Investigation of incidental findings of temporomandibular joint disorders on brain magnetic resonance imaging in three-dimensional T2-weighted SPACE sequence performed for brain imaging.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) findings, to investigate the prevalence contribution of this sequence on cases in which cranial magnetic resonance examination was performed and three-dimensional (3D) T2-SPACE (T2-weighted sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolutions) sequence was used by retrospectively scanning the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) archive of our hospital, and to reveal the advantages of the 3D-T2 SPACE sequence in patients with TMJ disorders. Patients and methods: The cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted with 499 patients (289 females, 210 males; mean age: 50.1±17.7 years; range, 8 to 92 years) who underwent brain MRI and had 3D-T2 SPACE between March 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022. Two radiologists analyzed the TMJs of the subjects included in the study in 3D-T2 SPACE sequences. Results: At least one incidental finding was detected in the TMJ in 37.1% (n=185) of the patients included in our study. In our study, the most common (13.6%) MRI findings were osteoarthritic changes and synovial cysts. Joint effusion (13.2%) and disc displacement (9%) were less frequent. When the relationship between the age of the patients and the presence of incidental findings, degeneration, effusion, disc displacement, and cyst was examined, the age of the patients with incidental findings (p=0.001) and osteoarthritic changes (p<0.001) was statistically significantly higher. Conclusion: Incidental findings, particularly osteoarthritic changes and synovial cysts, can be seen quite commonly in the TMJ in brain MRI using 3D T2-SPACE sequences in the general population. The 3D T2-SPACE sequence provides valuable information in the recognition of TMJ disorders.

The platelet functions in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: anti-TNF-alpha therapy decreases the mean platelet volume and platelet mass.

The present study was designed to investigate the interaction between platelet indices (mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet count (PLC) and platelet mass (PLM)), inflammatory markers and disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) subjects. The effects of anti-TNF-alpha therapy and conventional treatment on platelet indices were also compared. We studied 68 patients with AS (group I, 46 men, age: 36.4 +/- 6.9 years) and as control group 34 age and sex-matched healty subjects. All patients received conventional therapy (CT) at the beginning (Group I). The patients were reevaluated after 3 months according to Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score. Group II consisted of 35 subjects who responded to the CT and continued to take the same therapy for 3 months additionally. Group III consisted of 33 subjects who had a high disease activity score (BASDAI > 4) after 3 months and were accepted refractory to the CT therapy. In Group III the treatment was switched to infliximab and continued for 3 months at the standard intravenous dose. Significantly higher baseline MPV, PLC and PLM was reported as compared to controls decreased by therapy (9.12 +/- 1.20 vs. 8.35 +/- 0.94 fl, p < 0.001, 340 +/- 69 vs. 251 +/- 56 (x 10(3)/ microL) p < 0.0001, 3096 +/- 736 vs. 2110 +/- 384; p < 0.0001, respectively). In the same way, they were substantially lowered by both treatments in group II and group III. PLC and PLM were positively correlated with WBC and ESR (r : 0.44; p < 0.0001, r : 0.41; p = 0.001, r : 0.52; p < 0.0001, r : 0.41; p = 0.001), respectively) in AS patients. Additionally, MPV and PLM were positively correlated with BASDAI score (r : 0.41; p < 0.001, r = 0.29; p < 0.001 respectively). We have found that increased platelet activity reduced by therapy in AS patients. Additionally, it was correlated with inflammatory markers and disease activity. According to these results, it can be suggested that both anti-TNF-alpha and conventional therapy might contribute to a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in AS patients.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma, Corticosteroid, and Physical Therapy in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate and compare the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, corticosteroid injection, and physical therapy in addition to exercise treatment on pain, shoulder functions, and quality of life in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). Patients and methods: Ninety patients (37 males, 53 females; mean age 48.99 years; range, 33 to 60 years) who were diagnosed as Stage 2 SAIS were included in the study. Patients were randomized into three groups. PRP injection was administered into the subacromial space of the affected shoulder in group 1, corticosteroid injection was administered in the subacromial joint space in group 2, and 10 sessions of physical therapy were given in group 3 five times weekly including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound, and hot packs. Moreover, an exercise program was administered in all groups. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to determine the resting and moving shoulder pain; while the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire, and the University of California, Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA SRS) were used to evaluate the functionality of patients. Quality of life was analyzed using a generic Short Form 36 (SF-36). Results: All scores improved in all three groups compared with the period before treatment. Comparison of the groups showed higher scores in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3 at week eight on QuickDASH, UCLA SRS, VAS at rest and during activity, and SF-36 pain subgroup scores. Conclusion: All three treatment modalities were effective in the treatment of SAIS. However, we suggest that the inexpensive and noninvasive methods of physical therapy and exercise should be the first preferred treatment in SAIS owing to causing no adverse events.

