An evaluation of the efficacy of a topical gel with Triester Glycerol Oxide (TGO) in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis in a Turkish cohort: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Triester glycerol oxide gel (Protefix® Queisser Pharma, Germany) is a new topical agent that has the property of adherence to the oral mucosa by forming a lipid film which protects against mechanical trauma and may help to reduce oral tissue moisture loss and inflammation. The aim of this clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of a topical TGO gel and to also compare it with triamcinolone acetonide pomade in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial and 180 patients with the complaint of minor aphthous ulcers were enrolled in this study. The sociodemographic data and clinical characteristics of the ulcer were collected by questionnaire. Ulcer size and pain level measurements were performed and the efficacy indices for ulcer pain and size were calculated at day 0,2,4,6 by the same investigator.

RESULTS

Significant differences were not detected among the demographics and ulcer histories including age, gender, onset of ulcer, mean healing time, family RAS history and ulcer localization between three groups. The pain score in TGO group was found statistically lower at day 2,4, and 6. Efficacy index and improvement rate of TGO group, regarding pain score, was higher than the other two groups at day 2 and 4. The reduction in ulcer size was statistically higher in TGO group than the other two groups at day 4 and 6.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical application of TGO gel could decrease pain intensity, accelerate ulcer healing without any side effects, utilizing an easy appliable and accessible procedure. Therefore TGO gel could be a well-tolerated, safe, topical therapeutic agent in the clinical practice of RAS treatment.

Tai Chi vs. combined exercise prescription: A comparison of their effects on factors related to falls

BACKGROUND

Regular exercise training is one of the core components of multifactorial fall-prevention programs.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of Tai Chi and combined exercise prescription that consists of three main components of an exercise prescription on static balance, dynamic balance, fear of falling and mood.

METHODS

Sixty older adults aged 55-76 were randomly assigned to Group 1 (Tai Chi exercise) or Group 2 (combined exercise prescription). Exercise was performed three times a week over a period of 12 weeks. Single Leg-Stance-Eyes Open (SLS-EO), Single Leg-Stance Eyes Closed (SLS-EC), computerized balance measurements, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the elderly (SAFFE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Beck Depression Scale (BDS) were assessed before and after the final training session.

RESULTS

Both exercise groups yielded better results in dynamic balance assessments (TUG and BBS) at the 12th week (p< 0.05). Group 1 also showed significant improvements in the measurements of SLS-EO, SLS-EC, SAFFE, GDS, and BDS during the post-intervention period (all p< 0.05). When the groups were compared, a significant difference was found between groups in favor of Group 1 in terms of the SLS-EO and SAFFE (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that Tai Chi may be a more successful exercise intervention for factors-related to falls in older people.

Simultaneous bilateral ganglion cysts of the anterior cruciate ligaments

Intra-articular ganglion cysts of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are rare, and bilateral ganglion cysts are even rarer. These cysts may cause intermittent or chronic nonspecific knee discomfort. Although three cases of bilateral ganglion cysts have been reported in the literature, the knees were not simultaneously affected in those cases. Herein, we report the case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with simultaneous bilateral ganglion cysts of the ACL that were symptomatic. She was successfully treated with arthroscopic resection and debridement. We also present a brief review of the literature, highlighting the aetiology, diagnosis and management of ganglion cysts of the ACL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of simultaneous bilateral intra-articular ganglion cysts of the ACL.

Comparison of a new medicinal plant extract and triamcinolone acetonide in treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new medicinal plant extract (Ankaferd Blood Stopper®, ABS) on the healing process of aphthous ulcers. A total of 50 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) who have had currently a single oral ulcer in the mouth were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided in 2 groups: ABS group and Kenacort group (triamcinolone acetonid). Data were collected by questionnaire regarding age, gender, RAS history including the number of ulcer episodes in 1 month, the number of ulcers in each episode, mean healing time of previous ulcers and the mean disease duration. Ulcer size, ulcer related pain, evaluated by VAS and effectiveness index (EI), was noted in each clinical examination. In the present study, no significant differences were seen in demographic and RAS related data between the 2 groups. In ABS and Kenacort group, the mean ulcer size and VAS scores were statistically reduced at day 3 and day 7 compared to baseline values, yet no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in these time points. The effects of ABS in RAS treatment were found similar to that of Kenacort-A orabase cream in this study. Since our study is a preliminary one, additional studies with larger number of subjects, investigating the antibacterial and immunologic effect of this unique medicinal product will help to understand the treatment mechanism of ABS and evaluate clinical benefits and any possible adverse effects of the application of ABS spray.

