Makale Arama

Aim: This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients infected with the VOC 202012/01-B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 and to compare these patients with those infected with other variants of SARS-CoV-2, in order to demonstrate the differences.
Patients and Methods: Records of 671 patients with VOC 202012/01 (B.1.1.7)(VOC+) who tested positive in the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, between February 2–11, 2021 in Konya Province, and were found to have the VOC 202012/01 (B.1.1.7), according to variant analysis and 2284 (VOC−) patients who also tested positive in the PCR test between the same dates but did not have the variant (VOC−) were screened in the Public Health Administration System of the Turkish Ministry of Health, on February 24, 2021. Age, gender, hospitalization status, and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) were recorded from the screening results.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between hospitalization status, according to the presence/absence of the variant (p= 0.234). Of the patients who were variant-positive and those who were not, 1.9% and 3.9% were admitted to the ICU, respectively. The rate of admission to the ICU was significantly higher for patients who were not positive for the variant as compared to those who were (p=0.013).
Conclusıons: In the light of the findings of this study, it is possible to state that SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01(B.1.1.7) is not more dangerous in terms of hospitalization and admission to the ICU.

Aim: The clinical course of COVID-19 cases and the severity of symptoms vary according to the case.
However, it has been seen in the cases examined that it poses a greater risk for those with chronic
diseases and elderly individuals. In order to protect elderly individuals from COVID-19, governments
have introduced some restrictions. It is thought that the wrong evaluation of these restrictions may lead
to attitudes of ageism. This study aimed to determine the relationship between society's fear of COVID-19
and attitudes towards ageism.
Patients and Methods: This work is designed in descriptive type. This study was conducted with
volunteers between the ages of 18-65 683 people. The data of the study were collected using the Fraboni
Scale of Ageism and COVID-19 Fear Scale. Data were collected on 1-20 Jun e 2020.
Results: The mean Fraboni Scale of Ageism and COVID-19 Fear Scale scores were 67.87±6.15 and
18.81±6.16, respectively. The results showed a weak and negative correlation between COVID19 fear
and ageism.
Conclusion: In general, individuals had a positive attitude towards the elderly and had low levels of
COVID-19 fear.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between hematologic diseases and SARS-CoV-2
infection in patients who have been been diagnosed with a hemat ologic disease after COVID-19 infection.
Patients and Methods: The ones who had a previously history of COVID-19 infection among the patients
diagnosed with any malign or autoimmune hematologic disease were evaluated between April 1, 2020 – April
1, 2021, retrospectively. The Patients who had the COVID-19 infection and the patients who had not were
compared.
Results: Twenty-four (7.8%) patients of 305 newly diagnosed who had a previously history of COVID-19
infection were determined. The most common diagnosis was non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in both of the groups.
Although it was not statistically significant, frequency of NHL and aggressive NHL were most common in
the patients with history of COVID-19 (25.1% vs 23.1%; p=0.143 and 66.6% vs 56.9%, p=0.094). The basic
hematologic parameters were similar between the two groups. The median time between COVID-19 infection
and the hematologic diagnosis was 4.1 (0.6-11.8) month; the minimum duration was in the patient with
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and the maximum was the one with Multiple Myeloma. The median time
up until the diagnosis was longer in the malign group (4.5 vs 2.5 months; p=0.070).
Conclusions: As a result of the study, it has been emphasized that COVID-19 may have an etiological factor
for malign and hematologic diseases with autoimmune pathogenesi s.

Aim: To compare patients applied with tracheotomy because of prolonged intubation before the COVID-19
pandemic and during the pandemic.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective examination was made of the records of 179 patients with a tracheotomy
opened following prolonged intubation in the Intensive Care Unit of Karaman Training and Research Hospital
between September 2018 and August 2021. The patients were separated into two groups as group 1 (n:80)
of patients with tracheotomy in the 18-month period before the COVID-19 pandemic (September 2018 –
February 2020) and group 2 (n:99) of patients with tracheotomy during the COVID-19 pandemic (March
2020-August 2021). The two groups were compared in respect of demographic characteristics, duration of
intubation, early and late complications associated with tracheotomy, and patient outcomes (exitus, discharge
to home, transfer to palliative and other wards).
Results: Group 1 comprised 45% females and 55% males and group 2 comprised 51% females and 49%
males, with no statistically significant difference determined between the groups in respect of gender. A
statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of age and the duration
of intubation (p<0.05). Tracheotomy-related complications were not determined to be significantly different
between the groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The patients in this study with a tracheotomy opened during the COVID-19 pandemic were
observed to be younger than patients with tracheotomy applied before the pandemic. In addition, the duration
of intubation was determined to be longer during the pandemic t han in the pre-pandemic period.

