Mehmet Soy - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mehmet Soy

Research paper thumbnail of Vulnerabilidad a la aterosclerosis en pacientes con psoriasis y artritis psoriásica, según las determinaciones de la velocidad de la onda de pulso carótido-femoral (aórtica)

Revista Espanola De Cardiologia, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Lymphadenopathy in adult-onset Still's disease mimicking peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Clinical rheumatology, 2004

Lymphadenopathy (LAP) that is seen in adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) may be confused with... more Lymphadenopathy (LAP) that is seen in adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) may be confused with lymphoma. Here we present a patient with AOSD and with LAP that histopathologically mimicked T-cell lymphoma.

Research paper thumbnail of Arterial distensibility as determined by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in patients with Behçet’s disease

Behc¸et's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystem disorder characterized by genital and oral aphth... more Behc¸et's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystem disorder characterized by genital and oral aphthae, skin lesions, uveitis, and tendency to thrombosis. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an important factor in determining cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. It is an index of arterial wall stiffness and inversely related to the arterial distensibility. In this study we investigated the arterial distensibility in BD by PWV. We studied 14 patients with BD (18-44 years old, 10 men) and 28 healthy subjects (18-39 years old, 21 men) without known cardiovascular disease. Arterial distensibility was assessed by automatic carotid-femoral PWV measurement using the Complior Colson device. PWV is calculated from measurements of pulse transit time and the distance traveled by the pulse between two recording sites, according to the following formula: pulse wave velocity (m/s)=distance (m)/transit time(s). The mean ages, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, and PWV of Behc¸et's disease and control subjects were 32.1±7.4 vs 27.9±6.1 years, 112.9±12.0 vs 108.7±10.0 mmHg, 72.1±10.7 vs 67.7±7.5 mmHg, 40.7±12.2 vs 41.0± 10.7 mmHg, 74.1±10.2 vs 77.2±10.1 bpm, and 8.4±1.4 vs 8.5±1.1 m/s, respectively. Differences between all parameters studied were not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). The carotid-femoral PWV, an index of arterial stiffness and a marker of atherosclerosis, is not increased in patients with BD compared with control subjects.

Research paper thumbnail of Nocardiosis in a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosi... more Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosis, obstetrical and hematological complications. Corticosteroids may be useful for therapy of some features of this syndrome, such as thrombocytopenia. Nocardia is an important opportunistic infectious agent in immunocompromised hosts, i.e. in patients taking corticosteroids. It is important to be aware of these rare complications, which are correlated with the prognosis. In this paper, we report a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome treated by corticosteroid, who developed disseminated nocardiosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease coexisted with Sjogren’s syndrome

Clinical Rheumatology, 2007

Here we described a case of primary Sjogren’s syndrome that coexisted with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Susceptibility to Atherosclerosis in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis as Determined by Carotid–Femoral (Aortic) Pulse-Wave Velocity Measurement

Revista Española de Cardiología (English Edition), 2009

Introduction and objectives. In this study we analyzed the susceptibility to atherosclerosis of p... more Introduction and objectives. In this study we analyzed the susceptibility to atherosclerosis of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) by determining the femoral-carotid pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is a measure of the viscoelastic properties of blood vessels.

Research paper thumbnail of Erythema nodosum associated with granulomatous mastitis: report of two cases

Rheumatology International, 2010

Granulomatous mastitis is a rare breast disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Clinical p... more Granulomatous mastitis is a rare breast disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Clinical presentation of granulomatous mastitis usually mimics malignancy or infection. Coincidence of granulomatous mastitis and erythema nodosum is a quite rare feature. In this paper, we aimed to present two young women with granulomatous mastitis accompanied by erythema nodosum and successfully treated with corticosteroids. Granulomatous mastitis should be kept

Research paper thumbnail of A case of primary antiphospholipid syndrome who developed acute myocardial infarction followed by early-onset pre-eclampsia

Clinical Rheumatology, 2003

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a noninflammatory autoimmune disease associated with ... more Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a noninflammatory autoimmune disease associated with an increased risk of vascular thrombosis [1]. Here we describe a 29-year-old woman with PAPS who developed acute myocardial infarction (MI) followed by an earlyonset pre-eclampsia (EOPE), who was treated by thrombolytic therapy.

