SF-36 Health Survey Research Articles

Efficacy of Conservative Therapy versus Tamsulosin Added Therapy in Patients with Lower Ureteral Calculi and their Health Related Quality of Life

Background: Alpha-1 blockers reduce smooth muscle tension and alleviate spasms, thereby decreasing obstructions and relieving irritative symptoms in the lower urinary tract. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Tamsulosin and its impact on health-related quality of life in patients with distal ureteral calculi. Methods: A total of 120 patients with distal ureteral calculi were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 (n=60) received conservative therapy, while Group 2 (n=60) received Tamsulosin (0.4 mg daily) in addition to conservative therapy. All patients were monitored for pain, intensity of ureteric colic, and spontaneous stone expulsion. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed for each patient using the RAND SF-36 Health Survey 1.0. Results: Spontaneous stone passage occurred in 52 patients (85%) in Group 1 and in all 60 patients (100%) in Group 2, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (P<0.001). Analysis by stone diameter further indicated significant differences favoring Tamsulosin treatment for stones ≤6 mm (P=0.04) and >6 mm (P=0.003). Health-related quality of life scores were significantly higher in the Tamsulosin group compared to the conservative therapy group. Conclusion: Tamsulosin, an alpha-1 blocker, is recommended for treating distal ureteral calculi, as it facilitates faster stone expulsion, increases expulsion rates, and enhances quality of life by reducing the frequency and severity of ureteric colic.

Health-related quality of life among refugees from Nagorno Karabagh resided in Kotayk, Armenia

Abstract Background In September 2023, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were displaced from Nagorno Karabakh (NK). This study assessed the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated factors among NK refugees who settled in Kotayk province of Armenia. Methods We surveyed 197 refugees using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, which collected information about socio-demographics, chronic diseases, smoking status, HRQoL, utilization of healthcare services, living conditions and food access. The SF-36 Health Survey assessed HRQoL. Ophthalmic examination was conducted. Eyeglasses and medications were provided at no cost to those requiring them. Results The participants’ mean age was 64.8 years and 59.4% were retired. The most commonly reported chronic diseases were bone/joint diseases (67.5%), hypertension (55.3%) and heart diseases (24.9%). Around 48.7% of participants experienced sleeping disorders often/ very often. The mean total SF-36 score was 57.42±23.12; the mean physical (PHC) and mental health component (MHC) scores were 63.57±26.28 and 59.37±20.04, respectively. Only 28% of the participants utilized healthcare services after displacement. Most participants had consistent access to an adequate food supply. In the adjusted analysis age (B/PHC=-0.94, p < 0.001; B/MHC=-0.61, p < 0.001), sleeping disorder (B/PHC=-21.86, p = 0.011; B/MHC=-17.44, p = 0.001), use of medical service (B/PHC=-8.63, p = 0.022; B/MHC=-6.95; p = 0.015) and having more than one chronic disease (B/PHC=-17.35, p < 0.001; B/MHC=-10.90, p = 0.001) were associated with both PHC and MHC. Conclusions This study marks the first assessment of HRQoL among NK refugees. Governmental support and interventions targeting individuals with ophthalmic, sleeping, and chronic diseases might be beneficial. Follow-up assessments should track changes in both physical and mental health scores in this population, as they may fluctuate over time in response to displacement challenges. Key messages • Age, sleeping disorder, use of medical service, and the number of chronic diseases were significantly associated with decreased PHC and MHC of HRQoL • Interventions targeting individuals with restricted access to healthcare services, as well as those affected by eye diseases and chronic health issues might be beneficial.

The Short Form 6 Dimensions (SF-6D): Development and Evolution.

