Component Summary Of Short Form-36 Research Articles

Change in quality of life and return to work and sports after isolated closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy

PurposeTo analyze return to work and sports, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy (CWDFO) for valgus deformity and lateral compartmental osteoarthritis.MethodsThirty-three patients underwent isolated CWDFO in our center between January 2018 and June 2020 were enrolled, of whom 32 and 23 patients were included in the return-to-work and return-to-sports analyses, respectively. Short Form-36 (SF-36), Tegner score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score were compared preoperatively and postoperatively. And postoperative complications were recorded.ResultsOverall, 33 patients were contacted at a mean follow-up of 37.94 ± 6.68 months, with a median age of 35 years (range: 26–63 years) at the surgery time. The physical component summary of SF-36 (p < 0.001) increased significantly at 1 year postoperatively. All patients returned to work, including 96.86% who returned to the same level of work in 1.89 ± 0.98 months, and to sports, including 78.26% who returned to the same sport level in 6.50 ± 2.05 months. Rates of returning to work (p = 0.215) and sports (p = 0.165) did not differ with work/sports intensity. Tegner scores (p = 0.025) and VAS pain scores (p < 0.001) decreased, and KOOS (p < 0.001) increased at 1 year postoperatively. Revision/conversion surgery was not required. In all, 30.43% patients reported a subjective decrease in sports ability; 82.61% patients considered their sports ability acceptable.ConclusionPatients returned to work/sports after isolated CWDFO, and had increased HRQoL. Patients playing high-impact sports had lower rates of returning to the same sport level, and may require preoperative counseling.Level of evidenceIV, Case series.

The Health-related Quality of Life and Voice Handicap Index in Recovered COVID-19 Patients in Comparison to Healthy Subjects

COVID-19 has various long-lasting effects on different aspects of health and life. This study aimed to evaluate the general health and voice-related quality of life (QOL) and assess their correlation in patients with COVID-19 compared to healthy people. This was a cross-sectional study. Sixty-eight subjects (with a mean age of 40.07±5.62 years) participated in two groups including 34 recovered-COVID-19 patients and 34 healthy subjects. All participants completed the Persian version of Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Voice Handicap Index (VHI). The patients were assessed two months after recovery when they were discharged from the hospital. The results showed the COVID-19 patients got significantly lower scores in all subcategories and two main components of SF-36 compared to the healthy group (P<0.005). Also, the patients held significantly higher results in VHI and its subscales (P<0.005). A significant correlation was observed between the physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS) of SF-36 with a total score of VHI in the COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 has negative consequences on various aspects of general health and voice-related QOL. Two months after recovery from COVID-19, the patients had the worst scores in all subscales of SF-36 and also, decreased physical, emotional, and functional voice-related QOL which reveals the persistent effect of COVID-19 even after recovery. The general health and voice-related QOL had a noticeable correlation in recovered COVID-19 patients that demonstrates the effect of voice quality in different aspects of life.

Efficacy and safety of a mobile app intervention in patients with inflammatory arthritis: a prospective pilot study

EULAR highlighted the essential role of digital health in increasing self-management and improving clinical outcomes in patients with arthritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the digital health application (DHA) in patients with inflammatory arthritis. We assessed demographic parameters, treatment regimen, disease activity, and other patient-reported outcomes at baseline and after 4 weeks of DHA use added to standard care treatment. Of 17 patients, who completed the study, 7 (41.2%) patients were male, ranging from 19 to 63 (40.5 ± 12.2) years. No significant change in antirheumatic treatment was observed during the study. Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) were noted for health-related quality of life (increase in Physical Component Summary of Short Form-36 (SF-36) by 23.6%) and disease activity (decrease of Clinical Disease Activity Index and Simple Disease Activity Index by 38.4% and 39.9%, respectively). Clinically significant improvement was demonstrated for SF-36 Total Score (+ 14.4%), disease activity (Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index− 5 to 15.9%), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire− 9 to 13.5%). None of the efficacy parameters showed negative trends. No adverse events were reported throughout the study. The usability level was high i.e., the mean mHealth Application Usability Questionnaire Score of 5.96 (max.: 7.0) demonstrated a high level of application usability. This suggests that using a personalized disease management program based on DHA significantly improves several measures of patient-reported outcomes and disease activity in patients with inflammatory arthritis in a timely manner. These findings highlight the potential of complementary digital therapy in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Clinical Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Posterior Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.

