Functional limitations due to foot involvement in spondyloarthritis.

[Purpose] Spondyloarthritis is a major inflammatory disease followed-up in the rheumatology clinics, foot involvement in spodyloarthritis is common. The functional states of patients with spondyloarthritis are usually evaluated globally. The aim of this study was to assess the foot involvement-related functional limitations in patients with spondyloarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] Patients with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis with foot pain more than 4 weeks who underwent anteroposterior and lateral feet radiography were enrolled into the study. A "clinical findings score" was calculated by assigning 1 point for every finding of swelling, redness, and tenderness. C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were used as serum markers for disease activity. Foot radiograms were evaluated using the spondyloarthropathy tarsal radiographic index and the foot-related functional state of patients was determined by the Turkish version of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score. [Results] There were no relationships between Foot and Ankle Outcome Score subscales and clinical findings score, serum markers, or radiologic score. Pain and symptoms subscale scores were result positively correlated with activity of daily living, sport and recreation, and quality of life subscale scores. [Conclusion] Pain and symptoms are the main determinants of foot-related functional limitations in spondyloarthritis.

Reduced bone resorption and increased bone mineral density in women with restless legs syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate bone resorption and formation markers as well as bone mineral density in women with restless legs syndrome (RLS). METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional case-control study involving drug-naive women with RLS and age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched female controls. Routine blood analyses, markers of bone formation, procollagen 1 n-terminal peptide, bone resorption, c-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), sclerostin, and bone mineral density (BMD) were compared between the 2 groups. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and individuals with comorbidities other than iron deficiency, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or hypertension were excluded. RESULTS: A significant increase in lumbar BMD was found among 78 women with RLS as compared to 78 age- and BMI-matched controls (p = 0.001). The proportion of patients with osteopenia as defined by a lumbar T score was significantly lower among patients with RLS (p = 0.040). CTX and sclerostin were significantly lower in patients with RLS (p = 0.006 and p = 0.011, respectively), as were the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, calcemia, and free T3 (p = 0.017, p = 0.017, and p = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite lower 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, patients with RLS had lower bone resorption markers, higher lumbar BMD, and lower frequency of lumbar osteopenia. As patients with RLS make movements night and day to decrease the severity of their symptoms, they unconsciously perform exercise, which may potentially explain the better bone profile among patients with RLS than in controls.

Differential diagnosis of multiple vertebral compression: butterfly vertebrae.

[Purpose] A butterfly vertebra is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from a symmetric fusion defect. Only a few cases of butterfly vertebra have been described. This anomaly may be isolated or associated with Pfeiffer, Jarcho-Levins, Crouzon, or Alagille syndrome. [Subject and Methods] We herein describe a 38-year-old man who presented with neck and low back pain and was found to have butterfly vertebrae at the T9 and L3 levels. He also had Behçet's disease and psoriasis. [Results] The patient's symptoms improved with analgesics and physiotherapy. [Conclusion] To our knowledge, butterfly vertebrae at two levels have never been reported. Butterfly vertebrae may be confused with vertebral fractures in lateral radiographs, and awareness of this anomaly is important for a correct diagnosis.

Serum endocan levels in women with restless legs syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Endocan is a recently introduced marker of endothelial dysfunction. The objective of this study was to compare serum endocan levels in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and control subjects in order to elucidate whether RLS is associated with endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 31 drug naïve female patients with RLS and 31 age- and BMI-matched women were included in the study. Patients with pathological or physiological conditions or with a history of medication use that could potentially influence endothelial functions were excluded, as well as those with alcohol or drug abuse history. The two groups were compared with routine blood tests and serum endocan levels. RESULTS: Patients with RLS had lower serum endocan levels than the controls (P=0.037). There was a negative bivariate correlation between RLS severity score and serum endocan levels (r=-0.406, P=0.023). While white blood cell count was significantly higher in RLS group, 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, vitamin B12, transferrin saturation rate, and HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower. Creatininemia and diastolic blood pressure were also marginally insignificantly lower in RLS group. Due to the presence of differences between two groups in these variables, a linear regression analysis was performed that showed a positive association between endocan and creatininemia (ß=0.310, P=0.022), and a negative association between endocan and RLS (ß=-0.502, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study seem to suggest that patients with RLS may have better endothelial functions when compared with the general population and that these patients may be better protected against atherosclerosis.

Coexistence of osteopoikilosis with seronegative spondyloarthritis and spinal stenosis.

