Introduction Because consumption of antibiotics is very critical for public health, it was aimed to analyze and evaluate the data of number of antibiotic packages prescribed by Family Physician (FP) and other doctors than family physicians (ODTFPs) serving in the province of Sakarya and Turkey in terms of cost and prescription related factors for 2019. Materials and Methods Th is study was based on the measurement of antibiotic consumption relied on retrospective data. Th e number of antibiotic packages prescribed for the year 2019 belonging to Turkey and Sakarya province was analyzed and compared based on cost and expertise of physicians. Chi-square test of homogeneity and two-sample Poisson tests were used in the analysis. p value less than 0.05 was accepted as signifi cant. Results Consultation per capita for FPs (z = 307.57, p-value < 0.0001) and ODTFPs (z = 278.27, p-value < 0.0001) in Sakarya were signifi cantly higher than that of those in Turkey. However, both FPs (Chi-Sq =17231.434, df = 1, p-value <0.0001) and ODTFPs (Chi-Sq = 5197.376, df = 1, p-value < 0.0001) in Sakarya prescribed fewer antibiotics than that of in Turkey for 2019. Th e most prescribed antibiotic group was the J01C group penicillins and its derivatives. Conclusion It is thought that the reasons of fewer antibiotics prescribed in Sakarya than in Turkey are related to regular training and feedback to physicians. In this context, feedback policies implemented in hospitals are very valuable for antibiotic consumption management and post-graduate training of physicians is very benefi cial for rational antibiotic usage.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, then it rapidly spread around the world and has become a pandemic. Vaccines play a crucial role in providing protection against COVID-19. However, there is a concerning issue of vaccine hesitancy or refusal among some individuals. This research aims to evaluate the general knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccines at a state university. Materials and Methods: Our study was designed as an analytical cross-sectional survey-based study. The survey consisted of 23 questions based on sociodemographic features, the status of being infected with COVID-19 and getting vaccinated, knowledge, and attitudes, including hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines. We conducted a study between 20 April 2022 and 20 May 2022 in the Sakarya University campus. The survey was distributed face-to-face on Google Documents with QR code. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was used to compare categorical variables. After descriptive and cross-analysis, Cox regression analysis was used to analyze variables that determine the vaccine discontinuation process. Results: A total of 1292 students participated in this study. 52.2% of the students were women; 36.7% have studied in engineering and related technical departments. 59.3% of the respondents had never been infected with COVID-19. 44.8% followed the news on social media. The majority (63.3%) had two doses of the vaccine. In the study, 65% of the students did not consider getting the next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The most common reasons for individuals not receiving the next dose of the vaccine were concerns regarding potential long-term side effects on their health (19.1%) and the perceived necessity of continuous booster doses (18.7%). Conclusion: Based on our findings, it can be inferred that the primary barrier to obtaining booster doses is the inadequate level of belief in the efficacy of vaccines. To address this issue, it is crucial to implement media literacy education for all individuals, conduct vaccine awareness campaigns, promote reliable fact-checkers, and enhance public education. These measures are necessary to overcome vaccine booster hesitancy and ensure widespread acceptance and uptake of booster doses.

Objective: Interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP- 10) released from macrophages is associated with thrombosis. We aimed to investigate patients' biochemical markers following severe COVID-19, concentrating on the role of IP-10 in mortality. Materials and Methods: In our study, we retrospectively evaluated data from 88 (females, 44.3%) severe patients followed in our university hospital's intensive care unit (ICU). We obtained demographic and laboratory data from our study population's files and electronic records, including D-dimer, ferritin, uric acid, IP-10 values, and other biochemical markers. Results: The mean age of all 88 patients with COVID-19 infection followed in the ICU was 70.5 ±10 years. The median for lymphocyte count was 1.3 (1-2.1) vs 0.8 (0.5- 1.1) K/uL, ferritin 151 (90.7-255) vs 624 (296-1254) mcg/ L, D-dimer 386 (293.5-650) vs 1280 (871-2245) ug/L, LDH 220 (185-286) vs 429.5 (368-560) U/L with a p- value of <0.05 in survivors vs non-survivors respectively. On the other hand, the level of IP-10 was 21.3 (13.2-31.6) vs 26.6 (11.4-43.6) pg/mL with a p-value of 0.04. Conclusion: In this study, in which non-survivors and survivors were compared in severe COVID-19 patients, it was found that ferritin and D-dimer were good predictors of mortality, while IP-10 could not be a predictor of mortality.