Retrospective cohort study. To compare the clinical outcomes 5 years after minimally invasive posterior decompression for lumber spinal stenosis (LSS) between patients with and without degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). Indications for surgical procedures for patients with LSS and DS are still under investigation. Since minimally invasive surgery does not affect most anatomical structures, preoperative DS may not negatively affect the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive posterior decompression. Overall, 198 patients with LSS who underwent microendoscopic or microscopic decompression and were followed up for more than 5 years postoperatively were included in the present study. Patients who showed a segmental kyphosis >5° at the surgical level during flexion were treated with fusion surgery. However, other patients, including those with DS, were treated with posterior decompression. The patients were divided into two groups: the DS group included 82 patients with >3-mm slip and the non-DS group included 112 patients with ≤3-mm slip or without slip. A mixed-effects model adjusted for age and sex was used to compare the improvements in the visual analog scale score for low-back pain and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of the two groups. For subgroup analysis (n = 53), the changes in the preoperative physical component summary and the mental component summary of Short Form-36 of the two groups at 5 years after surgery were evaluated. There was no significant difference in the improvement of preoperative low-back pain visual analog scale score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score 5 years after surgery between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in the improvement of preoperative physical component summary and mental component summary 5 years after surgery. After carefully eliminating patients with segmental instability, DS did not affect the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive decompression surgery.Level of Evidence: 3.

Taylor Spatial Frame or Reamed Intramedullary Nailing for Closed Fractures of the Tibial Shaft: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To compare a modern ring fixator [Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF)] and reamed intramedullary nailing (IMN) for the treatment of closed tibial shaft fractures. Randomized controlled trial. Two university hospitals. Patients between 18 and 70 years of age surgically treated for an acute tibial shaft fracture. TSF (n = 31) versus a reamed intramedullary nail (n = 32). The patients were followed up for 2 years. The physical component summary of Short Form 36 (SF-36) at 2 years was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included the other components of the SF-36, pain assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS), complications, and resource consumption. The mean age was 43 years (SD 14.0), and 42 (67%) were men. The physical component summary at 2 years was 52.4 (SD 6.3) in the TSF group and 53.3 (SD 8.0) in the IMN group (P = 0.35). There were modest differences in the other SF-36 scores during the follow-up period. Up to and including 12 months, the TSF group had less knee pain [at 12 months: VAS 0.5 (SD 1.2) vs. VAS 2.4 (SD 2.2; P < 0.001)], but this was not statistically significant at 24 months [VAS 0.7 (SD 1.4) vs. VAS 1.5 (SD 2.0; P = 0.11)]. Superficial skin infections were more frequent in the TSF group [22 (71%) vs. 4 (13%); P < 0.001]. The number of other complications was similar between the groups. Both TSF and IMN provided good clinical results. TSF had more pin-track infections but less knee pain the first year. Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Minimum Clinically Important Difference and Substantial Clinical Benefit in Pain, Functional, and Quality of Life Scales in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Patients.

.: Prospective observational 1-year study. .: To determine minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) of outcome measures in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) patients, as these metrics enable assessment of whether and when an intervention produces clinically meaningful effects in a patient. .: Several methods have been devised to quantify clinically important difference, but MCID and SCB for FBSS patients has yet to be determined. .: Patients with persisting/recurrent low back pain (LBP) and/or leg pain after lumbar surgery who completed 16 weeks of treatment (n = 105) at two hospitals in Korea from November 2011 to September 2014 were analyzed. Global perceived effect was used to determine receiver operating characteristic curves in visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and short form-36 (SF-36) in an anchor-based approach. .: MCIDs for ODI, LBP and leg pain VAS, physical component summary, mental health component summary (MCS), and overall health scores of SF-36 were 9.0, 22.5, 27.5, 10.2, 4.0, and 8.9, and SCBs were 15.0, 32.5, 37.0, 19.7, 19.3, and 21.1, respectively. MCID and SCB area under the curve was ≥0.8, and ≥0.7, respectively. .: LBP and leg pain VAS, ODI, and physical component summary of SF-36 may be used to measure responsiveness in FBSS patients. 3.

