Browsing by Author "Duruöz M.T."
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Item Hand function assessment in patients receiving haemodialysis(SMW supporting association, 2003) Duruöz M.T.; Cerrahoglu L.; Dincer-Turan Y.; Kürsat S.Objective: To assess the usefulness of Duruöz's Hand Index (DHI) in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Methods: Patients receiving haemodialysis for more than 2 months were recruited randomly. Demographic, clinical and functional characteristics of patients were evaluated. Functional assessment was performed with DHI, Hand Functional Index (HFI), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Purdue Pegboard, grip strength and 3 kinds of pinch strengths. DHI was correlated (Spearman's) with the other functional parameters in assessing the convergent validity and with non-functional parameters in assessing the divergent validity. Results: Sixty patients with a mean age of 50.05 were recruited. The average duration of haemodialysis was 55.02 months. DHI is significantly correlated with HAQ, HFI, Purdue Pegboard scores, grip strength and 3 types of pinch strengths while no significant correlation was found with non-functional parameters. Conclusions: DHI is a practical scale which is efficient in assessing accurately the functional disability of the hand in patients receiving haemodialysis.Item Comparison of functional disability measures and clinical variables in rheumatoid arthritis(2003) Borman P.; Yilmaz L.; Gündüz O.H.; Barça N.; Duruöz M.T.In this study we investigated the relationship between the clinical and the functional disability parameters in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and compared the related factors for functional disability questionnaires. Demographic data of RA patients were recorded. Clinical parameters including; pain by VAS, tenderness by Ritchie articular index (RAI), swelling of joints, morning stiffness and radiological changes were determined. Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), arthritis impact measurement scale (AIMS) and Duruöz's Hand Index (DHI) were used to assess functional disability. The correlation between the clinical, radiological parameters and functional disability indices were investigated. The relationship between the clinical parameters of the patients and disability indices were also determined, according to the disease duration and seropositivity. Fifty patients (40 women) with a mean age of 47.7±11.1 years completed the study. The mean scores of HAQ and DHI were best correlated with each other and all subgroups of AIMS, except for the depression and exiety. Radiologic scores, gender and rheumatoid factor were not correlated with disability. The scores of VAS-pain, RAI and joint swelling were the best-related variables for the disability scores. No association was found between the mean disease duration of patients and scores of functional status. Disability was slightly but not significantly higher in sero (+) than in sero (-) patients. The functional disability scores in patients with long and short disease duration were not significantly different. The clinical variables of the RA patients correlated well with the physical domains of functional disability questionnaires. Pain and tenderness appear to be the most related factors for disability. Functional disability seems to be important both in patients with long and short disease duration, regardless to the seropositivity.Item The frequency and associated factors of low back pain among a younger population in Turkey(2004) Çakmak A.; Yücel B.; Özyalçin S.N.; Bayraktar B.; Ural H.I.; Duruöz M.T.; Genç A.Study Design. Open design cross-sectional questionnaire. Objectives. The aims of this study are to determine the frequency of low back pains in the younger population and the factors that have an influence on this frequency. Summary of Background Data. Low back pain is one of the most important social problems that causes injuries in the younger population. Low back pain frequency is around 30% among adolescents and 88% of those with low back pain experiences in adolescence have low back pain in later years. Therefore, identifying and, if possible, preventing the associated factors in adolescence and young adulthood is essential for the solution of this social problem. Methods. A total of 1,552 students from a total of 8,000 who had come from all parts of Turkey for university registration accepted to participate in the study and were given a questionnaire about low back pain experiences, disability, and possible associated factors. Results. Low back pain frequency was found to be 40.9%. This rate increases with age. Abandonment of moderate level physical activity and traumas such as slipping on ice and falling down the stairs were identified as associated factors. Conclusions. Regular physical activity and the prevention of falls might be ways