Aim: In this study, it was aimed whether biochemical parameters, vital signs and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio
(NLR) values could be used in determining the indication for intensive care hospitalization in COVID-19
patients.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the emergency department
of a university hospital. Patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test who applied to our hospital on 1-31 July
2020 were included in the study. Laboratory results, demographic findings and clinical results of the patients
were collected electronically. The patients were divided into 3 groups as discharged, admitted to the service
or intensive care unit. The incidence and severity of symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory values, and NLR
values were compared between the groups.
Results: A total of 489 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the included patients was 48.69
+ 17.25 years, of which 260 (53.16%) were female. While 248 (50.9%) of these patients were discharged,
207 (42.3%) were taken to the service and 33 (6.7%) to the intensive care units. Age, heart rate, urea,
creatinine, CRP, D-dimer and NLR values of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit were higher
than the other groups, while oxygen saturation was statistically significantly lower in this group. Concomitant
systemic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, Essential Hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease were more common in those hospitalized in the intensive care unit. In multivariable analysis, oxygen
saturation (OR:0.803) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (OR:1.09) were found to be independent predictors of
the indication for hospitalization in the intensive care unit.
Conclusion: As a result of our study, we think that especially low oxygen saturation and high neutrophillymphocyte
ratio can be used in determining the indication for intensive care hospitalization in patients who
apply to the emergency department due to COVID-19.

Aim: In this pre-and post- study, we aimed to compare changes in urological consultations and emergencies
between before and after the pandemic at the same time period o f 2019 and 2020 as two groups.
Patients and Methods: Patient files were retrospectively screened and numbers of consultations, surgeries
and admissions were evaluated. The two groups compared in terms of triage color codes, and final decisions.
Patients’ demographic data such as age and gender, triage color code, consultation order clinic, type of visit
(regular vs control), and operational data (type of surgery, prophylaxis status, place of OR etc) were recorded.
Results: A total of 89,674 patients presented to the emergency department in the 50-day period in 2019 and
53,745 patients in the same period of time in 2020. The number of patients presenting to the emergency
department decreased by 40.07% within the same period compared to the previous year. The percentage of
patients with the green triage code was decreased in 2020 by 30% compared to 2019, while the percentage
of yellow triage code was increased in 2020 by 28.9% compared to 2019. There was a dramatic fall in urology
visits in 2020 by 85.91%.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, and it seems likely to continue for some time, despite
all efforts including vaccination programs and novel drugs that will also become available in a short time. The
number of patients cosulted with urology outpatient clinic has decreased during the pandemic.

