Visual Analogue Scale Questionnaire Research Articles

Comparative Effectiveness of the Corticosteroid Injection and Prolotherapy in Patients With Hallux Rigidus: A Clinical Trial

Objectives: Hallux rigidus is one of the main etiologies of disability in the elderly. It is a degenerative disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint causing restriction of movement as well as pain and swelling. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of methylprednisolone and dextrose prolotherapy in pain reduction and functional improvement of patients with hallux rigidus. Methods: A randomized double-blind control trial was designed with the inclusion of 32 patients assigned to the two groups. Group one received a mixture of 1 cc methylprednisolone 40 mg with 1 cc lidocaine 2% while the second group received a combination of 1 cc dextrose 50% with 1 cc lidocaine 2%. Standard questionnaires, including visual analog scale (VAS) and Manchester-Oxford foot questionnaire (MOXFQ) were completed by all patients at baseline and 1, 4, and 8 weeks after injections. Results: Both groups revealed significant improvement in VAS and MOXFQ scores 1, 4, and 8 weeks post-injection with no difference between the two groups in the follow-up. Discussion: Both corticosteroid injections and prolotherapy are effective in pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with hallux rigidus but neither is superior to the other.

The influencing factors of health-related quality of life of the general population of Iran during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 is a global challenge that negatively affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the general population. The current study aimed to evaluate HRQoL and its associated factors among the Iranian general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected in 2021 using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) and EQ-5D Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS) questionnaires through an online survey. Participants were recruited via social media from the Fars province. The multiple binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors influencing participants' HRQoL. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, the t-test, ANOVA, and the chi-square test were used. All tests were conducted at a significance level of 5% using Stata 14.2 and SPSS 16. A total of 1,198 participants were involved in this cross-sectional study. The mean age of participants was 33.3 (SD:10.2), and more than half were women (55.6%). The mean EQ-5D-3L index value and EQ-VAS of the respondents were 0.80 and 77.53, respectively. The maximum scores of the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-VAS in the present study were 1 and 100, respectively. The most frequently reported problems were anxiety/depression (A/D) (53.7%), followed by pain/discomfort (P/D) (44.2%). Logistic regression models showed that the odds of reporting problems on the A/D dimension increased significantly with supplementary insurance, including concern about getting COVID-19, hypertension, and asthma, by 35% (OR = 1.35; P = 0.03), 2% (OR = 1.02; P = 0.02), 83% (OR = 1.83; P = 0.02), and 6.52 times (OR = 6.52; P = 0.01), respectively. The odds of having problems on the A/D dimension were significantly lower among male respondents, those in the housewives + students category, and employed individuals by 54% (OR = 0.46; P = 0.04), 38% (OR = 0.62; P = 0.02) and 41% (OR = 0.59; P = 0.03), respectively. Moreover, the odds of reporting a problem on the P/D dimension decreased significantly in those belonging in a lower age group and with people who were not worried about getting COVID-19 by 71% (OR = 0.29; P = 0.03) and 65% (OR = 0.35; P = 0.01), respectively. The findings of this study could be helpful for policy-making and economic evaluations. A significant percentage of participants (53.7%) experienced psychological problems during the pandemic. Therefore, effective interventions to improve the quality of life of these vulnerable groups in society are essential.

Influence of iron supplementation on fatigue, mood states and sweating profiles of healthy non-anemic athletes during a training exercise: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study

