Early detection of atrial fibrillation patients at high risk for stroke is important. There are some studies which indicate that mean platelet volume (MPV) determines the prognosis and risk in patients with a stroke. In this study, our aim was to investigate the association between the MPV measured in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation. Consecutive patients referred to our center between January 2010 and April 2012 were included in this study. The patients with atrial fibrillation were classified into two groups according to presence or absence of a history of stroke by combining data from the medical histories after a thorough review of the medical records. MPV determination was made within 24 h following the onset of stroke. We studied 63 consecutive stroke patients with atrial fibrillation and 77 atrial fibrillation patients without stroke history. In receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the value for MPV levels to detect stroke with a sensitivity of 63.5% and specificity of 64.4% was 9.4 fl. High MPV (>9.4 fl) was significantly associated with the occurrence of stroke [odds ratio (OR) 4.021, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1709-9464, P < 0.001]. Our study supports the hypothesis that a high MPV is associated with an increased risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Psychiatric problems and sleep disturbances are comorbidities that are frequently encountered among people with epilepsy. However, their presence among the spouses of peoples with epilepsy remains to be elucidated. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the spouses of people with epilepsy (PWE), with and without a history of seizures during sleep, in terms of depression, anxiety and sleep quality. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in three groups of 18 to 65-year-olds. Group 1 consisted of healthy spouses of 127 healthy volunteers without any known neurological disease; group 2 comprised spouses of 63 PWE who had no history of seizure during sleep; and group 3 consisted of spouses of 63 PWE who had a history of at least one seizure during sleep in the course of the previous year. Questionnaires seeking demographic data and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were applied to all participants. Results: The depression scores of the group of spouses of PWE were higher than those of the control group and were higher in group 3 than in group 2 (p = 0.017). The anxiety scores of the group of spouses of PWE were significantly higher than those of the control group, but no difference in anxiety scores was found between group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.170). The mean PSQI score of group 3 was higher than that of group 2 (p = 0.029). However, regression analyses did not show any difference between these groups. Conclusion: We found that the PSQI scores, which reflected sleep quality, were higher among the spouses of PWE who had seizures during sleep and who had more severe epilepsy.

Aim: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease often caused by autoantibodies against postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChR). It is known that vitamin D (VD), vitamin B12 and folic acid have some effects on the immune system. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is a difference in serum VD, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in MG patients during the myasthenic crisis period compared to the non-crisis period. Material and Method: 32 patients followed up with the diagnosis of MG in Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology were included in the study. Serum 25(OH)D, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were measured by taking blood from the antecubital vein in two different time periods, during the myasthenic crisis and during the non-crisis period, and periods were compared among themselves. Results: During the myasthenic crisis period, 25(OH)D level was 11.54 (1.08-50.33) ng/mL, vitamin B12 level was 299.5 (104-964) pg/mL, and folic acid level was 9.54±5.08 ng/mL. In the non-crisis period, 25(OH)D level was 18.74 (6.63-30.19) ng/ mL, vitamin B12 level was 266 (119-678) pg/mL and folic acid level is 10.26±3.5 ng/mL. During the myasthenic crisis period, 25(OH)D vitamin levels of the patients were statistically significantly lower than the non-crisis period (p<0.05). There was no difference between the two periods in terms of vitamin B12 and folic acid (p>0.05). Conclusion:Low VD levels can be a facilitating factor in worsening myasthenic symptoms and entering myasthenic crisis. The use of VD supplements in MG patients with low VD levels may be beneficial in terms of protection from myasthenic crisis. Despite the limitations of our study, such as the small number of patients and the fact that 25(OH)D levels were not adjusted for seasonal effects, this study is the first study showing that VD levels are lower in the myasthenic crisis period than in the non-crisis period.