Evaluation of disease burden, patient journey, unmet diagnosis and treatment needs of patients with HIP and knee osteoarthritis in Turkey: A study through Delphi Methodology.

Objective: To get information-driven insights from expert physicians regarding multiple aspects of the patient journey in knee and hip OA and establish a consensus for future studies and decision tree models in Turkey.

Design: 157 questions were asked in total during this three-round modified Delphi-method panel to 10 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (2 have rheumatology and 3 have algology subspeciality), one orthopaedic surgeon and one algology specialist from anaesthesia specialty background. A consensus was achieved when 80% of the panel members agreed with an item.

The relationship between sarcopenia-related measurements and osteoporosis: The SARCOP study.

Unlabelled: As muscle and bone are closely-related, we have explored the association between sarcopenia-related measurements and bone mineral density (BMD) (and osteoporosis) in postmenopausal women. Grip strength, anterior thigh muscle thickness and chair stand test were found to be related with BMD. Additionally, grip strength < 22 kg increased the odds ratio of osteoporosis 1.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Metacarpal Cartilage Thicknesses in Weightlifters and Volleyball Players.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible effects of impact and loading on the metacarpal cartilage and hand functions in young elite athletes.

Design: In this cross-sectional study athletes with at least 3 yrs of sport background and who have been under a scheduled training program were enrolled. The second to fifth fingers' metacarpal head cartilage thicknesses were measured bilaterally by using ultrasonography.

Ultrasonographic measurements of the skin, fat and muscle in vitamin D deficiency.

Background: Vitamin D is a steroid hormone and it is essential for the musculoskeletal system health. The relationship among vitamin D levels and adiposity was shown. However, there is only one study seems to have examined the relationship between skinfold thickness and vitamin D levels.

Botulinum toxin injections to cranial sutures for chronic migraine Rewinding the technique using ultrasound imaging.

The treatment of chronic migraine headache is quite challenging and new alternatives are still being explored for its management. Onabotulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) applied into extracranial muscles has been shown to inhibit the release of acetylcholine and local nociceptive peptides at the sensory nerve endings. As the highest concentration of extracranial pain fibers are located at/nearby the sutures, extracranial applications of BoTN-A are suggested to be performed to sutures rather than into the head and neck muscles in the treatment of chronic migraine.

Regional and total muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance: The potential use of ultrasound imaging for sarcopenia.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the regional and total muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance, and also to investigate the affected muscles, their strength and physical performance with aging.

Methods: A total of 145 healthy subjects were included for the cross-sectional descriptive study. Demographic data were obtained, and body composition was consecutively assessed by anthropometric methods, bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasound (muscle thickness, fascicule length and pennation angle).

Short-term effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in carpal tunnel syndrome: A controlled study.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment has a potential to become a part of nonsurgical approach in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as a regenerative method. PRP therapies aim to enhance the self-healing ability of human body, by exposing the injured tissue to a high concentration of autologous growth factors. Nerve tissues also seem to benefit from the regenerative effects of PRP concentrates.

Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) Recommendations for the Pharmacological Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: 2018 Update Under Guidance of Current Recommendations.

Objectives: This study aims to report the assessment of the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) expert panel on the compliance and adaptation of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2016 recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey.

Patients And Methods: The EULAR 2016 recommendations for the treatment of RA were voted by 27 specialists experienced in this field with regard to participation rate for each recommendation and significance of items. Afterwards, each recommendation was brought forward for discussion and any alteration gaining ≥70% approval was accepted.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Femoral Cartilage, Achilles Tendon, and Plantar Fascia in Young Women Wearing High-Heeled Shoes.

Background: Specific attention on the musculoskeletal impact of wearing high-heeled shoes (HHS) has mainly focused on knee osteoarthritis and the literature is limited to biomechanical changes. The distal femoral cartilage has not been morphologically studied. Additionally, although heel elevation is coupled with a shear stress at the heel and overloaded calf muscles, Achilles tendon (AT) and plantar fascia (PF) thicknesses have not been assessed either.

Management of Psoriatic Arthritis: Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) Expert Opinions.

Objectives: This study aims to establish the first national treatment recommendations by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) based on the current evidence.

Patients And Methods: A systematic literature review was performed regarding the management of PsA. The TLAR expert committee consisted of 13 rheumatologists and 12 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists experienced in the treatment and care of patients with PsA from 22 centers.

Turkish League Against Rheumatism Consensus Report: Recommendations For Management of Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to update 2011 Turkish League Against Rheumatism SpondyloArthritis Recommendations, and to compose a national expert opinion on management of axial spondyloArthritis under guidance of current guidelines, and implantation and dissemination of these international guidelines into our clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: A scientific committee of 28 experts consisting of 14 rheumatologists and 14 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (one of them also has an immunology PhD) was formed. The recommendations, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment were scrutinized paying special attention with convenient key words.

Autoinflammatory Diseases and Physical Therapy.

Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) constitute a group of clinical conditions, characterized by recurrent episodes of systemic inflammation, due to dysregulation of the innate immune system, without involving autoantibodies or antigen-specific T-cells. The patients exhibit recurrent episodes of fever with potentially serious complications and may have classic rheumatologic symptoms, including joint, skin, eye and muscle inflammation. Therefore, musculoskeletal problems and impaired quality of life can be anticipated as unavoidable consequences.

Ocular Surface Alterations in the Context of Corneal In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Characteristics in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

Purpose: To quantify the morphology of corneal basal epithelium and subbasal nerves and to evaluate the ocular surface alterations in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: Patients with FM (n = 34) and healthy controls (n = 42) were enrolled. All participants underwent ocular surface tests in the following order: corneal sensitivity, tear film breakup time, lissamine green staining, Schirmer test, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire.

Monoclonal antibodies for chronic pain: a practical review of mechanisms and clinical applications.

Context: Monoclonal antibodies are being investigated for chronic pain to overcome the shortcomings of current treatment options.

Objective: To provide a practical overview of monoclonal antibodies in clinical development for use in chronic pain conditions, with a focus on mechanisms of action and relevance to specific classes.

Methods: Qualitative review using a systematic strategy to search for randomized controlled trials, systematic and nonsystematic (narrative) reviews, observational studies, nonclinical studies, and case reports for inclusion.

Future of Rehabilitation Interventions for Rheumatic Patients in the Mediterranean Region.

Chronic rheumatic diseases can commonly lead to significant physical disability, reduced health-related quality of life and high economic burden for the societies. In the last decades and despite the availability of novel, effective medical treatment for specific rheumatic diseases, rehabilitation interventions do have a pivot role in improving function and psychological status in these conditions. Several systematic reviews and evidence based management recommendations suggest nonpharmaceutical rehabilitation management as an adjunct to medical therapy.

Hemorheological parameters in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Aim: To evaluate hemorheological parameters in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in order to elucidate the etiology of the disease.

Methods: Twenty-three adult FMS patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Diabetics, hypertensives and those with any rheumatological disorder or use drugs or smoking cigarette were excluded from the study.

Effects of Exercise on Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Related Protein 5 Gene Expression in Patients With Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 5 (LRP5) gene messenger ribonucleic acid expression and evaluate the relationship between the clinical parameters and gene expression in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP).

Patients And Methods: Seven patients with postmenopausal OP (mean age 60.0±5.

Ultrasonographic evaluation in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: clinical and radiological correlation.

Aim: To explore the relationship among clinical, radiological and ultrasonographical findings in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Method: Sixty-one patients (122 knees) with knee OA were enrolled. Patients' knees were classified into two groups according to symptom severity.