This paper considers the development and evolution of the short-form 6 dimensions (SF-6D), a generic preference-weighted measure consisting of a health classification with accompanying value set that was developed from one of the widest used health related quality of life measures, the SF-36 health survey. This enabled health state utility values to be directly generated from SF-36 and SF-12 data for a range of purposes, including to produce quality adjusted life years for use in economic evaluation of healthcare interventions across a range of different conditions and treatments. This paper considers the rationale for the development of the measure, the development process, performance and how the SF-6D has evolved since its conception. This includes the development of an updated version, SF-6D version 2 (SF-6Dv2), which was generated to deal with some criticisms of the first version, and now includes a standalone version for inclusion in studies without relying on use of SF-36 or SF-12. Valuation methods have also evolved, from standard gamble in-person interviews to online discrete choice experiment surveys. International work related to the SF-6Dv1 and SF-6Dv2 is considered. We also consider recommendations for use, highlighting key psychometric evidence and reimbursement agency recommendations.

Correlation between parental willingness to pay, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with physiotherapy services in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Being a parent of a child with a disability requiring many clinic visits is burdensome. Therefore, understanding the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for physiotherapy for children with disability is important to facilitating access to care and for policy-making. This study aimed to investigate patterns and correlates of parental WTP for physiotherapy. Methods A total of 65 parents of children with disability receiving physiotherapy as outpatients were recruited from selected tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. A WTP questionnaire, SF-12 health survey, and Physiotherapy Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to assess the WTP, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and satisfaction with physiotherapy respectively. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages were used to summarize the data. Chi-square and regression analysis were also used to test the association and determinants of WTP from each of the socio-demographic factors, satisfaction with physiotherapy, and health-related quality of life, respectively. Results A majority (49.2%) of the respondents were in the 21–35 years age category. There was 30.8% “no WTP” for physiotherapy among parents of children with disability. A significant association was observed between socio-economic status and WTP for all treatment modalities (p < 0.05). The majority of the respondents had above-average levels of physical and mental health domain of SF-12. No significant association was observed between WTP and each satisfaction with physiotherapy and HRQoL (p > 0.05). Conclusion There was a high rate of ‘no WTP’ for physiotherapy among parents of children with disability. Level of satisfaction with physiotherapy and health-related quality of life was not significantly associated with parental WTP for physiotherapy.

Application of bone perforation in the surgery of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in stage Ⅱ.

This study aimed to explore the effect of surgery combined with bone perforation for treating stage Ⅱ medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). A total of 21 patients with stage Ⅱ mandibular MRONJ who underwent surgical treatment from June 2020 to June 2023 were included in this study. Retrospective analysis was conducted on their clinical data, including gender, age, primary disease, drug name and administration method, pre-surgery drug cessation, and prognosis. The cohort comprised 14 males and 7 females, with an average age at onset of 68.33±10.74 years. According to the guidelines of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the included patients had stage Ⅱ mandibular MRONJ. The treatment approach consisted of partial mandibulectomy combined with bone perforation techniques, ensuring tension-free suturing of soft tissues. Follow-up was performed regularly, and the curative effect was evaluated. The SF-12 health survey was used to assess the quality of life for all patients before and after surgery. A total of 21 patients were followed up for 8-38 months after surgery, and the mucosal healing of 17 patients was good (80.95%). The postoperative quality of life score (83.62±5.90) was significantly higher than that before operation (63.67±4.70, P<0.05). Surgery combined with bone perforation te-chnique is an effective treatment method with high success rate in refractory stage Ⅱ MRONT patients.

Understanding seafarers’ physical and mental health

ABSTRACT This study delves into the comprehensive examination of the quality of life of Turkish seafarers operating worldwide, utilizing the SF-36 health Survey to assess both physical and mental health components. Statistical analyses of the data, gathered from 955 Turkish seafarers, offer insights into the demographic factors influencing their quality of life. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association of demographic and work-related characteristics with psychological and mental health status. Findings indicate that Turkish seafarers exhibit a physical health status better than migrant female workers but worse than university professors, and approximately the same as aircraft manufacturing and healthcare workers, aligning with existing literature on other occupational groups. Moreover, older age groups, particularly those in authoritative positions such as master’s and chief engineers, demonstrate significantly poorer physical health. The study also highlights the mental health challenges faced by cadets, suggesting interventions to address their vulnerable state. Notably, while 25.2% of participants exhibit low physical health scores, a concerning 46.0% report poor mental health scores.

