Search

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ustekinumab in the treatment of enteropathic arthritis. Materials & methods: A systematic literature search was performed in the Pubmed database of publications between January 2010 and October 2021. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, inflammatory bowel disease and enteropathic arthritis symptoms, other extraintestinal findings, medical treatments and clinical and laboratory findings for all cases were recorded. Results: A total of 11 patients were included. While clinical and laboratory remission was achieved in terms of inflammatory bowel disease in all patients and enteropathic arthritis in nine patients after ustekinumab treatment, other extraintestinal findings for all patients completely regressed after treatment. Conclusion: Ustekinumab may be an appropriate treatment option for this patient group, considering both pathogenesis and successful treatment responses.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical course of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients in COVID-19 pandemic, and to assess the COVID-19 outcomes in infected IIM patients. Materials & methods: In this study, 39 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Myositis disease activity, myositis damage index, depression, fatigue, active medical treatment, drug compliance and SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results in COVID-19 pandemic were collected. Results: Fourteen of these patients (35%) were detected to have a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. The demographic and clinical characteristics, active medical treatment, disease activity, depression and fatigue of the patients who had undergone or not SARS-CoV-2 were similar. Conclusion: Our results have shown that although prevalence of COVID-19 seems to be increased in IIM patients under immunosuppressive treatment, hospitalization rates were lower and no intensive care unit admissions or deaths were observed.

Aim: To investigate clinical implications of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity detected in COVID-19 patients during follow up. Materials & methods: A retrospective survey in a hospital database was carried out to detect COVID-19 patients in which ANCAs had been tested. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were collected from this hospital database and compared between ANCA-negative and -positive patients. Results: ANCAs were tested in 87 COVID-19 patients. Eight had positivity in at least one ANCA test. COVID-19 symptoms on admission and rate of pulmonary involvement were similar. Acute phase reactant levels were higher in ANCA-positive patients. Rate of mortality was higher in the ANCA-positive group without statistical significance. Conclusion: ANCA positivity detected during COVID-19 in patients without a prior diagnosis of any rheumatic condition may be related with worse outcomes.

Objectives We sought to evaluate the performance of the SLE Risk Probability Index (SLERPI) for identification of SLE in a large cohort of patients with UCTD. Methods The SLERPI was applied in a cohort of patients who met classification criteria for UCTD and did not fulfil any classification criteria for other defined CTD including SLE. Patients with a SLERPI score of >7 were ‘diagnosed’ as SLE. Patients diagnosed with SLE and those not were compared in terms of disease characteristics and index parameters. Results A total of 422 patients with UCTD were included in the study. Median (interquartile range) SLERPI was 4.25 (2.5) points, while 39 (9.2%) patients had a SLERPI score >7 and were diagnosed as SLE. Patients with younger age (P = 0.026) and presence of malar rash (P 500 mg/24 h (P = 0.001), thrombocytopenia (P = 0.009) or autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (P Conclusion SLERPI enabled a significant proportion of patients to be identified as SLE in our UCTD cohort. This new probability index may be useful for early identification of SLE among patients with signs of CTD without fulfilling any definite criteria set.

Compared to biological agents, little is known about the impact of sulfasalazine therapy on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 severity in AxSpAs receiving sulfasalazine and biologic-agent.A total of 219 SARS-CoV-2 positive AxSpA patients were retrospectively analyzed. COVID-19 pneumonia, hospitalization rate, and length of stay were used to determine COVID-19 severity. AxSpA patients were mainly grouped and compared as sulfasalazine and non-sulfasalazine. Afterward, we excluded no-treatment patients to reveal the drug's effects more clearly and regrouped AxSpA patients as sulfasalazine-monotherapy (34.3%), biologic-monotherapy (33.7%), and sulfasalazine + biologic (7.3%).Fifty-nine percent of the patients were male and the mean age was 45.0 years. Peripheral arthritis was 35% and uveitis 15%. In total, 41.5% of them have received sulfasalazine and 41.0% biologic agents, and the remaining patients with no AxSpA-specific treatment. In the first comparison, the sulfasalazine group had a higher age, more frequent COVID-19 pneumonia, hospitalization, and longer hospitalization than a non-sulfasalazine group. In the pairwise comparison of 3 treatment groups, the demographic and clinical features, the hospitalization rate and the length of hospital stay were similar but the sulfasalazine-monotherapy group had a higher frequency of COVID-19 pneumonia than the biologic-monotherapy group (23% vs. 7%,Our results imply sulfasalazine may be related to more severe COVID-19 in AxSpA patients. These patients should be followed more carefully in the presence of COVID-19, regardless of reasons such as age, comorbidity, and extra-axial disease, and consideration of discontinuing sulfasalazine maybe even thought.