Background/aim: To have country-wide information about multidrug resistance (MDR) in isolates from community-acquired urinary tract infections (CAUTI) of Turkey, in terms of resistance rates and useful options. Materials and methods: We used a geocode standard, nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS), and a total of 1588 community-acquired isolates of 20 centres from 12 different NUTS regions between March 2019 and March 2020 were analysed. Results: Of the 1588 culture growths, 1269 (79. 9%) were Escherichia coli and 152 (9.6%) were Klebsiella spp. Male sex, advanced age, and having two or more risk factors showed a statistically significant relation with MDR existence (p < 0.001, p: 0.014, p < 0.001, respectively) that increasing number of risk factors or degree of advancing in age directly affects the number of antibiotic groups detected to have resistance by pathogens. In total, MDR isolates corresponded to 36.1% of our CAUTI samples; MDR existence was 35.7% in E. coli isolates and 57.2% in Klebsiella spp. isolates. Our results did not show an association between resistance or MDR occurrence rates and NUTS regions. Conclusion: The necessity of urine culture in outpatient clinics should be taken into consideration, at least after evaluating risk factors for antibacterial resistance individually. Community-acquired UTIs should be followed up time- and region-dependently. Antibiotic stewardship programmes should be more widely and effectively administrated.

Background. Alport syndrome (AS) is characterized by progressive kidney disease. There is increasing evidence that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibition delays chronic kidney disease (CKD) while the effectiveness of immunosuppressive (IS) therapy in AS is still uncertain. In this study, we aimed to analyze the outcomes of pediatric patients with X-linked AS (XLAS) who received RAAS inhibitors and IS therapy. Methods. Seventy-four children with XLAS were included in this multicenter study. Demographic features, clinical and laboratory data, treatments, histopathological examinations, and genetic analyses were analyzed retrospectively. Results. Among 74 children, 52 (70.2%) received RAAS inhibitors, 11 (14.9%) received RAAS inhibitors and IS, and 11 (14.9%) were followed up without treatment. During follow-up, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in 7 (9.5%) of 74 patients (M/F=6/1). In male patients with XLAS, kidney survival was not different between RAAS and RAAS+IS groups (p=0.42). The rate of progression to CKD was significantly higher in patients with nephrotic range proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome (NS), respectively (p=0.006, p=0.05). The median age at the onset of RAAS inhibitors was significantly higher in male patients who progressed to CKD (13.9 vs 8.1 years, p=0.003). Conclusions. RAAS inhibitors have beneficial effects on proteinuria and early initiation of therapy may delay the progression to CKD in children with XLAS. There was no significant difference between the RAAS and RAAS+IS groups in kidney survival. AS patients presenting with NS or nephrotic range proteinuria should be followed up more carefully considering the risk of early progression to CKD.

