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To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in the literature on this subject in the RA patient population. The demographic data of age, sex, and education level of all the study participants were recorded. The participants were questioned about the consumption of milk and dairy products, coffee, and meat, whether they had entered menopause, the level of physical activity, and familial history of OP, and they were asked the questions, \"Do you know what OP is?\" and \"Do you think you are at risk of OP?\" The consumption of milk and dairy products was determined in three categories according to the portions consumed (one portion= one glass of milk, one cup of yogurt, or two slices of cheese): no dairy products consumed, one to three portions per day, or more than three portions per day. RESULTS The demographic data, clinical characteristics, and nutritional and exercise habits of the RA patients and control group are shown in Table 1.

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aims to investigate the presence of Demodex species in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, to identify the risk factors for developing Demodex infestation, and to determine the effect of immunosuppressant drugs on Demodex mite infestations. Furthermore, the results of preliminary studies need verification. [...]in this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Demodex species in RA patients, to identify the risk factors for developing Demodex infestation, and to determine the effect of immunosuppressant drugs on Demodex mite infestations. The questionnaire results yielded no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding skin type, skin care, epilation, body washing, use of a moisturizer, personal towel use, the number of residents at home, or whether there were pets at home or in proximity. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors on Demodex positivity, which revealed that the diagnosis of RA was an independent risk factor for Demodex mite presence in the study population (odds ratio [OR]=3.491, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.466-8.310, p=0.005).

The incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is 10% in the patients at age 50 but increases up to 60% around 70 years of age.4 These degenerative changes in the lumbar spine are a major etiological factor in the development of LBP and disability in the elderly population.5 Intervertebral disc degeneration is strongly related to LBP, and while it is asymptomatic in most cases, it may give rise to sciatalgia in some cases and to spinal stenosis in the long term, which is an important cause of pain and disability particularly in elderly patients.6-7 The clinical picture in LS patients include discomfort in the lower back, radiating leg pain, and neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC).8 Lumbar spondylosis diagnosis is made by clinical examination and imaging methods. Detection of degenerative changes in the lumbar X-rays, such as osteophytes, intervertebral narrowing, and subchondral sclerosis, support the diagnosis.9 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best imaging tool for the assessment of detailed structural changes in the spinal canal, the ligaments, the discs, and the nerve roots.10 However, in studies examining MRI findings in asymptomatic individuals, it was reported that a significant proportion of patients had bulging, annular tears, facet arthropathies, and it was emphasized that degenerative changes increased with age.11 Weiner et al.12 have pointed to the excessive diagnostic tests in elderly patients with LBP and emphasized unnecessary employment of MRI in most of the patients, which contributed substantially to the increased health costs. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) values for pain during the day (at rest and with movement) and at night, presence of radiating pain, Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ) for functional status evaluation, straight leg raise test (SLRT) for sciatalgia, deep tendon reflexes (DTRs; as hypoactive, normal, or hyperactive), NIC findings, and motor strength and sensory loss were recorded. According to the MRI reports, 245 (76.8%) had disc hernia, 285 (89.3%) had IDD, 149 (46.7%) had root compression, 256 (80.3%) had osteophytes, and 119 (37.3%) showed SS findings (Table 2).

Pachydermodactyly (PDD) is a benign, acquired digital fibromatosis characterized by asymptomatic and progressive swelling of periarticular soft tissue, and is usually seen in young men. The etiology of PDD is not fully understood, but is thought to be due to the result of recurrent mechanical stimulation. PDD is usually diagnosed by clinical evaluation. There are thick collagen bundles and collection of dermal mucin in the histopathology. Treatment is not indicated due to benign prognosis. Rheumatologic diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, affecting the joints of the hands should be considered in the differential diagnosis due to the similarity of the joint involvement.

Hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy is a well-known metabolic sequela, but rare conditions such as acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) arthritis can be observed. In this study, we presented a case of acute CPP arthritis in both knees after parathyroidectomy. A 48-year-old man presented with pain and swelling in his right knee that started 1 day ago. There was no feature in his background and family history other than parathyroidectomy surgery performed for parathyroid adenomy a week ago. The diagnosis of acute CPP arthritis was made on the basis of blood, imaging and synovial fluid analysis. Evaluation was made after 3 days and acute arthritis in left knee was detected. Similar findings were also observed in the synovial fluid examination. After cold application and colchicine 1 mg/day started, improvement in arthritis and acute phase markers was detected. Acute CPP arthritis after parathyroidectomy is a rare condition and there are various theories in this regard. According to the most widely accepted theory; as a result of the decrease in the calcium level, the solubility of the CPP crystals decreases, and the CPP crystals previously deposited in the articular cartilage are poured into the synovial fluid. As a result; CPP arthritis should also be considered in differential diagnosis in patients with arthritis after parathyroidectomy and synovial fluid analysis should be performed.