Research paper thumbnail of Vasculitis Induced by Zafirlukast Therapy

Clinical Rheumatology, 2002

Zafirlukast is a leukotriene inhibitor that has recently been approved for the prophylaxis of ast... more Zafirlukast is a leukotriene inhibitor that has recently been approved for the prophylaxis of asthma. Although this new product has been well accepted because of its convenient dosing and relatively few side effects, several cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome have been reported to be associated with its use. In this paper we describe the case of a 54-year-old white man with no history of corticosteroid therapy in whom leukocytoclastic vasculitis, hepatitis and eosinophilia developed while he was on zafirlukast therapy for mild asthma.

Research paper thumbnail of Cutaneous findings in patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome

Clinical Rheumatology, 2007

Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by exocrine gland involvem... more Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by exocrine gland involvement. It is reported that the skin is affected in nearly half of SS patients. Cutaneous manifestations consist of xerosis, angular cheilitis, eyelid dermatitis, pruritus, cutaneous vasculitis (frequently manifesting as palpable purpura), and erythema annulare. Most of them are nonspecific and less severe than the oral, ocular,

Research paper thumbnail of Montelukast ile ilişkili Churg-Strauss sendromu

On beş yıldır astım öyküsü olan 47 yaşında bir kadın hasta antibiyotik tedavisine yanıt vermeyen ... more On beş yıldır astım öyküsü olan 47 yaşında bir kadın hasta antibiyotik tedavisine yanıt vermeyen radyolojik infiltrasyo-nu nedeniyle hastanemize sevkedildi. Hasta 2 yıldır montelukast kullanıyordu. Periferik kanda eozinofili (%38), bronkoal-veoler lavajda eozinofili (%54), ...

Research paper thumbnail of Nocardial brain abscess: Review of clinical management

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 2006

Nocardiosis has become a significant opportunistic infection over the last two decades as the num... more Nocardiosis has become a significant opportunistic infection over the last two decades as the number of immunocompromised individuals has grown worldwide. We present two patients with nocardial brain abscess. The first patient was a 39-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. A left temporoparietal abscess was detected and aspirated through a burr-hole. Nocardia farcinica infection was diagnosed. The patient had an

Research paper thumbnail of Delay in the Diagnosis of SLE:The Importance of Arthritis/Arthralgia as the Initial Symptom

Despite the current diagnostic and serologic testing for SLE the interval between the onset of sy... more Despite the current diagnostic and serologic testing for SLE the interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis is still long. In this study we aimed to show the interval between the initial symptoms and the diagnosis of SLE and to investigate the presence of any relationship between the interval and the initial symptoms. One hundred and thirty‑six patients

Research paper thumbnail of PMS24 The Cost of Care of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients in Tertiary Care Rheumatology Units in Turkey

Value in Health, 2011

... Diyarbakir Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey. ,; Y. Karakoc: Affiliations. B... more ... Diyarbakir Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey. ,; Y. Karakoc: Affiliations. Bursa Sevket Yilmaz Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. ,; G. Keskin: Affiliations. ... Affiliations. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey. ,; A. Taylan: Affiliations ...

Research paper thumbnail of Intermediate to long-term follow-up results of INH chemoprophylaxis prior to anti-TNF-alpha therapy in a high-risk area for tuberculosis

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 2013

The use of anti-TNF drugs for rheumatic diseases has increased in recent years. Several studies h... more The use of anti-TNF drugs for rheumatic diseases has increased in recent years. Several studies have reported an increased risk of reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) with anti-TNF agents. The aim of this study was to present the follow-up results of a single center from Turkey, a country with a high rate of active and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), for INH chemoprophylaxis in patients receiving anti-TNF-α therapy for rheumatic diseases infection. In this prospective observational study, consenting patients who were to be administered an anti-TNF agent for a rheumatic disease were evaluated for the presence of active infection or LTBI by a chest X-ray and a tuberculin skin test. Patients with LTBI were given chemoprophylaxis 1 month prior to commencement of anti-TNF treatment. All patients were followed-up bimonthly for any signs of pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB. A total of 73 patients, 23 female (31.5 %) and 50 male (68.5 %), with a mean age of 41.0 ± 13.1 years (18-78) were enrolled in the study. Overall, 44 patients (60.3 %) had ankylosing spondylitis, 18 (24.7 %) had rheumatoid arthritis, 7 (9.6 %) had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and 3 (4.1 %) had psoriatic arthritis. LTBI was identified in 58 patients all of whom received chemoprophylaxis for 9 months. None of the patients in the study developed any signs of tuberculosis reactivation during follow-up. TST is a reliable and cost-effective method for the diagnosis of LTBI in patients prior to anti-TNF therapy. Moreover, chemoprophylaxis with INH seems to be effective for the prevention of TB reactivation in individuals with LTBI.

