Are Bone Turnover Markers Related with Fracture Risk in Initial Diagnose Postmenopausal Osteoporosis? A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study

Objective: In this study, we investigated the relationships between 10 year fracture risk calculated with FRAX assessment tool and bone turnover markers (BTM) in women with diagnosed as postmenopausal osteoporosis for the first time. Materials and Methods: After exclusion of the causes of secondary osteoporosis 61 postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis for the first time were enrolled. Height and weight measurements, comorbid diseases, menopause age, and laboratory investigations were recorded. Lumbar and femur neck and femur total T scores were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). As BTM, serum osteocalcin (OC) and urine deoxypridinoline levels were measured. 10-year fracture risk of hip and major osteoporotic fracture was calculated with FRAX assessment tool. Results: The mean age of patients was 61 +/- 39 years. Median value of menopause year was 15.13 years (min: 2, max: 40). The median 10-year hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture risks were calculated as 1.10% (min: 0, max: 23), 6.9% (min: 3, max: 34) respectively. There was no significant relationship between BTM and fracture risk. Positive significant correlation was found between menopause year and hip fracture risk, and between menopause year and major osteoporotic fracture risks (p=0.031, 0.276; p=0.025, r=0.287). Negative significant correlation was detected between body mass index and hip fracture risk (p=0.002, r=-0.392). Conclusion: In our study, we couldn't find relationship between BTM and fracture risks assessed by using FRAX tool in patients with initially diagnosed of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between BTM and fracture risk in different patient groups

Horners Syndrome-Torticollis Relation; a Case Report [Horner Sendromu Tortikollis Iliskisi; bir Olgu Sunumu]

Horner Syndrome is a rare condition characterized with ptosis, miosis, unilateral anhidrosis and rarely enophtalmos resulting from the sympathetic innervation loss by interruption of oculosymathetic pathway. Congenital muscular torticollis is a musculoskeletal system malformation resulting from fibrosis, therefore shortening of sternocleidomastoid muscle. In this report, Horners syndrome secondary to congenital muscular torticollis and diagnosis in rehabilitation period are discussed. Three-month-old baby girl was referred to our unit by pediatrics clinic with congenital muscular torticollis diagnosis. Her history comprised of cesarean delivery following a 34-week pregnancy as twin, and no intensive care need; her parents realized asymmetry in neck when she was a-month-and-a-half old and they admitted to pediatrics. Craniofacial asymmetry, cervical left lateral flexion, restricted left rotation and olive sign were detected in physical examination. During rehabilitation, anhidrosis in the right side of face, soft left miosis and ptosis were also observed, and patient was diagnosed with Horners syndrome. Other possible reasons were ruled out with differential diagnosis and etiology was linked to torticollis. Consequently, while evaluating patients with torticollis, it must be considered that Horners syndrome, rarely accompanies, and since clinical findings may be soft, diagnosis may easily be missed out. [Med-Science 2016; 5(3.000): 829-37

Vitamin D Related Musculoskeletal System Findings

Objective: The effect of vitamin D on bone metabolism has been well known for a long time. Recently, various hormonal and immunity related effects has have been obtained. Additionally, the deficiency of vitamin D is thought to be related with various pain syndromes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the main musculoskeletal symptoms of patients with vitamin D deficiency admitting to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics. Materials and Methods: The data were retrospectively investigated in patients with myalgia, arthralgia, regional pain, widespread body pain (WBP) and in whom vitamin D levels were measured. Patients over 50 years old and with known osteoporosis/osteomalacia diagnosis, endocrinological pathology, and inflammatory rheumatological disease were excluded. Results: The data of 571 patients were investigated and totally 214 of them were included in the study. There were 178 females (83.2%), 36 males (16.8%). The mean age of the patients was 39.19 +/- 9.58 years. Of the patients, 100 (46.7%) were in severe deficiency, 68 (31.8%) were in deficiency, 46 (21.5%) were in insufficient group. The symptoms were regional pain in 65 (30.3%), WBP in 63 (29.4%), arthralgia in 49 (23%), and myalgia in 37 (17.3%) patients. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency may be encountered as musculoskeletal problems. In the presence of persistent joint-muscle pain, regional pain and fibromiyalgia, vitamin D deficiency should be kept in mind