The association between spondyloarthritis and cardiovascular (CV) diseases is complex with variable outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence rates of CV diseases and to analyze the impact of CV risk factors on CV disease in patients with spondyloarthritis. A multi-center cross-sectional study using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) database was performed on patients with spondyloarthritis. Socio-demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected. Patients with and without major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were grouped as Group 1 and Group 2. The primary outcome was the overall group’s prevalence rates of CV disease and CV risk factors. The secondary outcome was the difference in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics between the groups and predictive risk factors for CV disease. There were 1457 patients with a mean age of 45.7 ± 10.9 years. The prevalence rate for CV disease was 3% (n = 44). The distribution of these diseases was coronary artery disease (n = 42), congestive heart failure (n = 4), peripheral vascular disorders (n = 6), and cerebrovascular events (n = 4). Patients in Group 1 were significantly male (p = 0.014) and older than those in Group 2 (p < 0.001). There were significantly more patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, dyslipidemia, and malignancy in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Smoking (36.7%), obesity (24.4%), and hypertension (13.8%) were the most prevalent traditional CV risk factors. Hypertension (HR = 3.147, 95% CI 1.461–6.778, p = 0.003), dyslipidemia (HR = 3.476, 95% CI 1.631–7.406, p = 0.001), and cancer history (HR = 5.852, 95% CI 1.189–28.810, p = 0.030) were the independent predictors for CV disease. A multi-center cross-sectional study using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) database was performed on patients with spondyloarthritis. Socio-demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected. Patients with and without major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were grouped as Group 1 and Group 2. The primary outcome was the overall group’s prevalence rates of CV disease and CV risk factors. The secondary outcome was the difference in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics between the groups and predictive risk factors for CV disease. There were 1457 patients with a mean age of 45.7 ± 10.9 years. The prevalence rate for CV disease was 3% (n = 44). The distribution of these diseases was coronary artery disease (n = 42), congestive heart failure (n = 4), peripheral vascular disorders (n = 6), and cerebrovascular events (n = 4). Patients in Group 1 were significantly male (p = 0.014) and older than those in Group 2 (p < 0.001). There were significantly more patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, dyslipidemia, and malignancy in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Smoking (36.7%), obesity (24.4%), and hypertension (13.8%) were the most prevalent traditional CV risk factors. Hypertension (HR = 3.147, 95% CI 1.461–6.778, p = 0.003), dyslipidemia (HR = 3.476, 95% CI 1.631–7.406, p = 0.001), and cancer history (HR = 5.852, 95% CI 1.189–28.810, p = 0.030) were the independent predictors for CV disease. The prevalence rate of CV disease was 3.0% in patients with spondyloarthritis. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cancer history were the independent CV risk factors for CV disease in patients with spondyloarthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects axial joints and the changes in the vertebrae cause typical kyphotic posture. In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the postural changes, including cervical flexion, decreased lumbar lordosis, posterior rotation of pelvis, hip extension, knee flexion, and plantar flexion of ankle along with kyphosis, may occur in the upcoming terms of the disease and may negatively affect balance. Joint and eye involvements; muscular, vestibular and proprioceptional changes can also affect balance. This review evaluates the ankylosing spondylitis-equilibrium relationship together with posture and other parameters of balance.

Introduction: Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) develops as a complication of primary lung diseases including COPD, cystic fibrosis, necrotizing pneumonia, primary lung malignancy, and etc. Metastatic lung diseases may also cause SSP, which may be the first sign of metastatic tumors. Herein, to present a case with multiple metastatic lesions of angiosarcoma presenting with pneumothorax is aimed. Case Presentation: A 72-year-old male patient had undergone surgical treatment followed by adjuvant radiotherapy one year ago with the diagnosis of scalp angiosarcoma. The patient admitted with dyspnea to pulmonology clinic and after his clinical evaluation, he was referred to our clinic for the treatment of pneumothorax. The patient was hospitalized after chest tube insertion. Multiple cystic lesions were found on thorax CT which performed because of the prolonged air leakage and the insufficient lung expansion. Additionally, one of these cavitary lesions was compatible with the fungus ball appearance. Therefore, laboratory tests were planned to evaluate the presence of fungal infection. Since the patient has a history of the neoplastic disease, PET/CT was conducted to evaluate possible metastatic foci. The patient was evaluated in multidisciplinary council and the multiple cystic lesions in the lung accepted as metastatic lesions of scalp angiosarcoma. Fungus ball diagnosis was excluded with negative results of laboratory tests for fungal infection and absence of PET/CT involvement. The fungus ball image was thought to be caused by a resorbed hematoma in the cavity formed by metastases. In the light of these findings, the patient was scheduled for chemotherapy to the medical oncology clinic. Cavitary lesions were regressed in the assessment of the treatment. Although PET/CT is thought to be not useful for cystic lesions, it has provided valuable information to distinguish the resorbed hematoma from the fungus ball in the cavity. Conclusion: It should be kept in mind that in the patients who have a history of angiosarcoma and multiple cystic lesions in the lungs, the lesions may be metastasis, furthermore, hematoma in the cavities formed by these lesions may mimic the fungus ball.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects axial joints and the changes in the vertebrae cause typical kyphotic posture. In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the postural changes, including cervical flexion, decreased lumbar lordosis, posterior rotation of pelvis, hip extension, knee flexion, and plantar flexion of ankle along with kyphosis, may occur in the upcoming terms of the disease and may negatively affect balance. Joint and eye involvements; muscular vestibular and proprioceptional changes can also affect balance. This review evaluates the ankylosing spondylitis-equilibrium relationship together with posture and other parameters of balance.

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and to assess the relationships between FMF characteristics and severe COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalization. The study was planned within a national network of 21 different centers. Demographics, FMF-related clinical and genetic characteristics, and COVID-19 outcomes were obtained. A total of 822 patients with FMF (mean age of 36 years) were included in the study. Fifty-nine of them (7%) had a COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed by real-time PCR test or chest CT findings. Most FMF patients with COVID-19 (58) had mild and moderate disease activity. All patients were on colchicine treatment. However, 8 of them (13.6%) were not compliant with colchicine use and 9 of them (15.3%) were colchicine resistant. Twelve FMF patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized. There were 4 patients requiring oxygen support. COVID-19 related complications were observed in 2 patients (1 thromboembolism, 1 acute respiratory distress syndrome). Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with FMF were older than non-hospitalized patients (median ages: 51 and 31 years, respectively; p: 0.002). Other FMF-related characteristics were similar between the groups. FMF-related characteristics were not found to be associated with poor outcomes in COVID-19. Thus, FMF may not be a risk factor for poor COVID-19 outcomes.