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in our cohort of Behçet’s disease (BD) patients and to reveal the rate of BD exacerbations due to COVID-19. Methods Patients who have been followed with a diagnosis of BD were retrospectively investigated for a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 polymerized chain reaction (PCR) test. Data regarding demographics, clinical features and COVID-19 outcomes were collected from medical records for patients with a positive PCR. PCR-positive patients were reached via phone numbers, and ‘Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form’ (BDCAF) scores for pre- and post-COVID-19 BD symptoms were calculated. Results Out of a total 648 BD patients, 59 were detected to have a positive PCR test. Three of the 59 patients (5.0%) were found to be hospitalized, none of them was admitted to the ICU or died. An increasing trend in the frequency of comorbid diseases and older age was observed in hospitalized patients. 32.2% of BD patients suffered from exacerbation of at least one symptom related to BD. Conclusions We observed no ICU admission or mortality with COVID-19 in our BD patient cohort. A substantial number of patients suffered from exacerbation of BD symptoms.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the probability of de-novo fQRS in patients with mild COVID-19 disease, as an indicator of cardiac injury. Methods: Data of 256 patients with normal admission electrocardiography and no comorbidities between 1.12.2020–31.12.2021, were examined retrospectively 6-month after mild COVID-19 disease. Patients were divided into two groups: fQRS+ group (n = 102) and non-fQRS group (n = 154). Relation between fQRS and other electrocardiography, echocardiographic and laboratory findings were investigated. Results: No significant difference was found between the groups among age and gender. Troponin-I and creatine kinase myocardial band values (retrospectively 9.10 ± 1.76 vs 0.74 ± 1.43, 34.05 ± 82.20 vs. 14.68 ± 4.42), COVID-19 IgG levels (45.78 ± 14.82 vs. 36.49 ± 17.68), diastolic dysfunction (39.21% vs. 15.07%), EF value (58.02 ± 1.95 vs. 64.27 ± 3.07), dyspnea (41.17% vs. 6.84%), post-COVID-19 tachycardia syndrome (19.6% vs. 2.74) were more frequent in fQRS+ group compared to non-fQRS group. The EF value was lower in the presence of fQRS in the high lateral leads (57.12 ± 1.99, 58.47 ± 1.79, p:0.018). There was a positive correlation between IgG value and endsystolic diameter, septum thickness and left atrium diameter. In multivariate analysis de-novo fQRS, dyspnea, high troponin and IgG values, diastolic dysfunction, low EF value and left atrial diameter were determined as independent risk factors for post-COVID-19 tachycardia syndrome in follow-up. Conclusion: In COVID-19 disease de-novo fQRS, dyspnea, high IgG and troponin value, left atrial diameter, lower EF value, diastolic dysfunction were associated with post-COVID-19 tachycardia syndrome. The de-novo fQRS in SARS-COV-2 may be a predictor of future more important adverse cardiovascular outcomes and this should alert clinicians.