Novel imaging modalities in detection of cardiovascular involvement in ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives: The diagnosis of cardiovascular involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is usually delayed since conventional echocardiography relies mainly on the morphological alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of echocardiographic methods such as tissue Doppler and strain imaging of left ventricle (LV) and proximal aorta; and concentrations of biomarkers of cardiac fibrosis such as galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble suppression-of-tumorogenicity-2 (sST2) in determining early cardiovascular impairment in AS. Design: In this prospective study of 75 AS and 30 healthy subjects (mean age 41.7 +/- 10.1 years; 37.3% female), we determined layer-specific strain and strain rates in longitudinal, circumferential and radial axes for LV as well as transverse and longitudinal strains of proximal aorta; central pulse wave velocity(cPWV); plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP), Gal-3 and sST2 levels. Results: Patients with AS had increased levels of hsCRP and sST2 when compared to healthy controls. cPWV, E and e' velocities; longitudinal strain and strain rates at all myocardial layers; and transverse strains of both anterior and posterior aortic walls were reduced in AS patients. Gal-3 levels with strain and strain rates at circumferential and radial axes were similar between the groups. Among all echocardiographic and clinical parameters, AS was independently associated with LV dysfunction (expressed by longitudinal strain of LV) and aortic impairment (expressed by transverse strain of anterior wall). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that functional impairment in AS occurs early in the disease course and strain imaging is an effective tool in discriminating involvement. sST2 may represent the link between inflammation and fibrosis in AS

Novel imaging modalities in detection of cardiovascular involvement in ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives: The diagnosis of cardiovascular involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is usually delayed since conventional echocardiography relies mainly on the morphological alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of echocardiographic methods such as tissue Doppler and strain imaging of left ventricle (LV) and proximal aorta; and concentrations of biomarkers of cardiac fibrosis such as galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble suppression-of-tumorogenicity-2 (sST2) in determining early cardiovascular impairment in AS. Design: In this prospective study of 75 AS and 30 healthy subjects (mean age 41.7 +/- 10.1 years; 37.3% female), we determined layer-specific strain and strain rates in longitudinal, circumferential and radial axes for LV as well as transverse and longitudinal strains of proximal aorta; central pulse wave velocity(cPWV); plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP), Gal-3 and sST2 levels. Results: Patients with AS had increased levels of hsCRP and sST2 when compared to healthy controls. cPWV, E and e' velocities; longitudinal strain and strain rates at all myocardial layers; and transverse strains of both anterior and posterior aortic walls were reduced in AS patients. Gal-3 levels with strain and strain rates at circumferential and radial axes were similar between the groups. Among all echocardiographic and clinical parameters, AS was independently associated with LV dysfunction (expressed by longitudinal strain of LV) and aortic impairment (expressed by transverse strain of anterior wall). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that functional impairment in AS occurs early in the disease course and strain imaging is an effective tool in discriminating involvement. sST2 may represent the link between inflammation and fibrosis in AS

A multi-center, double-blind, randomized parallel-group Phase IV study comparing the efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside ointment versus placebo in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain and an acute muscle spasm

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside (TCC) ointment treatment compared to placebo in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (LBP) accompanied by acute muscle spasms. Patients and methods: A total of 292 adult patients (106 males, 186 females; mean age: 38.5 +/- 11.2 years; range, 18 to 64 years) were randomized to TCC group (n=147) and placebo group (n=145) in 12 centers between March 2020 and March 2021. Eight patients from each group were excluded from the analysis. The primary endpoint was pressure pain threshold (PPT) on Day 3, which was measured using a pressure algometer. Secondary endpoints were PPT on Day 7, patient, and physician Visual Analog Scales-pain (VAS-pain) on Days 3 and 7, and safety. Results: The PPT values on Day 3 was not significantly different between the treatment groups (p=0.701). Similarly, TCC and placebo group had similar VAS-pain scores over trial period (p=0.577 or higher for comparisons). Significantly higher PPT values and lower VAS-pain scores on Days 3 and 7 were observed in both groups (p= 3.87, TCC arm had higher PPT on Day 3 compared to placebo (p=0.029). Three patients (two in the TCC arm and one in the placebo arm) discontinued the trial due to an adverse event. Conclusion: Topical TCC can be an appropriate option in a subset of patients with mild chronic LBP accompanied by muscle spasms. In a subset of patients with milder pain intensity, topical TCC may improve pain earlier. The results of this trial are compatible with the treatment approaches used in daily practice

Familial Mediterranean fever: Health-related quality of life and associated variables in a national cohort

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectivity of Familial Mediterranean Fever Quality of Life (FMF-QoL) Scale for the measurement of QoL in patients with FMF and to perform correlations between related clinical variables in Turkish patients

Familial Mediterranean fever: Health-related quality of life and associated variables in a national cohort

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectivity of Familial Mediterranean Fever Quality of Life (FMF-QoL) Scale for the measurement of QoL in patients with FMF and to perform correlations between related clinical variables in Turkish patients