Browsing by Author "Yucel, Ahmet Eftal"

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Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Treatment and Tuberculin Skin Test
(2015) Bozkirli, Emine Duygu Ersozlu; Tufan, Muge Aydin; Ozisik, Lale; Sen, Nazan; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal
Purpose: The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) drugs has been a milestone in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Despite their strong efficacy, there are some factors restricting the use of anti-TNF agents. We must be careful especially for the granulomatous diseases which can be seen endemic in our country such as tuberculosis and leishmaniasis. In our country according to the RAED 2005 Consensus Meeting Reports, patients candidate for anti-TNF treatment are evaluated for both active and inactive tuberculosis before treatment and prophylaxis with isoniazid (INH) has been performed where indicated. Material and Methods: Tuberculin skin tests (TST) of 43 patients followed up in the Rheumatology Clinic and receiving anti-TNF therapy were repeated under treatment. Patients' pretreatment first TST results, drugs they used, INH prophylaxis state, smoking status and the duration of anti-TNF treatment were evaluated. Results: 14 patients (32.6%) were women, while 29 (67.4%) were men. The mean of first TST values were 11.72 +/- 90.3 mm (0-30) and the mean of second TST values were 12.06 +/- 12.4 mm (0-45). 48.8% of the patients were smoking and 74.4% of the patients had received INH prophylaxis for 9 months. The mean total duration of anti-TNF drug use was found as 22.67 +/- 19.11 (5-68) months. No statistically significant difference (p=0.888) was observed between the first pretreatment and second under treatment TST results of the patients. Discussion: Tuberculosis remains to be a serious public health problem for both our country and the whole world. For this reason in our country, a detailed assessment is performed for all patients before anti-TNF treatment. In our study patients who are planned to start anti-TNF therapy were assessed with their first TST values and INH prophylaxis were given to 32 patients (74.4%) before treatment. No statistically significant difference was observed between pre and post-treatment TST values when control TST were performed with the earliest after five months of treatment. These findings may suggest that there is no evident increase in the risk of tuberculosis for patients receiving anti-TNF treatment with appropriate INH prophylaxis.
Corneal, Scleral, Choroidal, and Foveal Thickness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
(2017) Akman, Ahmet; Gungor, Sirel Gur; Gokmen, Onur; Yesilirmak, Nilufer; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; Yesil, Hilmi; Yildiz, Fatih; Sise, Adam; Diakonis, Vasilios; 29326847; I-6542-2012
Objectives: To investigate corneal, scleral, choroidal, and foveal thicknesses in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compare them with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included consecutive female patients diagnosed with RA and healthy subjects. Corneal, scleral, choroidal, and retinal (foveal) thicknesses were obtained by using optical coherence tomography and a comparison was performed between groups for all outcome measures. Results: Thirty-six eyes of 36 female patients diagnosed with RA (group 1) and 36 eyes of 36 healthy female volunteers (group 2) were included. Mean corneal, scleral, choroidal thicknesses and retinal thickness at the fovea of group 1 were 543.3 +/- 33.7 mu m, 343.7 +/- 42.2 mu m, 214.6 +/- 50, and 213.5 +/- 18.9 mu m, respectively; in group 2, these values were 549.9 +/- 29.6 mu m, 420.9 +/- 42.4 mu m, 206.4 +/- 41.9 mu m, and 222 +/- 15.5 mu m, respectively. The comparison between group 1 and 2 with respect to corneal, choroidal, and foveal thicknesses did not reveal statistical significant differences (p>0.05). On the contrary, there was a statistically significant difference with respect to scleral thickness between the groups, with the RA patients demonstrating a thinner scleral layer (p<0.001). Conclusion: Female patients with RA seem to demonstrate statistically significant scleral thinning when compared with healthy subjects, while there was no difference concerning corneal, choroidal, and foveal thickness.
Correlation Between IL-17A/F, IL-23, IL-35 and IL-12/-23 (P40) Levels in Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Cultures and Disease Activity in Behcet's Patients
(2018) Sonmez, Cemile; Yucel, Aysegul Atak; Yesil, Turan Hilmi; Kucuk, Hamit; Sezgin, Berna; Mercan, Ridvan; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; Demirel, Gulderen Yanikkaya; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4860-9072; 29557072
Behcet's disease is a chronic multisystemic disease with remissions and relapses. Several studies have shown that immune mechanisms play an important role in the development of the disease. In order to assess the association of disease activity with IL-17A/F, IL-23, IL-12/23 (p40) and IL-35 expression, we aimed to investigate production of these cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Behcet's patients and normal controls. Furthermore, we included Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as disease control to evaluate the specificity of our data for immunopathogenesis of BD. Totally 15 active, 15 inactive Behcet's patients, 12 active and 12 inactive SLE patients and 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated, lymphocyte cultures were performed and IL-17A/F, IL-12/23 p(40), IL-23, IL-35 cytokine levels were measured by ELISA in culture supernatants in the presence or absence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on time-dependent manner. IL-17 A/F levels increased parallel to IL-23 levels in Behcet's and SLE patients. Compared to healthy controls, IL-17 A/F levels were higher in active Behcet's and SLE patients; on the contrary, levels of IL-35 were lower. IL-17A/F, IL-12/23 (p40) and IL-23 levels were detectable most frequently in active Behcet's patients followed by active SLE patients. Our results indicate that IL-17 A/F, IL-23 and IL-12/23 (p40) may play role in the immunopathogenesis of BD so as Th17 and Th1 cell responses. Since IL-35 levels were lower in active Behcet's patients compared to inactive patients and healthy controls, there may be a plasticity between Th17 and Treg cells according to the state of disease activity.
Effect of subcutaneous high-dose methotrexate treatment on the management of rheumatoid arthritis
(2021) Tufan, Muge Aydin; Ersozlu, Emine Duygu; Koseoglu, Hamide Kart; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal
Purpose: Methotrexate (MTX) is still the main treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is no consensus on drug administration routes and dosage when administered alone or in combination with other drugs. This study aims to identify the effects of early administration of a combination therapy containing high dose subcutaneous (SC) MTX on RA management. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients with RA who newly diagnosed were divided into two groups randomly. The patients who took 12.5 mg SC MTX per week in the first 4 weeks defined as a "low dose group". The patients who took 25 mg SC MTX per week in the first 4 weeks defined as a "high dose group". Then, patients of both groups continued with 12.5 mg oral MTX per week. Clinical and laboratory findings, disease activity scores and response rates of the patients were recorded at the beginning, 3rd months and 6th months. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups at 3rd month's values. There were statistically significant improvements at 6th month's values. Values were as follows in low and high dose groups: mean DAS28-CRP (3.5 vs 2.7), VAS pain score (3.3 vs 1.6), and TJC28 (3 vs 1.5), respectively. Conclusion: Early administration of high-dose SC MTX effectively controls disease activity and increases the quality of life in RA patients.
Effects of Infliximab Treatment in Terms of Cardiovascular Risk and Insulin Resistance in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
(2014) Bozkirli, Emine Duygu Ersozlu; Bozkirli, Emre; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4860-9072; 24252046; E-9887-2014
Objective. To assess the effects of infliximab treatment on insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods. In this prospective study, 30 consecutive AS patients (23 men and 7 women) fulfilling the modified 1984 New York criteria for AS were investigated. All patients were treated with intravenous infliximab. A complete biochemical profile and assesments were obtained before and after 12 weeks of infliximab therapy. The Homoeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR) was used to measure insulin resistance (IR). Framingham equation was used to assess cardiovascular risk factors. Results. After 12 weeks of infliximab treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid parameters, body-mass index, waist circumference and waist hip ratio, whereas fasting glucose levels (p = 0.001), triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (p = 0.043) and total cholesterol/HDL (p = 0.041) ratio increased significantly from baseline. A significant decrease was observed for both systolic blood pressures (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressures (p = 0.003) in the 12th-week visit. A significant decrease was also found in terms of Framingham risk scores (p = 0.028) after treatment. Conclusions. Study results suggest that infliximab treatment may reduce cardiovascular risk and blood pressures without changing IR.
Evaluation of pancreatic exocrine functions in rheumatoid arthritis
(2018) Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; Sisman, P.; 30160157
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases. It mainly involves the joints and also affects directly or indirectly nearly all organ systems. The question whether RA causes exocrine pancreatic disfunction remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether or not RA contributes to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. This was done by ruling out seconder Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) by using Schirmer's test. METHODS: A total of 60 patients (20 RA, 20 RA + SjS and 20 SjS) and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Patients with RA who had not undergonethe Schirmer's test in the last 6 months and all healthy volunteers included in the study underwent the Schirmer's test at an outpatient clinic. Random fecal samples were taken from all participants and fecal pancreatic elastase was measured to evaluate pancreatic exocrine functions. RESULTS: In the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the control group, SjS and RA+SjS groups. But there was no significant difference between the control group and RA group. In RA group, fecal elastase levels were statistically significantly higher compared to the SjS group. But there was no significant difference between RA+SjS and SjS groups. CONCLUSION: Fecal elastase significantly decreased in SjS compared to the normal population while pancreatic exocrine functions are considered to be impaired in SjS. There are also impaired pancreatic exocrine functions in the secondary SjS associated with RA. Consequently, pancreatic exocrine dysfunction, which can be seen in patients with RA, may be thought to be caused by secondary SjS associated with RA (Tab. 6, Fig. 1, Ref. 19). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.
