Tool For Assessment Of Patients Research Articles

Construction of a nutritional assessment tool for the pediatric cancer population (ANPEDCancer): content validation using the Delphi method.

ABSTRACTObjective:To develop and establish content validation of a nutritional assessment tool for pediatric cancer patients using the Delphi method.Methods:A literature review was performed and the nutritional assessment in pediatrics and cancer construct was discussed with experts. Forty-six nutrition experts from Brazil with experience in oncology participated in the panel. Rounds were held to discuss and judge the items that should be included in this tool. With the aid of an algorithm, it was possible to simultaneously consider the adequacy, relevance and measurement of the items. The consensus was reached with an agreement equal to or greater than 80% among the experts.Results:From the 7 domains suggested by the literature, the first round generated 81 items, which were assessed for adequacy, relevance and the possibility of being measured in the routine of nutritional assessment, by specialists in the following two rounds. The percentage of specialists who responded to each round was high (above 90%) and the dropout rate between the stages was relatively low. After applying the algorithm, the ANPEDCancer tool had 36 items considered appropriate by specialists from the five different geographical regions of Brazil.Conclusions:The Delphi method allowed the construction and content validation of the nutritional assessment tool for children and adolescents with cancer, providing the first stage for use in the Brazilian hospital setting.

Validation of Bengali version of Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale-Revised (ESAS-r Bengali): A multidimensional symptom assessment tool for patients with advanced incurable diseases receiving palliative care.

Routine symptom assessment represents the cornerstone of symptom management of patients with advanced incurable diseases in palliative care. At present, there is no validated tool to assess symptoms among the Bengali-speaking population with incurable diseases. The aim of the study is to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (Revised) into Bengali language. The study was conducted in two phases. Forward and backward translations of the English version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (Revised) into Bengali were conducted by four independent translators. After obtaining reviews from an expert committee, pre-testing and cognitive debriefing the Bengali version of the tool was finalized. The final validation was conducted among 110 patients admitted to the Palliative Medicine Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Validity (content, face, and construct validity) and reliability (internal consistency) were assessed in the final validation phase. All participants responded to all items. Seventy percent of the participants completely understood all questions but 30% had difficulty with three questions. The expert committee expressed their satisfaction regarding the face and content validity of the questionnaire. The Bengali version also had high reliability (α = 0.862). Principal component analysis with the distribution of varimax rotation of Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (Revised) Bengali ranged from 0.41 to 0.83. After the translation and cross-cultural adaptation, the Bengali version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (Revised) achieved good levels of validity and reliability. It can be used as a symptom assessment tool for Bengali speaking population receiving palliative care.

Impact of central sensitization on clinical parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of central sensitization (CS) on pain sensitivity, disease activity, neuropathic symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sixty patients diagnosed with RA according to the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) 2010 classification criteria were included in the study. Patient assessment tools included visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, algometer for pain pressure threshold (PPT), disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS-28) for disease activity (DA), central sensitization inventory (CSI) for CS and rheumatoid arthritis QoL questionnaire for QoL. Central sensitization was identified in 29 (48.3%) patients. Although erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein and swollen joint count were comparable between patients with or without CS, higher VAS, tender joint count and DAS-28 scores were observed in patients with CS (all p<0.05). Pain pressure thresholds (PPT) at the wrist (PPTW) and the trapezius muscle (PPTT) were lower in patients with CS (p=0.004, p=0.001, respectively). It was found that neuropathic pain components increased and quality of life decreased as CSI scores increased (all p=0.000). The presence of CS leads to pain sensitivity as well as overestimation of disease activity in RA patients. The presence of CS should not be overlooked in RA patients to avoid overtreatment for inflammation and to determine the treatment need for nociplastic pain.

Video head impulse test and Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials: simple clinical tools for assessment of multiple sclerosis patients

Video head impulse test and Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials: simple clinical tools for assessment of multiple sclerosis patients

Validation of the Chinese version of the dimensional obsessive-compulsive scale (DOCS) in Chinese clinical samples

• The Chinese version of the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (C-DOCS) is a reliable and valid assessment tool for Chinese OCD patients. • It has good internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. • It has a robust four-factor model, with evidence of a second-order factor. • It can be applied to Chinese OCD patients in clinical settings. • Future research should work on the dimensionality of OCD.