Measuring Outcomes and Determining Long-Term Disability after Revision Amputation for Treatment of Traumatic Finger and Thumb Amputation Injuries

Disability ratings after finger amputations are based on anatomical injury according to the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. These ratings determine disability and compensation, without considering validated outcomes measures. The authors hypothesize that patient-reported outcomes reflect function and health-related quality of life after traumatic finger amputations, and that Guides scoring does not accurately rate postamputation disability. Patients were classified by amputation: single finger, thumb, multifinger, or multifinger plus thumb. Eighty-four patients completed functional tests, the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and patient-reported outcomes [Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and the Short Form-36 health-related quality-of-life questionnaire). Patients were given disability scores according to the Guides. Pearson correlations between outcomes metrics were calculated, and linear regression evaluated associations between amputation group, Guides score, and outcomes measures. The Brief MHQ and Quick DASH questionnaires had significant correlation with functional tests, the Jebsen-Taylor test, and the physical component summary of Short Form-36. Only the Brief MHQ correlated with the mental component summary of the Short Form-36 (r=0.29, p=0.02). The Guides score only correlated with the Jebsen-Taylor test (r=0.47, p<0.001). Regression results indicate that the Brief MHQ, Quick DASH, and Guides score predict Jebsen-Taylor test score; however, amputation group and Guides score do not predict patient-reported outcomes. The American Medical Association Guides score represents anatomical and functional outcomes without addressing mental health and other components of disability. As a result, Guides scoring is inadequate for determining postamputation disability. In evaluating composite amputation outcomes, Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire outperformed other metrics. Risk, II.

Patient satisfaction with double-door laminoplasty for cervical compression myelopathy.

Patient satisfaction with posterior laminoplasty for cervical compression myelopathy is not yet established. Moreover, postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) associated with patient satisfaction remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate patient satisfaction after double-door laminoplasty for cervical compression myelopathy, and to identify the postoperative patient-reported outcomes associated with patient satisfaction. This retrospective study included 97 patients with cervical compression myelopathy who underwent double-door laminoplasty between 2002 and 2010 in our institution [mean follow-up: 58 months (range 12-123 months)]. We assessed postoperative PROs from questionnaires administered before surgery and at the latest follow-up. These questionnaires included the Neck Disability Index, physical and mental component summary of Short Form-36, EuroQol-5 dimension, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ), and a numerical rating scale of pain or numbness in the neck, arms, and scapular lesion. Satisfaction was evaluated on the basis of a seven-point scale. Patients were divided into two groups: satisfied (very satisfied, satisfied, slightly satisfied) and dissatisfied (neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, slightly dissatisfied, dissatisfied, very dissatisfied). All PROs and the effectiveness of surgical treatment assessed by JOACMEQ were compared between both groups. The satisfied group comprised 69 patients (71 %). Univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in scapular pain, Neck Disability Index, physical component summary of Short Form-36, postoperative mental component summary of Short Form-36, and improvement of lower extremity function postoperatively between both groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that there was a significantly higher proportion of patients with improved lower extremity function in the satisfied group than in the dissatisfied group. In conclusion, 71 % of the patients who underwent double-door laminoplasty for cervical compression myelopathy were satisfied. The findings of this study, which examines the association between patient satisfaction and PROs, suggest that improvement in lower extremity function following surgical intervention affects patient satisfaction in those with cervical compression myelopathy.

Preadmission quality of life can predict mortality in intensive care unit—A prospective cohort study

PurposeWe sought to investigate whether preadmission quality of life could act as a predictor of mortality among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and methodsThis is a prospective observational study of all patients above the age of 18 years admitted to the ICU with a length of stay longer than 24 hours. Short form 36 (SF-36) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) were used. Mortality was assessed during ICU admission, 30, and 90 days hereafter. ResultsWe included 318 patients. No patients were lost to follow-up. Using the physical component summary of short form 12 (SF-12) as a predictor of ICU mortality, the area under the curve (0.70; confidence interval, 0.62-0.77) was comparable with that of APACHE II (0.74; confidence interval, 0.67-0.82). The difference between SF-12 and SF-36 was nonsignificant. ConclusionsPreadmission quality of life, assessed by SF-36 and SF-12, is as good at predicting ICU, 30-, and 90-day mortality as APACHE II in patients admitted to the ICU for longer than 24 hours. This indicates that estimated preadmission quality of life, potentially available in the pre-ICU setting, could aid decision making regarding ICU admission and deserves more attention by those caring for critically ill patients.

Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer treatments can lead to detriments in patients' health and declines in quality of life (QOL). Cancer rehabilitation programs may improve functional status, symptom control, and QOL. The objective of this study was to determine if an outpatient, physical therapy-supervised Cancer Rehabilitation Strengthening and Conditioning (CRSC) program improved patients' conditioning level, functional status, QOL, and symptoms. This was a prospective study of oncology patients participating in CRSC program. Measurements included conditioning level (6-minute walk test [SMWT], metabolic equivalent level, grip strength), functional status (Physical Component Summary of Short Form 36), QOL (Mental Component Summary of Short Form 36), and symptoms (M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory). Paired t tests were conducted to determine significant changes between pre- and post-CRSC program measures, and regression methods identified predictors of change from baseline. One hundred fifteen patients with cancer were enrolled in the study; 75 patients completed pre- and post-CRSC program measures. Significant improvements were noted in SMWT by 186.4 ft, SMWT speed by 0.35 mph, treadmill time (3.5 minutes longer), metabolic equivalent level (by 0.87 units), QOL, symptom severity, symptom interference with daily life, fatigue, shortness of breath, and sadness. In a pretest-posttest design, significant improvements were noted in conditioning level, functional status, QOL, and symptoms. Greater improvements were noted in participants who were most deconditioned at baseline. Further research should be conducted to provide additional support for CRSC programs. Cancer rehabilitation strengthening and condition programs may benefit patients across the continuum of care, including deconditioned patients.

The Clinical Outcomes and Assessment of Quality of Life in Arthroscopic Repair of Isolated Type II Superior Labral Anterior and Posterior Lesion Caused by Sports Injuries from Public

The purpose of this study was to morphologically classify the superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesion in people with athletic injuries and further research into the clinical result of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions. January 2005 to June 2012 occurred after sports activity in patients with shoulder pain diagnosed with isolated SLAP lesion by magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy were classified according to the tear type. Of these patients, 40 cases of type II SLAP patients were evaluated using American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) questionnaire and range of motion. Also satisfaction of surgery was evaluated by following up through phone calls using translated short form-36 (SF-36). At average of 35 months postoperatively, external rotation decreased slightly from 60.4 degrees to 56.2 degrees, forward elevation and internal rotation were both recovered to a range of pre-surgery but no significant changes were noticed statistically (p>0.05). Visual analogue scale, ASES scores, physical component summary, and mental component summary of SF-36 improved from 5, 1 to 1.2 (p=0.01), from 65.4 to 91.5 (p=0.017), 42.6 to 52.5 (p=0.047), and from 48.5 52.6 to (p=0.036), respectively. In comparison of a group of patients over forty years and less than forty, both groups showed good results, but group of patients less than forty years showed more improvement in pain relief, functional test, and postoperational satisfaction (p=0.004). Arthroscopic repair showed good results in patients with type II SLAP lesion due to athletic injuries especially when they were less than 40 years and it can be regarded as a good treatment with high satisfaction.

Association of the sense of coherence with physical and psychosocial health in the rehabilitation of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundAccording to Antonovsky’s salutogenic concept, a strong sense of coherence is associated with physical and psychological health. The goal of this study was to analyze the association of Antonovsky’s sense of coherence with physical and psychosocial health components in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis before and after in- and outpatient rehabilitation.MethodsProspective cohort study with 335 patients, 136 (41%) with hip and 199 (59%) with knee osteoarthritis. The outcome was measured by Short Form-36 (SF-36), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Sense of Coherence (SOC-13). Baseline scores of the SF-36 and WOMAC scales and the observed effect sizes after rehabilitation were correlated with the baseline SOC-13. These correlations of the SF-36 scales were compared to the Factor Score Coefficients for the Mental Component Summary of SF-36, which quantify the factor load on the psychosocial dimension. Predictive impact of the baseline SOC-13 for the SF-36 and WOMAC scales (baseline scores and effect sizes) was then determined by multivariate linear regression controlled for possible confounders.ResultsAt baseline, the SOC-13 correlated with the WOMAC scores between r = 0.18 (stiffness) and r = 0.25 (pain) and with the SF-36 scores between r = 0.10 (physical functioning) and r = 0.53 (mental health). The correlation of these SF-36 correlation coefficients to the Factor Score Coefficient of the SF-36 Mental Component Summary was r = 0.95. The correlations for the effect sizes (baseline → discharge) with the baseline SOC-13 global score were all negative and varied between r = 0.00 (physical functioning) and r = −0.19 (social functioning). In the multivariate linear regression model, the explained variance of the SF-36 scores by the baseline SOC-13 increased continuously from physical to psychosocial health dimensions (from 12.9% to 29.8%). This gradient was consistently observed for both the baseline scores and the effect sizes. The results of the WOMAC were consistent with the physical health scales of SF-36.ConclusionsThe sense of coherence was associated with psychosocial health dimensions but hardly with physical health. The higher the load of a scale on the psychosocial dimension the higher was its correlation to the sense of coherence. This is in contrast to the idea of Antonovsky who predicted high associations with both mental and physical health.

