Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is a form of non-articular rheumatism characterized by long term and widespread musculoskeletal pain, morning stiffness, sleep disturbance, paresthesia, and pressure ...hyperalgesia at characteristic sites, called soft tissue tender points. The etiology of FM is still obscure. Genetic factors may predispose individuals to FM. Cytokines may play a role in the pathophysiology of FM. The aim of this study was to investigate the interleukin-4 (IL-4) 70 bp VNTR variations in Turkish patients with FM and evaluate if there was an association with clinical features, especially between these polymorphisms.
The study included 300 patients with FM and 270 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the IL-4 gene 70 bp VNTR polymorphisms.
There was statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to IL-4 genotype distribution and allele frequencies (p<0.0001). The homozygous P1P1 genotype and P1 allele were significantly higher in FM patients than in healthy controls (p=0.04; OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1-10, p<0.0001; OR:4.84, 95% CI:3-7.7). There was not any difference between the groups respect to IL-4 genotype distribution and allele frequencies (p>0.05) and clinical characteristics.
Our findings suggest that there is an association of IL-4 gene 70 bp VNTR polymorphism with susceptibility of a person for development of FM. As a result, further studies are necessary to determine whether IL-4 may be a genetic marker for FM in the Turkish population.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Aim:The Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic has effects on the healthcare system, as well as on the care of child burns. In our study, we aimed to compare the numbers and demographic data of patients ...who were treated and followed up during the pandemic period in our burn intensive care center with the data of patients in the same period one year prior.Methods:The patients who were admitted to our tertiary pediatric burn center were divided into two groups: pandemic period (March 10-September 30, 2020) and pre-pandemic period (March 10-September 30, 2019). The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, city of origin, means of transport to the hospital, total burn surface area, burn etiology, duration of hospitalization, intubation status, and mortality from their medical records.Results:In the pandemic period group, 414 children were admitted to the pediatric burn unit and 126 (30.4%) were hospitalized; however, in the pre-pandemic period group, 728 children were admitted to the pediatric burn unit and 98 (13.4%) were hospitalized (p<0.01). The average total burn surface area was s higher in the pre-pandemic group (16.31%) than in the pandemic group (12.29%). The intubated patient rate in the pandemic group (17.34%) was higher than the pre-pandemic group patients (p=0.005). The mortality rate was 3.1% in the pandemic group and 5.1% in the pre-pandemic group.Conclusion:The rate of hospitalization to burn centers has increased in the pandemic period. However, patients in the pandemic period were mild cases compared to the pre-pandemic period.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aims
The differential diagnosis of Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) is still a major clinical challenge despite the advances in diagnostic procedures. In this multicentre study, we aimed to reveal FUO ...aetiology and factors influencing the final diagnosis of FUO in Turkey.
Methods
A total of 214 patients with FUO between the years 2015 and 2019 from 13 tertiary training and research hospitals were retrospectively evaluated.
Results
The etiologic distribution of FUO was infections (44.9%), malignancies (15.42%), autoimmune/inflammatory (11.68%) diseases, miscellaneous diseases (8.41%) and undiagnosed cases (19.62%). Brucellosis (10.25%), extrapulmonary tuberculosis (6.54%) and infective endocarditis (6.54%) were the most frequent three infective causes. Solid malignancies (7.1%) and lymphoma (5.6%), adult‐onset still's disease (6.07%) and thyroiditis (5.14%) were other frequent diseases. The aetiological spectrum did not differ in elderly people (P < .05). Infections were less frequent in Western (34.62%) compared with Eastern regions of Turkey (60.71%) (P < .001, OR: 0.31, 95% Cl: 0.19 to 0.60). The ratio of undiagnosed aetiology was significantly higher in elderly people (p: 0.046, OR: 2.34, 95% Cl: 1.00 to 5.48) and significantly lower in Western Turkey (P: .004, OR: 3.07, 95% Cl: 1.39 to 6.71).
