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O I Ozcebe

Publications and source records attributed to O I Ozcebe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Rational use of the PFA-100 device for screening of platelet function disorders and von Willebrand disease.

Two hundred and five patients referred for evaluation of platelet functions and 126 healthy controls were tested with the PFA-100 instrument. A cut-off value of 150 s for collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) closure time (CT) produced most acceptable sensitivity (90%), specificity (85.2%), and positive (82.6%) and negative (91.6%) predictivity values for screening of platelet function disorders and von Willebrand disease (vWD). All patients with vWD and Glanzmann thrombasthenia could be detected by PFA-100. Both CEPI and collagen/adenosine diphosphate (CADP) CTs were elevated in all of these cases. Sensitivity of the device was 81.6% for patients with platelet secretion defects. CADP CT was normal in 63.9% of the patients in this subgroup. Specificity (47%) and positive predictivity (57%) of the instrument were diminished in patients with low hemoglobin concentrations. Depending on the results, an algorithm was developed for screening of platelet function disorders and vWD with PFA-100.

Algorithms↗

Two common genetic thrombotic risk factors: factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A in adult Turkish patients with thrombosis.

The prevalence of genetic risk factors for thrombosis varies greatly in different parts of the world, both in patients with thrombosis and in the general population. Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A (PT G20210A) mutations are the most common genetic defects leading to thrombosis. We have previously reported that those two thrombotic risk alleles are frequently found in Turkish children with thrombosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of FVL and PT G20210A and their clinical manifestations in adult Turkish patients with thrombosis. Between January 1997 and February 2000, 146 patients with documented thrombosis were investigated in our center for the presence of the FVL and PT G20210A mutations. Forty-five of 146 patients with thrombosis (30.8%) were detected to have FVL mutation. Among those cases with the FVL mutation, seven (4.8%) had homozygote and 38 (26%) had heterozygote mutation. The PT G20210A mutation was detected in 10 of the 146 patients with thrombosis (6.8%). Another six cases (4.1%) had both FVL and PT G20210A mutations. The overall frequency of these two common risk alleles in our adult population with thrombosis was 41.6%. Our findings reveal that FVL and PT G20210A mutations are significant genetic risk factors contributing to the pathophysiology of thrombosis in the Turkish population.

Adolescent↗

Behçet's disease.

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Behcet Syndrome↗

Interferon alfa-2b, colchicine, and benzathine penicillin versus colchicine and benzathine penicillin in Behçet's disease: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Sight-threatening eye involvement is a serious complication of Behçet's disease. Extraocular complications such as arthritis, vascular occlusive disorders, mucocutaneous lesions, and central-nervous-system disease may lead to morbidity and even death. We designed a prospective study in newly diagnosed patients without previous eye disease to assess whether prevention of eye involvement and extraocular manifestations, and preservation of visual acuity are possible with combination treatments with and without interferon alfa-2b. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned 3 million units interferon alfa-2b subcutaneously every other day for the first 6 months plus 1.5 mg colchicine orally daily and 1.2 million units benzathine penicillin intramuscularly every 3 weeks (n=67), or colchicine and benzathine penicillin alone (n=68). The primary endpoint was visual-acuity loss. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Significantly fewer patients who were treated with interferon had eye involvement than did patients who did not receive interferon (eight vs 27, relative risk 0.21 [95% CI 0.09-0.50], p<0.001). Ocular attack rate was 0.2 (SD 0.62) per year with interferon therapy and 1.02 (1.13) without interferon therapy (p=0.0001). Visual-acuity loss was significantly lower among patients treated with interferon than in those without interferon (two vs 13, relative risk 0.13 [95% CI 0.03-0.60], p=0.003). Arthritis episodes, vascular events, and mucocutaneous lesions were also less frequent in patients treated with interferon than in those not receiving interferon. No serious side-effects were reported. INTERPRETATION: Therapy with interferon alfa-2b, colchicine, and benzathine penicillin seems to be an effective regimen in Behçet's disease for the prevention of recurrent eye attacks and extraocular complications, and for the protection of vision.

