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Hematologic parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effect of atorvastatin on hematologic parameters in patients with hypercholesterolemia. A total of 79 patients with hypercholesterolemia and 47 normocholesterolemic healthy participants were included. Patients with hypercholesterolemia received 10 to 80 mg/d atorvastatin during a 24-week period. Hematologic parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months. Atorvastatin treatment produced a significant decrease in MPV levels (9.3 ± 1.3 vs 9.1 ± 1.2 fL, P = .008) and platelet count (259 ± 61 vs 248 ± 51 10(9)/L, P = .005). The N/L ratio decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment from 2.9 ± 1.2 to 2.6 ± 1.1, (P = .014). The RDW and platelet distribution width levels were not different among the study groups, before and after treatment. Atorvastatin may beneficially reduce MPV levels and N/L ratio. This antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin treatment could play a role in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Serum levels of 25(OH)D are significantly associated with LV diastolic dysfunction and LV mass index, although the effect size is rather small. Longitudinal studies in larger populations are needed to establish firmly or refute a causal relationship between vitamin D levels and diastolic dysfunction and LV mass index.

We aimed to measure the effect of several potential risk factors on first trimester miscarriage. A total of 169 cases were included in the present study. Patients were selected from women who had first trimester miscarriage (n = 78) and controls were selected from the women who had given birth at term (> 37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants (n = 91). Compared with the control group, in the miscarriage group gestational age (8.9 ± 2.8 weeks and 8.1 ± 2.2 weeks, respectively, P = 0.032), mean platelet volume (MPV) (8.8 ± 1 and 9.5 ± 1.1 fl, respectively, P < 0.001), plateletcrit (0.209 ± 0.03% and 0.241 ± 0.05%, respectively, P < 0.001), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (128 ± 37 and 145 ± 60, respectively, P = 0.027) were significantly higher. Multivariate analysis showed that first trimester miscarriage development ratio was 1.909 times higher when MPV value was over 9.1 fl (P < 0.001); 9.147 times higher when plateletcrit value was over 0.219% (P = 0.022). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine diagnostic MPV and plateletcrit values for first trimester miscarriage. MPV value greater than 9.1 fl determined miscarriage with 60% sensitivity and 65% specificity, while plateletcrit value greater than 0.219% determined miscarriage with 64.5% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity. MPV and plateletcrit values were strongly associated with first trimester miscarriage. Platelet indices can be used for prediction of fetal loss.

ÖZAmaç: Primer rubella, sitomegalovirüs ve toksoplazma enfeksiyonu gebelikte ciddi komplikasyonlara neden olabilmektedir. Çalışmamızın amacı, Muğla ilindeki gebe kadınlarda rubella, sitomegalovirüs, toksoplazma, hepatit B virüsü, hepatit C virüsü ve HIV prevalanslarını belirlemektir. anti HBs pozitif idi. Anti HCV seropozitivitesi 1 gebe (%0,3) tesbit edilirken, anti HIV pozitif olan gebe tesbit edilmedi. Sonuç: Toksoplazmozisle enfekte fetüsün ve yenidoğanın ilk yılında tedavi edilmesinin klinik sonuçları iyileştirdiği bilinmektedir. Dolayısıyla toksoplasmozisin serolojik taraması hastalığı önle-me, tanı ve fetüsün erken tedavisinin sağlanmasında mevcut en güvenilir stratejidir. Rubella taramasının gebelik öncesinde yapılması önerilmeli ve seronegatif kadınlara aşı tavsiye edilmelidir. HBsAg taramasının, aşı ile tüm toplum aşılanana kadar yapılması önerilmektedir. Sitomegalovirüs, hepatit C Virüsü ve HIV açısından taramanın ise yalnızca riskli gruplarla sınırlandırılması uygun görülmektedir.Anahtar kelimeler: Toksoplazma, rubella, sitomegalovirüs, prevalans, gebelik ABSTRACT Objective: Primary infections caused by rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma can lead to serious complications in pregnancy. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, HIV among pregnant women. Methods: The study was carried out in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between June 2014-February 2015. Pregnant women aged 18-44 years who consulted to Clinics of Ryn&Obs were evaluated as for toxoplasmosis, (n=191), rubella (n= 189), cytomegalovirus infection (n=136), and hepatitis and HIV (n=133) were enrolled in this study. The results of the serological screening tests performed during the first trimester of pregnancy were evaluated. Results: Anti-IgG against rubella was found in 170 (89.5%) and rubella IgM in one pregnant woman (0.8%). The positivity for anti-cytomegalovirus IgG, and anti-cytomegalovirus IgM antibody were found in 123 (90.4%), and 1 (0.3%) women, respectively. Anti-IgG against toxoplasma was found in 36 women (18.8%) and toxoplasma IgM in 7 women (3.7%). The positivity for HbsAg was found in 5 women (1.8%), while 78 women (23.7%) were positive for the anti-HbS. The seropositivity for anti hepatitis C virus antibody was found in 1 (0.3%) woman. In any women anti HIV positivity was not detected. Conclusion: Treatment of toxoplazmosis in the fetus and infant during the first year of life has been known to improve the outcome. Serological screening of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is the most reliable and currently available strategy for the prevention, diagnosis, and early treatment of the infection in the offspring. Screening for rubella should be performed before pregnancy and vaccination should be advised for seronegative females. HBsAg screening should be recommended until whole society is vaccinated. Limiting screening for vcytomegalovirus, hepatitis C virus and HIV for risky grou...

