Patient-reported Complaints Research Articles

Identification of spontaneous patient-reported complaints related to perianal fistula in patients with Crohn's disease.

To identify patient-reported complaints affecting quality of life in Crohn's disease patients with a perianal fistula, and to compare differences between subgroups. A questionnaire was distributed to 1667 patients from the Dutch Crohn's and Colitis Patients' organization, those patients with Crohn's disease and perianal fistula were included. Patients were asked to report (using free text) their most important fistula-related complaints affecting their quality of life. All responses were structurally analyzed and categorized. Data comparisons were made between subgroups: women versus men, patients with versus without current presence of a seton, and patients aged ≤40 versus >40 years. Of 743 respondents (44.6%), 123 patients with Crohn's disease and perianal fistula were included (92 women, median age 41 years [IQR 34-56] and 36 with seton). A total of 776 complaints were allocated to 36 categories, with 19 reported in >10% of patients. Perianal fistula-related complaints affected nearly all patients (95.9%). Impact on psychological status (71.7% vs. 29.0%; p < 0.0001) and on sexual activities (37.0% vs. 16.1%; p = 0.003) were more common in women than men. Younger patients more often reported insecurity (38.7% vs. 18.0%; p = 0.026), shame (29.0% vs. 11.5%; p = 0.024), and impact on sexual activities (40.3% vs. 23.0%; p = 0.048) than older patients. Patients with a seton more frequently reported self-experienced malodour (50.0% vs. 23.0%; p = 0.005), physical activity limitations (41.7% vs. 19.5%; p = 0.014), and work/study impact (22.2% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.019). We identified 19 perianal fistula-related complaints reported by >10% of patients. These complaints may guide improvement of current outcome measures.

Autonomous Healthcare Systems: Deep Learning-Based IoT Solutions for Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Treatment

Autonomous healthcare systems are a big change in the way medicine is done. They use deep learning algorithms and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to keep an eye on patients all the time and change their treatment as needed. This new way of doing things could change the way patients are cared for by giving real-time information and personalized treatments. With the help of deep learning, these systems can look at huge amounts of data produced by IoT sensors, like those in medical implants and smart tech, to spot small changes in health and spot problems before they get worse.Autonomous healthcare systems are based on their ability to constantly gather and analyze data from a variety of sources, such as vital signs, biological markers, and patient-reported complaints. Deep learning algorithms are very important to this process because they can find complicated patterns and connections in the data. These algorithms can get useful information from raw sensor data by using methods like CNN, MobileNet, and InceptionV3. This algorithm lets healthcare professionals move quickly and proactively.Also, independent healthcare systems are made to change based on the wants and interests of each patient by using personalized treatment plans. These systems can improve results and patient happiness by constantly checking how patients respond to actions and making changes to treatment plans on the fly. Adding IoT devices also makes it easier for patients and healthcare workers to talk to each other, allowing for distant discussions and quick solutions. The automated healthcare systems are a revolutionary way to provide medical care. They use deep learning-based IoT solutions to keep an eye on patients all the time and adjust their treatment as needed. These systems might be able to improve patient results, lower healthcare costs, and raise general quality of life by using the power of data-driven insights and individual actions

Visualization of the location and level of pain in common wrist pathologies using color-coded heatmaps

BackgroundPain of the hand and wrist affects a large patient population. If the onset is unrelated to recent trauma, the first medical contact is rarely established with a specialized hand surgeon.ObjectiveThe objective of this investigation was to (1) visualize the localization of hand pain using pain-related heatmaps in common wrist pathologies, (2) to test whether differences between these pathologies exist with regard to sociodemographic and pain-related aspects, and (3) to evaluate the major patient-reported complaints associated with the pathologies.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study included patients suffering from: thumb basal joint arthritis (CMC-1-OA), dorsal wrist ganglions, and TFCC tears. Patients marked the location of maximum pain projection on hand graphics depicting the outline of the palmar and dorsal hand. Color-graded frequency heat maps were generated for the wrist pathologies investigated. Daily life impairments were assessed and clustered into groups of functions/activities.Results120 patients with a mean age of 44.3 years were investigated. The diagnostic groups showed significant differences regarding the level and location of pain, as well as daily life impairments. Patients with CMC-1-OA presented with increased pain levels compared to patients with dorsal wrist ganglions and TFCC tears. Daily life impairment was rated highest when household chores were adversely affected, and sport activities were symptomatic/painful. All groups showed significant skin surface pain projection, which was visualized in heatmaps. While general trends in pain localization were visible, pain levels were also reported distal/proximal and palmar/dorsal to the pathology.ConclusionsKnowledge of main demographic parameters, pain projection, and degree of impairment in daily activities can help physicians to narrow differential diagnosis of wrist pain during first patient contact. Patients should then be referred to hand surgeons for specialist examination, to further differentiate the origin of the pain.

