Short­term effects of pregabalin plus exercise therapy on pain, emotional status, physical function and nociceptive responses in patients with fibromyalgia.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of pregabalin plus exercise vs. pregabalin treatment alone on the electromyographic nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). For this purpose, the present study included a total of 40 patients diagnosed with FM according to the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: Group 1 received pregabalin treatment only and group 2 received exercise therapy in addition to pregabalin treatment. Assessments were made at baseline and at the 1st month using a visual analog scale (VAS) to measure pain, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) to measure the severity of FM, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) to measure depression and the NFR to measure the compressive forces on peripheral nerves. In both groups, the NFR threshold following treatment was significantly higher than that at the baseline results (P#x003C;0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups as regards the difference from pre- to post-treatment NFR threshold values (P=0.610 and P=0.555, respectively). There was a strong, negative correlation between the pre-treatment NFR threshold and VAS resting, VAS motion and FIQ scores (Rho=-0.62, Rho=-0.69 and Rho=-0.60, respectively). There was a moderate negative correlation between the pre-treatment NFR threshold and BDI scores (Rho=-0.35). On the whole, the present study demonstrates that in the treatment of FM, pregabalin improves the clinical scores and leads to an increase in the NFR threshold. Herewith, it should be noted that short-term exercise therapy does not appear to provide additional benefits.

A comparison between hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy and conventional physiotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy (HDP) with conventional physiotherapy (CPT) in improving symptoms in females with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The present study included 60 patients with a diagnosis of knee OA. The patients were randomly assigned to the HDP (n=30) and CPT (n=30) groups. The patients in the HDP group were treated with a dextrose injection into the knee joint (25% dextrose) and around the knee (15% dextrose) in two sessions for 1 month, while those in the CPT group received a hot pack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound in five sessions a week for 4 weeks. Prior to commencing the treatment, and at 1 and 3 months post-treatment, all the patients were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the goniometric measurement of active knee range of motion (ROM), a 50-m walking test and isokinetic knee muscle strength measurements. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups as regards the demographic characteristics at pre-treatment (P>0.05). However, at 1 and 3 months post-treatment, the scores of all the outcome parameters were significantly improved in the HDP group compared with the CPT group (P<0.05 for all). In both groups, a significant improvement was observed in the VAS scores, WOMAC total values and ROM following the treatments, with the greatest improvement observed in the HDP group (P<0.001). The isokinetic quadriceps peak torque measurements were increased in both groups following treatment. All the scores exhibited a statistically significant improvement in the HDP group at both 1 and 3 months post-treatment. On the whole, the results of the present study demonstrate that both HDP and CPT are effective treatment modalities to relieve pain, and increase functionality and strength in patients with knee OA. However, greater improvements in pain and functionality can be achieved with prolotherapy.

The effect of oral baclofen and botulinum toxin treatments in hemiplegic spasticity on the nociceptive flexor reflex: A randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effect of oral baclofen treatment and botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) injection treatment in hemiplegic patients with spasticity on the electromyographic nociceptive flexor reflex (NFR) threshold. Patients and methods: A total of 29 spastic hemiplegic patients (20 males, 9 females; mean age: 52.9±10.1; range, 27 to 64) with Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) grades 2-4 were included in the prospective, randomized study between May 2018 and March 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: the BT-A group consisted of 15 patients that underwent a BT-A injection and the baclofen group consisted of 14 patients treated with baclofen. Modified Ashworth Scale, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Barthel daily life activity index, and NFR threshold values were used in the evaluation of the patients before and after the treatment at the sixth week. The motor evaluation of the patients was performed using Brunnstrom motor staging. Results: In both groups, MAS and VAS values decreased significantly compared to pretreatment (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in ankle MAS score (p<0.001) and a significant increase in Brunnstrom hand recovery stages in the BT-A group compared to pretreatment (p=0.020). While the NFR threshold statistically significantly increased in the baclofen group compared to pretreatment (p=0.007), there was no significant change in the BT-A group (p=0.669). Conclusion: These results suggest that BT-A injections do not cause a significant change in the NFR threshold in the treatment of spasticity.

Effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on clinical variables and isokinetic performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a prospective, randomized, single-blind and controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the efficacy of r-ESWT treatment with sham-ESWT on pain, walking speed, physical function, and isokinetic muscle strength in knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: The study included 104 patients (mean age 61.0 ± 6.2 years; range 50 to 70 years) who were admitted to our outpatient clinic with newly diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for 30 minutes, hot pack for 40 minutes, and home-based exercise program of around the knee strengthening for 30 minutes in a day for three weeks (5 days in a week). Also, one group was treated with r-ESWT, while the other group was treated with sham-ESWT. For r-ESWT, patients received 2000 pulses of shockwave at 2.0 to 3.0 bar weekly for three weeks. All patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS), active knee range of motion (ROM), 20-metre walk test, Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lequesne's disability index, and isokinetic muscle performance before treatment, at the end of treatment, at one month and three months after treatment. RESULTS: When groups were compared, group 1 scores were significantly better than the group 2 in all outcome parameters except WOMAC-stiffness at the end of treatment, at one month and three month follow-up (all p < 0.05). The VAS-resting, VAS-movement, knee ROM, 20-m walk test, WOMAC, and Lequesne's disability scores and peak torque values of knee extension improved in both groups with the highest improvement in the r-ESWT group. A comparison of difference of the two group scores showed statistically significant superior improvement in group 1 in all parameters at both one month and three months. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that r-ESWT combined with conventional electrotherapy is an effective treatment for improving pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis to control symptoms up to three months. CLINICAL TRIALS ID: NCT04243135.

Does Kinesiology Taping Improve Muscle Strength and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis? A Single-Blind, Randomized and Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of kinesiology taping (KT) on pain, movement restriction, walking speed, daily living activities, and isokinetic muscle performance in female patients with knee osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 61 female patients (mean age 53.5±3.5 years; range 50 to 60 years) who were admitted to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic with complaints of mechanical knee pain. Knee osteoarthritis was diagnosed according to the clinical/ radiological criteria of the American College of Rheumatology and patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 and 3 were included. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for 30 minutes, hot pack for 30 minutes, and therapeutic ultrasound for 10 minutes in a day for three weeks (five days in a week). Also, one group was treated with KT (KT group, n=31) while the other group was treated with sham-KT (sham-KT group, n=30) one time a week for three weeks. A home program of around the knee strengthening exercises was recommended for all patients. All patients were evaluated with visual analog scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) values, goniometric measurement of active knee range of motion, 50-meter walking distance, and isokinetic knee extensor muscle peak torque measurements before treatment, at the end of treatment, and at one month and three months after treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in after treatment and first month visual analog scale values in the KT group compared to the sham-KT group (p<0.05). In the KT group, the WOMAC pain and WOMAC total scores decreased significantly after treatment compared to the sham-KT group (p<0.05). Visual analog scale values were significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (p<0.05). In both groups; WOMAC pain, stiffness, physical function, and total values decreased significantly after treatment (p<0.05). In both groups, isokinetic quadriceps peak torque measurements were increased after treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of KT to females with knee osteoarthritis appears to be a method that may be effective on pain and functional capacity.

