Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the 6-item Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Scale

Aim: The use of patient-completed, disease-specific scales is increasing in clinical research and patient follow-up. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Turkish version of the 6-item Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms scale for CTS. Methods: The translation and transcultural adaptation of the original scale were performed by an expert committee using the steps recommended in the guiding methods. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability methods were applied to a population of 60 patients. Content validity and face validity were assessed in a pre-patient group. Concurrent validity was examined using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire. Results: This study included 60 patients. In the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value obtained in the study showed that the sample size was sufficient (0.629) for factor analysis, and the result of Bartlett’s test was also significant. All factor loadings in this study were found to be quite high. Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.829. The correlation coefficient between the results of these two tests indicates that the Turkish version of the scale is reliable and the test results are stable (r=0.869, p<0.01). Conclusion: The Turkish version of CTS-6 was found to be reliable and valid for measuring CTS-associated symptoms. It can be used to effectively evaluate these symptoms

The relationship between vitamin D level and lipid profile in patients admitted to physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic

Amaç: Kardiyovasküler (KVS) hastalıklar, dünya çapında önde gelen ölüm sebeplerindendir. Epidemiyolojik çalışmalarda serum 25 Hidroksi D vitamini (25-OH D) ile KVS hastalık risk faktörlerinden olan lipid profili arasında negatif korelasyon olduğu gösterilmiştir. Bununla birlikte 25-OH D vitamin düzeyi ile hastalık arasındaki ilişkinin nedensel olup olmadığı veya sadece yaşam tarzı ile ilişkili bir belirteç olduğu durumu belirsizdir. Vitamin D takviyesinin serum lipid profili üzerine etkileri araştıran plasebo kontrollü çalışmalar farklı sonuçlar vermiştir. Bu çalışmanın amacı serum vitamin D konsantrasyonu ile lipid profili arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon polikliniğine ağrı şikayetiyle başvuran 204 hasta çalışmaya dahil edildi. Hastaların demografik özellikleri kaydedildi. Açlık serum 25-OH D vitamini, total kolesterol, LDL, HDL ve trigliserid konsantrasyonları ölçüldü. Bulgular: Hastaların ortalama 25-OH D düzeyleri 10.66.5 ng/mL, D vitamini eksikliği prevalansı %92.2 idi. Hastalar 25-OH D vitamin düzeylerine göre 20 ng/mL, 20-30 ng/mL ve 30 ng/mL olmak üzere 3 gruba ayrıldı. Yüksek D vitamini konsantrasyonu olan hastalarda D vitamini eksikliği olan hastalara göre serum total kolesterol, TG ve LDL düzeyleri düşük ve HDL düzeyi daha yüksek olmasına rağmen, bu fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değildi (p 0.05). Sonuç: D vitamini eksikliği prevalansı ve uygun olmayan lipid profilinin olumsuz etkileri göz önüne alındığında, yüksek riskli toplumlarda D vitamini durumunun incelenmesi, düzeltilmesi ve korunmasının uygun olacağı görüşündeyiz.Aim: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH D) and cardiovascular risk factors including lipid profile. However, it is still unclear whether 25-OH D level is causally related to the disease or is just a marker of lifestyle. Placebo-controlled trials that examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum lipid profile have provided divergent results. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and lipid profile. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and four patients admitted to physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic with the complaint of pain were included in this study. The demographic characteristics of patients were recorded. Fasting serum concentrations of 25-OH vitamin D, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low- density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride were measured. Results: The mean level of 25-OH D was 10.6±6.5 ng/mL, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 92.2%. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the 25-OH vitamin D levels as 30 ng/mL. Although in patients with higher vitamin D concentration, serum levels of total cholesterol, TG, and LDL were lower and HDL was higher compared to patients with vitamin D deficiency, this association was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Given the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and the detrimental consequences of an unfavorable lipid profile, we believe that investigation, correction, and maintenance of vitamin D status may be indicated in high- risk populations

Temperament and character profile in failed back surgery syndrome: A cross-sectional clinical study

Sengul, Ilker/0000-0002-7675-7814WOS: 000387302000016PubMed: 27476913AIM: Some psychometric properties may predict the development of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The aim of this study was to determine the pain, disability, and depression severity in patients diagnosed with FBSS, and to determine the temperament and character subgroups in comparison with control group. MATERIAL and METHODS: Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with FBSS, and 35 patients with favourable outcome after lumbar spinal surgery were included to the study. Pain intensity, disability, depression scores, temperament and character profile were determined by the visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland Morris Disability Index, Beck Depression Inventory, and Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTS: Pain intensity, disability, and depression scores were higher in the FBSS group (p<0.001). There were no significant differences between temperament and character subgroups between study groups except one of the temperament subgroup, reward dependence (p=0.05). There was a negative correlation between self-directedness and leg pain severity in the FBSS group (p=0.01, r=-0.400). CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found between the FBSS and control groups with respect to temperament and character profile but FBSS was the cause of severe pain, disability, and higher depression scores. This group of patients must therefore be evaluated psychiatrically and should also be subjected to a clinical examination, and they should be managed using a multidisciplinary approach