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Objective: To evaluate the presence of sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method: This cross‐sectional study included 100 patients with RA and 100 gender‐matched healthy individuals. Sarcopenia was assessed by performing tests evaluating muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance, using the criteria determined by The European Working Group on Sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is defined as a decrease in muscle strength and muscle mass. On the other hand, presarcopenia is defined as a decrease in muscle strength with a normal muscle mass. Results: The participants comprised of 70 females and 30 males. The frequency of presarcopenia was 35% in the RA group and 9% in the control group (P <.001). Results of handgrip and gait speed tests were lower in the RA group than in the healthy control group (P =.002 and P <.001, respectively). Presarcopenia was seen at higher rates among female and older patients, and patients with longer disease duration. Disease activity scores were higher in patients with presarcopenia than in patients without sarcopenia (P <.05). In multivariate regression analysis for presarcopenia; a statistically significant association was found between handgrip test results and age, gender, and disease activity (P <.001, R2 =.62). Conclusions: Longer disease duration and higher disease activity may provoke the development of sarcopenia due to chronic inflammation in patients with RA. Physicians should be aware of the development of sarcopenia during the course of disease and take into account the preservative and preventive methods against sarcopenia by encouraging them about exercise along with controlling disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aims of the study are to investigate serum neopterin and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in patients with immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) and evaluate the association of these markers with disease activity and relapse. Method: Thirty‐four consecutive adult patients (24 male and 10 female) admitted to the rheumatology clinic and met the IgAV American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. Demographic and clinical features of IgAV and a control group were recorded into a predefined protocol. Disease activity was categorized as "remission" or "active" according to Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). BVAS ≥ 1 was accepted as "active". Serum neopterin levels, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and IMA were evaluated according to BVAS and compared to the healthy control group. Results: Serum median (interquartile range) neopterin, IMA levels and hsCRP were higher in the study group than in control group (2.01 [12.5] ng/mL vs 1.77 [1.37] ng/mL, 0.67 [0.2] ng/mL vs. 0.43 [0.17] ng/mL, 5.6 [17.1] mg/L vs. 1.55 [1.6] mg/L, P = .095, P < .001 and P = .002, respectively). When evaluated according to BVAS, IMA and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in the group with active disease (0.77 [0.12] vs 0.61 [0.13] and 14.85 [4.6], P = .009 and P = .03, respectively). Serum neopterin levels were significantly higher in the active group compared to BVAS (18.95 [32.36] vs 1.63 [1.48], P < .001). Conclusion: Oxidative stress is important in IgAV pathogenesis. Roles of hsCRP, neopterin and IMA as potential markers of diagnosis and disease activity seem to be worth studying in future studies with larger study groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Behçet's disease (BD) is a type of systemic vasculitis and inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, which is associated with fatigue and lower quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) and Behçet's Disease Quality of Life (BDQoL), depression, anxiety and fatigue in Behçet's disease. Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 155 BD patients and 107 healthy subjects in a single center over a 1 year period. All participants completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale. Disease activity in the BD patients was assessed using the BDCAF, and the physician's global assessment (PGA). BD patients also completed the BDQoL questionnaire. Results: There was no significant difference in age and gender between the groups. BD patients had significantly higher HADS‐anxiety (HADS‐A), HADS‐depression (HADS‐D) and MAF scores than the healthy control group (P < 0.05). BD patients with active disease had significantly higher MAF and HADS‐A scores compared to inactive BD patients (P < 0.05). MAF scores showed positive correlations with HADS‐A, HADS‐D, BDCAF and BDQoL. Conclusions: Fatigue and anxiety are common in clinically active BD patients compared with healthy control subjects and inactive BD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]