Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the 6-item Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Scale

Aim: The use of patient-completed, disease-specific scales is increasing in clinical research and patient follow-up. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Turkish version of the 6-item Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms scale for CTS. Methods: The translation and transcultural adaptation of the original scale were performed by an expert committee using the steps recommended in the guiding methods. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability methods were applied to a population of 60 patients. Content validity and face validity were assessed in a pre-patient group. Concurrent validity was examined using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire. Results: This study included 60 patients. In the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value obtained in the study showed that the sample size was sufficient (0.629) for factor analysis, and the result of Bartlett’s test was also significant. All factor loadings in this study were found to be quite high. Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.829. The correlation coefficient between the results of these two tests indicates that the Turkish version of the scale is reliable and the test results are stable (r=0.869, p<0.01). Conclusion: The Turkish version of CTS-6 was found to be reliable and valid for measuring CTS-associated symptoms. It can be used to effectively evaluate these symptoms

Are These Truly Rheumatoid Arthritis or Antisynthetase Syndrome Cases?

Salbas, Ender/0000-0001-7460-2889WOS: 000484127900019PubMed: 31598606

Assessment of the Relationship Between Vitamin D Level and Non-specific Musculoskeletal System Pain: A Multicenter Retrospective Study (Stroke Study Group)

WOS: 000419743500005Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D level and pain severity, localization and duration in patients with non-specific musculoskeletal pain. Materials and Methods: Patients who applied to physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics due to non-specific muscle pain in 19 centers in Turkey were retrospectively screened. Three thousand four hundred fourpatients were included in the study, whose pain level was determined by visual analog scale (VAS) and the painful region, duration of pain and vitamin D level were reached. D group was found to be D deficient (group 1) when 25 (OH) D level was 20 ng/mL or less and group D 2 (vitamin D deficiency) was higher than 30 ng/mL (group 3). The groups were compared in terms of pain duration, localization and severity. In addition, the correlations of pain localization, severity and duration with vitamin D levels were examined. Results: D vitamin deficiency was detected in 2202 (70.9%) of 3 thousand four hundred and four registered patients, and it was found that vitamin D deficiency in 516 (16.6%) and normal vitamin D in 386 (12.4%). The groups were similar in terms of age, body mass index, income level, duration of complaint, education level, family type and working status (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of VAS, pain localization and duration scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study shows that vitamin D deficiency in patients with nonspecific musculoskeletal pain is not associated with the severity and duration of pain

Common Mistakes in the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) in Turkey. A Retrospective Descriptive Multicenter Study

Background: Osteoporosis is a widespread metabolic bone disease representing a global public health problem currently affecting more than two hundred million people worldwide. The World Health Organization states that dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the best densitometric technique for assessing bone mineral density (BMD). DXA provides an accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis, a good estimation of fracture risk, and is a useful tool for monitoring patients undergoing treatment. Common mistakes in BMD testing can be divided into four principal categories: 1) indication errors, 2) lack of quality control and calibration, 3) analysis and interpretation errors, and 4) inappropriate acquisition techniques. The aim of this retrospective multicenter descriptive study is to identify the common errors in the application of the DXA technique in Turkey. Methods: All DXA scans performed during the observation period were included in the study if the measurements of both, the lumbar spine and proximal femur were recorded. Forearm measurement, total body measurements, and measurements performed on children were excluded. Each examination was surveyed by 30 consultants from 20 different centers each informed and trained in the principles of and the standards for DXA scanning before the study. Results: A total of 3,212 DXA scan results from 20 different centers in 15 different Turkish cities were collected. The percentage of the discovered erroneous measurements varied from 10.5% to 65.5% in the lumbar spine and from 21.3% to 74.2% in the proximal femur. The overall error rate was found to be 31.8% (n = 1021) for the lumbar spine and 49.0% (n = 1576) for the proximal femur. Conclusion: In Turkey, DXA measurements of BMD have been in use for over 20 years, and examination processes continue to improve. There is no educational standard for operator training, and a lack of knowledge can lead to significant errors in the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation

Assessment of the Relationship Between Vitamin D Level and Non-specific Musculoskeletal System Pain: A Multicenter Retrospective Study (Stroke Study Group)

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D level and pain severity, localization and duration in patients with non-specific musculoskeletal pain