İbrahim Tekeoğlu

Aim: Our aim in this study was to compare the reliability and clinical usefulness of answers generated by ChatGPT’s GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking models for the most frequently searched patient questions on lateral epicondylitis.Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a pilot, descriptive, expert-evaluated large language model (LLM) output assessment study. Google Trends was queried for “tennis elbow” and “lateral epicondylitis”. The six highest-ranked questions were posed to GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking. Three senior physiatrists independently rated every response using the seven-point Reliability and Usefulness Scales. Results: Both models produced reliable and moderately useful responses. Mean ± SD reliability scores were 5.11 ± 1.18 for GPT-5.1 Instant and 5.06 ± 1.21 for GPT-5.1 Thinking, while usefulness scores were 5.22 ± 1.22 and 5.50 ± 1.38, respectively. Differences were not statistically significant (reliability Z = -1.00, p = 0.317, r ≈ 0.41; usefulness Z = -1.60, p = 0.109, r ≈ 0.65), though GPT-5.1 Thinking trended higher in usefulness. Inter-rater agreement was excellent for all ratings (ICC = 0.94-0.98), indicating consistent scoring.Conclusion: GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking both delivered reliable, moderately useful information on lateral epicondylitis, with GPT-5.1 Thinking showing a numerically higher usefulness score that did not reach statistical significance. These findings support ChatGPT’s potential as patient-education aid for musculoskeletal disorders while underscoring the need for expert oversight and further research across broader topics, languages, and chatbot platforms.

Objective: The point of this study was to look into how electroacupuncture (EA) and connective tissue massage (CTM) affect people with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), since not much is known about their effects. The study's objective is to compare the effects of EA and CTM in FMS symptoms. Method: The study population comprised 60 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, who were randomly assigned to either the electroacupuncture (EAG) or connective tissue massage (CMG) groups. EA was administered for a duration of 20 minutes, three times per week, to the EAG group. CTM was similarly administered for a duration of 20 minutes, three times per week, to the CMG. The primary and secondary outcomes were measured before and after the last intervention. Results: These outcomes included pain threshold (PT), tender point count (TPC), pain intensity (PI), joint motion angles, morning stiffness duration, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality (SQ). The results showed significant improvements (p

The nervous system plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. Recent nanotechnology advances enable precise control of neuronal activity using metal nanoparticles, which convert external stimuli into electrical, mechanical, or thermal signals to modulate excitability. This review explores three primary neuromodulation strategies (e.g., electrical, magnetic, and optothermal stimulation) where magnetic methods create magnetothermal and magnetomechanical effects, optothermal techniques use surface plasmon resonance to activate heat-sensitive ion channels, and electrical approaches alter membrane potential via the high conductivity of nanoparticles. These methods hold significant potential for treating neurological disorders such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease, though challenges like biocompatibility, metal ion toxicity, and efficient nanoparticle clearance must be addressed. To overcome these barriers, ongoing research focuses on coating nanoparticles with protective layers, modifying their surfaces to improve safety, and designing them in ways that help the body clear them more easily. Incorporating targeted delivery systems, biodegradable materials, and stimuli-responsive coatings into nanoparticle design could further improve safety, enhance personalization, and enable precise, reversible control of brain circuits, opening new avenues for treating neurological conditions.

To identify clinical and demographic predictors associated with the timing of transition from psoriasis (PsO) to psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and to compare the characteristics of patients with concurrent PsO-PsA onset versus those with prolonged transition. A multi-center, observational study was conducted using data from the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) network including PsA patients fulfilling CASPAR criteria. Patients were categorized into two groups: Group 1 (concurrent PsO and PsA onset within ± 1 year) and Group 2 (prolonged transition to PsA, > 1 year after PsO). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics, disease activity, and patient-reported outcomes were compared between groups. Logistic regression was employed to determine independent predictors of prolonged transition. Among 799 patients (mean age 46.8 ± 12.3 years), 237 (29.7%) had concurrent onset and 562 (70.3%) had a prolonged transition, with a mean PsO-to-PsA interval of 12.9 ± 9.6 years. Depression (p = 0.005) and fatigue levels (p = 0.011) were significantly higher in patients with prolonged transition to PsA. Multivariate analysis revealed that scalp psoriasis (OR = 7.162), nail psoriasis (OR = 3.270), family history of PsO (OR = 1.813), and enthesitis ever (OR = 2.187) were associated with prolonged transition. Conversely, family history of PsA (OR = 0.421) and older age at PsO onset (OR = 0.957) predicted shorter transition. Prolonged transition from PsO to PsA is influenced by distinct clinical and demographic factors. Scalp/nail psoriasis, family history of PsO, and enthesitis ever may signal higher risk for prolonged PsA onset. Recognizing these markers can support timely referral and intervention, minimizing diagnostic delay and improving long-term patient outcomes.

