The association of anti-CCP antibodies with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Antibodies to citrullinated proteins have been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and these appear to be the most specific markers of the disease. Our objective was to determine the frequency of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCPs) in patients with RA and the association of anti-CCP antibodies with disease activity, radiological erosions and HLA DR genotype. Forty patients with RA and 38 patients with fibromyalgia were included in this study. Serum samples were collected from both patient groups with RA and fibromyalgia. Anti-CCP was measured by the corresponding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), disease activity score (DAS), visual analog scala (VAS), HLA genotype and radiographic information were determined in patients with RA. The rate of sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP reactivity for the diagnosis RA were measured (sensitivity 50%, specificity100%). There is no significant difference between anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (−) RA patients for DAS28, VAS, ESR, CRP, disease duration, HLA genotype, and radiological assessment of hand. However, there was a significant difference between anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (−) RA patients for RF and the radiological assessment of left and right wrists (respectively, P < 0.05, P = 0.04, P = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between anti-CCP antibody and ESR, CRP, VAS, DAS 28 or radiological assessment. A small but significant correlation was found between RF and anti-CCP antibody (P = 0.02, r = 0.35)

Türkiye Romatizma Araştırma ve Savaş Derneği ankilozan spondilit ulusal tedavi önerileri

Objectives: To develop Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) National Recommendations for the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Materials and methods: A scientific committee of 25 experts consisting of six rheumatologists and 19 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists was formed by TLAR. Recommendations were based on the 2006 ASsessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis International Working Group(ASAS)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations and a systematic review of associated publications between January 2005 and September 2010. A Delphi process was used to develop the recommendations. Twelve major recommendations were constructed for the management of AS. Voting using a numerical rating scale assessed the strength of each recommendation. Results: The 12 recommendations include patient assessment, patient follow-up along with pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Some minor additions and changes have been made to the ASAS/EULAR recommendations. All of the recommendations had sufficient strength. Conclusion: National recommendations for the management of AS were developed based on scientific evidence and consensus expert opinion. These recommendations will be updated regularly in accordance with recent developments.Türkiye Romatizma Araştırma ve Savaş Derneği᾽nin (TRASD) Ankilozan Spondilit (AS) için ulusal tedavi önerilerinin oluşturulmasıdır. Gereç ve yöntemler: TRASD tarafından altı Romatoloji ve 19 Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon uzmanı olmak üzere toplam 25 kişiden oluşan bir bilimsel kurul oluşturuldu. Önerilerde 2006 yılında yayınlanan Ankilozan Spondilit Değerlendirme Uluslararası Çalışma Grubu (ASAS)/Romatizmaya karşı Avrupa Ligi (EULAR) önerileri ve Ocak 2005 - Eylül 2010 arasında yayınlanmış olan ilişkili yayınlar konusundaki sistematik bir inceleme temel alındı. Öneriler oluşturulurken Delphi süreci kullanıldı. Ankilozan spondilit tedavisi ile ilgili 12 ana öneri oluşturuldu. Oylama yapılarak önerilerin güçlülük düzeyi bir nümerik derecelendirme skalası ile belirlendi. Bulgular: On iki öneri hasta değerlendirilmesini, hasta takibini ve farmakolojik ve non-farmakolojik yöntemleri içermektedir. ASAS/EULAR önerilerine bazı ilaveler ve önerilerde bazı küçük değişiklikler yapılmıştır. Tüm öneriler yeterli kuvvete sahipti. Sonuç: Bilimsel kanıtlar ve uzmanların görüş birliği ile AS tedavisine yönelik ulusal öneriler oluşturulmuştur. Bu öneriler, yeni gelişmeler doğrultusunda düzenli olarak güncellenmelidi

The Relationship of Osteoporosis Risk Factors with Bone Mineral Density in Patients Admitted Our Outpatient Clinic in Trabzon

Objective: Our aim was to identify the relationship of osteoporosis (OP) risk factors with bone mineral density (BMD) in patients admitted our outpatient clinic in Trabzon. Materials and Methods: Two hundred one patients with OP or osteopenia were included in this study. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients were recorded and a standardized interview was employed by the researcher physician. BMD values were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine and femoral neck. Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.47±10.57 years (182 females/19 males). One hundred fifteen patients (57.2%) were osteoporotic and 86 (42.8%) were osteopenic. A significant negative correlation was found between age and femoral neck T scores. The number of pregnancies showed a significant negative correlation with lumbar T scores. Body mass index and daily tea consumption showed a negligible positive correlation with femoral neck T scores. No association was found between age at menarche, age at menopause, total lactation duration, daily calcium intake and T scores of lumbar spine and femoral neck. Conclusions: Identification of regional OP risk factors may be useful for the OP risk management of patients in clinical practice

Trabzon'da Ayaktan Poliklinik Merkezimize Başvuran Hastalarda Kemik Mineral Yoğunluğu ile Osteoporoz Risk Faktörleri Arasındaki İlişki

