Is there a relationship between kinesiophobia, pain, depression, disease activity, functional status and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?

To evaluate the presence of kinesiophobia and its potential effects on pain, depres sion, disease activity and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Materials and Methods: The study included 58 AS patients and 55 healthy controls. Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS) was used to evaluate the presence of kinesiophobia, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for severity of pain, Beck Depression Index (BDI) for de pression level, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for disease activity, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BAS-FI) for functional status, and Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (ASQoL) for Quality of life. Results: In patient group, kinesiophobia rate was statistically significantly higher (68%) compared tothe healthy control subjects (27%) (p0.05). Conclusion: Kinesiophobia is more common in patients who had AS than in healthy control subjects, and presence of kinesophobia is related toimpaired quality of life and increased pain. Therefore, we propose that strategies to increase awareness of movement fear, cognitive behavioral therapy and physical activity should be involved in the treatment programs

FRAX® Türkiye modeli yeterli mi? Türk toplumunda FRAX® ile osteoporotik kirik riski analizi]

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Turkish FRAX model in the prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk and to determine the factors that may affect the results in this model. Material and Methods: Data of 104 patients with hip fracture who had underwent bone densitometry scan between 2009-2012, in Kastamonu and Afyon cities in Turkey, were assessed in this study. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group-1; patients with osteoporotic hip fractures (n=36), Group-2; patients with other osteoporotic bone fractures (n=33), Group-3; patients with no osteoporotic fracture history (n=35). The recent osteoporotic fractures in patients were ruled out and by noting the former fractures and previously determined risk factors, fracture risks were calculated by Frax method. The groups were compared on the basis of fracture risks, t-scores and demographical characteristics. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the patients with major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) in Group-1 and Group-2 and patients with no MOF history in Group-3 (p 0.05). With respect to average age in patients, a significant difference was found between Group-1 and 3(p 0.05). Also, no statistically meaningful difference with regard to other risk factors was found between the groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Results of this study: previous MOFs, advanced age and a remarkable decrease in t-scores are the main risk factors in osteoporotic fractures. Turkish FRAX (R) model may be useful in the prediction of fracture risk in patients with increased risk factors in Turkish population. However, this study may not be adequate to rule out the concerns that Turkish Frax model must be revised to fulfill the expectations in determining osteoporotic fracture risk

Clinical Outcomes and Effectiveness of Renal Artery Stenting in Patients With Critical Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis: Does it İmprove Blood Pressure Control and Renal Function Assessed by Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate?

INTRODUCTION: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is associated with uncontrolled hypertension and chronic renal failure. AIM: To evaluate the influence of gender and presence of chronic renal failure on the outcomes of percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRAS) due to atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 28 ARAS patients underwent PTRAS and 36 stents were placed. Basal characteristics, laboratory data and blood pressure of patients were recorded. The differences between genders and improvement/deterioration of renal functions and blood pressure were analyzed. The predictors of outcomes were determined. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between men and women. Significant improvement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure control was achieved after PTRAS (153.04 ±17.07 mm Hg vs. 124.75 ±11.40 mm Hg, p = 0.001 and 92.50 ±10.76 mm Hg vs. 77.54 ±8.23 mm Hg, p < 0.001, respectively). Although mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine levels did not significantly improve at the 6-month follow-up visit compared to baseline values, of the 28 patients 13 (46.4%) patients had improvement of renal functions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PTRAS is a safe procedure and may offer blood pressure control but beneficial effects of PTRAS on renal function may be anticipated in a selected group of patients, especially those with a low eGFR

The effects of elastic band exercise on the pain, kinesiophobia, functional, and psychological status after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

Elastic band exercise not only improves muscle strength and elasticity, increases efficiency, balance, and quality of life but also decreases the injury risk. This study was conducted to determine the effect of elastic band exercise on pain, kinesiophobia, functional, and psychological status after total knee arthroplasty. Methods: This study was conducted out between October 2019 and April 2020 as a randomized controlled experimental study with a total of 60 patients. Data collection tools in this study included a descriptive information form, visual analog scale, Tampa Kinesiophobia, WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Before intervention, the total score of VAS, WOMAC, Tampa Kinesiophobia, and Beck Depression showed no statistically significant difference between intervention group and control group. However, 4 weeks after intervention observed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of VAS (U = 10,000; p < 0.001), WOMAC (U = 0.00; p < 0.001), Tampa Kinesiophobia (U = 221.5; p = 0.001), and Beck Depression means score (U = 112.5; p < 0.001). In addition, 4 weeks after the intervention, joint range and walking test assessments were statistically significant between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the research showed that elastic band exercise had a positive effect on psychological and functional capacity. Trial registration: This study is registered in the Clinical Trial Registry (registration number NCT04981106)Key points• Patients with total knee arthroplasty require rehabilitation exercise to avoid physical function weakness.• Elastic band exercise significantly reduces patients’ fear of movement and depression.• Elastic band exercise activities facilitate significant physical motion function.• Elastic band exercise inspires the will of patients to engage in home rehabilitation exercise patients after total knee arthroplasty