Research paper thumbnail of A primary Sjögren’s syndrome patient with distal renal tubular acidosis, who presented with symptoms of hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Rheumatology International, 2005

Although renal tubular acidosis (RTA), secondary to autoimmune interstitial nephritis, develops i... more Although renal tubular acidosis (RTA), secondary to autoimmune interstitial nephritis, develops in a large proportion of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), most of the subjects are asymptomatic. Here, we shall present a 39-year-old female patient who came to us with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP), and who was later diagnosed with distal RTA. The patient, who had xerostomia and xerophthalmia for a long period of time, was diagnosed with primary SS from serologic and histologic findings. The patient recovered by being prescribed potassium replacement therapy. Although renal biopsy was not performed, corticosteroids were administered because HPP indicated severe interstitial nephritis. HPP did not reoccur during a 2-year follow-up period. We also review cases with SS-related distal RTA and HPP.

Research paper thumbnail of Nocardiosis in a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome

Rheumatology International, 2006

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosi... more Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosis, obstetrical and hematological complications. Corticosteroids may be useful for therapy of some features of this syndrome, such as thrombocytopenia. Nocardia is an important opportunistic infectious agent in immunocompromised hosts, i.e. in patients taking corticosteroids. It is important to be aware of these rare complications, which are correlated with the prognosis. In this paper, we report a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome treated by corticosteroid, who developed disseminated nocardiosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

Rheumatology International, 2007

We aimed to investigate the frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients suVering from autoimmune ... more We aimed to investigate the frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients suVering from autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD). Sixty-Wve patients (56 F, 9 M), who were followed by diagnosis of ATD, were questioned and examined for the presence of rheumatic disease. Basic laboratory tests and antithyroid antibodies, antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were also measured by appropriate methods. Various rheumatic diseases were detected in 40 (62%) of patients with ATD. The most frequent rheumatic conditions were Wbromyalgia, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, osteoarthritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia and carpal tunnel syndrome which were detected in 20 (31%), 13 (20%), 10 (15%), 9 (14%) and 8 (12%) of patients, respectively. Autoimmune diseases, except Sjogren's syndrome, which were detected in ten patients with ATD, are as follows-vitiligo: two; autoimmune hepatitis: two; oral lichen planus: one, ulcerative colitis: one, inXammatory arthritis in four patients (two of them had rheumatoid arthritis, one had psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and one had mixed collagen tissue disease). RF was positive in two patients, one of them had rheumatoid arthritis and FANA was positive in six (9%) patients; all of them M. Soy

Research paper thumbnail of Joint and nail involvement in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatology International, 2008

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune, chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by th... more Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune, chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by the association of arthritis with psoriasis. In this paper, we explore the characteristics of joint and nail involvement in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis. Forty patients with psoriasis (M/F, 18/22) and 49 (M/F, 25/24) subjects with psoriatic arthritis were included in the study. Clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The distribution of the subjects with arthritis: (according to the clinical and radiological findings): polyarticular, 65%; oligoarticular, 23%; isolated axial involvement, 7.7%; arthritis mutilans, 3.8%; sacroiliitis, 19%. Nail involvement was significantly higher among patients with arthritis; i.e., 91 versus 32%; (P<0.05). There were no correlation between the skin involvement pattern and the arthritis type (P>0.05). Nevertheless, no relation was observed between the psoriasis duration and arthritis (P>0.05). Nail involvement is a frequent feature of the psoriatic arthritis which may be a useful finding for differential diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis from other inflammatory arthropathies.

Research paper thumbnail of Bronchocentric granulomatosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatology International, 2012

Bronchocentric granulomatosis is an uncommon entity which has no specific clinical, radiological ... more Bronchocentric granulomatosis is an uncommon entity which has no specific clinical, radiological and immunological features. It is usually diagnosed at morphological examination of biopsy or resected lung material. Aetiology of bronchocentric granulomatosis is unclear. A 49-year-old female patient, who was followed up with diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis in our outpatient clinic, presented with right lobe nodular lesion in chest radiography. Right thoracotomy and wedge resection was performed. Pathological examination revealed bronchocentric granulomatosis. Bronchocentric granulomatosis has been rarely reported in rheumatoid arthritis. This case might be a proof that bronchocentric granulomatosis may be one of the respiratory manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis.

