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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.
The study was carried out between March 2003 and March 2005 by the Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the urban area in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, which has a population of 459021 (according to the 2000 national census). A total of 6103 subjects, 20 years old or over, were selected by the sampling method; 3023 (49.5%) women and 3080 (50.5%) men were included in the study. The diagnosis of RA was performed based on fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria.
Fifty-nine patients were diagnosed with RA according to the ACR criteria, of which 11 were male and 48 female. The prevalence of RA was 1% (95% CI: 0.75-1.25) in the general population, 1.6% (95% CI: 1.15-2.05) in women and 0.35% (95% CI: 0.14-0.56) in men. The female/male ratio was 4.3 : 1.0, showing that RA prevalence was statistically significantly higher in women (P <0.005).
Our study demonstrates that RA is a common disease in Turkish society.
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 10/2010; 13(4):380-4. · 0.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Antibodies to citrullinated proteins have been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and these appear to be the most specific markers of the disease. Our objective was to determine the frequency of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCPs) in patients with RA and the association of anti-CCP antibodies with disease activity, radiological erosions and HLA DR genotype. Forty patients with RA and 38 patients with fibromyalgia were included in this study. Serum samples were collected from both patient groups with RA and fibromyalgia. Anti-CCP was measured by the corresponding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), disease activity score (DAS), visual analog scala (VAS), HLA genotype and radiographic information were determined in patients with RA. The rate of sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP reactivity for the diagnosis RA were measured (sensitivity 50%, specificity 100%). There is no significant difference between anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (-) RA patients for DAS28, VAS, ESR, CRP, disease duration, HLA genotype, and radiological assessment of hand. However, there was a significant difference between anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (-) RA patients for RF and the radiological assessment of left and right wrists (respectively, P < 0.05, P = 0.04, P = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between anti-CCP antibody and ESR, CRP, VAS, DAS 28 or radiological assessment. A small but significant correlation was found between RF and anti-CCP antibody (P = 0.02, r = 0.35).
Rheumatology International 08/2008; 28(10):965-70. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The number of studies conducted on the subject of cigarette smoking habits in Turkish society in general is limited. This study presents data regarding the prevalence of cigarette smoking in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. This cross-sectional study was carried out between March 2003 and March 2005 in the provinces of Trabzon, Giresun, Rize, Artvin and Gümüşhane in the Eastern Black Sea Region. The research was conducted in the provincial capitals and districts. According to the 2000 general census, a total of 459.021 people live in these areas, and 6103 individuals were enrolled in the study, selected to be representative of gender, age groups and settlement locations. Data regarding cigarette smoking were obtained using questions employed by the World Health Organization and the British Health Protection Agency. Daily smoking prevalence (at least one cigarette smoked per day) of 18.3% was determined in women and 50.7% in men, while weekly smoking prevalence (less than one cigarette a day but at least one a week) was determined as 1.3% in men and women. It was also determined that 8.4% of women and 18% of men had quit smoking; 69.7% of women and 27.9% of men stated that they had never smoked in their lives. The difference between men and women in terms of smoking prevalence was statistically significant (p< 0.0005). The highest prevalence was in the 20-29 age group in women (23.3%) and in the 30-39 age-group in men (59.9%). In addition, significantly high levels were determined in high school graduates (46.3%, p< 0.0005), unmarried subjects (41%, p< 0.0005) and in the retired (53.7%, p< 0.0005). Cigarette smoking levels continue to represent a major public health problem in the Eastern Black Sea Region.
Tuberkuloz ve toraks 01/2007; 55(2):141-7.
