Aims: We aimed to investigate whether the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS HI) correlates with scales assessing overall health status, disease activity, spinal mobility, quality of life, and functional capacity in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with AS diagnosed according to the 2010 ASAS classification criteria. ASAS HI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-Reactive Protein (ASDAS-CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Dougados Functional Index (DFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (BAS-G), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and morning stiffness scores, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), and EQ VAS were measured. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine correlations between the ASAS HI and other measurement instruments. Results: A cohort of 141 patients (84 males and 57 females) with a mean age of 39.02±12.16 years was included in the study. ASAS HI was positively correlated with BASDAI, ASDAS-CRP, and ASDAS-ESR (p<0.001, r=0.63, r=0.61, r=0.64). ASAS HI demonstrated strong positive correlations with BASFI and DFI (p<0.001, r=0.71, r=0.72), and a significant negative correlation with EQ-5D (p<0.001, r=-0.67). Additionally, notable positive associations were observed with ASQoL (p<0.001, r=0.79) and BAS-G (p<0.001, r=0.63). Conclusions: The ASAS HI may serve as a measure of overall health in patients with AS, provide additional insights alongside assessments of disease severity, functional ability, and well-being, and facilitate longitudinal monitoring of treatment outcomes.

Objectives:The purpose of the study was to contribute further to this debated topic by investigating the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with the clinical picture in lumbar spondylosis patients. Patients and methods:This multicenter retrospective study (as part of the epidemiological project of the TLAR-OASG [Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Osteoarthritis Study Group]) included 514 patients (101 males, 413 females; mean age: 63.6±10.8 years; range, 40 to 85 years) who were diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis by clinical examination and direct X-ray between December 2016 and June 2018. Demographic characteristics of patients, Visual Analog Scale for pain, presence of radiating pain, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, straight leg raise test, deep tendon reflexes, neurogenic intermittent claudication symptoms, any decrease of muscle strength, and abnormality of sensation were recorded. Lumbar MRI findings of the patients were recorded as positive or negative in terms of disc herniation, intervertebral disc degeneration, root compression, osteophytes, spinal stenosis. Statistical analysis was done to assess the correlation between the clinical symptoms, physical examination, and MRI findings. Results:Correlation analysis of the MRI results and the clinical findings showed a significant correlation between straight leg raise test and root compression (p<0.001, r=0.328) and a significant correlation between neurogenic intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis (p<0.001, r=0.376). Roland-Morris disability questionnaire had a significant correlation with all MRI findings (p<0.05, r<0.200). Conclusion:The results of this study corroborate the notion that diligent patient history and physical examination are more valuable than MRI findings, even though a higher incidence of abnormal MRI findings have been obtained in patients with disability and dermatomal radiating pain.