Aim: The prolonged process of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and related restrictions cause
physical inactivity, fear of COVID-19, and fatigue in individuals. During the pandemic, kinesiophobia may
raise fear of death and physical inactivity in patients. However, kinesiophobia and its relationship with
physical activity (PA), fear of COVID-19, and fatigue in individuals have not been known yet, which was
therefore aimed to investigate in the current study .
Patients and Methods: Adult individuals (n=166, 36.3±15.37 years) were included in the study.
Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), PA levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-
Short Form), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCS-19)), and fatigue (Numeric Rating Scale)
were evaluated remotely between 3 June 2021 and 30 June 2021 th rough an online platform.
Results: Of the individuals, 91 (54.8%) had a high level of kinesiophobia, 55 (33.1%) were inactive, 84
(50.6%) were minimally active, and 27 (16.3%) were very active. Kinesiophobia score was significantly
correlated with age, weight, body mass index, education level, and walking, total PA, FCS-19, and fatigue
scores (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Kinesiophobia and physical inactivity are prevalent in many individuals. Although individuals
have no disease during the COVID-19 pandemic, their kinesiophobia level increases as walking, physical
activities, and education levels decrease. Kinesiophobia also increases as age, weight, body mass
index, fear of COVID-19 and fatigue increase. Considering the negative effects of kinesiophobia and the
prolonged pandemic process, individuals should be urgently dire cted to P A counseling programs.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical features and consultation process of the patients who
were consulted from the pediatric emergency department to the surgical departments during the pandemic
period, and to compare the findings with the data before the pa ndemic.
Patients and Methods: The research was conducted between 11.03.2020-11.03.2021 in the pediatric
emergency department of our hospital. The enrolled patients at 0-18 years of age were retrospectively
evaluated in terms of gender, age, diagnosis, consultation result, consultation response time. Our study was
compared with the prepandemic data between 01.01.2019 and 31.12 .2019.
Results: Of the patients; 42,4% were female and 57,6% were male. The mean age was 6,9±4,9 years. It
was determined that 27,3% of our patients were consulted to one of the surgical clinics with the diagnosis of
foreign body, 22,2% acute abdomen, 10.6% foreign body aspiration. It was found that 38,5% of the patients
were consulted to the pediatric surgery department, 33,9% to the otolaryngology department and 11,4% to the
thoracic surgery department. The mean consultation response time was 72,2±48,8 minutes. The distribution
of diagnoses, consultation response time, consulted surgical departments, consultation results by age groups,
and distribution of the consultation response times by surgical departments during the pandemic were found
to be statistically significant compared to the pre-pandemic pe riod (p<0,05).
Conclusion: In our study, it was found that the number of patients admitted to the pediatric emergency
department decreased during the pandemic period, the number of hospitalizations increased, the diagnoses
associated with trauma and close physical contact decreased, and the diagnosis of epididymorchitis increased.
In addition consultation response times were observed to be con siderably longer.

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine whether the timing of surgery in our elderly patients with a
diagnosis of hip fracture changed before and after the pandemic, and whether this situation caused an
increase in mortality .
Patients and Methods: The patients who were operated with the diagnosis of hip fracture between March
2019 and March 2020 in our hospital database were accepted as in the pre-pandemic period, and the
patients who were operated with the diagnosis of hip fracture between April 2020 and April 2021 were
considered as in pandemic period. Both groups were statistically compared in terms of age, gender,
waiting time for surgery , length of hospital stay and one year mortality .
Results: When the factors af fecting mortality were examined, the time elapsed until surgery significantly
increased mortality. While the mean waiting time for surgery was 27.6±19.4 hours in all patients, it was
25.7±19.1 hours in Group 1 and 29.6±19.6 hours in Group 2 and there was a significant difference between
the two groups (p=0.043). The cut-off value of the waiting time for surgery, which caused mortality, was
determined as “23.35” hours. While no significant increase in mortality was found in Group 1 (p=0.340),
the increased delay for surgery in Group 2 affected mortality significantly (p=0.027).
Conclusion: In this study, it was found that the increase in the delay of admission for surgery over 23.35
hours in the elderly population after hip fractures was directly associated with one year of mortality
and also we think that the waiting time for surgery in the pandemic conditions is one of the factors that
negatively af fect mortality in these patients.

Since the identification of SARS-CoV-2, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) that appears in
children after COVID-19 disease and mimics Kawasaki disease was reported in the UK in April 2020,
while it is associated with Covid-19 in adults. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-A) was reported
in June 2020. MIS-A patients have been reported to be up to 50 years of age in the literature and are more
likely to have some underlying health condition and have recently had an identifiable respiratory disease
compared to MIS-C. On the other hand, MIS-A patients and MIS-C patients have many overlapping clinical
features, but the severity of cardiac dysfunction, incidence of thrombosis, and MIS-A mortality may be
higher in MIS-A. While it is clear that neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia are common in
MIS-C/A, these features, together with elevations in troponin and BNP/NT-proBNP, have been considered
measures of disease activity .

STUDY AIM: In this study, it was aimed to identify the accurate and inaccurate conceptions among the society on COVID-19 disease, which is considered as a public health problem and has a high risk of transmission. 