Clinical impact of assessing thrombus age using magnetic resonance venography prior to catheter-directed thrombolysis

ObjectivesMagnetic resonance venography (MRV) is underutilized in the evaluation of thrombus properties prior to endovascular treatment but may improve procedural outcomes. We therefore investigated the clinical impact of using a dedicated MRV scoring system to assess thrombus characteristics prior to endovascular intervention for iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT).MethodsThis is a post hoc analysis of data from the CAVA trial (Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT00970619). MRV studies of patients receiving ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for iliofemoral DVT were reviewed. Thrombus age-related imaging characteristics were scored and translated into an overall score (acute, subacute, or old). MRV scores were compared to patient-reported complaints. MRV-scored groups were compared for CDT duration and success rate.ResultsFifty-six patients (29 men; age 50.8 ± 16.4 years) were included. Using MRV, 27 thrombi were classified acute, 17 subacute, and 12 old. Based on patient-reported complaints, 11 (91.7%) of these old thrombi would have been categorized acute or subacute, and one (3.7%) of the acute thrombi as old. Average duration of CDT to > 90% restored patency differed significantly between groups (p < 0.0001): average duration was 23 h for acute thromboses (range: 19–25), 43 h for subacute (range: 41–62), and 85 h for old thromboses (range: 74–96). CDT was almost eleven times more successful in thromboses characterized as acute and subacute compared to old thromboses (OR: 10.7; 95% CI 2.1–55.5).ConclusionA dedicated MRV scoring system can safely discriminate between acute, subacute, and old thromboses. MRV-based selection is predictive of procedural duration and success rate and can help avoid unnecessary complications.Key Points• Thrombus age, characterized by MRV as acute, subacute, and old, can predict CDT duration and probability of success.• Accurate pre-interventional MRV-based thrombus aging has the potential to facilitate identification of eligible patients and may thus prevent CDT-related complications.

Postoperative Patient Reported Outcomes After Cholesteatoma Surgery.

Results and success measures of cholesteatoma surgery are generally described using objective data whereas subjective data are mostly lacking. Patients experiences and complaints are becoming more important alongside clinical and audiometric outcome measures in cholesteatoma care. To investigate the course of patient-reported complaints, the impact of complaints, audiometric measures and the stability of audiometric measures, and complaints over time after primary and recurrent/residual cholesteatoma surgery. Postoperative patients were prospectively included and divided into primary acquired and recurrent/residual cholesteatoma. The EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D-3L), Otology Questionnaire Amsterdam (OQUA), and the Speech Spatial Questionnaire (SSQ) were completed by 144 patients up to 2 years postoperative. Patient-reported complaints divided in eight separate domains, postoperative hearing and impact on daily life were longitudinally assessed by means of linear mixed models. Hearing loss and tinnitus are the most reported postoperative complaints over time. Patient-reported loss of taste and the impact of all complaints decline over time. All other patient-reported complaints remain stable over time, only itch complaints fluctuate. Primary cholesteatoma patients score significantly higher on hearing loss complaints compared with recurrent/residual patients although they have comparable mean audiometric hearing loss. Furthermore, pure-tone hearing threshold, instead of asymmetric hearing loss, is correlated with the localization domain of the SSQ. This study provides important insights in the course of complaints and its impact on daily life after cholesteatoma surgery. Overall, the postoperative patient-reported complaints after cholesteatoma surgery are generally low in the studied population.

Perceived and objective cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed versus established multiple sclerosis: impact of disease duration.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), including newly diagnosed MS, where it is particularly underrecognised. Determining the presence of CI in the outpatient clinic often relies on patient-reported complaints, with limited time and resources in this setting. Prior studies have shown that self-reported cognition relates poorly to formal neuropsychological testing in the MS population and correlates more with factors such as anxiety, depression and fatigue. In this study, we assess the prevalence of perceived cognitive dysfunction in newly diagnosed MS patients and compare results with an established MS cohort. Thirty-nine patients with newly diagnosed MS (12 months following diagnosis) and 24 patients with an established diagnosis (3 years) were included. Similar levels of perceived and objective CI were seen in both groups. There was a strong correlation of perceived cognitive dysfunction with anxiety, mood and fatigue. Perceived cognition did not correlate with objective CI, assessed using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment in MS (BICAMS), in either group. Study findings add to the literature of perceived cognition in MS, in a newly diagnosed cohort. Findings are consistent with previous research using detailed neuropsychological assessments, confirming the sensitivity of BICAMS, applicable in a routine clinical setting.

