INTRODUCTION: This study aims to calculate Framingham risk levels in patients aged 40 and above and to examine their relationship with the cardiovascular disease risk factors knowledge level (CARRF-KL) scale.
METHODS: This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted with 220 voluntary participants aged 40–79 who visited the family medicine outpatient clinic. Participants’ knowledge levels were assessed using the CARRF-KL, while their 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was evaluated using the Framingham risk score. Participants diagnosed with diabetes or CVD were classified as high-risk.
RESULTS: A total of 220 participants were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the participants was 56.8±9.6 years, with 142 (64.5%) being female and 121 (55.0%) having an educational level of middle school or below. The median CARRF-KL score was 23.0 (12.0–28.0). According to the Framingham risk classification, 58 (26.4%) of participants were in the low-risk group, 36 (16.3%) in the moderate-risk group, and 126 (57.3%) in the high-risk group. A significant difference was found between CARRF-KL scale scores according to Framingham risk levels (p=0.031).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate that knowledge of disease risks alone is insufficient for adopting preventive measures or lifestyle changes. Therefore, it is essential to educate and motivate patients in primary healthcare settings regarding the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing CVD risk.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment on blood pressure (BP) control in resistant hypertensive patients with anxiety symptoms.
METHODS: This interventional study was conducted between January 2021 and March 2022 at a family medicine outpatient clinic. Patients with primary hypertension (HT), uncontrolled with monotherapy, and scoring ≥16 on the Beck anxiety inventory were included. All were switched to combination antihypertensive therapy. Those who accepted SSRI treatment constituted the case group, while those who declined formed the control group. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. BP was measured at baseline and after 1 month.
RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were included, 30 (33.0%) male, the median age was 53.5 (35.0–68.0) years. Of the participants, 72 (79.1%) received combined therapy plus SSRI, while 19 (20.9%) received combined therapy only. After 1 month, systolic BP decreased by 15.0 (1.0–22.0) mmHg and diastolic BP by 13.0 (4.0–18.0) mmHg in the case group, compared to decreases of 8.0 (1.0–17.0) mmHg and 6.0 (2.0–13.0) mmHg in the control group (respectively, p<0.001 and p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: SSRI therapy provided significantly greater reductions in both systolic and diastolic BP compared with combination antihypertensive treatment alone. Anxiety should be considered an important factor in resistant HT, and psychological as well as pharmacological interventions may enhance treatment outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate changes in the incidence and seasonal distribution pattern of enteric viruses that are common in children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS: The study included patients aged 0–9 years who were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in the pediatric emergency department between September 2017 and August 2022.
RESULTS: During the study, 4,244 patients who underwent rotavirus (RV)/enteric adenoviruses (eAV) antigen tests with a diagnosis of AGE were included. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, during the COVID-19 pandemic, RV positivity decreased (479 [16.6%] vs. 167 [12.3%], p<0.001), whereas eAV positivity tended to increase (120 [4.1%] vs. 78 [5.8%], p=0.020).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This surveillance study demonstrates the long-term effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on RV and eAV infections in children. In the early phase of the pandemic, both viruses had almost disappeared, but in the late phase, they returned to the pre-pandemic level.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of music listening on the anxiety and stress levels of primiparous pregnant women in the third trimester.
METHODS: The study was conducted between December 01, 2019, and August 31, 2020. In the study, 120 primiparous pregnant women in their third trimester were randomized into two groups at a 1: 1 ratio. Participants in the music group were given standard prenatal education and a 10-day practice of listening to Turkish music for 20 min a day. Participants in the control group received standard prenatal training. The State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and pregnancy stress rating scale (PSRS) were applied twice to both groups, before and after the practice.
RESULTS: The study included 60 (50.0%) pregnant women in the music group and 60 (50.0%) in the control group. A decrease in state anxiety scores was observed in both the music and control groups (34.5 [15.5] vs. 31.4±8.6, respectively; p<0.001 in the music group, 37.1±7.6 vs. 35.0±7.3, respectively; p<0.001 in the control group). On the other hand, while a decrease was observed in the music group’s total PSRS score, no difference was found in the control group (61.9±28.2 vs. 45.0 [46.8], respectively; p=0.002 in the music group, 59.2±26.4 vs. 54.8±28.2, respectively; p=0.1115 in the control group).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Turkish classical music listening can be used safely in primiparous pregnant women to reduce anxiety and stress.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study is to compare the frequency of psychiatric symptoms according to smoking status.
METHODS: Participants were divided into three groups: 120 active smokers who wanted to quit were assigned to the case group, 120 active smokers who did not want to quit were assigned to control group 1, and 120 non-smokers were assigned to control group 2. The sociodemographic questionnaire and Brief Symptom Inventory were administered by the researcher using a face-to-face interview technique for all participants.
RESULTS: A total of 360 participants were included in the study, and the participants’ mean age was 39.7±12.5 years. Somatization was detected in 35 (29.4%) of the case group, 13 (10.8%) of control group 1, and 3 (2.5%) of control group 2 (p=0.001). Obsessive-compulsive disorder was present in 36 (30.0%) of the case group, 15 (12.5%) of control group 1, and 17 (14.2%) of the control group 2 (p=0.001). In addition, depression was found 29 (24.2%) in the case group, 15 (12.5%) in the control group 1, 14 (11.7%) in the control group 2 (p=0.013). Anxiety was observed 21 (17.5%) in the case group, 13 (10.8%) in the control group 1, 8 (6.7%) in the control group 2 (p=0.031). General Severity Index positivity was found 24 (20.0%) in the case group, 11 (9.2%) in control group 1, and 7 (5.8%) in control group 2.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A comprehensive approach should be taken with individuals who want to quit smoking, considering that tobacco addiction is a substance use disorder.

Puberty is a critical period in an individual’s physical and psychological development. Annual physical exami-nations are recommended for adolescents, regardless of the presence of symptoms. This report presents the case of a 14-year-old licensed male football player who visited our Education Family Health Unit without any additional complaints and was evaluated for delayed puberty. The discussion emphasizes the importance of adopting and maintaining healthy eating habits during this stage of rapid physiological, psychological, and social growth. A thorough and detailed physical examination is essential for every adolescent presenting to family health centers.