Background/aim: The number of elderly people (≥65 years old) is increasing both in Turkey and internationally due to improved living conditions and decreased mortality rates. Knowing the characteristics of elderly patients admitted to emergency departments can provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment approaches. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of very old patients (≥85 years old) admitted to the emergency department and put together data for use in forward planning in healthcare services. Materials and methods:This retrospective study included all patients aged ≥85 years admitted to the Adult Emergency Department of Gazi University Medical Faculty Hospital between 01.01.2014 and 31.12.2014. Data concerning the patients' age, sex, date of admission, weekday or weekend admission, reason for admission, length of stay, number of readmissions, admission from within or outside the province, and whether they were hospitalized or not were evaluated.Results: In this study, 1105 admissions of 780 patients aged ≥85 years to the emergency department were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 87 years and 59% were female. The most frequent admissions were in January (11.4%). Most patients (63.1%) were admitted only once to our emergency department within the study period. A total of 40.5% of patients were hospitalized in the clinics or intensive care units. The rate of mortality at first admission was 1.5% (12 patients). The most common complaints at admission were infection (13.3%) and soft tissue traumas (crashes, sprains, fractures, dislocations) related to the musculoskeletal system (11.8%). Readmissions were more frequent in males. It was seen that male patients were more frequently admitted due to deterioration of general health status and genitourinary system symptoms, despite pain being more common among women. Conclusion:Due to the changing population structure, emergency staff in Turkey as well as internationally encounter old and very old patients more frequently. It is now imperative that emergency departments acquire the necessary infrastructure, human resources, knowledge, and equipment needed to meet the needs of these patients.

Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) values are components of complete blood count (CBC) which is a routine, cheap and fast test used in the evaluation of patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). The present study aimed to investigate RDW and MPV values in patients with Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to intensive care units (ICU) or wards from the ED. Methods:A retrospective data analysis of patients who were admitted to Ankara City Hospital ICUs and wards with the diagnosis of COVID-19 was performed. Group 1 included patients admitted to ICUs and Group 2 included those admitted to wards.Results: A total of 127 patients were admitted with a COVID-19 diagnosis. Mean age in Group 1 and Group 2 were 46±17 and 41±14, respectively. The number of patients admitted to ICU (Group 1) was 46 (36.2%), and the number of patients admitted to wards (Group 2) was 81 (63.7%). Of all patients, 122 patients (96.06%) were discharged and 5 patients (3.9%) died. RDW values in Group 1 was higher than those in Group 2 (p<0,001). Similarly, MPV was higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p<0,001). Conclusion:In patients with COVID-19, RDW and MPV values are higher in those admitted to ICU than patients admitted to wards from the ED.

There has been a great variety of cases relating to herbal therapies across the world. Some of them do not have any risks, whereas some others may result in severe complications. Ranunculus kotschyi (buttercup) is a wild annual plant belonging to Ranunculaceae family. Many phytodermatitis cases associated with the members of the Ranunculaceae family have been reported. In this case report, we present a 60-year-old female patient suffering from irritant phytodermatitis secondary to topical use of Ranunculus kotschyi.

Background: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common, severe inflammatory condition. This condition forms the basis of the definitions of sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, and multiple organ failure syndromes. The diagnosis can be made earlier with arterial blood gas analysis, which can provide a lot of information within minutes. This study aimed to determine the value of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), methemoglobin (metHb), and lactate levels in the prognosis and mortality of patients with SIRS. Methods:Patients who met the SIRS criteria with the first vital signs and laboratory values and who had arterial blood gas analysis according to the clinician's decision were included in the study. The demographic characteristics, prognosis and correlation of 1-month mortality rates of patients with baseline COHb, metHb and lactate levels were investigated.Results: Among non-smoker patients, no significant difference was found between fCOHb values and age, gender, presence of infection, blood pressure, department of hospitalization, and 1-month mortality rates (p>0.05). Also, the relationship between fCOHb values and length of stay in the hospital was not statistically significant (r = -0.013, p = 0.883). Among the patients included in the study; there was no significant difference in metHb values between age groups (p = 0.9941), gender (p = 0.6422), presence of infection (p = 0.1311), blood pressure (p = 0.7711), length of stay in hospital (p = 0.737), inpatient clinics (p = 0.6722) and 1-month mortality (p = 0.8752). Lactate values were found to be correlated with the 1-month mortality of the patients (p = 0.005). Lactate levels were significantly higher in patients who died within 1-month compared to those who survived. Conclusions:In patients with SIRS, initial COHb and metHb values cannot be considered a predictor for prognosis and mortality. However, lactate values may be useful to predict SIRS mortality even during hospital admission.