Comparison of effectiveness of facet joint injection and radiofrequency denervation in chronic low back pain

AIM

The study was conducted to compare the clinical effectiveness of FJ injections (FJI) and FJ radiofrequency (FJRF) denervation in patients with chronic low back pain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included 100 patients; 50 in FJI 50 in FJRF group. VNS, NASS and EQ-5D were used to evaluate the outcomes. All outcome assessments were performed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.

RESULTS

FJI in early post-op but FJRF in 1st, 6th and 12th month VNS showed better results (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the 1st (p=1) and 6th month (p=0.13) but in 12th month (p=0.04) in NASS. Increase in level number showed positive effect in NASS in FJRF group (p=0.018) but no effect in FJI group (p=0.823) in the 12th month follow-up. There was no significant difference with respect to 1st month (p=0.17), 6th month (p=0.22) and 12th month (p=0.11) post-procedure follow-ups in EQ-5D. At the short term FJI was more effective than FJRF however in midterm follow-up FJRF had more satisfying results than FJRF.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, the first choice should be the FJI and if pain reoccurs after a period of time or injection is not effective, RF procedure should be used for the treatment of chronic lumbar pain.

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection via a preganglionic approach for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for lumbar radiculopathy with respect to effect of injection levels, gender, and age group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Hundred-fifty-three consecutive patients who underwent to lumbar TFESI were enrolled. The outcomes were measured by using a visual numeric scale (VNS), NASS and EQ-5D. The relationship between possible outcome predictors and the therapeutic effect were evaluated.

RESULTS

All the patients completed the 2nd year follow-up visits. Significant differences were observed between the pre-procedure and post-procedure VNSs, NASS patients' satisfactions scores and EQ-5D (P < 0.01) except 1st and 2nd year follow-up (P=0.12, P=0.27and P=0.19 respectively). Gender (higher in female patients) showed significant effect to pre-procedure VNS (P=0.04). An increase in the level number was significantly associated with an increase in the 6th month (P=0.005, P=0.004 respectively) and the 1st year (P=0.05, P=0.029 respectively) NASS and EQ-5D. No complication was occurred except discitis in two chronic renal failure patients.

CONCLUSION

Especially in the patients with severe co-morbidities TFESI is an option to provide higher life quality. The clinical course of the success of the TFESI decreases in one year and becomes stable thereafter. In the patients with immune deficiency, the practitioners should always be aware for an infectious complication.

The effect of an ankle-foot orthosis on temporal spatial parameters and asymmetry of gait in hemiparetic patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on certain walking parameters in patients with hemiplegia.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory at MossRehab.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1150 records of patients with stroke who were referred to the Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory between 2000 and 2008 for an evaluation of their walking. Of this group, 217 patients wore braces at the time of the gait evaluation and were selected for a more in-depth review. Among these patients, 42 records were selected because of the existence of available data from temporal spatial analysis meeting 2 conditions: walking with bare feet and walking with an AFO during the same visit. METHODS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Under both conditions, temporal spatial parameters of gait, including self-selected velocity, cadence, stance time, swing time, double support time, step length, and width of the base of support, were assessed by the use of an electronic gait mat (Gait Mat II, EQ Inc.) originally designed in the Moss Rehabilitation Engineering Center.

RESULTS

Walking velocity, cadence, percent stance, double support, and step length significantly increased, whereas affected side percent swing and width of the base of support decreased when patients used an AFO. Symmetries of stance time (P = .0001) and step length (P = .002) improved as well when patients used an AFO compared with walking barefoot.

CONCLUSION

In this sample of patients with stroke, the use of an AFO improved the symmetry of several of the temporal spatial parameters of gait, and consequently, the gait pattern of these hemiparetic patients was enhanced.

Sensorial donor site morbidity after saphenous neurocutaneous flap

Neurocutaneous flaps based on the arterial network around the superficial sensory nerves are popular in soft tissue coverage of the lower extremities, and are usually preferred in reconstruction of the lower leg and foot. Although sacrifice of sensory cutaneous nerves is mentioned as one of their major disadvantages to our knowledge the morbidity in the foot and at the donor site has not been properly investigated. We investigated sensorial morbidity in the foot and at the donor site caused by raising a saphenous neurocutaneous flap in 14 patients by using static two-point discrimination test, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, vibration test, and by measuring somatosensory evoked potentials in the twelfth postoperative month. Our results suggest that sensory recovery is good and protective sensation is gained in most patients.

