Evaluation of the Role of Affective Temperamental Features, Automatic Thoughts, and Symptom Interpretation on Disease Activity in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: Axial spondyloarthritis is a systemic and chronic inflammatory disease. Psychological liability to depression and anxiety influences the disease process, prognosis, and treatment outcomes of other medical conditions. Early detection and treatment of these psychiatric conditions would also help in improving the physical functioning of patients with axial spondyloarthritis by reducing the patient's anxiety and depression symptoms. We evaluated the affective temperamental features, automatic thoughts, symptom interpretation, and their relationship with disease activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. Methods: A total of 152 patients diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis are recruited. Axial spondyloarthritis disease activity was calculated by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. Depression and anxiety levels were screened with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale while affective temperament was evaluated with Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-autoquestionnaire version and automatic thoughts were screened with Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire, and Automatic thoughts questionnaire. Results: It was observed that 48% (n = 73) were female. The mean age was 43.5 (10.5) years, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score was 3.97 (1.14). According to the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index scale, 53.30% (n = 81) of the patients were in high disease activity. We found that HAD-depression, HAD-anxiety, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-autoquestionnaire version, Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire, and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire scores were significantly higher in the high disease activity group. Conclusion: Patients' temperament characteristics and mood disorders may affect composite disease activity scores such as Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. In patients with high disease activity scores despite receiving appropriate treatment, mood disorders may need to be evaluated. There is a need to develop disease activity scores unaffected by mood disorders.

Investigation of the correlation between mood disorder symptoms and disease activity and functional status in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background/aim: To investigate the correlation between depressive-anxiety symptoms, mixed features, disease activity, and functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the light of the shared underlying etiology in both disorders. Materials and methods: The study included 556 patients with RA. RA disease activity was measured using the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), and the patients were evaluated by a Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and Modified Hypomania Checklist (mHCL) were used to evaluate the mixed depression and bipolarity status of the patients. Results: Of the patients, 430 (77.3%) were female and 126 (22.7%) were male. The median age was 57 years, the median HAQ score was 0.55 points, and the median DAS28-CRP score was 4.1 points. The evaluation of the patients by DAS28-CRP revealed that 58.5% of the patients had moderate and severe disease activity, while only 23.4% of them were in remission. The group using the combination of synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (sDMARD) and steroid therapy had significantly higher HAD-depression, HAD-anxiety, mHCL, DAS28-CRP, HAQ, and MDQ scores than the group using sDMARD alone. The grouping of the patients based on the DAS28-CRP cut-off scores showed that the patients with moderate and severe disease activity had significantly higher HADS, mHCL, MDQ scores than those in remission and those with mild disease activity (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Disease severity and functional status in RA can be affected by comorbid anxiety-depressive and mixed symptoms. Therefore, clinicians should consider screening the depressive-anxiety and mixed mood symptoms of RA patients. Moreover, patients who use steroid therapy are more susceptible to mood symptoms (anxiety, depression, bipolarity), which should also be considered during the follow-up of patients.

Comparison of low power laser and kinesio taping for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Although carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuromuscular disorder, studies on its conservative treatment are inadequate and contradictory. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of low power laser therapy (LPLT) and Kinesio taping (KT) for the treatment of CTS. METHODS: Sixty patients with CTS were included in this study. One group received 15 sessions of KT, and the second group underwent 15 sessions of LPLT within three weeks. All patients were assessed with hand grip strength (HGS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)-pain, Douleur Neuropathique-4 (DN4) score, Boston Questionnaire (BQ), and electroneuromyography before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment, all clinical and neurophysiological parameters were similar between the groups. After treatment, both groups significantly improved in terms of HGS, VAS-pain, DN4, and BQ. However, the LPLT group had significantly better HGS, VAS-pain, DN4, and BQ than the KT group. In addition, while median nerve motor distal latency and median nerve sensory conduction velocity improved significantly with treatment in both groups, the LPLT group's improvement was significantly better than that of the KT group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CTS, both LPLT and KT were effective treatments. However, the LPLT group had significantly better improvements than the KT group.

