BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in Turkey and to study related factors.MethodsThis multicenter study was carried out between January 01 and April 15, 2015 in Turkey in 57 centers. Adults were enrolled and studied in three groups. Group 1: Inactive HBsAg carriers, Group 2: CHB patients receiving antiviral therapy, Group 3: CHB patients who were neither receiving antiviral therapy nor were inactive HBsAg carriers. Study data was collected by face-to-face interviews using a standardized questionnaire, Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Hepatitis B Quality of Life (HBQOL). Values equivalent to p < 0.05 in analyses were accepted as statistically significant.ResultsFour thousand two hundred fifty-seven patients with CHB were included in the study. Two thousand five hundred fifty-nine (60.1 %) of the patients were males. Groups 1, 2 and 3, consisted of 1529 (35.9 %), 1721 (40.4 %) and 1007 (23.7 %) patients, respectively. The highest value of HRQOL was found in inactive HBsAg carriers. We found that total HBQOL score increased when antiviral treatment was used. However, HRQOL of CHB patients varied according to their socio-demographic properties. Regarding total HBQOL score, a higher significant level of HRQOL was determined in inactive HBV patients when matched controls with the associated factors were provided.ConclusionsThe HRQOL score of CHB patients was higher than expected and it can be worsen when the disease becomes active. Use of an antiviral therapy can contribute to increasing HRQOL of patients.

Objective:Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the second most common infection in geriatric population. This study investigated clinical findings, diagnostic approaches, complicating factors, prognosis, causative microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility in geriatric patients diagnosed with UTI.Methods:A total of 140 hospitalised patients with UTIs were evaluated within three years between January 2011-January 2015 at the Eskisehir Yunus Emre State Hospital. UTI diagnosed when there were systemic and urinary signs and symptoms and a positive dipstick test and urine culture result, leukocyte and CRP like serum parameters.Results:Among the studied patients, 41.4% had urological diseases, 20.7% had diabetes mellitus and 19.2% had neurological diseases. The most common symptoms and signs were fever, dysuria nausea/vomiting, general condition impairment, pyuria, haematuria. The laboratory values for CRP, ESR and leukocyte count were 84 mg/dL, 56 mm/s and 11.9 (10^3μL), with mean values being determined. Among patients having a urinary catheter (17.1%), 27.9% had a history of UTI, while 29.3% had been hospitalised. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most commonly identified microorganisms. The mean duration for hospitalisation was 7.6 days, while a 5% mortality rate was observed over the course of the disease.Conclusion:Because of the potential for serious complications and mortality, elderly patients with urinary tract infection, should receive immediate empirical treatment based on anamnesis, clinical evaluation and urinalysis and should be re-examined using results from cultures and antibiograms upon follow-up.

ÖzetAmaç: Bu çalışmada, bir devlet hastanesindeki sağlık çalışanla-rında HBV, HAV, HCV ve HIV infeksiyonu seropozitifliğinin araş-tırılması amaçlandı. Yöntemler: 2012-2013 yılları arasında hastanemizde çalışan 586 sağlık personeline ait kayıtlar retrospektif olarak incelendi. Tarama amacıyla alınan kan örneklerinde HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, anti-HAV ve anti-HIV kemilüminesans esasına dayanan "enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay" (ELISA) yönte-miyle çalışıldı. Bulgular: Personelimizin 208 (%35.5)'i erkek, 378 (%64.5)'i kadın olup, yaş ortalaması 35.78±8.76 (minimum 18, maksimum 64) yıldı. Çalışmaya katılan personelimizin 282 (%48.1)'si hemşire, 99 (%16.9)'u doktor, 102 (%17.4)'si temizlik personeli, 47 (%8)'si anestezi teknikeri, 56 (%9.6)'sı laboratuvar teknikeriydi. AbstractObjective: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HAV, HBV, HCV and HIV infection among health personnel in a state hospital. Methods: Medical records of 586 health personnel who worked between 2012 and 2013 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Serum samples were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, anti-HAV, anti-HIV markers by "enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay" (ELISA) method based on the method of chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: The staff comprised 208 (35.5%) male, and 378 (64.5%) women workers. The mean age was 35.78±8.76 (minimum 18, maximum 64) years. There were 282 (48.1%) nurses, 99 (16.9%) doctors, 102 (17.4%) cleaning staff, 47 (8%) anesthesia technicians and 56 (9.6%) laboratory technicians. The divisions of the workers were as follows: 125 (21.3%) were working at internal services, 204 (34.8%) at the operating room, 98 (16.7%) at intensive care units, 61 (10.4%) at emergency room and 28 (4.8%) at dialysis unit. While 504 personnel (86%) were positive for anti-HBs, only 5 (0.9%) were found positive for HBsAg. Only 1 (0.2%) cleaning staff was positive for anti-HCV. None was positive for anti-HIV. Anti-HAV has been studied in a total of 152 personnel, 109 (71.7%) of whom were positive. Anti-HBc IgG has been studied in a total of 250 personnel 7 (2.8%) of whom were positive. Conclusions: Healthcare personnel who are at high risk of HBV, HAV, HCV, and HIV infection should be screened for viral hepatitis and those who are not immunized should be vaccinated against HBV and HAV. It is important to follow standard infection control precautions in all patients to prevent diseases transmitted by blood and through contact. Klimik Dergisi 2013; 26(2): 64-7.

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Our findings indicate a significant relationship of hepatic fibrosis and hepatic steatosis with IR and leptin levels, but not with the viral load in Turkish patients with CHC.