To evaluate the correlation between the Caprini risk assessment scale and plasma thrombosis biomarkers and estimate the validity of this method in identifying critically ill patients at high risk of ...venous thromboembolism (VTE).Patients with VTE who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) department of West China Hospital SiChuan University from October 2016 to October 2017 were enrolled in this case-control study. We retrieved relative clinical data and laboratory test results included in the Caprini risk assessment scale to calculate the Caprini score and compared thrombosis biomarkers between various risk stratifications (low, moderate, high, and highest).A total of 151 critically ill patients were enrolled in our research, including 47 VTE and 94 non-VTE patients. The differences in Caprini score and levels of thrombosis biomarkers between the VTE and control group were significant. Thrombomodulin (TM) was positively correlated with Caprini score (R-value was .451, P < .05). Based on the receiver operating characteristic analysis, TM, tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complexes, D-dimer, and fibrinogen degradation products had a certain diagnostic efficiency in distinguishing VTE from others (P < .05). Using the logistic regression model, we identified that 5 risk factors, namely drinking history, major surgery (>3 hours), swollen legs (current), TM, and D-dimer, were independent factors for the occurrence of VTE in critically ill patients admitted in the ICU.Thrombosis markers were positively correlated with Caprini risk stratification. The combination of plasma markers and Caprini risk assessment scale can further increase the predictive value in critically ill patients with VTE.
Wound edge eversion has been hypothesized to improve aesthetic outcomes after cutaneous wound closure. Data supporting this assertion are sparse.
We sought to determine if wound eversion, achieved ...with interrupted subcuticular sutures, improves aesthetic outcome compared with planar closures.
We undertook a prospective, randomized, split-scar intervention in patients who underwent cutaneous surgery. Half of the wound was randomized to an everted or planar repair; the other side received the opposite one. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, both the patient and 2 blinded observers evaluated the wound using the Patient Observer Self-Assessment Scale (POSAS).
The total observer POSAS score for the everted (13.59, 12.26) and planar (12.91, 12.98) sides did not differ significantly at 3 or 6 months, respectively. Similarly, there was not a significant difference in patient assessment between the everted (16.23, 12.84) and planar (15.07, 12.79) sides at 3 or 6 months, respectively. Finally, there was no significant difference between the 2 closure methods in terms of scar height or width at follow-up.
This was a single-center trial, which used a validated but still subjective scar assessment instrument.
Wound eversion was not significantly associated with improved overall scar assessments by blinded observers or patient assessment.
Background and Aim
Combining proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with prokinetics can provide synergistic action in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and overlapping dyspepsia, but data ...regarding this is lacking.
Methods
This single‐center, prospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 6‐week treatment with fixed‐drug combination (FDC) of pantoprazole (PPI) and itopride (prokinetic) in 50 patients with ≥3 month history of GERD and overlapping dyspepsia refractory to pantoprazole. Efficacy was assessed as reduction in GERD symptom assessment scale (GSAS) distress score for 15 symptoms from baseline to week 6. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored up to week 6.
Results
Although heartburn was the most common symptom at week 6 (26.8%), its frequency significantly decreased from baseline (84.0%; P <0.01). A similar trend was observed for other symptoms: pressure/discomfort inside chest (19.5%), belching (14.6%), regurgitation (12.2%), bloating (9.8%), flatulence (9.8%), early satiety (7.3%), acidic/sour taste in mouth (7.3%), nausea (7.3%), frequent gurgling in stomach/belly (4.9%), and pressure/lump in throat (2.4%). Mean distress scores of all symptoms markedly decreased at week 6. Three AEs (n = 2) of moderate intensity were reported.
Conclusion
The FDC of pantoprazole and itopride showed favorable efficacy and safety in patients with GERD and overlapping dyspepsia refractory to pantoprazole monotherapy. Nevertheless, further studies are warranted.
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed‐dose combination (FDC) of pantoprazole (PPI) and itopride (prokinetic) in the treatment of GERD patients with overlapping symptoms of dyspepsia. Our research showed that heartburn was the most frequently experienced symptom at baseline (84%), and a drastic change from baseline was observed at week 6 in its frequency in patients experiencing it (26.8%, P <0.001), highlighting the FDC's favorable efficacy and safety in these patients.
Background: Resin infiltration (RI) is a new noninvasive treatment modality that has gained increasing popularity in recent years for the treatment of dental fluorosis stains. Aim: The present study ...evaluated and compared the esthetic improvement (EI) of RI and RI with a double infiltrant application (2RI) on mild to moderate nonpitted fluorosis stains for a period of 6 months. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 patients in the age range of 6-12 years with unesthetic appearance of upper anterior teeth due to nonpitted fluorosis stains were randomly selected and divided into two groups: (i) RI group-intervention with RI (ii) 2RI group-intervention with 2RI. Standardized photographs were taken preoperatively, immediate postoperatively and after 1, 3, and 6 months' time interval postoperatively to assess for EI and changes in surface opacities/stains (SC) using a visual assessment scale (VAS). Results: Binary comparison showed statistically insignificant difference (P > 0.05) for both the evaluation parameters, EI and SC, between RI and 2RI at all the follow-up intervals. Intra-group comparisons showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) for the VAS values of EI and SC between the follow-up time intervals for both the groups with the highest values at 6 months' time interval. Conclusion: For EI parameter, nearly equivalent clinical success was observed in RI and 2RI groups. For SC parameter, the best results were obtained in 2RI treatment group. RI is a promising procedure with remarkable clinical success for esthetic management of mild to moderate nonpitted fluorosis stains.
