No abstract

We encourage the use of diagnostic ultrasonography for evaluation of enthesopathy manifestations in psoriasis patients as an adjunct to conventional methods owing to its convenience and promising results.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) has additional effect on the classical physical treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) composed of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and terminal isometric exercises. Forty patients (29 women and 11 men), ages 44 to 78 (mean age was 61.3 +/- 7.8 years) were included in our study. Patients with knee osteoarthritis [Kellgren-Lawrence criteria grade 2 and above and an average pain intensity of 40 or more on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS)] recruited from outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic were randomly assigned to receive PEMF or sham PEMF treatment in addition to their physical therapy. Both the PEMF and sham PEMF treatments being evaluated were 55 min/session, five sessions per week for 2 weeks. Each session comprise 20-min hot pack, 5-min therapeutic ultrasound, and 30-min PEMF or sham PEMF treatment applied to the knee of the patients. Patients were evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and VAS at the baseline and at the end of treatment. Both PEMF and sham PEMF treatment groups showed statistically significant improvement in WOMAC pain and functional scores at the end of treatment (p < 0.001 in both groups). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and physical function scores after treatment (p = 0.906, p = 0.855, p = 0.809, respectively). There was neither difference in concomitant used acetaminophen dose in both groups (p = 0.289). The results of this study show that PEMF does not have additional effect on the classical physical treatment in reducing symptoms of knee OA.

Objectives: Patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) complain of many subjective symptoms that are difficult to measure and quantify. In this study we have tried to assess the weakness (muscle strength) and fatigue (endurance) of these patients with an objective measurement method, isokinetic muscle testing. Methods: Twenty three TOS patients and 15 age matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Detailed histories of the patients were taken and the patients underwent complete physical examinations. Cervical radiographies, Doppler ultrasonography, electromyography, and isokinetic measurements were carried out. The isokinetic measurements were carried using the Biodex System 3 dynamometer during concentric shoulder flexions and extensions at velocities of 60˚/s, 180˚/s, and 240˚/s. Results: Although the muscle strengths of both groups seemed to be similar, the fatigue ratios of TOS patients at 60˚/s and 180˚/s were found to be higher compared with those of healthy controls (p = 0.029, p = 0.007). Conclusions: TOS patients were found to have muscular performance similar to controls, but their upper extremities developed fatigue more easily than those of healthy individuals.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a growing health problem not only in women but also in men. It is well known that men lose bone during aging and are at risk for OP, but the risk factors for OP in men remain controversial. To assess determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in the spine and femoral neck, 37 healthy men aged 43-73 years were measured using dual photon absorptiometry. Predictors of lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were determined using multiple linear regression analysis. Backward elimination procedure was used to identify variables significantly related to BMD. The independent variables entered the regression model included age; body mass index (BMI); smoking history; alcohol intake; urinary calcium and hydroxyproline; and serum concentrations of osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, testosterone, growth hormone, and cortisol. Backward regression analysis indicated that testosterone, cortisol, and BMI were significant predictors of BMD in the lumbar spine while testosterone, hydroxyproline, and osteocalcin were significant predictors of BMD in the femoral neck. Testosterone, cortisol, and BMI accounted for 44% of the total variance in lumbar spine BMD, and testosterone, hydroxyproline, and osteocalcin accounted for 20% of the total variance in femoral neck BMD. These observations suggest that testosterone, cortisol and BMI are determinants of lumbar spine BMD, while testosterone, urinary hydroxyproline, and osteocalcin are determinants of femoral BMD in healthy men.