Evaluation of risk stratification program based on trajectories of functional capacity in patients with acute coronary syndrome: The REACP study.

As a validated assessment tool for functional disability (activities of daily living), the Barthel index (BI) assessed initially at admission has the potential to stratify patients with high-risk acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Dynamic trajectory evaluation of functional capacity in hospitals may provide more prognostic information. We aimed to establish a novel dynamic BI-based risk stratification program (DBRP) during hospitalization to predict outcomes among ACS patients. A total of 2,837 ACS patients were included from the Retrospective Multicenter Study for Early Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain. The DBRP rating (low, medium, and high-risk categories) was calculated from dynamic BI at admission and discharge. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was cardiac mortality. Of all the included patients, 312 (11%) died during a median follow-up period of 18.0 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative mortality was significantly higher in patients in the higher risk category according to the DBRP. Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that, compared to the low-risk category, the higher risk category in the DBRP was an independent strong predictor of all-cause mortality after adjusting for confounding factors (medium-risk category: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.756, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.214-2.540; P = 0.003; high-risk category: HR: 5.052, 95% CI: 3.744-6.817; P < 0.001), and the same result was found for cardiac mortality. The DBRP was a useful risk stratification tool for the early dynamic assessment of patients with ACS. [http://www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR1900024657].

Repeatability and reliability of the footwear assessment tool in Spanish patients: A transcultural adaptation

BackgroundThe footwear assessment tool was designed to advise an appropriate footwear for each situation and patient. Footwear alterations structures can influence in musculoskeletal disorders, developing foot ulcers, increase the peak plantar pressure, bacterial growth, low back pain. Methods: To validate the study 101 subjects were recruited. The study was tested by two expert podiatrists using the tool for the assessment of footwear characteristics that is composed by five domains, fit, general features, general structure, motion control properties and cushioning system. Each domain analyzes different shoe items. Results: An excellent agreement between the test-retest. A suitable Cronbach's α was suggested for the five domains of fit (α = 0.952), general features (α = 0.953), general structure (α = 0.947), motion control properties (α = 0.951), and cushioning system (α = 0.951). Test-retest reliability was excellent for all domains. There were no significant differences between any domain (p > 0.05). There was only statistically significant difference in the item forefoot height (p = 0.011). For all the domains items there were no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The tool for the assessment European footwear is a suitable repeatability and reliability footwear tool that can be used in Spanish language subjects.

The CREATION Health Assessment Tool for Patients (CHAT-P): Development & Psychometric Testing.

The CREATION Model is a whole-person wellness model facilitating patient-provider partnerships for health promotion. CREATION is an acronym that represents eight whole-person health principles: Choice, Rest, Environment-Interpersonal Relationships, Activity, Trust, Outlook, and Nutrition, all focusing on the relationship between individual choice and physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health. This study develops and tests the psychometric properties of the CREATION Health Assessment Tool for Patients (CHAT-P). A 125-item-bank using a 5-point Likert scale with 1 to 5 rating was generated through focus-groups of clinicians, patients, and healthcare leaders. An expert panel assessed content adequacy, reducing items to 82. Patient survey data (n = 599) from 15 inpatient medical units were randomly divided into two datasets. Exploratory Factor Analysis applied to Dataset 1 resulted in a 7-factor (Choice/Rest/Environment-Interpersonal Relationships/Activity/Trust/Outlook/Nutrition) and 28-item tool with factor loading 0.47-0.86. The model structure was confirmed by Structural Equation Modeling on Dataset 2 with goodness-of-fit test results: X2/df = 2.41 < 5.0, RMSEA = 0.05 < 0.08, GFI = 0.91 and AGFI = 0.90. Cronbach's Alpha = 0.83 showed satisfactory reliability. The final CHAT-P totals ranged from 28-140 (higher scores indicating better health/well-being). When assessing the effectiveness of educational/behavioral interventions, this tool can measure the improvement of a patient's overall mind-body-spirit well-being or measure well-being for individual CREATION principle(s). It fills that gap and facilitates healthcare providers' ability to assess and plan interventions to support holistic well-being.

