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We aimed to investigate the frequency of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and neuropathic pain (NeP) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK), and their relationship with disease activity, and quality of life (QoL). In this prospective case-control study, we evaluated 30 patients with TAK and 28 healthy subjects. Demographic, clinical, and current treatment-related data were also recorded. RLS diagnosis was confirmed in both groups according to the International Restless Legs Study Group criteria. The Douleur neuropathic-4 questionnaire (DN4) confirmed the frequency of neuropathic pain, and the quality of life was confirmed by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire. Univariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for factors associated with NeP in patients with TAK. There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of RLS between the TAK group and the control group (p = 0.195). The prevalence of NeP was significantly higher in TAK patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.011). The SF-36 subscale scores for physical functioning (p = 0.01) and general health (p = 0.002) were significantly lower in the TAK group than in the control group. Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) scores were considerably higher in patients with NeP (p = 0.004). In univariate analyses, VDI decreased unbound iron-binding capacity, and SF36 mental component summary were predictors associated with NeP. This study revealed that the frequency of NeP was higher in patients with TAK than in the healthy population, and the patients with TAK were negatively affected in terms of NeP and QoL rather than RLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To learn which of the simple inflammation markers obtained from routine laboratory tests showed active disease best. Methods: The study included 256 patients (102 patients with axial spondyloarthritis [axSpA], 54 with psoriatic arthritis [PsA], and 100 with rheumatoid arthritis [RA]). The results of the routine laboratory tests requested during the outpatient clinic visits of the patients were noted. Inflammation-related ratio/indices were then calculated from these laboratory tests. Active and inactive diseases were defined according to the disease activity scores for each disease. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to determine the best laboratory marker(s) showing active disease and its cutoff value for all three diseases. Results: C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) was significantly higher in patients with active axSpA, PsA, and RA diseases than those with inactive diseases (p < 0.001, p = 0.006, and p < 0.001, respectively). In the logistic regression analysis, the CAR was the most important predictor of active disease in patients with axSpA, PsA, and RA. CAR had also showed the active disease at an acceptable level in axSpA and PsA and very well in RA. The cutoff values for active disease in axSpA, PsA, and RA were 0.75, 0.92, and 0.89, respectively. Conclusion: CAR may be a promising simple laboratory marker to distinguish active disease in patients with axSpA, PsA, and RA. Key Points • Acute phase reactants and circulating blood cells have become an important target because of the search for a disease activity marker that can be used cheaply and quickly in the daily outpatient routine. • One or more of these simple markers have been previously discussed in various studies with different hypotheses. • We aimed to determine which of the inflammation markers obtained from routine laboratory tests showed active disease and to determine a cutoff value for this/these marker(s). • CAR was the most important simple laboratory marker to distinguish active disease in patients with axSpA, PsA, and RA. In addition, CAR showed the active disease at an acceptable level in axSpA and PsA, and very well in RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of balneotherapy on body mass index, adipokine levels, sleep disturbances, and quality of life in women with morbid obesity. Fifty-four women with morbid obesity were included in the study. The body mass indexes (BMI) and waist/hip ratios (WHR) of the women were calculated. Subcutaneous fat thickness was measured using a *skinfold meter, and the percentage of adipose tissue was calculated. The *Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality, and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to assess quality of life. In addition to routine biochemical tests, leptin, adipokine, visfatin from blood, and cortisol from saliva samples were studied. Participants were given 15 sessions of balneotherapy for 20 min each. After treatment, the laboratory and clinical parameters of the participants were *reevaluated. There was no statistically significant difference of BMI, WHR, and percentage of adipose tissue between before and after treatment measurements (p ˃ 0.05).There was a statistically significant improvement in PSQI and NSP scores (p ˂ 0.001). The levels of blood glucose, leptin, and visfatin were significantly decreased, and adiponectin was significantly increased after treatment (p = 0.047, p ˂ 0.001, p ˂ 0.001, and p ˂ 0.001, respectively).There was no statistically significant changes in salivary cortisol levels (p = 0.848). Patients with diabetes showed a statistically significant decrease in glucose levels after treatment (p = 0.017).There was a statistically significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with dyslipidemia compared with pre-treatment (p = 0.018). Balneotherapy improves sleep and quality of life of women with morbid obesity. After balneotherapy, glucose, leptin, adiponectin, and visfatin levels may change positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]