Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with AS, and to assess the relation with inflammation.

Assessment of enthesopathy in patients with fibromyalgia by using new sonographic enthesitis index.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine the frequency of enthesopathy in fibromyalgia (FM) by using a newly developed ultrasonography (US) method, the Madrid Sonography Enthesitis Index (MASEI).

Methods: This study was conducted on 38 consecutive patients with FM and 48 healthy sex- and age-matched controls. Six entheseal sites (olecranon tuberosity, superior and inferior poles of patella, tibial tuberosity, superior and inferior poles of calcaneus) on both lower limbs were evaluated.

Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with AS, and to assess the relation with inflammation.

Mitchell's osteotomy with mini-plate and screw fixation for hallux valgus.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mini-plate and screw fixation to stabilize the first metatarsal osteotomy in patients undergoing Mitchell bunionectomy, with the outcomes of interest being radiological alignment and the time to bony union.

Methods: We used mini-plates and screws in 43 feet of 25 patients to avoid cast immobilization and prevent osteotomy displacement. The mean age at operation was 45.

Increased enthesopathy in patients with familial Mediterranean fever: evaluation with a new sonographic enthesitis index.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of enthesopathy in familial Mediterranean fever by using a newly developed sonographic method, the Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI).

Methods: The study included 50 consecutive patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 57 healthy sex- and age-matched control participants. Six entheseal sites (olecranon tuberosity, superior and inferior poles of the patella, tibial tuberosity, and superior and inferior poles of the calcaneus) on both lower limbs were evaluated.

Sonographic evaluation of subclinical entheseal involvement in patients with Behçet disease.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical entheseal involvement in patients with Behçet disease via ultrasound using a newly developed method, the Madrid sonography enthesitis index.

Subjects And Methods: The study was conducted with 36 patients with Behçet disease and 46 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. All patients with Behçet disease who had no clinical evidence of arthritis or enthesitis underwent an ultrasound examination.

Frequency of peripheral arterial disease and venous insufficiency in toenail onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis in toenails is a common fungal infection and vascular abnormalities of lower extremities have been thought as one of the predisposing conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate predisposition effect of venous insufficiency and peripheral arterial disease on toenail onychomycosis. Thirty-three patients with bilateral onychomycosis in toenails and 37 control subjects, who had healthy nails, were enrolled in the study.