Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic, inflammatory large vessel vasculitis that affects aorta and its main branches. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of TA in the northwestern part of Turkey. We retrospectively evaluated 23 TA patients followed by our clinic. Clinical features, treatments and responses were recorded. Our hospital is the single tertiary referral center for rheumatic diseases for a mixed rural and urban population of 620,447 people for >16 years (306,036 males, 314,411 females). Nineteen of the 23 patients were females (82.6 %) and four were males (17.4 %). The annual incidence rate for TA was 0.34/100,000. The overall prevalence of TA in our region was 3.3/100,000 (95 % CI 1.9-4.8) in individuals >16 years. The most common findings at the time of presentation were blood pressure difference (73 %) and headache (60.4 %). The most common angiographic type was type 1 (12 patients, 52.2 %). Median follow-up period was 48 months (range 10-132). Three (13 %) of the patients had stent replacements to different vascular sites. One patient had an operation for aortic aneurysm, and aortic valve replacement surgery has been made. One patient had renal artery bypass operation. Eleven patients (47.8 %) had recurrency at follow-up period and two patients (8.7 %) died. In northwestern part of Turkey, the annual incidence and prevalence of TA were higher than western population, but similar to East Asian data.
Genetic polymorphisms of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) were found to play roles in atherosclerotic events. We determined PECAM-1 polymorphisms, soluble PECAM-1, and CD40L levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and evaluated their associations with clinical atherosclerotic complications. We included 100 RA patients, 81 SLE patients, and 94 healthy controls. The clinical features about the patients were obtained from medical records. Past cardiovascular complications were recorded. The most frequent gene polymorphisms of PECAM-1 were studied in our genetics laboratory. Soluble PECAM-1 and CD40L levels in serum were determined with ELISA. The frequencies of 373C (rs668) and 1688A (rs12953) alleles were higher in RA patients when compared to controls (p values, 0.028 and 0.016). RA and SLE patients had significantly higher allele frequencies for 2008A (rs1131012) when compared to controls (p values, 0.016 and 0.001). SLE patients had significantly more frequent AA genotype for rs1131012 polymorphism than RA patients and controls (p values, 0.007 and <0.001). Soluble PECAM-1 level was significantly higher in RA patients than in SLE patients and healthy controls (p values <0.001). Atherosclerotic complications were more frequent in SLE patients with AG genotype (rs12953) than those with AA genotype (p = 0.021). SLE patients with CC genotype (rs668) had a significantly lower frequency of atherosclerotic complications than those with CG genotype (p = 0.045). Nevertheless, in multivariate analysis, there was no association between genotype and atherosclerotic complications. We found associations between various PECAM-1 polymorphisms in RA and SLE; PECAM-1 and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in SLE and control groups. PECAM-1 polymorphisms in SLE were protective against atherosclerotic complications.
Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare disease that may affect the skeletal muscles and the skin. Literature data on its incidence and prevalence are limited. There are no data on its incidence or prevalence in Turkey. Patients diagnosed with DM at the Trakya University Medical Faculty, Department of Rheumatology from November 2004 to November 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' clinical and demographic features, laboratory data, treatment modalities, follow-up durations, disease courses, outcomes, and complications were evaluated. Our study included 23 patients with DM; 14 were females and 9 were males (female/male: 1.55). Over the course of the study, the annual incidence of DM was 3.7 per million (95% CI 0-18.8) person years, and the overall prevalence was 32.2 per million (95% CI 18.1-46.3). Incidence in women was higher (4.6/1,000,000 person years) compared to men (2.9/1,000,000 person years). The frequencies of most common findings were as follows: heliotrope rash (82.6%), Gottron papules (87%), proximal myopathy (78.3%), and facial erythema (60.9%). In our hospital-based study, the frequency of DM was lower than those reported in North America; however, they were similar to European countries.
Objectives: To design and develop a smartphone application for a structured hand exercise programme for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey and to test its usability. Methods: We followed a two-stage process: 1) Design & Development and 2) Usability testing. In stage 1, we used a qualitative user-centered design approach. We conducted a focus group (8 therapists and people with RA) to discuss the content, features and design to produce a prototype of the application. In a second focus group session, the participants tested the prototype, provided feedback and further revisions were made. In stage 2, 17 participants with RA used the app for 4 to 6 weeks. The System Usability Scale and the adapted Usability, Satisfaction and Ease to Use questionnaires were used to measure usability, ease of use. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore user experiences with the application with 17 participants. Results: In stage 1, The following themes were identified from the focus groups (a) login techniques (b) self-monitoring (c) exercises, (d) exercise diary, (e) information, (f)
Background:Certolizumab pegol is used to treat ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike other monoclonal antibodies such as infliximab and adalimumab, certolizumab does not contain an Fc fraction and hence does not induce complement activation. In this report, we describe the case of a patient with thrombotic microangiopathy caused due to certolizumab pegol, with a brief description about the pathophysiological approach to thrombotic microangiopathy.Case Report:A-39-year-old man suffering from ankylosing spondylitis for the past 10 years presented with fatigue. He had been on certolizumab pegol treatment for 6 months, starting with 400 and 200 mg every 2 weeks. He had significant nonimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia without a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Schistocytes were observed in more than 10% of the erythrocytes per field. Plasma exchange along with corticosteroid treatment was started. There was a dramatic improvement within a week, and after 10 sessions of plasma exchange, the patient was discharged on corticosteroids with a tapering plan. ADAMTS13 enzyme activity was determined to be normal.Conclusion:The development of drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy may be either immune-mediated or dose-dependent toxicity-mediated Anti-drug antibodies and their immunological aspects are still unclear and yet to be elucidated.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.