No abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation program on pain, disability, and quadriceps strength in the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Fifty women diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis were randomized into two groups as electrical stimulation and biofeedback-assisted isometric exercises. Both of the programs were performed 5 days a week, for a duration of 4 weeks. Outcome measures for pain were visual analogue scale pain score and Western Ontario McMaster osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) pain score. Disability and stiffness were assessed with WOMAC physical function and stiffness score. One repetition maximum (RM) and 10 RM were used for measuring quadriceps strength. In addition, 50 m walking time and 10 steps stairs climbing up-down time were evaluated. Both groups showed significant improvements in pain, physical function, and stiffness scores after the therapy. There were statistically significant improvements in 50 m walking time and 10 steps stairs climbing up-down time and 1 RM and 10 RM values indicating the improvement in muscle strength. In addition, there were no significant differences between the groups after the therapy. We conclude that electrical stimulation treatment was as effective as exercise in knee osteoarthritis and electrical stimulation treatment can be suggested especially for the patients who have difficulty in or contraindications to perform an exercise program.

The aim of this study was to compare health related quality of life (HRQoL) and assess functional and psychological status in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) patients and controls (each 30 subjects). Demographic characteristics, pain and sleep disturbance by Visual Analog Scale, depression by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), disease impact by fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, DAS-28, and HRQoL by SF-36 were gathered. The FS group scored significantly worser than the RA group with respect to physical role, social functioning and bodily pain subscales of SF-36. The scores of all SF-36 subscales were significantly lower in FS and RA patients than controls except mental health score. All of the subscales of SF-36 were negatively correlated with BDI scores in FS patients. In RA group, the DAS-28 scores were inversely correlated with all of SF-36 subscales. In conclusion, presence of comorbid depression must be taken into account when determining HRQoL in FS and RA. Essentials improving the HRQoL are management of depression in FS and control of disease activity in RA.

We suggest that clinicians be aware that neuromuscular toxicity can occur in patients with mild renal dysfunction with combined use of colchicine and pravastatin.

The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of a 12-week home-based exercise program (HEP) on quality of life (QOL) and fatigue in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Forty-three patients with AS were included in this study. Group 1 was given a HEP; Group 2 served as the control group. The functional capacity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index), disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Assessment Index), fatigue (Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory scores), and QOL (Short Form 36) of all participants were evaluated. There were significant improvements for all the parameters in two groups after the treatment. The improvements for all the parameters were better in the exercise group than in the control group. Home-based exercise programs are very effective in improving QOL and reducing fatigue. Because of these advantages, HEP should be advised for the management program in AS in addition to medical treatments.