In this study, it was aimed to examine the studies on piano education in early childhood between 2000 and 2022 (August).The study is a qualitative research that adopts descriptive content analysis method.In the YÖK National Thesis Centre, Ulakbim, Tr Index databases; covering all years, using keywords such as piano/piano instruction in preschool education, piano/piano education in primary school, primary piano/piano education a total of 36 studies were examined by using the purposive sampling method.Content analyses of the theses were made according to the year they were published, graduate degrees, university/institute were they were conducted, methods, study groups, and content analyses of the articles were made according to the field, method, study groups, and interpreted according to frequency values and presented in tables.As a result of the data obtained; it was revealed that master's theses were more than proficiency in arts /doctorate theses, articles were more than theses, a maximum of studies were conducted in 2019, the majority of theses were published under the Institute of Educational Sciences, and the highest number of theses were conducted at Gazi University.In addition, although it was seen that the method specified by the researchers was mostly qualitative method, it was concluded that there were deficiencies related to the specification of methods.When analysed in terms of study groups, it was seen that children and compositions were mostly used in articles, while educators were mostly used in theses.As a result, it is seen that the studies on piano education in the period covering the early childhood years remain at a very limited level.It is thought that a fruitful partnership between experts and artists can contribute to this field by conducting experimental studies and developing methods for effective practice.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological features of hand osteoarthritis (OA) and to examine their relationships in different geographic samples of the Turkish population. Patients and methods Between April 2017 and January 2019, a total of 520 patients (49 males, 471 females; mean age: 63.6±9.8 years) with hand OA were included in the study from 26 centers across Turkey by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR). The demographic characteristics, grip strengths with Jamar dynamometer, duration of hand pain (month), the severity of hand pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), and morning stiffness were evaluated. The functional disability was evaluated with Duruöz Hand Index (DHI). The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) OA scoring system was used to assess the radiological stage of hand OA. Results The DHI had significant correlations with VAS-pain (r=0.367, p<0.001), duration of pain (r=0.143, p=0.001) and bilateral handgrip strengths (r=-0.228, p=0.001; r=-0.303, p<0.001). Although DHI scores were similar between the groups in terms of the presence of hand deformity (p=0.125) or Heberden's nodes (p=0.640), the mean DHI scores were significantly higher in patients with Bouchard's nodes (p=0.015). The total number of nodes had no significant correlations with the VAS-pain and DHI score (p>0.05). The differences between the groups of radiological hand OA grades in terms of age (p=0.007), VAS-pain (p<0.001), duration of pain (p<0.001), and DHI (p<0.001) were significant. There were no significant differences between radiological hand OA grades according to the duration of the stiffness, grip strength, and BMI (p>0.05 for all). Conclusion In our population, the patients with hand OA had pain, functional disability, and weak grip strength. The functional impairment was significantly correlated with the severity of the pain, and the functional status was worse in high radiological hand OA grades.

Objectives This study aims to investigate the association between familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and cachexia in females. Patients and methods The study included 32 female FMF patients (median age 27.50 years; range, 18 to 50 years) and 30 female healthy controls (median age 32 years; range, 18 to 50 years). Patients were classified according to Tel-Hashomer criteria. Circumference of arm, waist, and thigh was recorded. Short form 36 (SF-36) and Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale were applied. Composition of the body was measured with dual X-ray absorption. Muscle strength was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer, and strength of hand grip was measured from dominant hand with a hand dynamometer. C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen and serum creatinine kinase (CK) levels were recorded. Results Body mass index was significantly higher in controls. Twelve patients and one control had cachexia. CK level was significantly higher in patients than controls. Mass of muscle without fat was significantly higher in patients than controls. Peak torque values of extension and flexion at the velocity of 60°/second [Newton meter (Nm)], and value of total work during extension at the velocity of 240°/second (Nm) in isokinetic measures were significantly higher in controls. MAF score was significantly higher in patients with cachexia than patients without cachexia where the subscale scores of SF-36, except the vitality score, were significantly lower in patients with cachexia. However, Tel-Hashomer score was significantly higher in patients with cachexia. Conclusion This study pointed at a significant association between cachexia and FMF in females. Muscle endurance was not affected in FMF patients with cachexia; however, decreased muscle strength, impaired quality of life and increased fatigue were observed in these patients.

Objectives: This study aims to update 2011 Turkish League Against Rheumatism SpondyloArthritis Recommendations, and to compose a national expert opinion on management of axial spondyloarthritis under guidance of current guidelines, and implantation and dissemination of these international guidelines into our clinical practice. Materials and methods: A scientific committee of 28 experts consisting of 14 rheumatologists and 14 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (one of them also has an immunology PhD) was formed. The recommendations, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment were scrutinized paying special attention with convenient key words. The draft of Turkish League Against Rheumatism opinion whose roof consisted of international treatment recommendations, particularly the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society/European League Against Rheumatism recommendations was composed. Assessment of level of agreement with opinions by task force members was established through the Delphi technique. Voting using a numerical rating scale assessed the strength of each recommendation. Results: Panel compromised on five basic principles and 13 recommendations including pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods. All of the recommendations had adequate strength. Conclusion: Turkish League Against Rheumatism expert opinion for the management of axial spondyloArthritis was developed based on scientific evidence. These recommendations will be updated regularly in accordance with current developments.

