Accident profile of older people in Antalya City Center, Turkey

A Wearable Assistant Device for the Hearing Impaired to Recognize Emergency Vehicle Sirens with Edge Computing

Wearable assistant devices play an important role in daily life for people with disabilities. Those who have hearing impairments may face dangers while walking or driving on the road. The major danger is their inability to hear warning sounds from cars or ambulances. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop a wearable assistant device with edge computing, allowing the hearing impaired to recognize the warning sounds from vehicles on the road. An EfficientNet-based, fuzzy rank-based ensemble model was proposed to classify seven audio sounds, and it was embedded in an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense development board. The audio files were obtained from the CREMA-D dataset and the Large-Scale Audio dataset of emergency vehicle sirens on the road, with a total number of 8756 files. The seven audio sounds included four vocalizations and three sirens. The audio signal was converted into a spectrogram by using the short-time Fourier transform for feature extraction. When one of the three sirens was detected, the wearable assistant device presented alarms by vibrating and displaying messages on the OLED panel. The performances of the EfficientNet-based, fuzzy rank-based ensemble model in offline computing achieved an accuracy of 97.1%, precision of 97.79%, sensitivity of 96.8%, and specificity of 97.04%. In edge computing, the results comprised an accuracy of 95.2%, precision of 93.2%, sensitivity of 95.3%, and specificity of 95.1%. Thus, the proposed wearable assistant device has the potential benefit of helping the hearing impaired to avoid traffic accidents.

Relationship among health-related quality of life, depression and awareness of home care services in elderly patients

AIMS

The present descriptive study was carried out to determine the relationship between health-related quality of life, depression and awareness of home care services among elderly patients.

METHODS

Patients aged 65 years or older staying at the surgery and internal medicine clinics were included in the study. The "Patient Introduction Form," "Short Form-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire" and "Geriatric Depression Scale" were utilized in the collection of data.

RESULTS

In the present study, it was determined that only approximately half of elderly patients (54.9%) knew the concept of home care, most of them had not previously received home care and requested home care related to medical care. The mean scores were lower in some areas of the quality of life questionnaire in some factors that could influence home care awareness. These factors were determined as: female sex, history of falling, chronic illness, functionally, moderately or severely dependent, no previous receipt of home care and wishing to receive home care.

CONCLUSIONS

The home care requirement of elderly patients can be influenced by many physiological, psychological and social factors that can affect their quality of life. Thus, it is of utmost importance that medical professionals evaluate the quality of life of elderly individuals and its influencing factors. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1211-1219.

Burden of road traffic injuries in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are one of the leading causes of global deaths, contributing to 1.3 million lives lost each year. Although all regions are affected, low- and middle-income countries share a disproportionate burden. The significance of this public health threat is growing in Turkey, where current estimates show that 2.0 percent of all deaths in the country are due to RTIs. Despite the significance of this growing epidemic, data pertaining to RTIs in Turkey are limited. In order to address the gap in knowledge, this article presents an overview of the epidemiology of RTIs in Turkey through an analysis of available secondary data sets and a comprehensive review of scientifically published studies.

METHODS

A literature review was performed during December 2010 using PubMed, Embase, and ISIS Web of Knowledge databases and Google search engines. Peer-reviewed literature pertaining to Turkey and RTIs were selected for screening. Secondary data were also procured with assistance from Turkish colleagues through an exploration of data sources pertaining to RTIs in Turkey.

RESULTS

The literature review yielded a total of 70 studies with publication years ranging from 1988 to 2010. Secondary data sources were procured from the ministries of Health and Interior as well as the Turkish Statistical Institute. These data sources focus primarily on crashes, injuries, and fatalities (crash rate of 1328.5 per 100,000 population; injury rate of 257.9 per 100,000 population; fatality rate of 5.9 per 100,000). Risk factor data surrounding road safety are limited.

CONCLUSION

The findings reveal the significant burden that RTIs pose on the health of the Turkish population. The introduction of new technologies such as the novel digital recording systems in place to record pre-hospital services and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of road traffic crashes by the police have allowed for a more accurate picture of the burden of RTIs in Turkey. There are, however, some considerable gaps and limitations within the data systems. Incorporation of standardized definitions, regular data audits, and timely review of collated data will improve the utility of RTI data and allow it to be used for policy influence.

Accidents of the elderly living in Kocaeli Region (Turkey)

The accidents seen in the elderly have a remarkable impact on their family life and the society they live in. In this study, we have aimed to assess the prevalence, types and characteristics of the accidents seen among the elderly. We performed a cross-sectional study. The data was collected from 486 old people living in Kocaeli Region, in 2003. Demographic features, numbers and the variety of accidents were recorded after interviews. The data were also obtained from a questionnaire given after a physical examination. The ratio of accidents was found to be 9.5% (46 cases) in the study group; of those 71.7% were indoor and 28.3% outdoor accidents. The causes of the accidents were falls (69.6%), cuts (13.0%) and stings (10.9%). The distribution of the indoor accidents was 72.7% for falls, 12.1% for cuts, 9.1% for stings and 6.1% for other injuries. The distribution of the outdoor accidents was 61.5% for falls, 15.4% for cuts, 15.4% for stings and 7.7% for burns. Fall-induced injuries seem to be a major problem among the elderly. The results of our study indicate that the occurrence of indoor accidents is an important health problem in the geriatric population.

