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Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) treatments and conventional physical therapy (PT) modalities that are applied to reduce pain and improve physical movements and functions of patients with sub acromial impingement syndrome (SIS). Materials and Methods: Forty patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first group was assigned KT plus home exercise program (HEP) for 15 days. The second group was given 15 sessions of PT and HEP Patients were assessed using active joint range of motion (ROM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; rest, movement, and night pain), the Society of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Evaluation (ASESS-100), Constant-Murley (C-M) scale, and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index at before and after treatment and at the end of the study (first month control visit). Results: Physical therapy was found to be more effective than KT when these two treatment modalities were assessed based on ASESS-100, WORC index values, night pain, and movement pain. PT and KT treatments have similar effects in active ROM, rest pain, and C-M scale. At the end of the study, they were found to have similar effects except the night pain value. PT was found to be more effective for night pain than KT Conclusion: Physical therapy was concluded to be more effective after treatment. The application of KT does not appear to be an alternative treatment method for SIS, but it can provide a potential supportive care for SIS. However the outcomes suggest that KT can provide a remarkable benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and disabling disease frequently effects physical and psychological well being. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of psychological status on health related quality of life in patients with RA and also to assess which quality of life (QoL) instrument - disease specific and generic - is more prone to this effect. Methods: A total of 421 patients with RA recruited from joint database of five tertiary centers. Depression and anxiety risks were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); and quality of life assessed by Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and The Short Form 36 (SF 36) questionnaire. Results: Patients with higher risk for depression or anxiety had poorer quality of life compared to the patients without risk for depression or anxiety. Depression and anxiety scores significantly correlated with quality of life questionnaires. There was significant association between anxiety and depression with worsening in both disease specific and generic health related quality of life. However, RAQoL showed more association with depression and anxiety levels. Conclusion: Higher depression and anxiety risks showed increased deterioration in quality of life. Compared to generic QoL scales, RAQoL scale, a disease specific QoL instrument, is much more influenced by depression and anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this, open-label, non-comparative study, was to evaluate the efficacy on quality of life and the efficacy of gabapentin monotherapy in patients with chronic radiculopathy. Methods: Thirty-five patients with radicular pain and diagnosed as L_{4}, L_{5} or S_1 radiculopathy were treated with oral gabapentin from a total of 300 mg per day once up to a total of 1800 mg per day divided in 3 doses for eight-week trial period. Quality of life, functional disability and psychological mood of the patients were assessed using the Nottingham Healthy Profile (NHP), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Of the patients (n = 35), 25 were females and 10 were males (mean age: 41.8 ± 10.4, range: 24–60 years); mean radiculopathy duration was 16.4 ± 14.2 months (range: 3–48 months). The pain intensity at rest, quality of life, functional disability and depression scores were determined significantly improved after treatment and 4 months compared to baseline scores (p < 0.001). 1.5 points compared to baseline for at pain rest and 15 points improvement on the ODQ were obtained. Conclusion: Gabapentin may provide benefits in terms of alleviation of pain and overall quality of life in patients with chronic radiculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to compare the effects of alendronate, risedronate and calcitonin on biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. The patients (n=200) were equally divided to one of four treatment groups: alendronate 10 mg/daily, risedronate 5 mg/daily, calcitonin 200 IU/daily and control group for 12 months. All groups also received 1000 mg of calcium/daily. The control group received only 1000 mg calcium/daily. Serum osteocalcin (OC), bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (uDPD) levels were determined. There are increases in BMD at two regions, at the end of 12 months in four groups. The mean increases in BMD at 12 months, at the lumbar spine and hip respectively, were: alendronate (p<0.05, p<0.001), risedronate (p<0.001, p<0.01), calcitonin (p<0.05, p<0.01) and control group (p>0.05 for both site). In comparison with control group, the mean changes in BMD at the spine and hip were greater in the other groups (p<0.05 for both region). uDPD levels were gradually reduced at the end of study in all groups (p<0.01 for three groups), while no significant change was found in calcium group. The treatment with alendronate produced significantly greater increases in total hip BMD than did risedronate and calcitonin and tretment with risedronate produced significantly greater increases in lumbar spine BMD than did alendronate and calcitonin over 12 months. This study demonstrated the efficacy of alendronate, risedronate and calcitonin in preventing the bone loss related to postmenopausal osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted this study to assess serum soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) levels and erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and correlate the levels with disease activity. Levels of sE-selectin were measured in the serum of 20 patients with RA and 20 control subjects by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Na+K+ ATPase activity was determined by a colorimetric method in RA patients and healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic data such as age and sex ( p > 0.05). The serum levels of sE-selectin, ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls ( p < 0.001). Erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity was significantly lower in the RA group than in the control group ( p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between soluble E-selectin and ESR ( r=0.457; p < 0.05) and CRP ( r = 0.682; p < 0.01) levels. There were statistically significant negative correlations between erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity and ESR ( r = −0.450; p<0.05) and CRP ( r = −0.446; p<0.05) levels. Additionally, a significant negative correlations between sE-selectin and Na+K+ ATPase activity was observed ( r = −0.80; p<0.001). These results show that decreases in erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity and increases in sE-selectin are observed in RA, and that increased levels of sE-selectin may also reflect disease status or activity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the correlations between ICAM-1 and nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase. Serum samples were obtained from 42 patients with active RA and 30 healthy controls. ICAM-1, nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase levels were determined. ICAM-1, nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase levels were significantly elevated in patients with RA (p < 0.001). We found a significant positive correlation between ICAM-1 and nitric oxide (r = 0.426, p < 0.05). There was also a significant positive correlation between ICAM-1 and xanthine oxidase (r = 0.511, p < 0.01). High serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 may be a consequence of inflammation or tissue damage induced by nitric oxide generated by xanthine oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of low-dose prednisolone in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) administered in the morning or at night. Thirty patients with active RA were divided randomly into two groups. For 6 months, prednisolone was administered at 02:00 am or 07:30 am. During the treatment, changes observed each month in clinical and laboratory status of patients in both groups were recorded and results were compared both within and between the groups. Significant improvements were observed in both groups in clinical and laboratory findings compared to values before treatment, beginning from first month to sixth month (p < 0.001). In comparison of results in both groups, no significant difference was obtained from first month to sixth month (p > 0.05). Lowdose prednisolone therapy in treatment of RA significantly suppresses the activity of disease beginning from the first month. This condition is kept until the sixth month. However, administration of the medication given either in the morning or at night does not affect the results of the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease and still a major public health problem in many geographic areas including Mediterranean basin and Middle East. Brucellosis causes multisystemic involvement and although rare central nervous system involvement causes serious manifestations. Neurobrucellosis occurs less than 5% of patients and presents with meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, myelopathy, stroke, paraplegia, radiculoneuritis, intracerebral abscess, epidural abscess, demyelination and cranial nerve involvement or any combination of these manifestations. Spastic paraparesis and the sensorineural involvement are rarely reported in the literature. Methods: Herein we present a 28 years-old man with spastic paraparesis and sensorineural hearing loss due to neurobrucellosis. Results: The patient was treated with antibiotics combination for 6 months and underwent rehabilitation program. Conclusions: Neurobrucellosis should be ruled out in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms and/or sensorineural hearing loss particularly in those living in endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the left atrial mechanical functions in elite male athletes. Changes in athlete's physiology due to prolonged training; Measurement of left ventricular (LV) volumes through echocardiography; Characteristics of LV stroke volume.

