Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis with cervical involvement and characteristics

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis are systemic, inflammatory and chronic diseases. Cervical vertebra involvement is common and may cause disability in patients. The aim of this study; to determine the clinical and radiological features of cervical vertebrae involvement in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis and to assess the disability and quality of life of patients with different measurement methods. Forty-two patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) were diagnosed according to Modified New York criteria and 54 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included. Cervical vertebra joint range of motion and neurological examination of all patients were evaluated. Open odontoid radiographs, lateral cervical graphs in the flexion and extension positions and MRI images were taken. Values such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined in all patients. Disease activity was assessed in patients with RA using DAS 28 and BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) in AS patients. In the evaluation of quality of life and disability for RA patients, the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Scale (RAQOL), Short Form 36 (SF36), AS patients were interviewed for the Quality of Life Scale-SPA (SPA-QOL), Ankylosing Spondylitis Life Quality Scale (ASQOL), Short Form 36. 48 of the RA patients were female and 8 were female. The average age was 50.7 years Six patients with RA and AS had AAS identified by radiography. Pannus was detected on MRI of 5 patients with RA and 7 patients with AS. 80% of our patients with RA and 71% of our patients with AS who detected pannus formation by MRI were AA joint range was below 3 mm. There was no significant relationship between disease activity criteria and AAS. There was a significant relationship between AAS and age in RA patients (p < 0.05). Patients with RA had a worse quality of life. Cervical vertebral involvement can lead to deterioration of the quality of life of patients. For this reason, cervical spine involvement should be specifically investigated following the disease. Plain radiographs can provide reliable and practical measurements in determining cervical involvement MRI can be consulted if needed. Assessment of atlantoaxial joint integrity in patients with minimal cervical symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of cervical spine disorders is important. [Med-Science 2019; 8(2.000): 385-9

Low back pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Clinical characteristics and impact of low back pain on functional ability and health related quality of life

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the point prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); and to compare radiological and clinical aspects, as well as impact of LBP on health related quality of life (QoL), depression and disability in control patients with mechanical LBP (mLBP)

Plasma Atherogenic Index is an Independent Indicator of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Amaç: Sistemik lupus eritematozus (SLE), kronik inflamasyon ile karakterize bir hastalıktır. Plazma aterojenik indeks (PAI), kardiyovasküler hastalık ve kardiyak risk için değerli bir belirteçtir. Bu çalışmanın amacı PAI'in SLE hastalarında aterosklerozu ve kardiyak riski değerlendirmekteki rolü ve klinik kullanılabilirliliğini araştırmaktır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Amerikan Romatoloji Koleji (1997) tanı kriterlerine göre değerlendirilen 56 kadın SLE hastası dahil edildi. Ayrıca yaş ve vucüt kitle indeksi uyumlu 56 kadın sağlıklı kişi seçildi. PAI, trigliserit'in yüksek yoğunluklu kolesterole oranı logartimik ölçümüdür. Karotis intima medya kalınlığı (KIMK) inflamatuvar belirteç olarak yaygın olarak kullanıldığından, bu işareti bu çalışmada kullandık. Hasta ve kontrol gruplarının lipid ve diğer biyokimyasal parametreleri incelendi.Bulgular: Hasta grubunda PAI 0,04±0,23, KIMK 0,78±0,18 mm, kontrol grubunda PAI -0,09±0,20, KIMK 0,50±0,15 mm olduğu tespit edildi. Hasta grubunda PAI ve KIMK'ın kontrol grubuna kıyasla yüksek olduğu görüldü (sırasıyla p=0,002, p<0,001). SLE hastaları içerisine KIMK ile PAI arasında pozitif korelasyon olduğu görüldü (r=0,273, p=0,003). Multipl logistik regresyon analize göre PAI, KIMK için bağımsız risk faktörü olarak değerlendirildi (Olasılık oranı: 2,6, Güven aralığı %95 1,506-4,374, p=0,029).Sonuç: Bu çalışma bize PAI'nın SLE hastalarında subklinik aterosklerozun değerlendirilmesinde kullanılabilecek bağımsız bir belirteç olabileceğini düşündürdüObjective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by chronic inflammation. Plasma atherogenic index (PAI) is a valuable marker for the cardiovascular disease and cardiac risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and clinical use of PAI in atherosclerosis and the cardiac risk in SLE patients.Materials and Methods: We included 56 female SLE patients who were selected according to the American College of Rheumatology (1997) diagnosis criteria. Furthermore, we selected age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched 56 female healthy individuals. PAI was measured as a logarithmic value of triglyceride to high-density cholesterol ratio. We used carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) as an inflammatory marker because of its widespread use. The lipid and other biochemical parameters of patient and control groups were examined.Results: The PAI and cIMT values of SLE patients were 0.04±0.23 and 0.78±0.18 mm, respectively. Besides, for the control group, the PAI value was ?0.09±0.20 and cIMT value was 0.50±0.15 mm (p=0.002, p<0.001; respectively). There was a strong correlation between cIMT and PAI (r=0.273, p=0.003). According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that PAI value is an independent factor for cIMT in SLE patients (odds ratio: 2.6, 95 % confidence interval; 1.506-4.374; p=0.029). Conclusions: We determined that PAI can be used as an independent indicator for subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patient

