scholarly journals Correlation between elastic modulus and clinical severity of pathological scars: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Hang ◽  
Jie Chen ◽  
Weixin Zhang ◽  
Tao Yuan ◽  
Yang Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Shear Wave Elastography ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Hypertrophic Scars ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effect Analysis

AbstractThough widely used to assess pathological scars, the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) is neither convenient nor objective. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is used to evaluate the stiffness of pathological scars. We aimed to determine the correlation between mVSS score and elastic modulus (EM) measured by SWE for pathological scars. Clinical information including ultrasound (US) results of the enrolled patients with pathological scars was analyzed. The clinical severity of the pathological scars was evaluated by mVSS. Skin stiffness, as represented by EM, was calculated using SWE. The average EM of the whole scar (EMWHOLE), hardest part of the scar (EMHARDEST), and normal appearance of the skin around the scar (EMNORMAL) were also recorded. Enrolled in this study were 69 pathological scars, including 28 hypertrophic scars and 41 keloids. The univariable regression analyses showed that the EM of pathological scars was closely related to mVSS score, while the linear multivariable regression analyses showed no significantly correlation. Curve fitting and threshold effect analysis revealed that when EMWHOLE was less than 166.6 kPa or EMHARDEST was less than 133.07 kPa, EM was positively correlated with mVSS score. In stratified analysis, there was no significant linear correlation and threshold effect between EMWHOLE and mVSS score in hypertrophic scars or keloids. However, the fully adjusted smooth curves presented a linear association between mVSS score and EMHARDEST in keloids (the adjusted β [95% CI] was 0.010 [0.001, 0.018]), but a threshold and nonlinear association were found in hypertrophic scars. When EMHARDEST was less than 156.13 kPa, the mVSS score increased along with the hardest scar part stiffness; the adjusted β (95% CI) was 0.024 (0.009, 0.038). In conclusion, EM of pathological scars measured by SWE were correlated with mVSS within a threshold range, and showed different association patterns in hypertrophic scars and keloids.

scholarly journals The trends of complementary alternative medicine use among cancer patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Rahman Jazieh ◽  
Khadega A. Abuelgasim ◽  
Husam I. Ardah ◽  
Mohammad Alkaiyat ◽  
Omar B. Da’ar
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Complementary Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among cancer patients and it may reflect the individual and societal beliefs on cancer therapy. Our study aimed to evaluate the trends of CAM use among patients with cancer between 2006 and 2018. Methods We included 2 Cohorts of patients with cancer who were recruited for Cohort 1 between 2006 and 2008 and for Cohort 2 between 2016 and 2018. The study is a cross-sectional study obtaining demographic and clinical information and inquiring about the types of CAM used, the reasons to use them and the perceived benefits. We compared the changes in the patterns of CAM use and other variables between the two cohorts. Results A total of 1416 patients were included in the study, with 464 patients in Cohort 1 and 952 patients in Cohort 2. Patients in Cohort 2 used less CAM (78.9%) than Cohort 1 (96.8%). Cohort 1 was more likely to use CAM to treat cancer compared to Cohort 2 (84.4% vs. 73%, respectively, p < 0.0001,); while Cohort 2 used CAM for symptom management such as pain control and improving appetite among others. Disclosure of CAM use did not change significantly over time and remains low (31.6% in Cohort 1 and 35.7% for Cohort 2). However, physicians were more likely to express an opposing opinion against CAM use in Cohort 2 compared to Cohort 1 (48.7% vs. 19.1%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion There is a significant change in CAM use among cancer patients over the decade, which reflects major societal and cultural changes in this population. Further studies and interventions are needed to improve the disclosure to physicians and to improve other aspects of care to these patients.

Quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients in Spain

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
C-H Chang ◽  
D Cella ◽  
O Fernández ◽  
G Luque ◽  
P de Castro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Objective: The cross-sectional study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) Spanish version and its use in measuring quality of life (QOL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Spain. Methods: The FAMS is a factorially derived self-report scale designed to assess six primary aspects of QOL of patients with MS: Mobility, Symptoms, Emotional Well-Being, General Contentment, Thinking and Fatigue, and Family/Social Well-Being. Its Spanish translated version was used to assess QOL of 625 MS patients recruited in an outpatient clinic setting from 58 hospitals in Spain. Internal consistency of the Spanish FAMS was evaluated. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors from demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in predicting FAMS scale scores. Results: Most of the patients are females (66%), and 74% were of the relapsing-remitting (RR) clinical subtype. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were high (range=0.78-0.96), indicating subscale homogeneity comparable to that of the original English version. Linear multivariate regression analyses revealed that the EDSS is a dominant variable in predicting all the FAMS subscales, especially mobility (R2=0.51) and the total scores. Conclusions: The Spanish FAMS is a psychometrically valid instrument that allows clinicians and clinical researchers the ability to measure the QOL concerns of MS patients in Spain.

Predictors of quality of life and functioning in schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-356
Author(s):  
Octavia Căpățînă ◽  
◽  
Cristina Pojoga ◽  
Bogdan Savu ◽  
Mihaela Fadgyas-Stănculete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
General Functioning

Background: In order to pursue recovery, Quality of life (QoL) and general functioning in patients with schizophrenia are milestones that need to be addressed in the treatment of the disease. The major aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between QoL, functionality and symptoms, and clinical characteristics of the disease, and to identify whether the two domains of negative symptoms, avolition/apathy and diminished expression, are predictive factors for the quality of life and functionality in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. In the present cross-sectional study, 87 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia completed a thorough battery of instruments evaluating: clinical symptoms, stigma, QoL, functionality, socio-demographic and clinical variables. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test the significance of predictor variables for QoL and functionality. Multiple regression analyses revealed that internalized stigma, depression, and excitement were significant predictors for the variability of QoL, and experiential deficit and cognitive symptoms were significant predictors of the variability of functioning. In patients with schizophrenia, functioning and quality of life are two related but different constructs. Even though they are strongly associated, they have different predictive factors. The clinical implication of these results is that both of these constructs should be assessed and that the strategies for improving them should be different.

Effect modification of cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity, and physical activity in adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria do Socorro Simoes ◽  
Fernando Wehrmeister ◽  
Marcello Romiti ◽  
Antonio de Toledo Gagliardi ◽  
Rodolfo Arantes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Effect Modification ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Arterial Blood

We investigated if cardiorespiratory fitness modifies the association between obesity and the level of physical activity. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 746 adults, free of diagnosed cardiorespiratory or locomotor diseases. We analyzed sociodemographic and clinical information, cardiovascular risk factors, cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometry, and level of physical activity (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity). Those that spent more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were younger, male, with lower body mass index, without self-reported arterial blood hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, non-smokers, and presented with better cardiorespiratory fitness. The linear regression coefficients showed that cardiorespiratory fitness changes according to the level of physical activity and body mass index (obesity in low cardiorespiratory fitness: β 6.0, p = 0.213, 95%CI -3.5 to 15.6; in intermediate cardiorespiratory fitness: β 6.3, p = 0.114, 95%CI -1.5 to 14.2; in high cardiorespiratory fitness: β -6.3, p = 0.304, 95%CI -18.4 to 5.8). This effect modification trend was present after adjusting the model by covariates. Cardiorespiratory fitness potentially modifies the association between body mass index and the level of physical activity. It should be routinely assessed to identify persons with overweight/ obesity with low/ intermediate cardiorespiratory fitness to prescribe individualized training.

scholarly journals Gender Stratified Analyses of the Association of Skinfold Thickness with Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study in General Northeastern Chinese Residents