Vitamin D combined with whole-body vibration training for the treatment of osteo-sarcopenia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Osteo-sarcopenia (OS) has become a global public health problem and a frontier research problem, as a combination of sarcopenia (SP) and osteoporosis (OP) diseases. The clinical performances include muscle weakness, systemic bone pain, standing difficulty, even falls and fractures, etc., which seriously affect the patient's life and work. The pathological mechanism of the OS may be the abnormal metabolism which disrupts the equilibrium stability of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, this study combined vitamin D (Vit. D) and whole-body vibration training (WBVT) to intervene in subjects of OS, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the diagnosis and treatment protocol and to explore the efficacy mechanism. We propose a multicenter, parallel-group clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Vit. D combined with WBVT intervention in OS. Subjects who met the inclusion or exclusion criteria and signed the informed consent form would be randomly assigned to the WBVT group, Vit. D group, or WBVT+ Vit. D group. All subjects will be treated for 1 month and followed up after 3 and 6 months. The primary outcomes are lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and handgrip strength measured by grip strength meter. Secondary outcomes include serum markers of myostatin (MSTN), irisin and bone turnover markers (BTM), SARC-CalF questionnaire, 1-min test question of osteoporosis risk, patient health status (evaluated by the SF-36 health survey), physical performance measurement that includes 5-time chair stand test, 6-m walk, and the short physical performance battery (SPPB). If Vit. D combined with WBVT can well relieve OS symptoms without adverse effects, this protocol may be a new treatment strategy for OS. After therapeutic intervention, if the serum marker MSTN/irisin is significant, both have the potential to become sensitive indicators for screening OS effective drugs and treatments, which also indicates that WBVT combined with Vit. D plays a role in improving OS by regulating MSTN/irisin. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400082269 . Registered on March 26, 2024.

The Effects of Laughter Therapy on Perceived Stress and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Women with breast cancer experience various symptoms secondary to chemotherapy that reduce their quality of life and increase their stress levels. To evaluate the effects of laughter therapy on perceived stress levels and quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy using a parallel-group randomized controlled pilot trial. Forty-two women were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received 40 minutes of laughter therapy twice a week for 8 weeks. The control group received routine treatment. The women in both groups completed the Perceived Stress Scale and SF-12 Health Survey at baseline, week 5, and week 9 after randomization. There was a significant decrease in the mean Perceived Stress Scale scores in the intervention group compared with those in the control group at weeks 5 and 9 compared with baseline, and the difference between groups by measurement week was significant (P < .001). Women in the intervention group had higher Physical Component Summary-12 and Mental Component Summary-12 scores in weeks 5 and 9 compared with those in the control group, and there was a significant difference between groups in terms of change in the Physical Component Summary-12 and Mental Component Summary-12 mean scores over time (P < .001). Laughter therapy is possible to use as a nursing intervention to reduce the perceived stress levels and increase the quality of life of women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. Nurses can apply laughter therapy in the symptom management of women receiving chemotherapy.

Examining Emotional and Physical Burden in Informal Saudi Caregivers: Links to Quality of Life and Social Support.

Caregiver burden is an important issue for individuals who tend to be chronically ill, disabled or elderly family members. This burden affects caregivers around the world and can have a negative impact on their physical and mental health, ultimately reducing their quality of life. This study of informal adult caregivers in Saudi Arabia used a cross-sectional analytic design to explore the connections between caregiver burden, social support and quality of life. Data were collected using nonprobability convenience sampling through electronic questionnaires in Arabic. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI-12), the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3) and the SF-12 Health Survey (short form of 12 questions) were used to assess caregiver burden, social support and quality of life, respectively. The relationships between these variables were analysed, and the statistical significance of the findings was reported. The study revealed a connection between caregiver burden and both social support and quality of life. Caregivers with moderate to high burdens often had poor social support (60.52%) and a lower quality of life (72.47%). A statistically significant negative correlation between caregiver burden and quality of life (p < 0.05) indicated that caregivers with a higher burden had a lower quality of life. Similarly, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between social support and caregiver burden (p < 0.05), suggesting that caregivers with more social support experienced a lower burden. A higher caregiver burden is linked to a lower quality of life, especially when social support is inadequate. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce caregiver burden by enhancing social support systems for caregivers and improving their quality of life. Recommendations include the development of community-based support programmes and policy changes to support informal caregivers.