An Evaluation of the Association of Reproductive History and Multiple Births during Adolescence with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

Introduction Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mass. Reproductive factors are known to affect bone mineral density (BMD). Calcium loss from maternal bone and decreased BMD have been observed especially during pregnancy and lactation, although this loss has been reported to recover within 6 - 12 months. There is no consensus on whether the effect of reproductive factors on the bone is positive or negative. The adolescent period is important for total bone mass, and total bone mass is significant in osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of first gestational age, multiple births during adolescence, interpregnancy interval and reproductive history such as duration of breastfeeding on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods BMD was measured in a total of 196 postmenopausal patients and in accordance with the results, analysis was made of three groups as normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to take the lumbar, femoral and total bone BMD measurements. Results No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of total breastfeeding time (p = 0.596). It was detected that an increased interpregnancy interval decreased the risk of osteoporosis. In patients with osteoporosis, the mean interpregnancy interval was 1.4 ± 0.73 years, while it was longer in patients with osteopenia (1.92 ± 1.20) and normal BMD (2.45 ± 1.77) (p = 0.005). While no effect was determined of the first gestational age on BMD, in the univariate logistic regression analysis, multiple births in the adolescent period were seen to increase the risk of osteoporosis 6.833-fold (p = 0.001, OR = 6.833, 95% CI = 2.131 - 21.908; p = 0.001). The increase in the age of menopause was determined to decrease the risk of osteoporosis (OR = 0.911, 95% CI = 0.843 - 0.985; p = 0.019). Conclusion Having frequent births throughout the whole reproductive age and having more than one child in adolescence has an adverse effect on postmenopausal bone mineral densities.

The relationship between serum leptin level and disease activity and inflammatory markers in fibromyalgia patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between serum leptin level, disease activity and inflammation markers in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). METHODS: A total of 48 patients with FMS diagnosed according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria were included in the study, as well as 36 healthy women as controls. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to gauge pain severity, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used to assess physical function, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to examine quality of life, and depression was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. Blood samples were examined for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein level (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP level (hsCRP), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the serum leptin level was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The serum leptin level in patients with FMS was significantly higher than in the healthy group. However, no significant relationship was found between leptin level and clinical and inflammatory parameters. In addition, there were no significant differences between the patients and the control group in measurements of ESR, CRP, hsCRP, or NLR. CONCLUSION: A higher serum leptin level in patients with FMS suggested that leptin may play role in the pathogenesis of FMS, yet there was no relationship between leptin and clinical and inflammatory parameters, suggesting that leptin is not an indicator of disease activity in FMS. Additional research should be performed with larger patient groups.

Laryngocele in association with ankylosing spondylitis.

A laryngocele is a cystic dilatation of the laryngeal saccule. The etiology of laryngoceles is unclear, but congenital and acquired factors are considered to play a role in their development. An acquired laryngocele may develop when the laryngeal ventricle becomes functionally obstructed as a result of an increase in intraglottic pressure, such as that caused by excessive coughing, playing a wind instrument, glass blowing or obstruction of appendicular ostium. We present a case of laryngocele in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. To the authors' knowledge, and from a review of the literature, this combination has not been previously described. The laryngocele was also infected in this case. We believe that development of the laryngocele might be a result of increased intra-abdominal pressure, caused by rheumatoid arthritis, with associated increased intralaryngeal pressure.