Iron is specifically important to athletes, and attention has grown to the association between sports performance and iron regulation in the daily diets of athletes. The study presents new insights into stress, mood states, fatigue, and sweating behavior among the non-anemic athletes with sweating exercise habits who consumed a routine low dose (3.6 mg/day) of iron supplementation. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, both non-anemic male (N = 51) and female (N = 42) athletes were supplemented either with a known highly bioavailable iron formulation (SunActive® Fe) or placebo during the follow-up training exercise period over four weeks at their respective designated clinical sites. The effect of oral iron consumption was examined on fatigue, stress profiles, as well as the quality of life using the profile of mood state (POMS) test or a visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire, followed by an exercise and well-being related fatigue-sweat. Also, their monotonic association with stress biomarkers (salivary α-amylase, salivary cortisol, and salivary immunoglobulin A) were determined using spearman's rank correlation coefficient test. Repeated measure multivariate analysis of variance (group by time) revealed that the total mood disturbance (TMD) score was significantly lower (P = 0.016; F = 6.26) between placebo and iron supplementation groups over the four weeks study period among female athletes. Also, a significant reduction in tired feeling/exhaustion after the exercise (P = 0.05; F = 4.07) between the placebo and iron intake groups was noticed. A significant within-group reduction (P ≤ 0.05) was noticed in the degree of sweat among both male and female athletes after 2 and 4 weeks of iron supplementation, while athletes of the placebo intake group experienced a non-significant within-group reduction in the degree of sweat. Overall, the result indicates routine use of low dose (3.6 mg/day) iron supplementation is beneficial for non-anemic endurance athletes to improve stress, mood states, subjective fatigue, and sweating conditions.

NARROW AND EXTRA-NARROW IMPLANTS TO RETAIN MANDIBULAR OVERDENTURES: A SPLIT-MOUTH STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the primary and secondary stability and success rates of narrow and extra-narrow implants as retainers’ mandibular overdentures. Twelve fully edentulous mandible patients participated of this split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial. One narrow (G1: 3.5-mm) and one extra-narrow implant (G2: 2.9-mm) were placed in each patient. Data regarding anesthetics use, incision size, number of drills used, and surgery duration were obtained. Moreover, a satisfaction VAS (visual analog scale) questionnaire was answered by the surgeon to evaluate clinician satisfaction with respect to characteristics of the surgical procedure. The implants stability quotient (ISQ) was measured immediately after the implants placement (T0) and after four months of the surgical procedure (T4). Additionally, the success rates of the implants during the osseointegration period were recorded. Regarding the characteristics of the surgical technique, statistically significant difference between groups was found for incision length - which was significantly smaller for group G2 - and insertion torque - which was significantly greater for group G1 (P-value = 0.025 and 0.005, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference for ISQ values between T0 and T4 within the same group (G1, p=0.510 and G2, p=0.116). The implant success rate was 100% for both groups. Therefore, narrow, and extra-narrow implants showed good primary and secondary stability, as well as short-term implant success rates, without statistically significant differences between them, and thus seem to be suitable alternatives to retain immediately loaded mandibular overdentures.

Effects of Patient Education and Distraction Approaches Using Virtual Reality on Pre-operative Anxiety and Post-operative Pain in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

BackgroundFear of post-operative pain often contributes to pre-operative anxiety; accordingly, pain and anxiety are among the most common complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). AimThe present study aimed to determine the effects of patient education and distraction using virtual reality (VR) on pre-operative anxiety and post-operative pain in patients undergoing LC. MethodThis randomized clinical trial included 150 patients in the surgery wards of educational hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, in 2020. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups of education, distraction, and control. The education and distraction groups watched two five-minute animations and three 360-degree images of nature using VR glasses 2 hours before and 4 hours after the surgery, respectively. On the other hand, the control group received routine care. Anxiety was measured using Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory before and half an hour after the intervention. Moreover, the pain was measured using the visual analog scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire. ResultsThe results demonstrated a significant reduction in the two VR groups regarding the pre-operative anxiety mean scores, compared with the control group (p < .001). Furthermore, a significant reduction was observed in post-operative pain scores of patients in the two intervention groups compared with the control group (p = .001). ConclusionsAs evidenced by the results, both VR approaches of patient education and distraction equally decreased pre-operative anxiety and post-operative pain in patients undergoing LC.

First metatarsal single-screw minimally invasive chevron-akin osteotomy: A cost effective and clinically reliable technique.