Psychosocial characterization of a Portuguese lower limb amputee population

This study aims to describe psychosocial status in lower limb amputees referred to a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) department of a central Portuguese Hospital. Cross-sectional study of 45 consecutive patients with lower limb amputation, referred to PMR consultation after hospital discharge. Of the initial sample, two patients were excluded from the analysis, and four patients refused to participate in the study. The socio-demographic, medical and surgical history were obtained through structured questionnaire, and clinical information regarding the characteristics of the amputation was abstracted from medical records. Functional capacity was assessed with the Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP), quality of life through short-form 36 (SF36), and depressive and anxious symptoms by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Out of 39 patients analyzed, 32 (82.1%) were men, aged [average (standard deviation): 67, 6 (12.57)] years, 28 (71.8%) were married, 30 (76.9%) were retired, 3 (7.7%) were unemployed, 4 (10.3%) were on sick leave, and 2 (5.1%) were active. Regarding the cause of amputation, 36 (92.3%) were of vascular etiology, 1 (2.6%) caused by an infection, and 2 (5.1%) due to bone tumours, 23 (59%) had a transfemoral amputation, 10 (25.6%) had a transtibial amputation, and 6 (15.4%) had foot amputations of the foot. In the sample studied, 14 (35.9%) had pathological levels of anxiety (HADS-anxiety ≥ 8) and 15 (38.5%) had clinical depression (HADS-depression ≥ 8). The evaluation of quality of life and general perception of health status, showed lower than average score especially in the physical dimensions with a physical component summary score of the SF36 [P50 (P25-P75): 31.4 (26.8-39.4)], and in the mental component summary of SF36 [P50 (P25-P75): 41.9 (31.8-48.3)]. In this sample, the data showed the AMP score [P50 (P25-P75): 8 (4-16)], ranging from 0 to 27. This sample has a high prevalence of depressive/anxious symptoms. Considering that these mood changes have a major impact on the adherence to the rehabilitation program, functional outcome and quality of life, its early identification and treatment should be part of their overall management.

The Relationship Between the Severity of Depressive Symptoms and Diabetes-Related Emotional Distress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

To examine the relationship between the severity of depressive symptoms and the burden through diabetes care, or diagnosed diabetes in patients with type 2 diabetes, irrespective of the diabetic complications and glycemic control. Subjects were 126 outpatients with type 2 diabetes who completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale, and Short Form-36 (SF-36). The factor with a significant impact on the BDI-II score in the multiple regression model was the PAID score (standardized coefficient =0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.21). The factors having a significant impact on the physical component summary of SF-36 (PCS) in the multiple regression model were BDI-II score (-0.95; 95% CI, -1.32 - -0.58), age (-0.43; 95% CI, -0.61 - -0.25), and the number of complicated macroangiopathies (-8.90; 95% CI, -12.71 - -5.08). The factors with a significant impact on the mental component summary of SF-36 (MCS) in the multiple regression model were BDI-II score (-0.90; 95% CI, -1.16 - -0.65) and age (0.13; 95% CI, 0.00-0.25). These findings show that diabetes-related emotional distress is significantly related to the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes, independent of the severity of complications and glycemic control. Moreover, the severity of depressive symptoms is negatively correlated with comprehensive health-related QOL in patients with type 2 diabetes. Clinicians need to consider factors other than indices of metabolic control and diabetic complications, in determining the adverse effects of depressive symptoms on the physical QOL of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Quality of Life and Functional Status After Revascularization or Conservative Treatment in Patients With Intermittent Claudication