Objectives To evaluate the radiological, clinical and functional properties of hand osteoarthritis and to assess their relationship in a Turkish population. Methods The subjects with hand OA recruited into the study from the multi-centre national osteoarthritis cohort by the Turkish League Against Rheumatology (TLAR–OA). The demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), smoking, finger ratio,(2nd to 4th finger lenght), grip strengths with Jamar dynamometer, hand pain duration (month), hand pain severity (visual analogue scale; 0–100 mm) were evaluated. The radiological stage of hand OA was assessed according to the Kellgren Lawrence OA staging. The hightest stage among the joints involvement was noted as the OA stage of the hand. The functional disability concerning to hand involvement was assessed with Duruöz Hand Index (DHI). The SPSS 24.0 statistical package was used for analysis. The descriptive analysis was performed for all parameters. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relation between quantitative variables. Results A total of 364 subjects (330 female, 34 male) from 15 centres with mean of age 62.96 (SD: 10.22) were recruited into the study. The mean of BMI was 29.54 (SD: 4.51) and the percentage of smoking person was 6.3%. The mean of 2nd finger to 4th finger ratio of the patients was 0.96 (SD: 0.05). The mean of grip strengths of the right hand and left hand were respectively 15.55 kg (SD: 12.88) and 14.13 kg (SD: 11.39), which is lower than normal population.1 The median pain duration of hand was 24 months (min-max: 1–480 months). The mean VAS score of pain was 5.05 (SD: 2.33). The mean DHI score was 16.82 (SD: 15.53). The patients’ radiological OA involvement stages (2,3 and 4) of right and left hands were respectively 26.1% and 23.6% (stage 2); 22.5% and 20.9% (stage 3); 13.2% and 12.4% (stage 4) according to the Kellgren Lawrence scoring. The radiological stages of right and left hands respectively had poor correlation with VASpain (rho=0.152, p=0.010; rho=0.158, p=0.009); low but significant correlations with Duruöz Hand Index (rho=0.257, p<0.0001; rho=0.267, p<0.0001) and low but significant correlations with the duration of pain (rho=0.231, p<0.0001; rho=0.181, p=0.003). There were no significant correlations between the radiological stage of hand OA and BMI, finger ratio, grip strength (p>0.05). Conclusions Although the subjects with hand OA had pain, low grip strenght and hand disability; the radiological findings had meaningful relations with only functional involvement and pain duration in our population. Reference [1] Massy-Westropp N, et al. Hand grip strenght: age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study. BMC Res Notes2011;4:127. Disclosure of Interest M. T. Duruöz Grant/research support from: ABVIE, Consultant for: NOVARTIS, Speakers bureau: ABDI IBRAHIM, D. Erdem: None declared, T. Tuncer: None declared, L. Altan: None declared, F. Ayhan: None declared, A. Bal: None declared, L. Cerrahoglu: None declared, E. Capkin: None declared, R. Cevik: None declared, D. Dulgeroglu: None declared, S. Gursoy: None declared, S. Hizmetli: None declared, C. Kacar: None declared, E. Kaptanoglu: None declared, T. Kaya: None declared, H. Kocabaş: None declared, K. Nas: None declared, S. Ozcakir: None declared, D. Sindel: None declared, O. Sahin: None declared, G. Tasci Bozbas: None declared, C. Tikiz: None declared, H. Ugurlu: None declared

Background: The aim of the study is to identify the kind of traditional practices used for the rheumatic diseases in the central Anatolia. Materials and Methods: A total of 440 volunteer patients with chronic rheumatic diseases including osteoarthritis (OA), fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathy (SpA), familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), Behcet's disease (BD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) were enrolled in the study. All patients were administered a 36-item questionnaire. Results: Of the patients, 49.3 % were using CAM. Herbal medicine was the most commonly (58.1 %) preferred methods. The CAM was used by 86 (48%) of 179 patients with OA and by 51 (60%) of 85 patients with RA. The difference in the CAM use across the disease groups was not statistically significant (chi(2)=7.343; p=0.290). When the patients using or not using CAM were assessed according to their education status, it was found that CAM was used by 59 (66.3%) of 89 patients with university degree and indicating a statistically significantly higher number of patients from higher education status among the CAM users (chi(2)=17.651; p=0.001). Conclusions: Our study results suggest that among patients with rheumatic disease, patients with RA more commonly resort to the methods of CAM.