Rapidly Progressive Pulmonary Apical Fibrosis and Parenchymal Destruction in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Pulmonary apical fibrosis is a rare complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The essential characteristics of this lesion are its very slow progression and frequently asymptomatic nature. Herein, we are presenting a patient with AS who rapidly developed pulmonary apical fibrosis in a 3-year period despite decreased musculoskeletal pains. The 60-year-old male applied with complaints of progressively increasing cough in the recent two years, dyspnea, and fatigue. He had no chronic disease except AS. He had no continuous medication except nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs for 2-3 days monthly since his musculoskeletal pains decreased in the recent years. His physical examination revealed reduced breath sounds in the upper zones of the right lung. Chest X-ray revealed increased diffuse opacity in the upper zones of the right lung. Thoracic high-resolution computed tomography showed a consolidation accompanied with traction bronchiectases compatible with chronic fibrosis in the upper lobe of the right lung. However, thoracic computed tomography of the patient performed 3 years ago did not reveal pulmonary apical fibrosis and parenchymal destruction. Biopsy revealed no finding of malignancy, granulomatous inflammation, or vasculitis. The results of cultures were negative. So, the patient was diagnosed as pulmonary involvement of AS, which developed in a 3-year period. This case has shown that extra-articular complications may continue to develop in patients with AS even if their musculoskeletal complaints have subsided. So, patients with AS should be followed up regularly with systemic examinations.

Tuberculosis Arthritis in the Wrist While Using Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Data from clinical trials indicate that there are no increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) infections in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients while using rituximab (RTX). Herein, we report a RA patient who developed TB arthritis while using RTX. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old patient was treated with methotrexate and prednisolone along with RTX for two years. Later, she presented with increasing pain, swelling, redness and cutaneous fistulization in her left wrist for two months. The lesion on the wrist was debritted. Histopathologic evaluation revealed the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Polymerase chain reaction test and culture confirmed mycobacterium tuberculosis. RTX, methotrexate and prednisolone were withdrawn. The patient was treated with 12-month course of antituberculous treatment and responded well. The patient, who did not have pain or swelling in her other joints, was not given any treatment for RA after antituberculous treatment. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should keep in mind that TB infections may be encountered while using RTX. Latent TB screening may be appropriate in patients using concomitant corticosteroid and living in TB endemic areas.

Serum heat-shock protein-65 antibody levels are elevated but not associated with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) have gained increased interest for their role in autoimmune disorders. These proteins are targeted by the immune system in various autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the serum heat-shock protein-65 antibody (anti-HSP65) levels and their clinical significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with RA, 30 patients with AS, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. All patients were assessed using routine clinical and laboratory evaluations. Serum anti-HSP65 levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum anti-HSP65 levels of both RA and AS patients were significantly higher than those of controls (p=0.014 and p=0.001, respectively). No association was found between serum anti-HSP65 levels and disease activity in either RA or AS patients. There was a significant correlation between anti-HSP65 and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels in patients with RA (p=0.024). CONCLUSION: In this study, serum anti-HSP65 levels were increased, but not associated with disease activity in both RA and AS patients. These results suggest that HSP antigens may play a role in the pathogenesis. However, further follow-up studies are needed. Identification of target antigens such as HSP65 is vital to developing new immunotherapeutic agents.

Multifocal Motor Neuropathy Associated With Infliximab: A Case Report and a Literature Review.

Multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block (MMN-CB) is purely a motor neuropathy with progressive weakness that is characteristically caused by conduction blocks. Association with antiganglioside antibodies and a good response to immunomodulating therapies suggest an autoimmune etiology. In rare cases, MMN-CB has been reported as an adverse effect of infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor-α blocker. We present a case of MMN-CB due to infliximab in a 45-year-old man with psoriatic arthritis who was exposed to the drug for 2 years because of a delayed diagnosis. We emphasize the possibility of this adverse effect and the importance of detailed electrophysiological examinations, which is supported by a review of the literature.