The common disease hallux valgus results in foot discomfort and dysfunction. Less soft tissue damage and faster wound healing have made minimally invasive surgery (MIS) more popular. However, little research has compared the fixation results of minimally invasive chevron-akin (MICA) osteotomy thus far. In this study, the clinical and radiographic results of MICA with first metatarsal single- or dual-screw fixation are being examined. A total of 107 feet of 103 patients with mild to moderate symptomatic hallux valgus treated MICA from January 2018 to June 2020 were retrospective evaluated, with at least 12-months follow-up. 51 patients underwent single-screw fixation procedures and 52 patients received dual-screw fixation procedures. Patients were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up with radiographic measurements [hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA)] and clinical scores (american orthopaedic foot and ankle society (AOFAS) forefoot score, visual analog scale (VAS) and Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ) scores). The coughlin satisfaction scores were also obtained. Both groups showed significantly improved HVA, IMA and DMAA at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). Regarding clinical outcomes, the AOFAS, VAS and MOxFQ in two categories also significantly improved postoperatively (P < 0.001). There was no obvious difference in the clinical and radiographic outcomes between the two groups (HVA, P = 0.833; IMA, P = 0.073; DMAA, P = 0.35; AOFAS, P = 0.48; VAS, P = 0.86; MOxFQ, P = 0.87). However, the single-screw fixation group showed significantly lower operation time and less number of intraoperative fluoroscopy (P < 0.001). No serious complications were observed in either group. The single-screw fixation technique saves at least $1,086 compared with the dual-screw group. At the final follow-up, both the single- and dual-screw fixation groups had comparable good to excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes, as well as a similar incidence of complications. Additionally, the single-screw fixation group reduces overall surgical costs, number of intraoperative fluoroscopy and operational time.

EFFECT OF STATIC STRETCHING OF HAMSTRING ON NON-SPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN

Objective: To determine the effect of static stretching of hamstring muscle on the non-specific low back pain. Methodology: A Quasi-Experimental study was conducted in Rabia Moon Institute of Neurology which total 30 participants were included through non-probability purposive sampling. Thirty participants were selected who fulfilled our inclusion criteria, they were divided into two groups; group A or treatment group received conventional physiotherapy treatment as well a static stretching exercise protocol for 5 days. Group B or control group received conventional physiotherapy treatment only. VAS (Visual analog scale) and Oswestry Disability questionnaire, SFGD (Standing Finger to ground Distance,) PSLR (passive straight leg raise) for both legs were measured pre- and post-treatment. Result: A total of 30 patients aged 20-55 were included in the study. Mean age of the participants was found to be 37.88 years. The difference in means of all the assessment parameters pre and post-treatment for both groups were analyzed through paired t-test. There was a significant improvement in VAS, SFGD, Passive Straight leg Raise PSLR (right leg), PSLR (left leg) and level of disability pre- and post-treatment in the treatment group. Conclusion: This present study concluded that static stretching of hamstrings is effective in decreasing non-specific low back pain.

The Effect of Aloe Vera Gel on Saphenous Vein Harvest Wound Healing and Local Pain in Non-diabetic Patients Undergoing CABG Surgery: A Clinical Trial

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a common surgical procedure in patients with heart disease associated with pain and problems with great saphenous veins (GSVs) wound healing. Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect of aloe vera gel on pain intensity, and GSVs wound healing in non-diabetic patients undergoing CABG. Methods: In this clinical trial, 35 CABG candidate patients fulfilling admission criteria were selected by convenience sampling, and their lower limbs were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The wound care for both groups was the same except for using aloe vera gel for the intervention group from the first to the fourth days after surgery. Pain intensity and GSVs wound healing data were collected by Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation (REEDA) scale and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires on the first, fourth, seventh, and fourteenth days and analyzed by SPSS software. Results: On the seventh day, the mean pain intensity in the intervention group was significantly lower (P = 0.01). The mean scores of wound healing in the intervention limb decreased faster; however, the wound healing score was not significantly different between the two groups at any time (P &gt; 0.05). Using aloe vera gel reduced ecchymosis on the seventh and fourteenth days and reduced pain on the seventh day compared to the control limb (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Aloe vera gel can effectively reduce GSVs' pain intensity and ecchymosis from the seventh day. The topical application of this herb can have various degrees of effectiveness in decreasing pain and speeding up the healing of surgical wounds.