Plasma Atherogenic Index is an Independent Indicator of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Aydogan Baykara, Rabia/0000-0003-0542-266XWOS: 000413775600007PubMed: 29123443Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by chronic inflammation. Plasma atherogenic index (PAI) is a valuable marker for the cardiovascular disease and cardiac risk. the aim of this study was to evaluate the role and clinical use of PAI in atherosclerosis and the cardiac risk in SLE patients. Materials and Methods: We included 56 female SLE patients who were selected according to the American College of Rheumatology (1997) diagnosis criteria. Furthermore, we selected age-and body mass index (BMI)-matched 56 female healthy individuals. PAI was measured as a logarithmic value of triglyceride to high-density cholesterol ratio. We used carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) as an inflammatory marker because of its widespread use. the lipid and other biochemical parameters of patient and control groups were examined. Results: the PAI and cIMT values of SLE patients were 0.04 +/- 0.23 and 0.78 +/- 0.18 mm, respectively. Besides, for the control group, the PAI value was -0.09 +/- 0.20 and cIMT value was 0.50 +/- 0.15 mm (p=0.002, p<0.001; respectively). There was a strong correlation between cIMT and PAI (r=0.273, p=0.003). According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that PAI value is an independent factor for cIMT in SLE patients (odds ratio: 2.6, 95 % confidence interval; 1.506-4.374; p=0.029). Conclusions: We determined that PAI can be used as an independent indicator for subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patients

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is associated with atherosclerosis in patients with Behcet’s disease

Objectives The incidence of cardiovascular disease is increased in patients with Behcet’s disease (BD). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) causes the acceleration of atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between PCSK9 with carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, and BD disease activity. Methods Fifty-eight patients with BD and 58 age-, gender-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy control subjects were included in the study. The disease activity of the patients was estimated. Individuals’ cIMT values were measured, and PCSK9 levels were studied. Results Patients with BD’ cIMT (0.51 ± 0.1 vs 0.41 ± 0.1 mm, p < .001) and PCSK9 (623.2 ± 101.7 ± 10.1 vs 528.3 ± 242.7 ng/ml, p = .007), values were significantly higher than the control group. In stepwise regression analysis, there was an independent relationship between cIMT with PCSK9 (β = 0.179, p < .050). There was no independent relationship between disease activities with PCSK9. Based on the ROC curve analysis, the PCSK9 optimal cutoff value for cIMT was 595.1 ng/ml, sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 64.7% (AUC = 0.672; 95% CI: 0.530–0.815, p = .040). Conclusion There is a strong independent association between subclinical atherosclerosis and PCSK9 in patients with BD. There may be no independent association between PCSK9 and disease activity

Alteration of Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is an extra-articular rheumatological disease, characterized by widespread pain and somatic symptoms. The etiology has not yet been clarified. Oxidative stress may play an important role in FMS etiology. Thiol group is a very strong antioxidant. We aimed to investigate whether thiol/disulfide homeostasis in FMS is altered or not. Material and methods: A total of 80 female FMS patients and 64 healthy female control individuals were included in this study. Thiol and disulfide values were measured by Erel’s novel methods. Results: Native thiol (330.6 ± 46.1 vs. 356.8 ± 55.5 μmol/L, p = 0.005) and native thiol/total thiol (89.4 ± 3.2 vs. 93.3 ± 4.0, p < 0.001) levels of FMS patients were significantly lower when compared to the values of control group. However, disulfide (19.4 ± 6.3 vs. 12.2 ± 6.3 μmol/L, p < 0.001) levels of FMS patients were significantly higher than healthy individuals. A negative correlation was found between the native thiol/total thiol and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) score among the FMS patients. A positive correlation was found between disulfide values and FIQ score among the patients. Conclusions: In FMS patients, there was a significant correlation between the decrease in the thiol levels and an increase in the disulfide levels with the FIQ scores. We determined that thiol-disulfide rate was deteriorated in FMS patients and it increases in favor of disulfide amounts

Thiol/Disulfide homeostasis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background. Oxidative stress may play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) etiopathogenesis. The thiol group is a very strong antioxidant. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of oxidative stress in patients with RA by evaluating thiol/disulfide homeostasis