Lateral ligament reconstruction and additive medial ligament reconstruction in chronic ankle instability: a retrospective study.

Ligamentous lesions of the ankle joint are common. Isolated medial ligament injuries are rare but are often associated with lateral ligament injuries, isolated medial ligament lesions are often overlooked. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional differences in the outcomes of isolated lateral and combined medial and lateral ligament reconstruction. The study is based on patient-reported outcome measurements and motion sensor technology to assess these outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of isolated lateral and combined lateral and medial ankle ligament reconstruction. From December 2014 to August 2018, 111 patients underwent either isolated lateral ligament (LG) or medial and lateral ligament (MLG) reconstruction. Of the 104 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 49 had LG and 55 had MLG reconstruction. Outcome measures included the Short Form-36 Health Survey SF-36, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAMG), Tegner Activity Scale, the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ancle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, and the Karlsson Peterson Score. Mobility and stability were assessed using the Ortheligent™ motion sensor for both healthy and treated ankles. While there were no significant differences in outcome scores between the groups, overall scores improved after treatment (p >0.00). Notably LG showed improved movement, with better dorsal extension measured by the Sensor (p ÷ 0.02). The sensor's results correlated significantly with FAOS subscales for pain (p ÷0.05), stiffness (p ÷ 0.01), ADL (p ÷0.02), and sports (p >0.00). Postoperative results, regardless of LG or MLG, showed significant subjective well-being improvement. LG's advantages were highlighted by a significant improvement in dorsal extension, supported by correlated results from a portable motion sensor assessing ankle stability.

The impact of plasma-rich platelet injection to perianal sphincters on incontinence and quality of life in patients with rectal cancer after low anterior or intersphincteric resection: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundIncontinence is not rare after rectal cancer surgery. Platelet-rich plasma may promote tissue repair and generation but has never been tested for the treatment of anal incontinence. This study evaluated the impact of platelet-rich plasma injection on the severity of incontinence and quality of life after low rectal cancer surgery.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort proof of concept study in a colorectal cancer institution. Patients had undergone low anterior or intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer and had a Wexner score > 4. Ten milliliters of platelet-rich plasma were injected into the internal and external sphincters under endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) guidance. Primary outcome measure was > 2 point improvement in Wexner score (improved group). The patients were assessed with endo-anal ultrasound examination, manometry, the Wexner Questionnaire and SF-36 Health Surveys, and patients were asked whether they used pads and antidiarrheal medications before and 6 months after PRP injection.ResultsOf 20 patients included in the study, 14 (70%) were men, and the average age was 56.8 (SD = 9.5) years. No statistically significant difference was found in Wexner scores before and after PRP injection (p = 0.66). Seven (35%) patients experienced a > 2 point improvement in Wexner score. Rectal manometry demonstrated improved squeezing pressure (p = 0.0096). Furthermore, physical functioning scoring (p = 0.023), role limitation (p = 0.016), emotional well-being (p = 0.0057) and social functioning (p = 0.043) domains on the SF-36 questionnaire improved. One (5%) and three (15%) patients stopped using pads and antidiarrheal medications.ConclusionPlatelet-rich plasma injection does not restore Wexner scores, but more than one-third of patients may benefit from this application with an improvement of > 2 points in their scores. Platelet-rich plasma injection may improve squeezing pressure and certain life quality measures for incontinent patients after rectal cancer surgery.

Translation and Validation of Medical Outcome of Study (MOS) of Short Form Health Survey SF-36 in Hindi

Translation and Validation of Medical Outcome of Study (MOS) of Short Form Health Survey SF-36 in Hindi

Calcaneal distraction vs. cast immobilization for the preoperative treatment of patients with Danis-Weber type C ankle fractures: a case-control study.