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2748
Author(s):  
Yuyan Liu ◽  
Yongfang Li ◽  
Jing He ◽  
Ping Ma ◽  
Luyang Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Women ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Skinfold Thickness ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Subscapular Skinfold Thickness ◽  
Overweight Or Obesity

The association of hypertension with skinfold thickness (ST) in adults is not clear. Our study was aimed at finding out the association of hypertension with ST in different gender and obesity categories. This is a cross-sectional study based on 2336 Chinese residents (767 men). Both subscapular skinfold thickness (SST) and tricep skinfold thickness (TST) were examined. We estimated the association of hypertension with per SD increase of SST and TST using multivariable logistic regression analyses in men and women. Six subgroups were stratified using cutoff points of body mass index (BMI) and ST: larger and smaller ST in normal weight (BMI < 24 kg/m2), overweight (24 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2), respectively. The association of hypertension with ST was only shown in women after adjustment for other risk factors. Among women of the normal weight subgroup, higher prevalence of hypertension was shown in those with larger ST. No difference of the prevalence of hypertension was found between women with larger ST in the normal weight subgroup and those with smaller ST in overweight or obesity subgroups. Our study suggested that even for people with normal weight, it was necessary to monitor the subcutaneous fat using ST for preventing hypertension at least in general Chinese women.

Care coordination in two of Bogota’s public healthcare networks: A cross-sectional study among doctors

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 127-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Daniel Gallego-Ardila ◽  
Ángela María Pinzón-Rondón ◽  
Amparo Susana Mogollón-Pérez ◽  
Carol Ximena Cardozo ◽  
Ingrid Vargas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Care Coordination ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Level

Introduction Care coordination is a priority concern for healthcare systems. In Colombia, there is a lack of information on the topic. This study analysed how doctors of two Bogotá’s public healthcare networks perceived coordination between healthcare levels and what factors are associated with their perception. Methods A cross-sectional study using the COORDENA-CO questionnaire to a sample of 363 doctors (network-1 = 181; network-2 = 182) in 2015. The questionnaire asks about types and dimensions of care coordination: information and clinical management, with items in a Likert scale, as well as conditions regarding health system, organisational and doctors’ conditions. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results The doctors’ perception of a high level of coordination did not exceed 25.4%. On coordination of information, limited transfer of clinical information was found. Concerning clinical management, there were limited care coherence, deficits in patient follow-up and lengthy waiting times for specialised care. A high perception of coordination were associated with being female, being over 50 years old, being a specialist, having less than one year’s working experience, working less than 20 h per week at the centre, forming part of network-1, having time available for performing coordination tasks, having job satisfaction and not identifying limitations imposed by healthcare insurers. Discussion There was limited perception of coordination, in its different dimensions and types with some differences between networks. The results support the importance of guaranteeing job satisfaction, ensuring sufficient time to coordination-related activities and intervening in the restrictions imposed by healthcare insurers to improve care coordination.

scholarly journals Liver ultrasound elastography for the evaluation of periportal fibrosis in schistosomiasis mansoni: A cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joelma Carvalho Santos ◽  
Andrea Dória Batista ◽  
Carla Maria Mola Vasconcelos ◽  
Roberto Souza Lemos ◽  
Valter Romão de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Shear Wave Elastography ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cutoff Point ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Cutoff Value ◽  
Periportal Fibrosis ◽  
Schistosomiasis Mansoni

