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Serum Cytokine Levels in Behçet's Disease

The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the serum levels of various cytokines in patients with Behçets Disease and healthy controls.

Serum prolidase enzyme activity and oxidative status in patients with Behçet's disease

Abstract Objectives To assess serum prolidase enzyme activity and oxidative stress in patients with Behçets disease (BD). Methods The study population consisted of BD patients (n = 42) and healthy participants (n = 29). BD patients were classified as active (n = 18) or inactive (n = 24) according to disease activity. Serum prolidase enzyme activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Results In BD patients with active disease, serum prolidase activity was significantly higher compared with the inactive and control participants. Serum prolidase activity was also significantly higher in all BD patients in comparison with controls. Serum prolidase activity was also positively correlated with OSI, C-reactive protein, and active BD. MDA, TOS, and OSI levels were all significantly higher in the BD group when compared with the healthy control participants. Serum TAS levels were significantly lower in BD patients in comparison with healthy controls. Conclusion High prolidase activity may indicate critical biological activities relevant to pathological events in BD, and this activity may be a biological indicator of disease. Further studies are needed to verify these findings.

Sleep quality in patients with Behçet's disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep quality and the related variables in patients with Behçets disease (BD).

Serum GDF-15 level in Behçet's disease: relationships between disease activity and clinical parameters.

Growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15), a member of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily of cytokines, plays an important role in cell growth, signal transduction, and apoptosis regulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum GDF‐15 levels and their relationships with disease‐related variables in patients with Behçets disease (BD). Forty‐six patients diagnosed with BD and 30 demographically matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. GDF‐15 levels were measured in blood samples from patients and controls. The Behçets Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) was used to evaluate the disease activity of BD. There were no significant differences between the two groups in C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), age, body mass index, and mean GDF‐15 levels (P > 0.05). Serum GDF‐15 levels were positively correlated with findings for peripheral arthritis and CRP, and with BDCAF erythema nodosum, BDCAF arthralgia, and BDCAF arthritis scores. Patients with BD were divided into two groups according to the presence of peripheral arthritis; nine subjects (20%) were positive for peripheral arthritis. Serum ESR, CRP, white blood cell counts, and GDF‐15 levels were significantly higher in the group that was positive for peripheral arthritis (P < 0.05). GDF‐15 may play a role in the progression and pathway of Behçets joint involvement and erythema nodosum that is independent of classic inflammatory response measures.

Serum levels of alpha-1 acid glycoprotein and pentraxin 3 in patients with Behçet's disease and relationship with disease activity

To evaluate the relationship between disease activity and levels of alpha 1‐acid glycoprotein and pentraxin 3 in patients with Behçets disease (BD).

Association Between Neuropathic Pain, Pregabalin Treatment, and Erectile Dysfunction

INTRODUCTION The pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction (ED) may be vasculogenic, hormonal, anatomical, neurogenic, drug-induced and/or psychogenic in origin. Neuropathic pain (NP) may facilitate ED, because it is frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and its drug, pregabalin, may also contribute ED. AIM The objective of this study was to determine whether pregabalin treatment for patients with neuropathic pain promotes erectile dysfunction. METHODS The study sample consisted of a total of 102 male subjects that were subdivided into three groups. Group 1 patients (n = 31) had a pre-existing diagnosis of NP and was treated with 300 mg/day of pregabalin for at least 3 months. Group 2 patients (n = 34) were diagnosed with NP for at least 3 months; however, neither were they treated with pregabalin nor did they received physical therapy throughout the study. Lastly, healthy age-matched control subjects comprised group 3 (n = 37). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients in all groups completed the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. RESULTS Mean age and mean body mass index did not differ significantly between each of the three groups. The cause of NP and the mean duration of having a diagnosis of NP did not differ significantly in groups 1 and 2. However, IIEF scores were significantly lower for group 1 when compared to group 2 in terms of erectile function, orgasmic function, overall satisfaction and total score. Yet groups 1 and 2 did not diverge significantly in the intercourse satisfaction and sexual desire scores. Overall IIEF scores for group 3 were significantly higher than those of group 2 except for mean erectile function scores. CONCLUSION Taking pregabalin for the treatment of neuropathic pain poses an increased risk for developing ED in male patients. Thus, clinicians prescribing pregabalin to patients diagnosed with neuropathic pain should assess for ED before and during treatment with this medication.

Sleep Disturbance in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Abstract Objectives: To determine the frequency of sleep disturbance in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis [LSS] and to reveal the relationship between the specific components of sleep disturbance and low back pain, physical disability, and psychological status in LSS. Methods: Thirty-six LSS patients [14 males and 22 females] and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy normal controls [13 males and 17 females] were enrolled in the study. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale [VAS, 0–100 mm]. Psychological status and physical disability were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] and the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]. Results: There were no significant differences between the LSS patients and the controls in terms of age or sex. The LSS patients had higher PSQI, HADS scores compared to the controls [p < 0.05]. Sleep disturbance [PSQI total score greater than 5] was positively correlated with VAS, HADS, and ODI [p < 0.05]. Conclusions: Sleep disturbance was associated with higher levels of pain, disability, depression, and anxiety. Sleep disturbance should be assessed when treating patients with LSS.

AB0649 Serum GDF-15 Level in Behçet's Disease: Relationship Between the Disease Activity and Clinical Parameters

Background Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily of cytokines, plays an important role in cell growth, signal transduction, and apoptosis regulation. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate serum GDF-15 levels and their relationship with disease-related variables in patients with Behçets disease (BD). Methods Forty-six patients diagnosed with BD and 30 demographically matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. GDF-15 levels were measured in blood samples from patients and controls. Behçets Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) was used to evaluate the disease activity of BD. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to C-reactive protein (CRP), mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate, age, body mass index and mean GDF-15 levels (p>0.05). The serum GDF-15 levels were positively correlated with peripheral arthritis, CRP, BDCAF erythema nodosum, BDCAF arthralgia, and BDCAF arthritis scores. The patients with BD were divided into twogroups according to the presence of peripheral arthritis; nine subjects (20%) were positive for peripheral arthritis. Serum ESR, CRP, white blood cell, and GDF-15 levels were significantly higher in the group that was positive for peripheral arthritis (p<0.05). Conclusions GDF-15 may play a role in the progression and pathway of Behçets joint involvement and erythema nodosum independent of classic inflammatory response measures. References Wong RC, Ellis CN, Diaz LA et al Behcets disease. Int J Dermatol 1984; 23: 25–32. Takeuchi M, Keino H, Suzuki J et al. Possibility of inducing anterior chamber-associated immune deviation by TGF-beta 2 treatment of monocytes isolated from Behcets patients. Exp eye res 2006; 83: 981–988 Yazmalar L, Batmaz I, Sarıyıldız MA et al. Sleep quality in patients with Behçets disease. Int J Rheum Dis 2014; doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.12459. Canete JD, Celis R, Noordenbos T et al. Distinct synovial immunopathology in Behçet disease and psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis res ther 2009; 11: R17 Disclosure of Interest None declared