Fibromyalgia

Objective: The role of vitamin D in the etiopathogenesis of fibromyalgia and non-specific musculoskeletal pain is controversial. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D therapy on quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.Materials and Methods: Seventy patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 65 age-and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Patients were grouped as deficient (30 ng/mL) according to the levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D replacement was performed for patients with deficiencies and inadequacies. Before and after vitamin D therapy, patients filled in the assessment tools, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), Arizona sexual experience scale (ASEX), Beck depression inventory (BDI), visual analog scale (VAS), and short form-36 (SF-36).Results: Vitamin D deficiencies and inadequacies were observed in 60% of the patients (n=42). Among patients with low and normal levels of vitamin D, no statistically significant difference was observed in their values. In scales examined after vitamin D replacement therapy, statistically significant differences were observed in the FIQ, BDI, VAS, and SF-36 compared with pre-treatment.Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency seems to be linked to the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. Vitamin D supplementation may improve the quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia

Effects of vitamin d therapy on quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia [Conference Object]

Abstract Not Availabl

Neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume in patients with gout

Abstract Not Availabl

Nail changes in connective tissue diseases: do nail changes provide clues for the diagnosis?

Objective To evaluate the frequency and the specificity of nail changes associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD). Methods In a case-control study, 190 patients including those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 56), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 47), primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS; 35), systemic sclerosis (SSc; 39), and dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM; 13) were enrolled in the study. Patients with SLE and other CTDs were compared with two different control groups. Twenty nails were examined. Nail features were noted and classified. Nail samples were collected for mycological cultures. Results In patients with SLE, erythema of proximal nailfold (P < 0.01), splinter haemorrhages in fingernails (P < 0.01), capillary loops in proximal nailfold (P < 0.05), periungual erythema (P < 0.05), and thin nail plates (P < 0.05) were more common than those in controls. Only splinter haemorrhages were associated with the disease activity. In patients with SSc and DM/PM, splinter haemorrhages (P < 0.05) and capillary loops in proximal nailfold (P < 0.01) in fingernails were common as well. Increase in longitudinal curvature (P < 0.001), transverse curvature (P < 0.01), and white dull colour in fingernails were other frequent findings in patients with SSc. Increase in transverse curvature was associated with the disease activity in SSc. In patients with RA, splinter haemorrhages (P < 0.05), red lunula (P < 0.05), and white dull colour (P < 0.05) in fingernails were frequent. The sensitivity values of all these changes were very low. However, their specificity values were found to be relatively high. Conclusion Proximal nailfold is the most important site of affection in CTDs. These nail changes can be used in combination with highly sensitive diagnostic modalities to establish an accurate diagnosis

Osteoporosis and osteocalcin levels in patients with gout

Abstract Not Availabl

Autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with chronic fasciolosis

WOS: 000182186900010PubMed ID: 12741079Background: The prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases and autoantibodies in patients with chronic fasciolosis (CF) was investigated. Methods: Thyroid function of 32 patients with CF and 72 patients without fasciolosis infection was evaluated biochemically. Thyroid hormones, antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) were measured. Results: In patients with CF, the prevalences of autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin were 21.9% (7/32) and 15.6% (5/32) respectively. However, thyroid function disorder was identified in only 3 (9.4%) cases. In the control group, TPOAb and TgAb were determined in 2 (2.7%) cases, but no one had thyroid function disorder. The prevalences of thyroid autoantibodies (chi(2): 7.948, p<0.01) and autoimmune thyroid diseases (chi(2): 4.007, p<0.05) were significantly higher in the CIF group. Conclusions: The high prevalence of TPOAb and TgAb in CF suggests that patients with CF should be evaluated for autoimmune thyroid disorders at the time of diagnosis and during the follow-up period