INTERLAMINAR ENDOSCOPIC LUMBAR DISCECTOMY - CLINICAL OUTCOME

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with lumbar disc herniation (HDL) operated by endoscopic interlaminar microdiscectomy. We evaluated epidemiology, time to return to work, and technique-related complications as secondary outcomes. Method: Prospective longitudinal study, where patients with HDL with surgical indications were evaluated. They underwent endoscopic discectomy exclusively using the interlaminar technique. Clinical results were evaluated using the Oswestry 2.0 questionnaire (ODI) and the visual analog scale (VAS). In this study, we inserted the Macnab postoperative satisfaction index. In parallel with these indices, we analyzed the results regarding epidemiology variables, time to return to work, and complications. Such questionnaires were applied preoperatively, postoperatively the day after surgery, and one year after. Results: In 132 patients selected for the study, we obtained significant clinical improvement in the ODI and VAS questionnaires, and 81.3% of the patients had excellent and good Macnab index. The hospital stay was 22.7 hours, and the return to work was 30 days. The rate of complications with the method was 12.8%, with recurrence of disc herniation being the most common complication with 9.8% of cases. Conclusion: The endoscopic technique proved effective in treating lumbar spinal disc herniation with significant clinical improvement in the analyzed period, low incidence of complications, early postoperative rehabilitation, and results close to or superior to the gold standard technique. Level of Evidence III; Prospective cohort study

Correlation of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores with Anthropometric measure and Flexibility in subjects with OA Knee

Background of the study: Osteoarthritis knee is the most common joint disease that affects the aged people and result in long term disability. Osteoarthritis knee cause degenerative joint disease, wear and tear changes occurring in old age due to weight bearing and loss of articular cartilage. It occurs in 12.1% population approximately. Increased BMI is a well-recognized risk factor for radiographic knee osteoarthritis however, the contributions from joint mobility also have an impact on subjects with knee osteoarthritis. The objective of the study is to find out the correlation of knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) with anthropometric measures and flexibility in subjects with Knee OA. Methodology: This is an observational study of analytical type, total of 100 subjects. 47 male and 53 female subjects aged above 55years with pre-diagnosed knee osteoarthitis were included for the study. Subjects with knee pain for last 3 months will be included in this study by convenient sampling method. Visual Analogue scale, knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) questionnaire were used as an outcome measure, weighing scale, goniometer were the tools used for this study. The study was carried out at old aged home for 3 months. Result: A Positive Association and correlation between Knee ROM and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) with Pearson value is 0.573 indicates an increase in KOOS score decreases knee range of motion in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is significant correlation with Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and anthropometric measures in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Interventions for Women With Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, is common in menstruating females. However, in some it can cause intense pain, disrupt activities of daily living, and impact quality of life. The treatment of dysmenorrhea does not traditionally include physical therapy. Objectives: A systematic review was conducted to explore the role of physical therapy in treating dysmenorrhea. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A search was performed in August 2020 and January 2022 using EBSCOhost, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL Complete, and MEDLINE. Search terms included exercise or physical activity or fitness AND dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain or painful menstruation. Inclusion criteria were articles that were peer-reviewed, published in the last 10 years, and available in full text in English. All articles included in the review were analyzed for quality on a hierarchy of evidence scale. Results: Twenty-two results were included in this systematic review. Nineteen articles were level 2 and 3 articles were level 3 on the hierarchy of evidence scale. The Visual Analog Scale and Menstrual Distress Questionnaire were the widely utilized outcome measures used to determine the effectiveness of the interventions. Interventions including aerobic exercise, stretching, kinesio taping, aquatic therapy, acupressure, yoga, core stability, positional activities, spinal manipulation, and patient education have shown to be effective. Conclusions: Physical therapy can assist in the reduction of pain and other symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea. Overall, articles indicated that aerobic exercise, stretching, and core stability yielded the greatest improvement in patient symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Physicians should consider recommending physical therapy to patients with symptoms that disrupt their activities of daily living.