[Purpose] Osteopoikilosis is a rare hereditary bone disease that is usually asymptomatic. It is generally diagnosed incidentally on plain radiography. The coexistence of osteopoikilosis with seronegative spondyloarthritis or spinal stenosis is rarely reported. Here, we report the case of a 27-year-old male patient with osteopoikilosis, seronegative spondyloarthritis, and spinal stenosis. [Subject] A 27-year-old male patient with buttock pain and back pain radiating to the legs. [Methods] A plain anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis revealed numerous round and oval sclerotic bone areas of varying size. Investigation of the knee joints showed similar findings, and the patient was diagnosed with osteopoikilosis. Lumbar magnetic resonance images showed spinal stenosis and degenerative changes in his lumbar facet joints. Magnetic resonance images of the sacroiliac joints showed bilateral involvement with narrowing of both sacroiliac joints, nodular multiple sclerotic foci, and contrast enhancement in both joint spaces and periarticular areas. HLA B-27 test was negative. [Results] The patient was diagnosed with osteopoikilosis, seronegative spondyloarthritis, and spinal stenosis. Treatment included asemetasin twice daily and exercise therapy. [Conclusion] Symptomatic patients with osteopoikilosis should be investigated for other possible coexisting medical conditions; this will shorten the times to diagnosis and treatment.

Upper extremity problems in doner kebab masters.

[Purpose] Doner kebab is a food specific to Turkey; it is a cone-shaped meat placed vertically on a high stand. The doner kebab chefs stand against the meat and cut it by using both of their upper extremities. This work style may lead to recurrent trauma and correspondingly the upper extremity problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the upper extremity disorders of doner chefs. [Subjects and Methods] Doner kebab chefs were selected as the study group, and volunteers who were not doner kebab chefs and didn't exert intense effort with upper extremities their business lives were selected as the control group. A survey form was prepared to obtain data about the participants' ages, working experience (years), daily work hours, work at a second job, diseases, drug usage, and any musculoskeletal (lasting at least 1 week) complaint in last 6 months. [Results] A total of 164 individuals participated in the study, 82 doner chefs and 82 volunteers. In 20.6% of the study group and 15.6% of the control group, an upper extremity musculoskeletal system disorder was detected. Lateral epicondylitis was more frequently statistically significant in the work group. [Conclusion] Hand pain and lateral epicondylitis are more frequent in doner chefs than in other forms of business.

Effect of body shape on tragus-to-wall distance in the normal population.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may result in a loss of spinal mobility. Therefore, evaluation of spinal mobility is an essential part of follow-up of patients with AS. The tragus-to-wall distance (TWD) is one of the four spinal mobility assessment parameters of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, an index used in the follow-up of patients with AS. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of body shape on TWD. In total, 465 subjects aged 18 to 65 years with no disorders affecting the spine or any joint or disturbing the normal anatomical posture were included in this study. Their weight, height, hip and chest circumferences, anterior superior iliac crest-to-wall distance (ASIS-WD), and TWD were measured. Correlations between the parameters were calculated. TWD was positively correlated with weight (p < 0.001, r = 0.389), height (p < 0.001, r = 0.174), hip circumference (p < 0.001, r = 0.296), chest circumference (p < 0.001, r = 0.291), and ASIS-WD (p < 0.001, r = 0.292). Weight gain or loss may lead to incorrect interpretations during the patient's follow-up. Comparative studies with unevenly distributed groups in terms of weight and height may also misdirect the TWD results.

Brachial plexus injury complicating the labor: mother is the victim at this time.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum nerve injuries are rare complications of labor and the lower extremity peripheral nerves are the frequently affected ones. In this case report, we are presenting a patient who developed brachial plexus injury after a forceful vaginal delivery. CASE REPORT: The patient is a 28-year-old woman with right upper extremity pain, numbness and weakness, whose symptoms started just after labor. According to the clinical evaluation, electrodiagnostic study and magnetic resonance imaging, it was diagnosed as the brachial plexus injury. CONCLUSION: We concluded that similar to the ones seen after some surgeries, brachial plexus may be injured also during delivery and the labor positions should be considered.

Carbamazepine-induced hypogammaglobulinemia.

Carbamazepine is used to control seizures. Its common side effects are sleep disorders, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, polydipsia, irritability, ataxia, and diplopia. Involvement of the immune system is rare, and few cases of decreased immunoglobulin levels have been reported. We describe a patient with low immunoglobulin levels due to carbamazepine use who presented with recurrent urinary tract infection. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered, and immunoglobulin levels increased to safer levels after discontinuation of carbamazepine. Previous reports describe severe infection after carbamazepine-induced hypogammaglobulinemia. Therefore, in patients using antiepileptics, particularly carbamazepine, serum immunoglobulin levels should be checked in those with recurrent infections.

