Browsing by Author "Pirildar T."
Now showing 1 - 20 of 22
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item A case of systemic sclerosis and diverticulosis coli complicated by intestinal haemorrhage [4](2002) Pirildar T.; Saruç M.; Aydede H.; Ayhan S.[No abstract available]Item Arthritis induced by interferon-alpha therapy in a patient with essential thrombocythemia [2](2003) Çabuk M.; Pirildar T.; Ceylan C.; Koral L.; Kirmaz C.; Kiliççioǧlu B.; Özdemir E.[No abstract available]Item Treatment of adult-onset Still's disease with leflunomide and chloroquine combination in two patients [2](2003) Pirildar T.[No abstract available]Item Sudden hoarseness due to unilateral cord vocal paralysis in a patient with Behçet's disease(2003) Pirildar T.; Çelik O.Behçet's disease is a systemic necrotising vasculitis affecting arteries and veins of all sizes in any location [1]. Here we report a patient with Behçet's disease who presented with sudden hoarseness due to unilateral vocal cord paralysis from recurrent laryngeal nerve damage.Item QT dispersion in rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without Sjögren's syndrome(2003) Pirildar T.; Şekuri C.; Ütuk O.; Kemal Tezcan U.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) on QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiography on 58 patients with RA whom we divided into two groups according to the presence of secondary SjS, and on 29 healthy controls. All patients revealed significantly longer QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion values (P < 0.05). Diastolic function variables were significantly different in all patients compared to controls. QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion values were significantly longer in RA patients with secondary SjS than in those without. We concluded that secondary SjS could be a cardiovascular risk factor contributing to the well documented cardivascular disease in RA patients.Item Sexual function in ankylosing spondylitis: A study of 65 men(Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004) Pirildar T.; Müezzinoǧlu T.; Pirildar Ş.Purpose: We evaluated sexual function in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). We also assessed the frequency and association of erectile dysfunction with patient age, disease duration, morning stiffness, laboratory activity, disease severity, depression status and medication use in this patient group. Materials and Methods: We evaluated sexual function, in particular erectile dysfunction (ED), using the IIEF in male patients with AS followed regularly at the outpatient clinic of rheumatology and compared results with those in healthy controls. Patient age, disease duration, morning stiffness, laboratory activity, disease severity and medication use were obtained by reviewing the medical record. Affective patient and control states were measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. The Bath AS Functional Index was used to measure functional status in AS cases. Results: To our knowledge this is the first study of the frequency of ED in men with AS (8 of 65 or 12%). Compared to healthy controls patients with AS had significantly lower erectile function, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction scores according to the IIEF, whereas sexual desire scores were also lower, although not significantly. According to self-reported patient data ED was a prominent characteristic of our population. We were not able to relate any clinical features or laboratory findings to ED except the duration of morning stiffness. The 22 men with a high degree of morning stiffness (greater than 4 hours) had lower erectile function scores compared to the 12 with AS and a low degree of morning stiffness (less than 2 hours) (18.3 ± 1.6 vs 26.5 ± 2.4, p < 0.05). Of 65 patients with AS 25 (38%) were depressed in our study group according to the Beck Depression Inventory, while no healthy controls were depressed when a score of greater than 13 was used as the cutoff. Conclusions: ED can be seen in the course of AS. The pathogenesis of ED in patients with AS is thought to be multifactorial with disease and treatment related factors. Thus, male patients with AS, in particular those with a high degree of morning stiffness, should be encouraged to talk about their sexuality.Item Sexual dysfunction in female subjects with fibromyalgia(Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2005) Tikiz C.; Muezzinoglu T.; Pirildar T.; Taskin E.O.; Firat A.; Tuzun C.Purpose: We investigated sexual function in females with fibromyalgia (FM) and evaluate whether coexistent major depression (MD) has an additional negative effect on sexual function. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 female subjects were enrolled in the study, including 40 with FM only, 27 with FM plus MD and 33 healthy volunteers as a control group. The diagnosis of MD was made according to Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV interview and the Hamilton Depression Rate Scale was used to grade depression. Widespread pain and quality of life were assessed with the Lattinen Pain Scale and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, respectively. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual dysfunction. Results: All subjects were comparable in age, occupation and education. Mean FSFI total score ± SD was significantly decreased in the FM and FM plus MD groups compared with that in healthy controls (21.83 ± 5.84 and 22.43 ± 7.0 vs 28.10 ± 6.52, respectively, p = 0.001). However, the FSFI score was not significantly different between patients with FM only and FM plus MD (p >0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a negative moderate correlation between total Lattinen pain score and FSFI score in the FM only and FM plus MD groups (r = -0.366, p = 0.047 and r = -0.403, p = 0.018, respectively). FSFI score did not correlate with FIQ and HDRS scores (p >0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that female patients with FM have distinct sexual dysfunction compared with healthy controls and coexistent MD has no additional negative effect on sexual function. Thus, female subjects with FM should be evaluated in terms of sexual function to provide better quality of life. Copyright © 2005 by American Urological Association.Item Platelet-activating factor and P-selectin activities in thrombotic and nonthrombotic Behçet's patients(2005) Tunc S.E.; Aksu K.; Keser G.; Oksel F.; Doganavsargil E.; Pirildar T.; Turk T.; Terzioglu E.; Huseyinov A.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare plasma Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and P-selectin (CD62P) activities in Behçet's disease patients with and without thrombosis. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, 30 consecutive Behçet's patients were included, 15 of them with venous thrombosis. All patients were also divided into two subgroups according to the presence or absence of clinical activity. Plasma PAF levels, basal and Ca++ ionophore (A23187)-induced leukocyte (cellular) PAF activities, and platelet-rich plasma ΔCD62P activity (the mean fluorescent density difference between CD62P phycoerythrin-positive and -negative stains) were evaluated. Results: In the thrombotic group, plasma PAF (P=0.001), basal leukocyte PAF (P=0.017), induced leukocyte PAF (P=0.024), and ΔCD62P (P=0.023) levels were significantly higher than in the nonthrombotic group. In the whole group of Behçet's patients, there was a positive correlation between plasma PAF and ΔCD62P levels (r=0.533, P=0.002). When we compared clinically active and inactive patients with respect to the above parameters, there was no significant difference, irrespective of thrombosis. Plasma PAF (P=0.001), basal leukocyte PAF (P=0.004), and ΔCD62P (P=0.038) levels were significantly higher in the presence of both clinical activity and thrombosis than of clinical activity alone. Conclusion: Platelet-activating factor and CD62P may contribute to endothelial injury and thrombosis development in Behçet's disease. These two parameters seem related to the presence of thrombosis rather than clinical activity. © Springer-Verlag 2004.Item Endothelial dysfunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome(2005) Pirildar T.; Tikiz C.; Özkaya S.; Tarhan S.; Ütük O.; Tikiz H.; Tezcan U.K.The aim of this study was to determine the endothelial function in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We also aimed to determine whether endothelial (dys)function correlates with extraglandular manifestations, specific autoantibodies and the severity of salivary gland involvement of SS. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation and endothelium-independent vasodilation of the brachial artery were assessed by a high-resolution ultrasound on 25 patients with primary SS and on 29 healthy controls. Patients with primary SS had significantly less mean endothelium-dependent vasodilation than did controls (3.0±0.4% vs 4.2±0.3%; p=0.012). Endothelium-independent vasodilation induced by sublingual glycerol trinitrate was not different between the two groups (12.9±1.4% vs 14.1±1.2%; p=0.86;). We concluded that endothelium-dependent vasodilation was impaired in primary SS patients, in particular those presenting with Raynaud's phenomenon, when compared with the healthy controls and this impairment was not associated with the presence of RF, ANA, anti-Ro/SS-A, anti-La/SS-B and with the other extraglandular manifestations of the disease. © Springer-Verlag 2005.Item Nail changes in connective tissue diseases: Do nail changes provide clues for the diagnosis?