Migraine prevalence in Turkey is similar to that reported in Europe and the United States.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the co-morbidity of migraine and major depression in the Turkish population. The households were selected randomly from all district areas. The study included 947 subjects aged > or = 18 years. The diagnosis of migraine was made according to the criteria of the International Headache Society. The diagnosis of major depression was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Migraine was identified in 163 subjects. Major depression was identified in 155 subjects, and in 53 subjects with migraine. The lifetime prevalence of major depression was approximately three times higher in persons with migraine in this Turkish population.

Objective. It was examined whether PTH and 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, together or separately, are indicators of the risk of stroke. Materials and Methods. This prospective study was performed at two centers. In the study, 100 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke and 100 control individuals in the same age range were examined. In addition to neurological examination, cranial imaging, extensive routine blood chemistry, PTH, and 25(OH)D levels were evaluated in all cases. Stroke risk factors were determined. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Results. A total of 60 patients and 79 control individuals were included in the study. Different estimation models were designed in order to examine the relationship between PTH and 25(OH)D levels with stroke. According to modeling results, it was determined that the most effective predictor for risk of stroke was 25(OH)D levels, followed by hypertension and PTH levels, respectively. Conclusion. PTH and 25(OH)D levels together can make important contributions to determination of stroke risk, and further investigations are needed to understand this relationship more fully.

Supression of vagal parasympathetic activity was more apparent in stroke patients with right hemispheric lesions in our series. Therefore, the right hemisphere seems to have a greater effect upon parasympathetic activity.

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