Thalidomide is effective for treating the oral and genital ulcers and follicular lesions of the Behçet syndrome. A dosage of 100 mg/d is as effective as a dosage of 300 mg/day.

The aim of this study was to determine the possible factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in multiple sclerosis (MS). In this cross-sectional study, 65 clinically definite MS patients and 72 comparable controls were prospectively evaluated. To assess bone mineral metabolism in MS, the BMD of the lumbar spine and hip (femoral neck, trochanter and total) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and serum vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels and biochemical markers of bone turnover were also evaluated. MS patients had significantly lower BMD values than the control group at all measurement sites. There was a significant correlation between the disease duration and BMD values at the trochanter in women with MS. A correlation between femoral BMD values and functional status in women was also detected. There was no relationship between bone biochemical markers and BMD, except a negative correlation between bone alkaline phosphatase and trochanter BMD. Both disability and disease duration have an influence on BMD of the MS patients, whereas no significant correlation between glucocorticoid use and BMD was observed.

Objective: The prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis may vary according to the infl uence of the altitude of a geographical area as well as the genetic and environmental factors. This study ained to determine the incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Edirne population. Material and Methods:Patients with a defi nite diagnosis of MS according to McDonald's criteria, admitted to one of the three MS clinics in Edirne, were included in this two-stage study. Also the records of hospitals in İstanbul serving patients from Edirne, have been evaluated. Results:The prevalence rate of confi rmed MS patients was 33.9/100000 (95% CI: 32-36) in 2003. The mean annual incidence was 3.48/100000 (95% CI: 2.90-4.00). Mean age of the patients was 36.5±9.6 years. Mean age at onset was 29.2±8.5 years. Mean duration of disease was 6.9±5.2 years. Overall, 69.2% had a relapsing-remitting course, 20.5% had a primary progressive course and 10.3% had a secondary progressive course. Mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 3.04±2.18. The prevalence and annual incidence after one year was 36.5 per 100000 (95% CI: 33.2-38.6) and 2.60 per 100000 (95% CI: 2.1-3.8), respectively. Conclusion:This is the fi rst city-based MS prevalence study performed in Turkey. The MS prevalence in Edirne is similar to that of Greece and Bulgaria but lower than that of European countries.

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