Introduction: The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in osteoporosis has not yet been clearly established. Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important part of bone formation. In the literature, although the effects of VEGF on bone metabolism were investigated by different studies, there are very rare studies analysing the association between osteoporosis and VEGF. In the present study, our objective was to investigate serum VEGF concentrations in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and the correlation of serum VEGF levels and bone mineral density (BMD)., Material and Methods: This study was performed on 35 PMO patients, and 30 age-matched healthy controls. Serum VEGF concentrations were measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique according to the manufacturer's instructions. Bone mineral density values were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)., Results: Serum VEGF concentrations were statistically significantly lower in PMO patients than in controls (150 ±65 pg/ml, 260 ±135 pg/ml respectively; p = 0.005). A positive correlation was found between serum VEGF concentrations and BMD values (r = 0.63, p = 0.001)., Conclusions: Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations were decreased in PMO patients and VEGF may play an important role in bone health.

Objective: To assess the frequency of juvenile onset ankylosing spondylitis (JOAS) in Turkish patients with AS and to compare with adult onset AS (AOAS) in a cross-sectional study design., Methods: A total of 322 patients were recruited from the joint database of 5 university hospitals in eastern Turkey., Results: Patients with JOAS (n = 43, 13.4%) had significantly longer diagnostic delay (9.21 vs 5.08 yrs), less severe axial involvement and more prevalent uveitis (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.25-6.79), and peripheral involvement at onset (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.51-6.98, adjusted for current age; and OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.07-4.76, adjusted for disease duration). Patients with AOAS had higher radiographic scores and more restricted clinimetrics but similar functional limitations and quality of life., Conclusion: JOAS and AOAS had distinctive courses and Turkish patients with AS had similar features compared to other Caucasian patient populations.

We conducted this study to assess serum soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) levels and erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and correlate the levels with disease activity. Levels of sE-selectin were measured in the serum of 20 patients with RA and 20 control subjects by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was determined by a colorimetric method in RA patients and healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic data such as age and sex (p > 0.05). The serum levels of sE-selectin, ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was significantly lower in the RA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between soluble E-selectin and ESR (r = 0.457; p < 0.05) and CRP (r = 0.682; p < 0.01) levels. There were statistically significant negative correlations between erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity and ESR (r = -0.450; p < 0.05) and CRP (r = -0.446; p < 0.05) levels. Additionally, a significant negative correlations between sE-selectin and Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was observed (r = -0.80; p < 0.001). These results show that decreases in erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity and increases in sE-selectin are observed in RA, and that increased levels of sE-selectin may also reflect disease status or activity., (Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)