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) screening rates before starting immunosuppressive treatments are suboptimal. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new electronic alert system in increasing HBV screening rates. Methods: The electronic alert system, HBVision2, identifies patients at risk of HBV reactivation when a pre-determined International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 code is entered into the hospital’s database or immunosuppressive treatment is prescribed. The system evaluates the prior Hepatitis B Surfage Antigen (HBsAg) and anti-Hepatitis B Core Immunglobulin G (HBc IgG) results and sends an alert code to the clinician for screening if serology is not completely available or consult a specialist in case of positive serology. The HBV screening and consultation rates of patients before (control group) and after HBVision2 were retrospectively compared. The clini- cal course of unscreened and/or unconsulted patients was determined, and the clinical efficacy of HBVision2 in preventing HBVr was predicted. Results: Control group included 815 patients (52.6% male, mean age: 60 ± 12, 82.5% with oncologic malignancy) and study group included 504 patients (56% male, mean age: 60 ± 13, 91.4% with oncologic malignancy). Groups were similar with respect to gender, mean age, and HBVr risk profile of the immunosuppressive treatment protocols. Overall, both HBsAg (from 55.1% to 93.1%) and anti- HBc IgG screening rates significantly increased (from 4.3% to 79.4%) after the electronic alert system (P < .001, for both). Consultation rates of anti-HBc IgG-positive patients significantly increased from 40% to 72.7% (P = .012). HBVr developed in 2 patients (2.6%) who were not screened and/or consulted after the alert system. Alert program prevented the development of HBVr in 10 patients (1.9%) of the study group and decreased the development of HBVr by 80%. Conclusion: Electronic alert system significantly improved HBsAg and anti-HBc IgG screening rates before starting immunosuppressive treatment and prevented the development of HBVr to a great extent. However, screening rates are still below optimal and need to be improved.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) for predicting elevated D-dimer levels in COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study collected data from 145 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 in a university hospital. Patients were divided into two groups based on their D-dimer levels, as elevated D‐dimer levels and normal D-dimer levels. Demographic data, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, CAR, and laboratory results were obtained from the patients’ medical records and compared between the groups. Results: The mean age of patients was 52.9±17.9 years, and 76 of them were male. The median of CAR was significantly higher in those with higher D-dimer (134.1 vs. 20.7). CRP, procalcitonin, leukocyte, neutrophil, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, and fibrinogen were higher in patients with elevated D-dimer levels. There was a highly significant positive correlation between CAR and D-Dimer. Logistic regression analysis revealed that CAR was a significant determinant for elevated D‐dimer levels . The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.741 for CAR. The verified cut-off value of CAR for predicting elevated D‐dimer levels in patients with COVID-19 was 81.8, with a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 70%. Conclusion: Our study revealed that CAR was significantly correlated with D-dimer and can be used to predict elevated D‐dimer levels in patients with COVID-19.

Primer insan immün yetmezlik virusu (HIV) ile enfekte kişilerde enfeksiyonun kendisi, fırsatçı enfeksiyonlar, malignite ya da vasküler nedenli nörooftalmik tutulum olabilir. Ancak tüm incelemelere rağmen herhangi bir etyolojik nedenin saptanmadığı antiretroviral tedavi (ART) alan hastalarda tedaviye bağlı optik nöropati düşünülebilir. Bu sunuda 20 yaşında HIV enfeksiyonu nedeniyle 4 aydır elvitegravir/kobisistat/ emtrisitabin/tenofovir alafenamid kullanan bir hastada optik nörit gelişmesi üzerine tedavi rejiminin tenofovir disoproksil + emtrisitabin ve lopinavir+ritonavir kombinasyonu ile değiştirilmesinden kısa süre vizyon kaybının tama yakın düzeldiği gözlendi. Bu hastalarda mevcut bulguların hızlıca tanınması ve gerekli değişikliğin uygulanması kalıcı hasarların önlenmesinde son derece önemlidir.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the long-term graft functions of kidney transplant recepients (KTR) who have been cured of the COVID-19 and to investigate the role of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in the clinical course of the disease.Materials and Methods: KTR who had COVID-19 pneumonia between March 2020 and September 2021 were included in the study.. The clinical course of the disease was evaluated in vaccinated patients and compared with those who were not vaccinated. The laboratory information of the patients at the time of admission to the hospital, 6 months and 12 months after the disease was recorded.Results: Of the 83 patients included, 67.5% were male. COVID-19 disease developed in 20 patients after vaccination. Vaccine; it decreased the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) 5.9 fold and hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) 1.4 times fold (p<0.05). In the follow-up, 10 patients died at the first admission to the hospital and no late death was recorded in the first year. Dialysis treatment was started in 5 patients due to graft loss.Conclusion: In kidney transplant patients, graft dysfunction may develop after COVID-19 infection. However, the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine; it can reduce the risks of hospitalization, AKI, and ICUadmission.

