Polymorphisms in the Growth Differentiation Factor 5 (GDF 5) Gene in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective: To identify the frequency of the rs143383 SNPin the GDF5 gene, which is located in the 5'-untranslated region of Turkish population with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Study Design: Acase-control study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Bozok University Medical Faculty, Yozgat, Turkey, from 2012 to 2014.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Background: Blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio is an indicator of the overall inflammatory status of the body, and an alteration in N/L ratio may be found in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between N/L ratio and FMF.

Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients and controls were enrolled in the study.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease characterised by recurrent episodes of fever and polyserositis. To date, insufficient data regarding the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) have been reported in patients with FMF. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients with FMF.

Efficacy of treatment with glucosamine sulfate in patients with knee effusion due to osteoarthritis.

Objective: Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect of Glucosamine sulfate (GS) versus diclofenac sodium (DS) in effusion of osteoarthritic knees.

Methodology: In this study, patients were included in this study from 2007-2010 based on American College of Rheumatology criteria with OA and physical examination in effusion of osteoarthritic knees. The patients were divided into two groups.

The impact of ankylosing spondylitis on audiovestibular functions.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the audiovestibular functions in the patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This prospective study was performed in collaboration by the Otolaryngology and Rheumatology Departments of Bozok University School of Medicine between May 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013. We studied 80 subjects consisting of 40 AS patients (37 men and 3 women) in whom the diagnosis confirmed by the criteria of New York and 40 healthy controls (35 men and 5 women).

Does rheumatoid arthritis have an effect on audiovestibular tests?

The study aimed to determine the characteristics of hearing loss, vestibular responses and the incidence of vestibular disturbances in RA patients. This prospective study was performed at the Otolaryngology Department of Bozok University School of Medicine between May and November 2012. Eighty-one RA patients (69 women and 12 men) with a mean age of 40.

Surgical synovectomy combined with yttrium 90 in patients with recurrent joint synovitis.

Radiation synovectomy (RS) is one of many therapeutic options used for recurrent joint synovitis. Our aim was to analyze the effect of the surgical synovectomy combined with yttrium 90 ((90)Y) in the treatment for recurrent joint synovitis. A surgical combined RS procedure was used on 32 knees of 30 patients.

Is there a predisposition for the development of autoimmune diseases in patients with fibromyalgia? Retrospective analysis with long term follow-up.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and the probability of the development of clinically overt connective tissue diseases. Four hundred and fifty FM patients were compared to 129 healthy matched blood donors. ANA testing was performed by immunofluorescence on rat tissue sections; in case of highly positive results, ANA were specified further by ELISA and immunodiffusion.

Anakinra in patients with treatment-resistant adult-onset Still's disease: four case reports with serial cytokine measurements and a review of the literature.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of the interleukin (IL)-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) anakinra in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) refractory to standard treatments such as glucocorticosteroids (GC), immunosuppressive drugs, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-antagonists; to verify disease remission objectively by serial cytokine measurements; and to review the current literature on anakinra for this indication.

Methods: Four patients with AOSD--2 with acute flares of the chronic form of the disease and 2 with intermittent disease--were treated with prednisolone and methotrexate. One was also treated with several other immunosuppressive drugs including etanercept and infliximab.

CNS involvement occurs more frequently in patients with Behçet's disease under cyclosporin A (CSA) than under other medications--results of a retrospective analysis of 117 cases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of neurological manifestations of Behçet's disease (BD) in patients on cyclosporin A (CSA) compared with those on other medications. The records of 117 patients with BD who visited our hospital between 1990 and 2003 were reviewed with respect to symptoms and medication. All episodes of constant therapy prior to central nervous system (CNS) involvement were counted, and then the associations were analysed by the exact Fisher-Freeman-Halton test and adjusted for multiple tests by the Bonferroni-Holm method.

Efficacy and safety of willow bark extract in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: results of 2 randomized double-blind controlled trials.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We studied 127 outpatients with hip or knee OA and a WOMAC pain score of at least 30 mm and 26 outpatients with active RA in 2 randomized, controlled, double-blind trials with followup for 6 weeks. OA trial: Patients were randomized to receive willow bark extract, corresponding to 240 mg of salicin/day, diclofenac 100 mg/day, or placebo (n = 43, 43, and 41, respectively).

The use of interferon alpha in Behçet disease: review of the literature.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN) alpha for the treatment of Behçet's disease (BD) and discuss its possible mechanisms of action.

Methods: Reports published until July 2002 in all languages were identified by the PubMed Database and the BD conference proceedings and abstract booklets. The indexing terms used were "Behçet" and "interferon.

Differential efficacy of human recombinant interferon-alpha2a on ocular and extraocular manifestations of Behçet disease: results of an open 4-center trial.

Objective: Behçet disease (BD) is a multisystem vasculitis of unknown origin. Standard treatment mainly comprises systemic immunosuppressive agents. In a study primarily designed for refractory ocular disease, we additionally evaluated the efficacy of recombinant human interferon-alpha2a (rhIFN-alpha2a) on the extraocular manifestations of BD.

Behçet's disease in patients of German and Turkish origin living in Germany: a comparative analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between ethnic origin and manifestations of Behçet's disease (BD) in patients of German and Turkish origin living in Germany.

Methods: Between 1995 and 2000, 32 patients of German and 33 patients of Turkish origin living in Germany were evaluated for the entire spectrum of disease manifestations, disease severity, HLA associations, sex, age at disease manifestation, and time to diagnosis.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between German and Turkish patients.