[Orthotic management in cerebral palsy]

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may have many musculoskeletal deformities depending on the type of CP. These deformities may result from (i) lack of motor control, (ii) abnormal biomechanical alignment, (iii) impairment in timing of muscle activation, (iv) impairment in normal agonist/antagonist muscle balance, (v) lack of power generation, and (vi) balance disorder. Rehabilitation, orthopedic surgical intervention, and additional orthotic management can prevent and correct these deformities. In this review, mainly lower extremity orthoses are described, with brief explanation on upper and spinal orthotic applications.

A case report: pregnancy-induced severe osteoporosis with eight vertebral fractures

Osteoporosis associated with pregnancy and lactation is a rare condition. The prevalence, etiology and its pathogenesis is unknown. It causes one or more vertebral fractures with severe, prolonged back pain and height loss in affected women. Majority of the cases are seen in the third trimester or just after delivery in primagravid women. In this case report, a 30-year-old woman who had severe pregnancy-induced osteoporosis with 8 vertebral fractures was presented. During last month of her first pregnancy she had moderate back pain. After delivery, the back pain has gotten worse. The radiological examinations have shown that there was 50% in T6, T8 and T10; 30% in L2; 20% in L1 height loss and biconcave vertebral images in L3-5. In the bone mineral density, L2-4 T score was -4.7 and total femoral T score was -3.1. There was no abnormality in the laboratory findings except mild elevation in alkaline phosphates. Although pregnancy-associated osteoporosis is a rare condition, when pain occurs in the last trimester or early postpartum period, it should be considered in differential diagnosis.

The effect of calcitonin on β-endorphin levels in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients with back pain

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of calcitonin on beta-endorphin levels in female patients experiencing back pain associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The secondary purpose was to assess the pain and quality of life in these patients. There were 30 patients with a mean age of 58.2+/-5.4 years in the treatment group and 26 patients with a mean age of 58.8+/-5.2 years in the placebo group in this randomized, placebo-controlled study. The patients subcutaneously received 100 IU salmon calcitonin or placebo injections and 1,000 mg elementary calcium for 2 weeks. Baseline plasma beta-endorphin levels were measured and repeated after 2 weeks. Patients' pain and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale, Modified Face Scale, Beck Depression Index, and Nottingham Health Profile. Patients' global assessment of disease activity was also performed at baseline and at the end of the first and second week. We found that plasma beta-endorphin levels in the treatment group were significantly higher than the placebo group at the end of the second week (p<0.001). Although pain and QOL scores were improved at the end of the second week in both groups (p<0.05), the improvement in the treatment group was more significant when compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). Therefore, calcitonin is an analgesic agent, as it increases the plasma beta-endorphin levels in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, which consequently improves QOL.

Bilateral tibial stress fracture in a young man due to hypercalciuric osteoporosis: a case report

Osteoporosis is commonly thought of as a disease of postmenopausal women, and older men have a lower risk of fracture than women. A stress fracture is an overuse injury and an important cause of disability in the athletic population. Presented here is a 30-year-old healthy man with pain on the anterior surface of the bilateral tibia. He did not communicate any trauma or overuse activity. The neurologic and locomotor system examinations were normal. Radiological examinations revealed tibial stress fractures in both left and right tibia and he had low bone mineral density. Routine hematological tests, bone resorption and formation markers were normal, except for hypercalciuria. After analyzing the results of these tests, the patient was diagnosed with bilateral tibial stress fractures due to hypercalciuric secondary osteoporosis. Osteoporosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atraumatic insufficiency fractures, especially in young healthy adults.

Evaluation of the neurosensory function of the medial meniscus in humans

PURPOSE

Menisci are known to have receptors mainly concentrated at the anterior and posterior horns. Although they are purported to send afferent impulses to the central nervous system, this function has not been thoroughly evaluated. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether stimulation of the menisci initiates a cortical response. The reaction of the end organ to the reflex arc is also evaluated.