Factors affecting relapse in patients with Granulomatosis Polyangiitis: a single-center retrospective cohort study
(2021) Aydin Tufan, Muge; Tekkarismaz, Nihan; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; 0000-0001-7631-7395; 0000-0002-2686-9762; 33315347; AAD-9088-2021; AAJ-9057-2021
Background and aim: This study aimed to determine the frequency of relapse, the risk factors for relapse, and the correlation of relapse with immunosuppressive regimens in patients with granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA). Materials and methods: The demographic characteristics, the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings, the immunosuppressive treatment regimens, and the remission and relapse rates of 50 patients with GPA were obtained retrospectively from medical records. Results: The mean relapse-free survival rates at years 1, 3, and 5 were 82%, 60%, and 50%, respectively. Increased relapse rates were observed in patients who had cavitary lung lesions (52.2% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.04) and in those who had elevated serum creatinine levels (1.8 vs. 0.9, p = 0.00). The patients received two different types of remission induction therapies; 36% of them received the combination therapy involving cyclophosphamide (CYC) and rituximab (RTX), and 62% received CYC alone. Relapse was observed in 22.3% of the patients who received the combination remission induction therapy and in 61.3% of the patients who received CYC alone (P = 0.003). Conclusion: An increased risk of relapse was observed in patients who had cavitary lung lesions and in those who had elevated serum creatinine levels. The combined use of RTX and CYC for the remission therapy in GPA reduced the relapse rates compared with the use of CYC alone.
High Levels of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells Are Associated with Acrotism in Patients with Takayasu Arteritis
(2017) Kozanoglu, Ilknur; Keskek, Sakir Ozgur; Bozkirli-Ersozlu, Emine Duygu; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; 0000-0002-5268-1210; 27816980; AAE-1241-2021; I-6542-2012
Objectives: To investigate the association between endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and Takayasu arteritis (TA). Subjects and Methods: A total of 39 subjects were included in this study: 12 subjects had been diagnosed with active TA, 11 had active Behcet disease (BD), and 16 were healthy controls. The EPCs, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of all the subjects were measured. MedCalc 15.8 software (MedCalc, Belgium) was used for all statistical analyses. Results: The level of EPCs was higher in TA patients (4.25 +/- 2.56) than in the BD group (2.27 +/- 2.0) and the healthy controls (2.12 +/- 1.2) (p = 0.015). TA patients with acrotism (n = 4) had higher levels of EPCs compared to TA patients without acrotism (n = 8) (6.50 +/- 1.73 vs. 3.12 +/- 2.16, p = 0.02). A positive correlation was found between EPCs and the ESR (r = 0.723, p = 0.0079) and between EPCs and CRP in patients with TA (r = 0.769, p < 0.0034). Conclusion: High levels of circulating EPCs were correlated with the CRP level and the ESR in patients with TA. These cells could be a marker for acrotism and inflammation in patients with TA. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel
If Neurologists Establish The Diagnosis of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome?
(2014) Karaca, Sibel; Bozkirli, Emine Duygu Ersozlu; Goksel, Basak Karakurum; Tam, Meliha; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal
Introduction: Neurological involvements were shown in 20% of patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS). Neurological symptoms may be the first signs of pSS in 57% of the cases. In addition, early diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders may save or improve the quality of life of these cases. There have been reports about the neurologic manifestations of pSS but little is known about the details of neurologically presented cases. Method: In this study, we described 11 pSS patients who presented with neurological manifestations. Results: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement was recorded in 7 (63.7%) and peripheric nervous system (PNS) involvement in 4 cases (36.4%). Conclusion: Our findings regarding the cases with neurological manifestations leading to the diagnosis of pSS suggest that 1) The frequency of CNS involvement was higher than that of PNS, and the most frequent clinical pictures of CNS involvement are Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-like illnesses and optic neuritis, 2) Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) was the most frequent disease of PNS involvement; 3) Mononeuropathy multiplex (MM) might be the first sign of pSS; 41 Neurologists should consider pSS in the differential diagnosis of cases with MS, optic neuritis, GBS and neuropathies of unknown causes including MM; 51 There is an urgent need of therapeutical guidelines for the cases with neurological involvement associated with pSS.
