Sonoelastographic Assessment of the Achilles Tendon in Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients: Comparison With Healthy Subjects.

Introduction And Objective: This study aims at using sonoelastography as a novel technique to evaluate the stiffness and thickness of Achilles tendons in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients.

Methods: Achilles tendons of 26 FMF patients and 23 control subjects were assessed with ultrasound and real-time sonoelastography. The Achilles tendons were divided into the distal, middle, and proximal thirds for elastographic image evaluation.

New Predictor of Atherosclerosis in Subjects With COPD: Atherogenic Indices.

Background: We aimed to investigate the predictor role of the plasma levels of lipid parameters and atherogenic indices on development of atherosclerosis in subjects with COPD.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 104 male subjects diagnosed with stable COPD in hospital records. We excluded subjects with exacerbation, with known cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases, receiving anti-hyperlipidemic treatment, without sufficient past medical history, and lacking needed laboratory data.

Does frequency of restless legs syndrome and poor sleep quality increase with age in irritable bowel syndrome?

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disease which leads to a reduction in the quality of life. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and the incidence of poor sleep quality (PSQ) are known to increase in IBS. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and association of RLS and PSQ in a young population.

The fate of abstracts presented at Turkish national radiology congresses in 2010-2012.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the analysis and publication rates of abstracts presented at the Turkish National Radiology meetings in 2010-2012.

Methods: Abstracts presented in the national radiology meetings of 2010, 2011, and 2012 were included in the study. The presentations were classified according to presentation type (oral or poster presentations), study type, study design, imaged organ or body systems, imaging modalities, time interval between the presentation and the publication date, and the journal in which the article was published.

Assessment of the Frequency of Autoantibodies in Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

Objective: To examine the occurrence frequency of auto-antibodies and autoimmune diseases in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C.

Methods: A total of 67 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and 77 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C infection based on HBs Ag, Anti HCV, HBe Ag, Anti HBe Ag, HBV DNA, HCV RNA, liver ultrasound, and liver biopsy results as well as 48 healthy individuals were included in this study. ANA, anti dsDNA, anti LKM, Anti-SMA, AMA, C-ANCA, P-ANCA, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-Scl-70, anti Jo-1, anti-U1snRNP, anti-centromere, anti-Jo-1, anti tpo, and anti tg were studied in all individuals in each study group.

Atherogenic index as a predictor of atherosclerosis in subjects with familial Mediterranean fever.

Background And Objective: Numerous inflammatory and innate immune pathways are involved in atherogenesis. We aimed to investigate the atherogenic index and other lipid parameters in individuals with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), as a predictor of atherosclerosis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 60 patients with FMF and 60 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were included in this study.

The sensitivity of MR colonography using dark lumen technique for detection of colonic lesions.

Background/aims: To assess the detectability of the lesions with magnetic resonance (MR) colonography using dark lumen technique that had been detected on conventional colonoscopy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 38 patients who were suspected to have a colorectal mass between April 2008 and June 2010 were included in this prospective study. Warm tap water was administered via a rectal tube to the patients in prone position.

Assessment of thyroid disorders and autoimmunity in patients with rheumatic diseases.

We investigated whether there was a significant increase in thyroid autoimmunity, and disorders in patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs). We enrolled 201 patients with RDs (41 with ankylosing spondylitis, 15 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 80 with rheumatoid arthritis [RA], 65 with familial Mediterranean fever), and 122 healthy controls. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), C-reactive protein, and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase) were measured in all participants.