Evaluation of bite force, quality of life, and patients' satisfaction in elderly edentulous patients using implant overdentures.

This study aimed to compare the bite force (BF) between complete dentures and implant overdentures (IODs) retained by two mandibular implants. Additionally, we evaluated the quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction among individuals using IODs. In addition, the effects of demographic parameters such as age and sex, and clinical parameters such as implant length, implant diameter, attachment height, attachment color, and interimplant distance on BF, QoL, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. A total of 51 edentulous patients rehabilitated with the maxillary complete dentures and mandibular IODs retained by two implants were included in this study. BF was measured using a force meter pre- and post-implant in the same patients. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and patient satisfaction was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires. It was found that BF values were statistically higher for IODs than complete dentures (P < .001). In terms of attachment height of the OHIP scores, there was a significant difference in the psychological disability and social disability domains (P < .05). When examining the change in patient satisfaction as a function of sex, it was found that mandibular retention satisfaction differed significantly by sex (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in the other domains. Within the limitations of this study, it was observed that the BF increased after the use of IODs. Several factors, including age, interimplant distance, attachment height, and attachment color, were found to impact OHRQoL. Sex and implant diameter were identified as factors affecting patient satisfaction.

Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in the Management of Fibromyalgia: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: A multi-modal approach to fibromyalgia syndrome is necessary as it is affected by emotional, cognitive, and behavioral factors. In this context, hypnosis is one of the treatment methods used in fibromyalgia. However, studies on the use of hypnosis in fibromyalgia have mostly been conducted with short treatment durations of self-hypnosis. For this reason, we aimed to conduct this study in which the hypnosis sessions were face-to-face and the treatment duration was longer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients who met the fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2016 and whose medical treatment was planned were included in the study. A total of 20 patients completed the study (10 hypnosis group and 10 control group). No additional treatment was applied to the control group other than medical treatment and exercise recommendations. In addition to medical treatment and exercise, patients in the hypnosis group received face-to-face hypnosis therapy once a week for 60 min, a total of 10 sessions. Evaluations of the patients before the treatment and in the 3rd month after the treatment were made with the pain score and the fibromyalgia disease activity score. Results: Ages 18–65 years, with widespread pain for at least 3 months, according to ACR 2016 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria; A total of 20 patients with fibromyalgia, 10 in the hypnosis treatment group and 10 in the control treatment group completed the study. When the 3rd month Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) values of the group receiving hypnosis treatment were compared with the control group, a statistical difference was found (P &lt; 0.001). When the pre-treatment VAS and FIQ values of the group receiving hypnosis treatment were compared with the 3rd month values, a statistically significant improvement was found (respectively; P = 0.006, P = 0.005). When the pretreatment and 3rd month VAS and FIQ values of the control group were compared, no statistical difference was found (P = 0.063). Conclusions: Hypnosis treatment is effective in reducing pain and increasing daily life activities in fibromyalgia patients, and no side effects were reported. It can be considered a complementary treatment within the multimodal approach in fibromyalgia patients.