The new Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) epidemic continues to affect the world. It is emphasized that COVID-19 is more severe in patients with solid organ transplantation, and the risk of mortality may be higher than in the normal population. Herein, with the first time, we described a COVID-19 pneumoniae kidney recipient case treated with sirolimus. A 49-year-old male patient had kidney transplantation 13 years ago. He was used prednisolone and sirolimus. His main complaints were fever (38.3°C) and weakness. Atypical pneumoniae was diagnosed with thorax computed tomography. The respiratory specimen of the patient was positive with COVID-19 by PCR test. Sirolimus was stopped due to the immunosuppressive effect, and the treatment switched to low dose everolimus. Also, hydroxychloroquine, oseltamivir and azithromycin triple therapy was started for five days. The patient was discharged with healing on the seventh day.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) should be treated in order to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the world. The aim of this study was to compare direct-acting antivirals treatment of hepatitis C virus for PWID and non-PWID in a real-life setting. Methods: We performed a prospective, non-randomized, observational multicenter cohort study in 37 centers. All patients treated with direct-acting antivirals between April 1, 2017, and February 28, 2019, were included. In total, 2713 patients were included in the study among which 250 were PWID and 2463 were non-PWID. Besides patient characteristics, treatment response, follow-up, and side effects of treatment were also analyzed. Results: Genotype 1a and 3 were more prevalent in PWID-infected patients (20.4% vs 9.9% and 46.8% vs 5.3%). The number of naïve patients was higher in PWID (90.7% vs 60.0%), while the number of patients with cirrhosis was higher in non-PWID (14.1% vs 3.7%). The loss of follow-up was higher in PWID (29.6% vs 13.6%). There was no difference in the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (98.3% vs 98.4%), but the end of treatment response was lower in PWID (96.2% vs 99.0%). In addition, the rate of treatment completion was lower in PWID (74% vs 94.4%). Conclusion: Direct-acting antivirals were safe and effective in PWID. Primary measures should be taken to prevent the loss of follow-up and poor adherence in PWID patients in order to achieve World Health Organization’s objective of eliminating viral hepatitis.

Objective: Antiretroviral agents provided a significant improvement in HIV-related mortality. Generic drugs decrease the cost and provide easier access to treatment. However, there are concerns about efficacy and safety. We assessed non-inferiority of generic tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/ emtricitabine, Hivent® to brand name drug, Truvada® in a retrospective cohort. Methods: Nine centers from Turkey were enrolled and the study included 457 patients followed up between May 2015 and April 2017 with Truvada® (n = 227) and Hivent® (n = 230) in combination with other antiretrovirals. Baseline characteristics were comparable in both groups. Demographic characteristics and laboratory values at baseline and during treatment were recorded. The primary endpoint was virologic response after 12 months of therapy, as determined by Snapshot algorithm from Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The sample size calculation was based on the primary endpoint. Non-inferiority margin was taken as 10%. Results: After 12 months of therapy, both drugs provided a comparable decline in HIV-RNA: The values at baseline, 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th month by Truvada® were 6.32, 3.62, 2.52, 3.53, 3.01, and 1.71 log10 copies/mL, respectively and values by Hivent® were 5.93, 3.89, 2.18, 1.72, 3.63, and 1.54 log10 copies/mL, respectively (P = .33). Both drugs provided a comparable significant increase in CD4+ cell count: values By Truvada® were 338, 412, 472, 497, 511, and 580 cells/mL, respectively and values by Hivent® were 337, 503, 531, 553, 644, and 660 cells/mL (P = .13). The rate and severity of side effects were similar and the changes in biochemical parameters were not different. Conclusion: This retrospective cohort study showed that Hivent® has comparable efficacy and side effect profile and non-inferior to Truvada®.

Objective: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that cause serious mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of long public holidays on HAIs rates in the intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: The study was conducted in tertiary university education and research hospital, from January 2014 to October 2015. All ICUs are monitored daily by the infection control team by the active surveillance method. In this study, LPH and normal working periods (NWT) that develop HAIs, the bacterial factors that cause HAIs, between periods mortality rates, and overall mortality rates were compared. All data were analyzed with the Epi-Info program (Atlanta, USA) and p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: During the study period, 3082 patients in the ICU were followed up. The HAI rate was 3.5% in NWT and 16.5% in LPH (p=0.001). The examination of bacterial distribution that causes HAIs revealed significantly higher gram-negative bacterial infections in LPH than in NWT [13.7% and 2.4%, respectively (p=0.001)]. The mortality rate examination revealed no significant difference in the overall mortality rates between study periods (p=0.769); infection-related mortality rates were significantly higher in LPH (7.3%; p=0.002). Conclusion: HAIs are affected by LPH. All employees should be motivated to prevent HAIs and should be trained for infection control measures before and after the holidays.

