Browsing by Author "Sakar, A"
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Item Evaluation of silicosis in ceramic workersSakar, A; Kaya, E; Çelik, P; Gencer, N; Temel, O; Yaman, N; Sepit, L; Yildirim, ÇA; Dagyildizi, L; Coskun, E; Dinç, G; Yorgancioglu, A; Çimrin, AHThis study is aimed to evaluate the incidence of silicosis and the relation of it with personal and work-related factors among workers exposed to silica in ceramic factory. Workers were evaluated by respiratory symptoms, physical examination, pulmonary function and radiological findings. Occupational and Enviromental Pulmonary Disease Evaluation Questionnaire of the Turkish Thoracic Society Enviromental and Occupational Pulmonary Diseases Working Group was used. 365 of 626 workers had exposure to silica and the rest 261 were concerned as control group. There was no difference between mean age, duration of work and smoking pack year among the groups (p> 0.05). Cough and sputum rates were higher in silicosis group FEV1 and FVC values were lower in silica group but this was not statistically significant. When the two subgro-ups of silica group (the workers in high dust concentration and the ones in low concentration) were compared, the high concentrated group had significantly more sputum but the other symptoms and pulmonary functional parameters were not different significantly. 24 workers had parenchymal densities adjusted with pneumoconiosis. The workers with the pneumoconistic finding, had a higher mean age and longer duration of work. As a conclusion, ceramic industry has risk for silicosis. And the risk increase by time and age.Item Relation between COPD assessment testCAT™ and functional parameters and quality of life in COPD patientsErkan, S; Yorgancioglu, A; Havlucu, Y; Ozdemir, L; Goktalay, T; Sakar, A; Celik, PItem Effect of severity of asthma on quality of lifeSakar, A; Yorgancioglu, A; Aydemir, O; Sepit, L; Çelik, PThis study is aimed to evaluate the health related quality of life (HRQL) in asthmatics and the probable association between HRQL and disease severity and also other demographic factors by using a generic scale, SF-36 questionnaire. One-hundred and two asthmatics were enrolled. The scores of the 8 domains of SF-36 questionnaire were evaluated according to age, gender, status of education and compared with the severity of asthma. The mean age of 84 (83%) female and 18 (17%) male patients was 42.86 +/- 11.15. Fifty-two of them was well educated (51%) and 50 was poorly educated (49%). Atopy ratio was 81%. Mild intermittent, mild persistent and moderate-severe persistent groups were 27 (26%), 46 (45%) and 29 (29%) respectively. Female gender were worse in physical functioning (p= 0.000), physical role difficulties (p= 0.0049), vitality (p= 0.045) and social functioning (p= 0.025). Poorly educated group were worse in physical functioning (p= 0.001), physical role difficulties (p= 0.039), vitality (p= 0.045), emotional role difficulties (p= 0.046), general health (p= 0.030) and mental health (p= 0.044). Mental health was worse in the presence of atopy (p= 0.035). Physical functioning was better in mild intermittent group than moderate and severe persistent group (p= 0.024). General health was better in mild intermittent group than mild persistent group (p= 0.018), moderate and severe persistent group (p= 0.015). Vitality and emotional role difficulties was better in mild intermittent than mild persistent group (p= 0.042, p= 0.007). The HRQL scores and severity of asthma is well correlated like other objective parameters. So one of the primary goals in management of asthma should also improve QOL as well as functional parameters.Item Short-term effects of montelukast in stable patients with moderate to severe COPDCelik, P; Sakar, A; Havlucu, Y; Yuksel, H; Turkdogan, P; Yorgancioglu, AThis study aims to investigate the possibility of additional value of leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTA) on dyspnea score, arterial blood gases (ABG), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and quality of life (St. George QoL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. In this randomized, prospective, single-blind, and controlled study, 117 non-reversible COPD patients defined by global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) criteria were randomized to receive ipratropium bromide, formoterol and montelukast (n:58, montelukast group) or ipratropium bromide and formoterol (n:59, control group) after a 2-week run-in period. There was no significant demographic difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Baseline ABG, PFT, visual analoque scores r(VAS), and QoL scores were obtained and at first month and second month, PFT, VAS, and QoL scores were repeated and ABG was obtained at second month and the values were compared with baseline values. As the result of the comparision, there was significant increase in vital capacity, FVC, FEV1, VAS, and PaO2 parameters (P < 0.05), and a significant decrease in the QoL scores (P < 0.05) in the montelukast group. These parameters did not show any difference in the control group (P > 0.05). Sputum samples that could be obtained in 24 of the COPD patients were evaluated and in the montelukast group, there was a decrease in neutrophitic activity after treatment (n:13) (P <= 0.059). These results suggest that LTA that is used additionally in routine treatment protocol can produce additive improvement on PFr, dyspnea score and especially QoL in patients with stable COPD and for these reasons, LTA may be taken into account when there is need for an additional anti-inflammatory treatment in COPD patients. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Assessment of alveolar epithelial permeability in Behcet's disease with 99mTc-DTPA aerosol scintigraphyGumuser, FG; Pirildar, T; Batok, D; Sakar, A; Ruksen, E; Sayit, EObjective Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder characterized by vasculitis, and consists of a triad of recurrent ulcers of the oral and genital mucosa with relapsing uveitis. The prevalance of pulmonary involvement varies in the range of 1-10% in various studies and its complications are severe and life threatening. In this study, we investigated the changes of pulmonary epithelial permeability of patients with BD using technetium-99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Tc-99m-DTPA) aerosol scintigraphy, so as to begin the therapy regimen as soon as possible. Methods Twenty-one nonsmoking patients with BD (8 women, 13 men; mean age 38.67 +/- 8.86 years) and 15 healthy volunteer nonsmoking controls (8 women, 7 men; mean age 50.87 +/- 12.45 years) underwent Tc-99m-DTPA aerosol inhalation scintigraphy and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Subjects inhaled 1480 MBq of Tc-99m-DTPA for 4 min in the supine position. Scintigraphic data were recorded dynamically (1 frame/min) in the posterior projection on a 64 x 64 matrix for a 30-min period using a double-headed gamma camera (Infinia, GE, Tirat Hacarmel, Israel) equipped with a low-energy all-purpose parallel hole collimator. Half time of Tc-99m-DTPA clearance (T (1/2)) was calculated by placing a mono-exponential fit on the curves. Penetration index (PI) was also calculated by dividing the peripheral total counts by the sum of the peripheral and central total counts on the first minute image, in order to quantify the distribution of the inhaled aerosol. Results The clearance half time of Tc-99m-DTPA radioaerosols in the BD patients (24.81 +/- 6.22 min) was faster than in the normal control group (46.53 +/- 22.41 min) (P = 0.004). There was also a significant difference between PI of the patients with BD (0.15 +/- 0.03) and that of the controls (0.21 +/- 0.06) (P = 0.002). No correlation was found between the mean T (1/2) values of Tc-99m-DTPA clearance or the spirometric measurements in the BD patients. Penetration indices were not correlated with PFT in the BD patients. Conclusions Lung epithelial permeability of the patients with BD was significantly higher than that of the normal subjects. The results of this study demonstrated that the assessment of lung epithelial permeability using Tc-99m-DTPA aerosol scintigraphy could predict the presence of lung involvement in the early stages of BD.Item Effects of latanoprost and betaxolol on cardiovascular and respiratory status of newly diagnosed glaucoma patientsErkin, EF; Çelik, P; Kayikçioglu, Ö; Deveci, HM; Sakar, AAims: To investigate the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of topical latanoprost 0.005% and topical betaxolol 0.25% monotherapy in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients. Methods: Forty newly diagnosed glaucoma patients were enrolled in this prospective, observer-masked, randomized, parallel study. Patients received either latanoprost 0.005% or betaxolol 0.25% for a duration of 3 months. Baseline evaluation included intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and cardiorespiratory examinations including pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements and spirometry. These measurements were repeated after 3 months. Results: Both latanoprost and betaxolol reduced IOP significantly (p = 0.001). After 3 months of therapy, the mean pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values of the betaxolol group were reduced (p = 0.027, p = 0.07 and p = 0.016, respectively). No significant changes occurred in the cardiovascular measurements of the latanoprost group (p > 0.05). There were no significant changes in any of the spirometric measurements tested for both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both latanoprost and betaxolol are safe concerning respiratory functions. Betaxolol may cause small changes in the cardiovascular system, suggesting that blood pressure and pulse rates should be checked before and in regular intervals after prescribing it for the elderly. Latanoprost seems to be a safe medication in view of absence of systemic cardiovascular and respiratory side effects. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, BaselItem Technetium-99m-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime lung scintigraphy findings in patients with Behcet's diseaseGumuser, G; Pirildar, T; Tarhan, S; Batok, D; Ruksen, E; Sakar, A; Sayit, EAim Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder that is characterized by vasculitis, and consists of a triad of recurrent ulcers of the oral and genital mucosa with relapsing uveitis. The prevalence of pulmonary involvement varies in the range of 1-10% in various studies, and its complications are severe and life threatening. To objectively assess the degree of pulmonary vascular endothelial damage in BD, the lung uptake, and the clearance rate of technetium-99m-hexamethylpropylene amine oxirne (Tc-99m-HMPAO) were determined. Methods Twenty-three nonsmoking patients with BD (10 female, 13 male) and 11 (six female, five male) healthy nonsmoking controls underwent Tc-99m-HMPAO lung scanning, pulmonary function tests (PFT), chest radiograph examination, contrast-enhanced spiral chest computed tomography scanning, and high-resolution computed tomography examinations. Immediately after the bolus injection of 740 MBq of Tc-99m-HMPAO posterior sequential images were obtained at 1-s intervals for 150s and subsequent images were obtained at one frame per minute (min) over a 10-min period, using a double-headed gamma camera equipped with a low-energy all-purpose parallel hole collimator. Dynamic images were used to calculate the Tc-99m-HMPAO lung clearance rate (T(1/2)). Simultaneously, a static anterior image, including a large pad of the liver, was obtained of 5-min duration at 10 min after the injection. Regular regions of interests were drawn over the midportion of the right lung and the highest activity area of the liver parenchyma was selected and lung/liver (L/Li) uptake ratios were calculated to represent the degree of pulmonary vascular endothelial damage. Results Chest radiograph, high-resolution computed tomography, and computed tomography findings in patients with BD were nonspecific for BD. There was also a statistically significant difference between patients with BD (30.26 +/- 10.55s) and normal controls (19.53 +/- 6.24s) on their T(1/2) values (P=0.0004). The results show that the L/Li ratios on the Tc-99m-HMPAO lung scan were significantly higher in patients with BD (0.60 +/- 0.19) than those in normal controls (0.39 +/- 0.07) (P=0.0021). Using a cutoff value of 0.50, 15 of 23 (65%) patients with BD had increased L/Li ratios. No correlation was found between the mean T(1/2) values of Tc-99m-HMPAO clearance and the PFT in patients with BD. The L/Li ratios were not correlated with PFT in patients with BD. Conclusion The degree of pulmonary vascular endothelial damage was represented as increased L/Li ratios and decreased lung clearance rate measured on the Tc-99m-HMPAO lung scan in patients with BD. Our results indicated that determining the T(1/2) values and the L/Li ratios on Tc-99m-HMPAO lung imaging should be an objective method to assess subclinical pulmonary damage even in the early stages of BD in the patients. Nucl Med Commun 32:363-368 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.Item Effect of recombinant human activated protein C on apoptosis-related proteinsSakar, A; Vatansever, S; Sepit, L; Ozbilgin, K; Yorgancioglu, AThe recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) has been reported to reduce mortality in patients with severe sepsis. An anti-apoptotic effect of rhAPC in sepsis is known, but the mechanism through which it acts on the apoptotic pathway is still unclear. Therefore, immunopositivity of the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, c-myc, a proliferative protein, p-21 and p-53, two apoptotic proteins, was determined after rhAPC treatment in a mouse sepsis model. Sepsis was induced by Escherichia coli endotoxin injection. Increased neutrophil infiltration and immunoreactivity to p53 and p2l were observed in the group with sepsis and these immunoreactivities were decreased by rhAPC treatment. In the sepstic group; immunopositivity of Bcl-2 and c-myc was mild and moderate, respectively. In conclusion; p21- and p53-mediated apoptosis was increased in the sepsis model, and for the first time it has been shown that rhAPC decreases sepsis-induced apoptosis resulting from increased p2l and p53 proteins.Item Assessment of alveolar epithelial permeability with Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy in patients with sjogren syndromePirildar, T; Gumuser, G; Ruksen, E; Sakar, A; Dinc, G; Sayit, EItem Technetium-99m Hexamethylpropylene Amine Oxime Lung Clearance Rate in Patients with Behcet's