Our findings indicate that fatigue levels of mothers with CP children are higher than those with healthy children and associated with depression and deterioration in QoL in terms of physical, social and emotional functioning. This should be considered while designing a family centred rehabilitation programme for children with CP. Implications for Rehabilitation Caring for a child with cerebral palsy has psychological, social and financial impacts on familiesand is associated with increased levels of fatigue among mothers. The capacity of current programs and services needs to be strengthened to accommodate theneeds of children with CP and their mothers in order to reduce fatigue of mothers. New programs need to be developed to provide psychosocial support for the mothers andto reduce their fatigue as they continue to care for their children. Provision of assistive technology devices (particularly suitable wheelchairs) will be useful inreduction of fatigue levels of mothers.

Dry eye and impaired tear function in patients with vitamin D deficiency may indicate a protective role of vitamin D in the development of dry eye, probably by enhancing tear film parameters and reducing ocular surface inflammation. Patients with vitamin D deficiency should be evaluated for dry eye syndromes.

The aim of this study was to determine clinical and US factors associated with pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study included 143 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 94 patients with unilateral or bilateral knee pain ≥3 cm during physical activity for at least 48 h prior to inclusion, measured by the visual analog scale from 0 to 10 cm. Group 2 consisted of 49 patients with knee OA without knee pain at least 1 month prior to inclusion. In both knees, range of motion was measured by goniometry and anteroposterior, and lateral knee radiographs were taken during weight-bearing. OA grading was performed in accordance with the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria by a specialist in radiology experienced in this field. A knee ultrasound (US) examination was performed in all patients by a blinded radiologist. Women were more often symptomatic than men (p < 0.005). Patients in group 1 tended to have a higher body mass index (BMI; p<0.001). Radiographic grades III (52.1%) and II (37.2%) were most frequently found in group 1, whereas I (30.6%), II (46.9%), and III (22.4%) were found in group 2. When radiographic grades in both groups were compared, group 1 had greater radiographic grades than group 2 (p<0.001). US findings in group 1 were effusion of the suprapatellar pouch (72.3%), Baker's cyst (42.6%), protrusion of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus associated with medial collateral ligament displacement (9.6%), and loose body (9.6%). In group 2, the only US finding was Baker's cyst (6.1%). Regression analysis revealed that BMI, degree of knee flexion, and thickness of the quadriceps tendon were factors that were related with pain in the knee. Increased BMI, decrease in the degree of knee flexion, and decreased quadriceps tendon thickness are factors that increase the risk of pain in knee OA.

Quality of life (QoL) is the gratification taken from life, happiness, and the way human beings perceive their situation within the system of culture and values. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is among the main conditions in which QoL is decreased. The aim of this study was to evaluate QoL and related variables in patients with RA. A total of 153 RA patients were included in the study. All patients were evaluated by the rheumatoid arthritis quality of life (RAQoL), Nottingham health profile (NHP), and the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) scales. Disease activity score 28 (DAS28) was used for measuring disease activity, while the modified Sharp score developed by Van der Heijde was used for evaluating the radiological damage, and visual analog scale-pain (VAS-pain) was used to determine the level of pain. RAQoL had linear relations at high levels with VAS-pain, HAQ, DAS28, and the modified Sharp score (r values 0.86, 0.82, 0.82, and 0.38, respectively) and at a moderate level with disease duration (r 0.18). VAS-pain showed the highest correlation with the pain subgroup of NHP (r 0.91) and the second highest correlation was with RAQoL (r 0.86). As a result, it is concluded that in RA patients RAQoL is an important scale reflecting QoL related with pain, disease activity, functional status, and radiological progression. In our study pain ranked first among the variables that influenced QoL, and this was followed by disease activity and functional status.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate neuropathic pain in rheumatologic disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and osteoarthritis (OA) using PainDETECT and to determine its effect on the quality of life in terms of disease activity, functional status, social and emotional functioning. Patients and methods: A total of 150 patients (66 males, 84 females; mean age 48.44±12.22 years; range 25 to 65 years) were included in the study. Of these patients, 50 had OA, 50 had RA, and 50 had AS. Control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects (20 males, 30 females; mean age 48.36±12.68 years; range 25 to 65 years). OA severity was evaluated by Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Index of Osteoarthritis. In RA patients, Disease Activity Score-28 was used for measuring disease activity, and Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire for functional status. In AS patients, disease activity was assessed by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and functional status by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index. Neuropathic pain was determined by PainDETECT questionnaire and quality of life by Nottingham Health Profile. Results: Prevalence of neuropathic pain was 44% in OA, 28% in AS, and 18% in RA patients. Compared with control patients, prevalence was higher in OA [Odds ratio=12.46 95% confidence interval (3.89-39.85)] (p=0.00) and AS patients [Odds ratio=4.47 95% confidence interval (1.36-14.76)] (p=0.009). In OA patients, PainDETECT was correlated with Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Index of Osteoarthritis (p=0.00). In all of the patient groups, PainDETECT was correlated with Nottingham Health Profile (p=0.00). Physical mobility subgroup showed the strongest correlation with PainDETECT. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that neuropathic pain is strongly associated with quality of life in terms of physical mobility, energy, sleep, and social and emotional functions. The disease with highest prevalence of neuropathic pain was OA. A better understanding of neuropathic pain mechanisms in rheumatic diseases will help us find more effective treatment strategies.