Objective: In this study, it’s aimed to examine biological and psychosocial risk perceptions, and expectations of life after treatment of the healthcare personnel who were diagnosed as covid-19 positive while working at the pandemic hospital and resumed after their treatments. Materials and Methods: In line with the purpose of the study, a case study method was adopted in the qualitative research approach. Among the purposive sampling methods, maximum diversity sampling is used for the sample of the study that is 13 healthcare workers working in different units and levels who have worked in the pandemic period. As the data collection tool, semi-structured form was used, and the data obtained through interview questions were transcribed word-by-word and analyzed using the content analysis technique using the Maxqda program. Results : The most common theme during the pandemic is “worry” which is a subcode of “negative feelings” under the “psychological factors” theme and the second most common dimension is “family” code under the theme of “social factors”. Conclusion: Even though some of the employees were working at the pandemic hospital, the belief that the risk of coronavirus infection was low to them was the most striking subject in the research process. This situation has been examined from the perspective of unrealistic optimism theory. It is explained by the assumption that information processing errors are made about the risks of the work or the tendency to deny the risk to reduce anxiety. Although the studies carried out in both aspects provide temporary relief for individuals, we think that the increase in this situation may reduce the behavior of taking measures against risks in individuals.

Objective: We aimed to determine the main demographic features of COVID-19, reveal the clinical differences to patients in other countries, evaluate severe adverse effects in terms of number and types of comorbidities, and provide information about prognosis possibilities. Materials and Methods: Patients’ records, followed at Sakarya University Hospital between late March 2020 and late April 2020 with a diagnosis of COVID-19, were evaluated for this study. Demographic features were noted retrospectively with records, and data were recorded in the MS Excel program for analysis with SPSS. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The records of 1443 cases, 704 (48.8%) women and 739 (51.2%) men, a mean age of 44.98 ± 18.72, were examined retrospectively. Among them, 9.9% were medical staff, 1.8% had a history of travel abroad, and 1.1% were pregnant. Radiological findings of 59.4% of our polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive patients were compatible with COVID. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.5 days. Frequent comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes (DM), and ischemic heart disease. Eighty (5.5%) patients treated in intensive care (ICU) died. Conclusion: Based on the data of 1443 patients, the mean length of hospitalization of COVID-19 patients was 4.5 days, or followed up in intensive care, having DM and a long period of hospitalization, which increased mortality risk. None of the outpatients died.

Background: The number and proportion of elderly patients living with chronic hepatitis C are expected to increase in the coming years. We aimed to compare the real-world efficacy and safety of direct-acting antiviral treatment in elderly and younger Turkish adults infected with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: In this multicenter prospective study, 2629 eligible chronic hepatitis C patients treated with direct-acting antivirals between April 2017 and December 2019 from 37 Turkish referral centers were divided into 2 age groups: elderly (≥65 years) and younger adults (<65 years) and their safety was compared between 2 groups in evaluable population. Then, by matching the 2 age groups for demographics and pretreatment risk factors for a non-sustained virological response, a total of 1516 patients (758 in each group) and 1244 patients (622 in each group) from the modified evaluable population and per-protocol population were included in the efficacy analysis and the efficacy was compared between age groups. Results: The sustained virological response in the chronic hepatitis C patients was not affected by the age and the presence of cirrhosis both in the modified evaluable population and per-protocol population (P = .879, P = .508 for modified evaluable population and P = .058, P = .788 for per-protocol population, respectively). The results of the per-protocol analysis revealed that male gender, patients who had a prior history of hepatocellular carcinoma, patients infected with non-genotype 1 hepatitis C virus, and patients treated with sofosbuvir + ribavirin had a significantly lower sustained virological response 12 rates (P < .001, P = .047, P = .013, and P = .025, respectively). Conclusion: Direct-acting antivirals can be safely used to treat Turkish elderly chronic hepatitis C patients with similar favorable efficacy and safety as that in younger adults.

Background: Broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobials are frequently prescribed for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite the lack of evidence for bacterial coinfection. Aims: We aimed to cross-sectionally determine the frequency of antibiotics use, type of antibiotics prescribed, and the factors influencing antibiotics use in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Study Design: The study was a national, multicenter, retrospective, and single-day point prevalence study. Methods: This was a national, multicenter, retrospective, and single- day point-prevalence study, conducted in the 24-h period between 00:00 and 24:00 on November 18, 2020, during the start of the second COVID-19 peak in Turkey. Results: A total of 1500 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of

