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Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics oj patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to examine their effects on quality of life. Material and Method: 37 patients with PsA and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. To determine disease activity, clinical [disease activity score (DAS28), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)] and laboratory [Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] parameters were used. To evaluate quality of life, the Nottingham health profile (NHP) and Short form-36 (SF-36) were used. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.9±11.2 years. The diagnostic delay time had a median of 1 year (min-max-0-18). We examined NHP. NHP scores showed that NHP pain, physical activity, tiredness and social isolation of PsA patients were higher than for control subjects. We evaluated SF-36. SF-36 scores indicated that physical function, physical role limitation, body pain, overall health, vitality and emotional role limitation were significantly decreased in PsA patients compared to control subjects. Correlation analysis was performed; Statistically significant correlations were observed between NHP scores (positive correlation) and SF-36 scores (negative correlation) with disease activity parameters (DAS-28, BASDAI, ESR and CRP). Furthermore, statistically significant correlations were observed between NHP scores (positive correlation) and SF-36 scores (negative correlation) with diagnostic delay time. Conclusion: We determined that quality of life was less in patients with PsA compared to control subjects. In addition, we have also found that disease activity and prolongation of diagnostic delay are associated with quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine plasma leptin level in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its correlation with disease activity measurements. To examine the effects of different treatment modalities on leptin levels. Material and Method: One hundred eight patients diagnosed with AS according to New York Criteria and 65 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. The Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDA1) was used for disease activity. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, acute phase reactants, plasma leptin levels, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) levels were investigated. Results: Plasma leptin levels in AS patients were statistically significantly lower compared with those in the healthy control group (p=0.003). There was no significant difference among sub-groups established on the basis of medical treatments and disease activity. No statistically significant correlation was determined between leptin level and disease activity parameters, radiological score and functional indices (p>0.05). Conclusion: Plasma leptin was lower in AS patients compared with the control group. This is not correlated with disease activation and medical treatment utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association between radiographic features (osteophytes, disc space narrowing) in patients with lumbar spine degenerative changes and body mass index (BMI), with quantitative methods. Material and Method: One-hundred and three women with lumbar spine degenerative changes who had lower back pain were included in the study Patients were divided into two groups according to their BMI. Pain and functional status of patients were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ), respectively. The size of osteophytes and disc space narrowing were calculated on lateral roentgenogram of the lumbar vertebrae by using computer based stereological methods. Results: No significant correlation was detected between the BMI and radiological findings. But, there was a positive correlation between the osteophyte surface area and RMQ, and VAS and RMQ (p<0.05). Conclusion: No significant correlation was detected between the BMI and radiographic findings in lumbar spine degenerative changes. To our knowledge, this is the first study quantitatively assessing the association between radiographic findings and BMI in lumbar spine degenerative changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]