The performance of psoriatic arthritis classification criteria in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate performance of some of the published psoriatic arthritis (PsA) classification criteria as well as Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Turkish patients with PsA (in early and late disease subgroups). METHODS: Patients were recruited using case report forms and physical examination methods proposed by the Anatolian Group for the Assessment in Rheumatic Diseases (ANGARD). The Moll and Wright (MW), modified Fournie (MF), modified McGonagle (mMG), Vasey and Espinoza (VE), classification of PsA (CASPAR) criteria and ASAS criteria were assessed in patients with PsA who were diagnosed based on expert opinion. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients with PsA (58 male, 70 female, mean age 41.8 years) were included. Thirty patients were in the early PsA and 98 patients were in the late PsA groups. Diagnostic delay was 2.6 years. In the 15.6% of patients arthritis developed before the skin findings. The proportion of patients fulfilling the MW, MF, mMG, VE, CASPAR and ASAS criteria were at a ratio of 90.6%, 82.8%, 62.5%, 84.4%, 96.1% and 76.5%, respectively. In early PsA (< 12 months disease duration) the proportions were 93.4%, 83.3%, 76.7%, 76.7%, 96.7% and 66.6%, respectively. On the other hand, in late PsA the proportions were 89.8%, 82.6%, 57.1%, 86.7%, 95.9%, 79.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the sensitivity of PsA classification criteria in Turkish patients changes, the CASPAR criteria seems to be more prominent among all criteria for both early and late cases with its high sensitivity.

Protective effect of propolis on methotrexate-induced kidney injury in the rat.

Objectives Propolis is a potent antioxidant and a free radical scavenger. Pharmacological induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) has been investigated for restoring normal cellular function following an injury. In this study, effect of propolis on HSP-70 expression in methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity and direct preventive effect of propolis in this toxicity were investigated. Material and methods A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Group 1 was the untreated control. On the eighth day of the experiment, groups 2 and 3 received single intraperitoneal injections of methotrexate (MTX) at 20 mg/kg. Groups 3 and 4 received 100 mg/kg/day propolis (by oral gavage) for 15 d by the first day of the experimental protocol. Then the rats were decapitated under ketamine esthesia and their kidney tissues were removed. HSP-70 expression, apoptosis, and histopathological damage scores were then compared. Results MTX caused epithelial desquamation into the lumen of the tubules, dilatation, and congestion of the peritubular vessels and renal corpuscles with obscure Bowman's space. The number of apoptotic cells (p = 0.000) and HSP-70 (p = 0.002) expression were increased in group 2. Propolis prevented the rise in number of apoptotic cells (p = 0.017), HSP-70 (p = 0.000) expression, and improved kidney morphology. Conclusions It was found that methotrexate gives rise to serious damage in the kidney and propolis is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing kidney injury.

Therapeutic effects of pentoxifylline on diabetic heart tissue via NOS.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus causes a decrease in cardiac output, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate. In this study, we aimed to investigate, at the molecular level, the effect of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on heart pathology in type 1 diabetes and look at the therapeutic effect of pentoxifylline on this pathology. METHODS: In this experimental study, 50 Wistar albino male rats were used. The rats were divided into 5 groups: group C, control; group D, only diabetes; group D+PI and D+PII, diabetes + pentoxifylline; group P, only pentoxifylline. Group D+PI rats received 50 mg/kg/day pentoxifylline over two months. However, group D+PII rats received saline in the first month and 50 mg/kg/day of pentoxifylline over the following month. At the end of two months, NOS expressions in heart tissue were assessed through immunohistochemistry analysis. The data were compared by one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: At the end of the experiments, there was increased cytoplasmic vacuolization, myofibrillar loss, cytoplasmic eosinophilia, and degeneration of cardiomyocytes; nNOS and iNOS expressions in group D decreased compared with that in group C. In group D+PI and group D+PII, nNOS and iNOS expressions improved compared with group D. CONCLUSION: As a result, we found that diabetes, a known chronic disease, causes serious damage in heart tissue. NOS plays a role in this damage, and pentoxifylline aided in improving nNOS and iNOS expression in this damage.

Antinociceptive Effect of Mirtazapine in Rats with Diabetic Neuropathy.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the antinociceptive effect of mirtazapine and the mechanisms mediating this effect in neuropathic pain in rats with diabetes. METHODS: The experiments were performed in Sprague Dawley rats using a hot-plate device. Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered to the rats after taking control measurements. Rats with a blood glucose level of 240 mg/dL or above in the blood specimen obtained from the tail vein 3 days after STZ administration were considered as being diabetic. Three weeks after STZ administration, the hot-plate test was performed. Compared with the control measurements, rats that exhibited >20% decrease in the second hot-plate test measurements were considered to have developed neuropathy. Drugs [mirtazapine, naloxone (opioidergic antagonist), metergoline (serotonergic antagonist), and BRL44408 (adrenergic antagonist)] and drug combinations were administered to those rats that developed neuropathy. After administrating the drugs or drug combinations, the third hot-plate test was performed. RESULTS: Mirtazapine at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg exhibited a significant antinociceptive effect. Naloxone, metergoline, or BRL44408 alone did not cause an antinociceptive effect. However, combinations of these drugs with mirtazapine (15 mg/kg) significantly decreased the antinociceptive effect of mirtazapine. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that mirtazapine has a significant antinociceptive effect in diabetic neuropathy and that opioidergic, serotonergic, and adrenergic systems have roles to play in this effect.