Color Doppler Imaging of the Orbital Vessels in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the hemodynamic features of orbital blood flow velocities using Doppler ultrasonography in ankylosing spondiylitis (AS) patients, as well as to compare these results with those of healthy controls. METHODS: 33 AS patients and 32 healthy controls were consecutively included in the study groups. The same radiologist performed ocular blood flow measurements. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) were measured in the central retinal artery (CRA), posterior ciliary arteries (PCAs), and ophthalmic artery (OA). Resistive index was used to assess arterial resistance; it was automatically calculated as RI [(PSV-EDV)/PSV]. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the PSV, EDV, and RI of the OA, CRA, and PCAs between AS patients and controls. CONCLUSION: This result suggests no possible contributory role of vascular structures in formation of uveitis in AS. We believe that our preliminary results need to be complemented with further studies, particularly including AS patients with uveitis and rheumatic diseases with other ocular involvement.

Evaluation of dexamethasone suppression test in fibromyalgia patients with or without depression.

OBJECTIVE: While in most healthy persons dexamethasone administration suppresses cortisol synthesis from the adrenal cortex, such suppression is not usually observed in patients with depression. We set out to investigate whether the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) reveals any neurobiological relationship between fibromyalgia (FM) and depression related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. METHOD: To discover a relationship between depression and FM we performed the DST in 20 FM patients with depression, 26 FM patients without depression and 20 healthy subjects serving as a control group. RESULTS: Compared with the control group the cortisol level was found to be significantly higher in response to the DST in FM patients with depression (p = 0.03; z: -2.165), but not in those without depression (p = 0.153; z: -1.429). The cortisol level was not found to be statistically significant when patients with FM without depression were compared with the control group (p = 0.249; z: -1.152). In 7 FM patients with depression the DST failed to suppress cortisol; this was statistically significant compared with FM patients without depression (p = 0.014) and the control group(p = 0.008). Among FM patients without depression cortisol was not suppressed in one case. Cortisol was suppressed in all the controls. There was no statistically significant difference in cortisol suppression between FM patients without depression and the control group (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the DST reveals no neurobiological relationship between FM and depression related to the HPA axis.

Dual diagnosis: rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common rheumatologic disease in children. Moreover, multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent demyelinating disease and has been associated with various chronic inflammatory diseases. However, its association with JRA has not been frequently described. Autoimmunity in both JRA and MS has been documented in the scientific literature, although there has been no definitive finding that patients with JRA are prone to the development of MS. An increasing frequency of MS resulting from an increased use of antitumor necrosis factor agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases has been reported recently. In this study, we report on the development of MS in a patient with JRA who did not have a history of antitumor necrosis factor use.

The prevalence of fibromyalgia among patients with hepatitis B virus infection.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by widespread and chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, and sleep disturbance. However, the etiopathogenesis of FM remains unclear. Various etiological factors have been suggested to trigger FM. These include systemic rheumatismal disease, physical trauma, psychological disorders, and chronic infections. We determined the prevalence of FM in patients with chronic active hepatitis B virus (HBV) and inactive hepatitis B carriers, compared with matched healthy controls. Seventy-seven HBV patients (39 HBV carriers and 38 with chronic active hepatitis), were evaluated for FM syndrome. Seventy-seven HBsAg-negative healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group. We found that FM was very prevalent in patients with HBV infections (22% of the total). We found no difference in FM prevalence when patients with chronic active hepatitis B infections (21% FM prevalence) and those who were inactive hepatitis B carriers (23% FM prevalence) were compared. FM was not associated with the levels of HBV-DNA, ALT, or AST. Recognition and management of FM in HBsAg-positive patients will aid in improvement of quality-of-life. We fully accept that our preliminary results require confirmation in studies including larger numbers of patients. More work is needed to allow us to understand the role played by, and the relevance of, infections (including HBV) in FM syndrome pathogenesis.