TYPE OF STUDY

Prospective case series.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with normal medial menisci were included in the study. Different parts of the knee joint (the posterior horn and the body of the medial meniscus, the medial femoral condyle, the capsule, and the joint space) were electrically stimulated by a probe during arthroscopy. The cortical response was monitored with somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs). The compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) of the semimembranosus, quadriceps, and biceps femoris muscles were also monitored with electroneuromyography (ENMG).

RESULTS

Among the stimulated parts, only the posterior horn of the meniscus produced cortical responses. No response was obtained with stimulation of the medial femoral condyle, the body of the medial meniscus, the capsule, or the joint space. Stimulation of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus produced a measurable amount of CMAP latency for the semimembranosus muscle, but not for the quadriceps and biceps femoris muscles.

CONCLUSIONS

Stimulation of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus produces reproducible cortical SEPs and results in ENMG-verified response of the semimembranosus muscle where no response of the semimembranosus muscle is detected with stimulation of the other parts of the knee.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The knowledge that only the horns of the medial meniscus have mechanoreceptors in the medial compartment of the knee helps to understand patients' signs and symptoms in medial compartment disease.

Hypermobility in women with fibromyalgia syndrome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hypermobility and fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) in women. Ninety-three women with FS who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FS and 58 healthy women without FS were included in this study. All women were examined for hypermobility by blinded observers using the Beighton criteria. The mean age was 43.5+/-9.9 (21-68) and 40.2+/-11.1 (21-63) years in the FS and control groups, respectively, and the two groups were statistically similar (p>0.05). The mean Beighton total score was 4.7+/-2.1 and 2.9+/-2.4 in the FS and control groups, respectively (p<0.0001). The frequency of joint hypermobility was 64.2% in the FS group and 22% in the control group. In accordance with the Beighton criteria (p<0.05), we found that the joint hypermobility ratio was significantly higher in patients with FS than in subjects without FS. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between the total Beighton score and the age and number of trigger points. There were negative correlations between the total Beighton score and the age (r=-0.42, p<0.001) and number of trigger points (r=-0.24, p=0.03) in all patients. Hypermobility syndrome is more common in women with FS than in those in the control group. Therefore, the relationship between hypermobility and FS should be taken into consideration in the diagnosis and follow-up of women, especially those with widespread pain.

Are some cases of spina bifida combined with cerebral palsy? A study of 28 cases

AIM

This study is a description of a group of children with spina bifida who present with neurological impairments resembling cerebral palsy. Spina bifida is a complex congenital spinal anomaly causing paraparesis. Some children with spina bifida have neurological impairments, which fit into the definition of cerebral palsy. Extensive spasticity discordant with the level of the spina bifida lesion, upper extremity dysfunction and cognitive impairment are suggestive of concomitant cerebral palsy in these cases. The probable etiology for this problem may be neglected hydrocephalus, meningitis or other brain lesions common in spina bifida.

METHODS

In this study we have reviewed our cohort of 365 patients and found 28 cases with the above-mentioned findings. Main evaluation parameters used were the Ashworth scale for spasticity, Green and Banks modified classification for hand function, cognitive function, mental status, ambulation and lesion level.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight out of 365 children with spina bifida had neurological impairments resembling cerebral palsy. Their mean age was 59.9+/-41.3 (range, 16.8-31.2) months. Seventy percent of the patients were nonambulatory and therapeutic ambulation only was present in 30% of patients. Seventy percent of the children had spasticity of Ashworth grade 2 or higher. Upper extremity dysfunction, and cognitive impairment were also observed in 80% of the patients involved in this study. The spinal lesion was 60% thoracal and 20% upper lumbar, and none of the cases had signs of spinal tethering.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that this group of children with spina bifida may be regarded as having concomitant cerebral palsy. This fact implies that the management of this group of patients having mixed findings must be changed accordingly.

A method for determining the grade of osteoporosis based on risk factors in postmenopausal women