DiseaseGumuser, G; Pirildar, T; Tarhan, S; Kararmaz, M; Sakar, A; Sayit, EItem The prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms in Manisa, Turkey (A western city from a country bridging Asia and Europe)Sakar, A; Yorgancioglu, A; Dinc, G; Yuksel, H; Celik, P; Dagyildizi, L; Coskun, E; Kaya, E; Ozyurt, B; Ozcan, CThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms in Manisa city center, Turkey, to evaluate the determinants effective on those values, and to review the prevalence rates reported from different parts of the country. Data were collected from 610 households and complete interviews were conducted with 1,336 adults over 18 years of age by using European Community Respiratory Health Survey-ECRHS questionnaire. The prevalences of current asthma, cumulative asthma and asthma-like symptoms were found in 1.2, 1.0 and 25.0%, respectively, of the 20-44 years age group and the prevalences of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis and family atopy were found in 14.5, 10.9, and 15.2%, respectively, in all age group. Wheezing with breathlessness, wheezing without cold, woken up with shortness of breath and woken up with cold were reported by 9.1%, 6.9%, 6% and 16.1% of the study population, respectively. Gender, age, active or passive smoking, family atopy and home condition effect on prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms. In this study prevalence of asthma correlated with the studies reporting low prevalence rates of Turkey.Item Evaluation of Thyroid Function Tests In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseKaya, E; Coskun, E; Celik, P; Sakar, A; Yorgancioglu, A; Özyurt, BAbnormal thyroid function test (TFT) levels were reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between COPD and TFT in our study. Ninety three stable COPD patients and 17 healthy adults as a control group were evaluated. Physical examination, pulmonary function tests, and arterial blood gas analysis were performed in COPD patients. To evaluate the thyroid functions, fT3, fT4, TSH levels were measured. Mean age was 65,8 +/- 9,0 for the COPD group consisting of 9 (% 10) female and 84 (% 90) male, and 44,6 +/- 9,2 for the control group. When COPD and control groups were compared, TSH levels were found to be lower in the COPD group (p= 0.03). There is no relationship between age and TFT levels. In the COPD group, there was a negative correlation between fT4 and PEF (r=-0,21); and a positive correlation between sT4 and pH (r= 0,27). In conclusion, TFT levels are considered to be affected in COPD which is a systemic disorder, thyroid hormone levels decreased in severe COPD, and TFT levels low in all COPD patients, and correlations between TFT and some PFT levels are suggested.Item Sensitivity of cough with capsaicin in smokersYildirim, CA; Çelik, P; Havlucu, Y; Coskun, E; Yorgancioglu, A; Sakar, A; Dinç, GIn this study, effect of long term smoking on sensitivity of cough reflex was investigated. Healthy, current smoker male and female was evaluated by capsaicin cough challenge test and they were compared with healthy, non-smoker persons with similar age and gender, prospectively. In current smokers, there were 50 male and 39 female, in non-smoker control group, there were 20 male and 21 female. Mean and log C5 dosage in current smoker and non-smoker groups and mean and log C5 dosage in current smoker according to gender were calculated by using Mann-Whitney U-test. Results of capsaicin cough challenge test in current and non-smoker groups were evaluated by using Pearson Chi-Square test and Fisher's Exact test. In current smokers comparison of results of capsaicin cough challenge test with smoking history (age with first smoking, duration, pocket year and smoking per day) was evaluated by using Mann-Whitney U-test. Mean C5 and mean log C5 dosage were found decreased in current smokers when they were compared to control group (p<0.00). In current smoker group mean C5 and mean log C5 dosage were found decreased in male (p<0.002). When the results of capsaicin cough challenge test were compared between current smoker and control groups, sensitivity of cough reflex in concentration with 0.49, 0.98, 1.95, 3.9, 7.8, 15.6 mu M was significantly decreased in current smoker group. Also there was a significant correlation between concentration with 0.98, 1.95, 3.9, 7.8, 15.6, 31.2 mu M, and duration of smoking and pocket year of smoking. Also there was a correlation between concentration with 15.6, 31.2, 62.5, 125 mu M and smoking per day. This results were correlated with hypothesis about inhibition of C-fibers with nicotin or decrease of C-fibers' sensitivity due to induction of neuropeptide wasting.Item Lung involvement in inflammatory bowel diseasesSarioglu, N; Türkel, N; Sakar, A; Çelik, P; Saruç, M; Demir, MA; Göktan, C; Kirmaz, C; Yüceyar, H; Yorgancioglu, AItem Prevalence and comorbidity of allergic eczema, rhinitis, and