Hand Index Research Articles

Investigating Wrist Joint Position Sense and Hand Functions in Children With Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis With Wrist Involvement.

Comparing the wrist joint position sense and hand functions between children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and healthy controls, and determining possible relationships between these parameters in children with JIA were the aims of this study. Twenty children with polyarticular JIA with wrist involvement (JIAWrist+), 20 children with other subtypes of JIA without wrist involvement (JIAWrist-), and 20 healthy controls were included. Wrist joint position sense was evaluated by measuring joint repositioning error. Hand functions were assessed by using the Purdue Pegboard test, hand grip strength, pinch strength, and Duruoz Hand Index. Joint position sense and hand functions were diminished in the JIAWrist+ group compared with healthy control group (P < .05). Few moderate relationships were detected between hand functions and wrist joint position sense (P < .05). Improving proprioceptive acuity by appropriate training methods may have a role in enhancing hand functions.

Sex Determination from Hand Dimensions in a South Indian Population

The aim of this research was to generate a standard formula for estimating sex in the South Indian population fromhand anthropometric measurements. Sex is one most important and foremost criteria in establishing the identity ofan individual. The present study comprised a sample of 300 healthy individuals (150 males and 150 females). Thedatabases for Hand Length, Hand Breadth and Hand index were analysed using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package forSocial Sciences, Version 20.0) computer software. The issue of sex discrimination can be very complicated in casesof intersex, bodies in an advanced state of putrefaction, mutilated &amp; fragmentary remains in which it is commonto recover dismembered &amp; peripheral parts of the body. It was realized that anthropometric measurements ofthe hand have been a very useful tool in sexual identification. Hand length and hand breadth show statisticallysignificant male – female differences at p &lt; 0.0001. Hand Breadth was found as best predictor of sex in comparisonwith hand length. Sectioning point confirms that cut-off point below and equal to 44 is suggestive of male handwhereas those above 44 were considered as female hand.

The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF) for rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF). Subjects fulfilling the ACR 2010 classification criteria for RA were enrolled into the study. Scale reliability was investigated using test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient-ICC) and internal consistency approaches (Cronbach's α). Spearman's rank correlation coefficients evaluated relationships between quantitative parameters and validity. Construct validity was assessed by correlating AIMS2-SF with clinical parameters and functional parameters including, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Duruöz Hand Index (DHI). One hundred and sixteen patients (105 females and 11 males) were recruited. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 52.45 ± 11.48years. Cronbach's α was 0.88 and the ICC was 0.91. There were significant correlations (rho and p values) with parameters directly related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL); NHP subscales (energy levels: 0.54, pain: 0.62, emotional reaction: 0.50, sleep 0.44, social interaction: 0.51, physical activity: 0.61; p < 0.0005), HAQ (0.60, p < 0.0005), BDI (0.63, p < 0.001) and DHI (0.63, p < 0.0005). Poor or non-significant correlations were found for parameters not directly related to QoL, such as age (0.07, p = 0.45) and disease duration (0.12, p = 0.21); however, disease activity (0.43, p < 0.0005) and NRS pain (0.46, p < 0.0005) were correlated with AIMS2-SF as moderate. The Turkish AIMS2-SF version is a reliable and valid tool that may be used to evaluate QoL for RA. The scale can be easily used in daily practice.

Comparing the effect of physiotherapy and physiotherapy plus corticosteroid injection on pain intensity, disability, quality of life, and treatment effectiveness in patients with Subacromial Pain Syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

PurposeTo compare the short and medium-term effects of physiotherapy plus corticosteroid injection (combined) with physiotherapy alone on pain intensity, disability, Quality of Life (QoL), and treatment effectiveness in patients with Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS).MethodsIn this double-blind, parallel Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), 50 patients with SAPS were randomly assigned into combined (N = 25, a single injection 3–6 days before physiotherapy) and physiotherapy alone group (N = 25). Pain, disability, QoL, and treatment-effectiveness were measured at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3 and 6-month follow-up with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Shortened Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) (primary outcome measure), Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC), and Global Rating of Change (GRC) respectively. A 2 × 4 (group × time) mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied for analysis.ResultsThe ANOVA revealed statistically significant group-in-time interaction for all outcome measures (p-value < 0.05). The independent t-test showed more effectiveness in the combined group at medium-term, as the mean scores of almost all outcome measures were substantially lesser (p < 0.01). Moreover, in short-time, despite a greater number of patients stating “completely recovered” in the combined group, there was no statistically significant difference between groups.ConclusionsEffects of physiotherapy plus corticosteroid injection could be more long-lasting than physiotherapy alone in improving pain intensity, disability, QoL, and treatment effectiveness in patients with SAPS. Trial registration numberIRCT20201010048980N1.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONShoulder pain is common, persistent, and predominantly results from subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS).Physiotherapy and corticosteroid injections are effective interventions for this condition.Comprehensive physiotherapy alone can be as effective as corticosteroid injection combined with physiotherapy in the short term.A combined approach versus physiotherapy alone may have more medium-term effects on SAPS patients’ pain, disability, quality of life, and treatment effectiveness.

