-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To evaluate the prognosis, neurologic outcome, and predictors of survival in patients with non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage.
We evaluated prospectively a cohort of 96 Saudi adult males and females with stroke during the month of July 2005 at Arar Central Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Out of 103 patients, 96 patients, who were diagnosed as having intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) presenting to the emergency department for initial evaluation, were included, except those with recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage, arteriovenous malformation, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, hemorrhagic infarctions, and patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. No patient underwent any neurosurgical procedure.
The results of 96 patients were analyzed. The mean age at ICH was 67.2 (+/-14.7) years (range, 30-100 years), and mean Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score on admission was 8.42 (+/-1.73) and (range, 4-13). Mean ICH volume on initial CT scan was 10.61 (+/-14.01) ml3 (range, 1-63). Mean pulse pressure on hospital arrival was 81.9 (+/-22.8) mm Hg (range, 70-120 mm Hg). In uni-variate analysis, GCS score (p=0.0005), ICH volume (p=0.001), mass effect (p=0.001), and presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (p=0.0005) were all associated with 30-days mortality, while in multivariable analysis, the most significant independent predictors of 30-day mortality were, GCS score and the intraventricular extension of hemorrhage.
This model may aid in making decisions quickly and easily regarding the appropriate level of care for such patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.
Neurosciences 07/2008; 13(3):263-7. · 0.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Seeking to understand patient perspectives is an important step in the efforts to improve the quality of health care. Developed by the EQuiP Task Force on Patient Evaluations of General Practice Care, the EUROPEP instrument aims to collect information on patient evaluations of general practice care. In order to expose the current state of patient satisfaction and make international comparisons, a study was conducted with relevant data collected from Turkey. The Turkish version of the EUROPEP instrument was administered to 1160 patients in six different Turkish cities. Thirty-three medical practices were included in the study. In every practice, a minimum of 30 adult patients who visited the practice for a consultation were consecutively included. The results were compared with previous values from European countries. "Helping you understand the importance of following his or her advice", "Getting through to the practice on the telephone", and "Providing quick services for urgent health problems" were evaluated best (76.7%, 76.3%, and 76.2%, 'good or excellent' ratings, respectively) and "Helping to deal with emotional problems related to the health status" was rated the worst (60.2%, 'good or excellent'). Other areas which had low ratings were: "Waiting time in the waiting room" (63.0%), "Quick relief of symptoms" (61.3%), and "Involving patients in decisions about medical care" (61.3%). Patient evaluations can help to educate medical staff about their achievements as well as their failures, assisting them to be more responsive to their patients' needs. In order to get the best benefit from EUROPEP, national benchmarking should be started to enable national and international comparisons.
Yonsei Medical Journal 03/2004; 45(1):23-8. · 1.14 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Objectives: this study examined the associations between physical activity and some social factors in a sample of Turkish adolescents. Methods: 883 middle and high school students provided information on physical activity, socioeconomic status, living conditions, school performance, family status, family's attitude about exercise, and playmates. Scales measuring self-esteem, problem solving, and self-care levels were used for each student. Results: 531 (60.1 %) students were practicing some kind of sport. The most commonly preferred sports were ball games. Low activity was associated with living without families, higher age, low mother education, and low self-care scores suggesting that sociocultural factors may affect the exercise status of adolescents. Conclusions: Low physical activity was associated with some social factors in teenagers. Efforts should be sought to increase self-esteem and self-care of adolescents, and the opportunity to participate in sportive activities with friends and parents.
Middle East Journal of Family Medicine. 01/2004; 5.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The objective in this study was to compare the accuracy of the tympanic membrane infrared thermometer with the other conventional temperature measurement options.
One hundred and ten randomly selected pediatric patients who admitted to our emergency room were included in the study. Each child underwent simultaneous temperature measurement via rectum, axilla, and external auditory canal. The rectal and axillary measurements were performed using conventional mercury in glass thermometers. The aural measurement was performed using the non-contact infrared thermometer (Braun ThermoScan IRT 1020, Germany).