Conclusions
Brucellosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis and infective endocarditis remain to be the most frequent infective causes of FUO in Turkey. Solid tumours and lymphomas, AOSD and thyroiditis are the other common diseases. The aetiological spectrum did not differ in elderly people, on the other hand, infections were more common in Eastern Turkey. A considerable amount of aetiology remained undiagnosed despite the state‐of‐the‐art technology in healthcare services.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
There are conflicting results in the literature about the relationship between PD-1/PD-L1 expression and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to identify the ...relationship between NSCLC patients' clinicopathologic characteristics and PD-1/PD-L1 expression.
Pathology specimens of eligible stage II-III NSCLC patients were immunohistochemically stained with PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies. Patient files and digital records were retrospectively reviewed for demographic and clinical features such as age, gender, smoking status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), histological tumor subtype, applied chemotherapeutic types and their dates and survival data. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate prognostic effects of staining status of PD-L1 and PD-1 in tumor cells and PD-L1 in tumor infiltrating inflammatory cells.
In a total 74 patients, 45.9% of them were positive for PD-L1 in tumor cells, 67.9% positive for PD-L1 in tumor infiltrating inflammatory cells and 83.8% positive for PD-1 in tumor cells (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between the positive staining of PD-L1 tumor cells and increased overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis (3-year OS; PD-L1(+) 76.6% vs PD-L1(-) 41%, p=0.031). In multivariate analysis only stage and ECOG PS were statistically significant.
PD-L1 positivity in tumor cells was a positive prognostic factor for OS in patients with stage II and III NSCLC.
Atezolizumab (ATZ) has demonstrated antitumor activity and manageable safety in previous studies in patients with locally advanced or metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma.
To compare ...the real-life experience and data of clinical trials on ATZ treatment in metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
Patients with urothelial cancer treated with ATZ after progression on first-line chemotherapy from an expanded access program were retrospectively studied. Data of patients were obtained from their files and hospital records. Safety was evaluated for patients treated with at least one cycle of ATZ.
The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints are overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response, and safety profile of patients. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to calculate median follow-up and estimate PFS and OS.
Data of 115 enrolled patients were analyzed. Most of the patients (92.3%, n = 106) had received chemotherapy regimen only once prior to ATZ. The median follow-up duration was 23.5 mo. The complete response rate, partial response rate, and ORR were 8.7% (n = 10), 20.0% (n = 23), and 28.7% (n = 33), respectively. The median duration of response was 20.4 mo (95% confidence interval CI, 6.47–28.8). Of the 33 patients who responded to treatment, 60% (n = 20) had an ongoing response at the time of the analysis. PFS and OS with ATZ were 3.8 mo (95% CI, 2.25–5.49) and 9.8 mo (95% CI, 6.7–12.9), respectively. All-cause and any-grade adverse events were observed in 113 (98%) patients. Of the patients, 64% experienced a treatment-related adverse event of any grade and 24 (21.2%) had a grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse event. Limitations of the study included its retrospective design, and determination of treatment response based on clinical notes and local radiographic studies.
In these real-life data, ATZ was effective and well tolerated in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have progressed with platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. ATZ is an effective and tolerable treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma in our study, similar to previously reported trials.
Atezolizumab is effective and well-tolerated in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer who progressed with first-line chemotherapy, consistent with the outcomes of the previous clinical trials in this setting.
Atezolizumab is an effective and tolerable treatment option for patients with urothelial cancer after progression by the chemotherapy. Clinical activity and safety of atezolizumab treatment in real-life patients were consistent with the outcomes of the previous clinical trials in this setting
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of everolimus (EVE) plus exemestane (EXE) in hormone-receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast ...cancer (MBC) patients in real-life settings.
Overall, 204 HR+, HER2− MBC patients treated with EVE + EXE after progressing following prior endocrine treatment were included. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and safety data were analyzed.
