Moderation analysis exploring associations between age and mucocutaneous activity in Behçet's syndrome: A multicenter study from Turkey

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of age on mucocutaneous activity by using moderation analysis in Behçet's syndrome (BS). In this cross-sectional study, 887 BS patients (female : male, 481:406; mean age, 38.4 ± 10.9 years) followed in 13 tertiary centers in Turkey were included. Mucocutaneous activity was evaluated by using the Mucocutaneous Index (MI) according to sex and disease course. Moderation analysis was performed to test the effect of age on mucocutaneous activity. A moderator variable is a third variable and affects the relationship between independent and outcome variables. Age was chosen as a potential moderator variable (interaction effect), MI score as the outcome variable and sex as an independent variable in the analysis. The moderation analysis tested the effects of age in three steps: whole BS patient group, patients without systemic involvement and those with systemic involvement. The moderation model was only significant in BS patients with systemic involvement (P = 0.0351), and a significant relationship was observed between female sex and MI score (P = 0.0156). In addition, the interaction plot showed that female patients had increased MI scores compared with male patients, especially in the 28-year-old age group (P = 0.0067). Moreover, major organ involvement was newly diagnosed in the majority of these young female BS patients. Our results suggest that the relationship between sex and mucocutaneous activity was moderated by age in the systemic involvement group. Also, increased mucocutaneous activity may be associated with new major organ involvement in young female BS patients with systemic involvement.

Predictive factors for work-day loss in Behçet's syndrome: A multi-center study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this multi-center study was to assess predictive factors for work-day loss as an indirect cost element in Behçet's syndrome (BS).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional, multi-center study, 834 BS patients (F/M: 441/393, age mean: 38.4 ± 10.9 years) were included. Data were collected by a questionnaire regarding treatment protocols, disease duration, smoking pattern, frequency of medical visits during the previous year and self-reported work-day loss during the previous year.

RESULTS

Work-day loss was observed in 16.2% of patients (M/F: 103/32). The percentages of being a smoker (81.8%), using immunosuppressive (IS) medications (82%), and having disease duration <5 years (74%) were higher in male patients with work-day loss (P < .05). The majority of males (90.9%) had more than four clinic visits during the previous year. Moreover, the mean work-day loss (30.8 ± 57.7 days) was higher in patients with vascular involvement (56.1 ± 85.9) than those without (26.4 ± 50.6 days) (P = .046). In addition, increased frequency of ocular involvement (25.9%) was also observed in patients with work-day loss compared to others (8.6%) (P = .059).

CONCLUSION

Work-day loss was associated with both vascular and ocular involvement. Close associations were observed among male gender, early period of the disease, frequent medical visits, being a smoker and treatment with IS medications in patients with work-day loss.

Effect of systemic administered zoledronic acid on osseointegration of a titanium implant in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether zoledronic acid improves post-implant osseointegration in an ovariectomized rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 female Wistar rats were subdivided into three groups: control (CTRL), ovariectomized (OVX) and ovariectomized + zoledronic acid (OVX/ZOL). Both OVX and OVX/ZOL groups underwent ovariectomy procedures, while the CTRL group received a sham operation. After a 90-day waiting period following surgery, the OVX/ZOL group received a weekly intravenous injection of 0.04 mg/kg zoledronic acid over a period of 6 weeks. The CTRL and OVX groups received intravenous injections of 0.9% NaCl, and the injections were administered with a dosing schedule that was identical to that of the OVX/ZOL group. After completing the 6-week injection regimen, every group received a titanium implant that was 1.6 mm in diameter by 4 mm in length, which was placed in the proximal metaphysis of the left tibia. All of the rats were sacrificed after 60 days and the tibia bones were harvested and processed for histological evaluation.

RESULTS

The percentage of bone-implant contact (BIC) varied significantly between groups. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that BIC was significantly higher in the OVX/ZOL group than in the OVX group.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic zoledronic acid improved tibial titanium implant osseointegration in an oestrogen-deficient rat model.