Anemia as a risk factor for low bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association of bone mineral density (BMD) by detected dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric (DXA) method and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in a large sample. METHODS: The current study enrolled 371 postmenopausal women (82 anemic patients), who were screened for osteopenia or osteoporosis by DXA. Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score<-1.0 SD) were grouped as having low bone mass (LBM). RESULTS: Anemic patients were older and had significantly higher duration of menopause. When compared with subjects with normal Hb, anemic patients had significant lower femur t score, femur BMD, femur Z score, spinal t score, spinal BMD and spinal Z score (p<0.001). Additionally, the ratio of subjects with LBM in the femur and spine were significantly high in anemic patients (p<0.002, p<0.002, respectively). There were significant correlations between Hb values and femur t score, femur BMD, spine t score, and spine BMD values of the study population in bivariate correlation analysis (r=0.150, p=0.004, r=0.148, p=0.004, r=0.160, p=0.002, r=0.164, p=0.001, respectively). Furthermore, presence of anemia was found to be an independent predictor of LBM for spine [OR: 2.483 (95% CI: 1.309-4.712), p<0.005] in logistic regression analysis. Additionally, number of anemic patients was significantly high in low femur and spine BMD groups (56 vs. 26; p=0.01, 66 vs. 16; p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: We have found that the presence of anemia was as an independent predictor of LBM for spine after adjusting for body mass index and other confounders in postmenopausal Turkish women.

Relationship between blood pressure levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the association between bone mineral density (BMD) detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric (DXA) method and blood pressure (BP) in a large sample of postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The current study was based on a retrospective analysis of 586 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 60.8 ±8.8 years, who were screened for osteopenia or osteoporosis by DXA. Patients with hypertension (HT, n= 306) were compared with normotensive (NT, n = 290) individuals. Bone mineral density results for the femur neck and spine were classified into 3 groups according to World Health Organization criteria: normal (T score > -1.0 SD), osteopenia (T score -1.0 to -2.5 SD) and osteoporosis (T score < -2.5 SD). Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score < -1.0 SD) were grouped as having low bone mass (LBM). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in femur T score, femur BMD, femur Z score, spinal T score, spinal BMD and spinal Z score between hypertensive and normotensive groups. The group of patients with low bone mass calculated from femur T scores had higher age, systolic BP, duration of hypertension and duration of menopause, but lower BMI. Similarly, patients with low spine BMD had higher age and duration of menopause, but lower BMI. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between systolic BP and femur BMD and T score values. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension is an independent predictor of spinal osteopenia and osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of hypertension is an independent predictor of spinal low bone density in Turkish women after menopause.

The effect of breast-feeding duration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women: a population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we investigated the effects of breast-feeding time on bone mineral density (BMD) later in life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The current study was based on a retrospective analysis of 586 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 60.8 years, who were screened for osteoporosis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).They were classified into 4 groups with respect to the duration of their breast-feeding as never (group 1), 1-24 months (group 2), 25-60 months (group 3), or > 60 months (group 4). Bone mineral density results for the femur neck and lumbar spine were classified into 3 groups according to WHO criteria as normal (T score > -1.0 SD), osteopenia (T score -1.0 to -2.5 SD), and osteoporosis (T score < -2.5 SD). Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score < -1.0 SD) were considered as having low bone mass (LBM). RESULTS: We found a correlation between duration of lactation and femur BMD or spine BMD in the study population (r = 0.116, p < 0.005; r = -0.151, p = 0.001, respectively). Significant differences were found between femur BMD and spine BMD of groups in one-way ANOVA analysis (p = 0.025, p = 0.005, respectively). Additionally, when compared with the other three groups, group 4 was older and had longer duration of menopause (p < 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, age and body mass index were found as independent risk factors of LBM [odds ratio: 1.084 (95% CI 1.031-1.141); odds ratio: 0.896 (95% CI 0.859-0.935)], while duration of lactation was not found as an independent predictor of LBM. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have found that changes of bone metabolism during lactation had no effect on postmenopausal BMD measured by DXA. Consequently, it can be suggested that long breast-feeding duration is not a risk factor for low bone mass later in life.