Association of pain and clinical factors on disability and quality of life in systemic sclerosis: A cross-sectional study from Turkish League Against Rheumatism Network.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors associated with disability and quality of life (QoL) in Turkish patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Between January 2018 and January 2019, a total of 256 SSc patients (20 males, 236 females; mean age: 50.9±12.4 years; range, 19 to 87 years) who were diagnosed with SSc were included in the study. Disability and health-related QoL (HRQoL) were evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), scleroderma HAQ (SHAQ), Duruöz Hand Index (DHI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Linear regression analysis methods were used to describe factors associated with disability and QoL of the patients. All disability scores were higher and HRQoL scores were lower in diffuse cutaneous SSc patients compared limited cutaneous SSc, and differentiations were significant (p=0.001 and p=0.007). In multiple regression, pain (VAS) was the strongest predictor for high disability and low QoL scores (p<0.001) as HAQ (β=0.397, 0.386, 0.452), SHAQ (β=0.397, 0.448, 0.372), DHI (β=0.446, 0.536, 0.389), PCS (β=-0.417,-0.499, -0.408) and MCS (β=-0.478, -0.441, -0.370) in combined, lcSSc and dcSSc patients respectively. The factors associated with high disability and low QoL scores were forced vital capacity for HAQ (β=-0.172, p=0.002) and SF-36 PCS (β=0.187, p=0.001); disease duration for HAQ (β=0.208, p<0.001), DHI (β=0.147, p=0.006), and SF-36 PCS (β=-0.134, p=0.014); 6-minute walk test for HAQ (β=-0.161, p=0.005) and SF-36 PCS (β=0.153, p=0.009); and modified Rodnan skin score for SHAQ (β=0.250, p<0.001) and DHI (β=0.233, p<0.001) in SSc patients. Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide for HAQ (β=-0.189, p=0.010) and SHAQ (β=-0.247, p=0.002); erythrocyte sedimentation rate for DHI (β=0.322, p<0.001); age for SF-36 PCS (β=-0.221, p=0.003) and body mass index for SF-36 PCS (β=-0.200, p=0.008) and MCS (β=-0.175, p=0.034) were the other variables associated with high disability or low QoL scores in SSc subsets. Clinicians should consider the management of the pain and its sources as a key to improve better functional state and quality of daily life in SSc.

Clinical and neurophysiological biomarkers of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Rate of disease progression (ΔFS), measured as change in the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and body mass index (BMI), are predictors of survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our aim in this study was to assess the utility of these clinical biomarkers along with neurophysiological measures, such as the split hand index (SI), in monitoring disease progression. Clinical trial data were collected from 107 patients recruited into the Tecfidera in ALS trial. The prognostic utility of clinical and neurophysiological measures, including ΔFS, BMI, SI, and neurophysiological index (NPI), were assessed cross-sectionally and longitudinally (40 weeks). The outcome measures of disease severity and progression included: (i) ALSFRS-R score; (ii) Medical Research Council (MRC) score; and (iii) forced vital capacity and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure. Fast-progressor ALS patients (ΔFS ≥1.1) exhibited significantly lower ALSFRS-R and total MRC scores at baseline. A baseline ΔFS score ≥1.1 was associated with a greater reduction in ALSFRS-R (P=.002) and MRC (P=.002) scores over 40 weeks. Baseline BMI <25 was also associated with faster reduction of ALSFRS-R and MRC scores. SI and NPI were associated with disease severity at baseline, but not with subsequent rate of disease progression. Implementation of the assessed clinical and neurophysiological biomarkers may assist in patient management and stratification into clinical trials.

