): 1.028; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.051], cachexia (OR: 4.774; 95% CI: 2,054-11,097), high modified medical research council dyspnea scale score (OR: 1,952; 95% CI: 1,459-2,611), presence of chronic renal failure (OR: 4,172; 95% CI: 1,249-13,938) and use of inhaled steroids (OR: 2,587; 95% CI: 1,098-6,098) were significant risk factors for mortality. Mortality rates were higher in patients with COPD than in those with no COPD (21.7-9.1%, p = 0.016). Patients with bronchiectasis and COPD exhibited more frequent exacerbations, exacerbation-related hospitalizations, and hospitalization in the intensive care unit in the previous year than patients without COPD. This is the first multicenter study of bronchiectasis in Türkiye. The study results will provide important data that can guide the development of health policies in Türkiye on issues such as infection control, vaccination, and the unnecessary use of antibiotics and steroids.

Dispositional hope, psychological flexibility, and psychological distress: Psychometric properties of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index among Turkish adults.

The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index (PPFI) in a Turkish adult community sample, which consisted of 837 people (65% female) aged between 18 and 68 (Mage = 29.93, SD = 13.21). Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor structure corresponding to acceptance, avoidance, and harnessing, in accordance with the original PPFI. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor model outperformed the one-factor model and showed a good model fit. The Turkish adaptation of the PPFI and its subscales exhibited high internal consistency, convergent validity with dispositional hope, and distress endurance in expected directions. Notably, the Turkish adaptation of the PPFI also showed excellent divergent validity from indices of negative emotionality. This study has offered additional support for the construct validity of the Turkish adaptation of the PPFI by investigating the relationship between psychological flexibility, dispositional hope, and psychological distress. Psychological flexibility emerged as a mediator between dispositional hope and psychological distress, and potential explanations were discussed. The present study offers evidence of the reliability and validity of the PPFI and its potential applicability in the Turkish adult population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Polysomnographic and Clinical Features of Positional and Non-positional Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Turkish Adult Population: Experience from a Single Institution

Polysomnographic and Clinical Features of Positional and Non-positional Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Turkish Adult Population: Experience from a Single Institution

Factors Affecting the Seeking of Orthodontic Treatment of Turkish Adults

Objective The aim of this study is to determine the factors that are effective in seeking orthodontic treatment of Turkish adult individuals and to evaluate the effects of demographic characteristics such as gender, age, marital status, and educational status of the participants on these factors comparatively. Methods A questionnaire-based study was applied to participants who want to receive orthodontic treatment. In the first part, the participants were asked about demographic information such as gender, age, marital status, occupation, and educational status. A total of 542 people (330 female and 212 male) were included in our study. The age of participants included in the study ranged between 18 and 45. Questions about oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and the factors that affect in seeking orthodontic treatment were asked in the second part of the questionnaire. Results Young adults and females were found to have a higher rate of seeking orthodontic treatment. When the participants were asked what led them to orthodontic treatment, 72.1% of the participants stated that they thought it as a necessity such that they should receive orthodontic treatment. Material selection in orthodontic treatment shows statistical significance according to demographic characteristics ( p &lt; 0.05). While 48% of the participants in the 18ȓ24 age group preferred metal orthodontic brackets, 37.9% of the participants in the 25–45 age group preferred clear aligner. Moreover, 40.4% of the married participants preferred clear aligner, while 45.1% of the single participants preferred metal orthodontic brackets. Conclusion The factors in seeking orthodontic treatment of individuals vary according to demographic characteristics and social environment of individuals.

Anatomy of a Nation: Exploring Weight, Height, and BMI Variations among Turkish Adults (2008-2022)

Objective: The rapidly changing demographics and lifestyles of the global population demand updated anthropometric data to ensure appropriate designs, interventions, and policies. Recognizing the lack of recent comprehensive anthropometric data on the Turkish adult population, the primary objective of this study was to present an authoritative perspective on the evolution of average heights and Body Mass Index (BMI) distributions in Turkey, focusing on the period between 2008 and 2022. Materials and Methods: Data for this research was sourced from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by TurkStat. Our sample encapsulated diverse age groups over 15, covering all seven geographical regions of Turkey, ensuring nationwide representation. Comprehensive analyses were undertaken to segregate the data based on sex and age group, providing a nuanced insight into height variations and BMI distributions. Results: Our findings suggest that the overall average height for the entire Turkish population remained relatively consistent during the study period, with males averaging around 173 cm and females approximately 161 cm. Interestingly, the 15-24 age bracket registered a noticeable height increase, suggesting a potential growth trend in the younger generation. In terms of BMI, our research revealed a consistent distribution across all categories over the years. However, there was a slight decrease in underweight individuals, particularly among males, and an upward trend in the 'pre-obese' category, especially in the male demographic. The obese category experienced a minor increase from 2008 to 2016 but showed signs of stabilization in recent years. Conclusion: Given the dynamic nature of population health and growth patterns, this study underscores the significance of continuous anthropometric monitoring. Our findings offer a modern benchmark for various stakeholders – from health professionals to designers – to appropriately tailor their solutions and interventions for the Turkish populace. Furthermore, the subtle shifts in BMI categories over the years highlight potential focus areas for public health initiatives, emphasizing the importance of diet, lifestyle, and exercise in ensuring a healthy nation.