Evaluation of a functional assessment tool in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease in Lima, Peru

AbstractBackgroundFunctional assessment screening tools are crucial for dementia evaluations. The Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study‐Activities of Daily Living (ADCS‐ADL) scale is a versatile functional assessment screening tool that can be used to monitor functional decline of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We sought to evaluate the validity and reliability of the ADCS‐ADL scale in Peruvian patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD.MethodThis was a cross‐sectional study of older adults from a multidisciplinary neurology institute in Lima, Peru in one of three groups: cognitively healthy controls, MCI or AD. ANOVA or chi‐square tests were used. Psychometric properties evaluated included reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC; internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha) and validity (external and convergent).ResultWe included 276 patients in the analysis. Age, sex, educational level, and depressive symptoms did not vary significantly between the groups, but the Mini Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination scores were significantly different between groups. ICC was 0.996 and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.937 for the ADCS‐ADL. The ADCS‐ADL could not differentiate patients with MCI from cognitively healthy controls, but it accurately differentiated degrees of cognitive impairment within the AD group. The ADCS‐ADL correlated highly with all functional assessment and cognitive screening tools, except for the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive subscale.ConclusionThe ADCS‐ADL scale is reliable in a population of patients with AD in Lima, Peru, and correlated with most functional assessment scales used to evaluate patients with AD.

Performance of the new nutrition evaluation tool for hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer in Brazil (ANPEDCancer).

There is a lack of specific nutrition assessment tools for pediatric patients with cancer. The aim was to evaluate the performance of the ANPEDCancer assessment tool in a pediatric population with cancer, verifying its ability to detect nutrition inadequacy and predict the length of hospital stay (LOS). Evaluated 111 pediatric patients hospitalized in the National Cancer Institute (INCA) in 2019 to assess nutrition status. Patients were classified as malnourished and well nourished by the ANPEDCancer. Measures of weight, height, anthropometric indicators, body composition, laboratory parameters, LOS, and death were compared between groups. The ANPEDCancer classification was compared with the complete nutrition assessment, calculating sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values, and with the LOS. The prevalence of malnutrition was 12.6%, nutrition risk was 48.6%, risk of overweight/obesity was 6.3%, and well-nourished status was 32.4%. According to ANPEDCancer, malnourished patients showed a higher frequency of inadequacy for all anthropometric indices, percentage of weight loss, serum albumin level, C-reactive protein (CRP), and longer LOS when compared with well-nourished patients. There was an association between the tool's diagnosis and measures of body composition, CRP, and LOS. ANPEDCancer validation with the complete nutrition assessment showed a sensitivity of 81.6%, specificity of 55%, positive predictive value of 53.4%, and negative of 82.5%. The LOS was almost twice as long among malnourished patients and was statistically significant (P = 0.002). ANPEDCancer is a feasible tool to assess nutrition status and identify the presence of nutrition risk, allowing for targeted assistance in hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer.

A Rising Star of the Multimarker Panel: Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Levels Are an Independent Predictor of Mortality in Acute Heart Failure Patients Admitted to an Emergency Clinical Hospital from Eastern Europe.

(1) Background: Acute heart failure (HF) represents one of the most common yet extremely severe presentations in emergency services worldwide, requiring prompt diagnosis, followed by an adequate therapeutic approach, and a thorough risk stratification. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are currently the most widely implemented biomarkers in acute HF, but due to their lack of specificity, they are mainly used as ruling-out criteria. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a novel molecule expressing different pathophysiological pathways in HF, such as fibrosis, remodeling, and oxidative stress. It is also considered a very promising predictor of mortality and poor outcome. In this study, we aimed to investigate the GDF-15's expression and particularities in patients with acute HF, focusing mainly on its role as a prognosis biomarker, either per se or as part of a multimarker panel. (2) Methods: This unicentric prospective study included a total of 173 subjects, divided into 2 subgroups: 120 patients presented in emergency with acute HF, while 53 were ambulatory-evaluated controls with chronic HF. At admission, all patients were evaluated according to standard clinical echocardiography and laboratory panel, including the assessment of GDF-15. (3) Results: The levels of GDF-15 were significantly higher in patients with acute HF, compared to controls [596 (305-904) vs. 216 (139-305) ng/L, p &lt; 0.01]. GDF-15 also exhibited an adequate diagnostic performance in acute HF, expressed as an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.883 [confidence interval (CI) 95%: 0.828-0.938], similar to that of NT-proBNP (AUC: 0.976, CI 95%: 0.952-1.000), or troponin (AUC: 0.839, CI 95%: 0.733-0.944). High concentrations of GDF-15 were significantly correlated with mortality risk. In a multivariate regression model, GDF-15 was the most important predictor of a poor outcome, superior to NT-proBNP or troponin. (4) Conclusions: GDF-15 proved to be a reliable tool in the multimarker assessment of patients with acute HF. Compared to the gold standard NT-proBNP, GDF-15 presented a similar diagnostic performance, doubled by a significantly superior prognostic value, making it worth being included in a standardized multimarker panel.

