Average Index Score Research Articles

Reconstruction of Vertebral Body After Radiofrequency Ablation and Augmentation in Dorsolumbar Metastatic Vertebral Fracture: Analysis of Clinical and Radiological Outcome in a Clinical Series of 18 Patients.

Painful spinal metastases usually occur in malignant neoplastic disease. Treatment for bone metastases has been largely conservative, and it includes the use of high doses of analgesics, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and bisphosphonates; however, results are sometimes transient and ineffective. In the presence of neurological involvement a surgical strategy should be considered. Recently, percutaneous procedures such as radiofrequency ablation, vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty have been introduced as palliative techniques to treat painful vertebral metastases [3, 11, 25]. In our study we combined the use of radiofrequency ablation with vertebroplasty in the treatment of dorsolumbar metastatic vertebral fractures in order to examine the relationship between restoration of the vertebral structure and decrease in pain. From January 2014 to March 2015 we retrospectively analyzed 18 patients with malignant vertebral lesions who underwent radiofrequency ablation with vertebroplasty followed by cementoplasty, with posterior transpedicle fixation on levels near the lesions. The parameters examined were: demographics, pain relief, and the distribution of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) determined by the mean Saliou filling score; all complications were recorded. The mean age of the patients was 55.72 years (range 34-69); average operative time was 60.4 min (range, 51-72). The average pain index score (visual analog score; VAS) decreased significantly from 8.05 at baseline to 3.0 (p < 0.05) after 6 months. The Saliou filling score revealed a distribution of PMMA in the vertebral body that was satisfactory (12-18) in eight patients, mediocre (6-12) in seven patients, and inadequate (0-6) in the remaining three patients. In two vertebrae, minimal asymptomatic cement leakage occurred in the lateral recess without neurological damage. No pulmonary embolism and no visceral or neural damage was recorded. Radiofrequency ablation combined with vertebroplasty seems to achieve rapid and lasting improvement in clinical symptoms in patients with malignant vertebral lesions. There was wide diffusion of PMMA in the vertebral body, with a mean cement volume of 4.5 ml.

JOB STRESS AMONG POLICE OFFICERS IN MANSOURA CITY, EGYPT

Introduction: Police officers experience frequent and ongoing stressors in their work.Exposure to violence, suffering, and death is inherent to their profession. Aim of work: To describe the level of job stress, risk factors, and coping strategies adopted to reduce it in police officers in Mansoura city, Egypt. Materials and methods: Police officers completed a self-administered questionnaire covering the socioeconomic and occupational data, occupational stress index scale and coping inventory for stressful situations. Results: A high average total Occupational Stress Index (OSI) score (133.7)was found with role overload having the highest subscale mean (20.9). The significant factors associated with level of stress were rank of officers, nature and sector of work, shift work, smoking and other habits. Coping strategies to overcome stress were mainly task-oriented. Conclusion: Pre-employment and periodic medical examination and psychological assessment of officers is required together with implementation of stress management program and counseling. Further large scale multicenter research is recommended.

Evaluation of quality indicators and disease damage in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

The aim of this study was to describe compliance with select quality indicators and assess organ-specific dysfunction in a childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus population by using a validated damage index and to evaluate associations between compliance with quality indicators and disease damage. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus prior to age 18 followed at a single center in the USA from 1999 to 2012 (n=75). Data regarding quality indicators and outcome variables, including the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index, were collected. The median disease duration was 3.8years. The proportion of patients or patient-years in which care complied with the proposed quality measures was 94.4% for hydroxychloroquine use, 84.3% for vitamin D recommendation,75.8% for influenza vaccination (patient-years), 67.2% for meningococcal vaccination, 49.0% for ophthalmologic examination (patient-years), 31.7% for pneumococcal vaccination, and 28.6% for bone mineral density evaluation. Disease damage was present in 41.3% of patients at last follow-up, with an average damage index score of 0.81. Disease damage at last follow-up was associated with minority race/ethnicity (p=0.008), bone mineral density evaluation (p=0.035), and vitamin D recommendation (p=0.018). Adherence to quality indicators in a childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus population is varied, and disease damage is prevalent. This study highlights the importance of quality improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing care delivery to reduce disease damage in pediatric lupus patients.