Modification and Validation of the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale for Turkish Adult Vaccination.

Background and Purpose: For public health, it is important to investigate vaccine hesitancy, determine populations reluctant for vaccines, and investigate barriers and facilitators for vaccination in these groups. This study aims to modify and validate the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale specific to adults in Turkish society. Methods: The study, which was designed as a methodological and survey type, was conducted using a Google questionnaire with 720 participants who met the inclusion criteria with a convenient sampling method. Results: After factor and reliability analysis, a 2-factor, 10-item scale with an acceptable and perfect range of fit index values emerged. It has been observed that individuals who are young, single, do not have children, have vaccine allergy, and do not believe that the vaccine will protect the society are adversely affected by the environment, and those who do not have COVID-19 and flu have a high level of hesitancy to vaccine. Conclusions: The Vaccine Hesitancy Scale is a valid and reliable tool to detect vaccine hesitation in adults in Turkish society.

Burnout in Turkish Adult Neurology Specialists

Burnout in Turkish Adult Neurology Specialists

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Normal Liver, Spleen, and Kidney Dimensions in a Healthy Turkish Community of Over 18 Years Old.

The dimensions of the liver, spleen, and kidneys either change in primary diseases related to these organs or in secondary diseases that indirectly affect them, such as diseases of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the normal dimensions of the liver, kidneys, and spleen and their correlations with body mass index in healthy Turkish adults. A total of 1,918 adults older than 18 years of age underwent ultrasonographic (USG) examinations. Participants' age, sex, height, weight, BMI, liver, spleen, and kidney dimensions, biochemistry and haemogram results were recorded. The relationships between organ measurements and these parameters were examined. A total of 1,918 patients participated in the study. Of these, 987 (51.5%) were female and 931 (48.5%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 40.74± 15.95 years. The liver length (LL) for men was found to be greater than that for women. The effect of the sex factor on the LL value was statistically significant (p = 0.000). The difference between men and women in terms of liver depth (LD) was statistically significant (p=0.004). The difference between BMI groups in terms of splenic length (SL) was not statistically significant (p=0.583). The difference between BMI groups in terms of splenic thickness (ST) was statistically significant (p=0.016). We obtained the mean normal standard values of the liver, spleen, and kidneys in a healthy Turkish adult population. Consequently, values exceeding those in our findings will guide clinicians in the diagnosis of organomegaly and will contribute to filling the gap in this regard.

Calculated Globulin Is Clinically Useful as a Screening Test for Antibody Deficiency in Turkish Adult Patients

Introduction: Heterogeneous clinical features of antibody deficiency (AD) may cause diagnostic delays. Calculated globulin (CG) (total protein minus albumin) has been proposed as a screening test to prevent morbidity due to diagnostic delays in AD. Our aim was to validate CG as a screening test for AD in Turkish adult patients by comparing its role with gamma globulin analysis in protein electrophoresis. Methods: Fifty serum samples were randomly collected for each level of CG from 15 to 25 g/L and tested for serum IgG, IgA, IgM levels and protein electrophoresis. Cut-off values predicting low IgG levels were calculated for electrophoretically determined gamma globulin and CG. Additionally, the data of 47 patients followed up in our clinic with a diagnosis of primary antibody deficiency (PAD) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 550 adult patients were included in the study. The CG value predicting patients with IgG <6 g/L as a screening test was determined as <20 g/L with 83.8% sensitivity and 74.9% specificity. The gamma globulin value which predicted patients with the same IgG value of 89.0% sensitivity and 89.4% specificity was determined as <7 g/L. In the retrospective analysis, 37 of 47 patients (78.7%) with PAD had a CG value of <20 g/L at the time of the diagnosis and all 13 patients (100%) whose gamma globulin values were measured at the time of the diagnosis had a gamma globulin value of <7 g/L. Conclusion: The determined CG cut-off value of <20 g/L can be used as a screening test in Turkish adult patients.

