Background: Despite the insufficient evidence, due to potential contribution to the improvement, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is emerging as a promising method. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of PRP injection in partial supraspinatus tears by comparing with physical therapy (PT). Patients and Methods: Seventy patients with chronic partial supraspinatus tears in magnetic resonance imaging were randomized into two groups; PRP (n = 35) and PT (n = 35). Before the treatment, at the end of the treatment and at the 12th month after the end of the treatment, range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH), Neer’s, Hawkins’ and drop arm tests and Beck Depression Inventory were investigated. Results: Statistical analysis was made for 62 subjects (PRP group, n = 30; PT group, n = 32). There were no differences between the groups according to demographic data. At the 12th month after the end of the treatment, significant improvement in ROM was detected in both groups, pain was reduced significantly in both groups and improvement of the DASH score was observed in both groups. At all the evaluation steps, increases in ROM degrees were significantly higher in the PT group than the PRP group. For VAS in activity and in rest, after the treatment, improvement was higher in the PT group than the PRP group. However, improvement of the DASH score of the PRP group was significantly better than the PT group. Conclusions: When we compared with PT, PRP seemed to be a well-tolerated application which showed promising results in patients with chronic partial supraspinatus tears. Keywords: Platelet-Rich Plasma; Shoulder; Tear

Objective: Cultural adaptations of the questionnaires are important for easy use. We aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish Version of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Methods: To assess test-retest reliability, the Turkish “Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire” and “Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand” questionnaires were answered by patients and controls and were repeated a week later. For testing internal consistency, the Cronbach's alpha test was used. For testing validity, correlations between the subscales of the “Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire” and “Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand” questionnaire were measured in patient groups. One hundred patients with idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and 50 healthy participants were included in the study. Results: In test-retest reliability, intraclass correlations of the subscales of the “Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire” were high. Cronbach's alphas were found to be high in all subscales. There was no significant correlation between asthetics and pain scales. We found significant differences between patients and controls regarding all subscales of the “Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire”. Correlations between subscales of the “Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire” and “Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand” questionnaire were significant. We found no difference between one-hand effected and two-hand effected patients, in terms of the “Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire”, “Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand” questionnaire Function/Symptom and Work average scores. Conclusion: This study showed that the Turkish version of the “Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire” is reliable and valid and can be used in Turkish patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome because it is comprehensible and practicable.

Except for diffuse musculoskeletal pain and pain at tender points, the symptoms reported by patients with Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are similar to those of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Patients with OSAS can also present FMS. STOP-Bang test is an effective scale which was developed to identify the patients with OSAS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the probable correlation between symptom severity of FMS and STOP-Bang test. Thirty one patients were included in the study. Demographic data including gender, age, body mass index and concomitant diseases are recorded. Musculoskeletal and neurologic examination, measurement of neck circumference and limitation of cervical range of motion were performed. Also MRI findings were recorded as decreased cervical lordosis, spondylosis and discopathy. STOP-Bang test was applied. Beside this test presence of snoring and fatigue were asked again separately. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was applied. Results of FIQ including total score, visual analog scale for pain (VAS pain) and fatigue (VAS fatigue) were recorded. Twenty five patients (80,6%) were female and 6 patients (19,4%) were male. Neck circumference of male patients was significantly higher than the females (p<0,05). All patients were complaining of fatigue, and 61,3% reported snoring. According to the STOP-Bang test high risk of OSAS was found in 54,8% of the patients (5 males and 12 females). There was significant and positive correlation between snoring and VAS pain, VAS fatigue, FIQ score and high risk of OSAS (p<0,01). Correlations between high risk of OSAS and VAS pain, VAS fatigue and FIQ score (p<0,01) were significant, as well as the correlations between high risk of OSAS and limitation of cervical rotation, and presence of cervical discopathy and decreased cervical lordosis (p<0,05). Although it does not imply a cause and effect relationship, the association between FMS and OSAS is clear. Physicians should keep in mind the presence of OSAS among patients with FMS, especially in male patients. STOP-Bang test is an effective co-examination to predict the risk level of OSAS which is correlated with snoring. Only asking presence of snoring can substitute for STOP-Bang test to refer these patients for the examination of upper airways.

This study aims to examine the abuse and addiction of gabapentinoids in penal institutions. Between September 2014 and November 2014, a total of 1,639 participants were administered an electronic questionnaire investigating the drug use and addiction. The questionnaire was requested to be asked and filled by the officers in charge for all voluntary convicts and prisoners in all penitentiaries throughout Turkey. The rate of answering the questions varied between 20.5% and 100%. It was found that 2% of the participants used pregabalin and gabapentin simultaneously, while 25.2% of them used multiple drugs. The usage rate of pregabalin and gabapentin was higher in some penitentiaries, compared to the normal population. There was a significant positive correlation between the use of gabapentinoids and multiple drugs and alcohol and drug addiction, various withdrawal symptoms, the number of going to the infirmary, and the number of referral to the hospital (p<0.05). Although gabapentinoids seem to be used in the treatment of addiction, and are proved effective treatment agents. With a definite diagnosis, appropriate follow-up, and timely completion of the treatment, it is necessary to strictly control their use due to the probability of abuse and addiction.

Objective: Snoring is a sound caused by vibration of collapsed and/or unsteady airway walls of the pharynx and soft palate. We compared stored spectra of snoring sounds recorded via cell phone (CP) and a microphone placed over the head (head phone [HP]). Methods: Thirty-four snoring patients were included in this prospective study. Groups were identified by reference to body mass index (BMI) values: group 1, BMI < 25 kg/m ² (n = 8); group 2, BMI 25 to 29 kg/m ² (n = 10); and group 3, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m ² (n = 16). Snoring sounds were recorded using CPs and HPs and digitally analyzed. We identified the frequencies with the highest snoring powers (F _max values) and snoring sound intensity levels (SSILs). Results: F _max ranged from 520 to 985 Hz in HP recordings and from 845 to 1645 Hz in CP recordings. Snoring sound intensity level values increased in proportion to BMI and were 6 to 24 dB in HP recordings and 19 to 52 dB in CP recordings. Thus, the CP values of F _max and SSIL were higher than the HP values. In obese patients of group 3, almost all F _max and SSIL values were higher than those of groups 1 and 2. In particular, the CP F _max values were elevated in such patients. The advanced technologies used in modern CPs may allow some snoring sounds in susceptible individuals to be defined as oronasal. Conclusion: Cell phone technology allows snoring to be evaluated in patients located in areas remote from a hospital. To explore the intensity of snoring and to postoperatively monitor the efficacy of surgery used to treat snoring, telephonic sound analysis is both new and effective and reduces the need for patient attendance at a hospital. Those experiencing severe snoring and/or who are obese should be told of what can be done to solve such problems.