Correlation between compensated patient claims and 30-day mortality.

To test if compensation claims from patients (reported to the Norwegian System of Patient Injury Compensation) are correlated with the existing quality indicator of 30-day mortality (based on data from Norwegian Patient Registry). This correlation has not been previously evaluated. The association between patient claims and 30-day mortality at hospital trust level was assessed by the Pearson correlation coefficient. The Norwegian System of Patient Injury Compensation is a governmental agency under the Ministry of Health and Care Services and deals with patient-reported complaints about incorrect treatment in the public and private healthcare services. Patient-reported claims may be an indicator of healthcare quality, as 30-day mortality. All 19 Norwegian hospital trusts. : None. Patient claims rates, 30-day mortality and Pearson correlation coefficient. Both number of deaths within 30 days and number of claims have declined over time. High correlation (0.77, P < 0.001) was found between number of deaths within 30 days and the total number of claims. In addition, an even stronger association was found with approved claims, with a correlation coefficient of 0.83 (P < 0.001). Moreover, adjusted 30-day mortality was significantly correlated with the patient-claim rate using number of bed-days as denominator, but not when using number of discharges. The results from the present study indicate an association between compensation claims from patients and 30-day mortality, suggesting that both parameters reflect the latent quality of care for the hospital trusts, but they may capture different aspects of care.

Structural validity of the Finnish Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) using the Rasch model

BackgroundThe 16-item patient-reported Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) with subscales of pain, social interactions, and walking/standing has been claimed for strongest scientific evidence in measuring foot and ankle complaints. This study tests the validity of the Finnish MOXFQ for orthopaedic foot and ankle population using the Rasch analysis. MethodsWe translated the MOXFQ into Finnish and used that translation in our study. MOXFQ scores were obtained from 183 patients. Response category distribution, item fit, coverage, targeting, item dependency, ability to measure latent trait (unidimensionality), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and person separation index (PSI) were analyzed. ResultsFifteen of the items had ordered response categories and/or sufficient fit statistics. The subscales provided coverage and targeting. Some residual correlation was noted. Removing one item in the pain subscale led to a unidimensional structure. Alphas and PSIs ranged between 0.68–0.90 and 0.67–0.92, respectively. ConclusionsDespite some infractions of the Rasch model, the instrument functioned well. The subscales of the MOXFQ are meaningful for assessing patient-reported complaints and outcomes in orthopaedic foot and ankle population.

Genetic Variants as Predictive Markers for Ototoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Cisplatin-Containing Chemoradiotherapy (The PRONE Study).

Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity are potentially irreversible side effects of chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) patients. Several predictive genetic variants have been described, but as yet none in LAHNC patients. The aim of this study is to investigate genetic variants as predictors for ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in LAHNC patients treated with cisplatin-containing chemoradiotherapy. Our prospective cohort of 92 patients was genotyped for 10 genetic variants and evaluated for their association with cisplatin-induced ototoxicity (ACYP2, COMT, TPMT and WFS1) and nephrotoxicity (OCT2, MATE and XPD). Ototoxicity was determined by patient-reported complaints as well as tone audiometrical assessments. Nephrotoxicity was defined as a decrease of ≥25% in creatinine clearance during treatment compared to baseline. A significant association was observed between carriership of the A allele for rs1872328 in the ACYP2 gene and cisplatin-induced clinically determined ototoxicity (p = 0.019), and not for ototoxicity measured by tone audiometrical assessments (p = 0.449). Carriership of a T allele for rs316019 in the OCT2 gene was significantly associated with nephrotoxicity at any time during chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.022), but not with nephrotoxicity at the end of the chemoradiotherapy. In conclusion, we showed prospectively that in LAHNC patients genetic variants in ACYP2 are significantly associated with clinically determined ototoxicity. Validation studies are necessary to prove the added value for individualized treatments plans in these patients.