Amaç: Bu çalışmada amacımız Trabzon ilinde ayakta tedavi kliniğine başvuran hastalarda osteoporoz (OP) risk faktörlerinin kemik mineral yoğunluğu (KMY) ile ilişkisini belirlemektir.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya OP veya osteopeni tanılı 201 hasta dahil edildi. Hastaların sosyodemografik özellikleri kaydedildi ve standardize araştırma formu araştırmacı hekim tarafından dolduruldu. KMY ölçümleri dual enerji X-ray taraması ile lomber omurga ve femur boynundan yapıldı.Bulgular: Hastaların yaş ortalaması 61,47±10,57 yıl (182 kadın/19 erkek) idi. Yüz on beş hasta (%57,2) osteoporotik, 86 hasta (%42) osteopenikti. Yaş ile femoral T skorları arasında negatif yönde anlamlı korelasyon bulundu. Gebelik sayısı lomber T skorları ile negatif yönde anlamlı korelasyon gösterdi. Vücut kitle indeksi ve günlük çay tüketimi ile femoral T skorları arasında ihmal edilebilir pozitif yönde korelasyon tespit edildi. Menarş yaşı, menopoz yaşı, toplam laktasyon süresi, ve günlük kalsiyum tüketimi ile KMY arasında herhangi bir korelasyon bulunmadı.Sonuç: OP için yöresel risk faktörlerinin tanımlanması klinik uygulamalarda hastaların OP risk yönetimine faydalı olabilirObjective: Our aim was to identify the relationship of osteoporosis (OP) risk factors with bone mineral density (BMD) in patients admitted our outpatient clinic in Trabzon.Materials and Methods: Two hundred one patients with OP or osteopenia were included in this study. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients were recorded and a standardized interview was employed by the researcher physician. BMD values were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine and femoral neck.Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.47±10.57 years (182 females/19 males). One hundred fifteen patients (57.2%) were osteoporotic and 86 (42.8%) were osteopenic. A significant negative correlation was found between age and femoral neck T scores. The number of pregnancies showed a significant negative correlation with lumbar T scores. Body mass index and daily tea consumption showed a negligible positive correlation with femoral neck T scores. No association was found between age at menarche, age at menopause, total lactation duration, daily calcium intake and T scores of lumbar spine and femoral neck.Conclusions: Identification of regional OP risk factors may be useful for the OP risk management of patients in clinical practic

The prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey

WOS: 000367258400020PubMed ID: 25736952BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a public health problem commonly seen in all societies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and specific risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in the central and outlying districts of the province of Trabzon, a Black Sea region of Turkey. METHOD: A random sample of 7897 (4006 men and 3789 women) adults was collected by using sampling techniques of stratification. In this study questionnaires were completed at face-to-face interviews with participants selected on the basis of place of residence, gender and age group. The used variables in this study were: use of cigarettes, status of marriage, level of education, and presence of chronic disease, the prevalence of lifetime LBP and of LBP in the preceding year. Chronic LBP was determined as being present for more than 6 weeks. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of LBP in the general population was determined at 62.1%. Prevalence in the preceding year was 46.1%, and that of LBP lasting more than six week was 18.1%. Lifetime prevalence of LBP, prevalence of LBP in the preceding year and prevalence of pain lasting more than six week were all statistically significantly higher in women (p < 0.001). Use of cigarettes, female gender, marriage, a low level of education and presence of chronic disease were identified as independent risk factors for LBP (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lower back pain is a common public health problem. Recommendations were made for local health services to prevent LBP, including health education through combating chronic diseases, reducing cigarette consumption, improvement of working environments and life styles

The prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey

WOS: 000367258400020PubMed ID: 25736952BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a public health problem commonly seen in all societies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and specific risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in the central and outlying districts of the province of Trabzon, a Black Sea region of Turkey. METHOD: A random sample of 7897 (4006 men and 3789 women) adults was collected by using sampling techniques of stratification. In this study questionnaires were completed at face-to-face interviews with participants selected on the basis of place of residence, gender and age group. The used variables in this study were: use of cigarettes, status of marriage, level of education, and presence of chronic disease, the prevalence of lifetime LBP and of LBP in the preceding year. Chronic LBP was determined as being present for more than 6 weeks. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of LBP in the general population was determined at 62.1%. Prevalence in the preceding year was 46.1%, and that of LBP lasting more than six week was 18.1%. Lifetime prevalence of LBP, prevalence of LBP in the preceding year and prevalence of pain lasting more than six week were all statistically significantly higher in women (p < 0.001). Use of cigarettes, female gender, marriage, a low level of education and presence of chronic disease were identified as independent risk factors for LBP (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lower back pain is a common public health problem. Recommendations were made for local health services to prevent LBP, including health education through combating chronic diseases, reducing cigarette consumption, improvement of working environments and life styles