Orbital blood flow velocities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

PURPOSE: To assess orbital blood flow changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using Doppler sonography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 35 patients who were diagnosed with RA and were treated at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at Duzce Medical School. A control group consisted of 35 healthy volunteers. Color Doppler imaging was used to measure peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV), from which the resistance index (RI) was calculated in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and posterior ciliary arteries (PCAs). RESULTS: In the OA, PSV, EDV, and RI were, respectively, 36.7 +/- 0.6 cm/sec, 9.7 +/- 0.2 cm/sec, and 0.73 in the control group versus 34.7 +/- 3.0 cm/sec, 9.1 +/- 1.1 cm/sec, and 0.74 in the patient group. In the CRA, they were, respectively, 11.8 +/- 1.7 cm/sec, 3.6 +/- 0.7 cm/sec, and 0.66 in the control group versus 11.1 +/- 1.7 cm/sec, 3.4 +/- 0.7 cm/sec, and 0.68 in the patient group. In the PCAs, they were, respectively, 13.2 +/- 1.2 cm/sec, 4.7 +/- 0.6 cm/sec, and 0.65 in the control group versus 12.4 +/- 1.2 cm/sec, 4.2 +/- 0.6 cm/sec, and 0.66 in the PCAs. PSV, EDV, and RI of the PCAs and OA and RI of the CRA were significantly different between patients and controls, whereas there was no difference in the serum levels of glucose, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol. In the patient group, there was a significant correlation between orbital blood flow and duration of disease. CONCLUSION: Ocular blood flow appears to be slightly lower in RA patients than in healthy controls, suggesting that RA is a systemic inflammatory disease that may also involve ocular vessels.

Influence of number of pregnancies on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women of different age groups.

As data on the relationship between parity and bone mineral density often seem to be controversial, ultimately, a comprehensive research study was thought to be necessary. This study focused on examining the influence of the number of pregnancies on bone mineral density and investigating the relationship between pregnancy and bone mineral density at four sites in postmenopausal women of different age groups. A total of 509 postmenopausal women, varying from 45 to 86 years of age (mean age of 60.85 +/- 7.53 years) were considered for the study. A standardized interview was employed to obtain information on demographics, lifestyle, and, reproductive and menstrual histories. Patients were separated into four groups according to the number of pregnancies, i.e., nulliparae (52 patients), one to two parity (66 patients), three to five parity (178 patients), and more than five parity (213 patients). The patients were further classified into two age groups, 40-59 years (233 patients) and 60-80 years (276 patients), respectively. The number of pregnancies was found to range from 0 to 17 (with an overall mean of 5.42 +/- 3.68), with 4.29 +/- 2.74 (range, 0-16) accounting for live births, while 1.02 +/- 1.53 (range, 0-14) were abortions. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to parameters such as, age, body mass index (BMI), age at menarche, age at menopause, and years since menopause (P > 0.05) in all of the 509 women and in the 40- to 59- and 60- to 80-year groups. When all the patients were considered, the bone mineral density (BMD) values of the spine and the trochanter for the more-than-five-parity group, were found to be significantly lower than those of the other groups (P < 0.05), while the BMD values of the spine and the femur (neck, trochanter) appeared to decrease with increasing parity. In the 40- to 59-year group, the BMD of the spine in both the nulliparae and one-to-two-parity groups was significantly higher than that of the more-than-five-parity group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the groups with respect to the BMD values at any femur sites. The nulliparae patients in the 60- to 80-year group exhibited significantly higher trochanter and Ward's BMD values than those of the more-than-five-parity group (P < 0.05), whereas in the one-to-two-parity group, spine BMD values appeared to be significantly higher than those of the more-than-five-parity group (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the number of pregnancies and BMD values for the spine (r = -0.23; P < 0.01), trochanter (r = -0.16; P < 0.01), and Ward's triangle (r = -0.14; P < 0.05), with no significant correlation for femur neck BMD (r = -0.08; P > 0.05) values. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the number of pregnancies has an effect on the BMD values and that this situation shows a variation in different age groups. In addition, our study indicates that there is a significant correlation between the number of pregnancies and the spine, trochanter, and Ward's triangle BMD, but there is no correlation for the femur neck BMD.