Diffuse skeletal pain after administration of alendronate.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is caused by bone resorption in excess of bone formation, and bisphosphonates, are used to inhibit bone resorption. Alendronate, a biphosphonate, is effective for both the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Side effects are relatively few and prominently gastrointestinal. Musculoskeletal pain may be an important side effect in these patients. We presented a patient admitted to our out-patient clinic with diffuse skeletal pain after three consecutive administration of alendronate. CONCLUSION: We conclude that patients with osteoporosis can report pain, and bisphosphonate-related pain should also be considered before ascribing this complaint to osteoporosis.

Risk factors for complex regional pain syndrome in patients with traumatic extremity injury.

BACKGROUND: It is not clear why complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) develops in some patients but not in others, despite similar initiating events. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for CRPS in cases who had suffered traumatic upper extremity injury. METHODS: One hundred sixty-five patients who had suffered a mechanical traumatic injury isolated to their hand or forearm were included in this study. Age, gender, body mass index, tissue types injured, and side of affected forearm/hand were investigated as possible risk factors for CRPS. RESULTS: CRPS was diagnosed in 84 patients. Female/male ratio was higher in patients with CRPS versus those without. The mean age was higher in patients with CRPS. The affected forearm/hand was the dominant side in 62.9% of patients without CRPS and in 64.2% of patients with CRPS. CRPS incidence was higher in patients with motor nerve injury and in patients with sensory nerve injury. A logistic regression showed that risk for CRPS was higher in patients with motor nerve injury and in females. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that motor nerve injury and female gender are risk factors for CRPS. The prevention measures should be focused mainly on females and patients with motor nerve injury in order to reduce the risk of CRPS.

Shoulder pain and functional consequences: does it differ when it is at dominant side or not?

PURPOSE: The shoulder complex plays an integral role in the activities of daily living and the limitation of its function can greatly affect the patient. The aim of this study was to research the functional consequences of painful conditions in the shoulder region. METHODS: Sixty five adult patients with shoulder pain for longer than one month in duration were included to the study. Dominant hands of the patients were determined. The subjects were divided into two groups: shoulder pain at the dominant upper extremity (Group I) or the nondominant one (Group II). The subjects were evaluated for shoulder pain with visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion and functional status with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. RESULTS: In Group I, DASH score was significantly correlated with the VAS score measuring the pain during activity (p< 0.0001, r=0,625). In Group II, no relationship between DASH score, VAS scores and any other parameters was detected. CONCLUSION: The most important parameter disturbing the daily living of a patient with shoulder disease is the pain at the shoulder of dominant extremity occurring in active movement.

Infertility improved by etanercept in ankylosing spondylitis.

The effect of TNF-α and TNF-α antagonists on semen quality in men is controversial. TNF-α levels are usually low in seminal plasma, but they tend to increase in inflammatory and infectious diseases. Etanercept is a highly-specific antagonist of TNF-α. In this report, we describe the development of pregnancy in a couple with a previously infertile husband, who received etanercept for ankylosing spondylitis.

Affective temperament in stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine the dominant affective temperament changes in stroke survivors and whether temperament affects the disability. METHODS: A total of 63 stroke patients were included in this study. Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire was used to determine the dominant affective temperament (depressive, hyperthymic, cyclothymic, irritable or anxious). The disability level was measured with the Barthel index (BI). RESULTS: Depressive temperament (17.5%) and anxious temperament (12.7%) were the most common dominant affective temperaments. The frequencies of irritable, cyclothymic and hyperthymic temperaments were 4.8, 3.2 and 0%, respectively. The mean BI score was 78.1 ± 18.3 in patients with depressive temperament and 67.4 ± 28.4 in patients without depressive temperament (p = 0.403). The mean BI score was 78.1 ± 15.3 in patients with anxious temperament and 68.0 ± 28.3 in patients without anxious temperament (p = 0.541). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that BI score was not associated with affective temperament changes. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study suggest that depressive and anxious temperaments are the most common affective temperaments and that there appears to be no association between disability level and dominant affective temperament in stroke survivors.

Bilateral suprascapular nerve entrapment.