The Effect of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Treatment on Muscle Performance and Endurance in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Prospective Follow-Up Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate muscle performance by using isokinetic dynamometer before and at third month of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment in ankylosing spondylitis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty ankylosing spondylitis patients (23 males, 7 females; mean age 39.3±8.6 years; range 18 to 45 years) starting on anti- tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment and 30 healthy controls (23 males, 7 females; mean age 39.1±8.8 years; range 18 to 48 years) with similar age, body mass index, and sex were enrolled. The clinical anthropometric measurements of chest expansion, lumbar Schober test, hand-finger floor distance and visual analog scale-global, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index were determined before and at third month of the treatment. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex and, body mass index between the groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was detected between 60 °/second and 180 °/second peak torque in angular velocity of flexor and extensor muscles (p<0.05). A significant difference was detected in respect to total work of patients with 180 °/second peak torque in angular velocity of flexor and extensor muscles (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the findings of 60 °/second and 180 °/second peak torque in angular velocity of flexor and extensor muscles (p<0.05). Isokinetic test results were better at third month after treatment than before treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that both functional limitations and performance and endurance of muscles may be improved with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Isokinetic Assessment of the Wrist Muscles in Females With Fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate wrist muscle strength and muscle fatigue in females with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and compare the results with those of healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive female FMS patients (mean age 39.8±6.7 years; range 25 to 49 years) and 50 age and body mass index similar healthy females (mean age 35.4±7.9 years; range 27 to 48 years) were enrolled. Patients' clinical characteristics were recorded and symptoms were evaluated by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. In addition to the demographic characteristics, physical activities of all subjects were questioned, isokinetic muscle performance was measured, and fatigue index was calculated by endurance test. RESULTS: The peak torque values of the wrist extensor and flexor muscles (at an angular velocity of 90°/second) were higher in the control group than in the FMS group (both p<0.01). There were no differences between the groups in terms of the fatigue indexes of the flexor and extensor muscles of the wrist (both p>0.05). While there were differences between the groups regarding weekly hours of walking (p=0.01) and house cleaning (p<0.001), no differences were determined for weekly hours of bicycling, gardening, doing sports, or total physical activity. There was no correlation between the peak torque values and clinical characteristics in FMS group. CONCLUSION: Patients with FMS had decreased muscle strength compared to healthy controls. Further studies with larger participants are needed to explain the relationship between upper limb muscle performance and FMS, as well as the underlying pathogenesis.

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis without clinically overt cardiovascular disease by speckle tracking echocardiography.

The aim of this study was to evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic function using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in order to detect subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Twenty-six AS patients (age 43.7 ± 11.8 years, disease duration 11.83 ± 10.98 years) and 26 healthy controls, matched for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent two-dimensional, Doppler, tissue Doppler, and speckle tracking echocardiography. The mitral early/late diastolic inflow velocity ratio (1.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.5 ± 0.5; p < 0.001) and the mitral E-wave velocity (8.1 ± 2 vs. 11.1 ± 3; p < 0.001) were lower in the AS patients than in the controls. The ejection fraction did not differ between the patients and controls (64 ± 4.2 vs. 64.8 ± 2.3; p = 0.402). All segments showed a significant decrease in left ventricular diastolic and systolic strain values in the patients with AS when compared with the healthy controls (p < 0.001). Despite no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease, patients with AS may have impaired left ventricular systolic function as assessed by STE.

Efficacy of EMLA cream phonophoresis comparison with ultrasound therapy on myofascial pain syndrome of the trapezius: a single-blind, randomized clinical study.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream phonophoresis superior to conventional US over the trigger points (TPs) in terms of improvements of pain, range of motion and disability in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Fifty patients (42 female, 8 male) diagnosed with MPS were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned into two treatment groups including phonophoresis (PH) group (n = 25) and ultrasound (US) group (n = 25). PH group received EMLA cream phonophoresis (2.5 % lidocaine, 2.5 % prilocaine); US group received conventional ultrasound therapy over the all active TPs on trapezius muscle for 10 min a day for 15 sessions. Outcome measures were performed before the treatment course and at the end of a 15-session course of treatment. Student T, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. At the end of the therapy, there was statistically significant decrease in both PH group and US group in terms of number of trigger point (NTP) (p = 0.001, p = 0.029), pain intensity on movement (p = 0.001 vs. 0.002) and right/left cervical lateral ROMs (p = 0.001/p = 0.001, p = 0.009/p = 0.020) relative to baseline. The NTP decrease in PH group was significantly higher than that in US group (1.84 ± 1.46 vs. 0.72 ± 1.45; p = 0.01). Pain intensity at rest (p = 0.001) and NPDI scores (p = 0.001) were statistically improvement in only PH group. EMLA cream phonophoresis is more effective than conventional ultrasound therapy in terms of pain and associated neck disability, and it seems the complementary treatment option for MPS.

The relationship between vitamin D and disease activity and functional health status in rheumatoid arthritis.