Behaviour-based pain scales: Validity and interrater reliability of BPS-NI and PAINAD-G on general wards.

Measuring pain intensity in patients unable to communicate is a challenge on general wards. Observation-based pain scoring tools have been used for patients with dementia or in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, there is no established or validated assessment tool for non-ICU patients without dementia related cognitive deficiencies who cannot communicate. The "Behavioural Pain Scale Non-Intubated" (BPS-NI) and the "Pain Assessment In Advanced Dementia-German" (PAINAD-G) are potential tools to fill this gap. This study was performed with verbal non-ICU patients on general wards at Charité Berlin. Two assessors independently rated pain intensity using the BPS-NI and the PAINAD-G along with patients' self-ratings on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The interrater-reliability of BPS-NI and PAINAD-G was calculated and ROC-analyses were performed to identify cut-off values for medium and intense pain for each score. Effectiveness was calculated using percentage agreement. In total, 126 patients were included into analysis. The BPS-NI showed substantial congruence in interrater-reliability (Cohens-Kappa 0.71), whereas the PAINAD-G showed moderate congruence (Kappa 0.48). Based on ROC-analyses, for medium pain levels a cut-off 4 (BPS-NI) or 2 (PAINAD-G) and for severe pain levels cut-off 5 (BPS-NI) and 3 (PAINAD-G) would result in good accordance with self-reported NRS for pain. The BPS-NI shows a good validity in measuring pain intensity in patients on general wards and may possibly be used for patients unable to communicate. Using defined cut-off values for BPS-NI and PAINAD-G, clinically relevant pain intensities in patients can reliably be detected. Measuring the pain intensity in patients unable to communicate is a common challenge on general wards. This study assessed reliability and applicability BPS-NI and the PAINAD-G in a general ward setting. Furthermore, it provides cut-off values in order to estimate pain intensity and support analgesic response.

A Computer-Aided Diagnosis Tool for the Detection of Hemarthrosis By Remote Joint Ultrasound in Patients with Hemophilia

