Turk J Med Sci
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Current clinical guidelines recommend to use both clinical and self-reported measurements for evaluation of chronic neck pain. Among the self-reported outcomes, Neck disability index and patient-specific functional scale are the most widely used and recommended instruments. The purpose of our study was to determine the test-retest reliability and validity of patient-specific functional scale which was not validated in Turkish language previously. ⋯ The Turkish version of the patient-specific functional scale is a valid and reliable scale for evaluating functional status in patients with chronic neck pain.
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Muslims worship by fasting from predawn (suhoor) until sunset (iftar) for 30 days in the religious month of Ramadan. In addition to prolonged hunger, patients fasting with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism take their doses of levothyroxine (LT4) outside of daytime fasting hours. The purpose of our study is to compare the values of hypothyroid patients which have been obtained through thyroid function tests before and after Ramadan. ⋯ Our study demonstrates a significant increase in serum TSH levels after Ramadan but no significant change in serum free thyroxine (fT4) levels in hypothyroidism patients who are fasting. It may be appropriate to take precautions by making a small increase in LT4 dose before Ramadan in some hypothyroid patients wishing to fast.
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We aimed to explore the roles of glycoprotein glycosylation in the pathogenesis of Kashin–Beck disease (KBD), and evaluated the effectiveness of sodium hyaluronate treatment. ⋯ HHL in saliva and serum may be a valuable diagnostic biomarker of KBD, and it may be used as follow-up for the hyaluronate treatment.
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In Hungary, a nationwide colorectal screening program is about to be introduced in order to improve the high mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim was to summarize experiences from and assess short-term efficacy of the population- based pilot colorectal screening program in 2015 in Csongrád county, Hungary. ⋯ The Csongrád county population-based colorectal cancer screening was evidently successful on the short-term considering participation rate, and the changes in CRC incidence and stage, thus its national extension is necessary.
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Rapid antigen test (RAT) is a practical test to detect the presence of Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus antigens in throat swab samples. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in the empiric antibiotic prescribing behavior of 10 family physicians in Kırıkkale Province after using RAT in 2017. ⋯ This study shows that there has been a significant decrease in antibiotic prescription in 10 Family Medicine departments in 2017 in comparison to February, March, and April 2015 and 2016. The use of RAT resulted in a decrease in antibiotic prescription rates in 2017.