The prevalence of fibromyalgia in patients with Behçet’s disease and its relation with disease activity

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic disorder characterized by mucocutaneous and multisystem manifestations. Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and may be present concomitantly with several rheumatic diseases. Our aims were to investigate the prevalence of FM in patients with BD and to evaluate the possible relation of FM presence with BD disease activity. A total of 104 Behcet patients were included in this study. Age, sex, disease durations and the BD Current Activity Form (BDCAF) scores as disease activity evaluation were recorded. Presence of FM and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores was investigated. Also, ESR and CRP concentrations were determined in all patients. Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson’s correlation tests were used for the statistical analysis. There were 60 female and 40 male patients with an age range of 19–51 years. Eighteen of 100 BD patients were diagnosed as FM. Although ages, disease duration and laboratory parameters did not differ between BD patients with and without FM, BD patients with FM were more frequently female (p < 0.000). The presence of FM did not differ significantly between patients with and without systemic manifestations. Also, oral–genital ulcers, erythema nodosum, thrombophlebitis, pustular lesions and doctor’s impression of disease activity scores were not found to be different in BD patients with or without FM. However, there were significant differences in fatigue, headache, arthralgia and patient impression of disease activity (today and last 28 days) between these groups (p < 0.000; p < 0.01; p < 0.01; p = 0.021 and p = 0.027, respectively). Also, there were significant correlations between BDCAF and FIQ items that refer pain and fatigue (p < 0.01). FM is a common and important clinical problem that may represent an additional factor that worsens pain and physical limitations in patients with BD. The higher prevalence of FM in patients with BD seems to be affected by BD itself, rather than its severity.     

Effects of distractors on upright balance performance in school-aged children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,preliminary study

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common impairing neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in early childhood. Almost half of the children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also experience a variety of motor-related dysfunctions ranging from fine/gross motor control problems to difficulties in maintaining balance.

Antifungal susceptibilities of dermatophytic agents isolated from clinical specimens

The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility to four antifungal agents: ketoconazole, terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole, of the different species of dermatophyte strains isolated from clinical specimens. A total of 128 specimens were collected from toe nail, foot, inguinal region, trunk, hands and head. The dermatophytes tested included Trichophyton rubrum 108 (84.4%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes 11 (8.6%), Epidermophyton floccosum 5 (3.9%), Microsporum canis 2 (1.5%) and Trichophyton tonsurans 2 (1.5%). The mean minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for the five species of dermatophytes ranged between 0.09-1.12 microg/mL for ketoconazole, 0.04-0.27 microg/mL for terbinafine, 0.08-0.43 microg/mL for itraconazole and 16.18-24.0 microg/mL for fluconazole. In vitro analysis of antifungal activity of these agents would also allow for the comparison between different systemic antifungals, which in turn may clarify the reasons for the lack of clinical response or serve as an effective therapy for patients with chronic infection.     

Acquired cardiac hypertrophy with outflow tract obstruction in a patient with severe Takayasu arteritis

Takayasu arteritis with coronary artery involvement is rare and its association with secondary cardiac hypertrophy with severe outflow tract obstruction is not common. We describe a case of Takayasu arteritis, diagnosed 10 years ago, whose coronary artery involvement and obstructive cardiac hypertrophy are ascertained after our investigations.     

The association between thyroid hormones and arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis patients

Background/Aims  

The association between thyroid hormones and arterial stiffness is unclear. In this study, we investigated, for the first time in a large cohort of euthyroid peritoneal dialysis patients, the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and arterial stiffness.     

Relationship of the blood pressure's level and skinfold thickness]

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is an important problem of the public health. Insufficient education of the people along with insufficient physical examination also plays a role in the poor success of the diagnosis and treatment of the hypertension. We investigated whether the skinfold thickness has an importance in the prediction of blood pressure or not. METHODS: In Aydin City area 110 women and 100 men selected by randomized sampling method were included into our study. Body mass index, blood pressure and skinfold thickness were measured according to the international guidelines. RESULTS: There was a moderate correlation between the skinfold and body mass index (r= 0.494, p=0.000) and there was a mild correlation between the body mass index and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (r=0.225, p=0.000 and r=0.300, p=0.000, respectively). There was no correlation between the skinfold thickness and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (r=0.058, p=0.400 and r=0.090, p=0.194, respectively). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that body mass index, not skinfold thickness, can be used for the prediction of the blood pressure. Some other factors independent from the body mass index might be the determinants of the skinfold thickness.     

Relationship between some acute phase reactants and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate a possible relationship between the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and some acute phase reactant (APR) levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Twenty outpatients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for AS were included in the study. Laboratory activity was assessed by examining erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), and beta2 microglobulin (beta2MG). Disease activity was assessed according to the BASDAI, which includes a 10-point visual analogue scale to measure pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, swelling, and areas of local tenderness. RESULTS: When APR values were analyzed for the BASDAI, a positive correlation between CRP and BASDAI was observed (r = 0.556, P < 0.05). There was no clear, statistically significant correlation between BASDAI and the other APRs (ESR, r = 0.328, P > 0.05; Hp, r = 0.035, P > 0.05; and beta2MG, r = -0.190, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CRP is a better marker of disease activity than ESR, Hp, and beta2MG.     

Paternalistic Leadership,Organizational Cynicism,and Intention to Quit One’s Job in Nursing

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between paternalistic leadership, organizational cynicism, and the intention to quit one’s job among nurses. The implementation part of the study was carried out with nurses working in a public hospital in the city of Mersin, Turkey. Data were collected in January 2018 from 215 participants and then analyzed. The analyses indicate that the dimensions of organizational cynicism and paternalistic leadership explained 41.8% of the variance for the intention to quit. In addition, there were negative and significant relationships between paternalistic leadership and dimensions of organizational cynicism. As the participants’ perceptions of cognitive cynicism and behavioral cynicism increased, their intention to quit increased. In addition, as their perceptions of paternalistic leadership increased, their cognitive, affective, and behavioral cynicism decreased. This study will help managers of healthcare institutions better understand how paternalistic leadership is related to organizational cynicism and the intention to quit one’s job.     

Plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in pregnancy induced hypertension

OBJECTIVES: Aim of this study was to evaluate implication of pregnancy induced hypertension on maternal plasma lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein concentrations and lipid peroxidation products by a comparison of normal pregnancy vs. preeclampsia. DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-four women with preeclampsia and 32 healthy pregnant women (controls) in the third trimester were recruited for this study. RESULTS: In the preeclamptic group plasma total triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA) and apolipoprotein B (apo-B) were significantly increased, while plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased compared to that of control group. There was no significant difference in total cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 (apo-A1) concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that preeclampsia share some metabolic characteristics with coronary artery disease such as dislipidemia and increased lipid peroxidation. However lipoprotein concentrations may be better biochemical markers of dislipidemia in the preeclamptic state than the corresponding apolipoproteins.