Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) prevalence data in Türkiye is limited. We aimed to determine the nationwide prevalence of MASLD and advanced hepatic fibrosis risk in subjects with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF). Despite recent international consensus redefining fatty liver disease terminology, no nationwide MASLD study has been reported in Türkiye. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 14,371 adults with ≥1 CMRF from 44 centers across 31 cities. MASLD was diagnosed using liver ultrasonography plus cardiometabolic criteria. Advanced fibrosis risk was assessed by fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score (≥1.3 for ≤65 years; ≥2.0 for >65 years). Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of high FIB-4. Results: A total of 61.4% of participants were women, the mean age was 51.3 ± 14.4 years, and the mean BMI was 31.4 ± 6.0 kg/m². MASLD prevalence was 75.7% (n = 10,873), rising with the number of CMRFs (56.5% with one factor vs. 83.4% with all). The prevalence of high FIB-4 scores was 12.0% overall, being lower in MASLD patients than non-MASLD patients (11.2% vs. 14.4%, p < 0.001). FIB-4 scores decreased with increasing BMI (28.1% underweight vs. 8.7% class III obesity). Male sex, T2DM, and hypertension independently predicted high FIB-4 scores, while smoking, higher BMI, and MASLD were inversely associated. Conclusions: Three-quarters of Turkish adults with CMRF have MASLD. Standard FIB-4 thresholds may underestimate fibrosis risk in obese and smoking populations, underscoring the need for adjusted cut-offs or alternative tools. This study is the first to provide nationwide MASLD prevalence data in Türkiye.

Objectives: Obesity is a significant public health concern, as it is associated with the development of numerous chronic diseases. The prevalence of obesity and attendant diseases has been increasing over recent years. This study attempted to ascertain the frequency of chronic diseases in obese patients in Türkiye for the first time on this scale. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, with patients admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinics or obesity centers between December 2023 and December 2024 included in this study. Participants were recruited from seven regions, 20 provinces, and 28 centers, and the inclusion criteria were met by those aged 18 years and over with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg per square meter (kg/m²) or above. Their status, with respect to chronic diseases, and their anthropometric parameters were documented. Results: The total number of patients was 10,121, with a mean age of 45.2 ± 13.92. Of these, 7222 (71.35%) were female. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HT), dyslipidemia (DL), coronary artery disease (CAD), obstructive pulmonary disease (OPD), obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and fatty liver disease (FLD) was found to be 35.01%, 78.19%, 12.37%, 10.32%, 5.88%, and 75.12%, respectively. A subsequent analysis of the prevalence of these diseases by region revealed a statistically significant variation between regions (p < 0.001 for all regions). Conclusions: This study represents a substantial contribution to the existing body of knowledge in this field, particularly with regard to the identification of the current chronic disease rate of obese patients in Türkiye.

Zonulin (Zo) has recently been identified as a marker of intestinal permeability. It has previously been linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular disease; however, its role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Zo and systemic inflammation (SI), endothelial dysfunction (ED), and renal function in CKD patients. One hundred sixty-three participants were enrolled in this study and divided into 2 groups (patient and control) according to the presence of CKD stage 3 to 5 not on dialysis. Circulating Zo levels have been investigated as markers of intestinal permeability. Furthermore, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been used as biomarkers for ED and SI assessments, respectively. A total of 104 patients with CKD (mean age: 58.9 ± 1.4) and 59 control subjects (mean age: 59.0 ± 1.1) were included, with similar age (P = .934) and sex (P = .196) between the groups. In the comparison analysis, plasma Zo levels in the CKD group (166.16 ± 53.54) were significantly higher than those in the control group (143.30 ± 60.92) (P < .001). In the correlation analysis, the serum Zo level showed a positive correlation with claudin-3 (R = 0.612, P < .001), IL-6 (R = 0.307, P < .001), and creatinine (R = 0.313, P < .001) and a negative correlation with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (r = −0.320, P < .001). On the other hand, there was no correlation between circulating Zo and VCAM-1 levels (r = −0.139, P = .081). Additionally, according to linear regression analysis, Zo level was significantly associated with GFR after adjusting for age and systolic blood pressure (β = −0.918, P = .012). High serum Zo levels in patients with CKD reflect increased intestinal permeability and are associated with impaired renal function. Moreover, it was thought that Zo levels could be associated with SI; however, novel clinical studies are needed to elucidate their relationship with ED.

Background: The aim of MASK-air® application is to enhance awareness of allergic rhinitis (AR) and its complications, thereby reducing the risk of developing asthma. Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of MASK-air® on the quality of life (QoL) and symptomatology of AR patients undergoing allergen immunotherapy (AIT). The study also evaluated patient satisfaction with the application. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between August and November 2019 at a tertiary Allergy and Immunology center involving patients receiving AIT. Participants were instructed on accessing and utilizing MASK-air® daily through face-to-face interviews. Concurrently, the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) were administered alongside MASK-air® Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. After 6 months, RQLQ scores were reassessed and a satisfaction survey was conducted. Results: This study comprised 96 patients. Significant correlations were observed among SFAR, RQLQ, and VAS scores. After 6 months of MASK-air® usage, improvements in QoL and symptom reduction were evident. Notably, participants who consistently used MASK-air® demonstrated significant reductions in activity limitations and hay fever scores compared to irregular users (p = 0.05 and p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, participants under 40 years of age and those with higher education levels exhibited a greater inclination toward online monitoring via the application. Overall, participants found MASK-air® practical, citing various advantages and disadvantages. Conclusion: MASK-air® serves as a valuable tool for physicians in managing treatment and is associated with validated, reliable scales. Its use was linked to enhanced QoL and symptom reduction among participants, irrespective of treatment duration.

Bmj, Bosphorus Medical Journal