Objective: In the study, it was aimed to determine nurses awareness about zika virus.Materials and Methods: A total of 96 volunteer nurses who studied intensive care units were included in this study. The data obtained by using the information form and the socio-demographic form prepared by the researcher in the light of the literature were evaluated using mean, average, Kruskal Wallis-H, Man Whitney U ve correlation tests in the computer environment.Results: The average age of the nurses was 28.06±5.57, among whom 78.1% were female and 75% were postgraduated/graduated nurses. Mean information of the intensive care nurses about zika virus infection was 16.14±14.69. The age, working year, gender, graduated school, job, where they learned about zika virus infection, thinking they have enough information and being worried about getting zika virus infection did not affect the awareness level of nurses (p>0.05).The nurses' knowledge about zika virus infection, their desire to get information about zika virus infection, knowing the symptoms of zika virus infection, being protected from zika virus infection and knowing where not to go on vacation were found to be statistically significant. (p<0.05).

Amaç: Yerel ve/veya bölgesel yineleme sonrası ikinci seri radyoterapi (İSRT) uygulanan nazofarenks kanserli hastalardaki tedavi sonuçlarımızı retrospektif olarak irdelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: 1991 ve 2018 yılları arasında nazofarenks kanseri için definitif radyoterapi ± kemoterapi aldıktan sonra lokal ve/veya bölgesel yineleme saptanan 44 hastadan 27’sine ikinci seri radyoterapi uygulanmış ve çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Bulgular: İlk tedavi sonrası medyan takip 49 (13-255) aydır. Primer radyoterapi sonrası yinelemeye kadar geçen süre medyan 18 ay (3-216) olup, 20 (%74) hastada yerel, 5 (%19) hastada bölgesel ve 2 (%7,4) lokal ve bölgesel yineleme saptanmıştır. İSRT, 16 (%59) hastaya konvansiyonel, 5 (%18) hastaya konformal, 4(%11) hastaya VMAT ve 2(%7) hastaya Stereotaksik Radyoterapi tekniği kullanılarak, medyan 30 (4-35) fraksiyon ve 2 Gy (2-7) fraksiyon dozu ile medyan toplam doz 60 Gy (15-70) olacak şekilde uygulanmıştır. RT sonrası yanıt değerlendirmede; 7 (%26) tam yanıt, 11 (%41) kısmi yanıt ve 9 (%33) hastada progresyon saptanmıştır. İki-5 yıllık genel sağ kalım oranları sırasıyla %85-%47, yineleme sonrası ise %44-%24’dür. İSRT sonrası 2 ve 5 yıllık progresyonsuz sağ kalım oranları ise %34 ve %20’dir. Tek değişkenli analizde; genel sağkalım için, yinelemeye kadar geçen süre (p< 0,001), ISRT doz (p=0,048); PSK’da ise, ISRT tekniği (p= 0,01), yenilemeye kadar geçen süre (p<0,001), ISRT doz (p=0,002) anlamlı olarak saptanmıştır. Çok değişkenli analizde sadece yinelemeye kadar geçen süre (p<0,001) istatistiksel anlamlı bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Sınırlı sayıda hasta olmasına rağmen sağkalım oranları tatmin edici bulunmuştur. Gelecekte teknolojik gelişmelerin de yardımıyla bu tür yüksek riskli hastalıklarda daha az yan etki ile daha iyi sağkalım oranları elde edilebilecektir.

Background/aim: In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP) according to blood groups (BGs) in the treatment of critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight critically ill and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sakarya University, Medical Faculty were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients who received anti-A antibody (Ab) containing CP (BG O and B) and those who did not receive CP containing anti-A Ab (BG A and AB). Results: Among the 28 patients, 13 patients received anti-A Ab containing CP (BG; B: 6, O: 7) and 15 patients did not receive anti-A Ab CP (BG; A: 13, AB: 2). Duration in ICU, the rates of mechanical ventilation (MV) support and vasopressor support, the case fatality rate, and the discharge rate were lower in patients who received CP containing anti-A Ab than not containing anti-A Ab CP. However, only the difference in the rate of MV support achieved statistically significance (P = 0.04) Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that the efficiency of CP without anti-A antibody was lower than that of plasma containing anti-A antibody, although it was not statistically significant. This result is thought to be due to the anti-A antibody’s ability to block the ACE2 receptor. We believe that this hypothesis should be investigated in controlled studies with higher patient numbers.Key words: Blood groups, COVID-19, convalescent plasma