Aim: Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent condition among the general population, all around the world. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D lower than 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/ml). It is a known actor in the skeletal system through the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism and bone mineralization. Still, the role of vitamin D as an immunomodulator is yet to be acknowledged by healthcare practitioners as a cause, precipitating factor, and contributor to a variety of diseases. Vitamin D is shown to be an actor in multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and irritable bowel syndrome. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disorder associated with a severe pain that can affect a patient's musculoskeletal system, daily routine, and mood. The clinical presentation encapsulates other disorders such as lethargy and sleep problems, brain fog and other cognitive issues, and physical and psychiatric symptoms. Methods: We have used PubMed and ResearchGate in the reviewing process of our paper. We tried to address as many topics as we judged to be adequate and relevant for the practicing clinicians. Results: Management of fibromyalgia syndrome is both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic, which are provided in a stepwise fashion. Yet, the management of FMS remains a challenge, heeding a multidisciplinary approach. Among the dietary interventions, we chose vitamin D and its effects on FMS. Literature shows that supplementation improves pain caused by fibromyalgia syndrome, yet specific recommendations are still to be created. Conclusions: We call on all the relevant governmental bodies, public health experts and health policy makers, healthcare practitioners, and the civil society to use novel data related to fibromyalgia syndrome, and in a broader perspective, the integral role of vitamin D.
Background:Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare type of ANCA associated Vasculitis (AAVs). Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is generally recommended for the induction of remission in life/organ threatening AAVs in combination with glucocorticoids. However, due to its rarity, randomized controlled trials regarding the efficacy of treatment modalities in EGPA are hard to perform. Therefore, the level of evidence for the use of CYC in the treatment of EGPA is lower when compared to other AAVs (1).Objectives:The aim of this study is to investigate common therapeutic agents used for the treatment of patients with EGPA.Methods:Medical records of patients who were followed-up with the diagnosis of EGPA between 2007-2020, in rheumatology clinics of Ankara and Adana Hospitals of Başkent University, were analyzed retrospectively. Treatment outcomes were assessed.Results:Records of 11 patients (six females) were analyzed. The median age was 47 (19-77) years. The median follow-up time of the patients was 24 (9-156) months. Six patients were diagnosed with asthma. The median time between the diagnosis of asthma and EGPA was 4.5 (1-3) years. Five patients had tissue biopsies. Biopsy locations were terminal ileum, lung, myocardium and nerve. The most common forms of involvement were asthma, eosinophilic pneumonia and / or nodule, cardiovascular involvement, mononoritis multiplex, vasculitic skin rash, arthritis and bowel involvement, respectively. P-ANCA was positive in 8 patients. Three patients had myocarditis and cardiomyopathy, and two patients had isolated valve problems. The median BVAS value at the time of diagnosis and the third month of treatment was 17 (6-27) and 4 (2-7), respectively.Nine patients used oral 1mg/ kg methylprednisolone (MP) and 500mg CYC every two weeks as an induction therapy. The cumulative median CYC dose was 4.5 g (1.5-8). Neither of the patients developed CYC related side effects. MP was tapered to 2 mg in five patients, and was quited in two patients. Azathioprine (AZA) was used in remission treatment following CYC therapy. Rituximab (RTX) therapy 1 g twice, 2 weeks apart was initiated in two patients due to unresponsiveness to CYC. While RTX was effective in one patient, newly developed renal involvement was detected after the third cycle of RTX therapy in other patient. Two patients had pregnancy plan therefore they used AZA plus MP as induction. A patient had mycophenolate mofetil plus MP due to AZA allergy. All patients are currently in remission except one patient.Conclusion:In seven out of 11 EGPA patients, long-term remission was achieved with CYC treatment. CYC appears to be an effective and inexpensive method of first-line treatment for organ threatening EGPA.References:[1]Yates M, Watts RA, Bajema IM, et al. EULAR/ERA-EDTA recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Sep;75(9):1583-94.Disclosure of Interests:None declared
Background To investigate the prevalence of radiographic ischial entheseal lesions in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods Thirty-eight patients with PsA and 46 patients with RA were included. Anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis and lateral foot were evaluated for entheseal lesions. The following entheseal sites were reviewed: os ischium, bilateral Achilles tendon and inferior calcaneus. Abnormalities such as cortical erosions and enthesophytes (irregular bony proliferation) were recorded. Results The frequency of enthesopathic changes in the ischial region was found to be statistically significantly higher in PsA patients compared with RA patients (50 and 28.3%, respectively, p=0.04). Enthesopathic changes of the calcaneus and Achilles tendon also occurred more frequently in PsA patients than in RA patients. Conclusion Radiographic entheseal lesions in the ischial region are more prevalent in PsA patients compared with RA patients with symptoms in that region. Furthermore, such enthesopathic changes in the ischium are observed as frequently as changes in the Achilles tendon. These findings regarding structural entheseal lesions in the pelvic region contribute to the knowledge of entheseal involvement in PsA.
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