Antegrade flexible intramedullary nailing through the greater trochanter in paediatric femur shaft fractures

Aims: To determine whether an antegrade approach, through the tip of the greater trochanter, in femoral shaft fractures in children, is safe, achieves adequate union and results in significant proximal femoral growth complications. Patients and methods: The case records and radiographs of 23 paediatric patients aged 7 to 12 years with femur shaft fractures managed with stainless steel antegrade flexible nailing were reviewed retrospectively. Pre-operative radiographs were reviewed for fracture pattern, level and comminution. Post-operative radiographs were reviewed to assess for union, alignment, osteonecrosis of the femoral head and epiphysiodesis of the greater trochanter. Morphological changes of the proximal femur were assessed by comparing the neck shaft angle and articulo-trochanteric distance with the opposite hip. Case records were reviewed for post-operative complications, patient-reported complaints and leg length discrepancy. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the criteria established by Flynn. Results: All patients achieved union, and none had evidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head on follow-up. Three patients had malalignment and two patients had radiographic evidence of greater trochanteric epiphysiodesis. Two patients had morphological changes of the proximal femur, with one having an increased neck shaft angle and one an increased articulo-trochanteric distance. One patient had a leg length discrepancy of 2 cm. Fifteen patients had excellent clinical outcomes, five had satisfactory outcomes and three had poor outcomes according the criteria established by Flynn. Conclusion: Antegrade entry through the tip of the greater trochanter does not appear to compromise the blood supply to the femoral head or increase the risk of clinically significant morphological changes to the proximal femur. All patients achieved adequate union. Furthermore, antegrade insertion avoided skin problems and prominent nail complications around the knee seen with retrograde insertion. Level of evidence: Level 4

Patients' complaints regarding healthcare encounters and communication.

AimTo explore patient‐reported complaints regarding communication and healthcare encounters and how these were responded to by healthcare professionals.DesignA retrospective and descriptive design was used in a County Council in northern part of Sweden. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used.MethodsThe content of 587 patient‐reported complaints was included in the study. Descriptive statistical analysis and a deductive content analysis were used to investigate the content in the patient‐reported complaints.ResultsThe results show that patients’ dissatisfaction with encounters and communication concerned all departments in the healthcare organization. Patients were most dissatisfied when they were not met in a professional manner. There were differences between genders, where women reported more complaints regarding their dissatisfaction with encounters and communication compared with men. Many of the answers on the patient‐reported complaints lack a personal apology and some of the patients failed to receive an answer to their complaints.

Pain and overcorrection in clubfeet treated by Ponseti method.

Long-term outcomes of Ponseti casting have consistently shown improvement over soft-tissue release. The incidence of foot pain and overcorrection in clubfeet treated by Ponseti method has not been reported. We studied the rate of overcorrection and its association with pain in clubfeet treated with Ponseti casting. A retrospective review of clubfoot patients treated with Ponseti method with at least 8 years of follow-up was carried out. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, recurrence, type and number of procedures, and patient-reported complaints of foot pain. Pedobarographs were used to document overcorrection. Eighty-one patients comprising 115 clubfeet were included in the study. There were 14 (12.2%) feet with valgus overcorrection and 101 feet that had achieved a normal, plantigrade position. Overall, 50% of patients with overcorrected clubfeet and 32% with corrected, plantigrade clubfeet experienced pain. Overcorrection was found to be predictive of pain complaints (P<0.001). Hence, valgus overcorrection occurs after Ponseti casting, with an incidence of 12%.

Local Protocol Variations for Image Guided Radiation Therapy in the Multicenter Dutch Hypofractionation (HYPRO) Trial: Impact of Rectal Balloon and MRI Delineation on Anorectal Dose and Gastrointestinal Toxicity Levels

The phase 3 HYpofractionated irradiation for PROstate cancer (HYPRO) trial randomized patients with intermediate- to high-risk localized prostate cancer to conventionally fractionated (78Gy in 39 fractions) or hypofractionated (64.6Gy in 19 fractions) radiation therapy. Differences in techniques and treatment protocols were present between participating centers. This study aimed to compare dose parameters and patient-reported gastrointestinal symptoms between these centers. From the trial population, we selected patients (N=572) from 4 treatment centers who received image guided (IG) intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Center A (n=242) applied planning target volume (PTV) margins of 5 to 6mm and was considered the reference center. In center B (n=170, 7-mm margins), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was integrated in treatment planning. An endorectal balloon (ERB) was applied in center C (n=85, 7-mm margins). Center D (n=75) applied the largest PTV margins of 8mm. The study protocol provided identical anorectal dose constraints, and local protocols were applied for further treatment optimization. Anorectal dose-surface histograms were compared by applying t tests. Rectal complaints during follow-up (6months to 4years) were compared in a generalized linear model, adjusting for age, follow-up, treatment arm, and hormone therapy. Favorable anorectal dose distributions were found for center B (MRI delineation) and center C (ERB application) as compared with centers A and D. These were associated with significantly lower incidences of patient-reported complaints of rectal incontinence, use of incontinence pads, and rectal discomfort in these centers. Furthermore, lower incidences of increased stool frequency (≥4 per day) and mucous loss were observed for center C. Despite comparable IG-IMRT techniques and predefined dose constraints, pronounced differences in dose distributions and toxicity rates were observed. MRI delineation and ERB application were associated with favorable rectal dose parameters and toxicity profiles, whereas a 2- to 3-mm difference in PTV margins did not translate into observed differences. We conclude that choices for treatment optimization of IG-IMRT are important and clinically relevant for patients since these affect symptoms experienced in daily life.

Determining early referral criteria for patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis presenting to primary care physicians: a cross-sectional study.

ObjectiveEarly diagnosis and initiation of treatment for inflammatory arthritis can greatly improve patient outcome. We aimed to provide standardized and validated criteria for use by primary care physicians (PCPs) in the identification of individuals requiring referral to a rheumatologist.Patients and methodsWe analyzed the predictive value of a wide variety of demographic variables, patient-reported complaints, physical examination results, and biomarkers in order to identify the most useful factors for indicating a requirement for referral. Patients for this cross-sectional study were enrolled from various centers of the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, if they were ≥18 years of age and presented to a PCP with small joint pain that had been present for more than 6 weeks. A total of 203 patients were enrolled, as indicated by the sample size calculation. Each patient underwent a standardized physical examination, which was subsequently compared to ultrasound findings. Biomarker analysis and a patient interview were also carried out. Results were then correlated with the final diagnosis made by a rheumatologist.ResultsA total of 9 variables were identified as having high specificity and good predictive value: loss of appetite, swelling of metacarpophalangeal joint 2 or 5, swelling of proximal inter-phalangeal joint 2 or 3, wrist swelling, wrist tenderness, a positive test for rheumatoid factor, and a positive test for anti-citrullinated protein antibodies.ConclusionNine variables should be the basis of early referral criteria. It should aid PCPs in making appropriate early referrals of patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis, accelerating diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Nifedipine vs Placebo for Treatment of Chronic Chilblains: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Nifedipine is commonly prescribed for the treatment of chilblains (pernio, perniosis) on the basis of observational studies and a single small, older clinical trial. We aimed to confirm the proposed superiority of oral nifedipine 60 mg per day over placebo for treatment of chronic chilblains in primary care. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, closely following the design of the older trial. A total of 32 patients with chronic chilblains were randomly assigned to nifedipine (30 mg controlled release twice a day) or placebo. The primary outcome was patient-reported complaints; the secondary outcome was patient-reported disability. Both were assessed from daily ratings on 100-mm visual analogue scales recorded in a diary. We took ambient temperatures into account and checked for a carry-over effect, and monitored for adverse effects. After 6 weeks of treatment, mean scores on the visual analogue scale on complaints showed a nonsignificant difference of 1.84 mm (95% CI, -6.67 to 2.99 mm) in favor of nifedipine (P = .44). Mean scores on the visual analogue scale on disability showed a nonsignificant difference of 0.56 mm (95% CI, -2.97 to 4.09 mm) in favor of placebo (P = .75). There was no carry-over effect of prior study treatment. Nifedipine was associated with significantly lower systolic blood pressure and a significantly higher incidence of edema. In our study, nifedipine was not superior to placebo for treating chronic chilblains. These findings contrast with those of the older study and do not support routine use of nifedipine for this condition.

Editorial Comment

Editorial Comment

Critical Analysis of Patient-reported Complaints and Complications After Urethroplasty for Bulbar Urethral Stricture Disease

