The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first began in China and led to a global novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. [1] As the spread of the pandemic has continued, more than a million deaths were reported due to COVID-19 infection worldwide. [2] Due to the rapid spread of the virus, healthcare systems were exposed to a large number of COVID-19 infection patients which created a potential collapse risk of healthcare systems. [3] Healthcare authorities and governments around the world have made several attempts to overcome the rapid spread of the virus such as lockdowns, school closures, cessation of international transportation. [3] A curfew was announced in Turkey on March 21 st , 2020, for the citizens over the age of 65 years and who had chronic diseases and individuals aged below 20 years. In addition, many businesses Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the indirect impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on diabetes-related lower extremity amputations. Patients and methods: Patients who underwent lower limb amputation due to complications of diabetes between August 2019 and February 2020 (control group) and August 2020 and February 2021 (pandemic group) were retrospectively reviewed. None of the patients had a previous COVID-19 infection. Patients' amputation level and latest diabetes follow-up date until amputation were recorded.Results: A total of 19 feet of 19 patients (14 males, 5 females; mean age: 70.0±10.5 years; range, 53 to 91 years) in the control group and 18 feet of 18 patients (12 males, 6 females; mean age: 70.4±11.3 years; range, 54 to 91 years) were included. There was no statistically significant difference in amputation levels between the two groups (p=0.959). The mean time elapsed from the last diabetes control in the control and the pandemic group was 5.9±12.8 months and 8.2±9.8 months, respectively (p=0.038). A total of eight (42.1%) patients in the control group and seven (38.9%) patients in the pandemic group did not have a follow-up for diabetes in the last year prior to amputation (p=0.842). Conclusion:Although the COVID-19 pandemic seems to cause a delay in the routine medical care of patients with diabetes, it appears not to have an indirect effect on the lower extremity amputation level and incidence. Patients' adherence may be the major determinant in amputation surgery.
Aim: Regional obesity around the wrist due to local excessive fat or local swelling due to edema has not been studied as a risk factor to predict the possibility of reduction loss during conservative treatment of distal radius fractures. We aimed to investigate the impact of wrist circumference on reduction loss risk in conservatively treated distal radius fractures. Material and Methods: Patients with distal radius fractures who were conservatively in our institution between January 2021 and December 2021 are retrospectively reviewed. Patients’ demographics, wrist circumference, radiographic parameters were obtained from hospital registry notes. Wrist circumference was measured with an unstretchable tape positioned on a line passing from lister tubercle of the distal radius and distal ulna. The difference in the wrist circumferences between the injured and uninjured extremities represented local swelling. The association of these factors with reduction loss was evaluated. Results: A total of 73 consecutive patients (19 male, 54 female) with a mean age of 61.1 ± 12.9 were included. There were 18 reduction losses. There was no association with reduction loss between injured and uninjured wrist circumferences (p>0.05). However, local swelling, initial displacement at dorsal angulation and radial inclination, presence of dorsal comminution, and accompanying ulnar styloid fracture were associated with reduction loss (p<0.05). Local swelling had an odd ratio of 6.661 (1.848 – 24.006, p= 0.004). Conclusion: Excessive local swelling is found to be a risk factor to predict reduction loss in conservative treatment of distal radius fractures while regional obesity is not.
Background: Fifth metatarsal basis fractures are the most commonly seen fractures of the foot. Ankle sprains occur with inversion and plantar flexion mechanisms, like most of the fifth metatarsal basis fractures. Our aim was to investigate the possible accompanying ankle injuries about the fifth metatarsal basis fractures.Methods: Hospital's digital database was searched for the ICD 10 codes of the metatarsal bone fractures such as 'S92.30 and S92.35' between January 2015 and January 2018. Thirty nine patients with fifth metatarsal basis fracture who had an ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 14 days of the injury were included in the study. MRI findings were evaluated and comparison was performed according to the fracture zones, gender and age.Results: The most common finding on MRI was talocrural joint effusion (TTJE) which was observed in 28 patients (71.8%). Bone marrow edema was observed in 16 patients (41%). Chondral injury at the medial dome of talus was observed in three patients (7.7%). Grade 1 ligament sprain was observed in 6 of the patients (15.4%). Lateral ligament sprain was observed only in two patients, while four of the sprains were about the deltoid ligament.Conclusions: Although most of the fifth metatarsal basis fractures and ankle sprains occur as a result of a common mechanism, physical examination and patients' complaints are very important. Routine MRI imaging should be unnecessary for most patients. If a patient with a fifth metatarsal basis fracture has complaints about his/her ankle joint, one should be aware of bone marrow edema which was observed in 41% of our study population.