Ingestion of taxifolin-rich foods affects brain activity, mental fatigue, and the whole blood transcriptome in healthy young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

The antioxidant properties of polyphenols, which are found in most plants, have been shown to be useful for maintaining health, including enhancing brain function and alleviating stress. We aimed to investigate the effect of a single intake of taxifolin-containing foods on cognitive task performance and whole blood gene expression in healthy young adults. This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial in which healthy young adults were administered a single dose of either a placebo or food containing taxifolin. Cognitive tests (serial 3s, serial 7s, and rapid visual information processing) to examine brain activity and visual analog scale questionnaires to analyze mental fatigue were applied. The set of tests was repeated four times. The findings showed that taxifolin intake improved calculation abilities and reduced mental fatigue. An analysis of whole blood gene expression before and after the test revealed that the expression of foreign substance removal-related genes increased following the ingestion of taxifolin and that most differentially expressed genes were enriched in granulocytes. Taxifolin intake was shown to affect the brain activity of healthy young adults and demonstrated an antifatigue effect, thereby reducing subjective fatigue. A single intake of taxifolin may enhance the removal of foreign substances by strengthening the innate immune system and suppressing the occurrence of injury.

Duloxetine in Addition with Platelet Rich Plasma in Managing Neuropathic Knee Pain: A Comparative Study

Background: Osteoarthritis of knee joint is one of the most prevalent forms of arthritis in the world. With the progressive ageing of the population, it becomes a major public health concern. Knee osteoarthritis with neuropathic pain further increase the sufferings resulting functional limitation. Various conservative and intra-articular therapies have been used but none proved to be ideal for the treatment of chronic osteoarthritis. Current research in investigating new methods for stimulating repair or replacing damaged cartilage by using biological agents like platelet rich plasma in chronic osteoarthritis. Combination of platelet rich plasma therapy along with orally given duloxetine can provide better outcome for neuropathic pain and functional limitation.Methods: This study was carried out in the Pain Clinic, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, BSMMU during the period of May 2019 to April 2020. The patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups (group A= only intra articular PRP; group B= PRP with oral Duloxetine 20mg) using a computer generated random sampling. After providing the allocated treatment, all patients were undergone follow-up examination at 1st week, 1st month and 3rd month after the procedure by International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, DN4 questionnaire and VAS scale. Pain intensity and neuropathic pain status were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) and DN4 questionnaire. Whereas IKDC score was used to assess functional impairment of affected knee joint. Follow up were carried out by visiting in Pain Clinic at mentioned intervals or over phone. The significance of the difference of the DN4 score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score at 1st week, 1st month, and 3rd month were tested by using unpaired t- test, chi-square test and fisher exact test.Results: To assess functional improvement of affected knee joint, group B mean IKDC score was more than Group A in all follow up period, but statistically significant results were observed in 1st month (50.92±3.85) and 3rd month (55.54±4.64) follow up. Mean DN4 score and VAS score at pretreatment and 1st week were not statistically significant between the groups. But at 1st month and 3rd month both DN4 score and VAS score showed statistically significant difference between the groups. Inter group comparison showed that, mean DN4 score in group B (2.45±0.59) grossly decreased than group A (5.20±0.51) which indicate statistically significant reduction of neuropathic pain between the groups. Group B mean VAS (2.15±0.36) score decreased more than Group A (4.75±0.43) showed statistically significant improvement of pain in group B than group A.Conclusion: Intra articular platelet rich plasma in combination with oral duloxetine provide better pain relief and improvement of functional status than PRP alone in chronic knee osteoarthritis with neuropathic pain.

Can high resolution 3D resin printed models be used in anatomy education? A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: Resin printing is a rapidly growing technology with a diverse range of applications. This study aims to examine the usability of 3D resin printed models in anatomy education. Methods: The study included 84 students who were randomly assigned to either a 3D resin print group (n=42) or a plastic model group (n=42) based on their sex, lateralization, anatomy quiz scores, and Purdue spatial visualization test rotations scores. After attending a lecture, each participant examined an original sacrum and either a 3D printed or a plastic model, depending on their group. The participants were then asked to compare the models to the original using a visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire, which consisted of four questions about the model’s weight, anatomical accuracy, level of detail, and texture quality. The participants’ ability to identify the models was evaluated using a 3-point Likert scale. Results: The results showed that the 3D printed model had significantly higher ratings than the plastic model in terms of weight, level of detail, and texture quality (p&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in accuracy scores (p&gt;0.05) or the participants’ ability to identify the models (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: 3D resin printed models are superior to plastic models in some aspects. These results suggest that 3D resin printed model can be used as in the conventional anatomy training approach.