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate semaphorin 3A levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without renal involvement and secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). Methods Patients with SLE were grouped according to the presence of secondary APS or renal involvement. The control group consisted of age-matched, nonsmoking, healthy volunteers. Semaphorin 3A levels were compared among groups. All patients with SLE were regrouped according to the presence of thrombotic events, miscarriages, and proteinuria, and semaphorin 3A levels were investigated. Finally, semaphorin 3A levels of all patients with SLE as a single group were compared to those of the control patients. Results The mean semaphorin 3A values were 16.16 ± 2.84 ng/mL in the control group, 9.05 ± 5.65 ng/mL in patients with SLE without nephritis and APS, 11.28 ± 5.23 ng/mL in the SLE with APS group, and 8.53 ± 5.11 ng/mL in the lupus nephritis group. When all 3 patient groups were examined as a single group, the mean semaphorin 3A value was significantly lower than that of the control group. Semaphorin 3A was reduced in patients with SLE with thromboembolism and/or history of miscarriage. Conclusion Semaphorin 3A levels were lower in all patient groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the reduced semaphorin 3A levels in patients with a history of thromboembolism and/or miscarriage suggest that semaphorin 3A may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vasculopathy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shares some clinical features with new-onset granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or GPA flare that may lead to a challenge in differential diagnosis. To date, little is known whether GPA can be induced by COVID-19. Herein, we aimed to seek the frequency and mortality rates of COVID-19 in our GPA cohort, and along with the literature cases, to evaluate clinical features and treatments of GPA patients with COVID-19. We also tried to identify clinical features of COVID-19 induced GPA.As of July 2021, we conducted a systematic literature review using different spelling combinations of "COVID-19 and GPA" in the PUBMED database. In total, 18 cases were found in the literature, 6 of them had COVID-19 induced GPA. The remaining 12 of literature cases and 6 cases in our GPA cohort (n = 81) had a COVID-19 infection while followed-up with GPA. We grouped these 18 patients as GPA+COVID-19.The frequency of COVID-19 was 7.4% in GPA cohort and mortality rate was 33% in GPA patients with COVID-19. The most common symptoms of GPA+COVID-19 patients were fever, cough, arthralgia/myalgia, and malaise. The most frequent treatments for GPA before the COVID-19 infection were steroids (72%) and rituximab (56%). Three patients who received rituximab also had COVID-19 reinfection. In the literature cases, mortality was observed in 4 (22%) of 18 patients with GPA+COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 induced GPA were dyspnea, fever and cough.In our GPA cohort, we observed a higher mortality rate compared to global WHO data. In patients followed up with GPA, rituximab treatment may be precarious for both COVID-19 disease and reinfection. Our study also provided some clues about the diagnostic challenge of GPA induced by COVID-19.

Anakinra, which is an Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist with the advancing disease process, has started to be considered as an alternative treatment for Covid-19 patients with cytokine storms. We evaluated the effect of corticosteroids and IL-1 receptor blockage with anakinra on pregnant patients with Covid-19 at high risk for respiratory distress, ongoing fever, deterioration in their general condition and consequently maternal and fetal complications. Fourteen pregnant women who received anakinra (median dosage: 400 mg) and corticosteroid (methylprednisolone-median dosage: 80 mg) treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) scale. The mortality rate of the cohort was 7.1%, the median hospitalization period of the patients was 15 days and 2 patients had premature births. Covid-19 was found to have a similar spectrum of symptoms in pregnant and non-pregnant women, such as dyspnea, cough and fever. Our study was the first to analyze the combined treatment of corticosteroid and anakinra in pregnant patients with pneumonia from Covid-19 based on the WHO scoring system. Due to the obscurity in the treatment process in pregnant patients, studies are ongoing on managing Covid-19 infection in these patients. We presume that the early use of anakinra and corticosteroid treatments in patients severely infected with Covid-19 may have positive effects on disease progression and survival.