(2007) Tunc S.E.; Ertam I.; Pirildar T.; Turk T.; Ozturk M.; Doganavsargil E.Objective: To evaluate the frequency and the specificity of nail changes associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD). Methods: In a case-control study, 190 patients including those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 56), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 47), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS; 35), systemic sclerosis (SSc; 39), and dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM; 13) were enrolled in the study. Patients with SLE and other CTDs were compared with two different control groups. Twenty nails were examined. Nail features were noted and classified. Nail samples were collected for mycological cultures. Results: In patients with SLE, erythema of proximal nailfold (P < 0.01), splinter haemorrhages in fingernails (P < 0.01), capillary loops in proximal nailfold (P < 0.05), periungual erythema (P < 0.05), and thin nail plates (P < 0.05) were more common than those in controls. Only splinter haemorrhages were associated with the disease activity. In patients with SSc and DM/PM, splinter haemorrhages (P < 0.05) and capillary loops in proximal nailfold (P < 0.01) in fingernails were common as well. Increase in longitudinal curvature (P < 0.001), transverse curvature (P < 0.01), and white dull colour in fingernails were other frequent findings in patients with SSc. Increase in transverse curvature was associated with the disease activity in SSc. In patients with RA, splinter haemorrhages (P < 0.05), red lunula (P < 0.05), and white dull colour (P < 0.05) in fingernails were frequent. The sensitivity values of all these changes were very low. However, their specificity values were found to be relatively high. Conclusion: Proximal nailfold is the most important site of affection in CTDs. These nail changes can be used in combination with highly sensitive diagnostic modalities to establish an accurate diagnosis. © 2007 The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.Item Assessment of alveolar epithelial permeability in Behçet's disease with 99mTc-DTPA aerosol scintigraphy(2008) Gumuser F.G.; Pirildar T.; Batok D.; Sakar A.; Ruksen E.; Sayit E.Objective: Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder characterized by vasculitis, and consists of a triad of recurrent ulcers of the oral and genital mucosa with relapsing uveitis. The prevalance of pulmonary involvement varies in the range of 1-10% in various studies and its complications are severe and life threatening. In this study, we investigated the changes of pulmonary epithelial permeability of patients with BD using technetium-99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) aerosol scintigraphy, so as to begin the therapy regimen as soon as possible. Methods: Twenty-one nonsmoking patients with BD (8 women, 13 men; mean age 38.67 ± 8.86 years) and 15 healthy volunteer nonsmoking controls (8 women, 7 men; mean age 50.87 ± 12.45 years) underwent 99mTc-DTPA aerosol inhalation scintigraphy and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Subjects inhaled 1480 MBq of 99mTc-DTPA for 4 min in the supine position. Scintigraphic data were recorded dynamically (1 frame/min) in the posterior projection on a 64 × 64 matrix for a 30-min period using a double-headed gamma camera (Infinia, GE, Tirat Hacarmel, Israel) equipped with a low-energy all-purpose parallel hole collimator. Half time of 99mTc-DTPA clearance (T 1/2) was calculated by placing a mono-exponential fit on the curves. Penetration index (PI) was also calculated by dividing the peripheral total counts by the sum of the peripheral and central total counts on the first minute image, in order to quantify the distribution of the inhaled aerosol. Results: The clearance half time of 99mTc-DTPA radioaerosols in the BD patients (24.81 ± 6.22 min) was faster than in the normal control group (46.53 ± 22.41 min) (P = 0.004). There was also a significant difference between PI of the patients with BD (0.15 ± 0.03) and that of the controls (0.21 ± 0.06) (P = 0.002). No correlation was found between the mean T 1/2 values of 99mTc-DTPA clearance or the spirometric measurements in the BD patients. Penetration indices were not correlated with PFT in the BD patients. Conclusions: Lung epithelial permeability of the patients with BD was significantly higher than that of the normal subjects. The results of this study demonstrated that the assessment of lung