Akbas, Emin Murat; Akbaş, Nergis

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between uric acid variability and cardiovascular risk factors, primarily albuminuria and blood lipids, in patients with diabetes. Material and Method: Data from 174 patients with diabetes whose biochemical parameters were examined at least once a year were collected over the course of five years of regular follow-up. The five-year averages and standard deviations of each parameter for each person were calculated. The adjusted standard deviation for each parameter was considered as a measure of individual variability. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median of the mean uric acid and the median of the adjusted standard deviation of uric acid. Results: Between low and high uric acid variability groups, while there was no statistically significant difference for the mean values of following parameters, there was a difference in the variability of glucose (p=0.010), HbA1c (p=0.016), total cholesterol (p=0.008), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p=0.002). Moreover, there was difference in mean albuminuria (p= 0.019), albuminuria variability (p=0.040), mean triglyceride (p=0.011), triglyceride variability (p=0.018), and mean high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol cholesterol (p=0.008). Conclusion: Clinicians should pay attention to uric acid variability in addition to basal uric acid levels since it is associated with albuminuria, an atherogenic lipid profile, renal functions, and the variability of these parameters, independent of HbA1c and glucose levels.

Yildiz, Sevler; Kurt, Osman; Korkmaz, Sevda; Kılıçaslan, Aslı Kazğan

Aim: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the differences in type D personality and self-esteem between patients with conversion disorder (CD) and the control group. Material and Method: We carried out the study with 100 patients diagnosed with CD and 100 matching healthy individuals. We used a sociodemographic information form, the Type D Personality Scale (DS-14), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) as the data collection tools. Considering that the scales should have high discriminative powers, we calculated the cut- off points on each scale performing the ROC analysis. Results: The results showed that the patients with CD had significantly higher negative affectivity (NA), social inhibition (SI), and DS-14 total scores than the control group (p<0.001). Also, the patient group obtained significantly higher scores on the RSES than the control group, indicating lower self-esteem among the patients (p<0.001). Finally, we concluded significant positive correlations between the RSES scores and NA (r=0.549 p<0.001), SI (r=0.410 p<0.001) and DS-14 total scores (r=0.521 p<0.001). Conclusion: Overall, we found that CD patients had type D personality traits and low self-esteem. As the patients had decreased self-esteem, their DS-14 scores increased. Uncovering SI and NA to be high in these patients may drive physicians to take measures to mitigate these situations and adopt a different perspective on CD. In addition, the results may contribute to better addressing patients’ conversion symptoms and personality traits compatible with CD.