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infection resulting in very high morbidity and mortality rates globally. Limited data are available on the cardiovascular manifestations in these patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the daily troponin I and D-dimer levels and their impact on the need for intensive care and on mortality rates of COVID-19-infected patients.Two-hundred and five patients who were hospitalised between 20 March and 5 May 2020, with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 pneumonia, were analysed retrospectively. Serum troponin I and D-dimer levels were recorded for at least 10 days after admission.The average age was higher in the group of patients who died compared to the group who were discharged (67.79 ± 14.9 vs 56.87 ± 18.15 years, respectively,We showed that hospitalisations ≥ 9.5 days in duration were related to increased mortality rates. Troponin I and D-dimer follow-up values in the serum were more effective than other inflammatory markers in predicting mortality and the need for intensive care. A high troponin I value should alert the clinician in terms of clinical deterioration.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) share similarities in clinical, imaging findings and may present with respiratory distress. Differentiating a new-onset EGPA from COVID-19 during the current pandemic is a diagnostic challenge, particularly if other EGPA symptoms are overlooked. Here in this study we reviewed the literature regarding EGPA patients with COVID-19 and patients who diagnosed with EGPA or suffered an EGPA flare mimicking COVID-19. We conducted a literature survey in PUBMED database using meshed keywords "COVID-19" and "EGPA", "COVID-19" and "eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis", "COVID-19" and "Churg Strauss Syndrome", to reveal previously reported cases involving EGPA patients who had COVID-19 infection, patients who suspected to have COVID-19 but eventually diagnosed with EGPA and patients with a known diagnosis of EGPA who suffered a flare but a COVID-19 infection was suspected initially. A total of 11 cases (6 literature cases, 5 cases from our clinic) were included in our study. Seven (63.6%) of the cases were defined as COVID-19 mimicker and 4 (36.4%) were EGPA with COVID-19. All of the cases in EGPA with COVID-19 group had a history of asthma. All of them had a positive PCR result and ground-glass opacities in thorax CT. In COVID-19 mimicker group, six (85.7%) patients had a history of asthma and other EGPA features that were observed were eosinophilia in 6 (85.7%). Our study provided clues regarding the EGPA/COVID-19 diagnostic challenge which may be useful in the current pandemic. Since none of the findings in COVID-19 are disease-specific, other conditions like EGPA should not be overlooked particularly in PCR negative patients and clinical, laboratory and imaging findings should be interpreted carefully. Furthermore, we did not observe poor outcomes in EGPA patients who had COVID-19.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an informative leaflet provided to patients before a lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) on the level of immediate pain and pre-procedural anxiety. Methods: A total of 166 patients were randomized into 2 groups: a group that received an explanatory leaflet (LG) and a control group. Both groups were given verbal information, while the LG was also given an illustrated leaflet describing the injection process. All of the patients were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale before the TFESI. The numerical rating scale and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess disability and pain before and after the TFESI. Major complications that occurred before and during the procedure were recorded and analyzed. Results: The patient characteristics were similar in both groups (age, body mass index, depression level, pre-procedural pain, and ODI). The anxiety level was also similar in both groups (p>0.05). When both groups were evaluated at the first hour after the procedure, the numerical rating scale level of pain intensity was also similar (p>0.05). No major complication was observed in either group. Conclusion: The detailed leaflet did not affect the patients' pre-procedural anxiety or acute post-procedural pain level. However, the importance of informed consent and comprehensive information should not be overlooked.