epithelial permeability using 99mTc-DTPA aerosol scintigraphy could predict the presence of lung involvement in the early stages of BD. © 2008 The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine.Item Leptin levels in patients with Behçet's disease; [Behçet hastalarinda leptin düzeyleri](2010) Inanir I.; Gündüz K.; Onur E.; Pirildar T.; Var A.; Ölçer N.Background and Design: Leptin is a hormone, which regulates neuroendocrine function and also is involved in inflammatory processes. Proinflammatorycytokines, important inducers in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease, up-regulate the leptin levels. In this study, we aimed to compare leptin levels in patients with Behcet's disease to those in controls and to investigate the correlation between leptin levels and disease activity. Material and Method: Fifty-three patients with Behçet's disease (28 active and 25 inactive) composed the study group and 22 subjects-the control group . Leptin analyses were done by ELISA method using commercial kits. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were also measured. Results: Leptin levels were increased in patients with Behçet's disease compared to controls. Leptin did not correlate with disease activity. Conclusion: Leptin might have a possible role in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease.Item IL-2R, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in Behçet's disease; [Behçet hastaliǧinda IL-2R, IL-6 ve IL-8 levels](2010) Inanir I.; Onur E.; Pirildar T.; Gündüz K.; Var A.Background and Design: Immunological factors are considered to have an important role in the multifactorial ethiopathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD). Especially, Th1 cells function by expressing proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophilattracting chemokines. Levels of IL-2R, IL-6 and IL-8 were evaluated in patients with BD in this study. Material and Method: Sixty-six patients with BD (36 with inactive and 30 with active) composed the study group and 22 subjects - the control group. Cytokine analyses were done with ELISA method by using commercial kits. ESR and CRP levels were also measured. Results: IL-2R, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in all patients, including the inactive ones, were not different from those in controls. CRP and ESR levels in patients were higher than in controls. IL-8 and CRP levels were increased in patient with active BD (p<0.05) when compared to those with inactive BD. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated elevated levels of serum IL-8, a chemokine activating monunuclear cells and neutrophils, in patients with active BD. IL-8 may be considered as an activity marker for BD.Item Assessment of alveolar epithelial permeability with Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy in patients with Sjogren syndrome(2010) Pirildar T.; Gumuser G.; Ruksen E.; Sakar A.; Dinc G.; Sayit E.Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the exocrine glands and usually presents as persistent dryness of the mouth and eyes. Lung disease in SjS has been reported to occur early following clinical presentation of the disease. In this study, technetium-99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Tc-99m DTPA) aerosol inhalation scintigraphy was used to assess the pulmonary membrane permeability in patients with primary SjS. A total of 18 patients with primary SjS and 13 healthy controls were investigated. Clinical evaluation, chest X-ray examination, pulmonary function tests, Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy were performed in all the cases. The presence of respiratory symptoms (dyspnea and cough), duration of sicca symptoms were recorded. The clearance half time of Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosols in patients with SjS (20.49 ± 2.56 min) was faster when compared to normal controls (42.32 ± 13.28 min) (P = 0.000) which means that there is a significant increase in lung permeability in patients with SjS compared to the controls. There is also a significant difference between PI of patients with SjS (0.34 ± 0.09) and that of controls (0.42 ± 0.07) (P = 0.012). According to the results of our preliminary study, one can detect pulmonary involvement by Tc-99m DTPA aerosol inhalation scinti-graphy in patients with primary SjS. © Springer-Verlag 2009.Item The effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy with etanercept on endothelial functions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; [Romatoid artrit'li hastalarda etanercept ile yapilan anti-tümör nekroz faktör (TNF)-alfa tedavisinin endotel fonksiyonlari üzerine etkisi](2010) Tikiz H.; Arslan Ö.; Pirildar T.; Tikiz C.; Bayindir P.Objective: To investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-〈 antagonism with etanercept (ENC) on endothelial functions in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A total of 21 patients with RA were enrolled in this prospective study. Eleven of them (8 women, 3 men mean age 47.0±10.1 years) with high disease activity despite the conventional treatment were assigned to Group 1 and were given ENC treatment twice a week (25 mg SC injection) for 12 weeks. Ten patients with RA (8 women, 2 men mean age 55.0±6.4 years) under conventional methotrexate and prednisone therapy were assigned as Control group (Group 2). Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilator responses of the brachial artery were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured at baseline and at the post treatment period. Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare the data and correlation analysis was performed using Pearson correlation test. Results: Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation improved from 5.2±0.8% to 7.9±1.3% (p=0.04) in ENC group, while no significant change was observed in the control group (from 6.6±1.1% to 7.0±1.8% p=0.67). No significant changes were found in endothelium-independent vasodilatation and baseline brachial artery diameters in both groups. A significant reduction in ESR and CRP were observed in patients receiving ENC (from 16.2±6.8 to 9.2± 5.1 mm/h, p=0.003 and from 14.68±3.4 to 9.25± 3.7 mg/L, p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: Treatment with ENC for 12 weeks significantly improved endothelial function in patients with active RA compared to those under conventional therapy. The findings of the present study support the hypothesis that the use of TNF-〈 blockers in patients with active RA may reduce the high incidence of cardiovascular complications. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2010; 10: 98-103) © Copyright 2010 by AVES Yayincilik Ltd.Item Technetium-99m-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime lung scintigraphy findings in patients with Behcs disease(2011) Gumuser G.; Pirildar T.; Tarhan S.; Batok D.; Ruksen E.; Sakar A.; Sayit E.AIM: Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder that is characterized by vasculitis, and consists of a triad of recurrent ulcers of the oral and genital mucosa with relapsing uveitis. The prevalence of pulmonary involvement varies in the range of 1-10% in various studies, and its complications are severe and life threatening. To objectively assess the degree of pulmonary vascular endothelial damage in BD, the lung uptake, and the clearance rate of technetium-99m-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (Tc-99m-HMPAO) were determined. METHODS: Twenty-three nonsmoking patients with BD (10 female, 13 male) and 11 (six female, five male) healthy nonsmoking controls underwent Tc-99m-HMPAO lung scanning, pulmonary function tests (PFT), chest radiograph examination, contrast-enhanced spiral chest computed tomography scanning, and high-resolution computed tomography examinations. Immediately after the bolus injection of 740 MBq of Tc-99m-HMPAO posterior sequential images were obtained at 1-s intervals for 150 s and subsequent images were obtained at one frame per minute (min) over a 10-min period, using a double-headed gamma camera equipped with a low-energy all-purpose parallel hole collimator. Dynamic images were used to calculate the Tc-99m-HMPAO lung clearance rate (T1/2). Simultaneously, a static anterior image, including a large part of the liver, was obtained of 5-min duration at 10 min after the injection. Regular regions of interests were drawn over the midportion of the right lung and the highest activity area of the liver parenchyma was selected and lung/liver (L/Li) uptake ratios were calculated to represent the degree of pulmonary vascular endothelial damage. RESULTS: Chest radiograph, high-resolution computed tomography, and computed tomography findings in patients with BD were nonspecific for BD. There was also a statistically significant difference between patients with BD (30.26±10.55 s) and normal controls (19.53±6.24 s) on their T1/2 values (P=0.0004). The results show that the L/Li ratios on the Tc-99m-HMPAO lung scan were significantly higher in patients with BD (0.60±0.19) than those in normal controls (0.39±0.07) (P=0.0021). Using a cutoff value of 0.50, 15 of 23 (65%) patients with BD had increased L/Li ratios. No correlation was found between the mean T1/2 values of Tc-99m-HMPAO clearance and the PFT in patients with BD. The L/Li ratios were not correlated with PFT in patients with BD. CONCLUSION: The degree of pulmonary vascular endothelial