A study of sociocultural factors on depression in Chinese infertile women from Hunan Province

Objective: To explore the sociocultural factors influencing depression in Chinese infertile women in Hunan Province.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 211 Chinese infertile women completed demographic details, a disease-related information questionnaire, a self-rating depression scale (SDS) and a social support rating scale (SSRS).Results: One hundred and seven (50.71%) of the participants were classified as depressed according to the self-rating depression scale. The average SDS index score was 50.06 ± 10.59. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and a multivariable regression analysis, the results showed family type, feelings of discrimination, social support, feelings of shame and reproductive pressures were influential factors in depression among Chinese infertile women.Conclusion: Sociocultural factors influence depression levels in Chinese female infertile patients. The unique aspects of Chinese culture may have a negative mental impact on the patients, and cultural factors should be taken into consideration in the development of coping strategies for Chinese infertile women.

Content Validity and Psychometric Characteristics of the "Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz" for Nurses Using Item Response Theory.

To assess the content validity and psychometric characteristics of the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz (KOP-Q), which measures nurses' knowledge regarding older hospitalized adults and their certainty regarding this knowledge. Cross-sectional. Content validity: general hospitals. Psychometric characteristics: nursing school and general hospitals in the Netherlands. Content validity: 12 nurse specialists in geriatrics. Psychometric characteristics: 107 first-year and 78 final-year bachelor of nursing students, 148 registered nurses, and 20 nurse specialists in geriatrics. Content validity: The nurse specialists rated each item of the initial KOP-Q (52 items) on relevance. Ratings were used to calculate Item-Content Validity Index and average Scale-Content Validity Index (S-CVI/ave) scores. Items with insufficient content validity were removed. Psychometric characteristics: Ratings of students, nurses, and nurse specialists were used to test for different item functioning (DIF) and unidimensionality before item characteristics (discrimination and difficulty) were examined using Item Response Theory. Finally, norm references were calculated and nomological validity was assessed. Content validity: Forty-three items remained after assessing content validity (S-CVI/ave = 0.90). Psychometric characteristics: Of the 43 items, two demonstrating ceiling effects and 11 distorting ability estimates (DIF) were subsequently excluded. Item characteristics were assessed for the remaining 30 items, all of which demonstrated good discrimination and difficulty parameters. Knowledge was positively correlated with certainty about this knowledge. The final 30-item KOP-Q is a valid, psychometrically sound, comprehensive instrument that can be used to assess the knowledge of nursing students, hospital nurses, and nurse specialists in geriatrics regarding older hospitalized adults. It can identify knowledge and certainty deficits for research purposes or serve as a tool in educational or quality improvement programs.

Impact of early diagnosis on functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background/AimsTo determine whether early diagnosis is beneficial for functional status of various disease durations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.MethodsA total of 4,540 RA patients were enrolled as part of the Korean Observational Study Network for Arthritis (KORONA). We defined early diagnosis as a lag time between symptom onset and RA diagnosis of ≤ 12 months, whereas patients with a longer lag time comprised the delayed diagnosis group. Demographic characteristics and outcomes were compared between early and delayed diagnosis groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the impact of early diagnosis on the development of functional disability in RA patients.ResultsA total of 2,597 patients (57.2%) were included in the early diagnosis group. The average Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) score was higher in the delayed diagnosis group (0.64 ± 0.63 vs. 0.70 ± 0.66, p < 0.01), and the proportion of patients with no functional disability (HAQ = 0) was higher in the early diagnosis group (22.9% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.02). In multivariable analyses, early diagnosis was independently associated with no functional disability (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.40). In a subgroup analysis according to disease duration, early diagnosis was associated with no functional disability in patients with disease duration < 5 years (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.72) but not in patients with longer disease duration (for 5 to 10 years: OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.52; for ≥ 10 years: OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.28).ConclusionsEarly diagnosis is associated with no functional disability, especially in patients with shorter disease duration.