The aim of this study was to determine whether the probability of osteoporosis and osteopenia was affected by the risk factors, physical examination findings, or radiological investigations such as spinal X-rays in postmenopausal women. We assessed risk factors such as use of hormone replacement therapy, physical activity level, calcium intake, smoking, caffeine consumption, long-term immobilization, previous history of fracture, family history of fracture, presence of certain systemic diseases (hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism), or use of medications (corticosteroids or others), physical examinations, and presence of vertebral fractures on spinal X-rays. Patients' bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the lumbar spine, and we compared the risk factors between osteopenic and osteoporotic women according to DXA. We evaluated 235 postmenopausal women who attended our osteoporosis outpatient clinic. Those patients were divided into two groups as either osteopenic (n = 67, mean age: 63.1 years) or osteoporotic (n = 168, mean age: 66.2 years) according to WHO criteria. The lumbar spinal (L1-L2) T-score values were -1.5 +/- 0.6 and -3.1 +/- 0.6 in osteopenic and osteoporotic groups, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of mean age and lumbar BMD (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively). We also observed that vertebral tenderness on palpation, back pain, and existing vertebral fracture (fx) were significantly different between the osteopenic and osteoporotic groups (p < 0.05). As a result of the statistical analysis, we found an equation to determine osteopenic and osteoporotic women by using those four factors (age, vertebral tenderness on palpation, back pain, and existing vertebral fx) in multivariate stepwise logistic regression. The equation is as follows: Y (DXA) = -2.9024 + 0.044 (age in year) + 0.819 (vertebral fx) + 0.877 (pain) + 1.136 (vertebral tenderness). We can estimate whether a postmenopausal woman is osteopenic or osteoporotic based on these risk factors by using the stepwise logistic regression equation.

Early effect of nasal salmon calcitonin on the bone marker Crosslaps

The aim of this study was to investigate the early effect of nasal salmon calcitonin on a bone-resorption marker, "Crosslaps", in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. In this randomized, single-blind and placebo-controlled study we included 78 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, between 45 and 65 years of age, with at least 5 years duration of menopause. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, the treatment and the placebo groups. Patients in the treatment group were given 100 IU day(-1) nasal salmon calcitonin, 1,000 mg day(-1) elemental calcium, and 400 IU day(-1) vitamin D. Patients in the placebo group took only 1,000 mg day(-1) elemental calcium, and 400 IU day(-1) vitamin D. The outcome measurements were urinary deoxypyridinoline, serum alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and Crosslaps. The treatment group consisted of 39 patients whose mean age was 60.4 +/- 6 years and the placebo group included 39 patients with a mean age of 60.5 +/- 4.9 years. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of demographic characteristics. The results of bone marker measurements were analyzed statistically. Crosslaps levels in the treatment group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the placebo group. Other bone marker levels at the end of the study were not significantly lower (P > 0.05) than those at baseline in both treatment and placebo groups, however. Salmon calcitonin affects bone turnover within a few months and bone-resorption markers such as Crosslaps can be used to monitor the effect of nasal salmon calcitonin in the early phase of treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the quality of life (QOL) of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess patients' psychological and functional status in each group. This prospective study included 62 female FS patients and 60 female RA patients diagnosed by the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The Turkish translations of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale II (AIMS II) and Beck Depression Index (BDI) were given to all of the patients and they were asked to complete the two questionnaires. The scores of AIMS II, pain, and QOL were evaluated in the FS and RA groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the FS and RA groups (p>0.05) in terms of QOL. The affect subgroup scores of the AIMS II and BDI were highly correlated in the FS and RA groups (p<0.002, r=0.85 and p<0.05, r=0.80, respectively). The results show that the QOL is negatively but similarly affected in FS and RA groups.

Temporospatial Parameters of Gait After Obturator Neurolysis in Patients with Spasticity

OBJECTIVE

The management of spasticity should be implemented with the most appropriate pharmacologic agents. Ideally, these agents should provide functional improvement with minimal adverse effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the width of the base of support and the velocity of gait before and after obturator nerve block. Blocks were performed with aqueous phenol solution in patients with unilateral hip adductor muscle overactivity that resulted in scissoring gait. The goal was to analyze functional improvement and quantify outcomes and to attempt to document adverse effects.

DESIGN

This retrospective study analyzed data from 24 patients' files. Inclusion criteria included subjects whose main functional complaint was an adducted gait pattern. All subjects were able to consent for and to undergo unilateral obturator neurolysis with 7% phenol solution. Temporospatial parameters of gait were obtained using the Gait Mat II before and after obturator nerve injection.

RESULTS

The analysis showed no statistical change in the walking velocity or step length. However, the width of the base of support was significantly increased after injection. No postblock complications were reported.

CONCLUSION

Obturator neurolysis with 7% phenol solutions is an effective procedure to decrease hip adductor muscle overactivity without reported complications. In the studied population, improvement was found in the width of the base of support without immediate change in walking velocity or step length.