Bone Mineral Density in Patients Receiving Anticonvulsant Drugs

The study was carried out to determine possible effects of anticonvulsant drugs on bone mineral density. Twenty two patients with epilepsy who have been receiving anticonvulsant drugs and also 22 healthy controls were included in the study. The average age was 28.9 ± 8.9 years in the patients group and 30.5 ± 6.9 years in the control group. The average drug receiving time was 6.45 ± 4.2 years. At baseline ESR, hemogram, urine deoxypiridinoline (DPD), routine biochemical and hormonal values were determined in both groups. Lumbar spine and left femur bone mineral density (BMD) values were determined with hologic 2000 DEXA. In the statistical analysis, urine DPD levels in the patient group were significantly higher than control group (p0.05). Lumbar spine and left femur BMD values were significantly decreased in patients group (respectively p<0.01, p<0.001). We determined that in the patients using anticonvulsant drugs there was an increase in bone resorption and this effect was more evident in cortical bone than trabecular bone

Effects of Alendronate, Calcitonin and Raloxifene Used in the Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis On Serum No Levels

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of alendronate, calcitonin and raloxifene used in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis on serum nitric oxide (NO) levels. One hundred women with postmenopausal osteoporosis were enrolled and treated during the 6 months in this study. Patients were equally randomized into four groups: calcitonin, alendronate, raloxifene and control groups. All patients in these three groups and in the control group were supplemented with calcium 500 mg/day elemental calcium. Serum NO levels were determined at baseline and at 6 months. There were not significant changes on serum NO levels after the calcitonin, alendronate, raloxifene and calcium treatment. Also, no significant difference was found among any group comparisons in terms NO levels (p> 0.05). In conclusion, alendronate, calcitonin and raloxifene treatments may not cause to significant changes on serum NO levels

Relationship Between Body Composition and Regional BMD in Premenopausal Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis - Original Investigation

Aim: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between body composition and regional bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and Methods: 23 RA patients and 31 age and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. Clinical and laboratory assessments of patients were recorded. Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) was used in the assessment of functional disability. BMD values were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The regional BMD (upper and lower extremities), L1-L4 lumbar spine BMD, femoral neck BMD and total body BMD were analyzed. Also, regional lean mass(upper and lower extremities), total lean mass of body, regional fat mass (upper and lower extremities), body fat mass, percentage of body fat were measured with DXA. Results: BMD values of all body sites were significantly lower in RA patients versus the controls, while body composition determinants were no different between the two groups. BMD of lower extremities, femoral neck and total body were affected by lean mass of lower extremities and total body as independent from body weight in RA patients. Disease duration and HAQ scores were correlated with BMD values among the disease characteristics. Conclusion: Regional and total fat mass does not appear as relationship with BMD values. Lean mass of lower extremities and total body may be significant determinants of BMD on regions of femoral neck, lower limbs and total body in premenopausal women with RA. (From the World of Osteoporosis 2009;15:29-33

Clinical and molecular evaluation of MEFV gene variants in the Turkish population: a study by the National Genetics Consortium

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a monogenic autoinflammatory disorder with recurrent fever, abdominal pain, serositis, articular manifestations, erysipelas-like erythema, and renal complications as its main features. Caused by the mutations in the MEditerranean FeVer (MEFV) gene, it mainly affects people of Mediterranean descent with a higher incidence in the Turkish, Jewish, Arabic, and Armenian populations. As our understanding of FMF improves, it becomes clearer that we are facing with a more complex picture of FMF with respect to its pathogenesis, penetrance, variant type (gain-of-function vs. loss-of-function), and inheritance. In this study, MEFV gene analysis results and clinical findings of 27,504 patients from 35 universities and institutions in Turkey and Northern Cyprus are combined in an effort to provide a better insight into the genotype-phenotype correlation and how a specific variant contributes to certain clinical findings in FMF patients. Our results may help better understand this complex disease and how the genotype may sometimes contribute to phenotype. Unlike many studies in the literature, our study investigated a broader symptomatic spectrum and the relationship between the genotype and phenotype data. In this sense, we aimed to guide all clinicians and academicians who work in this field to better establish a comprehensive data set for the patients. One of the biggest messages of our study is that lack of uniformity in some clinical and demographic data of participants may become an obstacle in approaching FMF patients and understanding this complex disease