Research paper thumbnail of Vulnerabilidad a la aterosclerosis en pacientes con psoriasis y artritis psoriásica, según las determinaciones de la velocidad de la onda de pulso carótido-femoral (aórtica)

Revista Espanola De Cardiologia, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Lymphadenopathy in adult-onset Still's disease mimicking peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Clinical rheumatology, 2004

Lymphadenopathy (LAP) that is seen in adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) may be confused with... more Lymphadenopathy (LAP) that is seen in adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) may be confused with lymphoma. Here we present a patient with AOSD and with LAP that histopathologically mimicked T-cell lymphoma.

Research paper thumbnail of Arterial distensibility as determined by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in patients with Behçet’s disease

Behc¸et's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystem disorder characterized by genital and oral aphth... more Behc¸et's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystem disorder characterized by genital and oral aphthae, skin lesions, uveitis, and tendency to thrombosis. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an important factor in determining cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. It is an index of arterial wall stiffness and inversely related to the arterial distensibility. In this study we investigated the arterial distensibility in BD by PWV. We studied 14 patients with BD (18-44 years old, 10 men) and 28 healthy subjects (18-39 years old, 21 men) without known cardiovascular disease. Arterial distensibility was assessed by automatic carotid-femoral PWV measurement using the Complior Colson device. PWV is calculated from measurements of pulse transit time and the distance traveled by the pulse between two recording sites, according to the following formula: pulse wave velocity (m/s)=distance (m)/transit time(s). The mean ages, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, and PWV of Behc¸et's disease and control subjects were 32.1±7.4 vs 27.9±6.1 years, 112.9±12.0 vs 108.7±10.0 mmHg, 72.1±10.7 vs 67.7±7.5 mmHg, 40.7±12.2 vs 41.0± 10.7 mmHg, 74.1±10.2 vs 77.2±10.1 bpm, and 8.4±1.4 vs 8.5±1.1 m/s, respectively. Differences between all parameters studied were not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). The carotid-femoral PWV, an index of arterial stiffness and a marker of atherosclerosis, is not increased in patients with BD compared with control subjects.

Research paper thumbnail of Nocardiosis in a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosi... more Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosis, obstetrical and hematological complications. Corticosteroids may be useful for therapy of some features of this syndrome, such as thrombocytopenia. Nocardia is an important opportunistic infectious agent in immunocompromised hosts, i.e. in patients taking corticosteroids. It is important to be aware of these rare complications, which are correlated with the prognosis. In this paper, we report a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome treated by corticosteroid, who developed disseminated nocardiosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease coexisted with Sjogren’s syndrome

Clinical Rheumatology, 2007

Here we described a case of primary Sjogren’s syndrome that coexisted with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Susceptibility to Atherosclerosis in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis as Determined by Carotid–Femoral (Aortic) Pulse-Wave Velocity Measurement

Revista Española de Cardiología (English Edition), 2009

Introduction and objectives. In this study we analyzed the susceptibility to atherosclerosis of p... more Introduction and objectives. In this study we analyzed the susceptibility to atherosclerosis of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) by determining the femoral-carotid pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is a measure of the viscoelastic properties of blood vessels.

Research paper thumbnail of Erythema nodosum associated with granulomatous mastitis: report of two cases

Rheumatology International, 2010

Granulomatous mastitis is a rare breast disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Clinical p... more Granulomatous mastitis is a rare breast disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Clinical presentation of granulomatous mastitis usually mimics malignancy or infection. Coincidence of granulomatous mastitis and erythema nodosum is a quite rare feature. In this paper, we aimed to present two young women with granulomatous mastitis accompanied by erythema nodosum and successfully treated with corticosteroids. Granulomatous mastitis should be kept

Research paper thumbnail of A case of primary antiphospholipid syndrome who developed acute myocardial infarction followed by early-onset pre-eclampsia

Clinical Rheumatology, 2003

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a noninflammatory autoimmune disease associated with ... more Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a noninflammatory autoimmune disease associated with an increased risk of vascular thrombosis [1]. Here we describe a 29-year-old woman with PAPS who developed acute myocardial infarction (MI) followed by an earlyonset pre-eclampsia (EOPE), who was treated by thrombolytic therapy.