Laser Acupuncture (LA) is a modern treatment method with a history of approximately 50 years. Contrary to manual acupuncture, it is a non-invasive and painless treatment method, which is preferred particularly by needle-phobic patients. Studies conducted to date indicate that acupuncture points can be stimulated by the application of laser beams with a certain dose for a certain amount of time. Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Resistance to treatment can occur when pain transitions into a chronic state. Nearly 20% of the adult population complain of pain. About 10% of these individuals develop chronic pain within a year. Numerous treatment modalities have been used in the treatment of chronic pain. In this article, the role of LA in chronic pain is assessed in detail. Concomitantly, history, mechanism of action, treatment dose and duration, contraindications, complications, combination with other acupuncture methods, and the analgesic effect of LA are also mentioned. Utilization of LA more frequently by clinicians to treat chronic pain and further long-term randomized controlled trials will help eliminate conflicting results regarding this subject.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate and compare clinical features, disease activity, and the overall disease burden among psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients across seven distinct geographic regions in Türkiye. Patients and methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study involving 1,134 PsA patients from 25 referral centers across seven regions was conducted. Demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, joint involvement, extra-articular manifestations, and disease activity measures were evaluated across regions. Results: A total of 1134 PsA patients from seven different geographic regions in Türkiye participated in this study. The highest number of participants was from the Marmara region (n=409), with subsequent representation from Central Anatolia (n=370), Aegean (n=139), Mediterranean (n=60), Black Sea (n=60), Eastern Anatolia (n=60), and Southeastern Anatolia (n=36) regions. There were significant variations in demographic profile, including age, body mass index, age of disease onset, educational status, comorbidities, and family history of both psoriasis and PsA. Clinical features, such as enthesitis, dactylitis, uveitis, and joint involvement, demonstrated significant variation across regions. Additionally, disease activity measures, including pain, patient and physician global assessments, acute phase reactants, disease activity indices, quality of life, and functional status, displayed considerable regional differences. Conclusion: This nationwide study revealed substantial regional diversity in demographic data, clinical characteristics, disease activity, and quality of life among PsA patients in Türkiye. These findings stress the need to customize treatment approaches to address regional needs and to conduct further research to uncover reasons for disparities. It is crucial to enhance region-specific approaches to improve patient care and outcomes for PsA.

Background: We aimed to determine the clinical features, predictive factors associated with severe disease, and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and report data on the comparison of coronavirus disease 2019 between patients with inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthropathies. Methods: A total of 101 patients with inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthropathies who had confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, comorbidities, immunosuppressive treatments, and the impact of immunosuppression on negative outcomes were assessed. Results: The median age of the patients was 47 (38-57) years. The most common rheumatologic diagnosis was ankylosing spondylitis (n = 24), psoriatic arthritis (n = 17), and reactive arthritis (n = 1). In the inflammatory bowel disease group, 47 patients had ulcerative colitis, 11 Crohn’s disease, and 1 unclassified. The most commonly used treatments were biologics (55%) in the spondyloarthropathies group and aminosalicylates (66.1%) in the inflammatory bowel disease group. Overall, 18.8% of the patients required hospitalization, 5% developed severe complications, and 2% died. There were no significant differences in coronavirus disease 2019-related negative outcomes between spondyloarthropathies and inflammatory bowel disease patients. The median age was higher in the patients who required hospitalization [57 (46-66) vs 47 (38-57) years, P=.008]. Bilateral opacities on chest radiographs were more common in the patients who required hospitalization in the spondyloarthropathies group [88.9% vs 14.3%, P=.016]. Comorbidity was significantly associated with hospitalization in the inflammatory bowel disease group (P ≤ .05). Baseline therapy with biologics or immunosuppressives was not associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes. Conclusion: Older age, comorbidities, and bilateral ground-glass opacities were associated with adverse outcomes, whereas specific immune-mediated inflammatory disease diagnoses or immunosuppressive treatments were not. Cite this article as: Tozlu M, Dilek G, Kalçık Unan M, et al. Clinical features and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthropathies. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2022;33(9):751-759.

Conventional debates surrounding the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 still continue in the literature. Colchicine is one of the recommended agents in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019, but there are also studies giving negative opinions for the said agent. Some researchers suggest that those patients using colchicine have milder clinic symptoms. Behçet’s disease is a multisystemic disease with an uncertain etiopathogenesis that is characterized by chronic inflammatory vasculitis. Autoimmunity is believed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Behçet’s disease. Immunomodulator, corticosteroid, and immunosuppressive drugs are used in its treatment. Seven Behçet’s patients with coronavirus disease 2019 were presented in this study, and the drugs used, prognosis, accompanying diseases, hospitalization, and complications were discussed in the light of the literature. Cite this article as: Nas K, Dilek G, Unan MK, et al. The clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with behçet’s disease: A series of 7 cases and brief review of the literature. Eurasian J Med., 2022;54(3):305-309.