Home accidents in the community-dwelling elderly in Izmir, Turkey: how do prevalence and risk factors differ between high and low socioeconomic districts?

OBJECTIVE

To determine and compare the prevalence of and risk factors for home accidents in the elderly in two different districts.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study involves 497 older participants ages 65 and older. Sociodemographic characteristics of the elderly and characteristics of the houses in two different regions are evaluated. Data are analyzed by chi-square and t test.

RESULTS

The prevalence of home accidents was 39.3% in the low socioeconomic region and 13.1% in the high socioeconomic region within the past 6 months (p = .000). The most common type of home accident was fall (61.8%), followed by cut or piercing (22.0%). Home accidents are associated with being female and increasing age in the higher socioeconomic region, whereas being female, being unmarried, and living in a squatter house are associated with home accidents in the low socioeconomic region.

DISCUSSION

The prevalence of home accidents in the elderly population who live in low socioeconomic region was higher.

Injury among stimulant-treated youth with ADHD

OBJECTIVE

To assess risk factors for injury among children and adolescents treated with stimulants for ADHD.

METHOD

An analysis was performed of pharmacy and service claims data from 2000-2003 California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) focusing on children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 years who initiated stimulant therapy for ADHD. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine associations of demographic and clinical characteristics with injury.

RESULTS

In a Cox proportional hazard model that controlled for background patient characteristics, patients ages 13 to 17 years, male gender, prescription of anxiolytic/hypnotic medications, and diagnosis of a mood disorder were each independently associated with increased risk of injury, whereas African American ancestry and other minority racial/ethnic ancestry were associated with lower risk. Youth with high stimulant medication possession ratios (MPR) had a nonsignificantly lower risk of injury as compared to those with a low stimulant MPR.

CONCLUSION

These findings reveal several patient characteristics that may be associated with increased risk of injury among children and adolescents treated for ADHD.

Unintentional non-fatal home-related injuries in Central Anatolia, Turkey: frequencies, characteristics, and outcomes

Injuries constitute a major public health problem worldwide. Homes are an important setting for non-fatal unintentional injuries. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency, the characteristics, and the outcome of unintentional non-fatal injuries in the household, and to describe the related risk factors through a community-based survey. The study was conducted using a household-based survey design. Eight hundred inhabitants were sampled from the entire population in the city centre by a stratified sampling method in 2004. All unintentional non-fatal home-related injuries occurring in the previous year were registered and examined, making special note of the mechanism of the injuries, the time and place of the incidents and their outcomes. The frequency of unintentional non-fatal home-related injuries requiring some form of medical attention was established as 10.8%. Falls were the most common injuries among all the study groups. Injury rates were highest among the oldest (aged > or =65) and youngest (aged <15) age groups, females, adults having incomes under euro 500, individuals living alone, or the unemployed. Contact with hot objects/substances or hot liquid/gas was the leading mechanism in children 4 years of age or younger, falls ranking second. Falls are a significant problem particularly among older adults. Multiple analysis revealed that participants with low incomes, living alone and single or divorced had a high risk for injury at home. The findings related to disability highlighted a need to focus attention on the prevention of residential falls among the elderly, and the burns and falls among young children. Preventive measures should be prioritised to risk groups such as individuals with low incomes and those living alone.

Fall-related injuries among initially 75- and 80-year old people during a 10-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence, type, scene and seasonal variation of fall related injuries, and the impact of socio-economic factors, mobility limitation, and the most common diseases on the risk of injurious falls over a 10-year follow-up. Elderly residents of Jyväskylä, Finland, aged initially 75 and 80 years, took part in the study in 1989-1990. The health and functional capacity assessments were carried out at the baseline. Injurious falls were monitored over a 10-year period. The rate of injurious falls per thousand person-years was 188 among women and 78 among men. Of all fall-related diagnoses, head injuries comprised 32%, upper limb injuries 27% and hip injuries 19%. Majority of injurious falls took place indoors and no seasonal variation in fall occurrence was observed. Recurring falls were more likely to take place in institutions. Osteoarthritis increased the risk of injurious falls but no effect was observed for coronary heart diseases or mobility limitation. All in all, intrinsic factors, such as chronic diseases and mobility limitation had only minor effect on risk of injurious falls among older people. The current results suggest that preventive interventions for injurious falls among older people should pay attention to the risk factors present indoors.

