Cekic S, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2021 Nov;36(49):e339. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e339

Many studies have shown that increased health literacy (HL) improves the management of chronic diseases. Data on the HL levels of adolescents with asthma are limited. In this study, we aimed to inv...

Anafilaksi ani gelişen ve hayatı tehdit edebilen bir aşırı duyarlılık reaksiyonudur. Erken tanı ve adrenalinin erken uygulanması mortaliteyi azaltmaktadır. Bu çalışmada tıp eğitiminin son yılında bulunan öğrencilerin anafilaksi hakkındaki bilgi düzeylerinin ölçülmesi amaçlanmıştır. Anket formu; anafilaksi etiyolojisi, tanısı, tedavisi ve korunma yöntemleri ile ilgili 14 sorudan oluşturuldu. Çevrimiçi anket formu tıp fakültesi son sınıfta bulunan 354 öğrenciye internet aracılığıyla gönderildi. Anket formu gönderilen öğrencilerin %44,9’u (n=159) çalışmaya katıldı. Öğrencilerin kız erkek oranı 1,4 (93/66) ve ortalama yaşları 24,8 ±1,5 yıl (ortanca: 25 yıl, en az: 23, en çok: 33) idi. Öğrencilerin aldıkları toplam puanları yüz üzerinden skorlandığında ortalama skor 71,7±12,9’du (ortanca: 71,4, en az: 35,7, en çok: 92,9). Kadın öğrencilerin ortanca skorları (ortanca: 78,6, en az: 35,7, en çok: 92,9), erkek öğrencilerden (ortanca: 71,4, en az: 35,7, en çok: 92,9) anlamlı olarak yüksekti (p=0,011). Adrenalin otoenjektör uygulamasıyla ilgili eğitim aldığını ifade eden öğrencilerin ortanca skorları (ortanca: 78,6, en az: 35,7, en çok: 92,9), almadıklarını ifade edenlerden (ortanca: 71,4, en az: 35,7, en çok: 92,9) anlamlı olarak yüksekti (p

The differential diagnosis of Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Cervical Adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome from recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) presents significant clinical challenges due to shared symptomatic presentations. This study aimed to identify diagnostic variables that differentiate PFAPA from URTI and FMF by assessing similarities among cases based on demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings and subsequently forming homogeneous and heterogeneous groups. We included patients diagnosed with PFAPA syndrome, URTI, and acute FMF admitted to the hospital for fever attacks. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, and laboratory results were collected from medical records. Cluster analysis was applied to identify similarities and differences among patients based on these variables. A total of 566 patients (234 with PFAPA, 224 with FMF, 108 with URTI) were analyzed. Cluster analysis, based on demographic, medical history, and clinical/laboratory data, identified 3 distinct clusters: Cluster 1 (n = 231) consisted mostly of URTI patients, Cluster 2 (n = 233) of PFAPA patients, and Cluster 3 (n = 112) of FMF patients, with a similarity level of 0.357. Significant variables distinguishing PFAPA from both FMF and URTI ( P < .05) included recurrent fevers before the age of 5 years, the presence of aphthous stomatitis, cervical lymphadenitis, and pharyngitis, an asymptomatic course between fever attacks, metallic taste during attacks, and elevated C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A levels during attacks. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of PFAPA, using clinical and laboratory characteristics, and complements existing diagnostic criteria for distinguishing PFAPA from conditions commonly confused with it, such as URTI and FMF. The identified differences across demographic, clinical, and laboratory domains provide a strong basis for improving standardized, accurate diagnostic approaches for these disorders.

Background: House dust mite (HDM) allergy is a significant public health problem affecting both children and adults. Adherence to environmental control measures varies among patients. This study aimed to evaluate compliance with mite avoidance measures in the homes of families with HDM allergy.Materials and Methods: This study included families of 203 children [132 boys, 71 girls; median age, 9.6 years; interquartile range (IQR), 6-13 years] with HDM allergy. Data on demographics, home environment, and adherence to HDM avoidance measures were collected through questionnaires. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the presence of concomitant cat or pollen allergy, duration of HDM allergy, and sex.Results: High adherence was observed for low-cost, simple measures, including daily ventilation of the child's room (98%), storage of clothes in closed closets (96.6%), and weekly washing of bed linens at 60°C (93.6%). In contrast, adherence was lower for more costly resource-intensive measures, such as dust mite–proof bedding (41.9%) and complete carpet removal (12.3%). Vacuuming frequency increased significantly after diagnosis (median, 3 to 7 days a week; p<0.001). Notably, 26.1% of families lacked knowledge about mite-proof bedding and 11.3% about HEPA-filter vacuum cleaners. Discontinuation of carpets and curtains was more common in patients with a disease duration longer than 12 months. Educational brochures provided by the clinic were reported to be helpful by 83.7% of families.Conclusions: Families of children with HDM allergy demonstrate high adherence to simple, low-cost avoidance measures, particularly bedroom-related interventions. However, cost and limited awareness remain key barriers to the adoption of more intensive, resource-intensive strategies.

Objective: There are few studies investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients using omalizumab. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our patients who have been treating with omalizumab.Material and Methods: From two centers, a total of 20 patients participated in the study. A questionnaire, consisting of 45 questions prepared by our department, and a visual analogue scale (0: minimum, 10: maximum) were applied face-to-face to the patients.Results: It was observed that six patients (30%) did not continue their omalizumab treatment during the pandemic period. While 90% (n=18) of the patients were wearing masks, 85% (n=17) stated that they paid attention to social distance. In our study, the frequency of COVID-19 infection in patients using omalizumab was 10% (n=2). With the pandemic, while our patients’ working-study habits were affected negatively (n=10, 50%), their appetite increased (n=8, 40%), and it was noted that there have been changes in their sleep patterns (n=8, 40%).Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected our patients’ treatments and follow-ups. Our results support the argument that the use of omalizumab does not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.