AbstractBackgroundARFI elastrography has been used as a noninvasive method to assess the severity of liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis, although with few studies in schistosomiasis mansoni. We aimed to evaluate the performance of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) for predicting significant periportal fibrosis (PPF) in schistosomotic patients and to determine its best cutoff point.Methodology/Principal findingsThis cross-sectional study included 358 adult schistosomotic patients subjected to US and pSWE on the right lobe. Two hundred two patients (62.0%) were women, with a median age of 54 (ranging 18-92) years. The pSWE measurements were compared to the US patterns of PPF, as gold standard, according to the Niamey classification. The performance of pSWE was calculated as the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Patients were further classified into two groups: 86 patients with mild PPF and 272 patients with significant PPF. The median pSWE of the significant fibrosis group was higher (1.40 m/s) than that of mild fibrosis group (1.14 m/s, p<0.001). AUC was 0.719 with ≤1.11 m/s as the best cutoff value for excluding significant PPF. Sensitivity and negative predictive values were 80.5% and 40.5%, respectively. Whereas, for confirming significant PPF, the best cutoff value was >1.39 m/s, with specificity of 86.1% and positive predictive value of 92.0%.Conclusions/SignificancepSWE was able to differentiate significant from mild PPF, with better performance to predict significant PPF.Author summaryIn the developing world, over 207 million people are infected with parasitic Schistosoma worms. Among the species of Schistosoma that infect humans Schistosoma mansoni is one of the most common causes of illness. Here, we investigated the performance of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) for predicting significant periportal fibrosis (PPF) in schistosomotic patients and to determine its best cutoff point. We examined 358 people from northeast of Brazil for Schistosoma infections. The present study showed that pSWE was able to differentiate significant from mild PPF, with better performance to predict significant PPF.

scholarly journals MO529PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANT FACTORS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE : A MOROCCAN CROSS-SECTIONAL  STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina Chrifi Alaoui ◽  
Mohammed Omari ◽  
Noura Qarmiche ◽  
Omar Kouiri ◽  
Basmat Amal Chouhani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Determinant Factors ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Background and Aims The Chronic kidney disease (CKD), like many chronic illnesses, is invariably associated with various psychiatric conditions and poorer quality of life. This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among CKD patient and their determinant factors. Method this is a cross sectional single center study in a Moroccan university hospital. Patients aged ≥ 18 years old and followed for more than one year were included. The data was collected using a questionnaire for sociodemographic and clinical information and the Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) to assess depression and anxiety prevalence. After the description of the population’s characteristics, the statistical analysis aimed to assess the association between depression and anxiety disorders and the estimated glomerular filtration rate before and after adjustment on several confounding factors. Results 88 patients were included (63.6% of them were women, the mean age was 61.8±14.0 years), 21 were on stage 3, 46 were on stage 4, and 21 were on stage 5 of the CKD. The median of depression sub-score was 5.00[2.00; 10.0], the median of anxiety sub-score was 6.00[4.00; 9.00], and the median of the global score was 11.0[7.00; 20.0], 22.0% of included patients had depression and 22.0% had anxiety. Both depression and anxiety scores were associated to eGFR before and after adjustment (p= 0.001, p&lt;0.001and p=0.04, p=0.03 respectively). Conclusion This study showed that depression and anxiety are strongly related to the CKD progression, which should motivate both doctors and nurses to improve their psychological care toward CKD patients.

scholarly journals Vision-related Quality of Life in Patients With Glaucoma: the Role of Illness Perceptions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiqi Zhang ◽  
Wenzhe Zhou ◽  
Di Song ◽  
Yanqian Xie ◽  
Hao Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Illness Perception ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Illness Perception Questionnaire ◽  
Related Quality

Abstract Purpose: To explore the predictive effect of illness perceptions on vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in Chinese glaucoma patients.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 97 patients with glaucoma completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15), and a questionnaire with sociodemographic and clinical information. Correlation analysis and hierarchical linear regression analysis were performed.Results: The BIPQ total score was positively correlated with the scores of the total GQL-15 and its four dimensions. Chronic comorbidities, type of glaucoma, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean defect (MD) of visual field in the better eye, and identity in the BIPQ were the critical predictors of VRQoL. Illness perceptions independently accounted for 7.8% of the variance in the VRQoL of glaucoma patients.Conclusions: Patients with stronger illness perceptions who perceive themselves as having more glaucoma symptoms are likely to experience worse VRQoL. Illness perceptions in glaucoma patients deserve clinical attention, and further studies are needed to examine whether cognitive interventions targeting illness perceptions can improve VRQoL.

