Serum Endothelin-1 Level Can Reflect the Degree of Lumbar Degeneration: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an agent closely associated with inflammation and has recently been recognized as a significant factor in degenerative processes. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum ET-1 level and radiological and clinical manifestations of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) pathologies. Methodology The study was conducted with 50 healthy controls and 50 LDH patients.

Evaluation of hepatitis serology and frequency of viral reactivation in patients with inflammatory arthritis receiving biologic agents: a multicenter observational study.

To evaluate of hepatitis serology and reactivation frequency in patients with rheumatic disease receiving biologic agents. Our study included patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases from 23 centers, who were followed up with biological therapy. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, duration of drug use and hepatitis serology and the state of viral reactivation were analyzed.

Serum netrin-1 and netrin receptor levels in fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to define serum levels of netrin-1 and netrin receptors in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and osteoarthritis (OA).

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 150 female participants (mean age: 47.2±16.

Comparison of low power laser and kinesio taping for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective randomized study.

Background: Although carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuromuscular disorder, studies on its conservative treatment are inadequate and contradictory.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of low power laser therapy (LPLT) and Kinesio taping (KT) for the treatment of CTS.

Methods: Sixty patients with CTS were included in this study.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels in relation to disease activity and radiological progression in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and systemic disease of unknown etiology that primarily affects synovial joints and involves progressive destruction around the joints. Inflammation starting in the joint synovium causes the destruction of cartilage, bone and other adjacent tissues with pannus formation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels and their clinical and radiological significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Cerebral Blood Flow Volume Using Color Duplex Sonography in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate cerebral blood flow using color duplex Doppler ultrasonography in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Patients And Methods: The study included 30 female patients with FMS (mean age 42.3 years; range 22 to 59 years) and 30 female healthy controls (mean age 39.

Serum heat-shock protein-65 antibody levels are elevated but not associated with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Objectives: Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) have gained increased interest for their role in autoimmune disorders. These proteins are targeted by the immune system in various autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the serum heat-shock protein-65 antibody (anti-HSP65) levels and their clinical significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Comparision of the effectiveness of ESWT and ultrasound treatments in myofascial pain syndrome: randomized, sham-controlled study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to compare effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), ultrasound (US) and sham ESWT in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). [Subjects and Methods] Sixty MPS patients aged 18-60 years were included in the study. The patients were randomized equally into 3 groups.

Lipocalin 2 as a clinical significance in rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim Of The Study: In this study, serum lipokalin 2 (LCN-2) levels and its clinical and radiological significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated.

Material And Methods: The study enrolled 37 patients with RA and 34 healthy controls. Serum LCN-2 level was measured using ELISA method.

A comparison of the effectiveness of amitriptilin and pregabalin treatment in fibromyalgia patients.

Objective: The present study is a comparison of the effectiveness of amitriptyline and pregabalin on the symptoms of fibromyalgia patients.

Methods: A total of 71 female patients aged ≥18 years were included in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups.

Do vitamin D levels affect the clinical prognoses of patients with knee osteoarthritis?

Objective: Although vitamin D deficiency has been associated with osteoporosis, as well as fractures, in elderly men and women, the role of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D deficiency on the functional status and disease prognosis of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Patients And Methods: Our study comprised 100 patients that met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis.

Affective temperament profile in ankylosing spondylitis patients using TEMPS-A.

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the most common dominant affective temperaments in Ankylosing Spondylitis patients and investigate the relationship between the dominant affective temperaments and pain levels, disease activity, quality of life, current depression, and anxiety level in Ankylosing Spondylitis patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-one patients diagnosed with axial spondiloartropathy and forty-two age- and gender-matched control subjects were included in this study. Disease duration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein, pain by the Visual Analog Scale, disease activity by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, functional status by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; psychological status by the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and overall health assessment by the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale were assessed in patients.

Sleep Quality Is Related to Disease Activity in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Polysomnographic Study.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with poor sleep quality.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between disease activity and sleep quality in patients with AS and to evaluate the potential effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment on sleep quality and pattern.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with AS were consecutively included in the study.

Relationship Between Leptin and Neopterin Levels and Disease Activation Parameters in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to determine serum leptin and neopterin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigate the relationship between clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity and radiographic progression.

Patients And Methods: The study included 33 RA patients (9 males, 24 females; mean age 52.5±12.

Is 4-Hydroxynonenal a Predictive Parameter for the Development of Joint Erosion in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate serum 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels and its clinical and radiological significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients And Methods: The study included 40 patients (8 males, 32 females; mean age 51.4±11.

Evidence for inflammation-induced bone loss in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Objectives: Non-radiographic axial SpA (nr-axSpA) comprises those patients who may have clinical and laboratory features of SpA but do not have definite radiographic sacroiliitis. Bone loss (osteopenia or osteoporosis) is well recognized in AS, however, bone status in nr-axSpA is unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate BMD in patients with nr-axSpA and compare them with age- and sex-matched patients with mechanical low back pain (mLBP).

The performance of psoriatic arthritis classification criteria in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Objectives: To investigate performance of some of the published psoriatic arthritis (PsA) classification criteria as well as Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Turkish patients with PsA (in early and late disease subgroups).

Methods: Patients were recruited using case report forms and physical examination methods proposed by the Anatolian Group for the Assessment in Rheumatic Diseases (ANGARD). The Moll and Wright (MW), modified Fournie (MF), modified McGonagle (mMG), Vasey and Espinoza (VE), classification of PsA (CASPAR) criteria and ASAS criteria were assessed in patients with PsA who were diagnosed based on expert opinion.

MR-defined fat infiltration of the lumbar paravertebral muscles differs between non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and established ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined cross-sectional area and semi-quantitative grading of fatty degeneration of lumbar paravertebral muscles in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and established ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: Cross-sectional area (CSA) of lumbar paravertebral muscles, including the right and left multifidus (MF), erector spina (ES), psoas (PS), vertebral body and muscle:vertebra ratio (MVr), was measured. Fat infiltration of the paravertebral muscles was graded semi-quantitatively.

Unusual unilateral presentation of pachydermodactyly: a case report.

Pachydermodactyly is a rare digital fibromatosis characterized by asymptomatic fusiform soft-tissue swellings of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands. It usually affects healthy adolescent males with a negative family history. As a rule, clinical presentation of the disease is bilateral and symmetrical enlargement of the joints.

Radiological scoring methods in ankylosing spondylitis: a comparison of the reliability of available methods.

Objective: To assess intra and inter-rater reliability of available radiological scoring methods in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Patients And Methods: Two trained raters evaluated 44 complete sets of AS radiographs. The cervical and lumbar spine was graded from zero to 4 according to the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI).