Özgür Taşpınar

Bone mineral density evaluation of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Purpose] Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder resulting from a defect in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A consequence of this is chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. We investigated whether there is any difference among DM patients and a control group in terms of lumbar and femur BMD (bone mineral density), and standard deviation scores (Z score and T score). [Subjects and Methods] This randomized, prospective, controlled, single-blind study was conducted in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Faculty of Medicine, Bezm-i Alem Vakıf University. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the patient groups. Healthy individuals were included in the control group. [Results] A total of 126 patients completed the study (63 in the study group, 63 in the control group). There was no significant difference in the results of the laboratory examinations of the cases. The bone mineral densities of the cases were found to be significantly low in terms of the lumbar (L1–4) T scores in the type 2 diabetes group. [Conclusion] Although osteoporosis is one of the potential complications of type 1 diabetes, its effect on bone mineral density in type 2 DM is controversial. In different studies, the bone mineral density values have increased, decreased or remained normal. With the exception of the lumbar (L1–4) T score, similar results were obtained in this study.

Upper Extremity Problems in Doner Kebab Masters

[Purpose] Doner kebab is a food specific to Turkey; it is a cone-shaped meat placed vertically on a high stand. The doner kebab chefs stand against the meat and cut it by using both of their upper extremities. This work style may lead to recurrent trauma and correspondingly the upper extremity problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the upper extremity disorders of doner chefs. [Subjects and Methods] Doner kebab chefs were selected as the study group, and volunteers who were not doner kebab chefs and didn’t exert intense effort with upper extremities their business lives were selected as the control group. A survey form was prepared to obtain data about the participants’ ages, working experience (years), daily work hours, work at a second job, diseases, drug usage, and any musculoskeletal (lasting at least 1 week) complaint in last 6 months. [Results] A total of 164 individuals participated in the study, 82 doner chefs and 82 volunteers. In 20.6% of the study group and 15.6% of the control group, an upper extremity musculoskeletal system disorder was detected. Lateral epicondylitis was more frequently statistically significant in the work group. [Conclusion] Hand pain and lateral epicondylitis are more frequent in doner chefs than in other forms of business.

Serum bone markers levels and bone mineral density in familial mediterranean Fever.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to measure bone mineral density, serum and urinary bone turnover parameters, and to evaluate the influence of demographic and genetic factors on these parameters in FMF patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-seven attack-free patients who were diagnosed with FMF (in accordance with Tel Hashomer criteria) were recruited at outpatient rheumatology clinics. We investigated whether there were any differences between the FMF patients and a control group in terms of lumbar and femur bone mineral density (BMD), standard deviation scores (Z scores and T scores) and bone markers. [Results] In terms of the median values of lumbar BMD (p = 0.21), lumbar T (p = 0.098) and Z (p = 0.109) scores, femoral neck BMD, femoral T and Z scores and total femur BMD, T (p = 0.788) and Z scores, there were no significant differences. [Conclusion] In our study, no statistically significant differences were found between FMF patients and a control group in terms of osteoporosis. The 25-OH vitamin D was found to be significantly lower in FMF patients than in the control group.

Functional independence measure scores of patients with hemiplegia followed up at home and in university hospitals

[Purpose] Our purpose was to create awareness among of social rehabilitation at the university and in local governments, to identify gaps in social rehabilitation, and to increase the effectiveness of social rehabilitation. [Subjects and Methods] This study included stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation from the stroke outpatient clinic (43 patients) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Home Care Service (101 patients); face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect patient information regarding nutritional status. In addition, baseline functional independence measure (FIM) scores at baseline and during three months of follow-up were also compared. [Results] The average FIM motor scores at three months did not differ significantly between the home and hospital treatment groups. However, there were significant differences in baseline FIM motor and cognitive scores and three-month follow-up scores as well as average FIM total baseline scores between groups. In addition, month-to-month analysis of changes in FIM values between the two groups also revealed significant differences. [Conclusion] The results of our study were concordant with those of previous studies of stroke patients receiving rehabilitation, in demonstrating improved patient functional and cognitive capacity.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of home based or hospital based calisthenic exercises in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of calisthenic exercises on functionality, mobility, disaese activity, quality of life, and psychological status in patients with Ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS Prospective analysis of forty patients diagnosed with AS were randomized into two exercise groups. AS patients having diagnosis based on 1984-modified New York criteria were involved. Patients were given 8 weeks calisthenic exercise program. Outcome measures including the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI), AS Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL), Bath AS Patient Global Score (BAS-G) Hospital Anxiety Depression Score (HADS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed at the baseline and at 8 weeks. RESULTS Thirty-seven participants completed the exercise programme. After the 8-week exercise programme, the home-based exercise group showed significant improvement in ESR levels and hospital-based exercise group showed significant improvements in terms of the BASMI and HADS-A scores. CONCLUSION Calisthenic exercises can be easily performed both at home and in hospital setting. In patients with AS, calisthenic exercises performed at the hospital may improve the mobility, and psychological status (anxiety).

Concomitance of fibromyalgia syndrome and cervical disc herniation

[Purpose] Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and cervical disc herniation (CDH) are a common diseases commonly encountered in physical therapy clinics. There are also patients who have both of these diseases. In this study we aim to investigated whether FMS is a risk factor for cervical disc herniation and the frequency of their coincident occurrence. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-five patients having a primary FMS diagnosis according to the American Rheumatism Association criteria are taken into consideration and a control group were the subjects of this study. The two groups were compared with respect to cervical disc hernia using cervical region MRI. [Results] The distribution of disc hernia of 6 fibromyalgia patients who had cervical discopathy was: 16.6% C2–3, 16.6% C5–6, 16.6% C6–7, 33.3% C4–5, C5–6 (two levels in two patients) and 16.6% C4–5, C5–6, C7–1 (three levels in one patient) . The herniation directions were given as: central in 5 levels, right paramedian in 1 level, and left paramedian disc hernia in 1 level. There were 4 cervical disk hernia in the control group. The herniation direction were central in two, right paramedian in one, and left paramedian in one patient. [Conclusion] In this study, the existence of cervical disc herniation in fibromyalgia patients was found to be not different from the normal population.

Evaluation in terms of dietary habits of rheumatic process: A clinical study

OBJECTIVE This study compared the dietary habits of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS The nutritional status of 56 patients, seen at the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic and diagnosed with RA based on the ACR-2010 criteria, was compared with that of 28 patients diagnosed with AS using the modified New York criteria. Nutritional status was determined using a form that was filled out during face-to-face interviews with all patients. Patient demographics, disease activity, smoking and alcohol use, concomitant diseases, disease duration and nutritional status were determined using a questionnaire. RESULTS RA patients consumed butter on 2 days a week, and AS patients on 1 day per month. Yoghurt was consumed by RA patients daily and by AS patients 3 days a week. CONCLUSIONS Compared to the diet of AS patients, the diet of RA patients was richer in protein and lipids. The impact of diet on these two diseases remains to be determined in large-scale studies.

Association between nutritional status and Modic classification in degenerative disc disease.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to examine the association between Modic classification and the eating habits in patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) and to determine the influence of nutrition on disease severity. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty patients with DDD visiting a low back pain outpatient clinic were enrolled. Through face-to-face interviews, they completed questionnaires regarding their demographics, disease activity, smoking and alcohol use, concomitant diseases, disease duration, and nutritional status.Exclusion criteria were age <20 years or >65 years, other comorbidities, missing MRI data, and inability to speak Turkish. [Results] Forty patients were finally included in the study. The frequency with which they consumed water, salt, fast food, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, whole wheat bread, white bread, butter, and margarine was recorded. A weak negative correlation was observed between the Modic types and fish and egg consumption. [Conclusion] Modic changes, which indicate the severity of DDD, seem to be correlated to patients’ dietary habits. However, studies with comparison groups and larger samples are needed to confirm our promising results before any cause-and-effect relationship can be proposed.

Importance of Performing Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in the Same Clinic and Bad Prognostic Factors for Small-cell Lung Cancer Patients

Objective: We evaluated different treatment results reported and showed the effect of treatment at single and multiple clinics for smallcell lung cancer (SCLC). We attempted to show a decreasing impact of chemotherapy (CT) and thoracic radiotherapy (RT) treatment results when implemented at different clinics for SCLC compared to the treatment results at a clinic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 54 non-metastatic SCLC patients who underwent treatments at various clinics. Patients underwent 1–12 courses of CT before they came to the clinic for thoracic RT. RT was performed at 180–400 cGy dose per fraction for a total of 30–52 Gy doses, and patients were followed for 12–60 months. Results: When the study was reviewed, the results showed that the median disease-free survival and survival rates were 8 and 9 months and that the 2-, 5-, and 5-year survival rates were 8%, 6.3%, and 1.8%, respectively. The median progression-free survival rates for 2 and 3 years were 4%, and for 5 years, it was 1.8%. Weight loss for disease-free survival (p=0.01) and superior vena cava syndrome for overall survival (p=0.02) were considered as bad prognostic factors. In this study, acceptable toxicity values were found when the results were compared with those from other studies. Conclusion: We obtained worse results than those from literature data on our SCLC patients who came to our clinic after the progression of their disease. The main causes were identified as insufficient staging and different treatment protocols applied at different clinics. Therefore, we argue that CT and thoracic RT for SCLC must be performed at the same clinic and that the same protocols and staging methods must be used.