Cross-culture adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of duruöz’s hand index for people with carpal tunnel syndrome

Cross-culture adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of duruöz’s hand index for people with carpal tunnel syndrome

Влияние нейропсихологического статуса на особенности схемы тела при нарушении пищевого поведения

The study of neuropsychological features that cause eating disorders may provide a starting point for planning complex studies that allow for integral assessment of the internal and external mechanisms and patterns of eating disorders. The work aims to evaluate the influence of the neuropsychological status on features of the body schema in eating disorders. We conducted an analysis of the subjective and objective indicators of the body image on 51 women aged 20–35 years using face-relative hand position reproduction tests, the "Silhouette" method, measurement of the right hand index finger diameter and of the foot length, and a self-image questionnaire. We carried out qualitative and quantitative assessment of the neuropsychological status using the Luriev test battery. For the analysis of control functions, we used the Wisconsin sorting card test, Cantidad-Numér interference task (Canum), and "Block Span". We found that women with atypical eating behaviors noted the following features associated with a subjective attitude towards their own body: prevalence of dissatisfaction in one's emotional evaluation due to the perception of one's own appearance, stemming from the beliefs and ideas about one's ideal appearance, despite the absence of the abnormalities associated with the objectified ideas of one's own body (weight, size, body proportions). We identified modal-nonspecific control function deficiencies characteristic of different types of eating disorders.

Sleep Problems and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand in Persons with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) arises as a result of a specific relationship among the anatomical structures that may cause compression in the muscles, nerves, and/or blood vessels in the neck, thereby compromising the local circulation. The aim of the current study was to establish the presence of sleep disturbance and disability in the shoulder, arm, and hand in individuals affected by TOS, as well as to ascertain if there are any differences in these findings relative to TOS-free individuals. The study sample comprised 82 TOS patients and 81 TOS-free individuals aged 19–66 years. Data were gathered by administering the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) instruments. The results showed that both the DASH (t = −13.21, p < 0.001) and PSQI (t = −7.27, p < 0.001) scores obtained by the TOS group were higher relative to the controls and were strongly and positively correlated (ρ = 0.58, p < 0.01). As positive DASH scores may be indicative of TOS, they signal the need for further diagnostic evaluations. In individuals in whom TOS is already diagnosed, high DASH scores imply that further sleep quality assessments are required, as compromised sleep patterns may undermine quality of life.

The relationship of nailfold capillaroscopy patterns with clinical features, functional status, pain and fatigue in patients with systemic sclerosis

Aim: To identify the frequency of scleroderma-type capillaroscopic patterns and evaluate the association of capillaroscopic patterns with clinical parameters, functional status, fatigue, and pain in systemic sclerosis (SSc).&#x0D; Material and Method: This cross-sectional study included SSc patients consecutively between January 2017 and January 2019. Cutaneous involvement was evaluated with the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). The presence of digital ulcers, Raynaud phenomenon, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac, gastrointestinal system (GIS), renal, joint and muscle involvement were recorded. The severity of the Raynaud phenomenon, fatigue, pain, and patient global assessment (PGA) was assessed on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Duruoz Hand Index (DHI) were used to assess physical disability and hand function, respectively. Nailfold videocapillaroscopic examinations of the patients were performed, and they were classified into four groups, including normal/non-specific, early, active, and late scleroderma patterns.&#x0D; Results: The mean age of 32 patients with SSc (31 female, one male) was 48.93±12.77. Anormal capillaroscopic examination findings were detected in 93.7% of the patients, and the most common capillaroscopic pattern was the active pattern. The comparison of scleroderma pattern groups revealed no difference in age (p=0.224), but disease duration was shorter in the early pattern group (p=0.005). The duration and severity of the Raynaud phenomenon, and mean mRSS were lower in the early pattern group (p=0.004, p=0.009, and p=0.001, respectively). The digital ulcer (p=0.011) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (p=0.016) were more common in the late pattern group. The percentage of pulmonary hypertension (p=0.011), GIS involvement (p

Independent risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome: Assessment of body mass index, hand, wrist and finger anthropometric measurements.

The most prevalent neuropathy in the upper extremity is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A variety of related risk factors such as biomechanical exposures, body mass index (BMI), sex and hand shape are reported to be related to CTS. We aimed to identify the role of BMI, hand, wrist and finger anthropometric dimensions in the development of CTS, and to compare these measured variables between control and CTS participants. A cross-sectional, case control study (n = 240, CTS = 120, controls = 120) with participants recruited from a convenience sample diagnosed with CTS and referred for anthropometric measurements. The control participants were matched by age and sex. The body height, weight, hand width, hand length, wrist depth, wrist width, wrist circumference, and finger length were measured. Hand, wrist and finger indices, hand to height ratio, and BMI were calculated. Mean values of all dimensions were compared between cases and controls, and the role of independent risk factors were determined by logistic regression analysis. The mean BMI, age, weight, sex and height were not significant between the two groups. Among the measured dimensions and calculated indices the significantly different variables between two groups were the wrist width, wrist depth, wrist circumference, hand index, hand to height index, and wrist index. Regression analysis showed that the wrist index (β=-1.7, p = 0.0001), wrist depth (β=0.25, p = 0.0001) and wrist width (β=0.21, p = 0.0001) were the strongest factors in CTS development in the sample. Wrist parameters have a strong role in predicting the development of CTS, while BMI was not confirmed as an independent risk factor.

Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and high-intensity laser therapy on pain, grip strength, and function in patients with lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled study.

This study aimed to compare the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on pain, grip strength, and function in patients with lateral epicondylalgia. This prospective randomized controlled study included 42 patients (22 women and 20 men, mean age: 37) divided into 3 groups. The first group received physiotherapy (n = 14), the second received physiotherapy combined with ESWT (n = 14), and the third received physiotherapy combined with HILT (n = 14). All participants underwent 10 physiotherapy sessions for 2weeks, 5 sessions per week. In addition to physiotherapy, the ESWT group received 4 ESWT sessions, 2 sessions per week, and the HILT group received 4 HILT sessions, 2 sessions per week. The outcomes were pain intensity as assessed by Visual Analog Scale, grip strength by hand dynamometer, and function by the Duruoz Hand Index and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation-Turkish version questionnaire. The participants were assessed at the beginning of the study (T1/week 0), at the end of treatment (T2/2nd week), and at follow-up (T3/6th week). At follow-up (T3), a significant improvement was observed in all outcomes compared to baseline (T1) in all groups (P < 0.05). Inter-group comparison of the mean differences between baseline and end values showed that the HILT group was superior in all outcomes (P < 0.05). This study showed that physiotherapy alone combined with ESWT and HILT positively affected the treatment of lateral epicondylalgia. Physiotherapy combined with HILT was found to be the most effective for improving pain, grip strength, and function. Clinical trial number: NCT674325.

Dermatoglyphic patterns in children belonging to various BMI categories

Childhood obesity has increased significantly all around the world. On one hand where being underweight predisposes a child towards infectious ailments whereas on the other hand obesity during childhood has been associated with many metabolic and cardiovascular illnesses. So the aim of the present study is to observe different types of dermatoglyphic patterns in adolescents of various body mass index percentile and their association, with body mass index. The sample consisted of 160 subjects belonging to age group 12-16 years, who were divided into four groups based on their body mass index. Significant differences have been found among the various groups in index and middle fingerprint pattern of right hand. So, it was concluded that significant differences exist between fingerprint patterns of adolescents belonging to various body mass index.

Investigating performance-based hand functions in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is aconnective tissue disorder characterized by collagen deposits in various organs. Skin involvement is one of the most common symptoms and along with vascular damage, may deteriorate hand functions. However, the status of hand functions has generally been investigated using patient-reported measures in patients with SSc. The aim of the present study was to investigate performance-based hand functions in patients with SSc using the Sollerman Hand Function Test (SHFT). A total of 39patients with SSc (33females) were included in the study. Twenty-four patients were classified as limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), while 15patients were classified as diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc). Hand-related physical characteristics were evaluated using the Modified Hand Mobility in Scleroderma Test, grip strength, and pinch strengths. The Duruoz Hand Index (Cochin Hand Functional Disability Scale), Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire were used as patient-reported measures. Performance-based hand functions were evaluated using SHFT. No significant differences were observed between lcSSc and dcSSc subtypes regarding performance-based and patient-reported hand functions (p > 0.05). SHFT scores significantly correlated with hand-related physical characteristics and patient-reported hand functions (p < 0.05). The highest correlation was determined between SHFT and the Duruoz Hand Index (rho: -0.652, p < 0.001). According to our results, performance-based hand functions seem not to be affected by disease subtype. Performance-based hand functions may partially be captured by the patient-reported outcomes, especially the Duruoz Hand Index, in patients with SSc.

