Levels of endocrine hormones and lipids in male patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between endocrine hormones, lipid levels and clinical parameters in male patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Materials and methods: Fifteen male patients with CTS and 16 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum free T3, free T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were analyzed. Symptom severity and hand function were assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire in clinical examination.Results: Serum free T3, free T4, TSH, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were similar between CTS patients and controls (p> 0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant correlation between laboratory parameters and clinical characteristics in patients with CTS (p> 0.05).Conclusion: The serum free T3, free T4, TSH, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels seem within normal range in male CTS patients. Further studies are needed to investigate association endocrine factors, lipid levels such as triglyceride and total cholesterol with CTS in male and female patients

Effect of mirtazapine on gastric oxidative stress and DNA injury created with methotrexate in rats

In this study, effect of mirtazapine on gastric oxidative stress and DNA injury created with methotrexate was investigated. Experimental results showed that GSH (nmol/g protein), MDA (?mol/g protein) and MPO (?/g protein) in the gastric tissue of the control group rats receiving methotrexate are 4.97 ± 0.37, 2.78 ± 0.30 and 3.12 ± 0.18, respectively. GSH, MDA and MPO measurements in the gastric tissue of rats receiving mirtazapine + methotrexate were detected to be 9.23 ± 0.51(p < 0.0001), 1.80 ± 0.31(p < 0.0001) and 1.63 ± 0.25 (p < 0.0001), respectively. GSH, MDA and MPO values in the intact rat group were found 8 ± 0.38 (p < 0,0001), 1.63 ± 0.28 (p < 0.0001) and 1.37 ± 0.21 (p < 0.0001), respectively. In addition, while 8-ohdG/dG quantity that DNA injury product in the control group administered methotrexate was 2.4 ± 0.11 pmol/L, this quantity was 1.3 ± 0.14 pmol/L (p < 0.001), 1.1 ± 0.10 pmol/L (p < 0.001) in mirtazapine and intact group, respectively. As a result, it was seen that mirtazapine prevents increase of oxidative stress and DNA injury created with methotreaxete in the gastric tissue of rat

The Effect of Back Pain on Quality of Life, Sleep Quality and Depression in Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of back pain on the quality of sleep, quality of life and depression in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. We also evaluated the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and these parameters. Materials and Methods: One hundred and five patients diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis were included in this study. The patients were evaluated on the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The intensity of back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Patients ranged in age from 46 to 75, with a mean age of 61.16±7.59. As pain scores increased, depression scores increased and sleep quality and quality of life were impaired (p<0.01). There were strong positive correlations among depression, sleep quality and quality of life (p<0.01), but we did not find significant correlations among lumbar spine (L1-L4) T-scores, L1-L4 BMD values, VAS, PSQI total scores, QUALEFFO-41 total scores and BDI scores. Conclusion: High pain scores in postmenopausal patients may be related to low quality of sleep and of life, and depression. Depression, sleep disorder and low quality of life may affect each other. Treating back pain, a frequent symptom in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients, may produce favorable effects on quality of sleep and life and on depression, as well as basic management. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2014;20: 6-9

Postural stability and fall risk in adult patients with familial mediterranean fever

INTRODUCTION: In this study, our purpose was to determine the postural stability and fall risk by an objective computerized technique in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), together with their relevant potential risk factors for falls. METHODS: 45 patients diagnosed with FMF (mean age 31+-10 years; range 17 to 53 years) and 40 healthy controls (mean age 31+-9 years; range 18 to 50 years) were included in the study. We used the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I) for assessment of fall efficacy. The disease severity score was assessed. Stability Index (SI), Weight Distribution Index (WDI), and fall risk analysis were performed by the computerized posturography device. RESULTS: The rate of falls in the last year was higher in the patient group (p&lt;0.05). Significant differences were found between groups regarding SI and WDI values (p&lt;0.05). A higher fall risk was determined in the patient group (p&lt;0.05). However, except female gender, no significant relationships were found between SI, WDI, and fall risk and disease-related factors such as age, body mass index, duration and severity of the disease, the last 1-year fall history, and FES-I (r&lt;0.3, p&gt;0.05). Moreover, while significant positive correlations were determined between all parameters of SI and fall risk (r&gt;0.3, p&lt;0.001), no relationship was found between WDI and fall risk (r&lt;0.3, p&gt;0.05) except close eyes-head extended (HB-WDI) (r= 0.003, p&lt;0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Postural stability was impaired and fall risk increased in FMF. This result might result from FMF disease or many other factors being capable of affecting the balance

Effect of Mirtazapine on Gastric Oxidative Stress and DNA Injury Created With Methotrexate in Rats

In this study, effect of mirtazapine on gastric oxidative stress and DNA injury created with methotrexate was investigated. Experimental results showed that GSH (nmol/g protein), MDA (?mol/g protein) and MPO (?/g protein) in the gastric tissue of the control group rats receiving methotrexate are 4.97 ± 0.37, 2.78 ± 0.30 and 3.12 ± 0.18, respectively. GSH, MDA and MPO measurements in the gastric tissue of rats receiving mirtazapine + methotrexate were detected to be 9.23 ± 0.51(p < 0.0001), 1.80 ± 0.31(p < 0.0001) and 1.63 ± 0.25 (p < 0.0001), respectively. GSH, MDA and MPO values in the intact rat group were found 8 ± 0.38 (p < 0,0001), 1.63 ± 0.28 (p < 0.0001) and 1.37 ± 0.21 (p < 0.0001), respectively. In addition, while 8-ohdG/dG quantity that DNA injury product in the control group administered methotrexate was 2.4 ± 0.11 pmol/L, this quantity was 1.3 ± 0.14 pmol/L (p < 0.001), 1.1 ± 0.10 pmol/L (p < 0.001) in mirtazapine and intact group, respectively. As a result, it was seen that mirtazapine prevents increase of oxidative stress and DNA injury created with methotreaxete in the gastric tissue of rat