OBJECTIVES:This study aims to report the assessment of the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) expert panel on the compliance and adaptation of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2016 recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS:The EULAR 2016 recommendations for the treatment of RA were voted by 27 specialists experienced in this field with regard to participation rate for each recommendation and significance of items. Afterwards, each recommendation was brought forward for discussion and any alteration gaining ≥70% approval was accepted. Also, Turkish version of each item was rearranged. Last version of the recommendations was then revoted to determine the level of agreement. Levels of agreement of the two voting rounds were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In case of significant difference, the item with higher level of agreement was accepted. In case of no difference, the changed item was selected. RESULTS:Four overarching principles and 12 recommendations were assessed among which three overarching principles and one recommendation were changed. The changed overarching principles emphasized the importance of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists as well as rheumatologists for the care of RA patients in Turkey. An alteration was made in the eighth recommendation on treatment of active RA patients with unfavorable prognostic indicators after failure of three conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Remaining principles were accepted as the same although some alterations were suggested but could not find adequate support to reach significance. CONCLUSION:Expert opinion of the TLAR for the treatment of RA was composed for practices in Turkish rheumatology and/or physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics.

Objectives: This study aims to establish the first national treatment recommendations by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) based on the current evidence. Materials and methods: A systematic literature review was performed regarding the management of PsA. The TLAR expert committee consisted of 13 rheumatologists and 12 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists experienced in the treatment and care of patients with PsA from 22 centers. The TLAR recommendations were built on those of European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2015. Levels of evidence and agreement were determined. Results: Recommendations included five overarching principles and 13 recommendations covering therapies for PsA, particularly focusing on musculoskeletal involvement. Level of agreement was greater than eight for each item. Conclusion: This is the first paper that summarizes the recommendations of TLAR as regards the treatment of PsA. We believe that this paper provides Turkish physicians dealing with PsA patients a practical guide in their routine clinical practice.

Objectives: To examine the body composition (BC) of the Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients on anti-TNF therapy and to evaluate the clinical parameters in obese AS patients Design: Cross-sectional case-control study Setting: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cumhuriyet University, Medical Faculty, Sivas, Turkey Subjects: Thirty-four AS patients and 34 healthy subjects as controls were included in the study between November 2014 and May 2015 Main outcome measures: Waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) were measured in patients and control group. In AS group, disease activity, functional status, spinal mobility and life quality were examined by standard AS questionnaires. Results: WC, BMI, PBF, FM, and FFM were comparable in AS patients and controls. There was a positive correlation between the duration of the anti-TNF treatment and BMI (p = 0.02, r = 0.409). In obese AS patients, the duration of the anti-TNF treatment was significantly longer than the normal weight AS patients (for BMI p = 0.02, for PBF p = 0.03). Obese and normal weight AS patients were comparable regarding disease duration, disease activity, functional status, spinal mobility and life quality. Conclusions: The BC of AS patients on anti-TNF treatment was similar to healthy controls. Anti-TNF treatment has comparable effects on disease parameters in both the normal weight and obese AS patients. Long-term treatment with anti-TNF drugs may lead to obesity. Prospective controlled studies with more patients to clarify this probable effect of anti-TNF drugs are required.

Background & objectives: It has been shown that joint damage due to subclinical synovitis progresses despite apparent clinical remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hence, finding more objective methods to investigate subclinical synovitis has become a current issue. Ultrasonography (US) has been among the most investigated methods. This study was conducted to detect whether there was subclinical inflammation in RA patients in clinical remission by power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) and to evaluate the effects of this inflammation on upper extremity function. Methods: Forty five RA patients fulfilled the remission criteria of disease activity score 28 using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), were enrolled in the study. Bilateral wrist, 2nd and 3th metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints and 2nd and 5th metatarsophalangeal joints were examined by PDUS. Upper extremity function was assessed with Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and handgrip strength. The pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: In 29 of 45 RA patients in clinical remission, synovitis was detected by PDUS at least in one joint. VAS and DAS28-ESR scores were significantly lower and total MHQ, some subgroup scores of MHQ (overall hand function, activity of daily living and work performance) and grip strength of the dominant hand were higher in patients with PD signal negativity. Interpretation & conclusions: PDUS showed a crucial role in determining the subclinical synovitis. Subclinical synovitis negatively affects the upper extremity function. Ultrasound-defined remission may be considered for good functional status and real remission in patients with RA.

