MY LIFE AS A RESEARCHER IN PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

MY LIFE AS A RESEARCHER IN PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATIO

Enthesitis and its relationship with disease activity, functional status, and quality of life in psoriatic arthritis: a multi-center study

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis with distinct phenotypic subtypes. Enthesitis is assigned as a hallmark of the disease, given its significant relations to disease activity and quality of life. Our objective is to evaluate the prevalence of enthesitis and its association with some clinical parameters, particularly quality of life, using data from a national registry. Patients with PsA meeting ClASsification criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) were enrolled by means of a multi-centre Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) Network Project. The following information was recorded in web-based case report forms: demographic, clinical and radiographic data; physical examination findings, including tender and swollen joint counts (TJC and SJC); nail and skin involvement; Disease Activity Score-28 for Rheumatoid Arthritis with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (DAS 28-ESR); Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI); Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES); Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI); Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index for the spine (BASRI-s); Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ); Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI); Health Assessment Questionnaire for the spondyloarthropathies (HAQ-s); Psoriatic arthritis quality of Life scale (PsAQoL); Short Form 36 (SF-36); Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS); Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F); and Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST) scores. The patients were divided into two groups, namely with and without enthesitis, based on the triple Likert-type physician-reported statement of 'active enthesitis', 'history of enthesitis' or 'none' in the case report forms. Patients with active enthesitis were compared to others in terms of these clinical parameters. A total of 1130 patients were enrolled in this observational study. Of these patients, 251 (22.2%) had active enthesitis according to the clinical assessment. TJC, HAQ-s, BASDAI, FiRST and PsAQoL were significantly higher whereas the SF-36 scores were lower in patients with enthesitis (p < 0.05). Chronic back pain, dactylitis, and tenosynovitis were more frequent in the enthesopathy group (59.4%/39%, 13.1%/6.5% and 24.7%/3.4%, respectively). Significant positive correlations between the MASES score and the TJC, HAQ, DAS 28-ESR, BASDAI, FiRST and PsAQoL scores, and a negative correlation with the SF-36 score were found. When linear regression analysis was performed, the SF-36 MCS and PCS scores decreased by - 9.740 and - 11.795 units, and the FiRST scores increased by 1.223 units in patients with enthesitis. Enthesitis is an important involvement of PsA with significant relations to quality of life determined with PsAQoL and SF-36 scores. Our study found higher frequency of dactylitis and chronic back pain, and worse quality of life determined with SF-36 and PsAQoL scores in patients with enthesitis

Validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index in axial spondyloarthritis

Objective: To investigate the validation and reliability of Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index (ILBPDI) in axial spondyloarthritis (Ax-SpA). Methods: Patients with Ax-SpA according to The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society criteria were recruited. The validation was assessed by face, content, and construct (convergent and divergent) validities, whereas the reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Factor analysis was performed. Convergent validity was assessed by correlations of ILBPDI with functional parameters (The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, The Dougados Functional Index, and The Health Assessment Questionnaire). Divergent validity was assessed by correlations of ILBPDI with non-functional parameters. Results: Two hundred forty patients were recruited. Cognitive debriefing showed ILBPDI to be clear, relevant, and comprehensive. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.953. The test-retest reliability was good with the intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.870. ILBPDI was represented by three-factor groups of activity: axial bending, sitting/rest, and standing activities. ILBPDI had good correlations with the functional parameters (rho changes between 0.809 and 0.580), and it had poor or non-significant correlations with the non-functional parameters (absolute rho changes between 0.669 and 0.001). Conclusion: ILBPDI is a practical, accurate, and non-time-consuming scale which is valid and reliable to evaluate the functional disability in patients with Ax-SpA

Impact of obesity on quality of life, psychological status, and disease activity in psoriatic arthritis: a multi-center study

This article aims to evaluate the possible effect of obesity on quality of life, psychological status, and other clinical variables in Psoriatic arthritis (PsA). PsA patients have been recruited by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Network from various centers in Turkey in this cross-sectional study. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) >= of 30 kg/m(2) were considered obese. Differences among patients with regard to obesity status were assessed with health-related quality of life measures (PsA Quality of Life Questionnaire [PsAQoL]), psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), and disease activity parameters (the Disease Activity index for PSoriatic Arthritis [DAPSA], Disease Activity Score 28-C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP], Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI]), physical functions (Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI], Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ], and Health Assessment Questionnaire for the spondyloarthropathies [HAQ-S]). Pain was assessed using visual analog scale of pain (VAS-P), and fatigue was evaluated using visual analog scale of fatigue (VAS-F) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT). A total of 1033 patients with PsA, 650 (62.9%) non-obese and 383 (37.1%) obese were included in the study. The PsAQoL, HADS-Anxiety, HADS-Depression, DAPSA, DAS28-CRP, BASDAI, BASFI, HAQ and HAQ-S scores of the obese group were higher than the non-obese group (p < 0.05). VAS-P and PASI scores were similar between group of patients with and without obesity. Obese patients had higher median scores of VAS-F and FACIT than non-obese patients (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that BMI affects the quality of life, depression, and disease activity. Consequently, obesity has significant associations with higher disease activity, lower QoL, risk of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Therefore, obesity should also be taken into account in the management of PsA patients