for decreasing the frequency of low back pain experiences among the youth and significantly influencing the frequency of low back pain in adult population.Item Assessment of fatigue in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(2007) Turan Y.; Duruöz M.T.; Bal S.; Guvenc A.; Cerrahoglu L.; Gurgan A.In this study, we evaluated fatigue by using the multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF) index in 68 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. To determine the disease activity, functional status and quality of life, bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) and Short Form 36 (SF36) were used respectively. Mander enthesis index (MEI) was used for evaluation of enthesitis. The mean age of the patients was 37.7 (11.1) years. The prevalence of fatigue was 76.5%. There were significant correlations between MAF and BASDAI (P < 0.001), BASFI (P < 0.001), MEI (P = 0.048), pain (P = 0.001), hemoglobin (P = 0.001), ESR (P = 0.035), dorsal Schober's (P = 0.009), occiput-wall distance (P = 0.048). Also MAF was correlated with all dimensions of SF36 except for social function and emotional role. BASFI was found to be the most significant correlated (P = 0.002) parameter with MAF. This study suggests that fatigue is an important symptom in AS and it seemed to occur in severe AS patients. It should appropriately be measured with respect to its intensity with appropriate measures, such as MAF. Moreover, fatigue may increase functional disability, which is already present as a feature of the disease. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.Item Quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A pilot study(2007) Turan Y.; Duruöz M.T.; Cerrahoglu L.The aims of this study were to evaluate quality of life (QOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to determine the relationship between QOL and clinical condition/functional status. Forty-six AS patients (37 males) were included in the study. The demographic data of the patients were recorded. Disease activity Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), enthesitis involvement Mander Ehthesis Index (MEI), functional evaluation Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and quality of life Short-Form 36 (SF-36) were assessed. The mean age of the patients was 39.2 (SD: 11. 46) years. Most MEI was found related to physical function (P = 0.014), physical role (P = 0. 01), pain (P = 0.002) and vitality (P = 0.004) in SF-36 subgroups. Among the subgroups, the best correlations with the general health was found in BASDAI (P = 0.014) and secondly in MEI (P = 0.038). None of the mental health and social function subgroups had any significant correlation with any of the parameters (P > 0.05). A significant relationship was found between the emotional role and BASFI, and chest expansion (P = 0.004). Clinical and functional state were affecting QOL of patients with AS. It has been found out that in patients with AS, the QOL subgroups are mostly related with enthesis involvement. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.Item Clinical and radiological characteristics of spondyloarthropathy; [Spondiloartropatili hastalarin klinik ve radyolojik özellikleri](2008) Turan Y.; Duruöz M.T.; Cerrahoǧlu L.Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with spondyloarthropaties (SpA). Patients and Methods: One hundred -twenty patients that match European Spondyloarthropaties Study Group (ESSG) diagnostic criteria, were included in this study. There were 48 ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 42 reactive arthritis (ReA), 9 psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 3 enteropathic arthritis (EA) and 18 undifferentiated SpA (uSpA) patients. Demographic data, clinical parameters and grade of sacroiliitis were assessed. Enthesitis were evaluated by the Mander Enthesis Index (MEI). Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) evaluated disease activity and functional status in AS patients, respectively. Results: The most frequently seen symptom was night pain (55.1%) and the most frequently seen radiographic involvement was right sacroiliitis (95.8%), Epin calcanei was most frequently observed in PsA (55.5%) and EA (33.3%) patients. The incidence of enthesitis in patients with SpA was 86.7%. Uveitis and heel pain were most commonly found respectively in AS (16.7%), and ReA (47.6%) patients. Conclusion: Whereas patients with SpA had similar clinical symptoms, their most common complaint was night pain. We think that it should be keep in mind while medical treatment is put in order.Item Serum hyaluronic acid levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(2008) Duruöz M.T.; Turan Y.; Cerrahoglu L.; Isbilen B.Our aim in this study was to investigate serum hyaluronic acid (HA) levels and the relationship between clinical parameters in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Approximately 