Objectives This study aims to estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Turkey using the same telephone questionnaire developed for screening RA and SpA in France and used in Serbia and Lithuania. Material and methods The study was performed in two steps. In step I, the French questionnaire was translated into Turkish and validated through a group of 200 patients (80 males, 120 females; mean age 44.0±13.1 years; range 19 to 75 years) followed up at the rheumatology departments of University Hospitals in Antalya and Ankara. In step II, the validated Turkish questionnaire was administered face-to-face to randomly selected 4,012 subjects (1,670 males, 2,342 females; mean age 41.5±16.8 years; range 16 to 97 years) by trained general practitioners across the country, in 25 prov- inces for case detection. The subjects who were suspected of having RA or SpA in accordance with the questionnaire were invited to the nearest university hospital for rheumatologic examination in order to confirm the diagnosis. Results In step II, a total of 25 subjects (2 males, 23 females) were diagnosed as RA. The standardized RA prevalence for the general population of Turkey was calculated as 0.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.33-0.79), 0.10% (95% CI; -0.05-0.25) for males and 0.89% (95% CI; 0.51-1.27) for females. A total of 18 subjects (3 males, 15 females) were diagnosed as SpA. The standardized SpA prevalence for the general population of Turkey was 0.46% (95% CI; 0.25-0.67), 0.17% (95% CI; -0.03-0.37) for males and 0.65% (95% CI; 0.32-0.98) for females. The prevalence of RA was highest in the Northern region (2.00%) and the prevalence of SpA was highest in the Central region (1.49%). Conclusion The prevalences of RA and SpA in Turkey are close to each other and there are significant inter-regional variations in prevalences of both RA and SpA.

OBJECTIVETo assess sarcopenia status in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MATERIAL AND METHODSThirty female patients with RA and 30 female controls without RA were enrolled in this study. Sarcopenia status in patients with RA was evaluated by assessing body composition using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and Disease Activity Score (DAS28) were calculated. Because sarcopenia differs between men and women, the study groups comprised only females.RESULTSIt was found that skeletal muscle index (SMI) was lower in patients with RA (5.83±0.807) than in controls (7.30±1.640). Sarcopenia (in females with an SMI of ≤5.75 kg/m2) was more common in the RA group and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). Sarcopenia was more common in patients with RA who were normal or overweight than in those who were obese according to their BMI. There was no relationship between sarcopenia and DAS28 in the RA group (p=0.530), whereas CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with sarcopenia (p=0.230). No relationship was found between drug use and sarcopenia in the RA group.CONCLUSIONIt was found that SMI was decreased and sarcopenia risk was elevated in patients with RA and the risk was higher in non-obese patients.

Bu arastirma, Turkiye’de 1987 – 2013 yillari arasinda, vokal muzikte piyano eslik alaninda yapilmis 26 lisansustu tezini kapsamaktadir. Arastirma tarama modelinde desenlenmistir. Vokal muzikte piyano eslik alanindaki lisansustu tezler incelenerek konularina gore siniflandirilmistir. Elde edilen veriler nicel veri kapsaminda frekans ve yuzdelerle analiz edilmistir.

Objectives: This study aims to report Turkish League Against Rheumatism's assessment on the compliance of European League Against Rheumatism 2013 treatment recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis with practices in Turkish rheumatology clinics and adaptations for Turkey.Materials and methods: Members of Turkish League Against Rheumatism and one rheumatoid arthritis patient voted for the 2013 recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in two sessions. An item was changed and voted again only if at least 70% of participants wanted a change. Strength of recommendations was calculated for the items. Strength of recommendations for the changed items in the first and second voting rounds was compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In case of significant difference, the item with higher strength of recommendation was accepted. In case of no difference, the changed item was selected.Results: Three overarching principles and fourteen recommendations were assessed among which the three overarching principles were changed emphasizing the importance of physiatrists as well as rheumatologists for taking care of the patients. Third item was changed by adding composite indices for assessing disease activity. In the ninth recommendation, rituximab was suggested as a first line drug independent of situations like latent tuberculosis or lymphoma, etc. In the 11th recommendation, unlike European League Against Rheumatism, our committee did not suggest any thought about tofacitinib, as then it had not been approved in Turkey. Remaining principles were accepted as the same.Conclusion: Expert opinion of Turkish League Against Rheumatism for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients was formed for practices in Turkish clinics.

