Intra-articular injection of PRP is an effective treatment that reduced pain and improved functional status in patients with KOA. The clinical outcomes of the intra-articular injections of PRP are associated with improved synovial hypertrophy and vascularity scores, and less effusion.

Depression is a prominent feature in fibromyalgia syndrome. Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome who are obese, with poor sleep quality, and those who have recurrent episodes of binge eating are at greater risk to develop depression. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the hypothesis that the relationship between obesity and depression in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome is mediated by poor sleep, binge eating disorder (BED), and weight and shape concern. This study included 131 patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome. Participants completed the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Eating Disorder questionnaire, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) provided the primary indicator of obesity. Sobel test showed that the conditions for complete mediation were satisfied on the weight and shape concern as mediator between BMI and depression because the association between BMI and depression score became insignificant after controlling of weight and shape concern. However, since the association between BMI and depression remained significant after BED and poor sleep score were controlled, thus for both mediators, the conditions for partial mediation on the depression were satisfied. The findings suggest that in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome, weight and shape concern, BED, and poor sleep quality are important mediators of the relationship between obesity and depression. We suggest that a greater focus on these mediators in depression treatment may be indicated.

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Background and aim of workChronic inflammation is the basis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Hence, it is expected that JIA may produce harmful effects on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to explore the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and subclinical heart failure in JIA patients without manifest cardiovascular disease and to examine the risk factors that may be associated with the subclinical heart failure. Patients and methodsFifty JIA patients and 50 healthy matched controls were enrolled in this study. Inflammatory markers in the serum, together with intima-media thickness (IMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of brachial arteries as surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, were assessed and compared between patients and controls. Echocardiographic parameters of heart failure, including the Tei index and ejection fraction%, were also evaluated. ResultsJIA patients had significantly increased IMT and impaired endothelial dysfunction as measured by FMD% of the brachial artery in comparison with controls. JIA patients had significantly higher Tei index and significantly lower ejection fraction% in comparison with controls. In regression analysis only systemic JIA, FMD%, and IMT were significantly associated with the presence of subclinical heart failure among patients with JIA. ConclusionOur findings indicate the presence of subclinical heart failure in these patients. JIA patients with subclinical atherosclerosis, with systemic disease, and with active disease are at greatest risk of developing subclinical heart failure.

Aim:The aim of our study was to assess serum concentration of macrophage derived cytokine (MDC) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with active and inactive SLE and in healthy volunteers. Subjects and Methods:The study included 40 patients with SLE and 40 healthy control. The serum level of MDC and MMP-9 were evaluated and compared between the patients and the controls. The association of the MDC and MMP-9 with disease activity, renal involvement, drug intake were also evaluated.Results: SLE patients had significantly lower MDC and lower MMP-9 than control (p<0.001). SLE patients who had nephritis had significantly lower MDC and lower MMP-9 than patients without nephritis (p=0.003, p=0.004 respectively). The lupus patients with +ve anti-dsDNA had significantly lower MMP-9 and MDC in their serum than patients with -ve anti-dsDNA (p=0.032, p=0.024 respectively). MDC and MMP-9 were inversely correlated with SLEDAI (p=0.008, p-0.003 respectively). No significant association was found between MDC and MMP-with disease duration or current drug intake. Conclusion:These findings indicate that MDC and MMP-9 were involved in SLE pathogenesis, and MDC could be a marker for active SLE. Our findings indicated that MDC and MMP-9 seemed to be markers of renal involvement.