Long-Term Results of Kidney Transplantation in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever
(2023) Bitik, Berivan; Hatipoglu, Bugra; Sayin, Burak; Kanbur, Aysenur Yalcintas; Bursa, Nurbanu; Oygur, Cagdas Sahap; Ozdemir, Handan; Colak, Turan; Haberal, Mehmet; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; 0000-0001-5803-915X; 0000-0002-7528-3557; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-0168-2993; 36544375; AAI-9195-2021; X-8540-2019; AAJ-8097-2021
IntroductionLong-term kidney transplantation (KT) results in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)-related amyloidosis are not well studied. This study reviewed the long-term survival outcomes of FMF patients who underwent KT. MethodsWe compared the outcomes of 31 patients who underwent (KT) for biopsy-proven amyloidosis secondary to FMF with 31 control patients (five with diabetes mellitus and 26 with nondiabetic kidney disease) undergoing KT between 1994 and 2021 at Baskent University Hospital. All data were recorded retrospectively from patients' files. Results: The median age (quartile deviationQD) at the time of KT in the FMF and control group were 31 (6.7) and 33 (11), respectively. The median follow-up period (QD) after KT was 108 (57) months in the FMF and 132 (72) months in the control group. In the FMF group, graft and patient survivals were 71% and 84% at 5 years and 45% and 48% at 10 years, respectively. In the control group, graft and patient survivals were 79% and 100% at 5 years and 63% and 71% at 10 years, respectively. Patient survival in the FMF group at 5 years was significantly lower than in the control group (p = .045). There was no statistically significant difference between the FMF and control groups in terms of graft and patient survival, and serum creatinine levels at 10 years. All patients were given triple immunosuppressive treatment with cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. Three patients received anakinra and one received canakinumab in addition to colchicine treatment. One FMF patient also underwent heart transplantation due to AA amyloidosis. Of the FMF patients, 11 died during follow-up. ConclusionWe have found that the long-term outcome of KT in patients with FMF amyloidosis is numerically worse but not statistically different from the control group. However, short- and long-term complications still need to be resolved.
The Prevalence of Spondyloarthropathy in Fibromyalgia Patients
(2017) Kaskari, Derya; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; Agildere, Muhtesem; 0000-0002-0125-8746; 0000-0002-4860-9072; 0000-0003-4223-7017; 27919196; H-7637-2016; AAB-5802-2020
Objective: To document the prevalence of Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) with an evaluation of patients previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods: The patients diagnosed with FMS before telephoned and asked three questions to determine for inflammatory back pain. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Fibromyalgia criteria 1990 and ACR 2010 and for diagnosing patients with SpA; criteria from the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), and Amor were applied. Results: FMS was diagnosed according to 1990 ACR criteria in 14 (60.8%) SpA patients who were diagnosed with SpA according to the Amor criteria alone and in 10 (43.4%) patients who were diagnosed according to ESSG criteria alone, while it was diagnosed in 9 (33.3%) patients who were diagnosed with SpA according to Amor and ESSG criteria together and in 15 (65.2%) patients diagnosed with SpA according to Amor and/or ESSG criteria. The most tenderness was experienced in the bilateral shoulder supraspinatus tendon insertion region (57.7%) and in the sacroiliac joint (40.8%). Fourteen (60.8%) patients diagnosed according to ACR 1990 and 17 (51.6%) patients diagnosed according to ACR 2010 had plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles enthesopathy on foot radiography. Conclusions: There is a meaningful section of patients who are SpA or FMS and SpA are together in the patients thought to be FMS or the patients diagnosed with FMS according to ACR's criteria can be said.
Radiographic Ischial Enthesopathy in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis
(2022) Bitik, Berivan; Dalgic, Gunay Sahin; Kanbur, Aysenur Yalcintas; Ok, Mehtap Akcil; Yucel, Ahmet Eftal; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5803-915X; AAI-9195-2021
Background To investigate the prevalence of radiographic ischial entheseal lesions in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods Thirty-eight patients with PsA and 46 patients with RA were included. Anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis and lateral foot were evaluated for entheseal lesions. The following entheseal sites were reviewed: os ischium, bilateral Achilles tendon and inferior calcaneus. Abnormalities such as cortical erosions and enthesophytes (irregular bony proliferation) were recorded. Results The frequency of enthesopathic changes in the ischial region was found to be statistically significantly higher in PsA patients compared with RA patients (50 and 28.3%, respectively, p=0.04). Enthesopathic changes of the calcaneus and Achilles tendon also occurred more frequently in PsA patients than in RA patients. Conclusion Radiographic entheseal lesions in the ischial region are more prevalent in PsA patients compared with RA patients with symptoms in that region. Furthermore, such enthesopathic changes in the ischium are observed as frequently as changes in the Achilles tendon. These findings regarding structural entheseal lesions in the pelvic region contribute to the knowledge of entheseal involvement in PsA.