30 patients with AS and 30 healthy individuals were recruited in this study consecutively. Cross-sectional study was planned, and demographic, clinical, functional, radiological, and laboratory data of patients were evaluated. Disease activity, functional status, and quality of life were assessed, respectively, with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Mander Enthesis Index (MEI) was used for evaluation of enthesis involvement. We examined serum concentrations of HA (ng/ml) in patients with AS and controls. The mean ages of patients and control group were 38.3 (SD = 10.8) and 42.7 (SD = 10.6) years, respectively. The mean of serum HA levels in AS patients was 40.4 (SD = 34.8) ng/ml and in controls was 24.9 (SD = 20.2). There was significant difference of HA levels between two groups (p = 0.04). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between HA level and distance of hand-floor (r = 0.444, p = 0.014), modified lumbar Schober's (r = 0.413, p = 0.023), distance of chin to chest (r = 0.436, p = 0.016), right sacroiliit grade (r = 0.601, p <0.001), left sacroiliit grade (r = 0.610, p <0.001), C reactive protein level (r = 0.404, p = 0.027), albumin (r = 0.464, p = 0.010), C3 (p = 0.449, p = 0.013), and IgA levels (r = 0.369, p = 0.045). However, there was no significant correlation between HA levels with MEI, BASFI, BASDAI, and SF-36 (p ≥0.05). Serum HA level was significantly higher in AS patients than controls. However, there was no significant correlation between serum HA level and disease-specific measures as BASFI and BASDAI; it had significant relation with spinal mobility limitation, sacroiliitis, and laboratory parameters related with acute inflammation. The serum HA level may be a potential biomarker of axial inflammation and disease severity in AS. © Clinical Rheumatology 2007.Item Validation of duruöz hand index for diabetic hand dysfunction(BMJ Publishing Group, 2009) Turan Y.; Duruöz M.T.; Aksakalli E.; Gürgan A.Objectives: Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) is a functional disability scale that can be used successfully to assess the functional disability with different hand arthropathies. The hands are frequently involved in diabetic patients. We aimed to examine the use of DHI for its accuracy and ease in assessing these patients. Methods: Forty patients with diabetes mellitus were recruited in this study. Hand pain was assessed with the visual analog scale. Duruöz Hand Index and Hand Functional Index were applied to assess the disability of hand. We evaluated the grip strength and 3 types of pinch strength (tip pinch, lateral or key pinch, and chuck or 3-finger pinch) for the dominant (D) and nondominant (ND) hands of each patient by 2 different kinds of Jamar dynamometers (JA Preston Corp, Jackson, MI). Results: The Jamar dynamometer scores were as follows (mean [SD]): grip strength-D (21.56 [5.86]), grip strength-ND (16.42 [4.26]), tip strength-D (5.14 [1.50]), tip strength-ND (5.13 [1.42]), lateral strength-D(5.15 [1.52]), lateral strength-ND (5.07 [1.19]), chuck strength-D (5.40 [1.40]), chuck strength-ND (5.33 [1.28]). There was a high correlation between DHI and Hand Functional Index (P < 0.001, Q = 0.586) showing that DHI has good convergent validity. The DHI had significant correlation with nonfunctional parameters such as visual analog scalepain (P < 0.001), restricted hand motion (P = 0.020), chuck strength-D (P = 0.006), pins test-D (P < 0.001), pins test-ND (P = 0.013), and assembly test (P = 0.025). Conclusions: The DHI is a practical scale that is efficient in accurate assessment of hand dysfunction in diabetic patients. Copyright © 2009 by The American Federation for Medical Research.Item Turkish translation and patient evaluation of the ASAS/EULAR recommendations - Patient version for the management of ankylosing spondylitis; [Ankilozan spondilit tedavisi için ASAS/EULAR önerileri hasta versiyonunun Türkçe'ye çevirisinin hastalarca deǧerlendirilmesi](2009) Özgöçmen S.; Duruöz M.T.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Turkish translation of the patient version of the Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by the patients. Material and Methods: Twelve members of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Society of Turkey participated in the study. All were patients suffering from AS and all items of the recommendations were evaluated for the exact Turkish wording, meaning and comprehensibility by Turkish AS patients. All items were discussed and scored by the patients. Results: The median age of the 12 patients (4 female and 8 male) was 39.5 and disease duration was 11.5 years. The median Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index were 4.0 and 3.42, respectively. Patients were agreed on each of the 10 items with a mean rate of >80%, and scored the overall recommendations with a mean score of 9.83±0.39. Conclusion: The patient version of the ASAS/EULAR recommendations for the management of AS has been successfully translated into Turkish and all of the patients reached an overall agreement on these recommendations. Treatment guidelines or recommendations that were composed using a medical language that could not be clearly understood by the patients should be translated into common vernacular in order to disseminate knowledge and maintain the patients' participation.Item Relationship among enthesitis, clinical parameters and quality of life in spondyloarthropathies; [Relation entre enthésite, paramètres cliniques et qualité de vie dans les spondylarthropathies](2009) Turan Y.; Duruöz M.T.; Cerrahoglu L.