Is 4-Hydroxynonenal a Predictive Parameter for the Development of Joint Erosion in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate serum 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels and its clinical and radiological significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients (8 males, 32 females; mean age 51.4±11.2 years; range 24 to 72 years) with RA and 30 healthy controls (8 males, 32 females; mean age 53.0±11.7 years; range 24 to 72 years. Serum 4-HNE levels were measured using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Patients with disease activity score 28 ≤3.2 and >3.2 were allocated into low and high/moderate disease activity groups, respectively. Additionally, patients were divided into two groups as early RA (disease duration ≤2 years) and established RA (disease duration ≥2 years). Functional disability was evaluated using health assessment questionnaire. Radiographs were scored using the modified Larsen scoring. RESULTS: Serum 4-HNE levels in patients with RA were significantly higher than controls (p=0.001). Serum 4-HNE levels did not correlate with laboratory or clinical parameters of disease activity including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, disease activity score 28, and health assessment questionnaire. Serum 4-HNE levels were higher in patients with established RA than patients with early RA (r=0.487, p=0.001). Besides, modified Larsen score which indicates structural damage correlated significantly with serum 4-HNE levels (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that serum 4-HNE levels may be used as an indicator for structural damage such as erosions in the early stage of RA; however, they are not efficient to monitor disease activity.

Expression of Ghrelin and GHSR-1a in Long Term Diabetic Rat's Kidney

The aim of this work was to study the relative ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R)1a gene expression in the kidney of long-term diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: C- control group, DI- one month diabetic rats group, DII- two months diabetic rats group, and DIII- three months diabetic rats group. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin STZ (40mg/kg i.p). The rats were decapitated under ketamine anesthesia and their kidney tissues were removed. Tissue GHS-R mRNA levels, ghrelin expression, and histopathological damage scores were compared. Dilatation in the distal tubules, epithelial desquamation into the lumen of the tubules and transparent tubules showing glycogen vacuolation were observed in all the diabetic groups. Ghrelin immunoreactivity was significantly higher in group DI compared to group C, whereas in groups DII and DIII, ghrelin immunoreactivity was similar with group C. GHSR-1a mRNA level in group DIII was significantly lower than in group C. As a result, ghrelin immunoreactivity increased at the beginning of diabetes; however, with increase in the duration of diabetes ghrelin immunoreactivity approached to the control values. The expression of GHSR-1a mRNA decreased with increase in diabetes duration. It seemed that down-regulation of GHSR-1a contributed to the renal damage induced by long-term diabetes.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva without characteristic skeletal anomalies.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare but extremely disabling genetic disease of the skeletal system. This disease is characterized by progression of heterotopic ossification within skeletal muscles, ligaments and tendons. Most patients with FOP are misdiagnosed early in life before the appearance of heterotopic ossification and undergo diagnostic procedures such as biopsy that can cause lifelong disability. Almost all of the patients have some peculiar congenital anomalies, including short great toes, hallux valgus, short thumbs and hypoplasia of digital phalanges. These congenital defects support the diagnosis of FOP, but are not constantly observed in the totality of patients. If necessary, genetic studies can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, patients should be advised in order to avoid unnecessary traumas, surgical procedures, biopsies, intramuscular injections and vaccinations. Here, we describe a patient with FOP without characteristic congenital skeletal anomalies.