Ankle fractures require temporary fixation to allow swelling to subside prior to surgery; this is typically achieved using calcaneal distraction or cast immobilization. We compared the results of these methods in the treatment of Danis-Weber type C ankle fractures. This retrospective study analyzed the data of 86 patients with Danis-Weber type C ankle fractures, of whom 40 underwent calcaneal distraction and 46 underwent cast immobilization. Clinical measures including preoperative detumescence time, daily swelling value, skin condition, and pain, SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) score and ankle scores were compared between the two groups. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the groups. Calcaneal distraction resulted in a lower preoperative detumescence time (6.22 ± 0.64 vs. 8.94 ± 0.82 days) and lower daily swelling values compared with cast immobilization, leading to a lower skin necrosis rate. Resting pain scores were significantly lower in the calcaneal distraction group than in the cast immobilization group at various postoperative time points (P < 0.05). Ankle function scores were higher in the calcaneal distraction group than in the cast immobilization group at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05), indicating improved outcomes. Additionally, the SF-36 quality of life scores of patients undergoing calcaneal distraction were notably superior to those in the cast immobilization group. Calcaneal distraction is superior to cast immobilization in reducing soft tissue swelling, alleviating pain, and enhancing ankle function recovery in patients with Danis-Weber type C ankle fractures. Early calcaneal distraction upon hospital admission is recommended to optimize surgical outcomes.

Factors affecting health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of mortality in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 17.9 million people die annually due to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. The most common cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which involves the narrowing or blockage of the heart arteries as a result of atherosclerosis. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a common surgical approach for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), which improves symptoms and survival, and expected to enhance Health-Related quality of life (HR-QoL). Patients, even after recovery from GABG, may have physical and psychological limitations that reduce HR-QoL. Aim The investigation of factors that affecting the HR-QoL of people after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The secondary aim of the study was the investigation of demographic or clinical factors, physical activity, stress or depression may affect the HR-QoL of people after CABG. Methods This is a descriptive correlational study with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from the cardiac surgery department of two large general hospitals in Cyprus after consent from both, the management and their ethics committee. The study sample (N=56) included all patients who had undergone CABG surgery from January to June 2022. At, the patients completed a questionnaire at three to six months postoperatively. The data collection tool included: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Record Form, the SF12 Health Survey Tool for assessing the Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) of patients, the HADS Tool for evaluating the anxiety and depression levels of patients, and the IPAQ tool for assessing Physical Activity. Descriptive statistic was used for the analysis and presentation of the data and ANOVA analysis to investigate the factors that affect the health-related quality of life. Results Gender (64.2±19.3 vs. 49.8±11.9, p&amp;lt;0.05) and education level (78.5±6.7) (P&amp;lt;0.05) were both found to influence HR-QoL. Other factors that affect the HR-QoL of subjects after CABG are intense physical activity, increased anxiety levels, severe depression and patient's symptoms such as dyspnea (53.3±18.6 vs. 64.6±18.4, p&amp;lt;0.05) and orthopnea (45.4±17.4 vs. 65.6±17.3, p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion The identification of the factors that were found to affect the HR-QoL of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting enlighten health professionals where they should pay attention when they develop rehabilitation programs.

Balance chiropractic therapy for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical effectiveness of the balance chiropractic therapy (BCT) compared with traction therapy (TT) for patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. MethodsSubjects were enrolled from four hospitals. Eligible patients will be randomized to one of the two arms: the treatment group and the control group. In the treatment group, patients received the BCT for 20 days, while patients in the control group received TT. Patients visited the physician at 1- and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome was pain severity measured with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included cervical curvature measured using the Borden method, a composite of functional status measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), patient health status (evaluated by the SF-36 health survey) and adverse events (AEs) as reported in the trial. ResultsOf the 240 randomly assigned patients, 120 participants were assigned to the BCT and 120 to the TT. 231 (96.3 %) provided follow-up data at 1 and 3 months. There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (P > 0.05), indicating good comparability. According to the results, after BCT and TT treatment, the pain VAS score, cervical curvature, NDI scores and SF-36 scores of two groups was significantly improved (P < 0.05). Furthermore, at 20 days of treatment and 1 and 3 months of follow-up, the participants in the BCT group showed superior treatment outcomes on both primary and secondary measures. ConclusionThe BCT may be a novel strategy for the treatment of the cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Trial registrationClinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02705131. Registered on March 10, 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02705131?cond=NCT02705131&rank=1&tab=table.

