Although the results in group 2 were better than group 1, the difference was not statistically significant. Further investigations are required to establish the role of nerve and tendon gliding exercises in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

This study was designed to investigate the additive effect of EMG-biofeedback in rehabilitation of knee osteoarthritis. Forty patients, aged 45-70, with the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were taken into the study. The patients were randomly assigned in two groups. One group (n = 20) received strengthening exercise program with EMG-biofeedback while the other group (n = 20) had the same exercise program without biofeedback for 3 weeks. The clinical outcome was assessed on the basis of pain with visual analog scale (VAS), function with Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and quality of life with Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Quadriceps strength was measured with Cybex isokinetic dynamometer, isokinetically at the angular velocities of 60 and 180 degrees /s and isometric strength at 65 degrees of knee flexion. Pain, WOMAC scores and muscle strength improved in both groups but there was no statistically significant differences between two groups (p > 0.05). In both groups physical mobility, pain scores of NHP improved significantly (p < 0.001) while in EMG-biofeedback group energy and sleep scores also improved after treatment (p < 0.05). As reported in the literature, in our study, strengthening exercises improved pain, function, muscle strength and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. But it seems that there is no significant additive effect of EMG-biofeedback to regular strengthening exercise program in these patients.

Background/Objective: To show the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sildenafil in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) and to assess its effects on quality of life (QoL) using the Life-Satisfaction Check List. Methods: This was a placebo-controlled, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, flexible-dose, 2-way crossover study with a 2-week washout period between each phase. Patients with ED attributable to SCI (Sexual Health Inventory-Male score 21) received 50 to 100 mg sildenafil (n ¼ 24) or placebo (n ¼ 26). Results: Compared with placebo, sildenafil produced higher levels of successful sexual stimulation, intercourse success, satisfaction with sexual life and sexual relationship, erectile function, overall sexual satisfaction, and an improved Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction score, with no clinically relevant effects on vital signs. Sildenafil seemed more effective in patients with incomplete SCI than in those with complete SCI, producing significant improvements, compared with placebo, in a number of measures only in patients with incomplete SCI. All patients who expressed a preference selected sildenafil over placebo, although the drug had no effect on patient QoL. Sildenafil was well tolerated, with a profile comparable to that of placebo. Conclusions: Compared with placebo, treatment with oral sildenafil safely and effectively improved erectile function in patients with ED attributable to SCI, especially in those with incomplete injury, and was the agent of choice in those who expressed a preference.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of tooth loss with skeletal bone mass, years since menopause, educational level, current smoking status, dietary calcium intake, and number of pregnancies in postmenopausal osteoporotic women in Turkey. The study population consisted of 1171 postmenopausal women aged 40-86 years (mean age, 61.19 +/- 7.28 years). A detailed history was obtained from all women, including relevant lifestyle parameters, risk factors, and measurements of weight and height. Women were separated into three groups according to the number of teeth remaining as group 1 (edentulous, 457 women), group 2 (10 or fewer teeth, 232 women), and group 3 (more than 10 teeth remaining, 482 women). There was no significant difference among the three groups in mean age and menopausal age ( P < 0.05). Body mass index of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2 ( P< 0.01). Educational level was significantly different between three groups: groups 1 and 2 ( P< 0.001), groups 1 and 3 ( P< 0.0001), and groups 2 and 3 ( P< 0.001). Educational level was lowest in group 1 and highest in group 3. Despite a low ratio of cigarette smoking in general, a smoking habit was most prevalent in group 3 and least in group 2. The ratio of women receiving adequate calcium was significantly lower in group 1 than in other groups ( P< 0.001); mean calcium intake was similar in all groups. The number of pregnancies was significantly higher in group 1 than in other groups ( P< 0.001). Lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) of group 1 was significantly lower than that of groups 2 and 3 ( P< 0.001). Although no significant difference was found between groups 1 and 3, femoral neck BMD of group 2 was less than in others, and differences between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 2 and 3 ( P< 0.001) were significant. Lumbar bone mineral content (BMC) of group 1 was significantly lower than that of groups 2 and 3 ( P< 0.001), and lumbar BMC in group 2 was significantly higher than in group 3 ( P< 0.05). Femoral neck BMC in group 1 was significantly higher than in groups 2 and 3 ( P< 0.001). In conclusion, lumbar BMD and BMC in the edentulous group were significantly lower, whereas femoral neck BMD and BMC were significantly higher in edentulous group compared with the others. Our findings indicated that improvement in lifestyle factors and nutritional strategies for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis may have additional benefit in reducing tooth loss.

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