We aimed to establish the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and disease activity and health status in rheumatoid arthritis. Sixty-five patients with RA fulfilling ACR criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis and forty healthy controls were included in this study. Disease activity was assessed according to the Disease Activity Score including 28 joint counts. C-reactive protein (CRP, mg/dl) was determined by the nephelometric method. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, mm/h) was determined by the Westergren method. Rheumatoid factor (RF, IU/ml) was also determined by the nephelometric method, and RF > 20 IU/ml was defined as positive. 25-OH Vitamin D EIA Kit was used to measure serum 25-OH Vitamin D levels. We found that the mean of the 25-OH D vitamin levels of the patients with RA was not different than that of controls (P = 0.936). We divided patients with RA into three groups according to DAS28 as low activity group (group 1, n = 25), moderate activity group (group 2, n = 25), and high activity group (group 3, n = 15). 25-OH vitamin D levels of the patients in the high activity group (group 3) were found to be the lowest (P < 0.001), and the patients with moderate disease activity had lower levels than those in the mild group (P = 0.033). Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were significantly negatively correlated with DAS28, CRP, and HAQ (respectively, r = -0.431, P = 0.000, r = -0.276, P = 0.026, and r = -0.267, P = 0.031). Serum vitamin D levels in patients with RA were similar those in the healthy controls, while it significantly decreases in accordance with the disease activity and decreasing functional capacity.

[The evaluation of early pulmonary involvement with high resolution computerized tomography in asymptomatic and non-smoker patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Semptomsuz ve sigara içmeyen romatoid artritli hastalarda erken dönem akciger tutulumunun yüksek rezolüsyonlu bilgisayarli tomografi ile degerlendirilmesi.

To investigate pulmonary involvement by high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are asymptomatic and lifelong non-smoker. Twenty-five patients with RA who are asymptomatic and lifelong non-smoker were included in the study. After clinical and laboratory investigations, plain chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and HRCT were performed. End expiratory HRCT slices were obtained for air trapping. Chest X-ray, PFT and HRCT findings showed 12%, 16%, 48% abnormalities, respectively. Interstitial involvement was the most common finding on HRCT (36%) and followed by air trapping (20%). Bronchiectasis, pulmonary nodule, and pleural disease were seen in 16%, 12%, and 12% of patients, respectively. None of patients had emphysema and honeycomb pattern. There was no statistically significant correlation between HRCT findings and disease activity criteria, RF positivity, PFT results and duration of the disease. Our study shows that pulmonary involvement is not always together with respiratory symptoms and impaired pulmonary function in patients with RA. New studies are needed which investigating the effects of radiologically detected lung involvement on prediction of survival and treatment choice in asymptomatic and nonsmoker RA patients.

Effect of coexisting foot deformity on disability in women with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis, a common musculoskeletal disorder, can cause considerable pain and disability. This study investigates the effect of certain foot deformities on the functional status of women with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: The common foot deformities pes planus and hallux valgus were evaluated in 115 women with knee osteoarthritis and Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 and 3 osteoarthritis. Anteroposterior and lateral foot-ankle standard radiographs were obtained bilaterally. A lateral talometatarsal angle greater than 4 degrees was defined as pes planus. A hallux valgus angle greater than 21 degrees was defined as hallux valgus. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to objectively assess functional impairment. Knee pain intensity was measured with a visual analog scale. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients had bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, or both. The mean visual analog scale value was higher for the deformity group, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference in WOMAC scores between the group with foot deformities versus the group without (P = .000). Visual analog scale scores were positively correlated with WOMAC scores (r = 0.499, P = .000). Also, there was a significant correlation between WOMAC scores and lateral talometatarsal angle (r = 0.266, P = .004) and hallux valgus angle (r = 0.362, P = .000) values. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant correlation between indicators of pain and disability (visual analog scale and WOMAC scores). Also, the presence of foot deformities increased disability levels in women with knee osteoarthritis.

P wave dispersion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: its relation with clinical and echocardiographic parameters.

P wave dispersion (PWD) is a sign for the prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess P wave dispersion and its relation with clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty RA patients (mean age 49 +/- 10 years) and 27 healthy controls (mean age 47 +/- 8 years) were included in the study. We performed electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiography on patients and controls. Maximum and minimum P wave duration were obtained from electrocardiographic measurements. PWD defined as the difference between maximum and minimum P wave duration was also calculated. Maximum P wave duration and PWD was higher in RA patients than controls (P = 0.031 and P = 0.001, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in minimum P wave duration between the two groups (P = 0.152). There was significant correlation between PWD and disease duration (r = 0.375, P = 0.009) and isovolumetric relaxation time (r = 0.390, P = 0.006). P wave duration and PWD was found to be higher in RA patients than healthy control subjects. PWD is closely associated with disease duration and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction.

