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ABSTRACT: Several studies have shown that the prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) varied between different geographical regions. Therefore, there is a need of a nationwide prevalence study for headache in our country, located between Asia and Europe. This nationwide study was designed to estimate the 1-year prevalence of migraine and TTH and analyse the clinical features, the impact as well as the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the participant households in Turkey. We planned to investigate 6,000 representative households in 21 cities of Turkey; and a total of 5,323 households (response rate of 89%) aged between 18 and 65 years were examined for headache by 33 trained physicians at home on the basis of the diagnostic criteria of the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II). The electronically registered questionnaire was based on the headache features, the associated symptoms, demographic and socio-economic situation and history. Of 5,323 participants (48.8% women; mean age 35.9 ± 12 years) 44.6% reported recurrent headaches during the last 1 year and 871 were diagnosed with migraine at a prevalence rate of 16.4% (8.5% in men and 24.6% in women), whereas only 270 were diagnosed with TTH at a prevalence rate of 5.1% (5.7% in men and 4.5% in women). The 1-year prevalence of probable migraine was 12.4% and probable TTH was 9.5% additionally. The rate of migraine with aura among migraineurs was 21.5%. The prevalence of migraine was highest among 35-40-year-old women while there were no differences in age groups among men and in TTH overall. More than 2/3 of migraineurs had ever consulted a physician whereas only 1/3 of patients with TTH had ever consulted a physician. For women, the migraine prevalence was higher among the ones with a lower income, while among men, it did not show any change by income. Migraine prevalence was lower in those with a lower educational status compared to those with a high educational status. Chronic daily headache was present in 3.3% and the prevalence of medication overuse headache was 2.1% in our population. There was an important impact of migraine with a monthly frequency of 5.9 ± 6, and an attack duration of 35.1 ± 72 h, but only 4.9% were on prophylactic treatment. The one-year prevalence of migraine estimated as 16.4% was similar or even higher than world-wide reported migraine prevalence figures and identical to a previous nation-wide study conducted in 1998, whereas the TTH prevalence was much lower using the same methodology with the ICHD-II criteria.
The Journal of Headache and Pain 03/2012; 13(2):147-57. · 2.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Gait ignition failure (GIF) classifications all had major limitations. Few years ago, a new and simpler classification was proposed by Liston. The aim of this paper is to discuss three GIF patients with respect to this new classification. All three patients presented with hesitation to start walking and turning and their neurological examination revealed start and turn hesitation without any other abnormality. We classified our patients according to Liston's classification as ignition apraxia, which enabled us to approach the patients in a practical way. This classification helps to understand the underlying pathologies and combines clinical characteristics and pathophysiology. We reported our experience with pergolide in the treatment of patients suffering from primary GIF and underline the fact that more research is needed on the treatment of this condition.
Neurological Sciences 06/2009; 30(4):333-7. · 1.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the relationship between accessory nerve functions and level 2b-preserving selective neck dissection.
Forty-one necks of 30 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent unilateral or bilateral level 2b-preserving neck dissections, between February 2003 and July 2005, were evaluated. Neck and shoulder movements and muscle strengths were examined and electroneuromyography (ENMG) was performed preoperatively at the postoperative 21st day and 6th month. Pathological anatomical findings at the postoperative 6th month were also evaluated.
All shoulder movements and muscle strengths were preserved. Neck extension, rotation movements, and flexion strengths were restricted. ENMG values were affected moderately in the early postoperative period and improved slightly in the late postoperative period. None of the patients developed shoulder syndrome or adhesive capsulitis.
Preserving level 2b during selective neck dissection decreases trauma to the accessory nerve and improves functional results.
Head & Neck 05/2009; 31(11):1496-501. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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Neurological Sciences 10/2008; 29(4):289-90. · 1.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to investigate the burden of headache in neurology outpatient clinics (NOCs) regardless of their primary complaint.
Patients presenting for their routine appointments in 41 NOCs were screened during the course of 1 week. All eligible subjects (n = 3682; 61.9% female, mean age 45.2 +/- 16.5 years) were evaluated by a neurologist for the headache diagnosis and some demographic characteristics.