Background: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) is a non-invasive and easily accessible diagnostic tool for joint health assessment of patients with hemophilia. The early identification of hemarthrosis is pivotal and could be achieved by a telemedicine system where MSK-US is performed by general practitioners or the patients themselves. The images so collected could be sent to the Comprehensive Care Center clinicians. Due to the great number of images collected, a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for the automatic detection of joint effusion could support the physicians in prioritizing interventions. Aims: our aim is to develop a telemedicine system for the remote monitoring of joint health. The first step was to assess the feasibility of a CAD system by developing a deep-learning algorithm to automatically recognize joint capsule distension as a proxy of hemarthrosis in MSK-US images. Methods: images of the longitudinal scan of the subquadricipital recess of the knee at 30°-flexion were collected and labeled by an expert MSK-US operator. We chose the knee as it is an easily accessible joint even as self-assessment. The learning algorithm is based on an object detection framework that is trained to detect the normal and the distended joint recesses. Results: we recruited two-hundred consecutive adult patients with hemophilia referring to our Center from October 2020 to December 2021, aged 44.7 ± 18.6 years and 50 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. A total of 8,634 MSK-US images were collected (2,267 knee scans). Of these, 483 were considered valid and used for the learning task. We used 330 images for training and 120 images for testing the classifier, leading to the detection of joint recess distensions with an 78% accuracy (69% sensitivity; 87% specificity). In addition, two volunteer patients were asked to perform an ultrasound examination of knees, elbows and ankles with a portable ultrasound probe connected with a smartphone after a brief training. The two patients accepted the brief training on how to use the portable probe and how to perform the ultrasound by themselves. Some difficulties were reported during the self-assessment of the elbows and ankles, which could be performed by a caregiver. Conclusions: the CAD system for the automatic detection of joint recess distension in patients with hemophilia developed by our group is feasible. Performance may further improve with a larger training set. The MSK-US self-assessment was accepted by the two volunteer patients and their indications will be followed for the development of a telemedicine system including elbows, knees and ankles as the most commonly affected joints in hemophilic arthropathy. The telemedicine system will prompt early detection of hemarthrosis in patients with hemophilia, thus supporting clinicians in providing early personalized management with the most appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Glasgow-Blatchford score combined with nasogastric aspirate as a new diagnostic algorithm for patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS) is a widely used risk assessment tool for patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, it only identifies a relatively low proportion of patients at low risk for adverse events and poor outcomes. We developed a simple diagnostic algorithm combining the GBS and nasogastric aspirate and evaluated its diagnostic performance. A total of 115 consecutive patients with suspected nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding who underwent nasogastric tube placement and upper endoscopy at our emergency department were prospectively evaluated. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the GBS and our algorithm for predicting high-risk endoscopic lesions (HRELs) using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Thirty-five patients had HRELs. Compared with the GBS, our algorithm showed superior performance with respect to the prediction of HRELs (area under the curve, 0.639 and 0.854, respectively; p<0.001). With set optimal threshold values, the algorithm identified a significantly higher proportion of patients who did not have HRELs than the GBS (23.5%vs. 2.6%, p<0.001). The novel algorithm has improved the diagnostic performance of the GBS and predicted more patients who did not have HRELs than the GBS alone. After further validation, it may be a useful tool for making clinical management decisions for patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Two Distinct Nutritional Assessment Tools Have Dissimilar Outcomes in a Sample of Older Adult Patients With Cancer

Abstract Introduction Malnutrition is strongly associated with negative outcomes in aged populations with cancer. Several studies have compared the outcomes of nutritional-screening tools, but knowledge specifically covering older adult patients with cancer remains limited. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of two tools, the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) versus the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) for this population. Method Cross-sectional study with 432 participants who consented to participate and were enrolled at admission to medical and surgical wards of a tertiary referral hospital. The participants’ nutritional statuses were simultaneously assessed using the PG-SGA and the MNA, and the outcomes compared using the kappa statistical test. The Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) was employed to calculate the MNA sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and was compared with PG-SGA. Results Prevalence of good nourishment was observed in 62.5% and 61.1% of the participants, as detected by PG-SGA and MNA, respectively. Both tools concurred moderately (kappa = 0.453). Importantly, there were significant differences in the diagnosis of malnutrition (7.6% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.000). The MNA showed sensitivity of 72.2% and specificity of 75.9% in detecting good nourishment for the population investigated. Conclusion The MNA may not present greater sensitivity, possibly due to a lack of coverage of gastrointestinal symptoms. It is a quick and efficient tool for nutritional assessment of older adult patients with cancer, but as it is more specific than sensitive, caution is recommended when identifying borderline or early malnourished individuals of this population.

Modified Albumin-Bilirubin Grade and Alpha-Fetoprotein Score (mALF Score) for Predicting the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy.