Picturing asthma in Turkey: results from the Turkish adult asthma registry

Introduction National data on asthma characteristics and the factors associated with uncontrolled asthma seem to be necessary for every country. For this purpose, we developed the Turkish Adult Asthma Registry for patients with asthma aiming to take a snapshot of our patients, thereby assigning the unmet needs and niche areas of intervention. Methods Case entries were performed between March 2018 and March 2022. A web-based application was used to record data. Study outcomes were demographic features, disease characteristics, asthma control levels, and phenotypes. Results The registry included 2053 patients from 36 study centers in Turkey. Female subjects dominated the group (n = 1535, 74.8%). The majority of the patients had allergic (n = 1158, 65.3%) and eosinophilic (n = 1174, 57.2%) asthma. Six hundred nineteen (32.2%) of the patients had obese asthma. Severe asthma existed in 670 (32.6%) patients. Majority of cases were on step 3–5 treatment (n: 1525; 88.1%). Uncontrolled asthma was associated with low educational level, severe asthma attacks in the last year, low FEV1, existence of chronic rhinosinusitis and living in particular regions. Conclusion The picture of this registry showed a dominancy of middle-aged obese women with moderate-to-severe asthma. We also determined particular strategic targets such as low educational level, severe asthma attacks, low FEV1, and chronic rhinosinusitis to decrease uncontrolled asthma in our country. Moreover, some regional strategies may also be needed as uncontrolled asthma is higher in certain regions. We believe that these data will guide authorities to reestablish national asthma programs to improve asthma service delivery.

Association of Intelectin 1 Gene rs2274907 A > T Polymorphism with Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Serum Intelectin-1 Levels and Lipid Profiles in Turkish Adults.

The anti-inflammatory adipokine intelectin-1, which is encoded by the ITLN1 gene, is hypothesized to be linked to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the ITLN1 gene polymorphism rs2274907 on obesity and T2DM in Turkish adults. The impact of genotype on lipid profiles and serum intelectin levels in the obese and diabetes groups was also investigated. Randomly selected 2266 adults (mean age, 55.0 ± 11.7years; 51.2% women) participating in the population-based Turkish adult risk factor study were cross-sectionally analyzed. The genotyping of rs2274907 A > T polymorphism was performed by using the hybridization probe based LightSNiP assay in real-time PCR. T2DM were defined using the criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Obesity was described as Body mass index ≥ 30kg/m2. Statistical analyses were used to investigate the association of genotypes with clinical and biochemical measurements. According to findings, there was no vital connection between the rs2274907 polymorphism and obesity, T2DM, or serum intelectin-1 level. The TA+AA carriers had significantly higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.007) compared with the TT carriers in both obese and T2DM women when adjusted for relevant covariates. ITLN1 rs2274907 polymorphism is not correlated with the risk of obesity and T2DM and not affect serum ITLN1 levels in Turkish adults. However, this polymorphism appears to be important in regulating triglyceride levels in obese and diabetic women.

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Related Factors in Turkish Adult Population: A Striking Outcome of Cappadocia Chronic Diseases Epidemiological Study

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common painful lesion affecting millions of people. This population-based epidemiological study aimed to determine the frequency of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in the population and associated diseases and factors.&#x0D; Methods: In 2013, by the Turkish Society of Internal Medicine, a cohort for chronic diseases and related risk factors was initiated in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey (Cappadocia region). 90% of the whole adult population was included and photos of oral aphthae were used during the questionnaire for chronic diseases. &#x0D; Results: 10 992 participants, aged ≥18 years included. The mean age were 44.6± 16.4 years; 56.1% were males. RAS history was present in 13.2%, more frequent in females (17.1%). Female gender ( OR: 1.441, CI: 1.253-1.656, p

Gender Gap in Intergenerational Educational Persistence: Can Compulsory Schooling Reduce It?

We analyze the impact of an increase in compulsory schooling policy on the gender gap in intergenerational educational persistence using the nationally representative Turkish Adult Education Survey. Prior to the reform, there is a gender gap in the association of parents’ educational attainment with their offspring’s. Daughters’ educational attainment is more dependent on their parents’ education background. We show that the education reform that increased compulsory schooling from 5 to 8 years reduced the impact of parental education on completion of new compulsory schooling (8 years) and post-compulsory schooling (high school) for both sons and daughters. The gender gap in intergenerational education transmission has decreased by about 5 percentage points in the completion of new compulsory schooling level but remains unchanged at the post-compulsory schooling level after the reform. Heterogeneous effects of the reform indicate that mandating additional years of education is an ineffective intervention in the eastern regions with poorer economic conditions, larger rural population, and more traditional gender views in reducing the gender gap in educational mobility, even at the compulsory level of education.

Impact of the Pandemic on Gender Differences in Scientific Publication Authorship Among Turkish Adult Cardiologists.