The relationship between nail- and distal phalangeal bone involvement severity in patients with psoriasis.

We aimed to investigate the relationship between nail involvement and joint manifestations and whether there was a correlation between nail psoriasis severity and bone manifestations in psoriatic patients without symptomatic psoriatic arthritis in plaque type psoriasis. Thirty-one patients with nail involvement (16 men, 15 women, mean age 45.29+/-18.73) and 39 patients without nail involvement (16 men, 23 women, mean age 38.41+/-17.33) were enrolled in the study. X-ray of the hands and feet with magnification were performed. The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and bone (tuft of terminal phalanx) were evaluated. A scoring method was performed on the patients with nail involvement. There was no difference in DIP joint involvement in patients with or without finger- and toenail involvement (p=0.085 and p=0.062, respectively). However, the prevalence of bone involvement was higher in patients with finger- and toenail involvement than without finger- and toenail involvement (p=0.039 and p=0.021, respectively). A positive correlation was also determined between finger- and toenail psoriasis severity and bone involvement severity (r=0.379, p=0.001 and r=0.288, p=0.015).

Soft tissue composition, axial bone mineral density, and grip strength in postmenopausal Turkish women with early rheumatoid arthritis: Is lean body mass a predictor of bone mineral density in rheumatoid arthritis?

OBJECTIVE: To study bone mineral density and body composition in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis to determine the relationship of lean mass, fat mass and hand grip strength to bone mineral density. METHODS: Fifty-one female patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for RA were recruited. Fifty-one (51) female RA patients, age matched female control subjects and 53 osteoporotic patients (WHO criteria) were included in the study. All subjects were at postmenopausal period. Early RA is defined as the disease duration <10 years. Whole body composition and BMD were estimated by DEXA (Norland XR-46). Hand grip strength was measured by JAMAR hand dynamometer. Body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric measures (skinfold thickness and waist-hip ratio) were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients and controls was 55.4 +/- 9.5, 56.9 +/- 7.4, and 55.2 +/- 7.6, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in age, BMI, and years since menopause between RA patients, OP patients, and controls (p < 0.05). Bone mineral density of lumbar and femoral neck regions, total bone mineral density, and bone mineral content in RA patients were significantly lower than in controls but not in osteoporotic patients. Lean body mass was also significantly lower in RA patients than controls but not in osteoporotic patients. However, hand grip strength was significantly lower in RA patients than in osteoporotic patients and controls (p < 0.05). Total lean mass was correlated with body mass index, waist-hip ratio, femoral neck BMD, and total bone mineral content, total BMD in RA patients (p < 0.05). Grip strength was correlated with duration of disease (RA) and age negatively, and also correlated with total BMD in RA patients. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that lean mass was associated with BMD. To preserve BMD, maintaining or increasing lean mass would appear to be an appropriate strategy for avoiding hip fracture and its complications.

Right ventricular diastolic abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship with left ventricular and pulmonary involvement. A tissue Doppler echocardiographic study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate right ventricular diastolic function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationship with left ventricular and pulmonary involvement. METHODS: Thirty-five RA patients and 30 healthy subjects were submitted to conventional Doppler (CE) and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) to assess left and right systolic and diastolic function and to estimate maximal arterial systolic pulmonary pressure (PAP). To detect pulmonary involvement, pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans were performed in all RA patients. RESULTS: An abnormal RV filling, as expressed byan inverted tricuspid (Tr.) E/A ratio, was detected in 12 (34%) of the 35 RA patients and in 2 (7%) of the 30 controls (P<0.004). If compared to CE findings, prevalence of RV diastolic abnormalities were found higher in patients with RA by TDE (RV annulus Em/Am ratio <1 (in 31 (89%) of 35 patients) (P = 0.002). Twenty-two (63%) of 35 patients had abnormal HRCT findings. Pulmonary involvement with pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (36+/-5 mmHg) was detected in 10 (29%) of 35 RA. In this group, increase of RV annulus and basal Am wave, decrease of Tr. E/A ratio and RV annulus Em/Am ratio were statistically significant compared to RA (12 (34%) of 35) patients with pulmonary involvement who had normal PAP (19+/-5 mmHg), (P = 0.014, P = 0.006, P = 0.015, P = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study points out an impaired RV filling in a significant part of RA patients without overt heart failure. Impairment of RV diastolic function may be a predictor of subclinic myocardial and pulmonary involvement in patients with RA.

The effect of circulating nitric oxide level on axial bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women with rheumatoid arthritis: A preliminary report.

The aim is to investigate the differences in the circulating nitric oxide (NO) levels of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, healthy controls and osteoporotic (OP) patients. We also examined whether the circulating NO levels may be correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) in RA patients. Forty-five patients with RA, 30 healthy women and 30 osteoporotic patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic. All the subjects were female and postmenopausal. Serum NO levels were measured (Nitrite/Nitrate, calorimetric method 1746081, Roche diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and BMD was measured at the spine and hip using dual energy X-Ray absorbtiometry (DEXA, Norland XR-46). Height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated. Circulating NO levels were significantly higher in RA patients than other groups. Moreover, the RA group showed significantly higher BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck regions compared to osteoporotic patients. However, the RA group showed significantly lower BMD at all sites than the controls. There was no correlation between circulating NO levels and BMD in all groups. We suggest that, unlike postmenopausal osteoporosis, inflammation induced osteoporosis is associated with RA is characterised by relatively preserved bone mass at the axial bone regions, and circulating NO levels as a parameter or determinant of inflammation are not correlated with axial BMD in RA patients.

Free radicals and antioxidants in primary fibromyalgia: an oxidative stress disorder?

The role of free radicals in fibromyalgia is controversial. In this study, 85 female patients with primary fibromyalgia and 80 age-, height-, and weight-matched healthy women were evaluated for oxidant/antioxidant balance. Malondialdehyde is a toxic metabolite of lipid peroxidation used as a marker of free radical damage. Superoxide dismutase is an intracellular antioxidant enzyme and shows antioxidant capacity. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale. Tender points were assessed by palpation. Age, smoking, body mass index (BMI), and duration of disease were also recorded. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher and superoxide dismutase levels significantly lower in fibromyalgic patients than controls. Age, BMI, smoking, and duration of disease did not affect these parameters. We found no correlation between pain and number of tender points. In conclusion, oxidant/antioxidant balances were changed in fibromyalgia. Increased free radical levels may be responsible for the development of fibromyalgia. These findings may support the hypothesis of fibromyalgia as an oxidative disorder.

Respiratory muscle strength but not BASFI score relates to diminished chest expansion in ankylosing spondylitis.

Pulmonary function is altered in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) owing mainly to the restriction of chest wall involvement (limited chest expansion). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between chest expansion, respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and BASFI score in patients with AS. Twenty-three male patients with definite AS and 21 age-matched healthy male controls were recruited for the study. Patients with AS were assessed for functional status by BASFI. Measurement of chest expansion and lumbar spinal flexion (modified Schober) method was performed in all subjects. Pulmonary function tests were performed by spirometry. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by a mouth-pressure meter (MPM). Body mass index (kg/m(2)) was recorded in all individuals. Chest expansion and modified Schober measurement were significantly lower in AS patients (p<0.05). Pulmonary function tests revealed restrictive lung disease. The mean BASFI score suggested good functional capacity in the AS group. The respiratory muscle strength and MVV were also lower in AS (p<0.05). The chest expansion was correlated with MIP and MEP values (r=0.491; p=0.02, r=0.436; p=0.05). Chest expansion was also correlated negatively with disease duration (r=-0.502; p=0.03). In addition, there was no correlation between chest expansion and BASFI score (r=-0.076; p=0.773). This study demonstrates that functional status (BASFI) is not influenced by the limitation of chest wall movement. It may be as a result of the maintenance of moderate physical activity during active life in patients with AS.