Of all patients, 66.4% reported headache, and in 35.1% headache was the primary cause for admitting to the NOC. Of 3682 patients, 917 (24.9%) were diagnosed as migraine according to International Headache Society (IHS) criteria. Thirty-three and nine-tenths percent of all patients admitted and 56% of the migraineurs according to IHS had severe headaches. As the headache severity increases, the ratio of the patients admitted with headache as the primary complaint increases significantly. The distribution of burden and other characteristics of headache did not differ in seven geographic regions and 41 different centers.
Headache complaint caused at least 1/3 of all neurological outpatient visits in Turkey and 2/3 of all patients admitted to NOC had headache. Of these patients, 1/4 had migraine according to IHS with substantial disability and severity level.
Pain Practice 01/2008; 7(4):313-23. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the ID Migraine test in neurology outpatient clinics (NOCs), regardless of their presenting complaints. Patients admitted to 41 NOCs were screened. Eligible subjects (n=3682) were evaluated by a neurologist for headache diagnosis according to the International Headache Society criteria and asked the 3-item screening questions of the ID Migraine test. Of 3682 patients, 917 (24.9%) were diagnosed as migraine, whereas 1171 (31.8%) were ID Migraine test positive. The sensitivity of the ID Migraine test for neurologist's diagnosis of migraine was 91.8%, specificity was 63.4%, positive predictive value was 71.9% and negative predictive value was 88.4%. The ID Migraine test is easy to use and a practical test that could alert the neurologist to diagnose patients having other complaints. This test would help to increase the diagnosis and treatment rate of undiagnosed migraine patients in NOCs.
The Journal of Headache and Pain 10/2007; 8(4):217-23. · 2.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the ID Migraine™ test in neurology outpatient clinics (NOCs), regardless
of their presenting complaints. Patients admitted to 41 NOCs were screened. Eligible subjects (n=3682) were evaluated by a neurologist for headache diagnosis according to the International Headache Society criteria and
asked the 3-item screening questions of the ID Migraine™ test. Of 3682 patients, 917 (24.9%) were diagnosed as migraine, whereas
1171 (31.8%) were ID Migraine™ test positive. The sensitivity of the ID Migraine™ test for neurologist’s diagnosis of migraine
was 91.8%, specificity was 63.4%, positive predictive value was 71.9% and negative predictive value was 88.4%. The ID Migraine™
test is easy to use and a practical test that could alert the neurologist to diagnose patients having other complaints. This
test would help to increase the diagnosis and treatment rate of undiagnosed migraine patients in NOCs.
The Journal of Headache and Pain 08/2007; 8(4):217-223. · 2.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Susac's syndrome is a vasospastic disease resulting from bilateral microangiopathy of the brain, cochlea and retina. It is characterized by encephalopathy, bilateral sensorineural fluctuating hearing loss and visual loss. It is very uncommon and usually affects women during young adulthood. Since all three symptoms of the triad may not be present, the clinical diagnosis is difficult. Therefore, neuroimaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging, has an important role in establishing the diagnosis. In this case report, we present a young woman who had all the symptoms of Susac's syndrome. This is the first Susac's syndrome case reported in Turkey.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences 01/2007; 251(1-2):134-7. · 2.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this prospective, randomised, double-blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of intramuscular (IM) tramadol 100 mg in emergency department treatment of acute migraine attack and to compare it with that of IM diclofenac sodium 75 mg. Forty patients who were admitted to our emergency department with acute migraine attack according to the International Headache Society criteria were included in the study. Patients were randomised to receive either tramadol 100 mg (n=20) or diclofenac sodium 75 mg (n=20) intramuscularly. Patients rated their pain on a four-point verbal scale (0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe) at the beginning of the trial and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. At each time interval, severity of associated symptoms were also questioned and recorded. Global evaluation of the drugs by patients and doctors were also recorded. Patients were also asked if they would prefer the same injection in future visits. Any adverse events, whether related to the drug or not, were also recorded. Patients were followed up by telephone 48 h later to check for any headache recurrence. Two-hour pain response rate, which was the primary endpoint, was 80% for both tramadol and diclofenac groups. There were no statistically significant differences among groups in terms of 48-h pain response, rescue treatment, associated symptoms' response, headache recurrence and adverse event rates. Fifteen (75%) patients in the tramadol group and 16 (80%) patients in the diclofenac group stated that they may prefer the same agent for future admissions. In selected patients, tramadol 100 mg IM may be an effective and reliable alternative treatment choice in acute migraine attacks.