Adult↗

Plasma levels of coagulation and fibrinolysis markers in acute ischemic stroke patients with lone atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-defined risk factor for ischemic stroke. Patients with lone AF represent a subgroup of AF patients with the lowest lifelong stroke risk. Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) confers a hypercoagulable state resulting in an increased risk of thromboembolism. This study was performed to determine the contributory role of alteration in the hemostatic markers of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis in patients with lone AF during acute ischemic stroke episode. We studied thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) concentrations in patients with acute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke due to atherosclerotic large artery disease (n=50), lone AF (n=24) and cardioembolism (n=21). The values were compared with those of age-matched control subjects with lone AF and sinus rhythm (n=21 and 15, respectively). The mean F1+2 concentration was higher in the control subjects with lone AF in comparison with those without AF (p=0.014). Patients with stroke due to possible cardioembolism, from lone AF or other causes, had higher TAT (and marginally higher F1+2) concentrations than those with atherosclerotic stroke (p<0.001). tPA concentrations were not different among groups (p=0.89). PAI-I levels were marginally higher in stroke patients with lone AF and atherothrombotic large artery disease compared to the controls without AF (p=0.05). These results suggest that in the acute period of ischemic stroke secondary to lone AF, enhancement of the coagulatory activity occurs as a result of increased thrombin generation, similar to other possible sources of cardioembolism. Observed hemostatic alterations in acute ischemic stroke associated with lone AF may indicate some therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Acute Disease↗

Increased systemic coagulation activity in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis: assessment of the clinical and echocardiographic determinants.

In this study, we aimed to determine systemic coagulation activity in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis and to define determinants of a possible prethrombotic state. Peripheral venous plasma level of thrombin-antithrombin III complex was measured in 84 consecutive patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who had no left atrial thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography. The patients had significantly higher thrombin-antithrombin III complex values (mean +/- SD = 9.6+/-15.9 ng/ ml) compared with the healthy subjects (2.1+/-1.8 ng/ml) (P<0.001). Among many clinical and echocardiographic variables, severe mitral regurgitation (odds ratio = 6.7, P<0.001) and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (odds ratio = 22.8, P<0.001) appeared as significant predictors of the increased systemic coagulation activity in multivariate logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, systemic coagulation activity is increased in the patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, and coexistence of severe mitral regurgitation and presence of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast are determinants of this increment.

Adult↗

Selectins and IL-6 during the clinical course of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

'Stress thrombocytes', i.e. large and presumably hyperfunctioning platelets, is a well-known characteristic of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Therefore, despite what may be severe thrombocytopenia these patients generally do not suffer from severe life-threatening hemorrhage. The plasma level of soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) is a valuable marker reflecting platelet activation. Available data suggest that interleukin-6 (IL-6) may contribute to the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the status and kinetics of IL-6 and selectins, which are involved in the platelet function, production, and immunologic functions, during the clinical course of ITP, that may be helpful for understanding the biology of the disease. Twenty-two ITP patients were studied prospectively in the course of their disease. Sixteen, 8 and 6 patients were available after platelet recovery, relapse and splenectomy, respectively. Fifteen healthy persons served as a control group. Higher levels of both sP-selectin and IL-6 were observed in all clinical stages of disease compared to the control group. However, more prominent elevations were present during active stages of ITP, i.e. pretreatment (p < 0.001 vs. control group for both sP-selectin and IL-6) and relapse periods (p < 0.001 vs. control group for both sP-selectin and IL-6). Pretreatment soluble L-selectin and soluble E-selectin levels were not different from the controls. Both sP-selectin (r = -0.32, p = 0.019) and IL-6 (r = -0. 41, p = 0.002) levels inversely correlated with platelet count during disease course. There was a positive correlation between the sL-selectin level and leukocyte count (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). These results suggest that residual platelets are activated in ITP, which offers a relatively benign clinical course compared to other thrombocytopenias. High IL-6 concentration during thrombocytopenia may be involved in compensatory megakaryocytopoiesis and augmented 'residual platelet' functions in ITP.