ÖZ Amaç: Müslüman ülkelerde her yıl kurban bayramının ilk üç gününde çok sayıda hayvan kesilip yoksul insanlara dağıtılır. Bu araştırmada dört yıl süresince kurban bayramlarında bir üniversite hastanesinin acil servisine başvuran kurban kesimi ve parçalanması ilişkili travma hastalarının, özelliklerinin ve akıbetlerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Araştırma kapsamında; 2012 ile 2015 yılları arasındaki üst üste dört kurban bayramı süresince kurban kesimi ve parçalanması sırasında meydana gelen delici ve künt travmalar sebebiyle, Ankara Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi Acil Servisi'ne başvuran 18 yaşını doldurmuş hastalar retrospektif olarak incelendi. Hastaların yaşları ve cinsiyetlerinin yanı sıra; yaralanmanın mekanizması, yaralanma sonucu acil serviste koyulan tanı, uygulanan tedavi ve hastanın acil servisten çıkış şekli kayıt altına alındı. Bulgular: Araştırma kapsamında 78 hasta değerlendirildi. Hastaların yaş ortalaması 41,52±13,25'ti. Başvuruların 63'ü (%80,8) bayramın ilk gününde gerçekleşti. Yaralanmaların 67'si (%85,9) kesici-delici yaralanmalar iken, 11'i (%14,1) künt travmaya bağlı yaralanmalardı. Hastaların 23'ü (%29,5) cerrahi kliniklere konsülte edildi ve 12'si (%15,4) hastaneye yatırıldı. 3 hasta (%3,8) kendi isteği ile hastaneyi terk etti. 63 hasta (%80,8) acil servisten taburcu edildi. 55 hastaya acil serviste (%70,5) süturasyon işlemi uygulandı. Ölen hasta olmadı. Sonuç: Kurban bayramlarında acil servislerde, kurban kesimi ve parçalanması ile ilişkili yaralanmalar belirgin bir iş yükü oluştururlar. Gerek acil servisler, gerekse konsültan cerrahi bölümler kurban bayramlarına özel olarak hazırlanmalıdır.ABSTRACT Aim: Humans suffer various blunt and penetrating traumas in relation to slaughtering and shredding of animals. In this study, patients who applied to the emergency department of a university hospital for four years during sacrifice feasts due to these traumas were evaluated. Material and Methods: Patients aged older 18 years old who applied to the emergency department of Ankara Gazi University Hospital due to penetrating and blunt trauma related to sacrificial slaughter during the four consecutive feasts of sacrifice between 2012 and 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. In addition to age and sex of patients; mechanism of injury, diagnosis, the treatment applied, and the way of disposition from the emergency room were recorded. Results: 78 patients were evaluated. Mean age of the patients was 41.52±13.25 years. 63 (80.8%) of the applications were made on the first day of the festival. While 67 (85.9%) of the injuries were penetrating injuries, 11 (14.1%) injuries were due to blunt trauma. 23 patients (29.5%) were referred to surgeons and 12 (15.4%) were hospitalized. 3 patients (3.8%) left the hospital. 63 patients (80.8%) were sutured. 55 (70.5%) patients were discharged from the emergency department. No patient died. Conclusion: During sacrifice feasts, injuries associated with slaughter and fragmentation constitute a significant workload. Both emergency...