A Novel Peptide Thrombopoietin Mimetic Designing and Optimization Using Computational Approach.

Thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR) is a cytokine receptor protein present on the cell surface. The activation of TPOR by thrombopoietin (TPO) (a glycoprotein hormone) triggers an intracellular cascade of megakaryocytopoiesis for the formation of platelets. Recent studies on ex vivo megakaryocytopoiesis have evolved the possibilities of therapeutics uses. These findings have paved the way for the development of various TPO alternatives (recombinant TPO, peptide, and non-peptide TPO mimetics), which are useful in regenerative medicine. However, these alternatives possess various limitations such as induction of autoimmune effects, high production cost, low specificity, and hence activity. In the present study, a novel peptidic TPO mimetic was designed through computational studies by studying the binding sites of TPO and TMP to TPOR and analogs of known mimetics. Screening of combinatorial library was done through molecular docking using ClusPro. These studies indicated mimetic-9 as a significant molecule since it was found to have better binding score of −938.8 kcal/mol with seven hydrogen bonds and a high number of hydrophobic interactions, than known mimetic TMP with docking score of −798.4 kcal/mol and TMP dimer with docking score of −811.9 kcal/mol for TPOR. Mimetic9-TPOR complex was further assessed by the molecular dynamics simulation, and their complex was found to be stable with an RMSD value of 0.091 Å. While studying the parameters, mimetic-9 was found to have overall good physiochemical properties with positive grand average hydropathy (GRAVY) score and high instability index score and was found to be localized in the extracellular region. The designed mimetic-9 might prove to be a useful lead molecule for mimicking the role of TPO for in vitro platelet production with higher efficiency.

INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING: THE CASE OF PHILIPPINE BANKS

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the extent of internet financial reporting (IFR) of Philippine banks. Used as samples were top commercial banks and thrift banks operating in the country considering their total assets as of March, 2012 as published by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in its website. Financial information in the websites of the sampled banks were evaluated during the third quarter of 2012. The study revealed that the quality and extent of IFR of Philippine commercial banks is “average” based on their IFR index score of 44.50 while thrift banks posted a below average IFR index score of 21.56 resulting to a highly significant difference between bank types. Among the four evaluation criteria used, the subject-banks’ content disclosure provides the highest percentage contribution to their IFR index scores as this is the main focus of their financial reporting. Among the components of content disclosure, corporate information, chairman’s report and the auditor’s report emerged as the top three often included in the financial disclosure of the subject-banks while vision statement and press release are the components often updated by both bank types in their websites with the commercial banks notably updating more frequently compared to thrift banks. Relative to technology, online feedback is the most common component in the banks’ website while link to homepage is the most usual user support feature relative to the bank’s financial reporting practice. Lastly, asset size and bank type were found to have a high significant relationship with the extent of IFR.

Impact of final kissing balloon inflation on vessel healing following drug-eluting stent implantation: Insight from the optical coherence tomography sub-study of the J-REVERSE trial

BackgroundWe sought to clarify the impact of final kissing inflation (FKI) after single stenting of bifurcation lesions on vessel healing. MethodsFrom the J-REVERSE registry enrolling 303 bifurcation lesions treated with provisional single stenting using sirolimus- (SES) or everolimus-eluting stent (EES), 65 lesions treated with (n=30) and without (n=35) FKI underwent 9-month follow-up optical coherence tomography. Average stent eccentricity index (SEI: minimum/maximum stent diameter) and neointimal unevenness score (NUS: maximum/average neointimal thickness of the same cross-section) for the proximal, bifurcation, and distal segments were compared between FKI and non-FKI groups. ResultsAt the proximal segment, the FKI group demonstrated significantly larger average stent area with greater asymmetric stent expansion, and average lumen area remained significantly larger at 9-month follow-up despite a tendency toward greater neointimal proliferation. Jailed strut and thrombus incidence were also significantly lower at the side branch orifice, and NUS was significantly smaller at the bifurcation and proximal segments in the FKI group. ConclusionsNine months after SES and EES treatment of bifurcation lesions, FKI reduced proximal-segment luminal narrowing. Considering its homogeneous neointimal distribution and fewer jailed struts, FKI may be beneficial for treating bifurcation lesions.

In step with contemporary trends-stem-celltherapy as a key driver of regenerative orthopedics at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina - preliminary data for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and osteochondral lesions

Introduction. In the treatment of various orthopedic conditions, regenerativetherapies, including platelet rich plasma and autologous stem-cell therapy, have recently been advancing. Knee cartilage lesions are a debilitating disease resulting in fibrillation and subsequent degradation which can also involve the subchondral bone and lead to the development of osteoarthritis. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are a heterogeneous mixture of cells involved in cartilage formation and regenerative repair, whereas other mesenchymal stem cells have the capacity to play a role as immunomodulatory and trophic factors. Nowadays, stem-cell therapy is widely used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and cartilage lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate preliminary clinical data of treatment of knee osteoarthritis with stem cell injection and treatment of osteochondral lesions with stem-cell scaffold. Material and Methods. Stem cells were obtained by concentrating the content taken with aspiration needles from the bone marrow my means of Arthrex Angel Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate centrifuge. Results. The study sample consisted of 39 patients who were included in knee osteoarthritis treatment. Surgical implantation was performed in 7 patients from the osteochondral group. In the first group, an average Visual Analogue Scale pain felt before intervention decreased statistically significantly three days after the intervention (from 7.27 to 2.12, p?0.05) and remained 1.2 until the check-up after 3 months. The same results were achieved in the average Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index score (prior to intervention = 51.5; after 1 month = 72 and after 3 months = 76). For the second group, an average preintervention Visual Analogue Scale pain decreased statistically significantly three days after intervention (from 8.1 to 2.7) and remained 1.2 until the check-up after months. The same results were achieved on the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain (p?0.05). Both procedures were proved as safe providing pain relief and function improvement of treated knee joints.

Selected anthropometric indices of maritime university students.

Overweight and obesity during working life are becoming an increasingly serious challenge to various professional groups where recruits and personnel must be healthy and fit. Marine recruitment, even at the training stage, should be open to applicants who meet health and fitness criteria. The objective of the study is to determine the overweight and adiposity rates among seafarer candidates (n = 368). Based on anthropometric measurements and somatic indices the extent of obesity among marine students/ /future seafarers was investigated. In the groups identified according to the year of study, arithmetic averages (SD - standard deviation) were calculated for somatometric characteristics, and were then used to analyse the phenomena of overweight and obesity. The comparison was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by ranks. The highest average body mass index (BMI) score was found in fourth-year students (mean BMI 25.7 ± 2.8). The average BMI for years one and two was in the upper range of 'healthy' weight. In 24.0% of first-year students and 32.2% of second-year students, the waist circumference was higher than half of the body height. Body fat percentage results indicate that this feature is highly variable, with a strong upward trend. Findings regarding overweight among future seamen give cause for concern. The participants of the study were characterised by excessive weight and adiposity. Recruitment criteria for uniformed services are not as restrictive as they used to be, as it is getting increasingly more difficult to find sufficiently slim and fit applicants.

HAM-net national patient registration system reveals details of how Japanese patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis progress over time

In order to better understand and manage HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a rare virus-induced neurodegenerative disease, we have established a registration system known as HAM-net to gather data from patients all over Japan. In this prospective epidemiological study, we analyzed the data from the 297 registered patients who were available to be interviewed once upon registration and again one year later. On average, these patients were 63.2 years old, had experienced their first symptoms at age 44.2, and were diagnosed at age 51.3. More patients were female (74.1%) than male (25.9%). During the one-year interval between surveys, the average Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) score rose significantly (P<0.001), indicating noticeably declining health. The average Osame Motor Disability Score (OMDS) also worsened (P<0.001), rising from 5.9±2.3 to 6.2±2.4. While the majority of patients (81%) experienced no change in OMDS, 53 patients (18%) worsened, and only 4 patients (1%) improved. Importantly, when compared to patients given other treatments, those treated continuously with oral steroids were less likely to experience a rise in OMDS. Fifty-four of the patients were deemed “rapid progressors,” defined as a patient who progressed from the onset of motor symptoms to at least OMDS 5 within two years, and 15 of those were “very rapid progressors,” defined as those who reached at least OMDS 6. Both rapid progressors and very rapid progressors exhibited several statistically significant traits compared to the other patients: older when motor symptoms first manifested, older when first diagnosed, higher OMDS, higher HAQ-DI score, shorter gap between disease onset and diagnosis, and shorter disease duration from onset to present day. We will continue registering new patients and analyzing changes in their health over time.

Treatment And Results Of Combined Mild Bone Loss Instability With The Modified Laterjet

Objectives:Recurrent anterior glenohumeral dislocation in the setting of an engaging Hill-Sachs lesion is high. The Latarjet procedure has been well-described for restoring glenohumeral stability in patients with over 25% glenoid bone loss. However, the treatment for patients with combined humeral head and mild (<25%) glenoid bone loss remains unclear. We report on the outcomes of the modified Latarjet for this population.Methods:Modified Latarjet was performed in twenty three patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability, engaging Hill-Sachs by exam confirmed with arthroscopy, and less than 25% anterior glenoid bone loss. The mean follow-up was 3.5 years. All patients were assessed for their risk of recurrence using the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS), had pre-operative 3D imaging to assess humeral and glenoid bone loss. Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), recurrence rate, radiographs, range of motion and dynamometer strength were used to assess outcomes.Results:Average pre-operative instability severity index score was 6.2 (range 4-9). Pre-operative glenoid bone loss averaged 15.1% (range 5-25%). The humeral defect averaged 40.4% in width and 13.7% in depth on axial computed tomography scan, with an average Hill-Sachs angle of 28°. The mean WOSI index was 457 of 2100 (range 0-1398). The mean SANE score was 81.2 (range 60-100). Five out of ten competitive athletes returned to play for at least one season. There were no recurrent dislocation and three patients had a single episode of recurrent subluxation. Loss of external rotation at the side averaged 8°, and there was no significant loss of abduction. Subscapularis, abduction and external rotation strength averaged greater than 85% of the contralateral shoulder. Fourteen patients on average had 1.4 (range 1-4) previous open or arthroscopic stabilization procedures prior to the Latarjet, nine others had Latarjet done primarily. WOSI scores correlated directly with number of previous surgery (r=0.81, p=0.02). Average WOSI score was 239 (range 0-510) in primary Latarjet, 495 (range 42-1024) in patients with one previous stabilization procedure, and 674 (range 192-1398) in patients with two or more previous stabilization procedures (ANOVA p<0.001). There were three deep infections, two graft fractures, two painful hardware, one broken screw with graft malunion, and one radiographic graft nonunion. All infections, malunion and nonunion occurred in patients with failed previous stabilization procedures. No long-term nerve palsies were found. Resorption of the graft at the superior screw was seen in 28% of patients.Conclusion:The modified Latarjet is a reasonable choice for the treatment of an engaging Hill-Sachs lesion with concomitant mild anterior glenoid bone loss in this very demanding group of patients. However, the complication rate is significant.

방문건강관리사업 대상 노인의 구강건강 관련 삶의 질과 관련 요인

본 연구는 충남 A시 보건소 방문보건팀에 등록된 방문건강사업 대상 노인 300명을 대상으로 구강건강 관련 삶의 질과 관련 요인을 조사하여 취약계층 노인들의 삶의 질 향상과 구강건강을 유지, 증진시키기 위한 지역사회 프로그램개발을 위한 기초자료로 제공하고자 연구되었으며 그 연구 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 방문건강사업 대상 노인의 평균 연령은 77.1세였고, 평균 잔존 치아 수는 12.7개, 주관적 건강인지도 평균은 2.27, 일상생활점수 평균은 7.39로 나타났으며 대상자의 91.0%가 1개 이상의 만성질환을 가지고 있었다. GOHAI 점수의 평균은 37.36으로 나타났으며 점수가 낮았던 문항은 구강상태에 행복한 경험이 없음, 걱정이 있음, 단단한 음식을 씹을 때 문제가 있음의 순이었다. 구강보건행태에 따른 GOHAI의 관계는 점심식사 후 칫솔질, 구강위생용품 사용, 무자격자에 의한 진료경험, 구강검진, 스케일링 경험에서는 통계적으로 유의하지 않았으나, 미 충족 치과진료 여부는 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.001). GOHAI의 총점에서는 잔존 치아수(p<0.001)와 나이에서 유의미한 차이가 있었으며 하위요인에서는 남성이 통증과 불편요인에서 점수가 높았고(p<0.05), 74세 이하에서 기능제한요인의 점수가 높았다(p<0.01) 잔존 치아 수에서는 통증과 불편요인을 제외한 모든 요인에서 유의미한 차이가 있었다(p<0.001). GOHAI에 영향을 미치는 요인은 연령(p<0.05), 잔존 치아수(p<0.001), 주관적 건강 인지도(p<0.001)로 나타났다. 이상의 연구결과에 따르면 방문건강사업 대상 노인의 구강건강평가지수 점수는 낮은 편이며 연령, 치아수, 주관적 건강 인지도와 연관성이 부분적으로 확인되었기에, 방문건강대상 노인의 구강건강관련 삶의 질을 높이기 위해 치아기능 회복을 위한 보철물 제작 등 틀니 지원 확대를 위한 국가 재원 외에 지방자치단체 예산을 확보할 필요가 있으며, 장착된 의치 관리 및 구강건강증진과 관련된 프로그램이 지속적으로 개발될 필요성이 있다. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the oral health status of elderly under visiting health care and their oral health-related quality of life. The subjects were 300 elderly under visiting health care program over 65 years old in Asan city and they were interviewed. The result showed that average Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) score was 37.36 and the lowest scored question was 'never satisfied with the oral condition'. In GOHAI related to oral health behaviors, unmet dental treatment experience was statistically significant (p<0.001). In overall GOHAI, number of remaining teeth (p<0.001) and the age had statistical significance and men had higher score in pain and discomfort (p<0.05), under age of 74 limited function factors score was high (p<0.01). The number of remaining teeth had statistical significances in most factors except pain and discomfort (p<0.001). The factors affecting GOHAI were age (p<0.05), number of remaining teeth (p<0.001) and perceived health state (p<0.001). In order to improve oral health-related quality of life of elderly receiving visiting oral health care services, it is necessary to increase denture support by securing budgets and developing oral health promotion programs at the local government level.

Comparison of Blood Transfusion Plus Chelation Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients with ??-Thalassemia: Application of SF-36, EQ-5D, and Visual Analogue Scale Measures

β-Thalassemia is a prevalent genetic disease in Mediterranean countries. The most common treatments for this disease are blood transfusion plus iron chelation (BTIC) therapy and bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Patients using these procedures experience different health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of the present study was to measure HRQoL in these patients using 2 different multiattribute quality of life (QoL) scales. In this cross-sectional study, data were gathered using 3 instruments: a socio-demographic questionnaire, EQ-5D, and SF-36. A total of 196 patients with β-thalassemia were randomly selected from 2 hospitals in Shiraz (Southern Iran). Data were analyzed using logistic regression and multiple regression models to identify factors that affect the patients' HRQoL. The average EQ-5D index and EQ visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.83-0.89) and 71.85 (95% CI: 69.13-74.58), respectively. Patients with BMT reported significantly higher EQ VAS scores (83.27 vs 68.55, respectively). The results showed that patients who lived in rural area and patients with BMT reported higher EQ VAS scores (rural; β= 10.25, P = .006 and BMT; β= 11.88, P = .000). As well, SF-36 between 2 groups of patients were statistically significant in physical component scale (PCS). Patients in the BMT group experienced higher HRQoL in both physical and mental aspects compared to those in the BTIC group. More studies are needed to assess the relative cost-effectiveness of these methods in developing countries.

Social and economic costs and health-related quality of life in non-institutionalised patients with cystic fibrosis in the United Kingdom.

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine the societal economic burden and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in the UK.MethodsA bottom-up cost-of-illness, cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 74 patients was conducted aiming to estimate the economic impact of CF. Data on demographic characteristics, health resource utilisation, informal care, productivity losses and HRQOL were collected from questionnaires completed by patients or their caregivers. HRQOL was measured with the EuroQol 5-domain (EQ-5D) instrument.ResultsUsing unit costs for 2012 we found that the average annual cost for a CF patient was €48,603, with direct health care costs amounting to €20,854 (42.9 % of total costs), direct non-health care costs being €21,528 (44.3 %) and indirect costs attributable to productivity losses being €6,222 (12.8 %). On average, the largest expenditures by far were accounted for by informal care (44.1 %), followed by medications (14.5 %), acute hospitalisations (13.9 %), early retirement (9.1 %) and outpatient and primary health care visits (7.9 %). Sharp differences existed depending on whether CF patients were in need of caregiver help (€76,271 versus €26,335). In adult CF patients, mean EQ-5D index scores were 0.64 (0.93 in the general population) and mean EQ-5D visual analogue scale scores were 62.23 (86.84 in the general population); among caregivers, these scores were 0.836 and 80.85, respectively.DiscussionOur analysis highlights the importance of the economic and quality of life consequences of CF from a societal perspective. The results highlight that beyond conventional costs such as acute hospitalisations, medication and outpatient and primary care visits, indirect costs related to informal care and early retirement, have significant societal implications. Similarly, our analysis showed that the average EQ-5D index score of adult CF patients was significantly lower than in the general population, an indication that a methodological bias may exist in using the latter in economic analyses.ConclusionCF poses a significant cost burden on UK society, with non-health care and indirect costs representing 57 % of total average costs, and HRQOL being considerably lower than in the general population.

Box-loop ligament reconstruction of the elbow for medial and lateral instability

Elbow instability remains a challenging surgical problem. Most commonly, isolated reconstructions of the medial collateral ligament or lateral collateral ligament are performed; however, on occasion, there can be deficiency that requires reconstruction of both ligaments. The senior author has developed a method to reconstruct both the medial and lateral collateral ligaments using 1 graft. This technique uses a "box-loop" design, whereby the donor tendon is passed through the humerus and ulna and tied back to itself, creating a loop. Fourteen cases with mean follow-up of 64 months were reviewed. Nine patients returned to the clinic and were evaluated both clinically and radiographically. An additional 5 patients participated by phone questionnaire. Average follow-up time was 64 months (range, 19-109 months). According to the Summary Outcome Determination given by the patients, 7 elbows were normal or nearly normal, 4 were greatly improved, 2 were improved, and 1 was worse compared with before surgery. The Summary Outcome Determination score average was 7 (range, -2 to 10). American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (including both clinic patients and phone questionnaire patients) ranged from 36 to 100, with an average of 81; of 14 patients, 8 had an American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons self-satisfaction score of 10. The average Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 13 (range, 0-64). The average Mayo Elbow Performance Index score was 88 (range, 60-100), with 4 excellent (90-100), 3 good (75-89), and 3 fair (60-74) results and no poor results. This technique was found to have excellent midterm results. Compared with separate medial- and lateral-sided reconstruction, there is simplification of bone tunnel formation as well as graft fixation.

Concomitant hip and distal radius fractures

BackgroundConcomitant ipsilateral hip and distal radius fractures are uncommon, and little research has been published about these injuries. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics and results of treatment for these injuries. MethodsBetween 2006 and 2012, 35 concomitant hip and distal radius fractures were identified, comprising the study group. The characteristics and results of treatment for these injuries were evaluated and analyzed. Another matched control group with isolated hip fractures was collected for comparison of patient characteristics, fall mechanism, fracture pattern, bone density, and functional recovery. ResultsFor the patients with concomitant fractures, the average age was 77.6 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 6:1 (30:5). The majority (91.4%) of patients sustained ipsilateral injuries. Among the controlled pairs, 20 (57.1%) patients in the study group sustained a backward fall, and 25 (71.4%) patients in the control group had a sideways fall. With respect to the pattern of hip fracture, 22 (62.9%) patients in the study group had femoral neck fractures and 20 (57.1%) patients in the control group had pertrochanteric fractures. The average hospital stay was 15.3 days in the study group versus 10.2 days in the control group. Twenty-five (71.4%) patients in the study group and 27 (77.1%) patients in the control group had osteoporosis. The average Barthel index score was 75.1 in the study group and 75.7 in the control group. ConclusionConcomitant hip and distal radius fractures were generally ipsilateral and involved the femoral neck after a backward fall. These patients were younger than and not more osteoporotic than the population with isolated hip fractures; however, the hospital stay was significantly increased. The functional outcome was not influenced by concomitant wrist fracture.

Early urbanization and mobility at Tell Brak, NE Syria: the evidence from femoral and tibial external shaft shape

Urbanization at Tell Brak began in the late 5th millennium BCE and the site reached its maximum size in the Late Chalcolithic (LC) 3, ca. 3900–3600 BCE. During that time, a large midden was formed at the edge of the early city, now known as Tell Majnuna. Rescue excavations at Tell Majnuna revealed several clusters of commingled human remains and a cemetery on the top. Several human skeletons dated to the LC 3 and Early Bronze Age (EBA) were found also at Tell Brak itself and it was possible to investigate differences in cross-sectional femoral and tibial shaft shapes between LC 3 and EBA to test the hypothesis that rapid and extensive urbanization in the LC 3 induced increase in mobility. External midshaft and subtrochanteric measurements of at least 152 femora and measurements of 55 tibiae at the nutrient foramen were taken to investigate the differences in the level of terrestrial mobility between four LC 3 and one EBA chronological subsets. Also the correlation was examined between shaft cross-sectional shapes and frequency of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) in canines, as a proxy indicator of population stress. Due to post-mortem damage, sex assessment was based only on the size of measured bones. In spite of the limited quality of the gathered data, significant differences in femoral midshaft shape in males were observed between the LC 3 and EBA subsets and the average shape index scores appeared to be correlated with the LEH frequencies. No such result was obtained for females, suggesting that only males were more mobile in the LC 3 and their mobility level was associated with general population stress. In contrast, in females the average shape of subtrochanteric femoral cross-section was more variable between temporal subsets. The patterns of temporal differences in tibial cross-section at the nutrient foramen were not conclusive due to the small sample size. Obtained results suggest that males in the LC 3, the period of rapid urbanization, were more mobile than in the EBA, when the population size was considerably smaller. This mobility may have been related to need of searching for alternative resources for the overpopulated early city.

Vaginal births after caesarean: what does Google think about it?

Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) is a relatively safe alternative to repeat caesarean birth in the proper context. This important decision to undergo an elective caesarean versus VBAC is ultimately a decision of the mother. The purpose of our study was to assess the quality of online information in relation to VBAC collected using the most common search engine: Google. The 10 most common hit sites for the keywords "VBAC" and "Vaginal birth after caesarean" were evaluated using the search engine Google. The quality of websites was rated based on the Silberg scale for accountability, the modified Abbott's criteria for presentation and the SMOG index for readability. The content of each website was compared to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) guidelines for VBAC. 13 out of 20 identified websites met the adequate criteria for accountability, with 85% of the websites indicating authorship. 11 websites were deemed aesthetically agreeable. The target audience, assessed by the readability score, was notably above the non-medical population with an average SMOG index score of 14.75. Only half of the websites contained recommendations, as detailed by the SOGC guidelines. Almost all sites target a higher academic level, making it beyond the comprehension of the general population. Woman-friendly web-assessment tools should be provided to enable pregnant women to take an active role in their decision making.