Validity and reliability of the Duruöz Hand Index in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

This study aims to investigate the validity, reliability and clinimetric features of the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Between October 2019 and January 2020, a total of 78 patients (28 males, 50 females; mean age: 46.4±9.4 years; range, 20 to 65 years) who presented with pain in the forearm and were diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were included in the study. The patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire (PRTEEQ), the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire at Weeks 0, 1 and 4. The DHI reliability (Cronbach alpha, intraclass correlation [ICC]), validity and factor analyses were performed with the data of 70 and 49 patients who attended to follow-up visit at Weeks 1 and 4. The effect size (ES), standard response mean (SRM), and minimum detectable change (MDC) values of the DHI were calculated. Of the patients, 84.6% were right-handed. The ICC coefficients of DHI were found to be perfect with the test-retest method (ICC; total=0.943). It showed a well-excellent consistency with the internal consistency method (Cronbach alpha; total=0.90). In the structural validity of the DHI, it was very strongly correlated with the DASH (r=0.801; p<0.01), strongly correlated with the PRTEEQ and HAQ total scores (r=0.793; p<0.01; r=0.785; p<0.01), and acceptably correlated with PRTEEQ pain score (r=0.570; p<0.01). The DHI was acceptably correlated with the VAS and grip strength as measured by the hand dynamometer (p<0.05). In our study, three main factors were obtained and MDC and responsiveness sensitivity were found to be moderate (MDC=4.4; SEM=1.61; ES=0.246 p<0.001; SRM=0.538 p<0.001). Duruöz Hand Index is a reliable, valid, and practical functional assessment scale in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Reassessing the Diagnostic Utility of the Split Hand Index in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients-The Divide by Zero Problem.

We set out to assess the diagnostic utility of the split hand index (SHI) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and also to see if and how it can be applied to severely atrophied muscles, a frequent finding in this setting. We enrolled 38 patients from our clinic, 19 diagnosed with ALS and 19 controls, matched for age and sex. The SHI was calculated, on both sides, for all the patients. We calculated a SHI of 0 when the abductor pollicis brevis muscle (ABD) or first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDI) compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) were unobtainable, and we allotted a value of 0.1 mV to abductor digiti minimi muscle (ADM) CMAP, for mathematical purposes, when the value would have been 0. The means differences were large between groups, with a significant variance heterogeneity. We performed a ROC analysis and obtained an accuracy of 0.83 for a SHI of 7.2, p-value < 0.0001. In conclusion, we reaffirm the utility of the SHI in the diagnosis of ALS, especially in limb onset cases, and we think that it can be safely extended to severely atrophied muscles with absent or very low CMAP values, without endangering the sensitivity or specificity.

Efficacy of corticosteroids for hand osteoarthritis - a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundThere is some evidence that corticosteroids may have a beneficial effect in hand osteoarthritis. We examined the efficacy of corticosteroids on symptoms and structural outcomes in hand osteoarthritis.MethodsOvid MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to October 2021 for randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of corticosteroids in hand osteoarthritis. Two authors independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the RoB 2 tool. Standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) was calculated, and random-effects meta-analyses were performed.ResultsOf 13 included trials, 3 examined oral corticosteroids and clinical outcomes in any hand joints, 9 examined intra-articular injection of corticosteroids and clinical outcomes at the first carpometacarpal joint and one in the interphalangeal joints. In meta-analysis, oral corticosteroids reduced pain (SMD -0.53, 95% CI -0.79 to -0.28) and improved stiffness (MD -5.03, 95% CI -9.91 to -0.15; Australian Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index stiffness subscale) and function (SMD -0.37, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.12) at 4-6 weeks. However, there was no significant persistent effect on pain and function at 3 months which was 6-8 weeks after study medication was stopped. There was no significant effect of intra-articular corticosteroids on pain or function at 4-6 weeks or over 3-12 months in first carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. Two trials evaluated joint structure at 4-6 weeks: one study showed oral corticosteroids reduced synovial thickening, neither showed an effect on synovitis.ConclusionsThere was low-certainty evidence for a medium effect of oral corticosteroids on pain relief and stiffness improvement and small-to-medium effect on functional improvement at 4-6 weeks, with no significant effect for intra-articular corticosteroids. Corticosteroids had no significant effect on any outcomes over longer term (3-12 months) off treatment. No trials examined the effect of corticosteroids on disease progression. The role of corticosteroids in hand osteoarthritis is limited.

Comparison of the effectiveness of peloid and paraffin treatment for symptomatic hand osteoarthritis in women: a single-blind randomized controlled study.

