Browsing by Author "Baraz, Lale Saka"

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The Evaluation of Health Status of Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients with Homozygous M694V Mutation
(2025) Kehribar, Demet Yalcin; Ozgen, Metin; Baraz, Lale Saka; Çakar, Ayşegül
Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, serositis, and systemic inflammation. The M694V mutation in the MEFV gene is associated with a more severe disease phenotype, including early onset, frequent attacks, and an increased risk of amyloidosis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes of FMF patients homozygous for the M694V mutation. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 183 FMF patients homozygous for the M694V mutation, diagnosed and followed at our hospital between 2014 and 2022. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and treatment modalities were collected. Results: The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (88%), joint pain (78%), and arthritis (46%). Proteinuria and amyloidosis were detected in 22.4% and 7.1% of patients, respectively. The average age of symptom onset was 14.1 years, with a mean annual attack frequency of 2.75. Comorbidities were present in 24% of patients, including spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Colchicine was the mainstay treatment (94.5%), while 21.8% required IL-1 inhibitors. Eight patients (4.4%) died during follow-up, five due to amyloidosis-related complications. Conclusion: M694V homozygous FMF patients exhibit a severe disease presentation associated with this variant with frequent attacks, high amyloidosis risk, and significant comorbidities. While colchicine remains essential, biologics are increasingly used for colchicine-resistant cases. Early diagnosis, individualized treatment, and regular monitoring are crucial to improving patient outcomes.
Smartphone Screen Time and Eating Disorder Tendencies in Obese and Normal-Weight Adults: a Cross-Sectional Study From Turkey
(BMC, 2026) Kehribar, Demet Yalcin; Baraz, Lale Saka; Taktuk, Selma; Gunduz, Sudenur; Mistik, Fatma Nur; Demircioglu, Baran; Ozgen, Metin
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between smartphone screen time, eating disorder tendencies, and self-esteem in obese and normal-weight individuals, and to evaluate potential correlation patterns among these variables. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted with 130 participants (64 obese, 66 normal-weight) at Dokuz Eyl & uuml;l University Obesity and Healthy Life Outpatient Clinic. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, daily smartphone screen time was recorded from device settings, and participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q-13) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses. Results: Obese individuals demonstrated significantly higher daily smartphone screen time (6.4 +/- 1.8 vs. 5.5 +/- 1.5 h; p = 0.019) and greater eating disorder symptoms, including higher total EDE-Q-13 scores (24.3 +/- 6.9 vs. 18.7 +/- 5.8; p < 0.001), body dissatisfaction, and weight/shape concerns. No significant differences in self-esteem were observed between groups (p = 0.478). Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between body mass index (BMI) and body dissatisfaction (r = 0.537, p < 0.001) and between smartphone screen time and body dissatisfaction (r = 0.203, p = 0.021). Self-esteem was negatively correlated with body dissatisfaction (r = - 0.244, p = 0.006) and binge eating (r = - 0.229, p = 0.010), but not with smartphone screen time (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Obese individuals exhibited higher smartphone screen time and more pronounced eating disorder-related tendencies, particularly body dissatisfaction and weight concerns, compared to normal-weight individuals. However, self-esteem levels did not differ significantly between groups, suggesting that cultural and psychosocial factors may buffer self-esteem despite obesity. These findings highlight the importance of addressing digital media use and eating behaviors in obesity management and prevention strategies.