scholarly journals Hindi translation and validation of quality of life score in Indian patients with epidermolysis bullosa; and its correlation with the clinical severity assessment scores: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Anuradha Bishnoi ◽  
Seema Manjunath ◽  
Kamal Kishore ◽  
Dipankar De ◽  
Sanjeev Handa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Epidermolysis Bullosa ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Indian Patients

Background: Quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated in Indian patients having epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Aims: The aims of the study were to measure health-related QoL in Indian patients having EB using the quality of life in epidermolysis bullosa (QoLEB) questionnaire, and to find its correlation with clinically measured disease severity. Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, the QoLEB questionnaire was translated from English to Hindi (QoLEB-Hin) and culturally adapted without a change in concept following standard guidelines. QoLEB-Hin and three clinical scores that have been independently validated in EB, that is, Birmingham Epidermolysis Bullosa severity score (BEBs), Instrument for Scoring Clinical Outcomes of Research for Epidermolysis Bullosa (iscorEB) and Epidermolysis Bullosa Disease Activity and Scarring Index (EBDASI), were administered to EB patients/their parents in the presence of an expert. This was followed by validity and correlation studies. Results: Fifty-four patients were recruited (19-females, 35-males; median age 5 years, range 0.025–36 years and 12 patients with an age >13 years). The parents answered the questions for 42 patients (age <13 years). Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa was diagnosed in 32 (59.2%) patients (dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa [DDEB]-19 [35.2%] and recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa [RDEB]-13 [24.1%]). Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) and epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) were each diagnosed in 11 (20.4%) patients. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of QoLEB-Hin score of all epidermolysis bullosa patients was 11.3 ± 7.6 (range 0–28; median and interquartile range [IQR], 10, 10) and reflected an overall moderate degree of affliction on QoL of patients. Mean ± SD of QoLEB-Hin scores for EBS, JEB, DDEB and RDEB were 5.4 ± 3.7 (range, 1–13; median and IQR, 6, 6), 11 ± 6.2 (range, 1–22; median and IQR, 10, 6), 9 ± 5.7 (range, 0–19; median and IQR, 10, 10) and 20.1 ± 6.4 (range, 12–28; median and IQR, 19, 12.5), respectively (P < 0.001, Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.946 was obtained for all items indicating excellent internal consistency and reliability. Mean sample adequacy was 0.91; absolute fit based off diagonal values was 0.99; indices root mean square error of approximation and root mean square residual were 0.04 and 0.05, respectively, and Tucker Lewis index was >1 indicating overfit. The mean time taken to complete the questionnaire was 6.1 min (range, 6–8 min). QoLEB-Hin correlated significantly (P < 0.001) with BEBs (ρ = 0.79), iscorEB (ρ= 0.63) and EBDASI (ρ = 0.77). Three multiple linear regression models were used to ascertain the strength of relationship between QoL-Hin, and BEBs, iSCOREB and EBDASI, respectively, after adjusting for age, gender and disease subtype. The EBDASI clinical score accounted for approximately 74% (R2 = 0.736, P < 0.001) of the variability in QOL-Hin, as compared to 73% and 55% by BEBs (R2 = 0.731, P < 0.001) and iscorEB (R2 = 0.545, P < 0.001), respectively. Limitations: Parents filled out the questionnaires for many patients and probably led to an overall moderate degree of affliction of QoL. Comparison with Dermatology Life Quality Index and other QoL scores were not done in this study. Furthermore, the scoring was done at one point in time, and test-retest measurements could not be performed. Conclusion: This study validated QoLEB-Hin in an Indian population finding an overall moderate reduction in QoL due to EB. Maximally affected QoL was seen in patients with RDEB. Furthermore, QoLEB-Hin had a variable positive correlation and association with all clinical severity assessment scores.

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