PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE AND OX-LDL LEVELS IN FIBROMYALGIA PATIENTS

WOS: 00021579910384

Congenital defects ef posterier arch of the atlas: A case report

Our aim was to describe an unusual congenital anomaly of atlas and to emphasize its clinical significance. A 43-year old woman presented with occipital headache that was worse with hyperextension of neck. Patient denied any neck pain and other neurological complain. On examination, the only positive finding on physical examination was moderate pain at the upper cervical and occipital region throughout neck extension. The cranial nerve examination was unremarkable, and motor and sensory findings were normal. Plain cervical radiographs revealed bilateral defects in the posterior arch of atlas. Computed tomography scans in flexion and extension positions showed no displacement or inward mobility of the posterior tubercle during extension of the cervical spine. No evidence of compression of the spinal cord was detected on magnetic resonance imaging. Congenital anomalies of the posterior arch of the atlas are very uncommon and usually asymptomatic. Neurological presentations depend on type of defect of posterior arch of atlas. It is crucial to recognize this defect to prevent major neurological deficits

Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in patients receiving a single course of isotretinoin for nodulocystic acne

Background: High-dose isotretinoin has been reported to have adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD); however, studies evaluating changes in BMD with isotretinoin therapy at different dosages and with varying treatment durations have produced conflicting results. Objective: To investigate the effect of a standard, single course of isotretinoin therapy on BMD and bone turnover markers in patients with nodulocystic acne. Methods: Thirty-six patients (15 male, 21 female) with severe, recalcitrant, nodulocystic acne and 36 healthy controls (16 male, 20 female) were enrolled in the study. Patients received isotretinoin treatment for 4-6.months until a cumulative dose of 120 mg/kg had been achieved. BMD in the lumbar spine and femur was measured at baseline and at the end of therapy by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphate, parathormone, total alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, free deoxypyridinoline, and urinary calcium were also measured before and at the end of treatment. Results: No significant differences were found in lumbar spine and femoral BMD between the patient and control groups at the beginning of the study (P >0.05), and no statistically significant difference was observed between the BMD values in patients at the beginning vs. the end of treatment (P >0.05). No statistically significant difference in bone turnover markers was found between patients and controls at the beginning of the study (P >0.05), and no statistically significant changes in bone turnover markers were observed in patients at the beginning vs. the end of treatment (P >0.05). Conclusion: A single course of isotretinoin therapy has no clinically significant effect on bone metabolism. © 2008 International Society of Dermatology

Relationship between FokI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene and fibromyalgia syndrome

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene FokI polymorphism frequencies distribution in subjects with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) compared to healthy controls. Method: Using a case-control design, 100 female patients, who were diagnosed with FMS according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria and 100 healthy female subjects were enrolled in this study. FokI polymorphisms of the VDR gene were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in both groups. Results: No significant differences in the frequencies distribution of both genotype and alleles of the FokI polymorphism in the VDR gene were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: The relationship between VDR gene FokI polymorphism and FMS, particularly in Turkish women, could not be determined in this study. However, further studies with larger patient numbers may be needed to prove a relation between VDR gene polymorphism and FMS. © 2016 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Lt

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis with vertebral fractures and scoliosis

WOS: 000189121900020PubMed: 1476953

Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers of patients with Behçet's disease

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology. The pathogenesis of rheumatological findings and the status of bone metabolism in this disease are unknown. Inflammatory diseases may predispose to a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and there are many studies concerning osteoporosis in chronic inflammatory diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate BMD and bone turnover markers in patients with BD. Methods: Thirty BD patients (17 male and 13 female patients, mean age 36.9 ± 12.6 years) and a total of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (17 male and 13 female controls, mean age 34.9 ± 8.95 years) recruited from the general population were enrolled in the study. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine (L1-4) and the left hip (total hip) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum samples were collected between 8 and 10 am after overnight fasting. Serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), parathormone (PTH), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Free deoxypyridinoline cross-links (DPD) in second-void urine and total daily urinary calcium excretion were analysed. Results: No statistically significant difference in lumbar spine or femoral BMD and bone turnover markers were found between BD patients and control groups (P >.0.05). Conclusion: Although it is difficult to draw definite conclusions because of the limited number of patients involved, our study indicates that bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in Behçet's disease were no different than in healthy subjects. © 2006 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

The effect(s) of a six-week home-based exercise program on the respiratory muscle and functional status in ankylosing spondylitis

