Spondiloartrit hastalarının fizik aktivitesi ve egzersiz algısı: Kesitsel bir çalışma

Objective: Exercise is a cornerstone in the management of spondyloarthritis (SpA). The aim of this research was to compare the levels of physical activity (PA) and perceived advantages and barriers to exercise of SpA patients with population controls.Methods: In this cross-sectional study 200 patients (118 males, 82 females) and 100 controls (50 males, 50 females) were included. Levels of PA were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and perceptions of exercise were assessed using Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale. Fatigue, psychological status and quality of life of all participants were questioned. Disease activity, functions and mobility of the patients were also assessed. Correlations were analyzed between disease parameters and perceptions of exercise.Results: PA levels were similar on both groups. Of the patients 65% met recommended amount of exercise. Deterioration of psychological status and quality of life were associated with decreased PA levels of the patients. Patients reported fatigue and lack of time barriers more than controls. When disease activity, functionality, mobility, fatigue, psychological status and quality of life of the patients deteriorated, perceived barriers to exercise increased.Conclusion: Health professionals should focus on personal barriers to improve exercise behavior in SpA patients.Amaç: Egzersiz spondiloartritlerin (SpA) yönetiminde bir köşe taşıdır. Bu araştırmanın amacı, SpA hastalarının fiziksel aktivite (PA) düzeylerini ve egzersizden algılanan avantajları ve engelleri popülasyon kontrolleriyle karşılaştırmaktır. Yöntemler: Bu kesitsel çalışmaya 200 hasta (118 erkek, 82 kadın) ve 100 kontrol (50 erkek, 50 kadın) dahil edildi. PA seviyeleri Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi-Kısa Form ile değerlendirildi ve egzersiz algıları Egzersiz Faydaları ve Engeller Ölçeği ile değerlendirildi. Tüm katılımcıların yorgunluğu, psikolojik durumu ve yaşam kalitesi sorgulandı. Hastaların hastalık aktivitesi, fonksiyonları ve mobilitesi de değerlendirildi. Hastalık parametreleri ve egzersiz algıları arasındaki korelasyonlar incelendi. Bulgular: PA seviyeleri her iki grupta da benzerdi. Hastaların %65’i tavsiye edilen egzersiz miktarını karşıladı. Psikolojik durumun ve yaşam kalitesinin bozulması, hastaların PA düzeylerinin azalması ile ilişkiliydi. Hastalar yorgunluk ve zaman yokluğu bariyerini kontrollere göre daha fazla bildirdi. Hastaların hastalık aktivitesi, işlevselliği, hareketliliği, yorgunluğu, psikolojik durumu ve yaşam kalitesi kötüleştiğinde, egzersizin önündeki algılanan engeller arttı. Sonuç: Sağlık çalışanları, SpA hastalarında egzersiz davranışını iyileştirmek için algılanan kişisel engellere odaklanmalıdır

Male Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis in men is now recognized as an increasingly important public health issue. About 30 % of hip fractures and 20 % of vertebral fractures occur in men. In the present study, we examined 19 men who did not have major risk factors that might affect bone mass. Parathormone(PTH), osteocalcin (marker of bone formation, OC) and deoxypyridinoline (marker of bone resorption, DPD) were measured. The bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in 16 men were performed by dual-energy X-ray absorbtiometry (DXA) from lumbar spine (L2-4), and left hip. Bone density at each site was categorized as osteoporosis or osteopenia according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. In 19 patients with a mean age of 69 years, PTH levels were in the normal range except one patient. OC levels were elevated in %42.1 and DPD levels were elevated in 74 % of patients. L2-4 T score was osteoporotic (25%) in 4 patients and osteopenic (25%) in 4 patients. Femur Ward’s T score was osteoporotic (37.5%) in 7 patients and osteopenic (37.5%) in 7 patients. Osteoporosis is a significant problem in older men. Increased awareness for the risk factors of male osteoporosis is an important issue. Early diagnosis and treatment would help to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from osteoporotic fractures

Demographic and clinical characteristics of inpatient stroke patients in Turkey

Objectives: This study aims to assess the stroke rehabilitation facilities provided by university hospitals (UHs) and training and research hospitals (TRHs) and to evaluate the geographical disparities in stroke rehabilitation. Patients and methods: Between April 2013 and April 2014 a total of 1,529 stroke patients (817 males, 712 females; mean age: 61.7±14.0 years; range, 12 to 91 years) who were admitted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics in 20 tertiary care centers were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic, regional and clinical characteristics, details of rehabilitation period, functional status, and complications were collected. Results: The median duration of stroke was five (range, 1 to 360) months. The ratio of the patients treated in the TRH in the Marmara region was 77%, but only 25% of the patients were living in the Marmara region. Duration of hospitalization was longer in the TRHs with a median of 28 days compared to those of UHs (median: 22 days) (p0.0001). More than half of the patients (55%) were rehabilitated in the Marmara region. Time after stroke was the highest in the Southeast region with a median of 12 (range, 1 to 230) months and the lowest in the Aegean region with a median of four (range, 1 to 84) months. Conclusion: This study provides an insight into the situation of stroke rehabilitation settings and characteristics of stroke patients in Turkey. A standard method of patient evaluation and a registry system may provide data about the efficacy of stroke rehabilitation and may help to focus on the problems that hinder a better outcome. © 2022 All right reserved by the Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation