Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and rehability of the QUIPA tool: Turkish version.

The Quality Indicators for Physiotherapy Management of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis (QUIPA) is the only patient-reported outcome measure to assess the quality indicators of physiotherapy management of hip/knee osteoarthritis (OA). It consists of 3 subscales and a total of 18 questions. The purpose of this research was to translate and adapt the QUIPA into the Turkish language using a cross-cultural approach as well as test its validity and reliability for Turkish-speaking patients with hip/knee OA. Ninety-two patients with hip/knee OA were enrolled in the research. The cross-cultural adaptation of the QUIPA was performed according to guidelines defined by Beaton et al. Participants completed the QUIPA tool twice at an interval of 7 days. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were determined by interpreting the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. Construct validity was tested via exploratory factor analysis. For the first, second, and third subscales and total score of QUIPA, ICC was found to be 0.895, 0.947, 0.665, and 0.925, respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.682, 0.797, 0.593, and 0.812. The Exploratory Factor Analysis demonstrated that the QUIPA tool is based on 3 factors. These results indicate that the Turkish version of the QUIPA has excellent test-retest reliability and good internal consistency. Therefore, the Turkish version of the QUIPA seems to be a valid and reliable tool to assess the quality indicators of physiotherapy management of hip/knee OA in Turkish-speaking patients. It is intended to be used in clinical settings and research works.

Parotid elastography: a potential alternative to replace labial biopsy in classification of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome?

BACKGROUND: There has been a substantial improvement in classifying patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), with the new 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria. It was aimed to investigate the potential role of parotid elastography in the classification of patients with pSS, as well as the clinical diagnosis of those who do not otherwise fulfil the criteria. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional analysis of patients with pSS followed up in tertiary out-patient rheumatology clinic. Patients' medical records were retrospectively investigated whether or not clinically diagnosed pSS patients fulfil 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria sets. Elastographic evaluation of parotid and submandibular glands bilaterally was performed when presented for follow-up. Strain ratio, shear wave velocity and Pascal values of the glands were obtained. RESULTS: Clinical data on 179 patients with Sjögren's syndrome were investigated. Ninety-six patients with pSS and 30 gender and age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Eighty-six percent of the clinically diagnosed patients satisfied the 2016 ACR /EULAR criteria and were considered 'criteria patients', and the remaining were considered 'non-criteria patients'. Both criteria and non-criteria patients had significantly higher parotid strain ratio and submandibular velocity compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 for parotid strain ratio and p < 0.001 and p = 0.016 for submandibular velocity, respectively). Replacing labial gland biopsy findings with parotid strain ratio in the new classification criteria resulted in similar sensitivity and lower specificity, 91.6% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Parotid shear elastography is an easy and noninvasive method and might be a useful tool for the classification of patients with pSS, especially when labial gland biopsy is not feasible. Key Points • Salivary gland elastography (SGE) is a useful tool for the classification of patients with pSS. • SGE could be performed instead of labial biopsy without changing the diagnostic power of classification criteria.

Frequency, characteristics, and clinical determinants of 'prodrome' in familial Mediterranean fever patients.

Objective: Prodrome is defined by manifestations that precede a familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) attack and predict its emergence. We aimed to determine the frequency, characteristics, and clinical determinants of prodrome in patients with FMF.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary rheumatology clinic. During the clinical interview, all patients completed a standardized questionnaire about the pre-attack period. Prodrome was defined as the presence of any recurrent pre-attack manifestation occurring at least 4 h before an attack. Patients were classified according to whether they had prodrome of any kind of attack.Results: The study enrolled 401 patients aged 37.7 ± 11.0 years (mean ± sd). Male gender, M694V/M694V, homozygous MEFV mutation, peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis were more frequent in prodrome-positive patients. Altogether, 141 patients (35.2%) had prodrome. Male gender and ever having attack types of peritonitis or arthritis were independent clinical determinants of prodrome [relative risk (95% confidence interval): 1.72 (1.07-2.76), p = 0.02; 4.27 (1.80-10.1), p = 0.001; 1.77 (1.04-3.04), p = 0.04, respectively]. Age, MEFV mutations, pleuritis, and erysipelas-like erythema were not clinical determinants.Conclusions: All FMF patients, particularly males and patients who had peritonitis or arthritis at any time, should be questioned about prodrome. Prodrome should be analysed in terms of elucidating the pathogenesis of FMF and as an opportunity for a secondary prevention strategy for impending attacks. This study may shed light on prodrome for future cytokine or drug studies with the purpose of developing new cost-effective treatment protocols irrespective of colchicine resistance.

Chronic inflammation in adult familial Mediterranean fever patients: underlying causes and association with amyloidosis.

Background: Chronic inflammation, as determined by persistently elevated acute-phase reactants in attack-free periods, can occasionally be observed in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and is suggested to be a risk factor for the development of amyloidosis. We aimed to investigate the underlying causes of chronic inflammation in FMF patients and its association with amyloidosis in long-term follow-up. Method: Electronic medical records of FMF patients who had regular follow-up for ≥ 5 years in our cohort were utilized. As part of routine evaluation, detailed history, physical examination, and pertinent laboratory and radiographic investigations were performed in all patients to determine potential causes of elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Results: The study included 146 FMF patients who had no evidence of amyloidosis at baseline and had regular follow-up for ≥ 5 years. Thirty-seven patients (25.3%) were found to have chronic inflammation in the disease course. Twenty-five (67.5%) of them had either very frequent attacks or chronic manifestations of disease. In the entire study group, amyloidosis developed in five patients (3.42%) during the 5 year follow-up, four in the FMF with chronic inflammation group (10.8%), and only one of the 109 patients without chronic inflammation (odds ratio 13.09, 95% confidence interval 1.41-121.2). Conclusions: The results suggest that persistently high CRP levels during the attack-free periods may be a strong risk factor for the development of amyloidosis in patients with FMF. The vast majority of FMF patients with chronic inflammation had active FMF.

Granulomatous interstitial nephritis associated with Primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltration of the exocrine glands. Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is the most common type of renal involvement in pSS. However, clinically significant renal involvement is uncommon. Granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) is a rare histopathological entity characterized by the presence of granulomas against a background of interstitial inflammation. GIN is not a typical and commonly seen form of TIN in pSS. Herein, we report on a patient who was concurrently diagnosed with pSS and GIN and was treated successfully with rituximab (RTX). pSS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of GIN, and RTX may be a good option in the treatment of this patient group.

The relationship between hip joint space width, center edge angle and acetabular depth.

OBJECTIVE: Radiographic parameters used to define acetabular dysplasia may be related to anthropological characteristics independent of dysplasia. The goal of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the minimal joint space width (JSW) of the hip and the parameters that define acetabular dysplasia, in clinically normal subjects. DESIGN: One hundred and eighteen patients who underwent supine abdominal radiography for non-rheumatological indications and had no hip pain or history of hip arthritis were evaluated. JSW was quantified manually using dial calipers, and center edge (CE) angle and acetabular depth were measured for each hip. RESULTS: CE angle, but not acetabular depth, correlated (inversely) with the minimal hip JSW (r=-0.26 and -0.20, P=0.005 and 0.038, R (right) and L (left) hips, respectively). CE angle inversely correlated with the pelvic width (r=-0.27 and 0.27, P=0.003 and 0.004, R and L hips, respectively) and acetabular depth correlated with subject's height (r=0.27 and 0.42, P=0.008 and <0.001 R and L hips, respectively) and leg length (r=0.27 and 0.45, P=0.008 and <0.001, R and L hips, respectively). Also, pelvic width correlated significantly with the JSW (r=0.27 and 0.20, P=0.003 and 0.033, for R and L hips, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The radiographic parameters used to define acetabular dysplasia, CE angle and acetabular depth, are strongly associated with anthropological variables and CE angle is associated with minimal JSW of the hip. It is important to recognize that height and limb length variability may affect radiographic parameters of acetabular dysplasia, and thus may falsely suggest the presence of anatomic abnormalities in some patients.

Serum interleukin 17 and interleukin 18 levels in familial Mediterranean fever.

OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) attacks are characterized by serosal inflammation rich in PMNL leukocytes and activation of a definite cytokine network. Moreover, there is sustained inflammation in attack-free FMF patients. Interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-18 are recently described proinflammatory cytokines, which can modulate certain neutrophil functions. In this study we measured serum levels of IL-17 and IL-18 in FMF patients. METHODS: The study groups comprised of 18 FMF patients in attack-free period (mean age: 30.2 +/- 9.5 years; male/female: 10/8), and 18 patients with an acute FMF attack (mean age: 25.4 +/- 4.9 years; male/female: 10/8). Twenty age-matched healthy subjects were included as a control group (male/female: 10/10). Levels of IL-17 and IL-18 were determined by commercial ELISA kits (Biosource International, USA). RESULTS: Serum IL-17 levels were 42.8 +/- 3.7, 42.7 +/- 3.2, and 39.9 +/- 2.3 pg/mL for FMF patients in attack-free period, FMF patients with acute attack, and healthy controls, respectively. Serum IL-18 levels were 878.8 +/- 315.0, 854.2 +/- 261.4, and 314.6 +/- 80.8 pg/mL for FMF patients in an attack-free period, FMF patients with acute attack, and healthy controls, respectively. Levels of both IL-17 and IL-18 were significantly higher in FMF patients with and without acute attack compared to control group (p < 0.05). Concentrations of those cytokines were comparable in FMF patients with acute attack and in attack-free period (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that IL-17 and IL-18 contribute to the cytokine network in the inflammatory cascade of FMF. However, their roles for the initiation of FMF attacks remain to be established.

The effects of rofecoxib on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitoring in patients with hypertension and osteoarthritis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the cylooxygenase (COX)-2 specific inhibitor rofecoxib, on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in patients with well-controlled hypertension and osteoarthritis via 24-h ambulatory monitoring. Thirty patients with well controlled hypertension were included. Fifteen patients had osteoarthritis and were recommended by their rheumatologists to take rofecoxib 12.5 mg/day (rofecoxib group). The control group consisted of 15 patients who had hypertension but no clinical osteoarthritis and did not receive any anti-inflammatory drugs. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory monitoring of BP and HR were performed on the day before initiation of rofecoxib therapy and on days 3 and 14 of COX-2 therapy. The control group underwent 24-h monitoring three times at similar intervals. Antihypertensive medications were continued. On day 3 of rofecoxib therapy, mean HR for both daytime and nighttime were lower than those at baseline. On day 14, the changes in mean HR did not differ from baseline values. Similarly, diastolic BP (daytime and nighttime) on day 3 appeared to be lower than at baseline. However this difference was not observed on day 14, and mean daytime and nighttime diastolic BP returned to baseline values. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean arterial pressure or systolic BP recordings on days 3 or 14 than at baseline. Rofecoxib 12.5 mg/day did not significantly increase BP during 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring in patients with well-controlled hypertension and osteoarthritis.

Phagocytic activity in familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease. Although the possibility of multiple immunologic mechanisms have been studied, the actual mechanism is still unresolved. Forty-one patients with FMF (24 males and 17 females with a mean age and disease duration of 17.8 +/- 4.1 and 4.7 +/- 2.3 years, respectively) and 14 healthy controls (10 males and 4 females with a mean age 23.2 +/- 5.1) were involved in the study. A phagotest was studied in both the patients and control groups with a FACScalibur Flow. All patients were in the acute stages of the disease and had not undergone colchicine treatment for 2 months. The percentage blood phagocytic activity of both granulocytes and monocytes were 84.23 +/- 8.76 and 67.28 +/- 10.15 in the patient group and 94.68 +/- 3.24 and 76.23 +/- 5.7 in the control group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of phagocytic activity of the granulocytes and monocytes between the FMF patients and healthy controls (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively).

Joint hypermobility and primary fibromyalgia: a clinical enigma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of joint hypermobility (JH) and primary fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients admitted with widespread pain and 90 matched healthy controls were blindly evaluated according to criteria for the presence of JH and FM. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients initially recognized as having FM met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria for FM and 6 of 90 healthy controls had these criteria at the subsequent blinded examination. The frequency of JH was 8% in patients with FM and 6% in subjects without FM (p > 0.05). Interestingly, JH was found in 10 of 32 "FM" patients (31%) who had not exactly met the ACR criteria for FM. The occurrence of JH was more common in these patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). In total, 16% of patients evaluated with widespread pain had associated with JH. CONCLUSION: Some patients who have clinical symptoms of FM but do not exactly meet the ACR criteria could in fact have JH, and these patients may be misdiagnosed as having FM. Widespread pain is associated with JH in women under age 50, with some of them fulfilling ACR tender point criteria for FM.

Effects of interferon-alpha2a treatment on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha2 receptor, interleukin-2, interleukin-2 receptor, and E-selectin in Behçet's disease.

This study was performed to investigate serum levels of various cytokines and E-selectin in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) before and after treatment with interferon-alpha2a (IFN-alpha). The study population consisted of 22 patients with active BD; 15 age- and sex-matched healthy adults served as the control group. IFN-alpha (3 million units subcutaneously) was given to all patients twice a week for 3 months. Twenty of twenty-two patients experienced clinical improvement with this therapy. Pre- and post-treatment serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-alpha2-receptor (TNFalpha2R), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), and E-selectin were measured by sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay. Baseline E-selectin, TNF-alpha, and TNF-alpha2R levels of the patients were increased in comparison with the control group and post-treatment values. However, IL-2 and IL-2R levels did not change either with treatment or compared with the control group levels. In conclusion, these results confirm the previously described efficacy of IFN-alpha in the treatment of BD. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, TNF-alpha2R, and E-selectin are prominently increased during active stage of the disease, indicating presence of immune system activation and endothelial injury/activation. Improvement of the pathological cytokinemia and endothelial disturbance accompany interferon-alpha-induced disease remission.