Bilateral suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome is very rare. It presents with shoulder pain, weakness and atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. We present a twenty-year old man having a history of bilateral shoulder pain associated with weakness. Electromyographic studies revealed signs of a lesion that caused a neupraxic state of the left suprascapular nerve, moderate axonal loss of the right suprascapular nerve and denervation of the right suprascapular muscle. The patient was treated with physical and medical therapy. Due to worsening of the symptoms, a surgical operation was performed by the excision of the transverse scapular ligaments bilaterally. His pain, weakness and atrophy had diminished on examination six weeks later. Suprascapular nerve entrapment should be considered in patients with shoulder pain, particularly those with weakness and atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.

Bone loss in the contralateral asymptomatic hand in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1.

Regional osteoporosis was seen radiographically in clinically affected areas in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1). The aim of the this study was to investigate whether bone loss developed in the contralateral hand in patients with unilateral CRPS1 of the hand. Thirty-two patients with CRPS1 of the hand were included in this study. Bone mineral density was measured in the left proximal femur and both ultradistal radiuses, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The subjects were classified as grades 1 to 3 according to the T-score of both ultradistal radiuses (densitometric grades): grade 1, both radiuses were normal; grade 2, bone loss was determined only in the affected radius; and grade 3, there was bone loss in both radiuses. Twenty (62.5%) patients had bone loss in the affected hand; 11 patients (34.4%) had bone loss only on the affected side and 9 patients (28.1%) had bone loss on both sides. The mean duration of the period between the diagnosis of the injury and the measurement of bone density was 1.9 +/- 0.6 months in patients with grade 1, 3.1 +/- 1.0 months in patients with grade 2, and 5.5 +/- 2.2 months in patients with grade 3. The Spearman test showed a significant correlation between the period of injury and the densitometric grade ( R = 0.774; P = 0.0001). In conclusion, the current study of patients with CRPS1, showed that the bone loss in the asymptomatic contralateral hand developed at a later stage than that in the affected hand. This bone loss was less frequent and of a lower degree in the asymptomatic contralateral hand than in the affected hand. The bone loss in the asymptomatic contralateral hand could be explained by the loss of sympathetic tone in CRPS1 and contralateral sympathetic innervation.

Bone mineral density in women with sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Almost any organs of the body, but mostly the lungs, are involved. Bone mineral density (BMD) can be affected directly or indirectly in chronic granulomatous systemic diseases such as sarcoidosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate BMD in premenopausal and postmenopausal sarcoidosis patients with or without prednisone treatment and to compare their BMD values with those of a control group having the same menopausal status. Thirty-five premenopausal women (18 untreated, 8 treated, and 9 controls) and 21 postmenopausal women (5 untreated, 5 treated, and 11 controls) were included in the study. All of the patients had a histologically proven diagnosis and were being followed-up at the Sarcoidosis Outpatient Clinic of our unit. BMD of the lumbar (L) spine and femoral neck was measured by dual-energy absorptiometry (DEXA). The subgroups of premenopausals and postmenopausals were compared separately. Comparison among the groups was performed by using analysis of variance. Age, duration of the disease, and body mass index were comparable in treated, untreated, and control subgroups of the pre- and postmenopausal groups, and the subgroups of postmenopausals had comparable durations since menopause. For premenopausals, BMD values at L1-4 were not significantly different among the subgroups (0.920 +/- 0.08 g/cm(2), 0.801 +/- 0.09 g/cm(2), and 0.910 +/- 0.05 g/cm(2), for untreated, treated, and controls, respectively). However, the BMD value at the femoral neck in treated patients (0.921 +/- 0.1 g/cm(2)) was significantly lower than the values in untreated patients (1.080 +/- 0.2 g/cm(2); P < 0.01) and in controls (1.028 +/- 0.17 g/cm(2); P < 0.05). For postmenopausals, the BMD value at L1-4 in controls (1.019 +/- 0.07 g/cm(2)) was significantly higher than the values in untreated patients (0.783 +/- 0.01 g/cm(2)) and in treated patients (0.751 +/- 0.08 g/cm(2); P < 0.001 for both). The BMD value at the femoral neck in controls (0.890 +/- 0.1 g/cm(2)) was higher than the values in untreated patients (0.745 +/- 0.08 g/cm(2)) and treated patients (0.747 +/- 0.1 g/cm(2)), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). We concluded that sarcoidosis patients, especially postmenopausal patients with corticosteroid treatment, may have an increased risk of bone mineral loss. Large-scale studies are warranted in order to delineate the exact roles of the disease itself, menopausal status, and corticosteroid treatment in this bone mineral loss.