Three dimensional gait analyses in dizygotic twin athletes

Gait analysis and gait indices are frequently used to evaluate gait pathologies and outcomes. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in gait parameters of dizygotic twin athletes according to each other and athletes group who are similar age but non-twin. Eighty-four athletes without any disease that could cause gait pathology were included the study. Time-distance measurements, kinematic - kinetic variables, and gait deviation index (GDI) of the gait functions of twin athletes (17 boys and 25 girls, height: 153.9 ± 15 cm, weight: 45.9 ± 12 kg, leg length 80.5 ± 11 cm) were compared with each other and with 42 sex and age matched non-twins athletes (height: 155 ± 15 cm, weight: 47 ± 14 kg, leg length 80.6 ± 9.8 cm, mean age 11.8 ± 2.29, range 6-15 years). No statistically significant difference was found about the time, distance parameters and GDIs in comparison of twin athletes with each other and the non-twin group. Additionally, kinetic and kinematic variables were similar in between twins. We measured lower adduction angles and higher abduction angles in non-twin athletes in comparison to the twin athletes (p = 0.01, 0.04). Additionally, the angle of knee flexion at the first contact was higher in non-twins (p = 0.003).Being dizygotic twin seems to have no clinical effect on gait function in athletes.

Vaccination rates for Syrian population under temporary protection in Turkey

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to gather information on demographic and health indicators, primarily vaccination status, of Syrians under temporary protection in five provinces of Turkey and to develop infrastructure for vaccination planning.

METHODS

The population under study consists of 89,986 Syrian children, 0-4 years of age, residing in Ankara, Mersin, Gaziantep, Izmir, and Bursa. Initially, we planned to evaluate 2,339 children, although a total of 2,827 children were evaluated by the end of the study.

RESULTS

Of these children, 74% were born in Turkey, while 20% were born in Syria. In addition, 22.4% (n = 634) of the children were never vaccinated, and of these, 67.0% (n = 425) were born in Turkey. In other words, one in five Syrian children born in Turkey (20.3%) had never been vaccinated. Of the Syrian children under temporary protection, the missing vaccinations were as follows: hepatitis B (54.7%); Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (62.5%); five-component combined vaccine (64.6%); conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (58.0%); oral polio vaccine (70.8%); measles, mumps, and rubella (76.6%); varicella (66.8%); and hepatitis A vaccine (76.0%).

CONCLUSION

It is important to increase the immunization rates of Syrian children under temporary protection and establish regular vaccination procedures.

Living Conditions, Access to Healthcare Services, and Occupational Health and Safety Conditions of Migrant Seasonal Agricultural Workers in the Çukurova Region

OBJECTIVE

Migrant seasonal agricultural workers who are employed in one of the most hazardous occupations in Turkey experience difficulties in accessing health-care services. The aim of this study is to investigate the living conditions, access to health-care services, and occupational health and safety conditions of migrant seasonal agricultural workers in the Çukurova region.

METHODS

Four hundred migrant seasonal agricultural workers were contacted in the county of Karataş located in the province of Adana, Turkey. A four-section questionnaire was administered using face-to-face interview techniques.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 32.8 ± 12.4 years. One-fourth of the participants did not have any social security coverage. Almost all had a monthly income below minimum wage, and 98% were living in tents. One-fifth experienced health problems in the last year, and 63% of them visited a health-care facility for diagnosis and treatment. About 3.3% of the participants sustained injuries at work, and only 23% of them visited a health-care facility.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study show that migrant seasonal agricultural workers in Turkey have insufficient working conditions, wages, accommodation facilities, nutrition opportunities, health conditions, and occupational health and safety conditions. This insufficiency negatively affects life qualities of the workers, utilization of health-care services, and their occupational health status and safety.

Prevalence of fibromyalgia in Turkish geriatric population and its impact on quality of life

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to examine the presence of fibromyalgia (FM) in elderly adults and to evaluate the impact of the severity of FM on quality of life.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients between 65 and 80 years of age were included. The main admission diagnosis of the patients was recorded. Presence of FM was evaluated based on 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria. The FM group was comprised of 31 patients fulfilling these criteria, and the remaining 69 patients composed the non-FM group. Tender point count (TPC) and common symptoms were recorded. FM disease severity was assessed using Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to evaluate quality of life. Pain severity was measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Rate of FM was found to be 31%. FM patients scored significantly higher on pain, sleep, social isolation, and emotional reactions subgroups of NHP when compared to controls (p<0.05). TPC and FIQ were not affected by gender difference (p>0.05), but reduced with increasing age (p<0.01). FIQ and TPC were found to be correlated with only the pain and emotional reactions subgroups of NHP (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant correlation between FIQ and TPC and the physical mobility, sleep, energy, and social isolation subgroups of NHP (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although FM is known as a disease of young and middle-aged women, our study indicates that its prevalence increases with age. FM is associated with poor quality of life in terms of pain, sleep, social, and emotional functions.