damage was represented as increased L/Li ratios and decreased lung clearance rate measured on the Tc-99m-HMPAO lung scan in patients with BD. Our results indicated that determining the T1/2 values and the L/Li ratios on Tc-99m-HMPAO lung imaging should be an objective method to assess subclinical pulmonary damage even in the early stages of BD in the patients. © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams &Wilkins.Item The cost of care of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients in tertiary care rheumatology units in Turkey(2012) Malhan S.; Pay S.; Ataman S.; Dalkilic E.; Dinc A.; Erken E.; Ertenli I.; Ertugrul E.; Gogus F.; Hamuryudan V.; Inanc M.; Karaaslan Y.; Karadag O.; Karakoc Y.; Keskin G.; Kisacik B.; Kiraz S.; Oksel F.; Oksuz E.; Pirildar T.; Sari I.; Soy M.; Senturk T.; Taylan A.Objectives: To determine the direct and indirect costs due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in Turkey. Methods: An expert panel was convened to estimate the direct and indirect costs of care of patients with RA and AS in Turkey. The panel was composed of 22 experts chosen from all national tertiary care rheumatology units (n=53). To calculate direct costs, the medical management of RA and AS patients was estimated using "cost-of-illness" methodology. To measure indirect costs, the number of days of sick leave, the extent of disability, and the levels of early retirement and early death were also evaluated. Lost productivity costs were calculated using the "human capital approach", based on the minimum wage. Results: The total annual direct costs were 2,917.03 Euros per RA patient and 3,565.9 Euros for each AS patient. The direct costs were thus substantial, but the indirect costs were much higher because of extensive morbidity and mortality rates. The total annual indirect costs were 7,058.99 Euros per RA patient and 6,989.81 for each AS patient. Thus, the total cost for each RA patient was 9,976.01 Euros and that for an AS patient 10,555.72 Euros, in Turkey. Conclusion: From the societal perspective, both RA and AS have become burden in Turkey. The cost of lost productivity is higher than the medical cost. Another important conclusion is that indirect costs constitute 70% and 66% of total costs in patients with RA and AS, respectively. © Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2012.Item Comparison of 18F-FDG PET/CT findings with current clinical disease status in patients with takayasu's arteritis(2013) Karapolat I.; Kalfa M.; Keser G.; Yalçin M.; Inal V.; Kumanlioǧlu K.; Pirildar T.; Aksu K.Objective. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucosepositron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scanning has been proposed as a new tool to assess disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA). We investigated whether 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were consistent with current clinical disease status in patients with TA. Methods. In this cross sectional study, 22 patients with TA were enrolled. Clinical disease activity was assessed by the combination of National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria, Disease Extent Index-Takayasu (DEI-Tak) score, physician global assessment and 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. Results. At the time 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were taken, the majority of the patients (17/22) were using immunosuppressive (IS) drugs, and only four patients had clinically active disease. 18F-FDG PET/CT scans confirmed the presence of active vasculitic lesions in those four patients. In 16 out of 18 patients who were accepted to be in clinical remission, 18F-FDG PET/ CT scans were also normal. There were only two patients with discordant results, i.e. active 18F-FDG PET/CT findings despite the lack of clinical activity. Interestingly, clinical exacerbation occurred four weeks later in one of them. Overall sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT findings for clinical activity were 100% and 88.9%, respectively. Conclusion. We found that 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were generally consistent with clinical disease status in TA. Although use of IS drugs certainly impairs diagnostic accuracy of 18FFDG PET/CT in TA, this imaging method may still have a potential for confirming remission or detecting disease activity in patients with TA receiving treatment. © CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY 2013.Item Impact of rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey: A questionnaire study(Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology S.A.S., 2014) Direskeneli H.; Akkoç N.; Bes C.; Çakir N.; Çefle