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in the Evaluation of Functional Outcomes After Three-dimensional Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

To assess suitability of visual analog scale (VAS) in the evaluation of functional outcomes after 3D laparoscopic prostatectomy (3D LRP) METHODS: Two hundred men underwent 3D LRP for localised prostate cancer at Seinäjoki Central Hospital in Finland between December 2013 and September 2018. In October 2019, an EPIC-26 survey along with VAS scales enquiring urinary (VAS-incontinence) and sexual (VAS-sexual) symptoms was mailed to the patients, and the correlations between these 2 methods were evaluated. In the EPIC-26 survey, scores for incontinence-(EPIC-26 UI) and sexual (EPIC-26-sexual) domains were calculated using the University of Michigan scoring system. In the VAS questionnaires, patient put a mark on the 10 cm long horizontal line in place, which described his experience of continence and potency. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between methods. The median scores were as follows: EPIC-26-UI, 79.25 (14.5-100); EPIC-26-sexual, 36.17 (0.0-100); VAS-incontinence, 8.8 cm (1.4-10.0); and VAS-sexual, 3.2 cm (0.0-10). The correlation coefficient between EPIC-26 UI and VAS-incontinence was 0.722 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.79; p <.0001) and 0.883 (95% CI, 0.84-0.91; p <.0001) between EPIC-26-sexual and VAS-sexual. Our study shows a strong correlation between VAS and EPIC-26 urinary incontinence and sexual domains. In daily clinical practice VAS-scale may serve as a simple tool to evaluate the key functional outcomes of radical prostatectomy.

Role of Protopine and Nuciferine in the Management of Nocturia, Urgency, and Dysuria in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women: A Prospective Pilot Study

Objectives: Nocturia was commonly treated with drugs burdened with high costs and numerous side effects; in fact, more than 70% of patients drop out of long-term treatment. Protopine and nuciferine are two alkaloids that have different effects on the neurotransmitter receptors involved in the regulation mechanism of the onset of urinary stimuli. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy in controlling primarily nocturia and secondarily urgency and dysuria after 3 months of treatment with combination therapy of protopine and nuciferine syrup. Design: This is a prospective cohort study in which all patients were diagnosed with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and the presence of the following symptoms: nocturia, urgency, and dysuria. Thirty patients were administered 10 mL/die (16.6 mg of nuciferine, 0.09 mg of protopine) of syrup for 3 months. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T₀) with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for the evaluation of dysuria, Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale (PPIUS) and at 3 months (T₁) with the Patients’ Global Impression of Change (PGI-C) scale, PPIUS, VAS, and ICIQ. Participants: Women with diagnosis of OAB; the presence of nocturia, urgency, and dysuria symptoms agreeing to undergo treatment and compiling informed consent; and the absence of contraindications to the use of active ingredients were included in the study. Setting: Patients were recruited at T0 during the visit to the Uro-Gynecology clinic of the University of “Campus Bio-Medico” and visited again 3 months (T1) after the initiation of therapy. Methods: We explored survey data by descriptive statistics: in particular, continuous values (i.e., ICIQ) have been summarized by mean and standard deviation of discrete ordinal values (i.e., VAS, PPIUS, and bladder diary parameters at T₀ and T₁) by median, minimum, and maximum reported scores. Where we could assume normality in distribution, assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test and the evaluation of the QQ plot, we compared the observation of T₀ and T1 with the paired Student’s t test; otherwise, we tested differences in distribution with the paired Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Thirty patients completed a 3-month therapy. The ICIQ and VAS questionnaires for the assessment of dysuria, both, reported an improvement in dysuria at T₁ (p < 0.001). The PPIUS questionnaire reported an improvement in urinary urgency at T₁ (p < 0.001). The PGI-C scale in T1 indicated an improvement in symptoms: 93% for nocturia, 70% for urinary urgency, and 63% for dysuria. Limitations: The weaknesses of this study are the small number of patients; as a pilot study, the study design was not randomized with a placebo and without blinding; and the short follow-up. Conclusions: Protopine and nuciferine can be an interesting alternative to primarily treat and reduce nocturia episodes, in addition to improving OAB-related urgency and dysuria.

