Ali Riza Erbay’s research while affiliated with Bozok University and other places

Background and Design: This study aimed to compare neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), epicardial fat tissue (EFT), and arterial stiffness values of psoriatic patients with healthy subjects and to determine the relation of these parameters with the severity of psoriasis. Materials and Methods: This study included 102 patients with psoriasis and 102 control subjects matched according to age and gender. CIMT, echocardiographic EFT, arterial stiffness [aortic stiffness index (ASI) and aortic distensibility], anthropometric measurements, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, and metabolic parameters were measured in all patients. Results: The mean NLR in the psoriasis group were significantly higher than in the healthy group (2.3±0.74 vs 1.49±0.36; p

Backround: In patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease (CAD), well-developed coronary collateral circulation (CCC) is known to reduce long-term mortality. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of serum calprotectin (S100A8 / S100A9), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) concentrations with CCC in patients with stable CAD. Methods: This cross-sectional and prospective study included 147 patients with stable angina pectoris. Cohen-Rentrop classification was made for collateral circulation of patients. Patients were divided into two groups as patients with poor CCC (Cohen-Rentrop score 0 and 1) (n = 79) and patients with good CCC (Cohen-Rentrop score 2 and 3) (n = 68). Groups were compared for serum calprotectin, Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations. Results: Compared with the good CCC group, serum calprotectin (p<0.01) and Ang-1 (p<0.001) levels were significantly higher, while serum Ang-2 (p<0.01) levels were significantly lower in the poor CCC group. C-reactive protein (CRP) values showed a moderate positive correlation with calprotectin values (r = 0.359; p <0.001). In the multivariate regression analysis, only calprotectin (p<0.05) and Ang-1 (p<0.05) were found to be independent factors for the presence of good and poor CCC. Conclusions: In this study, it was determined that Ang-2 values were lower and serum calprotectin and Ang-1 values were higher in stable CAD patients with poor CCC regardless of the complexity and severity of coronary arteriosclerosis. If these results are confirmed in future studies, calprotectin may be a biomarker that needs to be investigated to guide anti-ischemic treatment.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates in adults at risk who applied to our hospital in Yozgat province based on the patient's declaration. Methods: This report uses data from a single-center, non-in-terventional cross-sectional study that included patients who applied to Outpatient Clinics of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Chest Diseases from May 2013 to May 2014. Information about pneumococcal and influenza vaccine coverage was collected during face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire with patients with diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure or patients who were ≥65 years of age. Results: A total of 2918 patients completed the interview. The mean age was 62.1±13 years (range 19-93) and 1255 (61.9%) were female. None of the patients had a vaccination card. Influenza vaccine coverage was 12.3%, and pneumococcal vaccine coverage was 3%. Only 2.8% had received both vaccinations. 92.9% and 98.9% of the patients who had not received influenza and pneumococcal vaccines respectively declared that they were not informed about these vaccines by their doctors. Conclusions: The rate of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in adults in Yozgat, Turkey fell far behind the recommendations. A strong recommendation from health-care providers may be helpful for increased uptake of vaccines. Klimik Dergisi 2018; 31(3): 205-9.

BACKGROUND: Since routine immunization could change the epidemiological profile of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the future, it is important to determine the baseline immunity to HAV across Turkey. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A among individuals 6 years of age and older in Yozgat, Turkey. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Community in central region of Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Questionnaires and blood specimens were collected and the presence of hepatitis A IgG antibodies against hepatitis A virus was determined quantitatively by ELISA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rates of hepatitis A immunity by age group.1862. RESULTS: Immunity to hepatitis A was 79.1% (n=1473). The mean (SD) age was 17.1 (14.7) years in the nonimmune group and 37.8 (19.5) years in the immune group (P less than .001), and immunity increased with age. No significant difference in immunity rate was detected between gen.ders in children and adults. The seropositivity rate for subjects ages 6-19 years was lower than in subjects aged 20-96 years (52.2% versus 93.9%; P less than .001). CONCLUSION: A catch-up vaccination program is needed for persons aged 6-19 years in Yozgat. LIMITATIONS: Single region data which can not be generalized. For this reason, a multi-centered study that can reflect the whole country is recommended.None.

Objective: To assess cardiovascular risk factors and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty three patients who were evaluated for the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia with accompanying symptoms were included in the study. Patients were also examined by cardiology department to assess and measure cardiovascular risk factors, left ventricular functions and carotid intima-media thickness. Results: Cardiovascular risk factors adjusted carotid intima-media thickness was found to be different between three groups, being highest in severely symptomatic group and lowest in mildly symptomatic group. Significant correlation of prostatic volume was shown with carotid intima-media thickness after adjusting prostatic volume for body mass index and age, and carotid intima-media thickness for cardiovascular risk factors(r=0.75 p=0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed that carotid intima-media thickness significantly associated with prostatic volume (beta coefficient: 0.628; CI: 37.02-60.1; p=0,001). Conclusion: We have demonstrated that prostatic tissue has shown significant association with carotid intima-media thickness in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objective: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) is a diagnostic tool commonly used to detect significant coronary lesion. However equivocal, false negative or positive results can be yielded. Controversial findings regarding the role of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in MPS evaluation persist. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of serum IMA in the assessment of MPS results. Methods: MPS using technetium (99mTc) sestamibi and transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 62 consecutive subjects prospectively enrolled. Exercise treadmill test (ETT) with modified Bruce protocol was used to induce coronary ischemia. During MPS performance, blood samples for serum IMA were obtained at 3 times: at pre-exercise, at the peak of ETT, and 6 hours after ETT. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to MPS results (normal, equivocal, and ischemia). Results: Sixty-two patients (23 normal, 20 equivocal, 19 with ischemia) were included. Pre- and peak-exercise IMA values were similar among the groups (p=0.706 and 0.904). Post-exercise IMA values of the normal and equivocal groups were similar (p=0.733), while that of the ischemia group was significantly higher than the values of either the normal (p<0.001) or equivocal groups (p<0.001). ΔIMA (the difference between post-exercise and peak-exercise IMA) of the ischemia group was significantly higher than that of either the normal (p<0.001) or equivocal groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Serum IMA was found to be significantly increased in cases of ischemia on MPS. Subjects with normal and equivocal MPS had a similar pattern during the test. IMA may be used in differentiation of equivocal results from false positive results.

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most commonly encountered baldness pattern in men. Epicardial fat tissue is found on the cardiac surface between the myocardium and visceral pericardium. Both AGA and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) are related to coronary artery disease, which is also reflected by an increase in carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of AGA severity with EFT. Methods: One hundred twenty-six male patients with AGA aged 18 to 55 years without histories of chronic disease were enrolled. Subjects were divided into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) on the basis of the Hamilton baldness scale as modified by Norwood. Maximum EFT was measured at end-systole on the midventricular free wall of the right ventricle. CIMT was also recorded for all patients. Results: The groups did not have statistically significant differences with respect to age, height, weight, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, or left atrial diameter (p>0.05 for all comparisons), but the severe group had a higher EFT compared with the moderate (p<0.001; z score, -7.040) and mild groups (p<0.001; z score, -6.667). The moderate group also had higher EFT than the mild group (p<0.001; z score, -5.931). Mean CIMT value in the severe group was significantly higher compared with the value in the other groups. Conclusion: The study showed that subjects in advanced stages of AGA had increased EFT, which was measured via echocardiography.