Pandemic of the century: COVID-19 in inflammatory rheumatic diseases of a national cohort with 3,532 patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes and risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD) of a national cohort.

Patients And Methods: The multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out between July 15, 2020, and February 28, 2021. Data collection was provided from a national network database system, and 3,532 IRD patients (2,359 males, 1,173 females; mean age: 48.

A randomized controlled trial of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Background: In addition to pharmacological treatment, psychotherapeutic approaches are recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia. There is a suggestion that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may be effective. This study aimed to investigate the impact of EMDR therapy on fibromyalgia symptoms, depression, sleep quality, and traumatic stress in fibromyalgia patients through a randomized controlled study (RCT).

The clinical, functional, and radiological features of hand osteoarthritis: TLAR-osteoarthritis multi-center cohort study.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological features of hand osteoarthritis (OA) and to examine their relationships in different geographic samples of the Turkish population.

Patients And Methods: Between April 2017 and January 2019, a total of 520 patients (49 males, 471 females; mean age: 63.6±9.

Effects of an exercise program combining unsupervised home exercises and supervised group-based exercises on fall-related variables in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The aim was to measure the effects of the home exercises supported with supervision on the fall-related variables in older people.

Methods: Seventy-five individuals over the age of 65 were enrolled. They were allocated to a "minimally supervised home exercise group" (group 1) or a "home exercise group" (group 2).

The efficacy of balance and proprioception exercises in female patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled study.

Objective: Loss of proprioception and balance disorders are commonly observed in patients with knee osteoarthritis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of balance and proprioception exercises in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Design: A single-center randomized trial with three parallel arms.

Peer-led education or booklet for knowledge transfer about disease: A randomized-controlled trial with ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether peer-led group education + booklet is superior to booklet only to increase ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients' knowledge about their disease.

Patients And Methods: A total of 56 patients (46 males, 10 females; mean age 41.9±9.

Dextrose Prolotherapy Versus Normal Saline Injection for the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To compare the effect of dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) with saline in the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylopathy (LE). Triple-blinded randomized controlled trial. Physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic.

Assessment of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with healthy controls with respect to subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: A total of 44 patients with AS with no history of CVD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and lipid-lowering drug use were compared with 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls with respect to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), which are surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. Correlation analysis was also performed to examine the association between surrogate markers and disease activity with inflammation [Ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP)].

Kinesio taping versus dry needling in the treatment of myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle: A randomized, single blind (evaluator), prospective study.

Background: Although a number of therapeutic interventions for trigger-point inactivation have been studied, it remains controversial which intervention is better.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of the kinesio taping and dry needling methods in patients with trigger-point related myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius muscle.

Methods: A total of 42 patients were randomly allocated to the kinesio taping group (n= 23) and dry needling group (n= 19).

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.

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.

2017 update of the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) evidence-based recommendations for the management of knee osteoarthritis.

In a Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) project, evidence-based recommendations for the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) was developed for the first time in our country in 2012 (TLAR-2012). In accordance with developing medical knowledge and scientific evidence, recommendations were updated. The committee was composed of 22 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (4 have rheumatology subspeciality also) and an orthopaedic surgeon.

Obesity Associated With Active, but Preserved Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From our National Registry.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of obesity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associations with disease outcomes.

Patients And Methods: The study population comprised of 1,038 patients with RA (198 males, 840 females; mean age 56.1±12.

Are We Able to Suppress Disease Activity Adequately in Patients With Established Rheumatoid Arthritis? An Observational and Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: This study aims to explore current disease activity status and simultaneous pharmacological therapies in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to determine the extent to which treatment targets are achieved.

Patients And Methods: One hundred patients (7 males, 93 females; median age 57 years; range 31 to 76 years) with established RA receiving any conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and/or biological DMARD for at least three months were enrolled. Disease activity was determined by using the Simplified Disease Activity Index.

Comparison of the DAS28-CRP and DAS28-ESR in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To compare the Disease Activity Score with 28 joint (DAS28) using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (DAS28-ESR) and DAS28 using C-reactive protein (CRP) (DAS28-CRP) with thresholds validated for DAS28-ESR in Turkish patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Method: The DAS28 data of 112 patients with rheumatoid arthritis followed in a local outpatient clinic were used. First, the correlation between DAS28-CRP and DAS28-ESR and the correlation between their unique components ([0.

Impact of peer-led group education on the quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objectives: To determine the effect of peer-led group education on the quality of life and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: Eighty patients with definite AS were allocated randomly to either the education or control group. The education group (n = 40) was subjected to a peer-led group education program about disease and was given an educational booklet, while the control group (n = 40) was given the educational booklet only.

Correlations among enthesitis, clinical, radiographic and quality of life parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between enthesitis and disease activity, functional status, fatigue, joint mobility, radiological damage, laboratory parameter and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: A total of 421 patients with AS (323 male and 98 female) who were included in the Turkish League Against Rheumatism Registry were enrolled in the study. The Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), fatigue, the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI), the Maastricht AS Enthesitis Score (MASES), AS quality of life (ASQoL), the Bath AS Radiology Index (BASRI) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated.

Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: the impact of depression, fatigue, and disability.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to evaluate its association with disability and psychosocial factors especially depression and fatigue.

Methods: Demographic characteristics, education level, disease severity, and disease duration were documented for each patient. QoL, fatigue level, cognitive status, and depression level of patients were assessed by Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54, Fatigue Severity Scale, Mini Mental State Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively.

Inter-rater reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale and modified Modified Ashworth Scale in assessing poststroke elbow flexor spasticity.

The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is commonly used in clinical practice for grading spasticity. However, it was modified recently by omitting grade '1+' of the MAS and redefining grade '2'. The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-rater reliability of MAS and modified MAS (MMAS) for the assessment of poststroke elbow flexor spasticity.

Determinants of quality of life (QoL) in elderly stroke patients: a short-term follow-up study.

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life (QoL) at the third month after stroke and to identify the factors related with and determinants of QoL in geriatric stroke patients. Eighty of 122 patients who were assessed within the first week after stroke were reevaluated at the third month. Patients were divided into two groups as those of ≥65 years old (geriatric group) and those of <65 years old (non-geriatric group).

Foot deformities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the relationship with foot functions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate foot deformities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to detect frequency of deformities and to assess the relationship between foot deformities and foot functions.

Methods: Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of 40 patients and 40 control subjects were studied. The hallux valgus (HV) angle, intermetatarsal angle between first and second metatarsals, intermetatarsal angle between first and fifth metatarsals, and calcaneal pitch were measured on radiographs.

Disability and health-related quality of life after breast cancer surgery: relation to impairments.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of impairments relevant to upper extremity following breast cancer surgery and its impact on disability and health-related quality of life.

Methods: Sixty-seven female patients being treated with modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery were included. They were evaluated for impairments (arm edema, loss of handgrip strength, limited shoulder joint range of motion, and pain), physical disability using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire, and for health related quality of life by means of the functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast+4 (FACT-B+4).

Effects of home-based exercise program on the functional status and the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 1-year follow-up study.

We previously reported the efficacy of a 4-week home-based exercise therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether short-term improvements in the functional status and quality of life were maintained at 1 year. Patients who completed 4-week home-based exercise program were advised to maintain the same exercises for 1 year duration.