The impact of nail psoriasis on disease activity, quality of life, and clinical variables in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A cross-sectional multicenter study

Aim Nail involvement is common in psoriatic arthritis. This study assesses clinical characteristics, nail psoriasis prevalence, and impact of nail psoriasis on disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Method This cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism using PsA patients recruited from 25 centers. Demographic and clinical characteristics of PsA patients, such as disease activity measures, quality of life, and nail involvement findings were assessed during routine follow-up examinations. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of nail psoriasis and compared using the chi(2) test or Fisher exact test for categorical variables and the t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. Results In 1122 individuals with PsA, 645 (57.5%) displayed nail psoriasis. The most frequent features of fingernails were ridges (38%), followed by pitting (21%) and onycholysis (19%). More females were present in both groups (with and without nail psoriasis; 64% vs 67%, P < 0.282). Patients with nail psoriasis were older, indicated more pain and fatigue, experienced greater swelling, tender joint counts, and skin disease severity, and had a higher disease activity score compared with those without nail psoriasis (all P < 0.05). Conclusion We demonstrate an increased prevalence of nail psoriasis observed in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Patients with nail involvement experience increased disease activity, lower quality of life, and diminished mental and physical status compared with those without nail involvement

The effect of gender on disease activity and clinical characteristics in patients with axial psoriatic arthritis

Objectives In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of gender on clinical findings, disease activity, functional status and quality of life in patients with axial involvement in Turkey. Methods Patients with PsA who met the CASPAR classification criteria were enrolled consequently in this cohort. Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR)-Network was formed with the participation of 25 centres. The demographic variables, fatigue, diagnostic delay, the beginning of peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis and spine involvement, inflammatory low back pain, BASFI, HAQ, HAQ-s, visual analogue scale-pain (VAS-pain), anxiety, depression and disease activity parameters (ESR, DAS28, BASDAI) were recorded. Axial involvement was assessed according to clinical and radiological data according to modified New York (MNYC) or Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria. Results A total of 1018 patients with PsA were included in this study. Of the 373 patients with axial involvement, 150 were male (40.2%) and 223 (59.8%) were female. Spondylitis was detected in 14,7% of men and 21,9% of women in all patients. Pain score (VAS) (p < .002), fatigue (p < .001), ESR (p < .001), DAS28 (p < .001), BASDAI score (p < .001), PsAQoL (p < .001), HAQ score (p < ,01), HAQ-S score (p < .001), anxiety (p < .001), depression (p < .024), FACIT (p < .001) and FiRST (p < .001) scores were statistically significantly worse in women than males with axial PsA. However, quality of life was better (p < .001) and PASI score (p < .005) were statistically worse in male patients than in female patients with axial involvement. Conclusion This study has shown that the burden of disease in axial PsA has significant difference between genders. Disease activity, physical disability, functional limitation, depression and anxiety scores were higher in female patients, while quality of life were better and PASI score were higher in male patients. Therefore, we suggest that new strategies should be developed for more effective treatment of axial PsA in female patients

The impact of fatigue on patients with psoriatic arthritis: a multi-center study of the TLAR-network

Fatigue is a substantial problem in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) that needs to be considered in the core set of domains. This study aimed to evaluate fatigue and its relationship with disease parameters, functional disability, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and correlation with disease activity as determined by various scales. A total of 1028 patients (677 females, 351 males) with PsA who met the CASPAR criteria were included [Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) Network multicenter study]. The demographic features and clinical conditions of the patients were recorded. Correlations between fatigue score and clinical parameters were evaluated using the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), Clinical DAPSA (cDAPSA), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST), minimal disease activity (MDA), and very low disease activity (VLDA). Fatigue was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT-F) and a 10-point VAS (VAS-F). The mean age of the patients was 47 (SD: 12.2) years, and the mean disease duration was 6.4 (SD: 7.3) years. The mean VAS-F score was 5.1 (SD: 2.7), with fatigue being absent or mild, moderate, and severe in 12.8%, 24.6%, and 62.5% of the patients, respectively. Fatigue scores were significantly better in patients with DAS28 remission, DAPSA remission, cDAPSA remission, MDA, and VLDA (p < 0.001). Fatigue scores significantly increased with increasing disease activity levels on the DAS28, DAPSA, and cDAPSA (p < 0.001). VAS-F scores showed correlations with the scores of the BASDAI, BASFI, PsAQoL, HAD-A, FiRST, pain VAS, and PtGA. FiRST scores showed fibromyalgia in 255 (24.8%) patients. FACIT-F and VAS-F scores were significantly higher in patients with fibromyalgia (p < 0.001). In regression analysis, VLDA, BASDAI score, FiRST score, high education level, HAD-Anxiety, and BMI showed independent associations with fatigue. Our findings showed that fatigue was a common symptom in PsA and disease activity was the most substantial predictor, with fatigue being less in patients in remission, MDA, and VLDA. Other correlates of fatigue were female gender, educational level, anxiety, quality of life, function, pain, and fibromyalgia

