The relationship between dysphagia and the localisation of brain lesion in stroke: is the involvement of the pons and medulla important?

OBJECTIVES: The presence of dysphagia in stroke is associated with mortality and morbidity. The aim of this retrospective study is to present the relationship between dysphagia and the demographic characteristics of the patient, and the type and localisation of brain lesion in the acute period in stroke patients with dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 284 patients who had stroke-related dysphagia, had a disease duration 1-3 months, had no history of swallowing dysfunction before the event, and had their brain MRI/CT reports in the hospital were included. RESULTS: The rate of tube-dependent oral areas was higher in the lesions located in the pons and the medulla than in the lesions located in the MCA cortex, the basal ganglia, and the cerebellum (p ˂ 0.001, p = 0.032 and p = 0.011, respectively) and the percentage of those fed with NG + TPN + PEG was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.002, p = 0.032 and p = 0.011, respectively). History of pneumonia was found to be statistically significantly higher in the lesions located in the pons and the medulla than in the lesions located in the MCA cortex, ACA cortex, PCA cortex, the basal ganglia, periventricular white matter, the thalamus, the cerebellum, and the midbrain (p ˂ 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.023, p ˂ 0.001, p = 0.023, p = 0.001, p = 0.011 and p = 0.023, respectively). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, although lesion localisation in the acute period in patients with dysphagia varied in terms of clinical swallowing evaluation findings, weight loss, pneumonia history, the rate of tube-dependent intake, were shown to be higher in patients who had lesions in the pons and the medulla, which is a finding that should be considered in the clinical follow-up of acute stroke patients with lesions in the pons and the medulla.

Misuse of gabapentinoids (pregabalin and gabapentin) in patients with neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the misuse of gabapentinoids (pregabalin and gabapentin) in patients with neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in a physical therapy and rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 127 patients, aged 18-70 years, who had neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury (SCI) and disease duration of at least 12 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Gabapentinoid use disorder of the patients was determined based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for substance-related disorders. Patients were divided into 2 groups as those with drug misuse and those without drug misuse. Demographic and clinical information of the patients were compared between the groups. Factors associated with drug misuse were analyzed. RESULTS: The misuse rate was 81.9% in patients using pregabalin and 69.69% in patients using gabapentin. Duration of disease and the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) score were statistically significantly higher in the drug misuse group. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of marital status, education and income level, and smoking and alcohol use. A statistically significant relationship was observed between drug misuse and duration of disease and LANSS score. CONCLUSION: Misuse of gabapentinoids is prevalent in patients with neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury. The duration of disease and the severity of NP are associated with misuse. Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing gabapentinoids to patients with SCI.

Sagittal spinal alignment and mobility and their relation to physical function in women with and without mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Recent studies suggest that patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis may have altered spinal posture. We aimed to investigate age and body mass index-adjusted sagittal spinal alignment and mobility and their relation to physical function in women over 40 years of age with and without mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Thirty-two women with unilateral mild-to-moderate KOA and thirty-two asymptomatic women were included. A skin-surface device was used to assess sagittal alignment and mobility of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions and trunk inclination angle. Physical function was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Analysis of covariance was used to compare groups and correlation coefficients were calculated separately for two groups. Women with KOA had higher thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis compared to asymptomatic women (p < 0.05). The mean differences were 6.60 (%95 Confidence Interval 1.38;11.82) and -5.63 (-10.06;-1.20) for thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, respectively. Physical function score was moderately correlated with trunk inclination angle and lumbar, sacral, and trunk inclination mobility in asymptomatic women (r = 0.400, -0.504, -0.602, and -0.681, p < 0.05), but a significant correlation was not found in women with KOA (p > 0.05). In conclusion, women with KOA had altered spinal alignment. Spinal alignment and mobility were related to physical function in asymptomatic women over 40 years of age. Addressing sagittal spinal alignment in the clinical management of KOA may provide valuable data, especially for preventing possible spinal disorders.

The comparison of the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping and dry needling in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a clinical and ultrasonographic study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) and dry needling (DN) applications on pain, functionality, and muscle strength in patients with lateral epicondylitis by use of questionnaires and ultrasonography. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients were randomized into 3 groups. Each group followed a program that consisted of 9 treatment sessions in total, with 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Group 1 received KT and performed exercise, group 2 received DN and performed exercise, and group 3 performed exercise alone. Pain, functional status, grip strength, and the thickness and echogenicity of the common extensor tendon were evaluated before treatment, after treatment (at the end of the third week), and after 6 months. RESULTS: In intragroup evaluations, KT and DN were found to be effective in the short and long term in terms of pain, functional status, muscle strength, and tendon thickness (P < .01). In intergroup evaluations, improvement in the KT and DN groups was superior to that in the control group for all parameters (P < .05). On comparison of the KT and DN groups, improvements in the clinical parameters and tendon thickness, heterogeneity, and elastography were significantly better in the DN group in the short and long term (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasonographic outcomes in our study objectively demonstrated that although DN in general is superior in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, KT treatment is also effective.