Hip fractures, nocturia, and nocturnal polyuria in the elderly

This study was undertaken to evaluate the relation between hip fractures and nocturnal micturition habits in elderly men and women. A questionnaire survey was undertaken among 10,216 elderly subjects. The mean (+/-S.D.) ages of the men and women were 73.0+/-6.0 and 72.6+/-6.7 years, respectively. A hip fracture during the past five years had occurred in 97 (3.9%) of the men and 175 (4.6%) of the women and the occurrence increased with increasing age in both sexes. In both men and women nocturnal micturition increased with age. Among men, passing of subjectively large amounts of urine at night was reported to occur never or very seldom in 63.3% and rather seldom, rather often, and very often in 21.9%, 12.7%, and 2.1%, respectively. The corresponding frequencies in women were 65.1%, 17.2%, 13.7%, and 3.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis with sex, nocturia, and nocturnal voided volumes as independent variables and occurrence of hip fracture during the last five years as the dependent variable showed that the risk of having had a hip fracture was increased by nocturia three or more episodes versus two or fewer; odds ratio (OR) 1.8, confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.0, and by large nocturnal urine volumes, very often versus very seldom or never; (OR 3.5; CI 1.8-7.3). One can conclude that in these elderly subjects the risk of hip fractures during a five-year period was increased independently by increased nocturnal micturition and increased nocturnal urine output.

Nocturia in relation to sleep, health, and medical treatment in the elderly

Nocturia is a common condition in the elderly that profoundly influences general health and quality of life. It appears to predict a higher risk of death. One consequence of nocturia is sleep deterioration, with increased daytime sleepiness and loss of energy and activity. Accidents, e.g. falls, are increased both at night and during the day in elderly persons with nocturia. Nocturia is caused by nocturnal polyuria, reduced voided volumes, or a combination of the two. Nocturnal polyuria can be caused by numerous diseases, e.g. diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and sleep apnoea. A disorder of the vasopressin system, with very low or undetectable vasopressin levels at night, is manifested as an increased nocturnal urine output, which in the most extreme cases reaches 85% of the 24-h diuresis: the prevalence of low or undetectable vasopressin levels at night has been estimated to be 3-4% in those aged >or= 65 years. Treatment of nocturia may include avoiding excessive fluid intake and use of diuretic medication in the afternoon rather than the morning, oral desmopressin at bedtime in cases of nocturnal polyuria, and antimuscarinic agents in the case of overactive bladder or impaired storage capacity of the bladder.

Requerimiento auditivo en licencias de conducción de vehículos del Grupo 2. Actualización conforme a la legislación vigente en España

INTRODUCTION

Hearing loss level admitted for acquisition of Group 2 driving licences is actually 35%, but this measurement is not standarized.

METHODS

In 35 drivers with Group 2 licence bearing of hearing loss, it was measured in the usual way -considering threshold as an average-, and also in accordance with valid legislation, which considers deafness when hearing thresholds are under 25 dB in each tone.

RESULTS

Binaural hearing loss average was 41.3+/-6.3% for the first model, and 30.7+/-10.2% for the second. There was a good correlation between the two models by mean of lineal regression (y=1.4785x-30.382; R2=0.8467).

CONCLUSIONS

In Group 2 licences, hearing loss average must be standarized in its quantifyng technique, because there is a wide difference in the results, depending on the model used to measure. In our country there are rules and regulations about quantifying for disable people, valid for establishing deafness measurement patterns in vehicle driving too.

Nocturnal giddiness in relation to nocturia and other symptoms and to medication in the elderly

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of nocturia, somatic diseases, symptoms, and medication to nocturnal giddiness in a group of elderly men and women. A questionnaire survey was undertaken among 10,216 elderly subjects. The mean (+/-S.D.) ages of the men and women were 73.0 +/- 6.0 and 72.6 +/- 6.7 years, respectively. Nocturnal giddiness was reported by 14.1% of the men and 9.1% of the women. Poor health was reported by 44.4% (P < 0.0001) of the men with nocturnal giddiness and by 14.0% of the men without, and among the women these figures were 45.5% and 20.0% (P < 0.0001), respectively. In a multiple logistic regression analysis significant independent correlates of nocturnal giddiness were: nocturnal micturition episodes >or=3 versus nocturia <or=2 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-2.3); married or cohabiting versus living alone (1.5; 1.1-2.0); age, 70-79 years versus <70 years (1.7; 1.2-2.3); age, >or=80 years versus <70 years (2.5; 1.7-3.6); eyesight, poor versus good (1.8; 1.4-2.4); hearing, poor versus good (1.4; 1.1-1.9); pain in the cervical spine (2.1; 1.5-2.8); spasmodic chest pain (1.5; 1.1-2.0); diabetes (1.6; 1.0-2.4); analgesics (1.8; 1.3-2.4); and diuretics (1.4; 1.1-21.8). Sex, irregular heartbeats, and sleep medication were deleted by the logistic model.