Ferhat Gökmen

Investigation of effects of different treatment modalities on structural and functional vessel wall properties in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

AIM Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that is associated with increased cardiovascular burden. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular structural and functional changes in patients with AS, with special emphasis on the effects of different treatment modalities, through evaluation of level of vascular stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PVW]) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT-C). METHODS A total of 67 AS patients, and age, sex, body mass index (BMI) smoking status, lipid profiles and blood pressure-matched healthy control subjects (n=34) were studied. Of these, 34 patients were on anti-TNF alpha and 33 on non steroid anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The IMT-C and PWV values of the right common carotid artery were measured by high-resolution ultrasound. RESULTS The AS patients (n=67) had significantly higher PWV values than the controls [9.0 ± 1.49 m/sec vs. 8.27 ± 0.90 m/sec, P=0.004; 95% confidence interval (CI), -1.22 to -0.24]. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that PWV could only be explained by systolic blood pressure (P<0.05) and IMT (P<0.05) in AS. Even though IMT-C in anti-TNF alpha treated group was higher compared to the NSAID treated group, it was not statistically significant (P=0.5). CONCLUSION PWV was found to be higher in AS patients than in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the average PWV values of AS patients treated with anti -TNF alpha or NSAIDs.

Carbonic anhydrase II autoantibody and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between carbonic anhydrase (CA) II autoantibody and lipid peroxidation, certain antioxidant parameters, and cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. DESIGN AND METHODS Serum levels of CA II autoantibody, cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-1β) and bone markers (crosslaps, osteocalcine) and erythrocyte levels of antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx), GSH and MDA, and CA activities were measured in RA patients and healthy controls. RESULTS The CA II autoantibody titers were significantly higher (P<0.05), and erythrocyte SOD activities were significantly lower (P<0.05) in RA patients. A significant negative correlation between CA II autoantibody titers and SOD activities in RA group was established (r=-0.430, p=0.006). The elevated cytokine levels could not be correlated with CA II autoantibody levels in RA. CONCLUSION These results suggest that increased erythrocyte oxidative stress observed in RA may be effective in the mechanism of CA II autoantibody formation.

Boyun Ağrısı ve Disabilite: Etkileyen Bir Etmen Olarak Göz Damlasını Kullanma Tekniği

©2014 Turkish League Against Rheumatism. All rights reserved. Objectives: This study aims to investigate a possible relationship between long standing eye drop usage and neck pain and to determine the optimal neck position while instilling the eye drop. Patients and methods: Sixty-seven patients who admitted to the ophthalmology outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of glaucoma and using eye drops for at least one year were included in the study as group 1 (n=31). The ages of the patients were between 18 to 80 years. A control group (group 2, n=36) was selected from age-matched individuals who did not use eye drops. The neck disability index form and a study form which included demographic data and the method of eye drop usage of patients were filled. Results: The mean age of the patients were 55.7±11.5 and 53.5±17.1 years for group 1 and group 2, respectively. There was no significant difference in the age and sex between the groups (p=0.526 and p=0.396, respectively). Compared to the controls, the chronic eye drop usage and its application method produced significant difference in neck disability index (p<0.001). Also, there was a positive correlation between neck disability index and number of eye drop usage per a day and period of eye drop usage (p=0.003 and p=0.004, respectively). Conclusion: Neck posture which is not placed in hyperextension position during administration of eye drop may reduce postural neck malpositionrelated neck disability. Patients who are on eye drop for a long time should be informed about postural disorders and instructed to correct the administration of eye drop technique to avoid neck pain.