Comparison of the diagnostic utility of electromyography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome determined by clinical findings.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose, and a late diagnosis may result in permanent nerve damage. Electromyography (EMG), ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) may be performed for the diagnosis. The diagnostic accuracy of these tests is well documented, but most of these studies accept EMG as the gold standard. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EMG, MRI, CT, and US for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome with the use of clinical findings as the gold standard. METHODS: Patients suspected to have CTS on presentation to the outpatient clinic were evaluated. The tests were performed after a detailed physical examination. Both wrists of the 69 patients in the study were investigated. RESULTS: : The diagnostic accuracies of all the tests were found to be sufficient. Although EMG seemed to have the highest sensitivity and specificity, there was no statistically significant difference between the tests. CONCLUSION: EMG or US could be used as the first-step test in most cases. If they are both available, EMG should be the first choice. They may be performed together when diagnosis is challenging. CT may especially be preferred for bone-related pathological conditions, whereas MRI may be preferred for soft tissue-related pathological conditions. Even though imaging studies have been proven to be powerful diagnostic tools for CTS, no conclusive information currently exists to support replacing EMG with imaging studies.

Unusual unilateral presentation of pachydermodactyly: a case report.

Pachydermodactyly is a rare digital fibromatosis characterized by asymptomatic fusiform soft-tissue swellings of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands. It usually affects healthy adolescent males with a negative family history. As a rule, clinical presentation of the disease is bilateral and symmetrical enlargement of the joints. So it can be misdiagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, especially with juvenile chronic arthritis. A prompt clinical diagnosis of the disease would prevent inappropriate treatment with immunosuppressive agents or steroids and unnecessary expensive diagnostic procedures such as biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging. Once diagnosed, patients should be advised in order to avoid repetitive traumas of the hands, rubbing and cracking of the fingers, obsessive-compulsive use of computer and video games. The joint outcome is always benign. Here, we report a case of pachydermodactyly differs from the typical clinical picture of pachydermodactyly in the unilateral distribution of the lesions.

Serum levels of soluble CD26 and CD30 and their clinical significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study was to assess serum levels and clinical significance of soluble CD26 (sCD26) and soluble CD30 (sCD30) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Forty-eight patients with RA and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum sCD26 and sCD30 levels were measured using ELISA. Serum sCD26 levels were significantly lower (P = 0.011), whereas sCD30 levels were higher (P = 0.008) in patients with RA than controls. Serum levels of sCD30 correlated significantly with clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity like erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, disease activity scores-28 and health assessment questionnaire score; however, sCD26 levels did not correlate any of these activity parameters. These results suggest that serum sCD30 levels increased and correlated significantly with disease activity, indicating a novel follow-up parameter in RA. Serum levels of sCD26 may be lessen but not related to disease activity in RA.

Radiological scoring methods in ankylosing spondylitis: a comparison of the reliability of available methods.

OBJECTIVE: To assess intra and inter-rater reliability of available radiological scoring methods in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two trained raters evaluated 44 complete sets of AS radiographs. The cervical and lumbar spine was graded from zero to 4 according to the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI). Hip joints were graded according to the BASRI-hip method. Sacroiliac (SI) joints were scored according to the New York method (0-4). The anterior and posterior sites of the lumbar spine were scored according to the Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (SASSS) method (0-72). Modified-SASSS was assessed by using the anterior sites of both the cervical and lumbar spine (0-72). RESULTS: Both intra and inter-rater reliability were almost perfect for all the methods and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for all the methods was relatively similar to each other. The BASRI-spine and BASRI-total showed intra and inter-rater ICC between 0.78 and 0.98. Both SASSS and modified--SASSS reached perfect intra and inter-rater reliability with ICC between 0.86 and 0.99. The ICC of the BASRI-hip was substantial to perfect, ranging from 0.77 to 0.88. Time spent to score a set of radiographs using the BASRI-spine was <45 seconds, whereas >60 seconds for both SASSS and mSASSS methods. CONCLUSION: After training, all of these methods have demonstrated almost perfect intra and inter-rater reliability. The BASRI was easier to perform and less time consuming than SASSS methods.

Prognostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the predictive value for radiological damage of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Ninety patients with RA were enrolled in this study. All patients had symptom duration of at least one year. Anti-CCP and IgM-RF were evaluated with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and nephelometry methods, respectively. Radiological damage was assessed by Larsen score. RESULTS: In forward stepwise logistic regression analysis, anti-CCP positivity and RF positivity were seen as significant independent predictors of the radiological outcomes (p = 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). The combination of these antibodies had the highest risk for erosive joint damage (odds ratio = 25.71; 95% confidence interval, 4.7 to 140.13; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the combined use of RF and anti-CCP has greater predictive value for erosive RA than anti-CCP or RF alone, and may facilitate to make a decision about the individual treatment in RA (Tab. 4, Ref. 37). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.