Assessment of the Frequency of Autoantibodies in Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the occurrence frequency of auto-antibodies and autoimmune diseases in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. METHODS: A total of 67 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and 77 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C infection based on HBs Ag, Anti HCV, HBe Ag, Anti HBe Ag, HBV DNA, HCV RNA, liver ultrasound, and liver biopsy results as well as 48 healthy individuals were included in this study. ANA, anti dsDNA, anti LKM, Anti-SMA, AMA, C-ANCA, P-ANCA, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-Scl-70, anti Jo-1, anti-U1snRNP, anti-centromere, anti-Jo-1, anti tpo, and anti tg were studied in all individuals in each study group. RESULTS: ANA positivity was detected in 8 (12%), 15 (19%) and 2 (4%) individuals in HBV, HCV and control groups, respectively. The difference between the groups was significant (P=0.04). Similarly, anti Tg was positive in one subject in HBV group, in 6 subjects (7%) in HCV group, and in one subject among controls, the difference being significant (P=0.04). There were no significant differences between the study groups in the frequency of other auto-antibodies. CONCLUSION: Similar to studies involving patients who received interferon and/or antiviral agents, an increased frequency of auto-antibodies was also detected in our patient group consisting of interferon and anti-viral naive subjects. The increase in the frequency of auto-antibodies reached statistical significance among individuals with HCV infection. Thus, pre-treatment assessment of auto-antibodies in newly diagnosed cases of chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection may provide beneficial information on the future occurrence of auto-immune responses in these patients.

Atherogenic index as a predictor of atherosclerosis in subjects with familial Mediterranean fever.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Numerous inflammatory and innate immune pathways are involved in atherogenesis. We aimed to investigate the atherogenic index and other lipid parameters in individuals with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), as a predictor of atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients with FMF and 60 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were included in this study. The patients with acute infection, chronic metabolic and rheumatic diseases, use of drugs other than colchicine and smoking history were excluded. CRP, ESR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels of patients and the control group were measured. Atherogenic index (TG/HDL-C) was calculated. RESULTS: We found that the atherogenic index values of the patients were significantly higher than those of the control group. HDL-C levels were lower and ESR and TG levels were higher in patients. Total cholesterol, LDL-C and CRP levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the values of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides (TG), HDL-C, and atherogenic indexes between the groups of patients with and without M694V mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Elaboration of clinical models of inflammation-induced atherogenesis may further advance our knowledge of multiple inflammatory pathways implicated in atherogenesis and provide a useful tool for cardiovascular prevention. We believe that the atherogenic index also be used as a preliminary indication of accelerated atherosclerosis in FMF. However, large-scale prospective studies on this issue are needed.

Sonoelastographic Assessment of the Achilles Tendon in Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients: Comparison With Healthy Subjects.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: This study aims at using sonoelastography as a novel technique to evaluate the stiffness and thickness of Achilles tendons in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients. METHODS: Achilles tendons of 26 FMF patients and 23 control subjects were assessed with ultrasound and real-time sonoelastography. The Achilles tendons were divided into the distal, middle, and proximal thirds for elastographic image evaluation. Tendons were classified into three main types according to their elasticity features: grade 1 blue (hardest tissue) to green (hard tissue); grade 2, yellow (soft tissue); and grade 3, red (softest tissue). Tendons of the groups were compared in terms of thickness and stiffness. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in thickness and stiffness of the Achilles tendon between FMF patients and controls (p>0.05). Sonoelastography of Achilles tendons of FMF patients displayed no relationship between FMF and tendinopathy.  Conclusion: This issue should be explored in prospective studies in larger groups.

New Predictor of Atherosclerosis in Subjects With COPD: Atherogenic Indices.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the predictor role of the plasma levels of lipid parameters and atherogenic indices on development of atherosclerosis in subjects with COPD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 104 male subjects diagnosed with stable COPD in hospital records. We excluded subjects with exacerbation, with known cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases, receiving anti-hyperlipidemic treatment, without sufficient past medical history, and lacking needed laboratory data. Additionally, 40 age-matched male healthy controls were also enrolled. C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of COPD and the control group were analyzed. Atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficient) were calculated. RESULTS: C-reactive protein, triglyceride, atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficient values were significantly higher in subjects with stable COPD than in control subjects (P < .05 for all). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly lower in subjects with COPD than in the control group (P < .001). C-reactive protein, lipid profiles, and atherogenic indices were similar in lower-risk (stage A and B) and higher-risk (stage C and D) subjects with COPD. Cardiogenic risk ratio and atherogenic coefficient were negatively correlated with FEV1 in all stable subjects with COPD and in higher-risk subjects with COPD (r = -0.27, P = .01 and r = -0.35, P = .01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient) could be considered as a useful predictor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in stable COPD patients. Nevertheless, further prospective investigations on this issue are warranted.