Despite efforts spent on promotion of gender equity in the academia, the gender gap is feared to have widened after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Herein, we aimed to compare the distribution of female authorship by Turkish adult cardiologists in journals indexed at PubMed before and after the pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, an advanced search on PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) was carried out based on the following criteria: "entrez date" and keywords "Turkey" and "cardiology" to identify papers that entered the online database in April-September 2019 and April-September 2020. After the study sample was determined, type of the article and details of the author list were recorded. Of 1318 articles screened, 708 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 85 (12.0%) of first authors and 67 (10.0%) of senior authors were female. Females were less likely to first author original articles, editorials, case reports/series and papers with international participation (9.5%, P = .012; 33.3%, P = .045; 18.3%, P = .033; 4.8%, P = .032, respectively). A higher proportion of females were in first and corresponding author positions in original articles (73.2%, P = .032; 76.5%, P = .019, respectively), but not in other article types (all P > .05), after emergence of the pandemic. These suggest that significant gender differences exist with regard to authorships of scientific publications that were submitted by Turkish adult cardiologists. Future studies may aim to evaluate the trends across a wider time span and based on a more extensive scientific output follow-up.

Investigation of the Relationships Between Mindfulness, Wisdom, Resilience and Life Satisfaction in Turkish Adult Population.

There are many factors that are thought to affect life satisfaction. One of these factors is mindfulness. In addition, it has been observed that resilience and wisdom are associated with both mindfulness and life satisfaction. This study aims to examine the associations between mindfulness, resilience, wisdom, and life satisfaction. Participants consist of 1158 Turkish young adults (79.9% females) between the ages of 18 and 58 (Mage = 21.28, SD = 5.31). Mindfulness Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, San Diego Wisdom Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale were used as the data collection tools. Structural Equation Modelling and Bootstrapping method were used to examine the role of resilience and wisdom in the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction. The results of the structural equation analysis showed that resilience and wisdom had a significant mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction, and that the role of wisdom was stronger than resilience. The results of the bootstrapping analysis showed that the indirect effects of mindfulness on life satisfaction are significant. We conclude that mindfulness, accompanied by wisdom and resilience, can lead to an increase in life satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications and limitations were discussed.

Interaction between Dietary Fat Intake and Metabolic Genetic Risk Score on 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in a Turkish Adult Population.

Previous studies have pointed out a link between vitamin D status and metabolic traits, however, consistent evidence has not been provided yet. This cross-sectional study has used a nutrigenetic approach to investigate the interaction between metabolic-genetic risk score (GRS) and dietary intake on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in 396 unrelated Turkish adults, aged 24–50 years. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in those with a metabolic-GRS ≥ 1 risk allele than those with a metabolic-GRS < 1 risk allele (p = 0.020). A significant interaction between metabolic-GRS and dietary fat intake (energy%) on serum 25(OH)D levels was identified (Pinteraction = 0.040). Participants carrying a metabolic-GRS ≥ 1 risk allele and consuming a high fat diet (≥38% of energy = 122.3 ± 52.51 g/day) had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D concentration (p = 0.006) in comparison to those consuming a low-fat diet (<38% of energy = 82.5 ± 37.36 g/d). In conclusion, our study suggests a novel interaction between metabolic-GRS and dietary fat intake on serum 25(OH)D level, which emphasises that following the current dietary fat intake recommendation (<35% total fat) could be important in reducing the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this Turkish population. Nevertheless, further larger studies are needed to verify this interaction, before implementing personalized dietary recommendations for the maintenance of optimal vitamin D status.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish Adult Sensory Processing Scale

Introduction Sensory processing is crucial to adaptive behavioural responses in occupational therapy. Nevertheless, information on sensory processing in adults is limited. The Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS) measures behavioural responses indicative of sensory processing in different sensory systems. The study aimed to examine the cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the ASPS-Turkish (ASPS-T). Methods The ASPS-T was administered to 405 individuals, who were aged 18 to 64 (38.5 ± 11.4) years. The cross-cultural adaptation and translation procedures were conducted following Beaton’s guidelines. Internal consistency was examined by Cronbach’s alpha. Criterion-related validity of the ASPS was determined by the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile using Construct validity and was examined by confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS. Results The study included 405 participants (271 female and 134 male). Exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation determined 11 factors with 55.15% total variance. In confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), model fit indices showed an acceptable fit. The reliability of the scale was 0.834, and test–retest reliability changed from 0.94 to 0.99, illustrating high internal consistency and excellent reliability of the scale. Conclusions The ASPS-T is reliable and valid for analysing sensory processing patterns of adults in the Turkish population.