[No abstract available]Item Relationship between enthesitis, clinical parameters and quality of life in spondyloarthritis(2009) Turan Y.; Duruöz M.T.; Cerrahoglu L.Objective: To investigate the involvement of enthesis and its correlation with clinical and quality of life parameters in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients who comply with the SpA classification criteria of the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) were included into the study. Clinical parameters such as morning stiffness, rest pain, activity pain, tender joints and swollen joints were evaluated. Enthesitis were assessed by Mander Enthesis Index (MEI). The quality of life was assessed by Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: The incidence of enthesitis in patient with SpA was found at a rate of 84.9%. There was a significant correlation between MEI and morning stiffness, disease duration, tender joints and six subgroups of SF-36. The highest correlation was found between MEI and number of tender joint (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Enthesitis is commonly seen among patients with SpA. Enthesitis also affects the life quality of patients negatively. © 2009 Société française de rhumatologie.Item Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with biologic agents(Bentham Science Publishers B.V., 2010) Duruöz M.T.Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the spine that can lead to significant disability if left untreated. Although conventional treatments can be successful in alleviating symptoms, they have not been shown to stop progression of the disease. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is central to the pathogenesis of AS. Several TNF-αblocker drugs such as infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept and golimumab have been developed and shown to control symptoms effectively, possibly preventing both clinical and radiographic progression of the disease in patients with AS. Acute inflammatory lesions in the spine and sacroiliac joints can be effectively suppressed by the TNF-αblockers in AS, suggesting that bone destruction and bone proliferation might be prevented. © 2010 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.Item Characteristics of joint involvement and relationships with systemic inflammation in systemic sclerosis: Results from the EULAR Scleroderma Trial and Research Group (EUSTAR) database(2010) Avouac J.; Walker U.; Tyndall A.; Kahan A.; Matucci-Cerinic M.; Allanore Y.; Miniati I.; Müller A.; Iannone F.; Giacomelli R.; Distler O.; Becvar R.; Sierakowsky S.; Kowal-Bielecka O.; Coelho P.; Cabane J.; Cutolo M.; Shoenfeld Y.; Valentini G.; Rovensky J.; Riemekasten G.; Nicoara I.; Vlachoyiannopoulos P.; Caporali R.; Jiri S.; Inanc M.; Gorska I.Z.; Carreira P.; Novak S.; Czirjak L.; Ramos F.O.; Jendro M.; Chizzolini C.; Kucharz E.J.; Richter J.; Cozzi F.; Rozman B.; Mallia C.M.; Gabrielli A.; Farge D.; Kiener H.P.; Schöffel D.; Sticherling M.; Airo P.; Wollheim F.; Martinovic D.; Trotta F.; Hunzelmann N.; Jablonska S.; Reich K.; Bombardieri S.; Siakka P.; Pellerito R.; Bambara L.M.; Morovic-Vergles J.; Denton C.; Hinrichs R.; Van Den Hoogen F.; Damjanov N.; Kötter I.; Ortiz V.; Heitmann S.; Krasowska D.; Seidel M.; Hasler P.; Van Laar J.M.; Kaltwasser J.P.; Foeldvari I.; Juan Mas A.; Bajocchi G.; Wislowska M.; Pereira Da Silva J.A.; Jacobsen S.; Worm M.; Graniger W.; Kuhn A.; Stankovic A.; Cossutta R.; Majdan M.; Rajcevska L.D.; Tikly M.; Nasonov E.L.; Steinbrink K.; Herrick A.; Müller-Ladner U.; Dinc A.; Scorza R.; Sondergaard K.; Indiveri F.; Nielsen H.; Szekanecz Z.; Silver R.M.; Antivalle M.; Espinosa I.B.; García De La Pena Lefebvre P.; Midtvedt O.; Launay D.; Valesini F.; Tuvik P.; Ionescu R.M.; Del Papa N.; Pinto S.; Wigley F.; Mihai C.; Capranu M.S.; Sunderkötter C.; Jun J.B.; Derk C.; Alhasani S.; Distler J.H.; Ton E.; Soukup T.; Seibold J.; Zeni S.; Nash P.; Mouthon L.; De Keyser F.; Duruöz M.T.; Cantatore F.P.; Strauss G.; Von Mülhen C.A.; Pozzi M.R.; Eyerich K.; Szechinski J.; Keiserman M.; Houssiau F.A.; Rom-Ivorra J.A.; Krummel-Lorenz B.; Aringer M.; Westhovens R.; Bellisai F.; Mayer M.; Stoeckl F.; Üprus