The aim of this research was to examine the consumers' preference of paint purchase from the viewpoint of individuals employed in the Turkish paint industry. It was aimed to reach at least 278 individuals with a sampling error of 5%. Within this scope, 350 questionnaire forms were distributed and 330 were received back in the year of 2017. Since 4 of the returned questionnaires had a missing question, study was conducted with 326 questionnaires. The questionnaire form was used as the data collection tool. It included 5 questions about demographic characteristics, 17 questions concerning purchasing and using behaviors, and 29 questions regarding consumers' preferences of paints. Data analysis of the study was done using the SPSS 16 package program. Through the analysis of data, descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard error were presented. In addition, t test and ANOVA test were applied to test the relationship among variables. Based on research findings, the most important factors for the preference of paint purchase in Turkey were determined as the aging of existing wall painting, marriage and cleaning issues. Moreover, it was found out that the experiences of consumers were also effective for the paint purchase decision and preference. Within the scope of the study, it was determined that elder individuals, married and high income people were influenced by many factors in their preference for painting. On the other hand; young, single and low-income individuals were considering less factors in their paint preferences. In addition, it was detected that men were considering properties (features) such as the price and quality more than women in their purchasing preferences. Furthermore, the most important factor affecting the purchasing choice of consumers was determined as previous knowledge and experience. It was also found out that consumers did not frequently conduct market research before choosing the paint. Educational status of individuals was not an effective factor concerning paint preferences.
Hip fractures have become an important public health problem all over the world due to increased life expectancy. The main causes of hip fractures in the elderly are higher incidence of falls and osteoporosis. Hip fractures have many negative impacts on individuals due to their morbidity and mortality, as well as negative socioeconomic effects on society. [1,2] Intertrochanteric femur fractures (ITFFs) constitute about 50% of hip fractures. [3] Cephalomedullary nailing (CMN) has become the primary treatment method for ITFF in many trauma centers in the past decade due to its biomechanical advantages such as allowing mobilization by weight-bearing in the early postoperative period, and being more reliable and less invasive than other surgical options. [4] Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of distal nail diameter in the treatment of geriatric intertrochanteric femur fractures (ITFFs).Patients and methods: Between January 2017 and January 2021, a total of 91 patients (34 males, 57 females; mean age: 80.6±7.8 years; range, 65 to 96 years) who had osteosynthesis due to an ITFF with a short cephalomedullary nail (CMN) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=18) included patients with a distal nail diameter of ≤10 mm and Group 2 (n=73) included patients with a distal nail diameter of >10 mm. Patients' age, sex, fracture type according to AO classification, intramedullary femoral canal diameter, canal fit ratio, operation duration, reduction quality, the distal diameter of the CMN, and complications were evaluated.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of the mean age, sex, fracture type, mean intramedullary canal diameter, reduction quality, and implant failure (p>0.05). The mean operation duration was significantly shorter in Group 2 (112.9±39.9 min) compared to Group 1 (128.8±36.4 min) (p=0.048). A total of three intraoperative peri-implant fractures occurred which included one 9 mm nail, one 12 mm nail, and one 14 mm nail. Conclusion:Our study results suggest that there is no advantage of using a >10-mm CMN in the treatment of geriatric ITFFs in terms of reducing the implant failure rate. However, the utility of a >10-mm CMN can reduce the operation duration.
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