The relationship between tender point count and disease severity in patients with primary fibromyalgia

Objective of this study is to asses the relationship between tender point count (TPC) and the severity of disease in patients with primary fibromyalgia (FM). One hundred and seven female patients with FM diagnosis according to ACR criteria were included to the study. Main outcome measures were fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), Beck depression inventory (BDI), visual analog scale (VAS) and tender point assessment. Mean TPC was 14.66 ± 2.50 and mean VAS was 6.6 ± 1.2 cm. Mean total FIQ score and BDI was 62.75 ± 15.57 and 16.17 ± 7.12, respectively. TPC was correlated positively with FIQ and VAS scores. There was no correlation between TPC and age and duration of symptoms. In conclusion, TPC is a simple and noninvasive examination finding that can supply information about the disease severity and the depression in FM.     

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Twenty-eight RA patients and 29 healthy subjects were participated in the study. The patient underwent clinical and laboratory investigation. DAS28 scores were calculated. Lateral panoramic radiography was performed to evaluate condylar erosion and condylar movement. Craniofacial MRI was performed to evaluate TMJ and masseter, medial and lateral pterygoid muscles’ thickness, and cross-sectional area. It was found that the mean maximal interincisal distance, range of lateral, retrusive (P < 0.05) and protrusive motion were all lesser in RA group. Lateral panoramic radiography revealed a distinct erosion in 10.7% (3/28) and restricted condylar movement in 53.6% (15/28) of RA patients. Two RA patients demonstrating marked condylar erosion in lateral panoramic radiographs were RF negative and had DAS28 scores 3.41 and 4.61. MRI findings revealed condylar erosion and effusion in one RA patient and atrophic changes of masticatory muscles in another patient. There was no statistical significance between RA and healthy groups for the thickness and cross-sectional areas of the masticatory muscles. RA group revealed a strong linear relationship for the right and left muscle thickness and cross-sectional areas in regression analysis. TMJ symptoms are frequent findings and thought to be affected from mean disease duration in RA. Laboratory findings should be considered for disease activity–related TMJ involvement. RA patients did not present muscular atrophy or hypertrophy.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in a murine model of chronic asthma

BackgroundCurcumin, a dietary pigment responsible for the yellow colour of curry, has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects.MethodsForty-two BALB/c mice were divided into six groups: I, II, III, IV, V, and control group. All groups except the controls were sensitised and challenged with ovalbumin. Group I received nebulised saline in challenge period. Mice in groups II, III, IV, and V were administered curcumin at a dose of 10 mg/kg, curcumin 20 mg/kg, dexamethasone 1 mg/kg, and dimethyl sulfoxide 1 mg/kg, respectively, intraperitoneally once a day for the final 5 days of the challenge period. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last drug administration and the airway samples were evaluated histologically by light microscopy.ResultsAll histological parameters in Group III improved similar to Group IV when compared to Group I. In Group II, only thickness of epithelium was significantly lower compared with regard to Group I. All variables except epithelium thicknesses were found to be significantly better in Group III compared to Group II.ConclusionsIn our study, we demonstrated that curcumin administration alleviates the pathological changes of chronic asthma. Curcumin might be a promising therapy for asthma in the future.