M.; Volpe A.; Buslau M.; Yavuz S.; Granel B.; Feijó A.V.; Del Galdo F.; Popa S.; Zenone T.; Machado X.R.; Pileckyte M.; Stebbings S.; Mathieu A.; Tulli A.; Tourinho T.; Souza R.; Acayaba De Toledo R.; Stamp L.; Solanki K.; Veale D.; Neto J.F.M.; Bagnato G.F.; Loyo E.; Toloza S.; Li M.; Mohamed W.A.A.A.; Cobankara V.; Olas J.; Salsano F.; Oksel F.; Tanaseanu C.M.; Foti R.; Ancuta C.; Vonk M.; Caramashi P.; Beretta L.; Balbir A.; Shine B.; Chiàla A.; Simic K.P.; Ghio M.; Stamenkovic B.; Rednic S.; Host N.; Hachulla E.; Furst D.E.Objective. To determine the prevalence of and independent factors associated with joint involvement in a large population of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods. This study was cross-sectional, based on data collected on patients included in the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) registry. We queried this database to extract data regarding global evaluation of patients with SSc and the presence of any clinical articular involvement: synovitis (tender and swollen joints), tendon friction rubs (rubbing sensation detected as the tendon was moved), and joint contracture (stiffness of the joints that decreased their range of motion). Overall joint involvement was defined by the occurrence of synovitis and/or joint contracture and/or tendon friction rubs. Results. We recruited 7286 patients with SSc; their mean age was 56 ± 14 years, disease duration 10 ± 9 years, and 4210 (58%) had a limited cutaneous disease subset. Frequencies of synovitis, tendon friction rubs, and joint contractures were 16%, 11%, and 31%, respectively. Synovitis, tendon friction rubs, and joint contracture were more prevalent in patients with the diffuse cutaneous subset and were associated together and with severe vascular, muscular, renal, and interstitial lung involvement. Moreover, synovitis had the highest strength of association with elevated acute-phase reactants taken as the dependent variable. Conclusion. Our results highlight the striking level of articular involvement in SSc, as evaluated by systematic examination in a large cohort of patients with SSc. Our data also show that synovitis, joint contracture, and tendon friction rubs are associated with amore severe disease and with systemic inflammation. The Journal of Rheumatology Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.Item Autoinflammatory conditions: When to suspect? How to treat?(2010) Grateau G.; Duruöz M.T.The term 'autoinflammatory disease' encompasses an enlarging group of inflammatory disorders defined as Mendelian genetic diseases of the innate immune system. This group is growing considering the fact that diseases sharing strong similarities with this core group can be defined as autoinflammatory. The core group consists now of six disorders also known as hereditary recurrent fever syndromes. Thez most common is familial Mediterranean fever, an autosomal recessive disease affecting mainly populations of Mediterranean ancestry. All these six diseases are characterised by inflammatory attacks both at the clinical and at the biological level. The diagnosis of each of these diseases relies first on clinical features and second on genetic testing, which is guided by the clinical results. Deciphering the role of interleukin-1 in the regulation of the inflammatory response through the inflammasome represents a major advance in the knowledge of the mechanisms of these diseases with, as a main consequence, treatment with interleukin-1 inhibitors. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Evaluation of metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic low back pain(Springer Verlag, 2012) Duruöz M.T.; Turan Y.; Gürgan A.; Deveci H.The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency of the metabolic syndrome in chronic low back pain and evaluate the differences in clinical and functional parameters in chronic low back pain patients with and without metabolic syndrome. Patients complaining of low back pain complaint lasting for at least 2 months were included in the study. In order to establish functional deficiency, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index and Oswestry Disability Index were used. To evaluate depression, Beck's depression scale was used. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made according to the criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) defined in 2001. For this; lumbar circumference around anterior iliac spine, arterial blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, plasma triglyceride levels and HDL cholesterol levels were noted down. Sixty patients (51 women) were included in the study. There was significant difference in terms of BMI (P = 0.034), age (P = 0.001), waist circumference (P = 0.048) and disease duration (P = 0.005) between chronic low back pain patients with and without metabolic syndrome. There was no significant difference in other parameters. Low back pain is a frequent complaint amongst people with obesity in the abdominal area. According to our results, elderly people, people with chronic low back pain and patients with high BMI are under risk for metabolic syndrome. For this reason this group of patients can be screened for metabolic syndrome and preventive measures can be taken. © Springer-Verlag 2010.Item Translation and validation of the Turkish version of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQOL) questionnaire(2013) Duruöz M.T.; Doward L.; Turan Y.; Cerrahoglu L.; Yurtkuran M.; Calis M.; Tas N.; Ozgocmen S.; Yoleri O.; Durmaz B.; Oncel S.; Tuncer T.; Sendur O.; Birtane M.; Tuzun F.; Bingol U.; Kirnap M.; Celik Erturk G.; Ardicoglu O.; Memis A.; Atamaz F.; Kizil R.; Kacar C.; Gurer G.; Uzunca K.; Sari H.The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire is a disease-specific measure of needs-based quality of life developed in the UK and the Netherlands. This study describes translation, validation, and reliability of the scale into Turkish population. The ASQoL was translated into Turkish using the dual-panel process. Content validity was assessed via cognitive debriefing interviews with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Patients with AS according to modified New York criteria were recruited into the study from 12 hospitals of all part of Turkey. Psychometric and scaling properties were assessed via a two administration survey involving the ASQoL, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Classical psychometrics assessed reliability, convergent validity (correlation of ASQoL with NHP, BASFI, and BASDAI) and discriminative validity (correlation of ASQoL with perceived AS-severity and general health). Cognitive debriefing showed the new Turkish ASQoL to be clear, relevant, and comprehensive. Completed survey questionnaires were received from 277 AS patients (80 % Male, mean age 42.2/SD 11.6, mean AS duration 9.4 years/SD 9.4). Test-retest reliability was excellent (0.96), indicating low random measurement error for the scale. Correlations of ASQoL with NHP sections were low to moderate (NHP Sleep 0.34; NHP Emotional Reactions 0.83) suggesting the measures assess related but distinct constructs. The measure was able to discriminate between patients based on their perceived disease severity (p < 0.0001) and self-reported general health (p < 0.0001). The Turkish version of ASQoL has good reliability and validity properties. It is practical and useful scale to assess the quality of life in AS patients in Turkish population. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.Item Development and validation of a functional disability index for chronic low back pain(2013) Duruöz M.T.; Özcan E.; Ketenci A.; Karan A.OBJECTIVE: To develop a valid and reliable functional disability scale for chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Inpatients and outpatients suffering from low back pain (LBP) for at least 3 months were selected randomly. Patients with inflammatory LBP were not recruited. Interrater reliability and Cronbach's α were examined. Face, content, convergent and divergent validities were investigated. Factor Analysis and pearson's correlation coefficients (r) were performed. RESULTS: 112 patients (71 females) with a mean age of 39.93 (SD: 12.92) answered the 66 questions on the provisional scale. Elimination left 18 daily activity questions. The interrater reliability of the scale was 0.79 and Cronbach's α was 0.90. Face and content validities were determined. It showed good convergence with the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (r: 0.82), the Oswestry Disability Index (r: 0.76), Waddell's Functional Index (r: 0.68), and the Visual Analog Scale of Handicap (VAS-handicap) (r: 0.49) The scale showed no significant or fair relationship (divergence) with VAS-lumbar, VAS-radicular, Beck Depression Inventory, morning stiffness, night pain, finger tip-ground distance, radicular pain duration, or modified Schöber's index. The scale had two main factors. First represents activities implicating forward bending and second represents standing activities. CONCLUSION: A practical functional disability scale for CLBP was developed and validated. © 2013 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.Item Polyarteritis nodosa(Springer New York, 2014) Duruöz M.T.Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that typically affects medium-sized muscular arteries. Small muscular arteries can occasionally be affected. PAN may affect any organ except lungs. Skin lesions are present in about 50 % of patients. Livedo reticularis, eruptions, skin infarctions, ulcerations, subcutaneous erythematous nodules, and digital ischemic changes may occur. The association of PAN with HBV is particularly strong. Diagnosis requires the integration of clinical, angiography, and biopsy findings. A cutaneous form of polyarteritis, affecting predominantly the lower extremities, is distinguished from systemic PAN by its restriction to the skin and to the neurological and osteo-muscular systems, lack of visceral involvement, and benign course. The skin involvement in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) may mimic PAN. Biopsy of an affected artery can confirm the diagnosis. The specimen for biopsy may include the skin, skeletal muscle, sural nerve, liver, and kidney, depending on the clinical features. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014.Item Correlations among enthesitis, clinical, radiographic and quality of life parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(Informa Healthcare, 2014) Rezvani A.; Bodur H.; Ataman Ş.; Kaya T.; Buǧdayci D.S.; Demir S.E.; Koçyiǧit H.; Altan L.; Uǧurlu H.; Kirnap M.; Gür A.; Kozanoǧlu E.; Akinci A.; Tekeoǧlu I.; Şahin G.; Bal A.; Sivrioǧlu K.; Yazgan P.; Aydin G.; Hepgüler S.; Ölmez N.; Şendur Ö.F.; Yener M.; Altay Z.; Ayhan F.; Durmuş O.; Duruöz M.T.; Günendi Z.; Nacir B.; Öken Ö.; Toktaş H.; Delialioǧlu S.Ü.; Evcik D.; Sertpoyraz F.M.Objectives. To investigate the relationship between enthesitis and disease activity, functional status, fatigue, joint mobility, radiological damage, laboratory parameter and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods. A total of 421 patients with AS (323 male and 98 female) who were included in the Turkish League Against Rheumatism Registry were enrolled in the study. The Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), fatigue, the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI), the Maastricht AS Enthesitis Score (MASES), AS quality of life (ASQoL), the Bath AS Radiology Index (BASRI) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated. Results. Enthesitis was detected in 27.3% of patients. There were positive correlations between MASES and BASDAI, BASFI and fatigue (p < 0.05). MASES was not correlated with BASRI, BASMI, ASQoL and ESR. The mean MASES score was 1.1 ± 2.4. The most frequent regions of enthesopathies were right iliac crest, spinous process of L5 and proximal to the insertion of left achilles tendon, respectively. Conclusions. Enthesitis was found to be associated with higher disease activity, higher fatigue, worse functional status and lower disease duration. As enthesitis was correlated with BASDAI, we conclude that enthesitis can reflect the disease activity in patients with AS. © 2014 Japan College of Rheumatology.Item Turkish compliance and adaptation of EULAR 2013 recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: Expert opinion of TLAR(Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR), 2015) Ataman Ş.; Sari Sürmeli Z.; Sunar İ.; Özdemirel E.; Akinci A.; Bodur H.; Akgül Ö.; Altan L.; Altay Z.; Ayhan F.; Birtane M.; Soy Buğdayci D.; Çapkin E.; Cerrahoğlu L.; Duruöz M.T.; Günaydin R.; Günendi Z.; Gürer G.; Bal A.; Kaçar C.; Kaptanoğlu E.; Kaya T.; Kocabaş H.; Kotevoğlu N.; Nas K.; Rezvani A.; Şen N.; Şendur Ö.F.; Yalçin P.Objectives: This study aims to report Turkish League Against Rheumatism’s assessment on the compliance of European League Against Rheumatism 2013 treatment recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis with practices in Turkish rheumatology clinics and adaptations for Turkey. Materials and methods: Members of Turkish League Against Rheumatism and one rheumatoid arthritis patient voted for the 2013 recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in two sessions. An item was changed and voted again only if at least 70% of participants wanted a change. Strength of recommendations was calculated for the items. Strength of recommendations for the changed items in the first and second voting rounds was compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In case of significant difference, the item with higher strength of recommendation was accepted. In case of no difference, the changed item was selected. Results: Three overarching principles and fourteen recommendations were assessed among which the three overarching principles were changed emphasizing the importance of physiatrists as well as rheumatologists for taking care of the patients. Third item was changed by adding composite indices for assessing disease activity. In the ninth recommendation, rituximab was suggested as a first line drug independent of situations like latent tuberculosis or lymphoma, etc. In the 11th recommendation, unlike European League Against Rheumatism, our committee did not suggest any thought about tofacitinib, as then it had not been approved in Turkey. Remaining principles were accepted as the same. Conclusion: Expert opinion of Turkish League Against Rheumatism for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients was formed for practices in Turkish clinics. © 2015 Turkish League Against Rheumatism. All rights reserved.