Revascularization of patients with intermittent claudication (IC) is recommended only for selected patients who have chronic pain or disabling disease. However, improvement in the quality of life (QoL) could justify more widespread use. To determine the effect of conservative treatment and revascularization on the QoL and physical performance of selected patients with IC. This nonrandomized, parallel group, follow-up study included 83 patients with IC at Fontaine stage II. On the basis of interventional opportunities and the risks and benefits, combined with the preference of the patient, 47 patients were treated conservatively and 41 were revascularized. The patients were examined at inclusion and 3 months later. The evaluations included the QoL measure Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ), pain-free and maximal walking distance (treadmill at 3 km/h, no incline), maximal isometric knee-extension strength and endurance, and ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI). At baseline, the SF-36 and WIQ scores and the ABI were significantly lower in the patients selected for revascularization. After revascularization, all dimensions of QoL and functional status increased significantly in the patients who underwent revascularisation compared with the patients treated conservatively. The difference in the change in the physical component summary of SF-36 was 29.4% (P < .001), in the total WIQ 63.6% (P = .0002), and in the pain-free and maximal walking distances 313% (P < .001) and 135% (P < .001), respectively. After adjustment for age, smoking, ABI, body mass index (BMI), and baseline values, the differences remained statistically significant. Revascularization above the knee increased QoL, functional status, and walking distance significantly in patients with moderate IC.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Brazilian Version of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form

Background: The perception of improvement by a patient has assumed a central role in functional evaluation after a variety of knee problems. One of the instruments most used in clinical research is the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form because its psychometric properties are considered to be excellent. Nonetheless, this questionnaire was originally developed for use in the English language. Therefore, to use this questionnaire in the Brazilian population, it is essential to translate and validate it. Purpose: The aim of this study was to translate the IKDC Subjective Knee Form into a Brazilian version and to test its validity and reproducibility. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The translation of the original IKDC Subjective Knee Form into a Brazilian version was accomplished in accordance with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine guidelines and was tested in 32 patients with knee pathologic conditions to develop the first Brazilian version. To test validity and reproducibility, 117 patients with several knee complaints completed the Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form, the Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Lysholm score. From these patients, 85 were retested within a week to achieve reproducibility. The validation was addressed by correlating the Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form to the other outcome measures. The reproducibility was tested by measuring internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and agreement. Results: The Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form was highly related to the physical component summary of the SF-36, the Lysholm score, and the WOMAC, and weakly related to the mental component summary of SF-36 (r = .79, .89, .85, and .51, respectively). The internal consistency was strong, with a Cronbach α value of .928 and .935 in the test and retest assessment, respectively. The test-retest reliability proved to be excellent, with a high value of the intraclass correlation coefficient (.988), as well as the agreement, demonstrated by the low differences between the means of the test and retest, and the short limit of agreement, observed in the Altman-Bland and survival-agreement plots. Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that the Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form has psychometric properties similar to the original version. In addition, it was a reliable evaluation instrument for patients with knee-related problems.

Characteristics of disabilities in patients with subacutemyelo-optico-neuropathy living at home: Satisfaction in daily life and short form-36

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of disabilities in patients with subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy (SMON), and to reveal whether the satisfaction in daily life (SDL) or short form-36 (SF-36) correlated with these disabilities.Method. The subjects consisted of 97 patients with SMON living at home, who were mailed a questionnaire concerning the patient's profile, SMON severity (disability scale for SMON), basic activities of daily living (self-rating Barthel Index, SR-BI), lifestyle (self-rating Frenchay Activities Index, SR-FAI), SDL and SF-36. A relationship with SDL, SF-36 and disabilities was analysed by using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.Results. Fifty-eight out of 97 patients with SMON responded, and their mean age was 76.1 years. The mean of SMON severity was 8.0; SR-BI, 70.8; SR-FAI, 11.1; SDL, 27.3; physical component summary of SF-36 (PCS), 26.3; mental component summary of SF-36 (MCS), 39.5. The SMON group had significantly lower scores for SDL than those for the age- and sex ratio- matched elderly persons. With respect to SDL, a significant correlation was observed with SMON severity, SR-BI, SR-FAI, SDL, and PCS and MCS of SF-36, but no significant correlation was observed regarding SMON severity and either the PCS or MCS.Conclusions. The subjective domains of the quality of life in patients with SMON were observed to have decreased. SDL was considered to closely reflect the characteristics of the disabilities observed in patients with SMON.