Adult↗

Paget-Schroetter syndrome associated with FV:Q506 and prothrombin 20210A--a case report.

Effort thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein (Paget-Schroetter syndrome) develops usually secondary to heavy arm exertion. An underlying chronic venous compressive anomaly at the thoracic outlet or intimal damage of the axillary vein following forceful hyperabduction, external rotation of the shoulder joint has been proposed to explain the pathophysiology of this thrombosis. This condition is usually not attributed to an underlying hypercoagulability such as deficiency of natural coagulation inhibitors. Here, the authors present a case with thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein following an effort, with factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210A mutations. Both factor V Leiden and the genetic variant in the prothrombin gene have been shown to confer an increased risk for venous thrombosis. Although rare, effort thrombosis may develop in a patient with hereditary thrombophilia, so laboratory evaluation should include the common causes of thrombosis.

Adult↗

Perianal infections in patients with leukemia: importance of the course of neutrophil count.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate relations among neutrophil count (including its course), type of lesion, treatment, and prognosis in patients with leukemia and perianal infection. METHODS: Medical records of patients with acute and chronic leukemia who were followed during the last five years were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The incidence of perianal infections was found to be 7.3 percent in 259 patients with acute leukemia. Only 1 of 108 patients with chronic leukemia suffered from this problem. Twenty percent of all patients with this complication died as a result of sepsis. Perianal abscess was the sole and obligatory indication for surgical treatment in our patients. There were ten patients in each treatment group. The operative group had better results (9 cures, 1 complication vs. 3 cures, 7 complications). However, median neutrophil count at diagnosis was notably higher in the operative group 1,280/mm3 vs. 96/mm3; P = 0.075). Also, significantly more frequent abscess formations and, consequently, operative treatments were performed in patients with a period of normal neutrophil counts during the infection compared with continuously neutropenic patients (9 operative, 4 nonoperative vs. 1 operative, 6 nonoperative; P = 0.057). Ten cures, three complications vs. two cures, five complications (3 mortalities) were present in patients with and without normal neutrophil counts, respectively (P = 0.062). When only severely neutropenic patients were considered, four patients in the surgery group had normal neutrophil counts before or shortly after surgery. However, only two of eight patients with perianal cellulitis had normal counts during full-course infection (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The course of the neutrophil count during infection was an important factor affecting the perianal lesion, and indirectly, choice of treatment and prognosis. A period of normal counts during infection usually led to well bordered and fluctuant lesions, and the prognosis was acceptable with operative treatment. However, continuously neutropenic patients developed nonfluctuating indurations. We found disappointing results with nonoperative treatment of such patients. In all studies, regarding treatment of perianal infections in neutropenic patients, the course of the neutrophil count and indications for surgery should be clarified to get reliable results.

Adolescent↗

Acalculous acute cholecystitis in leukemia.

Acalculous acute cholecystitis (AAC) is a well-known complication in critically ill patients. However, there is no satisfactory data regarding this complication in leukemic patients. We reviewed the medical records of 426 patients with acute or chronic leukemia retrospectively to investigate the incidence, possible pathogenetic mechanisms, and clinical course of AAC in leukemia. Six cases of AAC were identified. The incidence was 1.65% (5/302) for acute leukemias. Three out of 6 patients underwent cholecystectomy, and two recovered completely. Percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed in another patient successfully. Careful histological examinations of the surgical specimens did not reveal any specific etiopathogenetic finding. However, clinical data suggested that infectious agents and visceral ischemia may contribute to the pathogenesis of AAC in leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

