3 research outputs found
Thrombin Activated Fibrinolysis Inhibitors (TAFI) Levels in Active Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis Patients
No full textElevated beta-thromboglobulin and mean platelet volume levels may show persistent platelet activation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
No full textBackground. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of thrombotic events. Platelets become more active and they enlarge to release proteins from alpha granules for aggregation during the plaque formation period. Beta-thromboglobulin is one of the proteins released from alpha-granules when platelets are activated and used as a marker of platelet activation in vivo. Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of beta-thromoglobulin and mean platelet volume as markers of the presence of platelet activation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared with healthy controls. Material and methods. Thirty-seven SLE patients with a mean disease duration of 4.96 years and without any organ involvement as well as 30 healthy volunteers were included in the study. All patients were in remission of SLE. Results. The mean beta-thromboglobulin level was 97.36 +/- 55.8 ng/mL in the SLE group and 72.67 +/- 33.5 ng/mL in the control group (p = 0.029). The mean platelet volume level was 8.27 +/- 1.68 fL in the SLE group and 9.16 +/- 1.52 fL (p = 0.031) in the controls. Conclusions. Elevated beta-thromboglobulin levels in systemic lupus erythematosus patients may be associated with platelet activation in the early stages of disease, whereas lower mean platelet volume levels in the same population may be due to the effects of hydroxychloroquine and the inactivity of SLE
The Psoriatic Arthritis Registry of Turkey: results of a multicentre registry on 1081 patients
No full textObjective. The aim was to assess the characteristics of PsA, find out how well the disease is controlled in real life, demonstrate the treatments and identify the unmet needs. Methods. The PsA registry of Turkey is a multicentre Web-based registry established in 2014 and including 32 rheumatology centres. Detailed data regarding demographics for skin and joint disease, disease activity assessments and treatment choices were collected. Results. One thousand and eighty-one patients (64.7% women) with a mean (S.D.) PsA duration of 5.8 (6.7) years were enrolled. The most frequent type of PsA was polyarticular [437 (40.5%)], followed by oligoarticular [407 (37.7%)] and axial disease [372 (34.4%)]. The mean (S.D.) swollen and tender joint counts were 1.7 (3) and 3.6 (4.8), respectively. Of these patients, 38.6% were on conventional synthetic DMARD monotherapy, 7.1% were on anti-TNF monotherapy, and 22.5% were using anti-TNF plus conventional synthetic DMARD combinations. According to DAS28, 86 (12.4%) patients had high and 105 (15.2%) had moderate disease activity. Low disease activity was achieved in 317 (45.7%) patients, and 185 (26.7%) were in remission. Minimal disease activity data could be calculated in 247 patients, 105 of whom (42.5%) had minimal disease activity. The major differences among sexes were that women were older and had less frequent axial disease, more fatigue, higher HAQ scores and less remission. Conclusion. The PsA registry of Turkey had similarities with previously published registries, supporting its external validity. The finding that women had more fatigue and worse functioning as well as the high percentage of active disease state highlight the unmet need in treatment of PsA
