Serum Interleukin-37 Levels in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and its Relation with Clinical Findings

Aim: This study investigates serum interleukin(IL)-37 levels in patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) and assesses its relationship with clinical findings. Methods: This study included 35 patients with SS and 30 healthy control subjects. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, such as the presence of Raynaud’s phenomenon, SS subtype, digital ulcers, gastrointestinal and lung involvement, and disease activity, were recorded. The medications used by the patients were recorded, and Serum IL-37 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The United Kingdom Functional Scoring system was used to evaluate the functional status of the patients, while the Valentini criteria were used to evaluate disease activity. Skin involvement was evaluated based on the modified Rodnan skin score. Results: Although serum IL-37 levels were found to be lower in patients with SS than in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.078). A negative correlation was identified between serum IL-37 levels and C3 levels in patients with SS (p= 0.046). No significant relationship was found between IL-37 levels and other clinical and laboratory parameters. Conclusion: Unlike in patients with autoimmune disorders, serum IL-37 levels were found to be lower in patients with SS than in the control subjects, and IL-37 demonstrated a negative correlation with C3 levels

http://www.diclemedj.org/upload/sayi/32/Dicle%20Med%20J-02117.pdf

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a rare heritable condition characterized by bone fragility and reduced bone mass. This pathology is characterized by disruption of biosynthesis of Type I collagen, and production of limited amount of defective and imperfect collagens. This causes decrease in bone mass of human body, bones become fragile and brittle, resulting in unreasonable multiple fractures. Other manifestations include hyperextensibility of the joints, blue sclera, hearing loss, short stature and dentinogenesis imperfecta. Bisphosphonates are now the most widely used for the treatment of OI. In conclusion, along with the literature, we present a case of zoledronic acid treatment in adult patient with OI

The assessment of twin pregnancies delivered in our clinic: three-year experience

Objective: Twin pregnancies constitute 1–2% of all pregnancies. With the recent developments in assisted reproductive technologies, the incidence of multiple pregnancy has increased. Preterm labor is held responsible for the poor neonatal outcomes primarily. In our study, we aimed to assess fetal-maternal outcomes of twin pregnancies seen in our clinic. Methods: One hundred and thirty twin pregnancy cases out of 4241 pregnant women who delivered in our clinic between 01.01.2017 and 01.01.2020 were included in the study. The labor records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively and their data for age, week of gestation, delivery type, birth weight, fetal sex, chorionicity characteristics and laboratory parameters were recorded. Definitive statistics and SPSS 21.0 for statistical analyses were used to evaluate the data obtained from the study. The data were presented as mean ± SD (standard deviation). Results: The incidence of twin pregnancy was found 3%. In the ultrasonographic imaging evaluated during diagnosis, 27.7% of the cases were monochorionic and 72% of them were dichorionic. Of the pregnant women, 12.3% were at term and 87.7% were at preterm period. When the preterm fetuses were evaluated, 37.7% of 114 preterm fetuses were delivered at late preterm period, 29.2% of them at mid-preterm period and 20.8% at premature preterm period. The rates of treatment pregnancy (pregnancy provided by ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technologies) and spontaneous twin pregnancy were 20% and 80%, respectively. Mean maternal age was found 31.3. When evaluated in terms of maternal morbidity, preterm labor and premature rupture of membrane were the most common problems. Mean newborn weight was 1832g and 59.3% of the newborns had low birth weight and 21.8% of them had very low birth weight. While one fetus had transverse presentation in 12.5% of the patients, at least one fetus had breech presentation in 53.1% of the cases and 34.4% of the cases had head-head presentation. Conclusion: Twin pregnancies are characterized by the increased feto-maternal risks. Therefore, both antenatal and intrapartum management should be maintained diligently

The assessment of maternal deaths between 2015 and 2020 in Elazığ, Turkey

Objective: To determine the maternal deaths and the factors affecting them in our city. Methods: The maternal deaths occurred in our city between January 2015 and June 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The review was conducted by checking “Maternal Death Registry Forms” of the Provincial Directorate of Health. In cases where additional data related with the cause of death were required, the relatives of the cases, associated family practitioner, The Council of Forensic Medicine or local authorities were contacted. The data of the cases including age, gravida, parity, abortion, delivery type, week of gestation during delivery, period of death and maternal deaths due to direct, indirect and incidental causes were recorded. Based on total live births and maternal deaths within 6.5 years, maternal mortality rate was found as the maternal death number per 100,000 live births. Descriptive statistics were used for the statistical analysis of the data. Results: A total of 46.618 live births occurred between 2015 and 2020 in Elazığ. The number of maternal deaths due to direct and indirect causes is 7, and maternal mortality rate was found 15.01/100,000. Hypertensive diseases during pregnancy (n=3, 42.8%), pulmonary embolism (n=1, 14.3%) and cerebral thrombosis (n=1, 14.3%) were among the natural causes of maternal deaths. Indirect cause for maternal death was cardiac diseases (n=2, 28.6%). When they were categorized according to the Three Delays Model, there were 3 death cases in the first delay model and 2 death cases in the third delay model, but there was no maternal death in the second delay model. Conclusion: Maternal death is an significant public health issue which develops due to the generally preventable causes and maintains its importance. The factors contributing to death should be paid attention in order to decrease maternal death rates

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME AND OBESITY

<p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was first clinically described in 1935 (Stein & Leventhal, 1935). PCOS is the most common endocrinopathy in fertile age women and occurs in 6-10% of fertile age women (Azziz et al., 2004) (Barber et al., 2006). The prevalence of PCOS (according to Rotterdam diagnostic criteria) has been found to be up to 10% (Bozdag et al., 2016). </p&gt

Sexual dysfunction in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic and inflammatory disease characterized by symmetric polyarthritis and arthralgia, morning stiffness, fatigue and rheumatoid nodules. Multifactorial etiology such as genetic, infectious, hormonal or environmental factors contribute to disease susceptibility. However, clear etiology is not still defined. Both women and men with RA suffer from decreased sexual function. Also, many factors include disease activity, medications or psychological disorders can affect sexual health in a patients with RA. Sexual health is important for human life. However, often overlooked is the association between RA and sexual problems in clinical practice. We present a case of sexual dysfunction developing after adalimumab treatment in a man patient with RA

Prevalence of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures and related factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background Osteoporosis and vertebral factures are well recognized features in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in patients with AS

Is there a treatment protocol in which platelet-rich plasma is effective?

WOS: 000389976100019PubMed ID: 27408512Aim: We aimed to reveal whether there are prospective suggestions for effective and standard platelet-rich plasma applications. Methods: We searched for clinical trials and traced all the references of incorporated documents. Results: In literature, there was no study indicating which disease is treated by which mechanism of action, how much dose and content are prepared and applied, when the treatment is applied and how many cures are applied. Conclusion: Guides introducing which concentrations of PRP are used for which diseases are to be prepared immediately by a committee which is comprised of primarily orthopedists, clinical pharmacologists and toxicologists

Surgical treatment of type III acromioclavicular dislocation: Bosworth technique versus hook plating

WOS: 000453318400010PubMed ID: 30859165OBJECTIVE: In this study, it was compared the clinical results of the Bosworth technique and hook plating in acromioclavicular (AC) dislocations. METHODS: 44 patients are retrospectively evaluated in this study whom diagnosed as type III AC dislocations and treated by two different surgical methods in two different clinics. The patients were 30 males and 14 females with a mean age of 44 years (range, 18-80 years). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the applied surgical technique. Group I comprised 25 patients to whom coracoclavicular fixation was applied by using the Bosworth technique. Group II comprised 19 patients to whom acromioclavicular fixation was applied by using hook plate. All patients are evaulated by The University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Score (UCLA) and The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scoring system. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 23 months (range, 12-42 months). A statistically significant diffference was determined between the surgical groups in respect of the modified UCLA scale (p=0.012) and Quick DASH score (p=0.008). Hook plating group had better clinical results according to Bosworth group in terms of both UCLA and DASH score. A statistically highly significant negative correlation was determined between the UCLA and DASH scores (r=0.677, p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Although hook plating had better clinic outcomes compared to Bosworth technique, there is not seen difference between two groups in terms of the time of return to work. Treatment of the AC dislocation should perform early reconstruction for better reduction, fewer complications and higher levels of patient satisfaction