Isokinetic analysis of trunk muscles in stroke patients and its association with functional parameters

*Karakoyun, Ahmet ( Aksaray, Yazar )Objective: The purpose of our study is to investigate the association of balance, motor and functional development parameters with trunk muscles via isokinetic analysis in stroke patients due to cerebrovascular event. Methods: The study included 91 stroke patients and 28 healthy controls. Brunnstroom staging (BS) for motor functions, functional independence measurement (FIM) and Barthel index (BI) for disability, Berg balance scale (BBS) balance test for balance, Rivermead motor evaluation (RMA) for mobility, and mini-mental test (MMT) for cognitive function were used. Strength and proprioception measurements of patients and controls’ trunk extensor and flexor muscles were evaluated via exercise system and isokinetic test. Results: A strong positive correlation was found between FIM total score and lower-extremity Brunnstrom staging (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was found between trunk control test (TCT), and FIM total scores (p < 0.001, r = 0.892), BI (p < 0.001, r = 0.799) and BBS (p = 0.01, r = 0.885). Isokinetic muscle strength values of controls were found statistically significantly higher than those in patients with stroke (p < 0.001). Trunk control and proprioception were poor in patients with stroke compared to the control group (p <0.001). Trunk muscles performance measures were significantly associated with balance and functional parameters. However, no significant relationship was found between the angular values of trunk muscle proprioception and clinical parameters in patients with stroke. Conclusions: In stroke patients, trunk muscles were weak and trunk proprioception was impaired. So, inserting exercise programs to strengthen trunk muscles and improve trunk proprioception through isokinetic dynamometers or conventional methods into the rehabilitation programs of patients with muscle weakness and proprioception disorder may provide a better functional development

YouTube videos as a source of information concerning Behçet’s disease: a reliability and quality analysis

In this study, we aimed to investigate the reliability and quality of YouTube videos concerning Behçet disease, for the first time in the literature. The most viewed 50 YouTube videos about Behçet disease were included. Study data used in the analysis included video length, image type, video content, uploaders, time since the date of upload, the number of total views, daily views, and the numbers of like, dislike and comments. The Video Power Index was used to determine popularity of the videos. Reliability and quality of the videos were evaluated using DISCERN and Global Quality Scale (GQS) instruments. The examined YouTube videos were divided into two groups as uploaded by professionals (physicians, health and hospital channels, institutions and societies) and non-professionals (patients, social organizations, others). Twenty-three (46%) videos were uploaded by professionals. The mean DISCERN score was found as 3.98 ± 0.77 in the videos uploaded by healthcare professionals and 2.83 ± 0.64 in those uploaded by non-professionals (p < 0.01). The mean GQS score was found as 4.09 ± 0.72 in the videos uploaded by healthcare professionals and 3.41 ± 0.69 in those uploaded by non-professionals (p < 0.01). 46% of the videos were of low-to-moderate reliability and 56% of low-to-moderate quality. Nearly half of the YouTube videos concerning Behçet disease were uploaded by non-physician sources with poor reliability and quality. Physicians should be encouraged to upload more professional videos to help and guide patients appropriately. YouTube videos should be subjected to an objective evaluation for content quality before they can be publishe

