Gülendam Karadağ

Bio: Gülendam Karadağ is an academic researcher from Dokuz Eylül University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Quality of life. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 18 publications receiving 408 citations. Previous affiliations of Gülendam Karadağ include University of Gaziantep.

Does Ramadan Fasting Alter Body Weight and Blood Lipids and Fasting Blood Glucose in a Healthy Population? A Meta-analysis

Abstract: In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of self-controlled cohort studies comparing body weights, blood levels of lipids and fasting blood glucose levels before and after Ramadan taking into account gender differences. Several databases were searched up to June 2012 for studies showing an effect of Ramadan fasting in healthy subjects, yielding 30 articles. The primary finding of this meta-analysis was that after Ramadan fasting, low-density lipoprotein (SMD = -1.67, 95 % CI = -2.48 to -0.86) and fasting blood glucose levels (SMD = -1.10, 95 % CI = -1.62 to -0.58) were decreased in both sex groups and also in the entire group compared to levels prior to Ramadan. In addition, in the female subgroup, body weight (SMD = -0.04, 95 % CI = -0.20, 0.12), total cholesterol (SMD = 0.05, 95 % CI = -0.51 to 0.60), and triglyceride levels (SMD = 0.03, 95 % CI = -0.31, 0.36) remained unchanged, while HDL levels (SMD = 0.86, 95 % CI = 0.11 to 1.61, p = 0.03) were increased. In males, Ramadan fasting resulted in weight loss (SMD = -0.24, 95 % CI = -0.36, -0.12, p = 0.001). Also, a substantial reduction in total cholesterol (SMD = -0.44, 95 % CI = -0.77 to -0.11) and LDL levels (SMD = -2.22, 95 % CI = -3.47 to -0.96) and a small decrease in triglyceride levels (SMD = -0.35, 95 % CI = -0.67 to -0.02) were observed in males. In conclusion, by looking at this data, it is evident that Ramadan fasting can effectively change body weight and some biochemical parameters in healthy subjects especially in males compared to pre-Ramadan period.

Health-related quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison with a selected sample of healthy ındividuals.

Abstract: In this study, we compared health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), or ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with those of a selected sample of healthy individuals. The study group comprised 530 patients (264 with RA, 149 with FS, and 117 with AS). Three hundred fifteen healthy controls were used for comparison. HRQoL scores were obtained using the Short-Form (SF)-36 Health Survey. Frequency, mean, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were performed; in addition to the Student's t test, one-way ANOVA test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and chi-square test. The average physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores of patients in the RA, FS, and AS groups were much lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). In all three patient groups, the lowest PCS score was found in the RA group, and the lowest MCS score was found in the FS group. The PCS scores of RA patients with disease-related changes in daily activities and the MCS scores of FS patients were lower (p < 0.05). In the three patient groups, the quality of life (QoL) of university graduates and those with a high level of income was good, whereas the QoL of patients who lacked information about the disease was poor. This study shows that AS, FS, and RA have a negative impact on HRQoL. Evaluating the HRQoL of patients with these conditions may provide guidance on their treatment and care.

Awareness and Practices Regarding Breast and Cervical Cancer among Turkish Women in Gazientep

Abstract: Background Cancer is a major public health problem both in our country and worldwide due to its disease burden, fatality and tendency for increased incidence In Turkey, breast cancer ranks first with an incidence of 416% and cervical cancer is the tenth most common cancer with an incidence of 44% Objectives and design This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 women aged from 15 to 65 years admitted to a gynecology-obstetrics outpatient clinic of a private hospital in Gaziantep Study data were collected by the investigators through a 36-item questionnaire form which was generated using information gathered from similar surveys in the literature Results It was determined that 346% of women were high-school graduates, and 642% had a medium income level The majority (792%) stated that they never performed BSE and 495% of them said that they did not know how to do it Some 792% did not know what a Pap smear was and 733% had not experienced a smear test ever Conclusions In this study, we found that most of the women had insufficient knowledge of breast and cervical cancer, while knowledge and practices increased with the education level Based on these findings, we suggest that there is a need for planning, implementation and assessment of health policies and healthcare services at the national and regional level and we believe that nurses working in the field of protective health services should develop educational programmes for women with a primary focus on cancer in order to increase awareness among the female population in Turkey