Research paper thumbnail of Vasculitis Induced by Zafirlukast Therapy

Clinical Rheumatology, 2002

Zafirlukast is a leukotriene inhibitor that has recently been approved for the prophylaxis of ast... more Zafirlukast is a leukotriene inhibitor that has recently been approved for the prophylaxis of asthma. Although this new product has been well accepted because of its convenient dosing and relatively few side effects, several cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome have been reported to be associated with its use. In this paper we describe the case of a 54-year-old white man with no history of corticosteroid therapy in whom leukocytoclastic vasculitis, hepatitis and eosinophilia developed while he was on zafirlukast therapy for mild asthma.

Research paper thumbnail of Cutaneous findings in patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome

Clinical Rheumatology, 2007

Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by exocrine gland involvem... more Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by exocrine gland involvement. It is reported that the skin is affected in nearly half of SS patients. Cutaneous manifestations consist of xerosis, angular cheilitis, eyelid dermatitis, pruritus, cutaneous vasculitis (frequently manifesting as palpable purpura), and erythema annulare. Most of them are nonspecific and less severe than the oral, ocular,

Research paper thumbnail of Montelukast ile ilişkili Churg-Strauss sendromu

On beş yıldır astım öyküsü olan 47 yaşında bir kadın hasta antibiyotik tedavisine yanıt vermeyen ... more On beş yıldır astım öyküsü olan 47 yaşında bir kadın hasta antibiyotik tedavisine yanıt vermeyen radyolojik infiltrasyo-nu nedeniyle hastanemize sevkedildi. Hasta 2 yıldır montelukast kullanıyordu. Periferik kanda eozinofili (%38), bronkoal-veoler lavajda eozinofili (%54), ...

Research paper thumbnail of Nocardial brain abscess: Review of clinical management

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 2006

Nocardiosis has become a significant opportunistic infection over the last two decades as the num... more Nocardiosis has become a significant opportunistic infection over the last two decades as the number of immunocompromised individuals has grown worldwide. We present two patients with nocardial brain abscess. The first patient was a 39-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. A left temporoparietal abscess was detected and aspirated through a burr-hole. Nocardia farcinica infection was diagnosed. The patient had an

Research paper thumbnail of Delay in the Diagnosis of SLE:The Importance of Arthritis/Arthralgia as the Initial Symptom

Despite the current diagnostic and serologic testing for SLE the interval between the onset of sy... more Despite the current diagnostic and serologic testing for SLE the interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis is still long. In this study we aimed to show the interval between the initial symptoms and the diagnosis of SLE and to investigate the presence of any relationship between the interval and the initial symptoms. One hundred and thirty‑six patients

Research paper thumbnail of PMS24 The Cost of Care of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients in Tertiary Care Rheumatology Units in Turkey

Value in Health, 2011

... Diyarbakir Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey. ,; Y. Karakoc: Affiliations. B... more ... Diyarbakir Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey. ,; Y. Karakoc: Affiliations. Bursa Sevket Yilmaz Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. ,; G. Keskin: Affiliations. ... Affiliations. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey. ,; A. Taylan: Affiliations ...

Research paper thumbnail of Intermediate to long-term follow-up results of INH chemoprophylaxis prior to anti-TNF-alpha therapy in a high-risk area for tuberculosis

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 2013

The use of anti-TNF drugs for rheumatic diseases has increased in recent years. Several studies h... more The use of anti-TNF drugs for rheumatic diseases has increased in recent years. Several studies have reported an increased risk of reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) with anti-TNF agents. The aim of this study was to present the follow-up results of a single center from Turkey, a country with a high rate of active and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), for INH chemoprophylaxis in patients receiving anti-TNF-α therapy for rheumatic diseases infection. In this prospective observational study, consenting patients who were to be administered an anti-TNF agent for a rheumatic disease were evaluated for the presence of active infection or LTBI by a chest X-ray and a tuberculin skin test. Patients with LTBI were given chemoprophylaxis 1 month prior to commencement of anti-TNF treatment. All patients were followed-up bimonthly for any signs of pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB. A total of 73 patients, 23 female (31.5 %) and 50 male (68.5 %), with a mean age of 41.0 ± 13.1 years (18-78) were enrolled in the study. Overall, 44 patients (60.3 %) had ankylosing spondylitis, 18 (24.7 %) had rheumatoid arthritis, 7 (9.6 %) had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and 3 (4.1 %) had psoriatic arthritis. LTBI was identified in 58 patients all of whom received chemoprophylaxis for 9 months. None of the patients in the study developed any signs of tuberculosis reactivation during follow-up. TST is a reliable and cost-effective method for the diagnosis of LTBI in patients prior to anti-TNF therapy. Moreover, chemoprophylaxis with INH seems to be effective for the prevention of TB reactivation in individuals with LTBI.