METHODS: The research was performed online at https://docs.google.com/forms in May 2020. The questionnaire form was composed of 40 queries, which were on sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19. Following the study, the answers obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed by inserting related data to the software of SPSS. 

RESULTS: Of 580 participants involved in the study, 363 (62.6%) were female. The median age of the participants was 34.0 (18.0-77.0). Of the individuals who completed the questionnaire, 342 (59.0%) were married and 438 (75.5%) were university graduated and / or postgraduated. Of the individuals included in the study, 497 (85.6%) stated that they watched television / news channels to be informed about COVID-19. Most of the questions related to COVID-19 were answered accurately by the participants. The percentage of the premise, which was answered most accurately, was 577 (99.5%), whereas the lowest percentage of the accurately answered premise was 137 (23.6%). It was found that there was a statistically significant difference among the genders in terms of the percentage of accurate responses to the conceptions (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: It was determined that the vast majority of the participants utilized from at least one news resource on COVID-19. Participants typically have accurate knowledge about COVID-19. Educational programs can be planned to enhance the awareness of the society about the conceptions, which were answered mostly inaccurately.

Aim: Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy has been used for treatment, although it has not been Corona
Virus 2019 Disease (COVID-19) specific antiviral agent so far. However, the effectiveness of CP treatment
on prognosis and mortality is still a matter of debate. In this study, we aimed to share our experiences
about the ef fectiveness of CP treatment in COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 126 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who received
CP treatment in addition to standard treatment between May 2020 and February 2021. 126 patients were
divided into two groups as those who underwent SP within the first five days (Group A) and after five days
(Group B). The patients in these two groups were evaluated in terms of laboratory parameters, clinical
and mortality.
Results: A total of 126 patients were identified (86 patients in Group A and 40 patients in Group B). 119
(94.4%) patients were discharged with recovery, 7 (5.5%) patients died. The mean days of hospitalization
were found to be 11.4±0.7 in Group A and 18.4±1.7 in Group B (p<0.001). Treatment-related lymphocyte,
PLT, fibrinogen and CRP main effect of change was significant (p<0.001). However, the results were
marginally significant when the two groups were compared in terms of D-dimer. When the simple effect is
evaluated; Group A as not significant, while group B was significant. Starting CP treatment 5 days before
or 5 days later did not change the laboratory parameters. However, D-dimer was marginally significant
(p=0.058).
Conclusion: In our study, it was shown that early initiation of CP treatment reduced the hospitalization,
but had no ef fect on mortality and laboratory parameters.

Aim: Hypoxemia is a vital criterion used to determine prognosis in coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
cases. This study thus examined the effectiveness of capillary refill time (CRT) in defining hypoxiadependent
disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted with COVID-19 patients and an agematched
healthy group. The optimum test ambiance was provided, and a stable smartphone platform
was used to record the measurements (in ms) to standardize our method. The captured videos were then
evaluated using a video processing program.
Results: In total, 39 patients with COVID-19 and 40 control groups participated in this study. The patients
were further divided into the moderate (n = 25) or severe group (n = 14) according to disease severity.
The mean oxygen saturation of both moderate/severe groups was above 94%. Per disease severity, the
CRT measurements were higher in the severe group than in the moderate group (p = 0.009). In patients
without lymphopenia (n = 18), CRT values were found to be increased in the severe group (p = 0.008).
The use of CRT in patients with Covid-19 was practicable (AUC: 0.91; 95% CI 0.848-0.978; P = 0.001).
Conclusions: Our results show that CRT prolongation can occur in patients with COVID-19. In patients
without lymphopenia and with normal O2 levels, detecting CRT prolongation may be a criterion for early
admission to ICU.

