LIMPRINT study - the Turkish experience

Background: Lymphedema and chronic oedema is a major healthcare problem in both developed and non-developed countries The LIMPRINT study is an international health service based study to determine the prevalence and functional impact in adult populations of member countries of the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF). Methods: 1051 patients from 8 centers in Turkey were recruited using the LIMPRINT study protocol. Data were collected using the core and module tools which assess the demographic and clinical properties as well as disability and QoL. Results: Most of the Turkish patients were recruited from specialist lymphedema services and were found to be female, housewives and having secondary lymphedema due to cancer treatment. The duration of lymphedema was commonly less than 5 years and most of them had ISL Grade 2 lymphedema. Cellulitis, infection and wounds were uncommon. The majority of patients did not get any treatment or advice before. Most of the patients had impaired QoL and decreased functionality, but psychological support was neglected. Although most had social health security access to Lymphedema centres nevertheless access seemed difficult due to distance and cost. Conclusion: The study has shown the current status and characteristics of lymphedema patients, treatment conditions, the unmet need for the diagnosis and treatment as well as burden of the disease in both patients and families in Turkey. National health policies are needed for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment in Turkey that utilise this informative data

Lymphedema Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-Up from the View Point of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists

Lymphedema is an incurable, debilitating and progressive condition, leading to physical and psychosocial consequences for the patients, if left untreated. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) specialist is responsible for the differential diagnosis and evaluation of the patient to tailor management and rehabilitation strategies. Therefore, the PMR specialist must have knowledge and education on the diagnosis of disease and possible complications as well as evaluation, treatment and follow-up of the patient. In this review, the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of lymphedema as well as preventive strategies and follow-up strategies are discussed in the light of the current literature.WoSScopu

The Comparative Efficacy of Kinesio Taping and Local Injection Therapy in Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

WOS: 000440319800237

The Comparative Efficacy of Kinesio Taping and Local Injection Therapy in Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

WOS: 000344384902215

Letter To The Editor: Subcutaneous (Sc) Methotrexate (Mtx) Is Better And Well-Tolerable Than Oral Mtx In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Switched From Oral To Sc Administration Due To Gastrointestinal Side Effects

PubMe

The Comparative Efficacy of Kinesio Taping and Local Steroid Injection in Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

WOS: 000370860204780

The effect of hip and knee exercises on pain, function, and strength in patientswith patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Background/aim: The role of hip muscles in the rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain syndrome has recently received interest. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiencies of hip exercises alongside knee exercises versus only knee exercises on pain, function, and isokinetic muscle strength in patients with this syndrome. Materials and methods: Fifty-five young female patients (mean age: 34.1 ± 6.2 years; mean BMI: 25.9 ± 3.9 kg/m2 ) with patellofemoral pain syndrome were included. The patients were randomized into groups of hip-and-knee exercises and knee-only exercise programs for 6 weeks with a total of 30 sessions at the clinic. Both groups were evaluated before therapy, after 6 weeks of a supervised exercise program, and after 6 weeks of an at-home exercise program. The outcome measures were muscle strength, pain, and both subjective and objective function. Results: The improvements of the patients in the hip-and-knee exercise group were better than in patients of the knee-only exercise group in terms of scores of pain relief (P < 0.001) and functional gain (P 0.002) after 12 weeks. Conclusion: We suggest additional hip-strengthening exercises to patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome in order to decrease pain and increase functional status

Role of Electrical Stimulation Added to Conventional Therapy in Patients with Idiopathic Facial (Bell) Palsy

WOS: 000350203500006PubMed ID: 25171666Objective The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of electrical stimulation when added to conventional physical therapy with regard to clinical and neurophysiologic changes in patients with Bell palsy. Design This was a randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients diagnosed with Bell palsy (39 right sided, 21 left sided) were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two therapy groups. Group 1 received physical therapy applying hot pack, facial expression exercises, and massage to the facial muscles, whereas group 2 received electrical stimulation treatment in addition to the physical therapy, 5 days per week for a period of 3 wks. Patients were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically before treatment (at the fourth week of the palsy) and again 3 mos later. Outcome measures included the House-Brackmann scale and Facial Disability Index scores, as well as facial nerve latencies and amplitudes of compound muscle action potentials derived from the frontalis and orbicularis oris muscles. Results Twenty-nine men (48.3%) and 31 women (51.7%) with Bell palsy were included in the study. In group 1, 16 (57.1%) patients had no axonal degeneration and 12 (42.9%) had axonal degeneration, compared with 17 (53.1%) and 15 (46.9%) patients in group 2, respectively. The baseline House-Brackmann and Facial Disability Index scores were similar between the groups. At 3 mos after onset, the Facial Disability Index scores were improved similarly in both groups. The classification of patients according to House-Brackmann scale revealed greater improvement in group 2 than in group 1. The mean motor nerve latencies and compound muscle action potential amplitudes of both facial muscles were statistically shorter in group 2, whereas only the mean motor latency of the frontalis muscle decreased in group 1. Conclusions The addition of 3 wks of daily electrical stimulation shortly after facial palsy onset (4 wks), improved functional facial movements and electrophysiologic outcome measures at the 3-mo follow-up in patients with Bell palsy. Further research focused on determining the most effective dosage and length of intervention with electrical stimulation is warranted