Atatürk University

About: Atatürk University is a education organization based out in Erzurum, Turkey. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Oxidative stress. The organization has 5710 authors who have published 14234 publications receiving 264334 citations. The organization is also known as: Atatürk Üniversitesi.

Complementary alternative treatments used by patients with cancer in eastern Turkey.

Abstract: Interest in complementary-alternative medicine therapies is growing rapidly in Turkey. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the types and prevalence of alternative therapies used by the patients with a diagnosis of cancer, and to determine factors influencing the choices of their therapies in Erzurum, Turkey. Approximately 10-minute face-to-face interviews were conducted with each subject in the radiation oncology department. The factors associated with the use of alternative therapies after a diagnosis of cancer were assessed by chi-square analysis. The findings indicated that complementary-alternative medicine therapies were used by 41.1% of the subjects after their diagnosis, and that all of the alternatives they used were herbs. The most commonly used herb was stinging nettle leaf (urtica dioica) or seed of nettle. Almost all (93.2%) of the herbs used were nettle. In general, especially the women and the younger patients of both genders were more likely to be using alternative therapies. There was no difference in demographic and cancer characteristics between users of alternative therapy and nonusers. More than the half of the patients using alternative therapies (54.5%) reportedly did not discuss the use of herbs with their healthcare professionals. Most of the patients using stinging nettle and other herbs therapies reported that they had heard about the use of herbs from friends or relatives (52.3%), or from the other patients in this clinic (43.2%). This study found that there is a high prevalence of alternative therapies used by patients with cancer in eastern Turkey. The use of these alternative therapies requires that nursing professionals rethink staff competency, patient assessment, and patient-focused care. Communication between patients and healthcare professionals should initiate dialogues on this topic for a better understanding of patient choices with regard to treatment options.

Rickets in the Middle East: role of environment and genetic predisposition.

Abstract: Context: The Middle East has a high incidence of rickets, and it is also common in Europe-dwelling children of Middle Eastern origin. Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the mechanisms leading to rickets in children of the Middle East. Design and Setting: We conducted a prospective study in 98 rachitic and 50 controls (aged 6 months to 4 yr) from university and community outpatient hospitals in Egypt and Turkey. Main Outcome Measures: We collected epidemiological, maternal, nutritional, radiographic, and biochemical parameters; markers of bone turnover; and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms. Results: Epidemiological factors had a key role in pursuit of rickets; Egyptian and Turkish patients had lower (P < 0.01) dietary calcium intake than controls and the recommended dietary intakes, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were reduced in patients, the difference with controls being significant (P < 0.001) only in Turkey, although rickets was more severe in Egypt as determined by t...

Treatment of sigmoid volvulus: a single-center experience of 952 patients over 46.5 years.

Abstract: Background Sigmoid volvulus describes the wrapping of the sigmoid colon around itself and its mesentery, causing an intestinal obstruction. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of 952 patients treated for sigmoid volvulus over a period of 46.5 years.