Towards the end of 2019, new coronavirus causing acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients was detected in Wuhan Province, China . This virus was called serious acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by the International Virus Taxonomy Committee. The disease caused by this new coronavirus was called coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization. This virus was found to be in the subclass of Betakoronavirus caused by bats. The role of viral proteins such as envelopes, membranes, nucleocapsids and spike proteins responsible for viral infectivity in immunopathogenesis is being investigated in studies. It has been emphasized in studies in which multiple organ failure develops due to the development of cytokine storm, especially in the advanced stages of the disease. An effective host immune response, including natural and adaptive immunity to SARS-Cov-2, is essential for controlling and treating viral infection. Although there is no effective treatment for the disease today, the benefits of various immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory drugs have been shown in studies. In this article, the immunopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and the treatment models that can be effective on immunopathogenesis are reviewed in the light of current literature.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of hypermetabolic axillary lymph nodes due to COVID-19
vaccines and the factors affecting hypermetabolic axillary lymph nodes in F18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in on cology patients.
Patients and Methods: Among the patients who underwent FDG PET/CT in our institution between
January 15, 2021, and June 15, 2021, those who received one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccine
(CoronaVac or Biontech) were included in the study. Presence and number of ipsilateral hypermetabolic
axillary lymph nodes, FDG uptake, and whether there was a difference between these data after the 1st
and 2nd vaccination were investigated.
Results: Unilateral hypermetabolic axillary lymph nodes was observed in 9.9% (18/182) of the patients
[9.6% (9/94) after 1st dose, 10.2% (9/88) after 2nd dose] vaccinated with CoronaVac; It was detected in
37.5% (9/24) of the patients [35% (7/20) after 1st dose, 50% (2/4) after 2nd dose] who vaccinated with
Biontech. A negative correlation was found between the presence of hypermetabolic axillary lymph nodes
and age in patients who vaccinated with CoronaV ac.
Conclusion: The frequency of hipermetabolik aksiller lenf nodu after CoronaVac was lower than that
observed after mRNA vaccines, a small group of patients in our study, and lower than reported in the
literature. However, the statistical difference could not be evaluated due to the insufficient number of
patients in the Biontech group. A brief history of vaccination is recommended before FDG PET/CT to
reduce false positives. The potential role of FDG PET/CT in comparing the efficacy of vaccines produced
with dif ferent biotechnologies should be searched in studies with large r patient populations.

Aim: The literature revealed that group of COVID-19 patients who experience anosmia and ageusia
symptoms is younger, is predominantly female, and experiences a milder course of the disease. This
study aimed to evaluate the relationship of the presence of anosmia and ageusia symptoms with the
severity of pneumonia and laboratory test results in hospitaliz ed patients with COVID-19.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who were hospitalized by
the Department of Pulmonology between October 2020-March 2021 and underwent thorax computed
tomography (CT). Thorax CT findings of the patients were scored with a severity score for each lobe and
a total score was obtained. Pneumonia was classified according to the shape, distribution and appearance
of the lesions, and laboratory test results were obtained. These findings were compared according to the
presence of anosmia and ageusia symptoms.
Results: Evaluation was made of a total of 177 patients, comprising 89(50.2%) males and 88(49.8%)
females with a mean age of 53.0±14.5 years (range, 18-89 years). The number of patients who experienced
at least one of the symptoms of anosmia and ageusia (Group 1) was 67(37.9%) and the rest (Group 2)
did not experience any of these symptoms. The Group 1 patients who experienced these symptoms was
younger (p=0.009). No difference was determined between groups regarding the total pneumonia score
and involvement patterns (p> 0.05). The groups were similar in terms of laboratory results(p> 0.05) .
Conclusion: The prevalence of anosmia and ageusia in hospitalized patients is not a small number and
is more common in the younger population. No association was seen between the presence of these
symptoms and milder pneumonia severity and laboratory results. These symptoms do not have prognostic
value for the severity of the disease in hospitalized patients.

Objective: To determine the effect of COVID-19 infection on anxiety level in pregnant women.

Material and Methods: In this study, a questionnaire and Beck anxiety scale were applied to pregnant women who referred to outpatient clinic for routine pregnancy control in June 2020 to determine their concerns that may be related to COVID-19. Pregnant women admitted with obstetric emergencies and obstetric risk were not included in the study.

Results: 177 pregnant women were included in the study and the pregnant women were divided into four groups according to their score on Beck anxiety scale. Anxiety level of pregnant women was 44.6%. The possibility of not being with his family at the time of birth and the fear of death due to COVID-19 were statistically significantly associated with higher anxiety levels.

Conclusions: In this process, it is important to provide psychosocial support in addition to the follow-up of pregnant women by a multidisciplinary team consisting of perinatology, newborn and intensive care specialists.