A.; Çobankara V.; Dalkiliç E.; Dinç A.; Ertenli I.; Gül A.; Hamuryudan V.; Inanç M.; Kalyoncu U.; Karaaslan Y.; Kaşifoǧlu T.; Keser G.; Keskin G.; Kisacik B.; Kiraz S.; Masatlioǧlu S.; Onat A.M.; Özbek S.; Öztürk M.A.; Pamuk Ö.N.; Pay P.; Pirildar T.; Sayarlioǧlu M.; Şenel S.; Şentürk T.; Taşan D.; Terzioǧlu E.; Yazici A.; Yücel E.Objective: Unmet needs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients regarding physician/patient communication, treatment preferences and quality of life issues were investigated in a Turkish survey study. Methods: The study was conducted with the contribution of 33 rheumatologists, and included 519 RA patients. The study population included patients who had been on biologic therapy for >6 months and were still receiving biologic therapy (BT group), and those who were biologic naive, but found eligible for biologic treatment (NBT group). Of the RA patients, 35.5% initially had a visit to an internal disease specialist, 25.5% to a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist, and 12.2% to a rheumatology specialist for their RA complaints. The diagnosis of RA was made by a rheumatologist in 48.2% of patients. Results: The majority of RA patients (86.3%) visit their doctor within 15-week intervals. Most of the physician-patient communication focused on disease symptoms (99.0%) and impact of the disease on quality of life (61.8%). The proportion of RA patients who perceived their health status as good/very good/excellent was higher in the BT group than in the NBT group (74.3% vs. 51.5%, p<0.001). However, of those RA patients in the NBT group, only 24.8% have been recommended to start a biologic treatment by their doctors. With respect to dose frequency options, once-monthly injections were preferred (80%) to a bi-weekly injection schedule (8%). Conclusion: In conclusion, RA patients receiving biologic therapy reported higher rates of improved symptoms and better quality of life and seemed to be more satisfied with their treatment in our study. © Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2014.Item The evaluation of the relationship between STREM-1, VEGF-B, and VEGF gene expression levels with disease activity of Behçet’s patients(Hindawi Limited, 2018) Harmanci K.; Akan O.Y.; Pirildar T.; Ortan P.; Ulman C.Background. There is no specific marker that shows the disease activity in Behçet’s disease. Aim. In this study, we aimed to investigate VEGF-B and VEGF gene expressions and sTREM-1 levels in association with the activation of Behçet’s disease. Study Design. Case-control study. Methods. Clinical features of patients who applied in the rheumatology clinic and were diagnosed with BD according to the international working group’s criteria were investigated. 30 healthy volunteers and 30 patients in the active period according to the EBDCAF scoring were studied. VEGF-B and VEGF gene expressions and sTREM-1 levels were studied in the serum samples of the patients and the control subjects. Results. The VEGF-B expressions and sTREM-1 levels were higher in the BD than those in the healthy group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. VEGF gene expression was statistically significant (p = 0 008). Behçet’s disease patients with oral aphthae, genital ulcer, eye, joint, vascular, skin, and neurological involvement were analyzed separately as subgroups. We find that VEGF gene expression level of Behçet’s disease patients with joint involvement (arthritis/arthralgia) and also VEGF-B and VEGF gene expression of Behçet’s disease with vascular involvement (DVT/thrombophlebitis) were significantly higher (p = 0 035, p = 0 021). Each subgroup was analyzed with the control group. We determined that VEGF gene expression in all subgroups was significantly higher than that in the control group. At the same time, VEGF-B levels of patients with genital ulcer and vascular involvement (DVT/thrombophlebitis) were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusion. VEGF-B and VEGF gene expressions can be activity indicators for BD. In addition, this study shows that new treatment options should be explored for Behçet’s disease patients with joint and vascular involvement. In the following years, new treatment methods are needed to investigate for revealing the role of the etiopathogenesis of BD and the activation and prognosis of VEGF by examining this study and providing much more participation. In our study group, the sTREM-1 levels were high but the results did not reach statistical significance. More studies are needed with larger groups in order the highlight the exact role of STREM-1 in Behçet’s disease. Copyright © 2018 Kadir Harmanci et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License