The objective response rate, median PFS, and median OS were 33.4%, 8.9 months, and 23.4 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that negative progesterone receptor status was a significant determinant of poor treatment response (p = 0.035) and PFS (p = 0.024). The presence of bone-only metastasis was associated with better treatment response (p = 0.002), PFS (p < 0.001), and OS (p = 0.001).
We confirmed the favorable efficacy and safety profile of EVE + EXE for HR+, HER − MBC patients.
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DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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Background: Anti-tumor activity and manageable safety profile of atezolizumab (ATZ) has been demonstrated in the previous clinical trials in patients with locally advanced or ...metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma. In this study, we reported the results of real-life data of urothelial carcinoma patients in Turkey who were treated with ATZ. Methods: Data of the patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma registered to ATZ Expanded-Access Program and treated with at least one course of ATZ from 36 oncology centers in Turkey were collected. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR); secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of the ATZ treatment and safety. Results: Data of 115 eligible patients were analyzed. Of the patients, 100 (87%) were male and 13% were female. The median age was 65.3 years (37-86). Most of the patients (92.3%) had received only one chemotherapy regimen prior to ATZ. The median follow-up time was 23.5 months. The complete response rate to ATZ, partial response rate, and ORR were 8.7% (n=10), 20.0% (n=23), and 28.7% (n=33), respectively. The median duration of response was 20.4 months (95% CI 6.47–28.8). Of the thirty-three patients who responded to treatment, 20 (60%) had an ongoing response at the time of the analysis. PFS and OS with ATZ were 3.8 months (95% 2.25–5.49) and 9.8 months (95% 6.7–12.9), respectively. The 12-month PFS rate was 22.3% and the 24-month PFS rate was 16.9%. The 12-month OS rate was 42.2% and the 24-month OS rate was 23.5%, respectively. Sixty-four percent of patients experienced a treatment-related adverse event of any grade, and 24 (20%) of patients had a grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse event. Because of treatment-related side effects, dose reduction was performed in 9 (7.8%) patients and ATZ was discontinued in 8 patients (7.0%). Adverse event that required systemic steroid use was reported in only 7 (6.1%) patients. Four patients (3.5%) died due to treatment-related causes. Conclusions: ATZ is an effective and tolerable treatment for patients with metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma.
Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease with a defect in mucociliary activity that is characterized by recurrent pulmonary infections. Bacterial agents frequently implicated in airway ...colonization are Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. Fungal isolation from sputum is common in adults. However, growth of fungal agent only in sputum culture in patients with cystic fibrosis is insufficient for the diagnosis of fungal diseases. There is limited data about the clinical significance of fungal isolation in sputum cultures. The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical outcomes andsignificance of fungal isolation from sputum samples in adult CF.
This retrospective study included patients who have been admitted between October 2017 and January 2019 in an adult cystic fibrosis unit. Patients were grouped according to fungal pathogenicity as; fungal disease group, colonization group, and nonisolated group. The data of the last one year, including demographics, clinical data, laboratory, treatment modalities, results of cultured bacteria and fungus from sputum samples, respiratory function parameters, frequency of exacerbation, and hospitalizationwere compared between groups.
A total of 330 sputum samples from 88 adult patients with CF were collected. Patients were divided into 3 groups, the fungal disease group (n = 10, 11.4%), colonization group (n = 49, 55.7%), and nonisolated group (n = 29, 32.9%). Presence of pulmonary exacerbation, number of admissions to emergency department, and the number of positive cultures for bacteria from sputum were higher in the fungal disease group (p = 0.03, p = 0.01 and p < 0.001). The fungal disease group had higher rate of antibiotics by parenteral routethan other groups (p = 0.001) whereas lung functions were similar. Use of nutritional supplementation and parenteral antibiotherapy were the factors associated with elevated risk of fungal isolation.
Frequent use of parenteral antibiotics and use of nutritional supplementation were found to be independent risk factors for fungal isolation from sputum in adult CF.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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