Summary:Background: Osteoporosis is a widespread metabolic bone disease representing a global public health problem currently affecting more than two hundred million people worldwide. The World Health Organization states that dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the best densitometric technique for assessing bone mineral density (BMD). DXA provides an accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis, a good estimation of fracture risk, and is a useful tool for monitoring patients undergoing treatment. Common mistakes in BMD testing can be divided into four principal categories: 1) indication errors, 2) lack of quality control and calibration, 3) analysis and interpretation errors, and 4) inappropriate acquisition techniques. The aim of this retrospective multicenter descriptive study is to identify the common errors in the application of the DXA technique in Turkey. Methods: All DXA scans performed during the observation period were included in the study if the measurements of both, the lumbar spine and proximal femur were recorded. Forearm measurement, total body measurements, and measurements performed on children were excluded. Each examination was surveyed by 30 consultants from 20 different centers each informed and trained in the principles of and the standards for DXA scanning before the study. Results: A total of 3,212 DXA scan results from 20 different centers in 15 different Turkish cities were collected. The percentage of the discovered erroneous measurements varied from 10.5% to 65.5% in the lumbar spine and from 21.3% to 74.2% in the proximal femur. The overall error rate was found to be 31.8% (n = 1021) for the lumbar spine and 49.0% (n = 1576) for the

Objective: This study aims to evaluate, the level of knowledge about the disease of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationship with the disease activity.Methods: A total of 50 patients with RA, diagnosed according to 2010 ACR/EULAR Rheumatoid Arthritis classification criteria, included in this study. Demographic features of patients were recorded. Turkish version of Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (PKQ) used to evaluate the level of knowledge about the disease of patients with RA. Daily activity score (DAS-28), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the activity of the disease. Results:The mean age of patients was 57.2±12.2 (36 females and 14 males). The mean of disease duration was 6.2±5.8 years. The mean was 3.2 (maximum value 9) for etiology, symptom and laboratory components, the mean of medication component: 2.9 (maximum value 7), the mean of exercise component: 2.4 (maximum value 7), the mean of protection of joints and energy component: 2.4 (maximum value 7) of PKQ. The total mean point was 10.9 (maximum value 30). There was no correlation between PKQ points and HAQ, DAS-28 and VAS parameters but there was a positive correlation between disease duration and PKQ points. Conclusion:The results of the study show no relationship between level of knowledge about the disease and disease activity and also functional status. On the other hand the level of knowledge about disease of patients with RA is very low. The results show the need for education programs and informative activities about RA.

Background:The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and related factors in patients with traumatic brain injury.Methods: A total of 60 participants, 30 patients with traumatic brain injury and 30 healthy volunteers of similar age, have been included in this study, which was designed as a hospital-based cross sectional study. Fonseca questionnaire was used to evaluate and classify the temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Temporomandibular joint range of motion was evaluated with a digital calliper, and masticatory muscles pressure pain threshold was evaluated with an algometer. Labial commissure angle measurement was used to evaluate the severity of facial paralysis. Complications related to traumatic brain injury were recorded in patients with traumatic brain injury. Results:According to Fonseca questionnaire score, 80% of traumatic brain injury patients and 16.7% of the control group had temporomandibular dysfunction (p < .001).In the intergroup comparison, a significant decrease was found in all temporomandibular range of motion and masticatory muscles pressure pain threshold parameters in favour of the traumatic brain injury group (p < .001). Labial commissure angle and Fonseca questionnaire scores were higher in the traumatic brain injury group (p < .001). The frequency of temporomandibular dysfunction was more common in traumatic brain injury patients with headache than in those without headache, as shown by the results of the Fonseca questionnaire (p = .044). Conclusion:Compared to healthy controls, patients with traumatic brain injury experienced issues with the temporomandibular joint more frequently. Additionally, TBI patients with headaches had a greater frequency of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Therefore, it is advised to check for temporomandibular joint dysfunction in traumatic brain injury patients during follow-up. In addition, the presence of headache in traumatic brain injury patients may be a stimulant for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

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Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the rates of multiple drug use in the patients with osteoporosis as well as the use of drugs affecting bone metabolism and balance. Materials and Methods: We included outpatients from Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Policlinics diagnosed with primary or secondary osteoporosis between January 2014 and May 2014. Written consent of the participants was obtained. Data of the first 1000 patients who agreed to participate in the study were evaluated. Data regarding age, history, drugs currently being used and newly initiated were recorded. The drugs that affect bone metabolism were determined. The drugs that heva side effects including dizziness, somnolence, distractibility, decrease in the visual acuity, orthostatic hypotension and ototoxicity and were recorded because these can cause a balance disorder. Results: In this study, 64% of the participants were on five or more drugs. The most commonly used drugs were analgesics (65.4%), antihypertensives (52.6%), and drugs for digestive system (37.3%). We found that 65.5% of the participants were using drugs that may have side effects on bone metabolism and 93.7% were using drugs that may have side effects on balance. Conclusion: Multi-drug use and drug interactions should be considered during the treatment of osteoporosis and the drugs used should be recorded. Drugs that affect bone metabolism should only be used over the short term. Also, patients should be informed about side effects that might affect visuality, somatosensorial system and vestibular system and their daily activities should be regulated. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2015;21: 5-9) Key words: Osteoporosis, polypharmacy, drug, treatment Conflicts of Interest:The authors reported no conflict of interest related to this article. Osteoporoz Hastalarında Çoklu İlaç Kullanımı