To evaluate the full spectrum of postoperative complications and patient-reported complaints after urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture disease. We performed a retrospective review of our institutional database for all patients who underwent urethroplasty from January 1, 2002 to December 1, 2012. We recorded all postoperative complications and patient-reported complaints and grouped them by the Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications and into the following categories: perioperative, infectious, anatomic, sexual dysfunction, and voiding related. The Fisher exact test was used to calculate statistical differences among repair types and etiology. Three hundred twenty-five men underwent urethroplasty by 2 surgeons (G.D.W. and A.C.P.) during the period reviewed. Two hundred ninety-two of 325 men (90%) had sufficient follow-up data available. One hundred eleven of 292 men (38%) reported a total of 146 postoperative complications or complaints. Forty-seven of 111 men (42%) were classified as having a perioperative complication, 17 of 111 (15.3%) as infectious, 8 of 111 (7.2%) as anatomic, 29 of 111 (26.1%) as sexual dysfunction, and 32 of 111 (28.8%) as voiding related. The majority of complications were classified as Clavien grade I (87 of 146, 60%). Forty-seven of 146 men (32%) were classified as having Clavien grade II, 9 of 146 (6%) as grade III, and 3 of 146 (2%) as grade IV. There were no grade V complications. Patients with iatrogenic etiology had a higher rate of infectious-related complications when compared with idiopathic or traumatic (17.5% vs 3.7%, 4.8%, respectively; P = .008). Urethroplasty continues to have excellent outcomes with acceptable complication rates, the majority of which are self-reported complaints about voiding, scrotal and/or perineal neuralgia, and sexual dysfunction and appear to have minimal long-term sequelae.

The CNS and bladder dysfunction

The brain's role in the development and maintenance of bladder control is critical, although its precise role in patient-reported complaints such as urgency and urine leakage is unknown. Functional brain imaging studies have advanced our knowledge of brain activity during the micturition cycle, showing multiple neuronal circuits involved as parts of a ‘brain-bladder control network.’ Yet, new advances need to be made in order to incorporate this knowledge into existing models of neuroanatomy and of clinical syndromes of bladder dysfunction and related clinical practice. This short article explains why and how brain imaging methods are poised to achieve that goal and decode the role of the brain in widely prevalent clinical conditions related to bladder dysfunction.

Hearing outcomes following microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm

PurposeFacial nerve microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) provides relief to most patients. Due to the proximity of the cochlear and facial nerves, hearing loss is a potential MVD complication, however, there is a wide range in the reported incidence of hearing loss (HL) in the literature. In order to better understand the HL incidence in our MVD population, we utilized the combination of speech discrimination scores (SDS) and air and bone pure tone threshold averages (PTA) to identify patients with no hearing change, sensorineural hearing loss, or conductive hearing loss. We also assessed the predictive value of patient-reported hearing deficits on the ultimate audiometric diagnosis of hearing loss. MethodsOne hundred and fifty one patients underwent facial nerve MVD at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January 2000 and December 2007. Peri-operative audiometric data, including changes in air and bone pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores, were analyzed retrospectively. Criteria from the 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium consensus were used to analyze post-operative hearing loss. Patient-reported hearing disturbances obtained in the immediate post-operative period were compared to seven-day post-operative conductive and sensorineural HL status. ResultsNon-functional, non-serviceable HL (Class D) occurred in 6.6% of patients, while 10.6% developed cumulative non-functional HL (Class C and D). Twenty-nine patients (18.7%) exhibited conductive HL. While patient-reported complaints were predictive of Class C/D HL (<0.0001) with a 56.3% sensitivity and 92.6% specificity, patient-reported complaints were not strongly associated with conductive HL status (p=0.369) with 17.2% sensitivity and 88.5% specificity. ConclusionsPerioperative hearing evaluations, in conjunction with careful scrutiny of patient complaints and air-bone pure tone testing enables the physician to more precisely quote complication rates and rapidly distinguish potentially reversible conductive hearing pathologies from permanent sensorineural disorders.

The inter-observer reliability is very low at clinical examination of parastomal hernia

Parastomal hernia in patients with a permanent colostomy is common. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the diagnosis based on clinical examination and to compare this examination with the result of a specially designed questionnaire and computerised tomography (CT) scan. Forty-one patients operated upon with an abdominoperineal resection due to rectal cancer at three hospitals between 1996 and 2002 were included. At minimum of 4 years after the operation, they underwent clinical examination by two or three independent surgeons, answered a colostomy questionnaire and were offered a CT scan of the abdominal wall. At Hospital I, 17 patients were examined by three surgeons, with inter-observer kappa values between 0.35 and 0.64. At Hospital II, 13 patients were examined by three surgeons, the kappa values ranged between 0.29 and 0.43. At Hospital III, 11 patients were examined by two surgeons, with kappa value of 0.73. The kappa value between CT scan and the colostomy questionnaire was 0.45. The inter-observer reliability was low, indicating that parastomal hernia is difficult to diagnose by patient history and clinical examination. Some herniae may not be detected by CT scan, and the correlation to patient-reported complaints is low. A more sensitive radiological method to detect parastomal hernia is needed.