BACKGROUN

MR imaging features of foot involvement in ankylosing spondylitis

Objective: To determine alterations of the soft tissue, tendon, cartilage, joint space, and bone of the foot using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Materials and Method: Clinical and MR examination of the foot was performed in 23 AS patients (46 feet). Ten asymptomatic volunteers (20 feet) were studied on MR imaging, as a control group. MR imaging protocol included; T1-weighted spin-echo, T2-weighted fast-field echo (FFE) and fat-suppressed short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences in sagittal, sagittal oblique, and coronal planes using a head coil. Specifically, we examined: bone erosions, tendinitis (acute and chronic), para-articular enthesophyte, joint effusion, plantar fasciitis, joint space narrowing, soft tissue edema, bone marrow edema, enthesopathy in the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia attachment, subchondral signal intensity abnormalities (edema and sclerosis), tenosynovitis, retrocalcaneal bursitis, subchondral cysts, subchondral fissures, and bony ankylosis. Midfoot, hindfoot, and ankle were included in examined anatomic regions. Results: Clinical signs and symptoms (pain and swelling) due to foot involvement were present in 3 (13%) of the patients while frequency of involvement was 21 (91%) with MR imaging assessment. The MR imaging findings were bone erosions (65%), Achilles tendinitis (acute and chronic) (61%), para-articular enthesophyte (48%), joint effusion (43%), plantar fasciitis (40%), joint space narrowing (40%), subchondral sclerosis (35%), soft tissue edema (30%), bone marrow edema (30%), enthesopathy of the Achilles attachment (30%), subchondral edema (26%), enthesopathy in the plantar fascia attachment (22%), retrocalcaneal bursitis (22%), subchondral cysts (17%), subchondral fissures (17%), tendinitis and enthesopathy of the plantar ligament (13%), and bony ankylosis (9%). The most common involved anatomical region was the hindfoot (83%) following by midfoot (69% ) and ankle (22%). Conclusion: In our experience, MR imaging may detect inflammatory and/or erosive bone, soft tissue, cartilage, tendon, and joint abnormalities in AS patients, even if AS patients did not have clinical signs and symptoms of foot involvement. If these data prove to be confirmed in further MR studies, MR imaging may be of importance especially in early diagnosis of inflammatory changes in the foot. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers of patients with Behcet's disease

WOS: 000243297700004PubMed: 17207163Background Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology. The pathogenesis of rheumatological findings and the status of bone metabolism in this disease are unknown. Inflammatory diseases may predispose to a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and there are many studies concerning osteoporosis in chronic inflammatory diseases. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate BMD and bone turnover markers in patients with BD. Methods Thirty BD patients (17 male and 13 female patients, mean age 36.9 +/- 12.6 years) and a total of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (17 male and 13 female controls, mean age 34.9 +/- 8.95 years) recruited from the general population were enrolled in the study. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine (L1-4) and the left hip (total hip) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum samples were collected between 8 and 10 am after overnight fasting. Serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), parathormone (PTH), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Free deoxypyridinoline cross-links (DPD) in second-void urine and total daily urinary calcium excretion were analysed. Results No statistically significant difference in lumbar spine or femoral BMD and bone turnover markers were found between BD patients and control groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Although it is difficult to draw definite conclusions because of the limited number of patients involved, our study indicates that bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in Behcet's disease were no different than in healthy subjects

Biering-Sorensen test scores in coal miners

Objectives: Biering-Sorensen test is an isometric back endurance test. Biering-Sorensen test scores have varied in different cultural and occupational groups. The aims of this study were to collect normative data on Biering-Sorensen holding times, to determine the discriminative ability of the Biering-Sorensen test in Turkish coal miners, and to examine the association between Biering-Sorensen test result and functional disability. Methods: One hundred and fifty male coal miners participated in this study. Trunk extensor muscle strength was measured using the Biering-Sorensen test. Oswestry disability index was used to measure the functional disability level of low back pain. Results: The mean Biering-Sorensen holding time for the total subject group was 107.3 ± 22.5 s. The mean time of Biering-Sorensen test of the subjects with and without low back pain were 99.9 ± 19.8 and 128.6 ± 15.2 s, respectively. The difference between the subjects with and without low back pain was statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between Oswestry functional disability score and Biering-Sorensen holding time (r = -0.824, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Turkish coal miners have low mean back extensor endurance holding times. Biering-Sorensen test had a good discriminative ability in our study group. Trunk muscle strength has a significant effect on the disability level of low back pain. Thus trunk muscle endurance training exercise therapy may be effective for the reduction of disability in patients with low back pain. © 2008 Société Française de Rhumatologie