The aim of the study is to compare vitamin D status and bone mineral density (BMD) in veiled and unveiled healthy Turkish women of reproductive age. Thirty young to middle-aged volunteer veiled women and 30 age-matched control subjects with western clothing habits were enrolled in the study. The two groups had similar dietary habits, body mass index (BMI) distribution, and gestational history. Physical and laboratory examinations were performed to rule out any disease that could affect bone metabolism. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels were measured, and BMD of the spine and hip were investigated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The mean age of dressing the veil was 15.7 +/- 6.13 years, and 66.7% of the veiled women claimed that they were not ever exposed to direct sunlight, as they were leading an indoor life. Compared with the control group, veiled women were less educated and physically less active (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). 25-OHD levels were positively correlated with exposure to sunlight and negatively correlated with the duration of being veiled. None of the veiled women had vitamin D insufficiency, but their mean 25-OHD concentration (33.1 +/- 16 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that of controls (53.9 +/- 27.3 ng/ml) (p < or = 0.001), and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were higher (p < 0.01). Differences in the absolute BMD values at the spine and hip were not statistically significant, but the mean Z value at the lumbar spine was significantly lower in the veiled subjects (p < 0.05). Veiled women have low 25-OHD status, and vitamin D supplementation should strictly be advised to these women for the prevention of osteomalacia and osteoporosis.

To compare the effectiveness of ibuprofen phonophoresis (PH) with conventional ultrasound (US) therapy in knee osteoarthritis. Sixty patients with a mean age of 59.8 +/- 9.0 years were randomly assigned to PH or US groups. Continuous ultrasonic waves of 1 MHz frequency and 1 watt/cm2 power were applied for 5 minutes to the target knee joint. Acoustic gel without any active pharmacological agent was applied in the US group, whereas cream containing 5% ibuprofen was applied in the PH group for a total treatment period of 10 sessions. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, pain on passive and active motion, 20 metres walking time, knee range of motion (ROM), and global assessments of disease activity and treatment efficacy by the investigator and by the patients were evaluated before and after therapy. Primary outcome measure of the study was 30% improvement in total WOMAC scores at the end of the study with respective scores at baseline. At the end of two weeks, 30% improvement in total WOMAC score was observed in 12 (40%) and 14 (46.6%) of patients in the PH and US groups respectively, indicating no significant difference in improvement rates. Pain scores, knee ROM degrees, 20 metres walking time measurements and all global assessment scores also improved significantly in both groups, yet these variables showed no significant differences between the two groups. When treatment efficacy was assessed as satisfaction rates, investigator satisfaction rates were 96.7% and 90%, while patient satisfaction rates were 93.3% and 83.3% in the PH and US groups respectively, suggesting similar satisfaction rates for both treatment methods. Both therapeutic modalities were found to be effective and generally well tolerated after 10 therapy sessions. Ibuprofen PH was not superior to conventional ultrasound in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective Our study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) on postoperative morbidity compared to placebo and control groups after impacted third molar surgery. Methodology Sixty patients with impacted mandibular third molar were included in this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. After surgical extraction of the impacted tooth, patients were allocated into three groups (20 patients each): group 1 received KT (kinesio), group 2 received placebo taping (placebo), and group 3 received no taping (control). The groups were compared regarding facial swelling, pain and trismus. Swelling was evaluated using a tape measuring method. Pain was assessed by a visual analog scale and the number of analgesic tablets taken. Trismus was determined by measuring maximum mouth opening. Results In the KT group, all parameters reduced significantly on 2nd and 4th postoperative days compared to other groups; however, placebo and control groups revealed comparable outcomes. On 7th day, all groups showed comparable results. Conclusions The KT application is an effective method for reducing morbidity after impacted mandibular third molar surgery. However, placebo taping is not as effective as proper taping. Placebo taping shows similar results compared to no taping regarding facial swelling percentage, pain and trismus.