BACKGROUND: Covid-19 pandemic has been affecting whole world by increasing morbidity and mortality rate day by day. Treatment algorithms have been attempted as parallel to the increasing experience with Covid-19. In the pathogenesis of this virus proinflammatory cytokine storm has been called to have the main role. The right timing should be made for treatments. We proposed IL- 1 blocking by anakinra in seventeen Covid-19 patients at high risk of worsening. METHODS: Patients were assessed according to HScore, SOFA [Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score= SOFA], MuLBSTA Score (Multilobular infiltration, Hypo-Lymphocytosis, Bacterial coinfection, Smoking history, hyper-Tension, and Age), Brescia-COVID respiratory severity scale (BCRSS). RESULTS: In our study, mortality rate was 17.6%. Consequently, 1 (5.9%) patient was receiving low-flow oxygen supply, 3 (17.6%) patients needed no longer oxygen supply and 10 (58.8%) patients were discharged from hospital. CONCLUSION: According to results of our study in the manner of general evaluation; we found that SOFA, MuLBSTA and BCRSS scores were one step ahead according to HScore being insufficient to determine early phases of the disease. In our opinion, the prominent factors those emphasize the use of Anakinra could be listed as comorbidity, risk or presence of secondary infection, ongoing malignant disease. However, the other factors those enhance the use of Anakinra in the situation of viremia also could be sorted as no response to full dose antivirals, antiviral side effects or no success to antiviral treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

YÖK Tez No: 544908 Orman kenarları günümüzde başta biyolojik çeşitliliğin korunması, estetik ve rekreasyonel değerleri ile ekonomik getirilerinden dolayı günden güne daha da önem kazanmaktadır. Orman kenarlarının bu işlevleri yerine getirebilmesi için orman kenarlarının güncel durumunun analiz edilmesi gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmada "Orman Kenarı Anahtarı" yöntemiyle bu analizin gerçekleştirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma alanı olarak Dranaz Dağı (Sinop) seçilmiş olup, alçak (0-500 m), orta (501-1000 m) ve yüksek (1001-1500 m) olmak üzere üç farklı yükselti basamağından ve her basamaktan da 5 örnek alan olmak üzere toplam 15 örnek alan alınmıştır. Bu örnek alanlarda alım yöntemi olarak "Krüsi ve Schütz Ayrıntılı Orman Kenarı Anahtarı" kullanılmıştır. Bu yöntemde her bir örnek alanda 100 m mesafe içerisinde 5 adet transekt alınmıştır. Transektlerde ise Krüsi & Schütz Ayrıntılı Orman Kenarı Anahtar Formu doldurulmuştur. Örnek alanlarda otsu etek derinliği, çalı kuşağı derinliği, orman kenarı derinliği, küçük strüktürler ve ölü ağaçlar gibi birçok parametre ölçülmüş ve parametre puanlarına dayalı olarak orman kenarının ekolojik değeri ortaya konulmuştur. Örnek alandaki alımlar sonucunda üç ayrı yükselti basamağının hiçbirinde "çok değerli" orman kenarı belirlenememiştir. Alçak yükselti basamağında örnek alanların %80'i orta, %20' si oratnın altı, orta yükselti basamağında %20'si orta , %40'ı ortanın altı ve %40'ı iyi, yüksek yükselti basamağında ise %20'si kötü ve % 80'ni ortanın altı olarak belirlenmiştir. Hiçbir yükselti basamağında ön durumlu (dış) çalı kuşağı, küçük strüktürler ve ölü ağaçlar belirlenmemiştir. Dişlenme derecesi yüksek basamakta "zayıf", alçak ve orta basamakta "orta" olarak belirlenmiş, "çok iyi" olarak hiçbir örnek alanda belirlenmemiştir. Sonuçlar göstermektedir ki hiçbir yükselti basamağında orman kenarlarının ekolojik değerleri "çok değerli" olarak belirlenemediği gibi, orman kenarının özellikle biyolojik çeşitliliği teşvik edici bileşenlerinin de (küçük strüktürler ve ölü ağaçlar gibi) eksik olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu durum orman kenarlarına işletmecilik faaliyetleri sırasında önem verilmediğini göstermektedir. Başta biyolojik çeşitliliğin koruması olmak üzere orman kenarlarının işlevlerinden tam olarak yararlanılabilmesi için orman kenarı envanterinin yapılması ve elde edilen sonuçlara göre özel nitelikli silvikültürel bakım ve restorasyon çalışmaları yapılması önerilir. Nowadays, forest edges are becoming increasingly important due to conservation of biological