Research paper thumbnail of A primary Sjögren’s syndrome patient with distal renal tubular acidosis, who presented with symptoms of hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Rheumatology International, 2005

Although renal tubular acidosis (RTA), secondary to autoimmune interstitial nephritis, develops i... more Although renal tubular acidosis (RTA), secondary to autoimmune interstitial nephritis, develops in a large proportion of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), most of the subjects are asymptomatic. Here, we shall present a 39-year-old female patient who came to us with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP), and who was later diagnosed with distal RTA. The patient, who had xerostomia and xerophthalmia for a long period of time, was diagnosed with primary SS from serologic and histologic findings. The patient recovered by being prescribed potassium replacement therapy. Although renal biopsy was not performed, corticosteroids were administered because HPP indicated severe interstitial nephritis. HPP did not reoccur during a 2-year follow-up period. We also review cases with SS-related distal RTA and HPP.

Research paper thumbnail of Nocardiosis in a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome

Rheumatology International, 2006

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosi... more Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by tendency to thrombosis, obstetrical and hematological complications. Corticosteroids may be useful for therapy of some features of this syndrome, such as thrombocytopenia. Nocardia is an important opportunistic infectious agent in immunocompromised hosts, i.e. in patients taking corticosteroids. It is important to be aware of these rare complications, which are correlated with the prognosis. In this paper, we report a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome treated by corticosteroid, who developed disseminated nocardiosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

Rheumatology International, 2007

We aimed to investigate the frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients suVering from autoimmune ... more We aimed to investigate the frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients suVering from autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD). Sixty-Wve patients (56 F, 9 M), who were followed by diagnosis of ATD, were questioned and examined for the presence of rheumatic disease. Basic laboratory tests and antithyroid antibodies, antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were also measured by appropriate methods. Various rheumatic diseases were detected in 40 (62%) of patients with ATD. The most frequent rheumatic conditions were Wbromyalgia, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, osteoarthritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia and carpal tunnel syndrome which were detected in 20 (31%), 13 (20%), 10 (15%), 9 (14%) and 8 (12%) of patients, respectively. Autoimmune diseases, except Sjogren's syndrome, which were detected in ten patients with ATD, are as follows-vitiligo: two; autoimmune hepatitis: two; oral lichen planus: one, ulcerative colitis: one, inXammatory arthritis in four patients (two of them had rheumatoid arthritis, one had psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and one had mixed collagen tissue disease). RF was positive in two patients, one of them had rheumatoid arthritis and FANA was positive in six (9%) patients; all of them M. Soy

Research paper thumbnail of Joint and nail involvement in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatology International, 2008

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune, chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by th... more Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune, chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by the association of arthritis with psoriasis. In this paper, we explore the characteristics of joint and nail involvement in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis. Forty patients with psoriasis (M/F, 18/22) and 49 (M/F, 25/24) subjects with psoriatic arthritis were included in the study. Clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The distribution of the subjects with arthritis: (according to the clinical and radiological findings): polyarticular, 65%; oligoarticular, 23%; isolated axial involvement, 7.7%; arthritis mutilans, 3.8%; sacroiliitis, 19%. Nail involvement was significantly higher among patients with arthritis; i.e., 91 versus 32%; (P<0.05). There were no correlation between the skin involvement pattern and the arthritis type (P>0.05). Nevertheless, no relation was observed between the psoriasis duration and arthritis (P>0.05). Nail involvement is a frequent feature of the psoriatic arthritis which may be a useful finding for differential diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis from other inflammatory arthropathies.

Research paper thumbnail of Bronchocentric granulomatosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatology International, 2012

Bronchocentric granulomatosis is an uncommon entity which has no specific clinical, radiological ... more Bronchocentric granulomatosis is an uncommon entity which has no specific clinical, radiological and immunological features. It is usually diagnosed at morphological examination of biopsy or resected lung material. Aetiology of bronchocentric granulomatosis is unclear. A 49-year-old female patient, who was followed up with diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis in our outpatient clinic, presented with right lobe nodular lesion in chest radiography. Right thoracotomy and wedge resection was performed. Pathological examination revealed bronchocentric granulomatosis. Bronchocentric granulomatosis has been rarely reported in rheumatoid arthritis. This case might be a proof that bronchocentric granulomatosis may be one of the respiratory manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis.