Categories Of Physical Functioning Research Articles

Low physical function following cancer diagnosis is associated with higher mortality risk in postmenopausal women.

Postmenopausal women with cancer experience an accelerated physical dysfunction beyond what is expected through aging alone due to cancer and its treatments. The aim of this study was to determine whether declines in physical function after cancer diagnosis are associated with all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality. This prospective cohort study included 8068 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative with a cancer diagnosis and who had physical function assessed within 1 year of that diagnosis. Self-reported physical function was measured using the 10-item physical function subscale of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Cause of death was determined by medical record review, with central adjudication and linkage to the National Death Index. Death was adjudicated through February 2022. Over a median follow-up of 7.7 years from cancer diagnosis, 3316 (41.1%) women died. Our results showed that for every 10% difference in the physical function score after cancer diagnosis versus pre-diagnosis, all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality were reduced by 12% (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.87 to 0.89 and HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.86 to 0.91, respectively). Further categorical analyses showed a significant dose-response relationship between postdiagnosis physical function categories and mortality outcomes (P < .001 for trend), where the median survival time for women in the lowest physical function quartile was 9.1 years (Interquartile range [IQR] = 8.6-10.6 years) compared with 18.4 years (IQR = 15.8-22.0 years) for women in the highest physical function quartile. Postmenopausal women with low physical function after cancer diagnosis may be at higher risk of mortality from all causes and cancer-related mortality.

The Association Between Physical Function and Hyperkyphosis in Older Females: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Thoracic hyperkyphosis may adversely influence physical function in older adults, but the literature is mixed and confounded by possible sex differences. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the association between hyperkyphosis and physical function in older females. Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, and PEDro databases were searched through 2021 for studies that included measures of thoracic hyperkyphosis and physical function with extractable data for women older than 60 years. Studies were excluded if they were qualitative, case reports, case series, ecological studies, reviews, or were not published in English. The study quality and risk of bias were assessed using checklists from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Data were synthesized using Cohen's d effect size and 95% confidence interval (CI), and random-effects models were used for the meta-analyses. Three cohort and 22 cross-sectional studies of fair to good quality met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies reporting single-group data showed a moderate association between greater kyphosis angles and lower physical function ( d = -0.57; 95% CI -0.73, -0.40). Fourteen studies reporting 2-group data showed a large negative effect on physical function for groups with greater kyphosis angles ( d = -1.16; 95% CI -1.53, -0.78). Three studies that reported multivariate data also tended to show negative associations between physical function and hyperkyphosis. Limitations include a relative lack of causal evidence; confirming causation requires additional longitudinal studies. Studies have assessed various physical function categories, including strength, gait, and balance. Future studies could determine the categories of function most affected so that preventive interventions could target hyperkyphosis appropriately. Hyperkyphosis was associated with lower physical function in older women. Three cohort studies suggest that greater kyphosis angles may predict greater loss of physical function over time. These results imply that therapies that help to minimize hyperkyphosis may help preserve function in older women.

Accelerometer-Measured Patterns of Sedentary Behavior in Older Women: The OPACH Study

Excessive sedentary behavior (SB) is related to deleterious health outcomes. Understanding the patterns and contexts in which SB accumulates can promote healthy aging. Daily sitting time and mean sitting bout duration (MBD) were measured by triaxial accelerometers. Participants self-reported how much time they spent sitting while: watching TV, reading, using the computer, driving, working, or taking phone calls. Data were compared across aging-related characteristics. Age-adjusted sitting time (minutes/day) for 5,838 diverse (33.2% Black, 16.9% Hispanic), older women (mean age 78.7±6.7) were 577.2 for Hispanic women, 630.3 for Black women, and 632.0 for White women. Those in the lowest vs. highest physical function category had the longest MBD (16.1 vs. 11.7 minutes/bout). Watching television was the most common self-reported sedentary activity. The highest vs. lowest quartile of MBD spent, on average, 30.6 and 22.3 minutes/day watching television, respectively. This presentation will illuminate critical factors associated with sitting patterns in older adults.

Effect of mckenzie method on pain and function in patients with cervicogenic headache

Background: Individuals with cervicogenic headache (CGH) go through problems in activity of daily living, limitedsocial involvement, and emotional distress. CGH patients score the “worse” in the physical function category when compared to migraine patients. Aims: The aim was to study the effect of McKenzie complemented with conventional treatment on cervical rotation and headache in patients with CGH. Settings and Design: This was an experimental study design and systematic sampling method was used to collect data. The study setting was an Smt. Kashibai Navale General Hospital, Physiotherapy Outpatient Department, Pune, India. Methodology: Thirty subjects were selected with CGH which fulfills the criteria given by the CGH International Study Group. They were divided into two groups of 15 each. One group was given conventional treatment and the other was given conventional combined with McKenzie Method. Flexion–rotation test (FRT), Visual Analog Scale, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Headache Disability Index were used as outcome measures. Statistical Analysis Used: T-test was applied to see the difference in pre and post values for all variables in both the groups. All data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 21 with level of significance for all statistical tests set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The results showed that FRT has a statistically significant difference in both the groups. Headache disability showed a significant improvement in both the groups with statistically significant difference P < 0.05, the improvement being greater in the experimental group than in the conventional group. Conclusion: This study showed that when the McKenzie method is complemented with the conventional treatment, it shows better improvement in function of the cervical dysfunctions that cause CGH and reduce the intensity of headache.

Measures of Adult Knee Function.

Measures of Adult Knee Function.

Quality of life and sexuality after bilateral sacrospinous fixation with vaginal hysterectomy for treatment of primary pelvic organ prolapse.

To investigate the quality of life (QoL) and sexuality in women affected by pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and treated by bilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) with vaginal hysterectomy. This is a prospective observational study carried out at Isparta City Hospital from July 2017 to December 2018. A total of 26 sexually active women with symptomatic uterine prolapse POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification) stage II or higher requiring surgery were included in the study. Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used preoperatively and at 6 months to examine the impacts of vaginal reconstruction on QoL. To assess sexual functioning, the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) was used preoperatively and at 6 months. A significant improvement of POP-Q landmarks was found between pre- and posttreatment at 6 months of follow-up. The patients reported QoL improvement at the follow-up for all the categories of physical functioning, bodily pain, physical health, general health, vitality, social activity, emotional state, and mental health with respect to the baseline values (P < .001). The results of PISQ-12 demonstrated a significant improvement for all the three fields: behavioral emotive factor, physical factor, and partner-related factor, and the total score at 6 months after surgery (P < .001). This study clearly demonstrates that bilateral SSLF is able to significantly improve both QoL and sexual function in patients with POP. Improvement in sexuality and QoL after surgery may be explained by correction of avoidance of sexual intercourse due to prolapse and physical recovery.

Errata: Effectiveness of walking point projects with incentives for walking time, physical function, and depression among older people: inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores

Objectives This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a walking point project with incentives for increasing walking time, preventing the decline of physical function and worsening depression among older adults.Methods We used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, which included subjects aged ≥65 years who lived in City in 2013 and 2016. We obtained information on the subjects' participation in the Yokohama Walking Point (YWP), a program launched by City in 2014, from the 2016 survey data. We excluded individuals with missing data for sex, age, walking time per day (<30, 30-59, 60-89, or ≥90 min/day), physical function (5 physical function category items on the Kihon Checklist), depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale), and participation status in the YWP. We used data from 4,509 eligible respondents. Changes in walking time, physical function, and depression were designated as independent variables, and participation status in the YWP was designated as the dependent variable in the multiple regression analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), after adjusting for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, health status, and behavior.Results Among the total subjects, 758 (16.8%) participated in the YWP. The IPTW method showed that participants in the YWP had significantly higher walking times (B=3.61, 95% CI: 1.04, 6.17), less decline in physical function, and less depression (B=-0.13, 95% CI: -0.23, -0.03; B=-0.21, 95% CI: -0.42, -0.01) than those who did not participate in the YWP.Conclusions Our findings suggest that the YWP, with incentives, effectively increased walking time and prevented worsening of physical function and depression among older adults. The municipality's health point project, based on the number of steps, is a useful population approach for promoting health among older adults.

Discriminant Analysis of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale in Discerning Between Loss of Physical Function Categories in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Previous research indicates that the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) is a reliable and valid measure of loss of physical function in community-dwelling older adults. However, the ability of the PSFS to classify community-dwelling older adults into categories of loss of physical function has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of the PSFS to discern between different categories of physical function loss in community-dwelling older adults. Thirty-one community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 81.1 years; SD = 8.3) completed a set of physical function questionnaires: the PSFS, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Study participants also completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Scores on the PSFS, LEFS, ABC scale, and SPPB were divided into loss of physical function categories (mild, moderate, severe, and very severe). Discriminant analysis was used to determine the ability of the PSFS to discern between the different categories of loss of physical function. The canonical correlation between the eigenvalues and classifications for the LEFS, ABC scale, and SPPB was 0.85 (P &lt; .001), 0.72 (P &lt; .001), and 0.40 (P = .18), respectively. The findings of this investigation indicate that the PSFS has predictive ability to classify community-dwelling older adults into categories of loss of physical function, based on LEFS and ABC scale classifications, which could be important for purposes such as evaluation, screening, and measuring clinically important differences in loss of physical function.

Effectiveness of walking point projects with incentives for walking time, physical function, and depression among older people: inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a walking point project with incentives for increasing walking time, preventing the decline of physical function and worsening depression among older adults. Methods: We used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, which included subjects aged ≥65 years who lived in Yokohama City in 2013 and 2016. We obtained information on the subjects' participation in the "Yokohama Walking Point (YWP)," a program launched by Yokohama City in 2014, from the 2016 survey data. We excluded individuals with missing data for sex, age, walking time per day (<30, 30-59, 60-89, or ≥90 min/day), physical function (5 physical function category items on the Kihon Checklist), depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale), and participation status in the YWP. We used data from 4,509 eligible respondents. Changes in walking time, physical function, and depression were designated as dependent variables, and participation status in the YWP was designated as the independent variable in the multiple regression analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), after adjusting for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, health status, and behavior. Results: Among the total subjects, 758 (16.8%) participated in the YWP. The IPTW method showed that participants in the YWP had significantly higher walking times (B=3.61, 95% CI: 1.04, 6.17), less decline in physical function, and less depression (B=-0.13, 95% CI: -0.23, -0.03; B=-0.21, 95% CI: -0.42, -0.01) than those who did not participate in the YWP. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the YWP, with incentives, effectively increased walking time and prevented worsening of physical function and depression among older adults. The municipality's health point project, based on the number of steps, is a useful population approach for promoting health among older adults.

Turkish Version of Evaluation of Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Validation and Reliability Study.

This study aims to translate the Evaluation of Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (EASi-QoL) into the Turkish language and test its validity and reliability. A total of 100 AS patients (74 males; 26 females; mean age 38.2±9.9 years; range 21 to 63 years) were included. The mean disease duration was 115.9±91.6 months. EASi-QoL was translated from English into Turkish, and synthesis, back translation, revision, and pretest stages were performed. All patients were asked to complete the Turkish version of EASi-QoL. The internal consistency of EASi-QoL was determined with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and test-retest reliability was assessed by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient. Confirmatory and explanatory factor analyses were performed to assess structural validity. Construct validity was also investigated by comparing the results of EASi-QoL with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES), and AS-specific QoL scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.910 in the physical function category, 0.893 in the disease activity category, 0.935 in the emotional well- being category, and 0.930 in the social contribution category (α>0.7). Factor loadings of all items in EASi-QoL were higher than 0.7, indicating the high reliability of the questionnaire. There was also a strong positive correlation between all subcategories of EASi-QoL (physical function, disease activity, emotional well-being and social participation) and AS-specific QoL scale, BASDAI, Bath BASFI, patient's global assessment and pain severity. MASES and BASMI showed a moderate correlation with emotional well-being and social participation categories of EASi-QoL. Turkish version of EASi-QoL is a reliable and valid scale that can be used in clinical practice to evaluate QoL in detail in patients with AS.

Health-related quality of life of children with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of Asian children with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to reveal the factors influencing the QOL of children with CKD. We performed a cross-sectional study of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scale Module in the KNOW-PedCKD (KoreaN cohort study for Outcome in patients with Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease) cohort, and compared the child self-reported and parent proxy-reported QOL of the pediatric cohort. From 2011 through 2016, a total of 376 children with CKD were enrolled after informed consent was obtained from parents or caregivers in seven pediatric nephrology centers. In parent proxy-reports, male patients had a better QOL than female patients in the Physical Functioning category. In child self-reports, male patients had better QOL than female patients in the Physical, Emotional, and School Functioning categories. According to CKD stage, there were significant differences in the QOL score in all categories of parent proxy-reports, and patients with higher CKD stage (lower glomerular filtration rate) had a worse QOL. Growth parameters showed a significantly positive correlation with the QOL score in all categories. The QOL of children with predialysis CKD is affected by various factors, including sex, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), socio-economic status, existence of co-morbidities, anemia, growth retardation, and behavioral disorders. To improve their QOL, it is important to objectively understand the respective effects of these factors and attempt early intervention.

Lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis is not always unstable: clinicobiomechanical evidence.

A clinicobiomechanical study. To clarify the clinicobiomechanical characteristics of a segment with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) using an original intraoperative measurement system. Although radiographical evaluation of LDS is extensively performed, the diagnosis of segmental instability remains controversial. The intraoperative measurement system used in this study is the first clinically available system that performs cyclic flexion-extension displacement of the segment with all ligamentous structures intact and can determine both the stiffness (N/mm) and neutral zone (NZ, [mm/N]). Forty-eight patients with LDS (males/females = 19/29, 68.5 yr; group D) were compared with 48 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis without LDS (males/females = 33/15, 64.8 yr, group N) in terms of symptoms, radiological, and biomechanical results. Instability was defined as a segment with NZ more than 2 mm. Symptoms (36-Item Short Form Health Survey), radiographical findings (radiographs, magnetic resonance images, computed tomographic scans), stiffness, NZ, and frequency of instability were also compared. Risk factors for instability were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression with a forward stepwise procedure. None of the physical function categories or radiological findings of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and low back pain (visual analogue scale) differed significantly between the groups. Although NZ was significantly greater in group D (1.97) than in group N (1.73) (P < 0.05), the frequency of instability did not differ significantly between groups. Facet opening (odds ratio, 11.0; P < 0.01) and facet type (odds ratio, 6.0; P < 0.05) were significant risk factors for instability. Neither the symptoms nor the frequency of instability differed significantly between groups. The radiological findings of spondylolisthesis did not indicate instability, but facet opening and sagittally oriented facets were indicative of instability. The results of this study demonstrated that LDS is not always unstable in the measurement setting, suggesting that the instability of LDS can stabilize spontaneously during the natural course. N/A.

Cystoman® and calculi: a good alternative to standard therapies in preventing stone recurrence.

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of D-mannose-containing product (Cystoman(®)) in preventing recurrence in patients who underwent surgical treatment for infection related urinary stones. From January 2011 to February 2013 we have enrolled all consecutive patients affected by staghorn calculi and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). All patients recommended for surgery were scheduled for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The study agent was administered daily for 5 months after surgical procedure. At baseline and 5-month follow-up all patients underwent abdominal Computed Tomography (CT) scan and they also completed Medical Outcomes Study short-form, 36-item questionnaire (SF-36). They performed urine and urine culture monthly. The primary endpoints were the assessment of the efficacy with regard to infection-related urinary stone recurrence and the tolerability of Cystoman(®). The secondary endpoint was the evaluation of quality-of-life symptoms. During the study period, a total of 27 patients were included in the study. The data from 25 patients were analyzable. Seventeen patients (68%) did not report UTIs during follow-up. Eight patients (32%) remained infected and the average number of UTIs was 2.6 ± 1.6 in 5 months. At 5-month follow-up 17 (68%) patients were free from stones recurrence; in 8 (32%) cases CT scan revealed stone recurrence with an average stone diameter of 1.1 ± 0.4 cm. In nonrecurring patients, 2 (11.7%) reported an average of 1.5 ± 0.7 UTIs episodes; in recurring patients, 6 (75%) showed 3 ± 1.67 of UTIs episodes. Statistically significant differences were seen in the occurrence of UTIs episodes were detected between nonrecurring stone patients and recurring patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistically significant changes were detected in SF-36 scores from baseline to month 5 in the categories of physical functioning and energy/fatigue (p < 0.05). Cystoman(®) is effective in preventing infection-related urinary stones.

Association between hearing impairment and self-reported difficulty in physical functioning.

To determine whether hearing impairment, defined by using objective audiometry, is associated with multiple categories of self-reported physical functioning in a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of older adults. Multivariate secondary analysis of cross-sectional data. The 2005-06 and 2009-10 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adults aged 70 and older who completed audiometric testing (N = 1,669). Hearing was measured using pure-tone audiometry. Physical functioning was assessed using a structured interview. In a model adjusted for age and demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, greater hearing impairment (per 25 dB hearing level (HL)) was associated with greater odds of physical disability in activities of daily living (odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-1.9), instrumental activities of daily living (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2-2.2), leisure and social activities (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.0), lower extremity mobility (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.7), general physical activities (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1-1.6), work limitation (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-1.9), walking limitation (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.3-2.0), and limitation due to memory or confusion (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.8). Hearing impairment was not associated with limitations in amount or type of work done (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.6). Hearing impairment in older adults is independently associated with greater disability and limitations in multiple self-reported categories of physical functioning.

Prospective associations between inflammatory and hemostatic markers and physical functioning limitations in mid-life women: Longitudinal results of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

BackgroundDue to the public health burden of age-related declines in physical functioning, it is important to identify targets for intervention for the prevention of functional decline. We prospectively examined whether higher levels of inflammatory and hemostatic markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (tPA-ag), fibrinogen, and Factor VIIc (FVIIc)) were prospectively associated with reporting greater limitations in perceived physical functioning, and explored potential racial differences in the associations, in a multi-ethnic sample of mid-life women. MethodsWomen (45–56years) in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation who completed the physical functioning scale of the Medical Outcome Short Form (SF-36) at follow-up visits 4, 6, or 8 and had inflammatory/hemostatic measures in the preceding year were included (n=2296). The continuous SF-36 physical function score was categorized as: no limitation (86–100 points), some limitation (51–85 points), and substantial limitation (0–50 points). Physical function category at time t was modeled a function of each biomarker, separately, at time t−1 using ordinal generalized estimating equations. ResultsAfter adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, body size, sociodemographic, medical and lifestyle factors, higher levels of tPA-ag and hs-CRP were associated with subsequently reporting greater limitations in physical functioning, although the latter was only marginally significant (p=0.13). For each standard deviation (SD) increase in logtPA-ag, the odds of some or substantial limitations was 1.18 (95%CI 1.09,1.27); for each SD increase in loghs-CRP, the odds of some or substantial limitation was (1.08, 95%CI 0.98,1.19). In African American women only, higher fibrinogen levels were associated with subsequently reporting greater limitations (OR=1.30, 95%CI 1.13,1.50, for each one SD increase in fibrinogen). ConclusionsHigher levels of inflammatory and hemostatic markers were prospectively associated with greater limitations in perceived physical functioning in mid-life women.

Radiographic knee osteoarthritis in ex-elite table tennis players

BackgroundTable tennis involves adoption of the semi-flexed knee and asymmetrical torsional trunk movements creating rotational torques on the knee joint which may predispose players to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. This study aims to compare radiographic signs of knee OA and associated functional levels in ex-elite male table tennis players and control subjects.MethodsStudy participants were 22 ex-elite male table tennis players (mean age 56.64 ± 5.17 years) with 10 years of involvement at the professional level and 22 non-athletic males (mean age 55.63 ± 4.08 years) recruited from the general population. A set of three radiographs taken from each knee were evaluated by an experienced radiologist using the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) scale (0-4) to determine radiographic levels of OA severity. The intercondylar distance was taken as a measure of lower limb angulation. Participants also completed the pain, stiffness, and physical function categories of the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) 3.1 questionnaire.ResultsThe results showed 78.3% of the ex-elite table tennis players and 36.3% of controls had varying signs of radiographic knee OA with a significant difference in the prevalence levels of definite radiographic OA (KL scale > 2) found between the two groups (P ≤ 0.001). Based on the WOMAC scores, 68.2% of the ex-elite table tennis players reported symptoms of knee pain compared with 27.3% of the controls (p = 0.02) though no significant differences were identified in the mean physical function or stiffness scores between the two groups. In terms of knee alignment, 73.7% of the ex-elite athletes and 32% of the control group had signs of altered lower limb alignment (genu varum) (p = 0.01). Statistical differences were found in subjects categorized as having radiographic signs of OA and altered lower limb alignment (p = 0.03).ConclusionsEx-elite table tennis players were found to have increased levels of radiological signs of OA in the knee joint though this did not transpire through to altered levels of physical disability or knee stiffness in these players when compared with subjects from the general population suggesting that function in these players is not severely impacted upon.

Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: Impact on Donor's Health-Related Quality of Life

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the health-related quality of life of living liver donors after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 55 living liver donors operated on at our center between 2002 and 2009 was assessed using the German Version of the 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Results Donors after full right-lobe hepatectomy (n = 18) scored similarly to and without statistically significant difference from the German reference population, whereas donors after left lateral segmentectomy (n = 37) revealed statistically significant higher average score values ( P < .005) in the categories of physical functioning, bodily pain, and general health compared with the German reference population. In the analysis between donors after full right-lobe hepatectomy and donors after left lateral segmentectomy no statistically significant difference was observed in any of the SF-36 categories. Postoperative complications of the donors and postoperative recipient mortality were particularly revealing regarding HRQOL. Donors who developed postoperative complications presented a lower HRQOL, especially in the categories of role physical, bodily pain, and social functioning, where statistically significant differences ( P < .005) were observed. Similarly, postoperative recipient mortality correlated with lower mean score values in all SF-36 categories, but a statistically significant difference ( P < .005) was reached only in the categories of role emotional and mental health. Conclusions Donors did not regret their decision to donate, because HRQOL was not negatively affected by the donation procedure. Living liver donors scored as well as or even better than the German reference population, but it was clearly shown that the development of postoperative donor complications and the postoperative recipient mortality had a negative effect on the HRQOL of donors.

Relationships between Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index scores and general physical status in community‐dwelling older adults

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and general physical status among community-dwelling older adults. Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index is a patient-centred assessment of oral health for older adults. We hypothesised that GOHAI is a significant indicator of general physical status of older adults. This study included 354 adults (age, ≥65 years) living independently. Body mass index, handgrip strength and one-leg standing time with eyes open were used to evaluate the general physical status. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships between the GOHAI scores, its three subdivided categories (physical function, psychological function and pain and discomfort) and each physical status measurement. A stepwise linear regression model was applied with each physical status measurement as the dependent variable and the GOHAI scores and its subdivisions as the principal independent variable. Positive correlations were found between the GOHAI scores, its three subdivided categories and handgrip strength. The physical function category positively correlated with one-leg standing time. The GOHAI and the pain and discomfort category scores were retained in the final models of stepwise regression for handgrip strength, and significant relationships persisted after adjustments for demographic, psychosocial, medical and dental status. The GOHAI scores and its pain and discomfort category score may be significant indicators of body muscle strength.

Gait characteristics and functional assessment of children with Type I Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The purpose of this study was to improve the evaluation process of children with type I Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) by providing a quantitative comparison of gait and selected functional assessments to age-matched controls. A 14-camera Vicon Motion Analysis System was used for gait analysis along with selected functional assessments (Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument [PODCI], Functional Assessment Questionnaire [FAQ], Faces Pain Scale-Revised [FPS-R]) conducted on 10 subjects with type I OI and 22 age-matched healthy controls. The results of the OI group demonstrated abnormal gait parameters including increased double support, delayed foot off, reduced ankle range of motion and plantarflexion during third rocker, along with greater ankle power absorption during terminal stance and reduced ankle power generation during push off. The functional assessment scores of the OI group were similar to the control group for basic mobility and function, but were lower than their peers in the sports and physical function category. The evaluation of individuals with OI by means of gait analysis and selected functional assessments, along with an accurate biomechanical model of the lower extremities, is proposed to better understand and predict OI disability and improve quality of life.

Exercise-Induced Asthma is Associated with Impaired Quality of Life Among Children with Asthma in Japan

Asthma is the most common chronic diseases in school-aged children in Japan. It is important to consider health-related quality of life (QoL) among children with chronic diseases when treatment decisions are made. A school-based survey was conducted in randomly selected public schools in Tokyo by using a KINDL questionnaire for evaluating QoL and the international study of asthma and allergy on childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, which is designed for comparing the asthma prevalence in various countries, from May to June in 2005. We recruited approximately 10% of the total children 6-7-years-old and 13-14-years-old living in Tokyo for sampling. Response rate of this questionnaire was 86% (22,645 children) in the 6-7-year-old group and 64% (12,879 children) in the 13-14-year-old group. Comparing asthmatics with non-asthmatics in the same age, QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. The severity of QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. QoL of children with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) were more significantly impaired than ones without EIA and showed lower scores in the categories of physical functioning, emotional and school activities than those without EIA. Of note, QoL was more impaired in the EIA-positive group among severe asthmatics, suggesting that QoL of children with even severe asthma could be improved when EIA is appropriately controlled. Existence of EIA among asthmatic children most strongly impairs their QoL. We should be more cautious about the management of EIA.