Does frequency of restless legs syndrome and poor sleep quality increase with age in irritable bowel syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disease which leads to a reduction in the quality of life. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and the incidence of poor sleep quality (PSQ) are known to increase in IBS. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and association of RLS and PSQ in a young population. METHODS: A total of 112 IBS patients (46 constipation predominant IBS, 17 diarrhea predominant IBS, 23 mixed IBS and 26 unsubtyped IBS) and 106 healthy controls were included in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the 2012 revised diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group were used in the groups. RESULTS: In the patients with IBS and the control group, the respective results obtained were as follows: presence of PSQ 16 (13.4 %) and 5 (4.7 %) and presence of RLS 10 (8.9 %) and 4 (3.7 %), respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of these values. According to the PSQI, the mean global PSQI scores of patients with IBS and control group were 7.61±3.9 and 4.5±3.7, respectively (P = 0.01). While PSQ was detected in 21 out of 218 participants, RLS was detected in 14. PSQ and RLS coexisted in nine of the participants and all of them were IBS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies and our study reveal that the frequency of RLS and PSQ increases in IBS. However, this result is a lower rate compared to previous studies. The controlled and prospective studies with larger numbers of cases which demonstrate the real frequency.

The fate of abstracts presented at Turkish national radiology congresses in 2010-2012.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the analysis and publication rates of abstracts presented at the Turkish National Radiology meetings in 2010-2012. METHODS: Abstracts presented in the national radiology meetings of 2010, 2011, and 2012 were included in the study. The presentations were classified according to presentation type (oral or poster presentations), study type, study design, imaged organ or body systems, imaging modalities, time interval between the presentation and the publication date, and the journal in which the article was published. The conversion rate of presentations into full-text articles in peer-reviewed journals were surveyed through PubMed. The time from presentation in the meetings to publication was determined. The distribution of journals was also demonstrated. RESULTS: The total number of presentations submitted in three national radiology meetings was 3,192. The publication rate was 11% for the 2010 meeting, 8.2% for the 2011 meeting, and 9.6% for the 2012 meeting. A total of 300 papers were published, with an average of 15 months (range, 0-42 months) between presentation and final publication. The first three refereed international journals with the most number of papers derived from these meetings were Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinical Imaging, and European Journal of Radiology. CONCLUSION: The overall publication rate of scientific abstracts from Turkey was lower than those from overseas countries. Encouraging the authors to conduct higher-quality research would raise the publication rate as well as improve the quality and success of our scientific meetings.

The sensitivity of MR colonography using dark lumen technique for detection of colonic lesions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess the detectability of the lesions with magnetic resonance (MR) colonography using dark lumen technique that had been detected on conventional colonoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 38 patients who were suspected to have a colorectal mass between April 2008 and June 2010 were included in this prospective study. Warm tap water was administered via a rectal tube to the patients in prone position. Then, axial T2 true- fast imaging with steady-state precession (FISP), axial T2 half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE), diffusion-weighted images, and T1 vibe fat suppression coronal sequences were obtained. T1 vibe fat suppression sequences on axial coronal planes were repeated after gadolinium contrast medium intravenous injection. MR images were analyzed by two radiologists concurrently. Assessments were done by comparing with conventional colonoscopy and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Thirteen out of 20 lesions that had been detected on conventional colonoscopy were correctly obtained by MR colonography. None of the three lesions 5 mm or below was seen on MR colonography. Two out of 4 lesions measuring 6-9 mm were seen on MR colonography (50%). Eleven out of 13 lesions 10 mm and above were correctly detected on MR colonography (84.6%). Sensitivity was estimated as 65% when all lesions were evaluated together. CONCLUSION: MR colonography has a high sensitivity in the diagnosis of colonic pathologies without ionizing radiation. Future investigation will likely lead to wider acceptance of this method to detect colonic pathologies, including perhaps their use in colon cancer screening programs.

Assessment of thyroid disorders and autoimmunity in patients with rheumatic diseases.

We investigated whether there was a significant increase in thyroid autoimmunity, and disorders in patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs). We enrolled 201 patients with RDs (41 with ankylosing spondylitis, 15 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 80 with rheumatoid arthritis [RA], 65 with familial Mediterranean fever), and 122 healthy controls. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), C-reactive protein, and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase) were measured in all participants. There were no significant differences between the ages of the patients and controls. The mean TSH values of the patients with RDs and the controls were 3.1 ± 2.68 mIU/L and 1.9 ± 0.83 mIU/L, respectively (P = 0.004). The mean fT4 value of the patients with RDs was 1.43 ± 0.67 ng/dL whereas that of the controls was 1.58 ± 0.68 ng/dL (P <0.001). Subclinical hypothyroidism was detected in 24 patients with RDs. Thyroid antibodies were detected in 16 of 201 (8%) patients with RDs. Three of these patients had subclinical hypothyroidism, while the others were euthyroid. Thyroid autoantibodies were significantly higher in patients with RDs (P <0.001). Additionally, thyroid disorders were observed more frequently in patients with RDs than in the healthy controls. Based on our findings, we recommend that thyroid function tests should better be included in the clinical evaluation of patients with RDs.