The effects of post-mastectomy lymphedema on balance, Kinesiophobia and fear of falling.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of post-mastectomy lymphedema on balance, kinesiophobia and fear of falling. A cross-sectional study with a control group. Seventy patients and 62 healthy volunteers were included. After determining the stage and limb volumes of the patients, all participants were evaluated with scales. There was a statistically significant difference in all scales compared to the control group (p < .001). There was a correlation between the stage of lymphedema and limb volume difference, balance, kinesiophobia, fear of falling (p < .001). In proportion with its stage and severity, lymphedema causes balance disorder, kinesiophobia and fear of falling.

Acute effect of kinesiology taping on muscle strength, tissue temperature, balance, and mobility in female patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

AIM: The data on the action mechanism of the kinesiology taping (KT) used to reduce pain and inflammation, provide mechanical support, and facilitate or inhibit muscles in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of KT treatment on muscle strength, tissue temperature, balance, and mobility in female patients diagnosed with OA of the knee. METHODS: Thirty-four female patients (age: 60.26 ± 6.51 years) who were diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 OA according to the American Rheumatology Association (ACR-1986) criteria were included in the study. Patients who were performed KT with the superior Y, inferior Y, and U strip techniques were evaluated before and 30 min after taping. Muscle strength was assessed with a handheld dynamometer, tissue temperature with a thermal camera, balance with a monoaxial balance platform, and mobility the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. RESULTS: After taping, there was a significant increase in the muscle strength during both extension and flexion (p<.001, p=.005). There was no statistically significant difference in the tissue temperature and balance scores before and after taping (p=.219, p>.05). There was a significant improvement in TUG scores, which evaluated mobility, after taping (p=.033). CONCLUSIONS: Although KT treatment seems to be ineffective on tissue temperature and balance in the short term in patients with OA of the knee, we are of the opinion that patients should be included in the treatment program due to its positive effects on muscle strength and mobility.

Post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome and related factors: Experiences from a tertiary rehabilitation center.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, it is aimed to determine the risk factors associated with CRPS after stroke and the clinical parameters of the patients and the treatment agents used for CPRS METHOD: 213 hemiplegic patients with CRPS diagnosed in Group 1 and 213 hemiplegic patients without CRPS in group 2 (control group) were included in the study designed retrospectively. Demographic data of the patients, Brunnstrom stage, Modified Ashworth scale, Barthel index were recorded from patients files. Associated risk faktors with CRPS such as Shoulder subluxation, adhesive capsulitis, fracture, deep vein thrombosis, spasticity, neglect, visual field defect, heterotopic ossification, entrapment neuropathies, brachial plexus damage, pressure wound, lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), urinary tract infection, epilepsy, and depression were questioned. In addition, clinical findings, medical treatments, and physical therapy agents used were recorded. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 67.9 ± 10.3 in group 1 and 66.1 ± 9.9 in group 2. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of the duration of hemiplegi, the duration of hospitalization, shoulder subluxation, soft tissue lesion, adhesive capsulitis, spasticity, entrapment neuropathy, brachial plexus injury, protein energy malnutrition, LRTI, urinary infection, depression, coronary artery disease were significantly increased the development of CRPS (p<0.05). As a clinical parameter, edema was present in 95.3% of the patients, while trophic change was the lowest in 1.9%. While sensory reeducation was used in all patients in physical therapy, ganglion blockade was the lowest with 0.9% of patients. In medical treatment, the use of oral paracetamol was 28.2%, while the use of gabapentin was the last with 8.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the risk factors of CRPS after hemiplegia, which are as important as its treatment, as well as its diagnosis and prevention, are shown.

The effect of physical therapy and rehabilitation modalities on sleep quality in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: A single-blind, prospective, randomized-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of physical therapy modalities on pain, sleep, mental status, and quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and June 2017, a total of 40 patients (9 males, 31 females; mean age 56.6±8.9 years; range, 40 to 70 years) who were diagnosed with knee OA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and were in Kellgren- Lawrence Grade 2-3 were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups equally. Both groups received 15 sessions of exercise therapy, whereas the intervention group also received 10 consecutive physical therapy sessions in the form of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound (US), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) by a single physiotherapist. Isometric and isotonic exercises were planned as 10 reps for three times a day as a home-based program. Clinical assessments were performed using the visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Short Form 36 (SF-36) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Pre-treatment VAS, ESS, PQSI, BDI, WOMAC, and SF-36 scores showed no significant difference between the groups, whereas post-treatment scores showed a significant difference in the intervention group (p<0.05). The difference between the pre- and post-treatment VAS, ESS, PQSI, BDI, WOMAC, and SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the intervention group, compared to the controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study results show positive effects of exercise and physical therapy modalities on pain, disease activity, sleep quality, depression, and quality of life in knee OA patients.