Gender-related differences in disease activity and clinical features in patients with peripheral psoriatic arthritis: A multi-center study

Objective: This study sought to compare disease activity, clinical features, and patient-reported outcomes concerning anxiety, depression, fatigue, function, quality of life, and fibromyalgia between female and male patients with peripheral PsA in a Turkish population. Methods: This multi-center Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) Network study included 1038 patients (678 females, 360 males) diagnosed with peripheral PsA according to the CASPAR criteria. The demographic and clinic parameters of the patients were recorded. Disease activity was evaluated using the scores of DAS28 and cDAPSA. Remission, minimal disease activity (MDA), and very low disease activity (VLDA) were determined. Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Short-Form-36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), fatigue VAS (0-10), and Fibromyalgia Rapid ScreeningTool (FiRST) were used. Disease activity and patient-reported outcomes were compared in male and female patients, and the predictors of MDA for both genders were analyzed. Results: The patients' mean age was 47.6 years (SD: 12) for females and 46.3 years (SD: 12.3) for males. In terms of DAS28 and cDAPSA, female patients had significantly higher disease activity scores, while male patients had significantly higher remission rates (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in the rate of MDA in favor of males (P<0.05), but not in VLDA. The incidences of dactylitis, enthesitis, tenosynovitis, and inflammatory bowel disease were similar in male and female patients, except for spondylitis, which was higher in males (P<0.05). Overall, although there was no significant between-group difference in age and disease duration, female patients had significantly higher BMI and late-onset disease (P<0.05). Female patients had higher HAD, HAQ, and FiRST and lower SF-36 scores than males (P<0.05). In both male and female patients, the disease activity score of cDAPSA was significantly correlated with the scores of FiRST, HAD, VAS-F, and HAQ(P< 0.05). In regression analysis, tender joint count, swollen joint count, PASI, pain VAS, and enthesitis were the MDA predictors in both genders. Conclusion: In patients with peripheral PsA, males are more likely to develop spondylitis while other extraarticular manifestations are similar. Female patients appear to have lower rates of remission and MDA and higher levels of disease activity. Female patients experience a more severe course of PsA, with higher levels of pain and fatigue, lower quality of life, and increased functional limitations. The predictors of MDA, i.e., tender joint count, swollen joint count, PASI, pain VAS, and enthesitis are similar between the two genders. (C) 2021 Societe francaise de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

A standardized sonographic analysis of nails in psoriatic arthritis and healthy controls: Feasibility, reliability, diagnostic performance, and demographic and clinical associations

Objectives: Subunits of the nail can be evaluated by nail ultrasonography (NUSG). The purposes of this study are to document NUSG properties (both nail-based and participant-based evaluations) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and healthy controls and to explore the final scorings. Methods: After the literature review and a pilot study, a consensus was reached to evaluate 12 nails and 5 parameters by NUSG: nail plate impairment (NPI), nail plate thickness (NPT), nail bed thickness (NBT), nail thickness (NT), and Doppler activity (DA); further, scorings for each parameter (NPIs, NPTs, NBTs, NTs, and DAs) were calculated. Group comparisons and diagnostic performances (with ROC curve analysis) were applied to both parameters and scorings. Final scorings to predict PsA diagnosis among the NUSG scorings were reached by regression analysis. Feasibility, reliability, and clinical associations of the scores were also performed. Results: Sixty-four patients with PsA and 26 controls (3240 baseline images) were assessed. The most affected nails, PsA/control comparisons, and the ROC analysis varied among the nails, within the higher values of PsA; therefore, 12 nails remained in the scorings. Participant-based scorings showed better content and diagnostic performances than the nail-based. Diagnostic performances, feasibility, reliability, and regression analysis of the scorings documented that NPIs, NTs, and DAs were the best. Some demographics, employee status, hemoglobin, and disease activity of the participants were associated with them. Conclusions: The NUSG Index (NUSGI) including NPIs, NTs, and DAs is a feasible, reliable, and discriminative method to predict PsA diagnosis, with its rich content. (C) 2021 Societe francaise de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved