Celal Bayar University

About: Celal Bayar University is a education organization based out in Magnesia ad Sipylum, Turkey. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Heat transfer. The organization has 2960 authors who have published 6024 publications receiving 100646 citations.

Reliability and validity of Turkish version of COPD assessment test

Abstract: INTRODUCTION This study is aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) in seven centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS 321 patients between 4-75 years of age, diagnosed and staged by Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2011 criteria were included. The Breathlessness, Cough, Sputum scale (BCSS), mMRC (Modified Medical Research Council ) dyspnea index, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), CAT and Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used concurrently. In the statistical analyses, internal consistency, item-total score correlation, explorative factor analysis, correlation with other scales were calculated. RESULTS The mean age was 62.4 ± 8.9 years and 89.7% of the patients were male (n= 288). Mean FEV1% was 51.9 ± 19.2 and most of the patients were in Stage 3. CAT total score was 17.8 ± 9.5. In the internal consistency, Cronbach alpha coefficient was found as 0.9116 and item-total score correlation coefficients were between 0.62-0.79 and all were statistically significant (p< 0.0001). The correlation of the test-retest score calculated after two weeks with the initial score was 0.96 (p< 0.0001). In the structural validity, factor analysis with principle component analysis and varimax rotation was performed. One factor solution was achieved with eigenvalue of 4.956 and it represented 61.9% of the total variance. All the items were contained in the factor and the factor loads were between 0.71-0.85. The correlation coefficients of CAT with other indexes were moderate to good. The discrimination of CAT among disease stages has been shown to be significant (p< 0.0001) and a significant correlation was found with pulmonary function tests (p< 0.0001). CONCLUSION It is demonstrated The Turkish version of COPD Assessment Tool is reliable and valid.

ARIA pharmacy 2018 “Allergic rhinitis care pathways for community pharmacy”

Abstract: Pharmacists are trusted health care professionals. Many patients use over-the-counter (OTC) medications and are seen by pharmacists who are the initial point of contact for allergic rhinitis management in most countries. The role of pharmacists in integrated care pathways (ICPs) for allergic diseases is important. This paper builds on existing studies and provides tools intended to help pharmacists provide optimal advice/interventions/strategies to patients with rhinitis. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA)-pharmacy ICP includes a diagnostic questionnaire specifically focusing attention on key symptoms and markers of the disease, a systematic Diagnosis Guide (including differential diagnoses), and a simple flowchart with proposed treatment for rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity. Key prompts for referral within the ICP are included. The use of technology is critical to enhance the management of allergic rhinitis. However, the ARIA-pharmacy ICP should be adapted to local healthcare environments/situations as regional (national) differences exist in pharmacy care.

Evaluation of serological tests for diagnosis of brucellosis

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to compare serological tests (Rose Bengal [RB]; standard agglutination test [SAT]; enzyme immunoassay [EIA] for detection of IgM, IgA, and IgG; and 2-mercaptoethanol [2-ME] test) that are routinely used in patients prediagnosed with different clinical types of brucellosis (acute, subacute, or chronic), and to evaluate the results of the IgG avidity test. Ninety-two patients having titers≥1/160 as measured by SAT were included in the study. The IgG avidity test was performed in 78 patients who had positive EIA-IgG results. RB test results were positive in 88 (95.7%) patients. A statistically significant correlation was found between a positive EIA-IgM result and the diagnosis of acute brucellosis. When compared to the results of the SAT, the 2-ME test showed a lower titer in 55 (59.8%) patients, and the agreement between the 2-ME test and EIA-IgG was calculated as 84.8%. No statistical difference was found between the 40% avidity index used in the IgG avidity test and avidity maturation time (6 months). From our study, we concluded that (i) the RB and SAT tests are appropriate and reliable tests for the serological diagnosis of brucellosis; (ii) IgM can be used as a marker of acute brucellosis; (iii) the 2-ME test, similar to EIA, can be used to determine IgM levels; and (iv) the IgG avidity test should be standardized.