Determining the Relationship between Obesity and Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents

Background: Obesity has become widespread among adolescents throughout the world. This study aimed to determine the relationship between problematic internet use and obesity among 10-19 yr old adolescents. Methods: The descriptive study was carried out in a private elementary and high school in Gaziantep Province in the Eastern Turkey in 2016-2017. Overall, 474 adolescents and 938 their parents were enrolled. Data collection form consisted of three parts. The first part included questions about sociodemographic characteristics of the adolescent and his/her parents. The second part included data on anthropometrical measurements, dietary habits and physical activity level. Third part of the data collection form included Problematic Internet Usage Scale. First, anthropometrical measurements of the adolescents were recorded. Then, the data collection forms were applied to adolescents and their parents. Results: 34.8% of adolescents were overweight and obese. Approximately four out of ten male adolescents and three out of ten female adolescents were overweight or obese (P<0.05). Girls had less problematic internet use behaviors (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between age, sex, socioeconomic status, unhealthy eating habits and problem internet usage (P<0.05). Conclusion: Periodic screening should be done to determine the prevalence of obesity and problematic internet usage. Training programs on regular physical activity and healthy nutrition should be prepared and guidance services should be provided for the reduction of obesity rates and the protection of ideal weight.

COVID-19 Pandemic-Adapted Radiotherapy Guidelines: Are They Really Followed?

Background: In our department, we provided guidelines to the radiation oncologists (ROs) regarding the omission, delay, or shortening of radiotherapy (RT). The purpose was to reduce the patients’ exposure to the hospital environment and to minimize the departmental overcrowding. The aim was to evaluate the ROs’ compliance to these guidelines. Methods: ROs were asked to fill out a data collection form during patients’ first visits in May and June 2020. The collected data included the ROs’ age and gender, patient age and residence, RT purpose, treated tumor, the dose and fractionation that would have been prescribed, and RT changes. The chi-square test and binomial logistic regression were used to analyze the correlation between the treatment prescription and the collected parameters. Results: One hundred and twenty-six out of 205 prescribed treatments were included in this analysis. Treatment was modified in 61.1% of cases. More specifically, the treatment was omitted, delayed, or shortened in 7.9, 15.9, and 37.3% of patients, respectively. The number of delivered fractions was reduced by 27.9%. A statistically significant correlation (p = 0.028) between younger patients’ age and lower treatment modifications rate was recorded. Conclusion: Our analysis showed a reasonably high compliance of ROs to the pandemic-adapted guidelines. The adopted strategy was effective in reducing the number of admissions to our department.

Evaluation of the PRE-DELIRIC (PREdiction of DELIRium in ICu patients) delirium prediction model in intensive care units in Turkey

Purpose: This methodological study was aimed to the Turkish adaptation and validation of the “PRE-DELIRIC Score” delirium prediction model in patients hospitalized in the ICU. Method: The study was conducted with patients who were treated in the ICUs of a training and research hospital between October 2019 and April 2020. The data were collected with (1) the Data Collection Form for the Descriptive Characteristics of the Subjects, (2) the PRE-DELIRIC Score, and (3) the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). The ROC analysis and diagnosis screening tests were used to determine the cut-off point according to the groups. The sensitivity and specificity characteristic of the score were calculated. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level. Results: The study was completed with 172 patients. A statistically significant relationship was found between the cut-off point obtained for the PRE-DELIRIC Score (≥7.58%) and the groups (p= 0.003). The risk of being CAM-ICU positive was 7.404 times higher in patients with a PRE-DELIRIC Score of 7.58 or more (OR:7.404; 95% CI:1.638-33.469). Conclusion: The PRE-DELIRIC Score was evaluated in this study and the PRE-DELIRIC Score was found to be easy to administer with reliable results.

Adverse Drug Reactions and its Management Associated with Cancer Chemotherapy

Adverse Drug Reactions () are the problem that adds extra burden in the global scenario. Anticancer drugs can lead to severe negative consequences due to these . This study was conducted to assess the causality, severity and preventability of the identified of chemotherapeutic drugs among hospitalized patients diagnosed with cancer and also to analyze its management. A prospective observational study was conducted among cancer patients for a period of eight months. A total of 120 hospitalized patients who developed at least one ADR due to chemotherapy were included in this study. Data were collected and documented in a well-designed data collection form. A total of 166 were detected in 120 patients. 33(19.8%), was found as the most commonly identified ADR. Patients administered with as were found to be reported with the highest number of (36). According to Naranjo’s scale and WHO causality assessment, 110(66.2%) and 105(63.2%) were found probable. &amp; scale of severity showed that 97(58.4%) were moderate and Modified and Thornton scale revealed that 129(77.7%) were not preventable. The patients prescribed with , , regimen should be strictly and continuously monitored for the symptoms of ADR. Early detection of ADR can decrease morbidity and mortality.

Long-Term Outcomes from a 10-Year Follow-Up of Women Living with a Restrictive Eating Disorder: A Brief Report

Background: This study aimed to evaluate several socio-demographic and long-term clinical outcomes in a cohort of women living with a restrictive eating disorder. Methods: Patients were asked to fill in a general data collection form aiming to investigate their current conditions and to attend the outpatient unit for a 10-year follow-up clinical and laboratory evaluation. Results: Forty-four patients completed the follow-up general data collection form and 20 agreed to attend the outpatient unit for the 10 year-follow-up evaluation. In total, 52% of patients were single, 55% had achieved a university degree, and 55% had steady employment. After 10 years, there was a clear improvement in biochemical markers, but cholesterol levels were still slightly high. The prevalence of osteopenia in the whole sample was 70% when measured on the lumbar column and 20% on the total body, while osteoporosis was found in 10% of patients and only on the lumbar column. Conclusion: According to the collected data, women with a history of restrictive eating disorders appear to re-adapt well to social life by obtaining the level of their unaffected peers in terms of education and employment.

Cisplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: An Observational Descriptive Study

Peripheral neurotoxicity is a major adverse effect of cisplatin chemotherapy. A prospective observational study was conducted among 200 cancer patients who received cisplatin between October 2017 and March 2018 to evaluate the occurrence, causality and severity of cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathy. A suitable data collection form was used to record patient information required for the study. Peripheral neuropathy was assessed using the National Cancer Institute- Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE). As per the results, 19 (9.5%) patients developed peripheral neuropathy after receiving cisplatin therapy. Peripheral neuropathy was reported higher in males (84.2%) compared to females (15.7%) and more within the age group of 58-65 years (38.6%). Most of the patients developed Grade I neuropathy (84.2%), followed by Grade II neuropathy (15.7%). The study concluded that the severity of peripheral neuropathy increases with higher cumulative doses of cisplatin.

BENEFITS AND DIFFICULTIES OF OBSTETRIC PSYCHOPROPHYLAXIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN, GUAYAS -ECUADOR

The objective of this research work was to determine the benefits and difficulties of obstetric psychoprophylaxis in pregnant women of the Cerecita Health Center, Guayas - Ecuador from January - December 2017. The study design is non-experimental, cases and controls, retrospective, in the The research methodology used the data collection form and an ad hoc form was prepared. To carry out the investigation, an application was submitted to the director of the health center. The sample consisted of 80 nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The following results were obtained: that if there are significant benefits with pregnant women who attended the psychoprophylaxis sessions; With an adequate assistance of pregnant women, 70% completed all the sessions of Psychoprophylaxis, with a time of less than 6 hours of the dilation period of 46.43%; With an expulsion period of less than 25 minutes in 76.79% More eutocic deliveries in 82.14% of the pregnant women who completed the PPO sessions, 78.57% of the cases did not require medication in the dilation phase; Apgar at the minute, greater than 8 in 96.43%, and at 5 minutes in 98.21%. Only 1.78% of the newborns of the mothers in the case group had apnea and in fetuses of 3500 gms or more, the 40% had an expulsive no greater than 25 minutes. The benefits observed in the present study, on labor, on the newborn, was a better Apgar at the first minute of life (p = 0.091x10-4, OR = 9).

Clinical Efficacy & Safety of Oral Polypodium Leucotomos Extract for Photoprotection: A Systematic Review

Background: Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE) is a naturally derived compound from a fern native to South America. PLE has been shown to have antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Several different preparations of PLE are commercially available.Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of PLE for photoprotection in humans.Methods: A systematic review was conducted in 3 databases (Medline, Embase, and Cochrane) for studies that reported on the clinical efficacy and safety of PLE in humans. A data collection form was created for collecting study variables and risk of bias was assessed.Results: Eighteen studies with sample sizes ranging from n=5 to n-61 were included. The most common formulation of PLE studied was Fernblock® (Heliocare, Ferndale Healthcare, Ferndale, MI) in 18 studies. Most studies reported beneficial photoprotective effects of PLE as evidenced by increased MED. No serious adverse effects were reported.Conclusions: Multiple studies have shown the beneficial photoprotective effects and safety of the Fernblock® PLE formulation, but there is minimal evidence to support the safety and efficacy of other formulations. Given that the extraction methodology varies for herbal nutraceuticals and can affect its efficacy, these findings cannot be extrapolated to other formulations of PLE.

The Effect of Pharmacist Intervention in Completing Docetaxel Infusion Within 4 Hours

Background: Docetaxel is a cytotoxic drug that have stability of 4 hours after reconstitution. The infusion must be completed within 4 hour or will result in wastage or patient receiving subtherapeutic effect drug. Aim: This study aims to determine if there is any variable in time taken to complete docetaxel infusion within 4 hour with pharmacist monitoring. Methods: A data collection form was design to record start and end time of reconstitution, preparation collected by ward staff, infusion initiation and completion. This was to identify which process that had been causing a delay in initiating infusion. In preintervention phase (Jan 2015-Jun 2015), the baseline data were traced from pharmacy records and patients chemotherapy administration charts. In postintervention phase (Jul 2015-Dec 2015), the same variables as in preintervention was collected with an additional of pharmacist intervention. Results: Analysis of collected data shows that delay in initiation of infusion is mainly due to delay in collecting reconstituted preparation by ward staff (median 30 min, IQR 13.75-45 min) and delay in initiating infusion to patient after the preparation have been collected (median 77.50 min, IQR 45-150 min). After the implementation of pharmacist intervention, the median time for ward to collect the docetaxel preparation has decreased to 25 min (IQR 20-35 min) and the median time taken from collection to start of infusion have decreased to 55 min (IQR 40-80 min). There were significant relationship in completion of docetaxel infusion within 4 hours of pharmacist intervention, χ2=5.114, P = 0.024. Conclusion: According to this result, pharmacist monitoring can significantly improve completion of docetaxel infusion within 4 hours. This study also shows that there are improvement in collection and initiation of infusion in the ward. Pharmacist infusion checking service could improve better drug utilization in the ward.