The Journal of Headache and Pain 07/2005; 6(3):143-8. · 2.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was designed to observe the effect of preserving the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) during neck dissection (ND) and adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) after ND on shoulder function.
Fifty-seven patients with head and neck cancer who had undergone primary tumor resection and various types of NDs were enrolled in this prospective study. Postoperative shoulder joint range of motion was evaluated by goniometry, and muscle strength was measured manually. SAN function was evaluated with electromyography (EMG) with respect to percentage of denervation and presence of neurogenic involvement. Patients were grouped by treatment as follows: radical ND (RND) versus modified radical ND (MRND)/selective ND (SND) and ART versus no ART.
Shoulder joint range of motion and shoulder muscle strength were significantly better in the MRND/SND group than in the RND group. However, EMG findings were similar in the RND and MRND/SND groups. When all patients who underwent ND, RND, or MRND/SND were compared with the control group, statistically significant changes in shoulder joint range of motion and shoulder muscle strength were found. Also, denervation and neurogenic involvement of the SAN were significantly higher after all NDs than in the control group. ART did not affect range of motion of the shoulder joint, shoulder muscle strength, or the degree of denervation and neurogenic involvement in any of the ND groups.
ART does not have a negative effect on shoulder function after ND. SAN is always functionally impaired even if we preserve it macroscopically during ND.
Head & Neck 12/2004; 26(11):967-71. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study we determined the protective role of amifostine against the side effects of the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Chemo-naive patients with NSCLC were eligible. Thirty-eight patients were randomized to receive paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC = 6 with amifostine 910 mg/m2 (group B) or chemotherapy alone (group A). The occurrences of hematologic, neurologic, cardiologic toxicities, and ototoxicity were evaluated.
All patients completed the six scheduled cycles of therapy. A total of 114 cycles of chemotherapy was given in both groups. Neutropenia grade 3-4 was observed in 11 cycles (9.6%) in group A and 19 cycles (16.6%) in group B (p = 0.16). Paresthesia grade 1 or 2 was observed in 18 of 19 patients of group A and in 8 of 19 patients of group B, following the sixth cycle of chemotherapy (p = 0.018). Two patients of group B and nine patients of group A suffered from sensory motor impairment grade 2 (p = 0.029). There was no clinical evidence in any patient for deterioration in cardiac function. Asymptomatic and transient sinus bradycardia or ventricular premature beats developed in four patients. None of the patients reported vertigo, tinnitus, or hearing loss.
The addition of the amifostine to the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin may prevent or reduce the incidence of neurotoxicity in the treatment of NSCLC. Amifostine does not appear to have a preventive role in neutropenia.
Medical Oncology 02/2003; 20(3):237-45. · 2.14 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Restless leg syndrome (RLS) has negative effects on the quality of life of the patients. Epidemiological studies on RLS are limited.
To determine the prevalence of RLS among people aged 40 years and above in Orhangazi district of Bursa, Turkey.
The study was carried out between 2004 and 2005. This population-based study was conducted in two phases. In the phase 1, residents conducted door-to-door interviews using a short questionnaire to determine the possible cases of RLS. In the phase 2, physicians ascertained the suspected cases of RLS. Diagnosis of RLS was made using the criteria proposed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) and also the rating scale for RLS.
Out of 1, 256 subjects screened in phase 1, 1,124 (89.6%) were included in the study. Also, 161 cases with suspected symptoms of RLS were detected in phase 1, 49 of the suspected cases could not be evaluated in phase 2. A diagnosis of RLS was also made in 60 cases during phase 2.
We defined the prevalence of RLS as 9.71% among 40 years of age and older population. The prevalence of RLS did not differ by age and was 2.6 times more in women. None of the patients were diagnosed as RLS sought medical care for the symptoms, possibly due to lack of knowledge of patients and physicians about RLS. Prevalence studies help to provide knowledge on morbidity, which is essential for diagnosis and early treatment.
Neurology India 57(6):729-33. · 0.96 Impact Factor