Neuropsychiatric drugs and a neurophysiological marker as predictors of health-related quality of life in patients with phantom limb pain.

To explore the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical, and neurophysiological variables and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) of patients with phantom limb pain. This is a cross-sectional analysis of a previous clinical trial. Univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to model the predictors of HR-QOL. We utilized a sequential modeling approach with increasing adjustment levels, controlling for age and sex, and other relevant clinical variables (time since amputation, level of amputation, and pain). HR-QOL was assessed by the SF-36 Health Survey and its eight subdomains. We analyzed baseline data from 92 patients with lower-limb amputations. They were mostly male (63%), 45.2 ± 15.6 years, with a mean time since amputation of 82.7 ± 122.4 months, and an overall SF-36 score of 55.9 ± 21.5. We found an association between intracortical facilitation in the affected hemisphere (ICF), gabapentin usage, and HR-QOL. ICF is a predictor of better HRQOL, whereas gabapentin usage was associated with a poorer HR-QOL, with the main model explaining 13.4% of the variance in the outcome. For the SF-36 subdomains, ICF was also a positive predictor for social functioning, bodily pain, and vitality, while medication usage was associated with lower scores in mental health, general health perception, bodily pain, and vitality. We found firsthand two new independent predictors of HR-QOL in individuals with PLP, namely, the neurophysiological metric ICF and gabapentin usage. These results highlight the role of the motor cortex excitability in the HR-QOL and stress the need for treatments that favor the neuroplastic adaptation after amputation, for which ICF may be used as a possible marker.

A Clinical Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

Background: Frozen shoulder is a common reason for shoulder pain and impairment. Several treatments are used to relieve pain and enhance range of motion (ROM) in patients. Recent study has focused on the injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Aim of the Study: The goal of this study is to find out the impact and possible outcome of PRP treatment in frozen shoulder management. Methods: This study was conducted in TMSS Medical College and Rafatullah Community Hospital, Bogura, Bangladesh, from January 2019 to December 2019. In the study, 65 patients in stages I or II with frozen shoulder were treated with PRP. All acquired data was entered into a Microsoft Excel work sheet and evaluated with descriptive statistics in SPSS 11.5. Results: The majority of the participants (84.62%) were female, with 15.38% being male. The average age of the participants was 57.45 years. The investigation comprised participants who received PRP injections for frozen shoulder (62.4% right limb, 37.6% left limb). Before therapy, the average flexion was around 61°, abduction was 70°, and external rotation was 21°. Furthermore, the baseline scores for VAS, DASH, and the SF-12 Health Survey questionnaire were 9.41, 64.86, and 24 correspondingly. All patients demonstrated significant improvement in shoulder ROM, discomfort, and function (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: This case series study found a significant improvement in pain and disability outcomes for individuals after PRP injection. These findings support PRP as a safe therapy protocol that reduces pain and improves upper limb function. It can also increase shoulder range of motion.