asthma in a city in western TurkeyYuksel, H; Dinc, G; Sakar, A; Yilmaz, O; Yorgancioglu, A; Celik, P; Ozcan, CBackground: Allergic diseases co-occur in many patients. There is no published population-based epidemiologic study about allergic diseases in Turkey. Objective. The aim of this population-based study was to investigate the prevalence of allergic eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma and their co-occurence in Manisa. Methods: The sample size was calculated using an estimated prevalence of ever wheezing for the analyzed age group. Interviews were conducted with 725 children. The survey instrument consisted of a set of sociodemographic questions plus the questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Results: The mean (SD) age of the children studied was 8.94 (5.16) years. The prevalence of ever having allergic eczema was 4.7% whereas that of current allergic eczema was 3.2%. Current allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis were present in 14.5% and 13%, respectively. Asthma was reported in 14.7% of the children older than 3 years of age while the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 7.9%. The burden of allergy was 27.1%. The prevalence of concomitant eczema and rhinitis was 1.9%. Among children aged between 3 and 17 years, 1.5% and 4.7% had asthma along with eczema and rhinitis respectively. Asthma was significantly more common in children with rhinitis (31.5% vs 11.8%; P < .01; odds ratio [OR], 3.45). Asthma was diagnosed in 28.1% of children with eczema and 14% of children without eczema (P = .03; OR, 2.41). Conclusions: Atopic diseases seem to significantly increase the risk of developing another atopic disease with ORs that range from 2.4 to 3.4.Item Prevalence of Asthma and Allergic Symptoms in ManisaSakar, A; Yorgancioglu, A; Dinç, G; Yüksel, H; Çelik, P; Dagyildizi, L; Coskun, E; Kaya, E; Özyurt, B; Özcan, CThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms in Manisa city centre (Turkey), to evaluate the data obtained and to review the prevalences reported from different parts of our country. Data were collected from 610 home visits and complete interviews were conducted with 1336 adults over the age of 18. The questionnaire was consisted of sociodemographic questions and European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire. The prevalences of current asthma, cumulative asthma, asthma-like symptoms were found as 1.2, 1.0, and 25.0% respectively in 20-44 years age group and allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, family atopy were found as 14.5, 10.9, and 15.2% respectively in the overall group. Wheezing with breathlessness, wheezing in the absence of upper respiratory tract infection, waking up with shortness of breath and waking up with cough were detected in 9.1, 6.9, 6, and 16.1% of the study population respectively. Gender, age, active or passive smoking, familial history of atopy and in-house conditions are the factors that effect the prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms. In this study, the prevalence of asthma in Manisa was found to be consistent with the low prevalence rates reported from different parts of our country.Item Unusual foreign body aspirationÇelik, P; Kaya, E; Sakar, A; Yorgancioglu, ATracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults is rare when compared to children. In this case report, 76 years old female patient who aspirated a screw of tracheostomy canula which was taken out by fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) was presented. This case showed us that education of patients about stoma care is important. The FOB can be used safely to get foreign body from distal airways.Item Thorax perfusion CT in non-small cell lung cancerOvali, GY; Sakar, A; Göktan, C; Çelik, P; Yorgancioglu, A; Nese, N; Pabuscu, YObjectives: We aimed to determine the perfusion differences according to the histological type, stage, volume and prognoses in the non-small cell carcinoma by thorax perfusion CT. Materials and methods: Twenty-four non-small cell carcinoma patients were included in the study. Thorax perfusion CT was done to evaluate the tumors in terms of perfusion parameters: blood flow (BF) and time to peak (TTP) values. Results: The total blood flow of the tumor in squarnous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than adenocarcinoma (P = 0.03 1). There was no statistical difference between the perfusion parameters and other parameters. Conclusions: Perfusion CT may help us in evaluating non-small cell carcinomas. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Assessment of alveolar epithelial permeability in Behcet's disease with 99mTc-DTPA aerosol scintigraphyGumuser, G; Pirildar, T; Batok, D; Sakar, A; Ruksen, E; Sayit, EBItem Lung Uptake of Tc-99m HMPAO in patients with Behcet DiseaseGumuser, G; Pirildar, T; Batok, D; Ruksen, E; Sakar, A; Bilgin, ES