Comparison of the spinal characteristics, postural stability and quality of life in women with and without osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis leads to a series of problems such as postural impairment, poor balance. These problems may increase the risk of many problems such as falling and fracture. Therefore, detection of these problems is very important for prevention of these risks. The aim of this study was to compare the spine structure, postural stability and quality of life in women with and without osteoporosis. METHODS: Forty-five women diagnosed with osteoporosis and 45 women without osteoporosis were included. Postural structure was assessed by the New York Posture Rating (NYPR) and Valedo®Shape device, mobility and balance were assessed with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the ProKin 252 stabilometric assessment machine. The quality of life was assessed by the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis. RESULTS: In the sagittal plane, the thoracic angle was greater, spine length was shorter and spinal inclination angle was lower in osteoporotic patients with a significant difference (p < 0.05). The NYPR results of the osteoporotic group were significantly worse (p = 0.000). The cut-off point was 60° for the thoracic spinal curvature and 447 mm for the spine length. In the osteoporotic group, oscillation was higher in the open and closed eyes balances, the limit of stability was significantly lower and the TUG results were significantly worse (p < 0.05). The difference between quality of life was insignificant (p = 0.327). CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis has a negative effect on the posture and spine. It causes changes in the angles of the spine and affects the balance negatively. It will be important to consider posture and balance problems in preventive rehabilitation for avoidance of serious problems such as falling and fracture. In addition, further studies examining the changes caused by osteoporosis and the impact of these changes on the clinic are needed.

Is high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left primary motor cortex superior to the stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in fibromyalgia syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effectiveness of two different high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocols on pain, fatigue, quality of life (QoL) and depression in female patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized into three groups. Fifteen sessions of 10 Hz (90% resting motor threshold-RMT, 1200 pulses) rTMS were applied to left primary motor cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in Group M1 (n:10) and Group DLPFC (n:10), respectively. Group sham (n = 10) received 15 sessions of sham rTMS over 3 weeks. Visual Analogue Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Fatigue Severity Scale, Short-form 36, and Beck Depression Inventory were assessed at baseline and at the end of the treatments by a blinded-experienced assessor. RESULTS: Significant improvements in pain, QoL, and depression scores were observed in three groups. However, improvements in depression, physical functioning, physical role functioning, and general health perceptions were greater in active rTMS groups than in sham group. Emotional role functioning was only improved in Group M1. The decrease in VAS scores was significantly greater in Group M1 when compared to sham group. Change in physical role functioning was significantly greater in Group DLPFC than in Group M1. CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvements in physical role functioning, physical functioning, depression, and general health perceptions were achieved in active rTMS groups. Further clinical studies on larger samples involving both sexes with longer follow-up durations are needed.

Elevated serum interleukin-23 levels in ankylosing spondylitis patients and the relationship with disease activity.

This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum interleukin-23 (IL-23) levels and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Twenty male patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis according to the 1984 modified New York criteria for AS and twenty male healthy controls were included in this study.The demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings of the patients were recorded. Serum IL-23 levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured in both the AS and control groups. The Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), the Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), and the Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI) were evaluated as disease activity parameters. The AS patients were divided into two subgroups as active and inactive in respect of CRP, ESR levels and BASDAI scores. The mean serum IL-23 levels of the AS and control groups were 334.45±176.54 pg/ml and 166.49±177.50 pg/ml respectively, and there was a significant difference between the groups. Correlation analysis of serum IL-23 levels with clinical and laboratory parameters showed that there were positive correlations between serum IL-23 levels and the BASDAI, BASFI scores in total, active and inactive patients and the BASMI scores in total and inactive patients and negative correlations between serum IL-23 levels and ESR in inactive patients. It was shown that altered serum IL-23 levels were related to AS disease activity. Further studies in large patient series are necessary to investigate the role of IL-23 protein in etiopathogenesis of AS.

Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION: The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in osteoporosis has not yet been clearly established. Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important part of bone formation. In the literature, although the effects of VEGF on bone metabolism were investigated by different studies, there are very rare studies analysing the association between osteoporosis and VEGF. In the present study, our objective was to investigate serum VEGF concentrations in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and the correlation of serum VEGF levels and bone mineral density (BMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed on 35 PMO patients, and 30 age-matched healthy controls. Serum VEGF concentrations were measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique according to the manufacturer's instructions. Bone mineral density values were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: Serum VEGF concentrations were statistically significantly lower in PMO patients than in controls (150 ±65 pg/ml, 260 ±135 pg/ml respectively; p = 0.005). A positive correlation was found between serum VEGF concentrations and BMD values (r = 0.63, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations were decreased in PMO patients and VEGF may play an important role in bone health.