diversity, aesthetical and recreational values as well as economical income they provide. For fulfilling these functions, current conditions of forest edges must be analyzed. In this study, it was aimed to implement this analysis using "Forest Edge Key" method. Dranaz Mountain (Sinop) was selected as a study area and 5 sample plots were selected from 3 altitudinal zones classified as low (0-500 m), middle (501-1000 m) and high (1001-1500 m) which resulted in 15 sample plots in total. "Krüsi and Schütz Detailed Forest Edge Key" method was used in these sample plots. In this method, 5 transects were taken within 100 m distance. In transects, a form of Krüsi and Schütz Detailed Forest Edge Key was filled. Many parameters were measured such as herb belt width, shrub belt width, forest edge width, small structures and dead wood in the sample plots and ecological value of the forest edge was determined based on the scores of these parameters. As a result of the sampling, none of the sample plots was determined as "very valuable" forest edge from 3 altitudinal zones. 80% of sample plots was determined as average in the low altitudinal zone; average, lower than average and good forest edges were determined as 20%, 40 %, and 40%, respectively in the middle altitudinal zones. In the high altitudinal zone, bad and lower than average classes were determined as 20% and 80%, respectively. No front (outer) shrub belt, small structures, and dead woods were determined in any of the altitudinal zones. Indentation degree was determined as "weak" in the high altitudinal zone, "low" in the low and middle altitudinal zones, but no "good" indentation degree was determined in any zones. The results showed that none of the forest edges from altitudinal zones could be defined as "very valuable" and lacks components supporting biological diversity (small structures and dead woods etc.). This situation shows that forest edges are not considered during management activities. In order to benefit from the functions of forest edges completely, especially the protection of biodiversity, a forest edge inventory needs to be done and specialized silvicultural caring and restoration work based on the obtained results are suggested to be carried out.

Background Headache is a leading disabler in adults worldwide. In children and adolescents, the same may be true but the evidence is much poorer. It is notable that published epidemiological studies of these age groups have largely ignored headaches not fulfilling any specific set of ICHD criteria, although such headaches appear to be common. A new approach to these is needed: here we introduce, and investigate, a diagnostic category termed “undifferentiated headache” (UdH), defined in young people as recurrent mild-intensity headache of

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sarcopenia at the time of diagnosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), assessing disease activity and factors that may be associated with sarcopenia and observe effects of treatment on sarcopenia.A prospective study was conducted with patients who have newly diagnosed RA. Patients were evaluated twice, at the time of diagnosis and 3 mo after the initiation of treatment. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, disease activity scores, and sarcopenia status were recorded. Sarcopenia was evaluated with grip strength and bioelectric impedance. The results were compared with healthy volunteers.The age at onset of RA was 50.6 ± 14.6 y. Handgrip strength (P0.001), skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.009), and skeletal muscle mass index (P = 0.032) were reduced in patients with RA but not in the control group. The frequency of sarcopenia in RA at onset of diagnosis was 31.5%. There was a significant decrease in the rate of sarcopenia after 3 mo of treatment (31.5 versus 8.7%; P = 0.046).Sarcopenia was found in approximately one-third of the patients with newly diagnosed RA in our study. With treatment, sarcopenia improved significantly. Patients with RA should be evaluated in terms of sarcopenia in addition to evaluating joint and extraarticular findings at the time of diagnosis. Early detection and treatment planning may improve quality of life.

