The Effect of Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation on Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in reducing pain, improving quality of life, and decreasing disease severity in patients with fibromyalgia. This prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial included female patients newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia who had started duloxetine treatment (30 mg/day). The patients in the study group received six sessions of posterior tibial nerve stimulation, twice weekly, 3-4 days apart, in addition to duloxetine; the controls received duloxetine only. The patients were evaluated three times (at baseline, 1st month, and 3rd month). Pain was evaluated using a numeric rating scale, the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and quality of life with a 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Patient functional status and disease severity were evaluated using the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ). A total of 64 patients met the inclusion criteria: 22 were ultimately included in the study group and 30 in the control group. Statistical improvements in pain and FIQ scores were observed after treatment in both groups. The SF-36 scores indicated improved vitality only in the 1st month in both groups, with no significant changes in the other quality-of-life subscales in either group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of changes in pain, FIQ, and SF-36 scores compared with baseline at the 1st month and 3rd month. The addition of PTNS to pharmacological treatment did not contribute to the reduction in pain or improvement in quality of life in fibromyalgia either in the 1st or 3rd month. NIH Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT05937711.

"Zooming" in the association between rosacea and fibromyalgia syndrome: is it worth mentioning?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to detect the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome in patients with rosacea and determine whether this frequency was affected by the severity of rosacea and the quality of life. METHODS: In this prospective, controlled, cross-sectional study, a total of 94 consecutive rosacea cases and 87 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. The severity of rosacea was assessed in light of the findings of the National Rosacea Society Ethics Committee. Dermatology Life Quality Index and Rosacea-specific Quality-of-Life instrument had been applied to the cases of rosacea. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome was established according to the 2016 revised fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used to determine the functional disability. RESULTS: The frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome was higher in the rosacea group than in the control group (p=0.01), and Dermatology Life Quality Index and Rosacea-specific Quality-of-Life instrument were higher in patients with rosacea with fibromyalgia syndrome (p=0.006 and p=0.004, respectively). A statistically significant weak positive correlation was observed between Dermatology Quality-of-Life Index, Rosacea-specific Quality-of-Life instrument, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire; symptom severity scale scores; and fibromyalgia score (r=0.35, r=0.259, and r=0.32 and r=0.376, r=0.305, and r=0.312, respectively). CONCLUSION: The patients with rosacea have higher rates and disability scores of fibromyalgia syndrome than healthy controls, independent of rosacea severity, and quality of life is correlated with fibromyalgia scores. We might point out that fibromyalgia syndrome accompanying rosacea has more restrictions in their daily routine activities than rosacea alone. As such, physicians should be aware of the possible coexistence of rosacea and fibromyalgia syndrome.

The effects of massage with frankincense and myrrh oil in chronic low back pain: A three-arm randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic low back pain is a common problem that impairs the activities of daily life. Massage therapy is one of the non-pharmacological treatment modalities in chronic low back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: Data were collected between August-December 2020 in a physical therapy clinic of a university hospital. The control, massage and aromatherapy massage groups included 30, 31 and 30 patients, respectively. Two sessions of low back massage per week were applied to the aromatherapy group with frankincense and myyrh essential oils and to the placebo group with jojoba oil. Massage was not applied to the control group. Outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale, Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale and Roland-Morris Disability Scale. RESULTS: In the results of study, the decrease in Visual Analogue Scale (p < 0.001), Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale (p < 0.001) and Roland-Morris Disability Scale (p < 0.001) scores of the aromatherapy group was found to be statistically higher than the other two groups. CONCLUSION: As a result, aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils can be integrated to medical treatments to relieve pain and reduce disability in an individual's daily life in chronic low back pain. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04494165.

Revisiting femoral cartilage thickness in cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in thyroidology: a single institute experience.

OBJECTIVE: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroiditis, is a considerable part of the spectrum of chronic autoimmune thyroid gland disorders which is pathologically associated with various degrees of lymphocytic infiltration. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether cartilage thickness is affected in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis or not in thyroidology. METHODS: A total of 61 individuals had been evaluated in this case-control study, including 32 euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients and 29 healthy subjects comparable in age, sex, and body mass index. The patients with a history of knee trauma or knee surgery, an additional systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, or an inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma had not been included in the study. The thickness of the femoral articular cartilage was measured using B-mode ultrasonography, and the right lateral condyle, right intercondylar area, right medial condyle, left medial condyle, left intercondylar area, and left lateral condyle were also measured. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnosis and healthy controls in terms of age, age groups, gender, and body mass index (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: As a consequence, no obvious connection between autoimmune markers and cartilage thickness in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis was recognized. Although the diverse manifestation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis could be observed, it seems to be no liaison between thyroid autoimmunity and cartilage thickness.

Evaluation of the effects of duloxetine treatment on anterior segment parameters by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of Duloxetine on anterior segment parameters and intraocular pressure (IOP) in open angle eyes. METHODS: 38 eyes of 38 patients with fibromyalgia who had open or wide open angles according to the Shaffer classification. Anterior segment optic coherence tomography was performed before and after (month 3) Duloxetine treatment. IOP, central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were also recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined in IOP, CCT and CECD (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant decrease was determined in both the temporal and nasal anterior chamber angle, angle opening distance, nasal trabecular-iris space area and ACD values between the baseline and month 3 (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: We think that the short term use of Duloxetine does not lead to clinically significant changes despite their statistically significant effects on the anterior chamber parameters.

Relationship between urinary dysfunction and clinical factors in patients with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: Examination of relations between urinary dysfunction and Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) values and other clinical factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with TBI were included in the study. Patients' demographic values, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urinary drainage methods were recorded. Functional assessment was performed using FIM. Urodynamic studies were carried out and maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), storage and voiding function, type of detrusor, urodynamic abnormality and post-void residual urine volume values were investigated. RESULTS: Total FIM and FIM sphincter control sub-group scores were significantly lower in patients with storage dysfunction and urodynamic abnormality than patients without storage dysfunction and urodynamic abnormality (p < 0.05). In tetraparetic patients, frequency of storage dysfunction was significantly higher than hemiparetic patients (p < 0.05). Urodynamic abnormality was detected in five of nine patients with LUTS and in 12 of 20 patients without LUTS. There was no significant correlation between LUTS and urodynamic abnormality (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Storage dysfunction and urodynamic abnormality is associated with poorly functional outcomes in TBI patients. There is a direct correlation between motor deficit and urodynamic abnormality. All of the TBI patients with or without LUTS should be evaluated neuro-urologically; urodynamic evaluation and treatment should be arranged if needed.