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The aim of the study was to compare the fear of falling in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy controls. The relationship between the fear of falling and spinal mobility, balance parameters, functional capacity, pain, and disease activity was also evaluated in patients. The study sample included 40 AS patients and 50 gender-age-matched healthy controls. Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Berg Balance-Scale (BBS), and Short-Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were evaluated in all participants. In patients, the Bath AS-Metrology Index (BASMI), pain-visual analog scale (VAS), Bath AS-Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Bath AS-Functional Index (BASFI) were assessed. The mean ages of the patients and controls were 45.73 ± 9.5 (18-63) and 42.28 ± 8.1 (26-56), respectively. Fear of falling scores were significantly higher, and BBS and SPPB scores were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between FES-I scores and VAS-pain, BASFI, and BASDAI-scores, and a negative correlation was found between FES-I scores and BBS and SPPB-scores (SPPB p<0.05, others p<0.001). BASMI scores were negatively correlated with BBS scores (p<0.05). In the regression analysis, positive correlation with FES-I was BASFI-scores (p<0.05). The results of this study showed that patients with AS may experience fear of falling even if there is no history of falls. Balance, disease activity, and, most importantly, functional capacity should be evaluated to reduce the fear of falling in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum level of nesfatin-1 and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) clinical parameters such as pain severity, disease activity, fatigue, emotional state, and sleep quality. Patients and methods: Forty-six female patients with FMS (median age: 40 years; range, 18 to 53 years) and 46 healthy female controls (median age: 36 years; range, 19 to 52 years) were included in the study. Severity of pain, disease activity, fatigue, sleep quality, and emotional status were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. Serum nesfatin-1 concentrations (pg/mL) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: There was no significant difference with respect to demographic characteristics between the FMS patients and healthy controls. When clinical parameters were compared, MAF, BDI, BAI, and PSQI scores were significantly higher in FMS patients than controls (p<0.05). Serum nesfatin-1 concentration was significantly lower in patients with FMS (p<0.05). When compared to the FMS patients without anxiety, serum nesfatin-1 concentration was significantly increased in FMS patients with anxiety (p<0.05). Serum nesfatin-1 concentration was positively correlated with BAI scores in patients with FMS (p<0.05). Conclusion: Low nesfatin-1 serum levels may contribute to pathological changes in FMS. In addition, nesfatin-1 may also be involved in the mediation of anxiety-related responses in FMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Osteoporosis (OP) is an important common public health problem among postmenopausal women. It is significant to know the life styles which support the bone health in order to prevent the disease. Our aim was to compare the knowledge and awareness levels of OP in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: One hundred premenopausal women (mean age 38.12±8.07 years; range 19 to 50 years) and 100 postmenopausal women (mean age 59.05±8.55 years; range 51 to 85 years) volunteers were enrolled in this study. The socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were recorded. Osteoporosis Knowledge test (OKT), Osteoporosis Health Belief scale (OHBS), and a questionnaire including questions about OP knowledge and risk factors were assessed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the OKT and OHBS total and subgroup scores of premenopausal and postmenopausal women (except for OHBS-susceptibility subgroup) (p>0.05). In the postmenopausal women group, no statistically significant difference was found between the individuals with and without a diagnosis of the OP when the total scores of OKT and OHBS, and many subgroups were compared (p>0.05). The answers to the questions about OP knowledge were similar between the groups (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the OKT and OHBS total scores of the participants with and without an OP history in their family (p>0.05). Conclusion: The OP knowledge and awareness levels of premenopausal and postmenopausal women were found similar. Postmenopausal women diagnosed with OP have no superiority in terms of knowledge and awareness levels of OP compared to postmenopausal women who are not diagnosed with OP. Having a family history of OP does not contribute to an individual's knowledge and awareness of OP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of illness perceptions (IPs) with demographic features, severity of pain, functional capacity, disability, depression, and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Patients and methods: Between January 2015 and July 2015, a total of 114 patients with non-specific CLBP (86 females, 28 males; mean age 47.1±15.2 years; range, 18 to 85 years) were included. Non-specific CLBP was defined as low back pain not attributable to a recognizable, known specific pathology such as infection, tumor, inflammation for ≥12 weeks. The IPs using the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), pain severity using the visual analog scale (VAS), functional capacity using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), disability using the modified Oswestry Disability Index (m-ODI), depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and quality of life using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) were assessed. Results: There was a significant, positive correlation between the age, body mass index, duration of disease, pain scores, and IPQ-R-consequences, timeline (acute/chronic), and emotional responses subunits, whereas there was a significant, negative correlation between the IPQ-R-personal and treatment control subunits (p<0.001). The IPQ-R-timeline (acute/chronic), consequences, and emotional response subunits were positively and personal and treatment controls and illness coherence subunits were negatively correlated with the BDI and m-ODI (p<0.001). The IPQ-R-consequences and emotional responses subunits were negatively and timeline (acute/chronic), personal and treatment controls, and illness coherence subunits were positively correlated with the SF-36 subunits (p<0.05). Conclusion: The IPs were negatively affected by advanced age, high body mass index, longer duration of disease, and increased severity of pain in CLBP patients. Based on these findings, positive IPs may be related with reduced disability and depression, and improved quality of life and functional capacity in this patient population. Developing new strategies for improving the negative IPs of patients with CLBP may be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is usually seen in among younger person of working age and carries a significant economic burden. It was aimed to explore the relation of work instability with fatigue, depression, and anxiety in working AS patients comparing with healthy controls.Method: This case-control study was conducted on working 61 AS patients and 40 sex-age-matched working healthy controls. The data were collected using Visual analogue scale-pain, Bath AS Disease Activity Index, Bath AS Functional Index, Bath AS Metrology Index in patients; and Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue, AS Work Instability Scale in all participants. Data were analyzed by SPSS, using chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation analysis, and multivariate linear regression analysis.Results: Depression, fatigue, and work instability scores were significantly higher in patients than controls (p < 0.05). Clinical parameters (except spinal mobility) showed a significant worsening across the levels of work instability in patients (p < 0.05) and work instability scores were positively correlated with all clinical parameters except spinal mobility (p < 0.001). There was a weak correlation between work instability and spinal mobility (p < 0.05). Fatigue (p < 0.001), pain, and functional capacity scores (p < 0.05) were found to be influential variables on work instability scores.Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that fatigue and depressive symptoms had negative effect on work instability beside pain, disease activity, and functionality in patients with AS. The recognition and improvement of fatigue and depression may lead to reduced risk of job loss in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Short Form of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire (s-SRPQ) in Turkish patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Patients and methods: The Turkish version of s-SRPQ questionnaire was obtained after a translation and back translation process. The study sample included 100 ankylosing spondylitis patients (59 males, 41 females; mean age 42.0±11.0 years; range 19 to 69 years). To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish s-SRPQ, the questionnaire was reapplied 15 days after the first interview (interclass correlation coefficient [ICC]). Cronbach's alpha (a) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. The s-SRPQ was compared with Short Form-36 (SF-36) survey, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire (ASQoL), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) for convergent validiy. Results: For s-SRPQ/experienced physical difficulties; the individual item ICC ranged from 0.78 to 1.00 and Cronbach's alpha value ranged from 0.88 to 1.00. For s-SRPQ/satisfaction w ith role performance; the individual item ICC ranged from 0.93 to 0.98 and Cronbach's alpha value ranged from 0.96 to 0.99. The Turkish version of s-SRPQ/experienced physical difficulties scores correlated with the SWLS and SF-36 sub-parameters negatively; and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and BASFI, and ASQoL positively. The SRPQ/satisfaction with role performance scores correlated with the SWLS and SF-36 sub-parameters positively; and BASDAI, and BASFI, and ASQoL negatively. Conclusion: Turkish version of s-SRPQ has good comprehensibility, internal consistency, and validity and is an adequate and useful instrument for the assessment of participation in Turkish patients with ankylosing spondylitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to compare fall history and fear of falling (FOF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls and to evaluate associated factors for fall risk and FOF in patients with RA. Materials and methods: Between March 2016 and July 2016, a total of 120 patients with RA and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. The presence of FOF (Yes/No), fall history, and the number of falls within the past 12 month were questioned. All participants were assessed with the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT), One-Leg Stand Test (OLST), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Pain Severity and Patient Global Assessment (PGA) by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), disability by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and disease activity by Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) were evaluated in patients with RA. Results: There was no statistically difference between the RA patients and healthy controls in terms of presence of fall history, while the presence of FOF and FES-I scores were significantly higher in the RA patients (p<0.05). In the patient group, the FES-I score was positively correlated with pain VAS, PGA, DAS-28, HAQ, BAI, BDI, and 10MWT and negatively BBS and OLST (p<0.05). The number of falls, HAQ, BBS, and BDI scores were found to be significant independent risk factors affecting variations in the FES-I scores (p<0.001). Conclusion: Fear of falling seems to be an important problem in patients with RA, and patients without fall history may also have FOF. The most important factors associated with FOF were impaired balance, increased disability and depression, and number of falls in RA patients. Strategies for preventing falls, maintaining balance, improving emotional status and against FOF are of utmost importance in patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our objective in this study was to assess the changes in medial gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) stiffness after botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection in children with cerebral palsy (CP) by using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography and to research the usability of this technique in clinical practice. Materials and methods: Twenty-four spastic lower extremities of 12 children with CP were assessed. BTA injection treatment was applied to the medial GCM. Muscle stiffness was measured with the ARFI technique before the procedure and a month after the procedure. The patients were assessed with the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) in the physiotherapy department at about the same time. Shear wave velocity (SWV) values and MAS scores before and after the treatment were compared. Results: Mean SWV values were measured as 3.20 ± 0.14 m/s before BTA and as 2.45 ± 0.21 m/s after BTA, and the difference between them was found to be statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Mean MAS score (2.33 ± 0.70) after BTA decreased significantly when compared to the score before BTA (2.96 ± 0.62) ( p = 0.001). SWV values positively correlated with MAS scores ( ρ = 0.578, p = 0.003). The interobserver agreement expressed as interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.65 (95% CI 0.33-0.84, p < 0.001). Conclusion: ARFI elastography for identifying structural changes that occur in the spastic muscle after BTA injection in children with CP can yield more valuable information with combined use of MAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish language version of VITACORA-19 (psoriatic arthritis quality of life questionnaire) in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Patients and methods: The Turkish version of VITACORA-19 questionnaire was obtained after a translation and back translation process. The study sample included 61 PsA patients (22 males, 39 females; mean age 46.5±12.2 years; range 19 to 71 years). To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish VITACORA-19, the questionnaire was reapplied 10 to 15 days after the first interview (interclass correlation coefficient). Cronbach's alpha (a) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. VITACORA-19 was compared with visual analog scale for physician and patient global assessments, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Nottingham Health Profile for construct validity. The internal structure of VITACORA-19 was examined by factor analysis. Results: The individual item intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.77 to 0.98 and Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.77 to 0.98. The Cronbach's alpha value for whole scale was determined as 0.96. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.90, and Bartlett's test of sphericity had a p<0.001. Turkish VITACORA-19 total scores were correlated negatively with Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analog scale for pain, and Nottingham Health Profile subgroups, and positively with physician and patient global assessments (p<0.01). Conclusion: Turkish version of VITACORA-19 questionnaire is a reliable and valid measure for health-related quality of life in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]