Increased erythrocyte aggregation as an indicator for an aggressive clinical course in Behçet's disease: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in blood rheology, especially increased erythrocyte aggregation (EA) might play an important part in the development of arterial and venous thrombotic lesions. A prospective study was designed to evaluate EA in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and to see if this parameter is predictive for the future development of vascular complications, such as deep vein thrombosis of various organ systems and uveitis. METHODS: EA was measured by a photometric Myrenne aggregometer in 38 patients with BD at the time of initial diagnosis and in 40 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC). RESULTS: During a median follow up period of 13.5 months, 13 patients developed vascular-ocular complications (eight deep vein thrombosis, nine uveitis, and four both deep vein thrombosis and uveitis). Patients were further divided into two groups: BD-a with mucocutaneous symptoms and arthritis only; BD-b with associated vascular-ocular complications. EA values at high shear rate (M) and at low shear rate (M1) were compared among the groups. CONCLUSION: EA values at M and M1 were significantly higher in BD-b than BD-a and HC (p < 0.001). These results suggest that determination of EA rates might be useful to identify subgroups who are likely candidates for developing vascular-ocular complications in BD and management of factors known to affect blood rheology might be beneficial.

Adult↗

In vivo platelet and T-lymphocyte activities during pulmonary tuberculosis.

Platelets have been suggested to play a role in the inflammatory response, including defence against bacteria. The aims of this study were to determine in vivo platelet activity during the clinical course of pulmonary tuberculosis and to investigate whether or not there is a correlation between the magnitude of platelet activation and the extent of the pulmonary disease. T-lymphocyte activity was also analysed in the patients. Platelet factor-4 (PF4) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor-alpha (sIL-2Ralpha) concentrations were used as markers of platelet and T-lymphocyte activation, respectively. Twenty-five patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were studied. Fifteen healthy subjects served as a control group. The levels of both sIL-2Ralpha (3,000+/-1,948 pg x mL(-1)) and PF4 (103.1+/-6.7 IU x mL(-1)) were significantly higher in the patients with tuberculosis than in the control group (984+/-360 pg x mL(-1) and 78.2+/-23.9 IU x mL(-1), respectively) (Mann-Whitney U-test, p<0.001 for both comparisons). The plasma PF4 levels were found to be well correlated with the extent of pulmonary lesions on chest radiography (the Spearman's bivariate correlation analysis, r=0.65, p<0.001). However, sIL-2Ralpha concentrations did not correlate with the extent of disease. In conclusion, it has been suggested that platelet and T-lymphocyte activation occurs during pulmonary tuberculosis. The good correlation between platelet activation and the extent of pulmonary tuberculosis might be ascribed to a pathophysiological role of platelets in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗

Neutropenic enterocolitis in adult leukemias.

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a frequent autopsy finding in adult patients with acute leukemias. The predisposing factors other than neutropenia are not clear. There are also contradictions about treatment. Therefore, this entity still presents a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for clinicians. This retrospective study was performed to determine the incidence of neutropenic enterocolitis in adult leukemic patients, to examine the possible risk factors, clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. The pathogenesis is also discussed considering clinical and laboratory findings of the patients. The incidence of neutropenic enterocolitis was 6.5% for acute myeloid leukemia and 4.6% for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The mean absolute neutrophil count at diagnosis was 48/mm3 (median: 0/mm3). The median duration of severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < or = 500/mm3) on follow-up before the diagnosis was 32 days. Thirteen out of 20 patients had received antineoplastic drugs within the last 12 days, but 2 had not. Fourteen patients had signs of peritoneal irritation and 3 of them underwent surgery. The others received supportive measures, i.e. bowel rest, intravenous fluids, combinations of wide spectrum antibiotics, transfusions, hemodynamic supports and nasogastric decompression, if necessary. All 3 patients who underwent surgery survived, whereas only 1 of the 11 who received other treatments did. Six patients without signs of peritonitis were treated with antibiotics and the mentioned supportive measures. Four survived, but the others died due to sepsis. In conclusion, considering some recent reports that stated good outcome with conservative measures in the presence or absence of peritonitis, there is still debate regarding the optimal choice of treatment. The importance of early diagnosis cannot be overemphasized. Signs of peritoneal irritation indicate a life threatening condition. Surgery can be performed successfully in such patients. Long duration of neutropenia may be an important risk for neutropenic enterocolitis.

Acute Disease↗