The impact of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain, grip strength and functionality in patients with medial epicondylitis and lateral epicondylitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and conventional physical therapy applications on pain, grip strength and functionality in medial and lateral epicondylitis treatment and to compare the results. Materials and Methods: A total of 116 patients diagnosed with medial and lateral epicondylitis were included in the study. The patients were divided into ESWT group and control group. The patients in the control group received a total of 15 sessions of conventional physical therapy (Hotpack, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)) once a day for 30 minutes.Whereas, ESWT was applied to the patients in the ESWT group as 2 sessions per week, for a total of 6 sessions. Pain severity of the patients was measured with Visual Pain Scale (VAS), grip strength with a hand dynamometer and functional level with the Patient Based Forearm Assessment Questionnaire (PFEQ).Measurements were made in all groups before treatment, after treatment and 1 month after treatment. Results: In comparisons between groups, there was a significant decrease in VAS and PFEQ values after treatment compared to the control group in the ESWT group (p <0.05). In the evaluation of the hand tightening force, it was observed that the hand tightening force in the ESWT group after treatment (p: 0.043) and 1st month controls increased significantly compared to the control group (p: 0.038). Conclusions: Based on these results, our study demonstrated that the combination of conventional physical therapy and ESWT produced clinically positive effects in patients with epicondylitis

May neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and platelet lymphocyte ratio be used as inflammatory markers in patients with epicondylitis? Inflammatory markers in patients with epicondylitis

*Karakoyun, Ahmet ( Aksaray, Yazar )Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any correlation between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and acute phase reactants such as C-reaktive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with epicondylitis.Material and Methods: Our study included 274 patients. 154 patients with epicondylitis constituted the epicondylitis group and 120 healthy individuals constituted the control group. Demographic data such as age, gender, and laboratory values such as NLR and PLR were analyzed retrospectively. Both groups were compared in terms of dermographic data, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet count, CRP, ESR, NLR and PLR.Results: There was no significant differences between patient and control groups in term of demographic data such as height and weight, and laboratory values such as nuetrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, ESR and CRP (p>0,05 for all). Besides, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of NLR and PLR values (p>0,05 for both). There was a significant positive correlations between NLR or PLR and ESR or CRP values in the patient group (p<0,001 for all).Conclusions: In our study, no significant difference was found between NLR, PLR and other blood paramaters in patients with epicondylitis compared to those of controls. As a result, we determined that it is not meaningful to use these rates to show the presence of inflammation in epicondylitis pathogenesis, and there is no correlation between the severity of epicondylitis and these rates. There is a need for further studies with more patient numbers and clinical evaluation parameters

Is There a Relationship between Kinesiophobia and Physical Activity Level in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis?

Objective. To investigate the levels of kinesiophobia, physical activity, depression, disability, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Design. A cross-sectional study. Setting. A tertiary health care center. Subjects. Ninety-six patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods. Pain intensity was evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale, kinesiophobia by the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Brief Fear of Movement Scale, depression by the Beck Depression Inventory, disability by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, physical activity level by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form, and quality of life by the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire. Results. Of the patients, 85.7% had high-level kinesiophobia, 70.6% had depression, and 64.4% had low, 27.8% moderate, and 7.8% high physical activity levels. Age, activity-related pain score of the Visual Analog Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Brief Fear of Movement Scale scores, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and Beck Depression Inventory scores were higher in the group with high-level kinesiophobia, whereas the mental, physical, and total scores obtained from the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire were higher in the group with low-level kinesiophobia (P < 0.05). Conclusions. As the treatment of pain alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis is not sufficient to reduce fear of movement, we suggest that approaches to increase awareness of fear of movement and physical activity and cognitive behavioral therapy related to fear of movement should be included in the treatment progra

When rheumatoid arthritis is mentioned, should only dryness come to mind?

Objective: To evaluate corneal parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients by corneal topography. Methods: One hundred two RA patients and 60 control subjects were enrolled. Corneal topography measurements and ophthalmologic findings were examined from all participants’ files. Results: Corneal thickness measurements were significantly lower in the RA group (p = 0.025). All values of corneal curvatures (K1, K2, Kmean) in 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm zones were found statistically significantly higher in the RA group compared with the control group. Forty-five RA patients had a dry eye. Disease duration was correlated with dry eye in the RA group. There was a significant correlation between the duration of disease in RA patients and mean corneal curvatures (p 0.012/0.010/0.007, 3/5/7 mm respectively) and central corneal thickness (p 0.025). There is no statistical difference between other topographic measurements. Conclusions: The results suggest that RA patients have thinner and steeper corneas compared with control subjects. These parameters change in negative correlation as the duration of the disease increases.Key Points• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease with systemic involvement.• In rheumatoid arthritis, systemic involvement is affected in the eyes.• When it comes to eye involvement, it comes to mind that it makes the eyes more dryness.• In addition to dryness in the eyes, rheumatoid arthritis makes morphological changes in the cornea