Although peloid and paraffin treatments may have a positive effect in the short term on pain, functional status, hand grip strength, and quality of life in patients with hand osteoarthritis (HOA), there are no comprehensive and comparative studies of these therapies for HOA. The aim of our study was to evaluate the short-term effects of peloid and paraffin treatments in symptomatic HOA patients. Eighty female patients diagnosed with HOA were randomly divided into two equal groups: peloid group (peloid therapy and home exercise) and paraffin group (paraffin therapy and home exercise). Peloid and paraffin applications were performed over 3 weeks for a total of 15 sessions. Patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS)-rest, -activity, and -handgrip for pain, Jamar hand dynamometer for grip strength, Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) Osteoarthritis Hand Index for function, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) for physical activity, Beck depression inventory (BDI) for depression, and short form-36 (SF-36) for quality of life. Evaluations were performed before treatment, in the 3rd week, and 1 month after treatment. For all parameters except SF-36, statistically significant improvements were observed in short-term evaluations compared to the baseline in both groups (p = .000). Reductions in HAQ scores in the 3rd week and 1st month (p = .001 and p = .003), and the decrease in BDI scores in the 3rd week (p = .005) was statistically significantly higher in the peloid group. Improvements in some subparameters of the SF-36 were statistically significant in favor of the peloid group. In female patients with HOA, both groups experienced similar positive effects on pain, functional status, and hand grip strength for up to one month, but the peloid group was found to be superior in the short term in terms of physical activity and some quality of life parameters. Peloid therapy can be preferred as a natural and reliable method for symptomatic HOA.

Monitoring of Water Quality with Trophic State Index (TSI) in the Chalan Beel Wetland Ecosystem of Bangladesh

This study was conducted to investigate the status of water quality for fisheries and aquatic environment in Chalan Beel, the largest wetland ecosystem in Bangladesh. Water samples were collected from five sampling stations over the period from February 2020 to January 2021 during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. Surface water controlling parameters such as temperature, transparency, pH, DO, TDS, EC, total hardness, total alkalinity, Chlorophyll a, and TSI of Chalan Beel were monitored seasonally. The study revealed that temperature, transparency, pH, DO, TDS, EC, total alkalinity, total hardness, PO4, and NO3 exceeded the recommended level for fish culture. On the other hand, NH3, SO4, NO2, Chlorophyll a, and trophic state index (TSI) were within the standard limits for aquaculture. Concentrations of Chlorophyll a and TSI (CHL) indicated no definite trend with seasons. In conclusion, the wetland is in mesotrophic condition as the TSI (CHL) was within 40, and apparently, there was a positive relationship between Chlorophyll a and TSI. To conserve a healthy environment of the beel ecosystem, it is necessary to promote knowledge about water quality issues and beel management through monitoring and research.

The clinical, functional, and radiological features of hand osteoarthritis: TLAR-osteoarthritis multi-center cohort study.

This study aims to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological features of hand osteoarthritis (OA) and to examine their relationships in different geographic samples of the Turkish population. Between April 2017 and January 2019, a total of 520 patients (49 males, 471 females; mean age: 63.6±9.8 years) with hand OA were included in the study from 26 centers across Turkey by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR). The demographic characteristics, grip strengths with Jamar dynamometer, duration of hand pain (month), the severity of hand pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), and morning stiffness were evaluated. The functional disability was evaluated with Duruöz Hand Index (DHI). The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) OA scoring system was used to assess the radiological stage of hand OA. The DHI had significant correlations with VAS-pain (r=0.367, p<0.001), duration of pain (r=0.143, p=0.001) and bilateral handgrip strengths (r=-0.228, p=0.001; r=-0.303, p<0.001). Although DHI scores were similar between the groups in terms of the presence of hand deformity (p=0.125) or Heberden's nodes (p=0.640), the mean DHI scores were significantly higher in patients with Bouchard's nodes (p=0.015). The total number of nodes had no significant correlations with the VAS-pain and DHI score (p>0.05). The differences between the groups of radiological hand OA grades in terms of age (p=0.007), VAS-pain (p<0.001), duration of pain (p<0.001), and DHI (p<0.001) were significant. There were no significant differences between radiological hand OA grades according to the duration of the stiffness, grip strength, and BMI (p>0.05 for all). In our population, the patients with hand OA had pain, functional disability, and weak grip strength. The functional impairment was significantly correlated with the severity of the pain, and the functional status was worse in high radiological hand OA grades.