Background:The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of sarcopenia at the time of diagnosis in RA patients, evaluate the effects of sarcopenia on RA disease activity, prognosis and examine the factors that may be associated with sarcopenia.Objectives:To determine the frequency of sarcopenia at the time of diagnosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, assessing disease activity and factors that may be associated with sarcopenia and observe effects of treatment on sarcopenia.Methods:A prospective study was conducted on RA patients with newly diagnosed. Patients were evaluated twice, at the time of diagnosis and three months after the initiation of treatment. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, disease activity scores and sarcopenia status were recorded. Sarcopenia was evaluated with grip strength and bioelectric impedance. The results were also compared with healthy volunteers.Results:Hand grip strength (pConclusion:Sarcopenia was found in approximately one third of the patients with newly diagnosed RA in our study. With treatment, sarcopenia improved significantly. RA patients should be evaluated in terms of sarcopenia besides evaluating joint and extra-articular findings at the time of diagnosis. Early detection and treatment planning may improve the quality of life.Figure 1.Distribution of skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) and prevalence of sarcopenia in RA and control groupsTable 1.Demographics, clinical features, anthropometric measurements and disease activity scores of sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic RA patientsRA without sarcopenian=37RA with sarcopenian=17pAge, mean (SD), years47,3 (12,8)58,0 (16)0,011*Gender, female, n (%)27 (73)9 (52,9)0,215Marital status, married, n (%)34 (91,9)13 (76,5)0,258Tobacco consumption, n (%) Active smoker10 (27)5 (29,4)0,086 Ex-smoker8 (21,6)8 (47,1) Never smoker19 (51,4)4 (23,5)Alcohol consumption, n (%) Active drinker2 (5,4)2 (11,8)0,244 Ex-drinker0 (0,0)1 (5,9) Never drinker35 (94,6)14 (82,4)Occupation, n (%) Worker15 (40,5)12 (70,6)0,060Height, mean (SD), meter1,6 (0,1)1,6 (0,1)0,664Weight, mean (SD), kg80,6 (17,7)65,3 (8,6)BMI, mean (SD), kg/m231,4 (7,3)24,9 (3,2)Obese, n (%)20 (54,1)2 (11,8)0,006*Waist circumference, mean (SD), cm97,1 (14,2)89,3 (12,8)0,058Hip circumference, mean (SD), cm108,1 (12,7)96,6 (5,1)0,001*Calf circumference, mean (SD), cm35,4 (5,1)29,6 (4,0)Triceps skin thickness, median (min-max), mm22 (8-36)15 (6-31)0,022*Loss of muscle strength, n (%) Right10 (27,0)9 (52,9)0,076 Left12 (32,4)10 (58,8)0,081Dominant hand, right, n (%)33 (89,2)13 (76,5)0,418SMM, mean (SD)25,1 (5,8)21,9 (4,7)0,049*SMMI, mean (SD)9,6 (1,5)8,2 (1,2)DAS 28 - CRP, median (min-max)4,4 (1,7-6,5)4,4 (2,4-6,3)0,860SDAI, median (min-max)36,1 (8,8-113)31,1 (17,1-113)0,668CDAI, median (min-max)23 (0-48)23 (6-39)0,993PrGA, median (min-max)6 (0-9)5 (2-10)0,627PtGA, median (min-max)8 (0-10)7 (4-10)0,666Presence of morning stiffness, n (%)32 (86,5)14 (82,4)0,999Swollen joint count, median (min-max)2 (0-10)4 (0-9)0,423Tender joint count, median (min-max)6 (0-20)7 (0-18)0,911Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:In this study, we aimed to evaluate sema3A levels in SLE patients with and without renal involvementor secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), to further elucidate the contribution ofsema3A in etiopathogenesis these conditionsObjectives:Aim of this study is to evaluate sema3A levels in systemic lupus erythematosus patients (SLE) with and without renal involvement and secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).Methods:SLE patients were grouped according to presence of secondary APS or renal involvement. The control group consisted of age-matched, non-smoker, healthy volunteers. Sema3A levels were compared among groups. All SLE patients were regrouped according to presence of thrombotic events, miscarriages and proteinuria and sema3A levels were investigated. Finally, sema3A levels of all SLE patients as a single group were compared to controls.Results:The mean sema3A values were 16.16±2.84 ng/dL in the control group, 11.28±5.23 ng/dL in SLE patients without nephritis and APS, 9.05±5.65 ng/dL in SLE with APS group, and 8.53±5.11 ng/dL in lupus nephritis group. When all three patient groups were examined as a single group, mean sema3A value was significantly lower than that of the control group. Sema3A was reduced in SLE patients with thromboembolism and/or miscarriage.Conclusion:Sema3A levels were lower in all patient groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the reduced sema3A levels in patients with a history of thromboembolism and/or miscarriage suggests that sema3A may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vasculopathyTable 1.Comparison of sema3A levels between SLE patient groups and control subjectsPatient groupsGroup A (N=20)Group B (N=20)Group C (N=19)Control (N=19)pSema3A, ng/dL, mean ± SD9.05 ± 5.6511.28 ± 5.238.53 ± 5.1116.16 ± 2.84Group A vscontrolGroup B vscontrolGroup C vscontrolGroup A vs B = 0.203Group A vs C = 0.766Group B vs C = 0.106All patients (N=59)Control (N=19)9.64 ± 5.3816.16 ± 2.84Patients with thrombotic events and/or miscarriages (N=31)Patients without thrombotic events and/or miscarriages (N=48)0.0329.96 ± 5.1112.33 ± 5.84Patients with proteinuria and/or thrombotic events and/or miscarriages (N=45)Patients without proteinuria and/or thrombotic events and/or miscarriages (N=34)9.05 ± 5.0914.91± 4.50Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterised by numerous organ involvement. In SLE, autoantibody development against nucleic acids and their binding proteins plays an important role in disease pathogenesis. Objectives Purpose of this study is the determination of the diagnostic value of anti-carbamyl antibody in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis and the relationship with disease prognosis. Methods Fifty-seven SLE patients (F/M 50/7; median age 40.9±13.7; median disease duration 2 years) were included in the study according to the 2012 SLICC SLE diagnostic criteria. 46 RA patients (F/M 38/8, median age 54.2±12.4 years, the median duration of disease 2 years) selected according to 2010 ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria were included. 30 healthy control groups were selected. Anti carP antibody Anti-carbamylated Protein Human anti-carbamylated Protein Antibody (ACP-Ab) ELISA Kit (SunRedBio, China) was used for measurement of antibodies against carbamylated proteins. Results The study population consisted of 133 subjects, 30 controls, 57 SLEs and 46 RAs. The mean age of SLE patients was lower than that of RA patients. (40,9±13,7 versus 54,2±12,4; p Conclusions Antibody positivity was found to be 54.4% in SLE patient group. It is significantly higher in SLE compared to healthy control and RA patient group. In the SLE group, it is still a more significant diagnostic prognostic than the healthy control and RA group. Both SLE and RA patients have significant sensitivity and specificity compared to the healthy control group. Disclosure of Interest None declared

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the relationship between balance and sagittal spinopelvic alignment in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and compare patients with or without lumbopelvic mismatch in terms of balance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 41 patients (22 males, 19 females; mean age 41.3±8.9 years; range 21 to 57 years) into the study. Sagittal spinopelvic alignment was evaluated measuring thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence on lateral standing X-rays of the whole spine including the femoral heads. Patients were grouped according to presence of lumbopelvic mismatch (lumbar lordosis- pelvic incidence >10o). Clinical parameters including age, body mass index, pain (Visual Analog Scale), disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), and disease duration were recorded. Posture was evaluated measuring tragus-to-wall distance, modified Schober’s test and chest expansion. A computerized pressure plate system (NeuroCom Balance Master®) was used for evaluating static and dynamic balance. Correlations between sagittal spinopelvic alignment parameters and balance were analyzed. Patients with or without lumbopelvic mismatch were compared in terms of balance. RESULTS: Patients took shorter steps, as thoracic kyphosis increased and sacral slope decreased (r= -0.391, p=0.012; r=0.344, p=0.028). Patients with lumbopelvic mismatch had significantly higher sway velocity on firm base with eyes closed and on foam base when the eyes open and closed . They also walked more slowly compared to patients without lumbopelvic mismatch (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Lumbopelvic mismatch impaired both static and dynamic balance, while increased thoracic kyphosis and decreased sacral slope impaired only the dynamic balance in patients with AS. Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-ups need to be conducted to identify the mechanism of spinal deformities and balance disorders in patients with AS.