Workplace bullying in nursing

Abstract: This research was designed to determine whether nurses are bullied by other staff members and the effects of such behaviors on the nurse victims. This study reports on nurses' interpersonal workplace relationships in a culturally unique environment. The study was conducted with 260 nurses working in three public hospitals. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The majority of nurses were female with bachelor's degrees and reported being assigned duties outside their usual responsibilities, held responsible for coworkers' mistakes, and criticized for job performance although they thought they had done their work properly. Most of the nurses who were bullied experienced health and sleep problems,did not want to go to work, and had communication problems with other staff members. Nearly all of the study nurses received psychological support to solve their problems and believed that the best way to prevent bullying was education.

Effect of music on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction in patients who present to the emergency department in Turkey

Abstract: Aim The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of music therapy on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction in patients who present to the emergency department in Turkey. Methods This controlled and experimental study was conducted in the emergency department of a hospital in Turkey between July and October 2012. The study sample consisted of 200 patients in total, 100 forming the intervention group and 100 being the control group, who fell under color code green in the triage system and came with complaints of pain due to nausea/vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, headaches, and joint pain. A questionnaire, the State Anxiety Scale, and the Visual Analog Scale to measure the patients' level of pain were used in the study. The questionnaires of the intervention group were administered after playing the music. Results When the intervention and control groups were compared, it was observed that there was a significant decrease in the VASP and STAI-S scores in favor of the intervention group. It was observed that 21.0% of the patients in the intervention group were very pleased to hear music in the emergency department, 58% of them were moderately or at least a little pleased, and 21.0% were not pleased at all. Conclusion The results showed that music therapy had a positive effect in terms of reducing the severity of pain and the level of anxiety in patients, that only a very small portion of the patients were not pleased to listen to music in the emergency department.

Metabolic Effects of Intermittent Fasting.

Abstract: The objective of this review is to provide an overview of intermittent fasting regimens, summarize the evidence on the health benefits of intermittent fasting, and discuss physiological mechanisms by which intermittent fasting might lead to improved health outcomes. A MEDLINE search was performed using PubMed and the terms “intermittent fasting,” “fasting,” “time-restricted feeding,” and “food timing.” Modified fasting regimens appear to promote weight loss and may improve metabolic health. Several lines of evidence also support the hypothesis that eating patterns that reduce or eliminate nighttime eating and prolong nightly fasting intervals may result in sustained improvements in human health. Intermittent fasting regimens are hypothesized to influence metabolic regulation via effects on (a) circadian biology, (b) the gut microbiome, and (c) modifiable lifestyle behaviors, such as sleep. If proven to be efficacious, these eating regimens offer promising nonpharmacological approaches to improving health ...

The Influence of Meal Frequency and Timing on Health in Humans: The Role of Fasting.

Abstract: The influence of meal frequency and timing on health and disease has been a topic of interest for many years. While epidemiological evidence indicates an association between higher meal frequencies and lower disease risk, experimental trials have shown conflicting results. Furthermore, recent prospective research has demonstrated a significant increase in disease risk with a high meal frequency (≥6 meals/day) as compared to a low meal frequency (1–2 meals/day). Apart from meal frequency and timing we also have to consider breakfast consumption and the distribution of daily energy intake, caloric restriction, and night-time eating. A central role in this complex scenario is played by the fasting period length between two meals. The physiological underpinning of these interconnected variables may be through internal circadian clocks, and food consumption that is asynchronous with natural circadian rhythms may exert adverse health effects and increase disease risk. Additionally, alterations in meal frequency and meal timing have the potential to influence energy and macronutrient intake.A regular meal pattern including breakfast consumption, consuming a higher proportion of energy early in the day, reduced meal frequency (i.e., 2–3 meals/day), and regular fasting periods may provide physiological benefits such as reduced inflammation, improved circadian rhythmicity, increased autophagy and stress resistance, and modulation of the gut microbiota