We developed and evaluated a modified albumin-bilirubin grade and α-fetoprotein (mALF) score, a nutritional and oncological assessment tool for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical resection. Patients (n = 480) who underwent R0 resection between 2010 and 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The mALF score assigned one point for a modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade 2b or 3 and one point for an α-fetoprotein (AFP) level ≥ 100 ng/mL. Patients were classified by mALF scores of 0 (mALBI grade 1/2a, AFP < 100 ng/mL), 1 (mALBI grade 2b/3 or AFP ≥ 100 ng/mL), or 2 (mALBI grade 2b/3, AFP ≥ 100 ng/mL) points. Liver reserve deteriorated and cancer progressed with increasing score. Postoperative complications (Clavien−Dindo classification ≥ 3) differed significantly among groups. The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 34.8%, 11.2%, and 0.0% for 0, 1, and 2 points, respectively (1 or 2 versus 0 points, p < 0.001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 66.0%, 29.7%, and 17.8% for 0, 1, and 2 points, respectively (1 or 2 versus 0 points, p < 0.001). The mALF score was an independent prognostic predictor of RFS and OS. In HCC, the mALF score was effective for predicting postoperative complications and long-term survival.

Validity and Reliability of a Novel Smartphone Tele-Assessment Solution for Quantifying Hip Range of Motion.

Tele-health has become a major mode of delivery in patient care, with increasing interest in the use of tele-platforms for remote patient assessment. The use of smartphone technology to measure hip range of motion has been reported previously, with good to excellent validity and reliability. However, these smartphone applications did not provide real-time tele-assessment functionality. We developed a novel smartphone application, the TelePhysio app, which allows the clinician to remotely connect to the patient's device and measure their hip range of motion in real time. The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity and between-sessions reliability of the TelePhysio app. In addition, the study investigated the concurrent validity, between-sessions, and inter-rater reliability of a second tele-assessment approach using video analysis. Fifteen participants (nfemales = 6) were assessed in our laboratory (session 1) and at their home (session 2). We assessed maximum voluntary active hip flexion in supine and hip internal and external rotation, in both prone and sitting positions. TelePhysio and video analysis were validated against the laboratory's 3-dimensional motion capture system in session 1, and evaluated for between-sessions reliability in session 2. Video analysis inter-rater reliability was assessed by comparing the analysis of two raters in session 2. The TelePhysio app demonstrated high concurrent validity against the 3D motion capture system (ICCs 0.63-0.83) for all hip movements in all positions, with the exception of hip internal rotation in prone (ICC = 0.48, p = 0.99). The video analysis demonstrated almost perfect concurrent validity against the 3D motion capture system (ICCs 0.85-0.94) for all hip movements in all positions, with the exception of hip internal rotation in prone (ICC = 0.44, p = 0.01). The TelePhysio and video analysis demonstrated good between-sessions reliability for hip external rotation and hip flexion, ICC 0.64 and 0.62, respectively. The between-sessions reliability of hip internal and external rotation for both TelePhysio and video analysis was fair (ICCs 0.36-0.63). Inter-rater reliability ICCs for the video analysis were 0.59 for hip flexion and 0.87-0.95 for the hip rotation range. Both tele-assessment approaches, using either a smartphone application or video analysis, demonstrate good to excellent concurrent validity, and moderate to substantial between-sessions reliability in measuring hip rotation and flexion range of motion, but less in internal hip rotation in the prone position. Thus, it is recommended that the seated position be used when assessing hip internal rotation. The use of a smartphone to remotely assess hip range of motion is an appropriate, effective, and low-cost alternative to the face-to-face assessments. This method provides a simple, cost effective, and accessible patient assessment tool with no additional cost. This study validates the use of smartphone technology as a tele-assessment tool for remote hip range of motion assessment.

Peak oxygen uptake and respiratory muscle performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Clinical findings and implications.

The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the gold standard measure of aerobic exercise capacity and is an important outcome measure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). And respiratory muscle performance is also an important functional parameter for COPD patients. In addition to the traditional respiratory muscle strength test, the Test of Incremental Respiratory Endurance has recently been introduced and validated in patients with COPD. However, the relationship between VO2 and respiratory muscle performance in COPD is not well understood. Therefore, this study investigated the correlations among VO2 and respiratory muscle performance and other functional markers in COPD. A total of 32 patients with COPD were enrolled. All study participants underwent the following assessments: cardiopulmonary exercise test, pulmonary function test, respiratory muscle strength test, peripheral muscle strength test, and bioelectrical impedance analysis. When comparing VO2peak and respiratory muscle parameters, the sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (SMIP) was the only factor with a significant relationship with VO2peak. Among other functional parameters, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) showed the strongest correlation with VO2peak. It was followed by phase angle values of lower limbs, leg extension peak torque, age, and total skeletal muscle mass. When comparing respiratory muscle performance with other functional parameters, the SMIP showed the strongest correlation with hand grip strength, followed by peak cough flow, forced vital capacity, maximal inspiratory pressure, and FEV1. The results showed that the SMIP was more significantly correlated with VO2peak than the static measurement of respiratory muscle strength. This suggests that TIRE may be a useful assessment tool for patients with COPD. Additionally, FEV1 and other functional markers were significantly correlated with VO2peak, suggesting that various parameters may be used to evaluate aerobic power indirectly.

Broadening vestibular migraine diagnostic criteria: A prospective cohort study on vestibular migraine subtypes.

Current Bárány Society criteria for vestibular migraine (VM) include only episodic symptoms. Anecdotal observations suggest that some patients have episodic forms and others have chronic forms of VM, with interplay and evolution of both subtypes over time. To better understand VM subtypes and evaluate a more inclusive diagnostic schema. Four VM groups were studied: definite episodic (dVM), probable episodic (pVM), definite chronic (dCVM), and probable chronic (pCVM). Chronic VM was defined as having more than 15 dizzy days per month. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed, along with Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Vestibular Migraine Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory (VM-PATHI) scores. 54 adults with a mean age of 47.0 years (SD 13.7) were enrolled. 10 met criteria for dVM, 11 pVM, 22 dCVM, and 11 pCVM. Overall, there were strong similarities in clinical characteristics between dVM, pVM, dCVM, and pCVM. Compared to subjects with episodic VM, those with chronic VM had a higher average number of VM triggers (8.7 vs. 6.4, P = 0.019), including motion (93.9% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.009), scrolling on a screen (78.8% vs. 47.6%, P = 0.018), skipped meal (57.6% vs. 23.8%, P = 0.015), and air travel (57.6% vs. 23.8%, P = 0.015). They also had higher symptom severity (DHI = 53.3, P = 0.194) and burden of disease (VM-PATHI = 48.2, P = 0.030) scores. Many patients do not meet current Bárány Society criteria for VM based on their duration of vestibular symptoms. Yet, these patients with chronic VM endorse several indistinguishable symptoms from those who do meet criteria. A more inclusive diagnostic schema should be adopted where patients with vestibular symptoms shorter than 5 minutes or longer than 72 hours are also recognized as having VM.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Left Ventricle Dysfunction by a New Computed Tomography Scanner: The E-PLURIBUS Study

BackgroundAlthough cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the gold standard for myocardial fibrosis detection, cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is emerging as a promising alternative. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of a comprehensive functional and anatomical evaluation with CCT as compared with CMR in patients with newly diagnosed left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). MethodsA total of 128 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed LVD were screened. Based on the exclusion criteria, 28 cases were excluded. CCT was performed within 10 days from CMR. Biventricular volumes and ejection fraction, and presence and pattern of delayed enhancement (DE), were determined, along with evaluation of coronary arteries among patients undergoing invasive angiography in the 6 months after CCT. ResultsSix cases were excluded because of claustrophobia at CMR. Among the 94 patients who formed the study population, the concordance between CCT and CMR in suggesting the cause of the LVD was high (94.7%, 89/94 patients) in the overall population and was 100% for identifying ischemic cardiomyopathy. The CCT diagnostic rate for DE assessment was also high (96.7%, 1,544/1,598 territories) and similar to that of CMR (97.4%; P = 0.345, CCT vs CMR). Moreover, CCT showed high diagnostic accuracy in the detection of DE (94.8%, 95% CI: 93.6%-95.8%) in a territory-based analysis. Biventricular volumes and function parameters as measured by CCT and CMR were similar, without significant differences with the exception of a modest difference in RV volume. CCT was confirmed to be accurate for assessing arterial coronary circulation. The mean radiation exposure of the whole CCT was 7.78 ± 2.53 mSv (0.84 ± 0.24 mSv for DE). ConclusionsCCT performed with low-dose whole-heart coverage scanner and high-concentration contrast agent appears an effective noninvasive tool for a comprehensive assessment of patients with newly diagnosed LVD.