On aural measurement, the results of both ears as well as the first, second and third measurements were similar (P<0.01). The mean results of the axillary, rectal and tympanic temperature measurements were 37.46+/-1, 38.18+/-1, and 38.01+/-1.1, respectively. The mean axillary temperature was 0.72 degrees C lower than the mean rectal temperature, and 0.55 degrees C lower than the tympanic temperature. The difference between the mean tympanic and rectal temperatures was 0.17 degrees C. The results of measurements via rectum, axilla and ear were similar (P<0.01).
In conclusion, it is apparent that each of the temperature measurement options has some advantages and disadvantages. An optimal thermometer should have the following features; accurate temperature measurement; ease of application in a short while; safety and absence of potential risks; and tolerability by the patient. Since the aural infrared thermometer meets these criteria, its use in the routine clinical practice appears to be advantageous rather than or complementary to the conventional methods.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 08/2002; 65(1):39-43. · 1.17 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Quality circles in the classroom setting are composed of students who meet regularly to identify, analyse and solve problems related to a course, and implement solutions. We recently instituted quality circles (QCs) among preclinical medical students and evaluated their impact on quality of learning and student satisfaction. Included in the study were all 135 first-year medical students of Trakya University School of Medicine in the 2000-2001 academic year. Six students were selected randomly out of 26 volunteers as circle members. Circle participants met once a week for 14 45-minute sessions to discuss educational issues, propose solutions and prepare a report for submission to the dean. A questionnaire was administered to all first-year students and the replies provided the problem pool from which the QC chose the problem to be addressed. A total of 22 problems concerned education and 28 were identified in the fields of accommodation, social activities and other issues. To evaluate the change in the perceived quality of learning, circle members prepared a questionnaire designed to compare satisfaction at the beginning and end of the study period. This questionnaire was composed of 26 items and evaluated various aspects of education. There was a significant increase in student satisfaction after the one-year study period (p = 0.001). In addition to enhancing quality of learning, quality circles improved student satisfaction as well. More studies should be conducted to test the impact of QCs on education in different settings and different classes. Our results show that the use of quality circles in first-year medical students improves quality of learning and student satisfaction.
Swiss medical weekly: official journal of the Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases, the Swiss Society of Internal Medicine, the Swiss Society of Pneumology 04/2002; 132(11-12):143-7. · 1.89 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The mean age of first sexual intercourse in Western countries is around 17 years and decreasing. Although Turkey is a bridge between East and West, embracing different cultures, little data are available on sexual issues in the population.
A questionnaire was administered to all students in the study year 2004-2005, collecting demographic data, sexual activities, sexual and contraceptive attitudes, and contraceptive knowledge. Of 7,657 applicants invited, 3,970 questionnaires could be analyzed.
Median age of the participants was 18 years (48.0% female, 52% male). Median age at first sexual intercourse was 17 years for females and 16 years for males. 46.5% of the males and 3.0% of the females had sexual intercourse experience. While 68% of the girls had their first sexual intercourse with their lovers, this ratio was 44.8 % for males (Chi square = 59.963, p <.001). Significantly more girls than boys were planning to have their sexual partner as future spouses (Chi square = 55.569, p <.001). Three fourth of the males approved premarital sex for males; this ratio was reversed for females (Chi square = 574.838, p <.001). Although both sexes disapproved premarital sexual intercourse of women, girls were significantly more conservative in this regard (78.6% vs. 92.5%) (Chi square = 110.460, p <.001).
Although the adolescent sexual intercourse rate in Turkey is low compared with Western countries, there is a tendency to increase. Therefore, sexual education is needed. When augmenting sexual education programs in undergraduate education, gender difference and cultural factors should be further evaluated.
International journal of adolescent medicine and health 20(4):431-9.