Objective:The aim of this study is to assess presence of MEFV (MEditerranean FeVer) gene mutations and relationship between those mutations and disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Method: Study group was consisted of 34 patients with AS, and 35 healthy volunteers enrolled to study as control group.12 MEFV gene mutations were screened by Stripe-Assay technique.Patients with AS were divided into 2 subgroups according to whether they are MEFV gene positive or negative.Demographic data of study group were questioned.Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), peripheral joint involvement, and drug use were used as clinical parameters; Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed as laboratory parameters.Results: Among 34 patients with AS, it was found that 5 patients (35.7%) were positive for E148Q, 2 patients (14.2%) for M694V, 2 patients (14.2%) for A744S, 2 patients (14.2%) for V726A and 1 patient (7.1%) for each of the M680I, R761H, P369S.Among 35 individuals in control group, E148Q was detected in two (5.7%) and M694V was detected in another two (5.7%).When MEFV gene mutations were compared between study group and control group, there was no significant difference (p>0.05).There was significant difference between MEFV carriers and noncarriers regarding BASDAI, CRP and ESR values and positive family history whereas no difference was found in BASMI, BASFI, VAS, disease duration and biological agent use.Conclusions: It was thought that MEFV mutation frequency in AS patients was similar with control group but disease should have more progressive course in MEFV positive AS patients.To address this issue, further studies with large series are needed.

Amac: Calismamizda Fibromiyalji (FM) hastalarinda Travma Sonrasi Stres Bozuklugu (TSSB), aleksitimi ve dissosiyatif semptomlarin yayginligini arastirdik. Gerec ve Yontemler: Poliklinige basvuran 56 FM hastasi bilgilendirildikten sonra calismaya alindi. Kontrol grubu olarak 46 Romatoid Artrit (RA) hastasi calismaya dahil edildi. Katilimcilara Somatoform Dissosiyasyon Olcegi (SDO), Travma Degerlendirme Olcegi (TDO), Toronto Aleksitimi Olcegi (TAO) ve Cocukluk Cagi Travma Olcegi (CTO) uygulandi. Fibromiyalji hastaliginin etkisi Fibromiyalji Etki Anketi (FEA) ile olculdu. Bulgular: Fibromiyalji hastalarinda en az bir travmatik olay bildiren hasta sayisi (19, %33,9) RA grubundan (6, %13) yuksek bulundu (x2=5,9, p=0,015). Alti (%10,7) FM hastasinda TSSB oldugu dusunuldu. Romatoid artrit grubunda TSSB tani kriterlerini karsilayan hasta yoktu. Travma sonrasi stres bozuklugu yayginliginin FM’de RA grubundan daha yuksek oldugu saptandi. Travmatik yasantilari olan FM hastalarinin FEA skoru travmatik yasantilari olmayan hastalardan daha yuksekti (p<0,02). Bununla birlikte, analjezik kullanimi ile travmatik yasantilar arasinda pozitif iliski gozlendi (r=0,415, p=0,002). Fibromiyalji hastalarinin CTO, SDO ve TAO puanlari RA hastalarindan anlamli duzeyde yuksek bulundu. Sonuc: Bu calismada FM hastalarinda TSSB, aleksitimi ve dissosiyatif semptomlarin yaygin oldugu bulundu. Bulgularimiz FM hastalarinda TSSB, aleksitimi ve dissosiyatif semptomlarin degerlendirilmesinin hastalik aktivitesi ve agri acisindan onemli oldugunu gostermektedir. Fibromiyalji hastalarinda tedavi stratejileri duzenlenirken psikiyatrik durumlar da degerlendirilmelidir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Fibromiyalji, travma sonrasi stres bozuklugu, aleksitimi, somatoform dissosiyasyon Abstract