Hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disorders in rheumatoıd arthritis: relationship wıth disease activity.

Thyroid function abnormalities and thyroid autoantibodies have previously been described in rheumatoid arthirits (RA) with limited data. In some studies, a relationship was found between thyroid autoantibodies and RA disease activity. However, there are not strong studies in the literature indicating the relationship between thyroid diseases and RA.

Relationship between DXA measured systemic bone mineral density and subchondral bone cysts in postmenopausal female patients with knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study : Osteoarthritis cysts and bone mineral density.

Background: Individuals with high systemic bone mineral density (BMD) may have an increased risk of incident knee osteoarthritis (OA). Besides that, radiographic osteophytes are strongly associated with BMD. Because of these reasons, the aim of the study was to investigate the possible association between radiological subchondral bone cyst (SBC) grade and systemic BMD and vitamin D status in the postmenopausal female patients with knee OA in a crosss-sectional study.

Comparison of 2 methods of neuropathic pain assessment in carpal tunnel syndrome and hand functions.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scale (LANSS) to the painDETECT questionnaire (PD-Q) in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), and determine if there are any differences between hand related functions in the 2 questionnaires.

Methods: This prospective clinical trial was conducted from April to July 2014. Ninety patients with a positive Tinel or Phalen sign were recruited.

Physical therapy, corticosteroid injection, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment in lateral epicondylitis. Clinical and ultrasonographical comparison.

The aim of this study was to compare--clinically and ultrasonographically--the therapeutic effects of physical therapy modalities (hot pack, ultrasound therapy, and friction massage), local corticosteroid injection, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) in lateral epicondylitis (LE). Fifty-nine elbows of 59 patients with LE were randomized into three treatment groups receiving either physical therapy, a single corticosteroid injection, or ESWT. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain intensity, Jamar hydraulic dynamometer for grip strength, finger dynamometer for pinch strength (before treatment, on the first, third, and sixth months of treatment).

The subclinic autonomic dysfunction in patients with Behçet disease: an electrophysiological study.

Studies that have evaluated autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in Behçet disease (BD) are rare and have indicated conflicting results with different degrees of involvement. The aim of this study was to investigate ANS function by using electrophysiological tests in patients with BD and to determine the relationship between the disease activity parameters and the indicators of autonomic activity. We included 70 BD patients and 50 healthy controls.

The effect of additional therapeutic ultrasound in patients with primary hip osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled study.

To the best of our knowledge, there is no study in the English literature about the usefulness of ultrasound therapy in degenerative hip osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to examine its short- and long-term efficacy in patients with primary hip osteoarthritis with regard to pain, functional status, and quality of life (QoL). Forty-five patients with primary hip osteoarthritis were enrolled into the study.

The autonomic dysfunction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a clinical and electrophysiological study.

The aim of this study was to determine autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions by using clinical and electrophysiological tests in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Twenty AS and 20 healthy control subjects were recruited. Demographic data, symptoms related with ANS, and neurological findings were recorded.

Evaluation of iontophoresis and local corticosteroid injection in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of local corticosteroid injection with iontophoresis of corticosteroids in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Design: This study was a prospective, randomized, unblinded clinical trial with follow-up at 2 and 8 wks. Thirty patients (48 median nerves) with clinical and electrophysiologic evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome were included in the study.