Predictive value of initial clinical status, intracranial pressure and transcranial Doppler pulsatility after subarachnoid haemorrhage

We examined the predictive value of initial clinical status, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), intracranial pressure (ICP) and transcranial Doppler (TCD)-derived pulsatility and resistance indices for outcome and quality of life one year following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Neuromonitoring was performed in 29 patients following clipping or coiling of an aneurysm. Mean arterial blood pressure was measured in the radial artery and intracranial pressure was assessed via a closed external ventricular drainage. Based on transcranial Doppler-recordings of the middle cerebral artery, Gosling's pulsatility (PI) and Pourcelot's resistance (RI) index were calculated. Glasgow outcome score (GOS) and short form-36 (SF-36) scores were determined one year after SAH. An unfavourable outcome (GOS 1-3) was observed in 34% of patients and correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with a poor initial clinical status, as determined by Glasgow Coma Scale (r = 0.55), Hunt and Hess (r = -0.62), World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) (r = -0.48) and Fisher (r = -0.58) score. Poor outcome was significantly associated with high mean arterial blood pressure (r = -0.44) and intracranial pressure (r = -0.48) as well as increased pulsatility (r = -0.46) and resistance (r = -0.43) indices. Hunt and Hess grade > or = 4 (OR 12.4, 5-95% CI: 1.9-82.3), mean arterial blood pressure > 95 mmHg (19.5, 2.9-132.3), Gosling's pulsatility >0.8 (6.5, 1.6-27.1) and Pourcelot's resistance >0.57 (15.4, 2.3-103.4) were predictive for unfavourable outcome in logistic regression, however TCD-diagnosed vasospasm was not. Except for mental health, significantly reduced scores were observed in all short form-36 domains. Initial clinical status correlated significantly with the physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, social functioning and physical component summary of short form-36. Mortality and morbidity following SAH remains high, especially in poor-grade patients. Outcome is mainly correlated with initial clinical status, mean arterial blood pressure, intracranial pressure, pulsatility and resistance indices. Those factors seem to be stronger than the influence of vasospasm.

77 INVITED Targeted therapy in androgen-independent prostate cancer

We sought to investigate whether preadmission quality of life could act as a predictor of mortality among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).This is a prospective observational study of all patients above the age of 18 years admitted to the ICU with a length of stay longer than 24 hours. Short form 36 (SF-36) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) were used. Mortality was assessed during ICU admission, 30, and 90 days hereafter.We included 318 patients. No patients were lost to follow-up. Using the physical component summary of short form 12 (SF-12) as a predictor of ICU mortality, the area under the curve (0.70; confidence interval, 0.62-0.77) was comparable with that of APACHE II (0.74; confidence interval, 0.67-0.82). The difference between SF-12 and SF-36 was nonsignificant.Preadmission quality of life, assessed by SF-36 and SF-12, is as good at predicting ICU, 30-, and 90-day mortality as APACHE II in patients admitted to the ICU for longer than 24 hours. This indicates that estimated preadmission quality of life, potentially available in the pre-ICU setting, could aid decision making regarding ICU admission and deserves more attention by those caring for critically ill patients.

Reduced quality of life of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

It has been shown that health-related quality of life is reduced in patients with cirrhosis and with chronic hepatitis in relation to antiviral therapy. No data are available on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. To assess health-related quality of life in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Health-related quality of life was assessed in 101 hepatocellular carcinoma patients by means of Short Form-36 and Nottingham Health Profile questionnaires. Final scores of domains for individual patients were compared to age-adjusted normative Italian values, using Z-score and with values obtained in 202 matched patients with cirrhosis, without hepatocellular carcinoma. All Short Form-36 domains and 4 out of 6 Nottingham Health Profile domains were altered. When hepatocellular carcinoma patients were compared with matched cirrhotics, differences were present for Bodily Pain, Role Limitation-Physical, and the Physical Component Summary of Short Form-36, as well as Pain of Nottingham Health Profile. Perceived health status had changed significantly in the year prior to assessment. Health-related quality of life was not primarily related to tumour mass or hepatocellular failure, whereas sleep disorders were selected by logistic regression as strongly associated with poor health-related quality of life. The present data stress the relevance of pain in poor perceived health status of hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and the importance of minor symptoms, such as sleep disorders.