Background: Pain assessment scale in neonates is the cornerstones of pain management so that the impact of pain can be prevented to maximize neonatal growth and development.Purpose: This study aimed ...to identify the most appropriate pain assessment scale used for neonates in Indonesia.Methods: A cross sectional study design was used in 30 neonates hospitalized using Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), Neonatal infant Acute Pain Assessment Scale (NIAPAS) and Pain Assessment Tool (PAT). Pain assessment was performed by nurses (n=30) and expert nurses (n=5) participated in the validation of scales. Statistical analysis using validity (content, construct and concurrent validity) and reliability (inter-rater reliability and internal consistency) test.Results: NIPS instrument have excellent validity, reliability, and feasibility value compared with NIAPAS and PAT.Conclusion: NIPS was shown a valid, reliable, and practical scale for assessing pain in neonates. It allows nurses to identifying pain and help to provide of appropriate pain management
Objective
The original 24-item School Refusal Assessment Scale-Revised (SRAS-R) assesses four functions/conditions regarding school refusal behavior (SRB), bridging assessments, and treatments of ...SRB. No validated Chinese versions are available.
Methods
To validate the Chinese version of the SRAS-R, an anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to March 2022 among 1108 secondary school students in Taizhou, China.
Results
Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) did not support the original 4-factor model. Three items were thus removed in the exploratory factor analysis performed in the first half-spilt subsample, yielding a 5-factor model which was confirmed by CFA in the second subsample. The resulting 21-item scale/subscales of the Chinese SRAS-R generally demonstrated measurement invariance across sex and student types and satisfactory internal consistency, absence of ceiling effect and floor effect, and concurrent validity with the two external variables of preference of not going to school and depressive symptoms. Significant sex and student type differences in subscale scores were found.
Conclusions
The 21-item and 5-factor Chinese version of the SRAS-R showed satisfactory psychometric properties and can be applied to research on SRB among Chinese adolescents. Future studies should validate it in other countries.
Objective: The main aim of this study was to examine the dimensionality and psychometric qualities of a new 10-item fatigue measure, the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS).
Methods: As part of a ...longitudinal study, the respondents, all workers with at least 20 working hours per week, completed the FAS, four related fatigue measures, a depression questionnaire, and an emotional stability scale.
Results: The FAS had a high internal consistency. The pattern of correlations and factor analysis showed good convergent and divergent validity. The FAS correlated strongly with the other fatigue scales. In a factor analysis of the five fatigue questionnaires, the FAS had the highest factor loading on a clear one-factor solution. Moreover, factor analyses revealed that fatigue, on the one hand, and depression and emotional stability, on the other hand, are separate constructs. Finally, it was shown that 8 out of the 10 FAS items were unbiased concerning gender; two had a uniform bias.
Conclusions: The FAS represents a potentially valuable assessment instrument with promising internal consistency reliability and validity. Gender bias in the FAS does not have consequences for use of the FAS.
Abstract
Objective. To identify patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments that assess chronic low back pain (cLBP) symptoms (specifically pain qualities) and/or impacts for potential use in cLBP ...clinical trials to demonstrate treatment benefit and support labeling claims.
Design. Literature review of existing PRO measures.
Methods. Publications detailing existing PRO measures for cLBP were identified, reviewed, and summarized. As recommended by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) PRO development guidance, standard measurement characteristics were reviewed, including development history, psychometric properties (validity and reliability), ability to detect change, and interpretation of observed changes.
Results. Thirteen instruments were selected and reviewed: Low Back Pain Bothersomeness Scale, Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, PainDETECT, Pain Quality Assessment Scale Revised, Revised Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Low Back Pain Impact Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, Pain Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Brief Pain Inventory and Brief Pain Inventory Short Form, Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System Spine Module, Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire, and the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory Interference Scale. The instruments varied in the aspects of pain and/or impacts that they assessed, and none of the instruments fulfilled all criteria for use in clinical trials to support labeling claims based on recommendations outlined in the FDA PRO guidance.
Conclusions. There is an unmet need for a validated PRO instrument to evaluate cLBP-related symptoms and impacts for use in clinical trials.
Objectives . The world is rapidly ageing and, with the increasing age, there is a potential increase in the number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. This calls for a reliable ...screening tool that easily and rapidly could identify the symptoms of pathological cognitive decline. As currently such tools are limited in Latvia, the objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the newly translated Montreal Cognitive Assessment test. Materials and Methods . Sixty-five Latvian native speakers aged 55-90 ( M = 72.11, SD = 10.26) participated in the study and were divided into three groups – with diagnosis of dementia ( n = 21), mild cognitive impairment ( n = 18) and control group ( n = 26). All participants were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test 1, and a test-retest was conducted after 2 weeks ( n = 37). Results . Almost all mean values and inter-item correlation coefficients were acceptable (.2-.8), apart from indices in the Naming task and Verbal fluency task. The items showed very high reliability (α = .95) and the test-retest reliability showed consistent results ( r = .98). Conclusions . Overall, the results from the pilot study show acceptable psychometric properties; however, the pilot study should be continued and criterion validity should be tested.
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