Effect of Kaishora Guggulu and Madhusnuhi Rasayana in the management of gout (Vatarakta): An open-label single-arm prospective study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Vatarakta, also known as Adhayavata, is attributed to diverse etiological factors, such as imbalanced dietary practices, occupational factors, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental influences. The symptomatology of Vatarakta resembles that of gout in contemporary medicine. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), colchicine, and corticosteroids are used in acute management in conventional treatment, there is a growing recognition of the need for safer and more effective alternatives. Ayurvedic formulations, such as Kaishora Guggulu (KG) and Madhusnuhi Rasayana (MR) are used commonly in clinical practice for similar conditions, and they can be potentially validated for their therapeutic potential in gout. OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of Ayurvedic formulations: KG and MR in the management of Vatarakta (gout). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted as an open-label single-arm prospective trial at the Central Research Institute for Hepatobiliary Disorders, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. A total of 68 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for primary gouty arthritis set by the American College of Rheumatology were screened according to the selection criteria, with 55 ultimately participating in the study. The treatment protocol consisted of administering KG (1000 mg) and MR (10 g) twice daily after meals with lukewarm water for 12 weeks, followed by a 2-week follow-up period, without intervention. Clinical outcomes included evaluating changes in various parameters, including clinical assessment, 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) health survey score, patient’s global assessment score, physician global assessment score (Visual Analog Scale) score for pain, and serum uric acid levels from baseline to the 84th-day visit of the study. RESULTS: After 84 days of the study, statistically significant changes were found in clinical symptoms, joint pain, and SF-36 health survey parameters, including physical functioning, emotional well-being, social functioning, and general health (P &lt; 0.0001). The mean serum uric acid at the baseline was 7.39 ± 0.55, which reduced to 5.35 ± 1.48 after treatment, which was significant (P &lt; 0.0001). During the trial period, no adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Despite variations in demographics, such as gender, socioeconomic status, age groups, Prakriti, and geographic region, Ayurveda treatment exhibited a significant response, accompanied by a notable reduction in serum uric acid levels. The absence of adverse reactions throughout the trial period further supports the safety profile of these formulations. These positive outcomes advocate for the use of KG and MR in gout treatment regimens, offering patients a well-tolerated and beneficial therapeutic option.

Precision nutrition impact on metabolic health and quality of life in aging population after a 3-month intervention: A randomized intervention

ObjectivesInnovative precision dietary procedures are required to promote healthy aging. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a personalised strategy based on the inclusion of individualised foods and digital tools on overall health status and quality of life within a follow-up of 3 months in older adults with overweight or obesity. Methods127 men and women aged between 50 and 80 years with overweight/obesity participated in the study—between January 2020 and September 2020 at the Center for Nutrition Research-University of Navarra and IMDEA-ALIMENTACIÓN—and were randomly assigned to a usual-care group (standard recommendations) or precision group (precision nutrition strategy based on the inclusion of individualised foods and a mobile application). Anthropometry, body fat percentage, biochemical parameters, diet, and quality of life (SF-36 Health Survey) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. ResultsBoth strategies were found to improve overall metabolic health; however, the precision approach demonstrated significantly better outcomes. The precision strategy reduced body weight at 3 months (−4.3 kg; p < 0.001) with significant improvements in body fat percentage, blood pressure and general metabolic health (glycated haemoglobin; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; hepatic steatosis index) in comparison with the standard recommendations. The precision approach significantly enhanced the quality of life (SF-36) of individuals, with additional improvements in emotional well-being (p = 0.024) and vitality (p = 0.008). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with a higher quality of life and vitality. ConclusionThese results support the benefit of precision nutrition approaches for promoting healthy aging and emotional well-being, enhancing the quality of life in aging populations, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparing immediate and delayed weight bearing in patients with ankle open reduction internal fixation–A protocol for feasibility randomised controlled trial

IntroductionUncertainty regarding the timing of weight bearing following ankle open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) in patients with different ankle fracture patterns remains. Traditional rehabilitation methods, including six weeks of non-weight bearing (NWB), is still a common approach in many hospitals, while some previous evidence has shown immediate weight bearing (IWB) to be beneficial. Method32 adult participants with unimalleolar, bimalleolar or trimalleolar ankle fractures and stable fixation following ankle ORIF will be randomly allocated to either Immediate Weight Bearing (IWB) or Delayed Weight Bearing (DWB) groups. Stability of fixation is a subjective assessment made by the operating surgeon at the completion of fixation and is independent of fracture pattern. Participants in the IWB group will be allowed to weight bear as tolerated within 24 h, while participants in the DWB group will remain non-weight bearing for six weeks. Participants’ data including Olerud and Molander Ankle Score, Self-Reported Foot and Ankle Score, SF-36 health survey, time to return to work will be collected. X-rays will be assessed by orthopaedic team members for fixation-related complications including reduction loss, malreduction/malunion, implant failure and non-union. Participants data will be collected at six weeks, three and six-months post-surgery. We will determine the feasibility of a full RCT through assessing the recruitment rate, adherence rate, and drop-out rate. ResultsNot applicable.This pilot RCT will endeavour to optimise standard rehabilitation protocols post ankle ORIF.