Patient-reported outcomes in capmatinib-treated patients with METex14-mutated advanced NSCLC: Results from the GEOMETRY mono-1 study

IntroductionCapmatinib, a MET inhibitor, showed substantial antitumour activity with manageable side effects in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14)-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) in the GEOMETRY mono-1 study. We report patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from this study. MethodsEnrolled treatment-naïve (1L) or pre-treated (2L+) patients with aNSCLC with a METex14-skipping mutation received 400 mg capmatinib twice daily during 21-day treatment cycles. PROs were collected at baseline and every six weeks thereafter using EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status/quality of life (GHS/QoL), QLQ-LC13 symptoms, and EQ-5D-5L visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaires. ResultsAs of 6 January 2020, 27/28 1L and 65/69 2L+ patients had completed PROs at baseline; compliance rates remained >70%. Cough improved early, with meaningful improvements (≥10-point change from baseline) observed throughout cycles (mean change from baseline [SD] by week 7: 1L −13.0 [39.9], 2L+ −8.2 [28.4]; week 43: 1L −28.2 [26.7], 2L+ −10.5 [27.3]). QoL, assessed by GHS/QoL and VAS, improved by week 7 in 1L and 2L+ patients, with improvements generally sustained over time. Median time to definitive deterioration (TTDD) in GHS/QoL was 16.6 months (95% CI: 9.7, not estimable [NE]) in 1L and 12.4 months (95% CI: 4.2, 19.4) in 2L+ patients. Median TTDD for dyspnoea was 19.4 months (95% CI: 12.4, NE) and 22.1 months (95% CI: 9.9, NE) for 1L and 2L+ patients, respectively, and NE for cough and chest pain. ConclusionsCapmatinib was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in cough and preserved QoL, further supporting its use in patients with METex14-mutated aNSCLC. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov registry number: NCT02414139.

The prevalence and the effect of interferon -γ in the comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis and depression

BackgroundDepression is the most common comorbidities associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to explore the mechanism of association between RA and depression. Methods120 subjects were enrolled and depression was diagnosed and assessed using DSM-5 and 24-item version of Hamilton Depression Scale. Pain intensity and joint function in patients with RA were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). Serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), kynurenine (KYN), tryptophan (TRP), and quinolinic acid (QUIN)were detected. In animal experiments, K/BxN mice with RA-like phenotype was used and depressive behavior was observed. The protein expression level of N-methyl -D- aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B) in the hippocampus was detected. ResultsIn this study, 36.67 % of patients with RA also had depression. The working status, month family income, tender joint count, the VAS and HAQ score were the main factors influencing the depression in RA patients. HAQ score was found to be an independent risk factor for depression in RA. Serum IDO, IFN-γ, KYN were increased and TRP contents were decreased in RA group. K/BxN mice with RA-like phenotype showed depressive behavior. However, injection of IFN-γ neutralizing antibody could inhibit kynurenine pathway and reverse the depressive behavior in mice. The levels of QUIN in the neurotoxic metabolic pathway were increased and N-methyl -D- aspartate receptors (NMDAR) were activated, which may be the mechanism behind the onset of depression. ConclusionsFrom clinical and preclinical aspects, the occurrence of depression in RA was explored and the related mechanism was revealed.