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Aim: Ultrasound scanning has become universally accepted tool in prenatal care. We sought to evaluate the knowledge and expectations of pregnant women in Turkey towards ultrasound use during pregnancy. Methods:We performed a cross-sectional study of 108 pregnant women in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. The subjects completed a questionnaire consisting of three sections: Sociodemographic characteristics, 13-question assessment of knowledge regarding the use of ultrasound during pregnancy, and assessment of expectations. The patients were awarded one point for every correct answer, with total scores categorized into three groups: 0-4 points insufficient, 5-8 points moderately sufficient, and 9-13 points sufficient. Comparisons were performed using the chi-square test. Results:The mean age of the respondents was 28.6±4.9 years (18-39). Patient knowledge was insufficient in 34 participants (31.4%), moderately sufficient in 56 participants (51.9%), and sufficient in 18 participants (16.7%). Among respondents, 31.5% believed that structural abnormalities would be detected in at least 40%, while 99% expected to learn the gender of baby. Conclusion:The majority of our study population had insufficient to moderately sufficient knowledge regarding the use of ultrasound during pregnancy, with a high degree of misinformation regarding patient expectations. These results suggest a greater need for national education in terms of the diagnostic capabilities and limitations of pregnancy ultrasound.Keywords: Expectation, knowledge, ultrasound, pregnancy, Turkey Amaç: Ultrason prenatal bakımda kabul edilmiş uluslararası bir araçtır. Biz de Türkiye'deki gebe kadınların gebelikte ultrason kullanımına yönelik bilgi ve beklentilerini araştırmayı hedefledik.Yöntemler: Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi'ndeki 108 gebe kadının katılımıyla kesitsel bir çalışma yapıldı. Katılımcıların tamamladığı anket üç bölümden oluşmaktaydı: Sosyodemografik karakteristikler, gebelikte ultrason kullanımıyla ilgili bilginin değerlendirildiği 13 soru, beklentilerin değerlendirilmesi. Hastalar her doğru cevap için bir puan alacakları şekilde nihai puanlarıyla üç kategoriye ayrıldılar: 0-4 puan yetersiz, 5-8 puan orta düzeyde yeterli ve 9-13 puan yeterli. Gruplar arasındaki karşılaştırmalar ki-kare testi ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 28,6±4,9 yaş (18-39 yaş) idi. Hastaların bilgi düzeyi 34 katılımcıda (%31,4) yetersiz, 56 katılımcıda (%51,9) orta düzeyde yeterli ve 18 katılımcıda (%16,7) yeterli olarak değerlendirildi. Katılımcıların %31,5'i hastaların en az %40'ında yapısal anomalilerin tespit edileceğine inanmaktayken, %99'u bebeğin cinsiyetini öğrenme beklentisi içindeydi.Sonuç: Çalışmaya dahil olan toplumun çok büyük kısmı gebelikte ultrason kullanımı ile ilgili yetersiz ile orta düzeyde yeterli bilgi düzeyine sahipken hasta beklentileri ile ilgili yüksek düzeyde yanlış bilgilendirme mevcuttu. Bu sonuçlara göre gebelik ultrasonunun tanısal kapasitesi ve kısıtlılıkları hakkında ulusal düzeyde daha fazla hasta eğitimine ihtiyaç ...

Objectives:To assess current iodine levels and related factors among healthy pregnant women.Methods:In this cross-sectional, hospital-based study, healthy pregnant women (n=135) were scanned for thyroid volume, provided urine samples for urinary iodine concentration and completed a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits targeted for iodine consumption at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey, between August 2014 and February 2015. Sociodemographic data were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics.Results:Median urinary iodine concentration was 222.0 µg/L, indicating adequate iodine intake during pregnancy. According to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, 28.1% of subjects had iodine deficiency, 34.1% had adequate iodine intake, 34.8% had more than adequate iodine intake, and 3.0% had excessive iodine intake during pregnancy. Education level, higher monthly income, current employment, consuming iodized salt, and adding salt to food during, or after cooking were associated with higher urinary iodine concentration.Conclusion:Iodine status of healthy pregnant women was adequate, although the percentage of women with more than adequate iodine intake was higher than the reported literature.