Diagnostic Accuracy of Clinical Tests for the Indirect Assessment of Hip Abductor Muscle Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (11) ◽  
pp. 1967-1976
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Mello Porto ◽  
Luciana Mendes Cangussu-Oliveira ◽  
Renato Campos Freire Junior ◽  
Flávio Tavares Vieira ◽  
Pâmela Precinotto Martins ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of 3 clinical tests (lateral step [LS], tandem gait [TG], and single-leg stance [SS]) in identifying older women with reduced hip abductor muscle strength and to determine the post-test probability of each test and of their combination in changing the certainty of diagnosis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 123 older women received clinical testing to obtain the variables LS height, time for TG execution, percentage of errors in TG, and time of permanence on SS and were tested for isometric hip abductor peak torque using an isokinetic dynamometer. Only the dominant lower limb was evaluated. Multiple linear regression analysis with adjustment was performed to determine the association among variables, followed by the receiver operating characteristic curve to identify clinical variables that can discriminate older women with reduced abductor muscle strength. Post-test probability was then calculated based on the receiver operating characteristic curve data. Results Although the 4 clinical variables showed correlation with abductor peak torque, only LS and TG time were able to discriminate reduced abductor muscle strength with low accuracy (area under the curve was between 0.5 and 0.7). However, the combination of LS and TG time increased post-test probability from 47% (prevalence of weakness in the population) to 76% when both tests were positive and reduced it from 47% to 18% when both tests were negative. Conclusion The combination of the LS test and TG time is useful for the indirect assessment of hip abductor strength in community-dwelling older women. Impact Hip abductor muscle strength is extremely important for function in older women. This study presents clinicians with simple, fast, and inexpensive methods for assessing hip abductor muscle strength.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fausto Salaffi ◽  
Marina Carotti ◽  
Marco Di Carlo ◽  
Luca Ceccarelli ◽  
Massimo Galli ◽  
...  

Objective: To create a prediction model of the risk of severe/critical disease in patients with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).Methods: Clinical, laboratory, and lung computed tomography (CT) severity score were collected from patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia and considered as independent variables for the risk of severe/critical disease in a logistic regression analysis. The discriminative properties of the variables were analyzed through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and included in a prediction model based on Fagan's nomogram to calculate the post-test probability of severe/critical disease. All analyses were conducted using Medcalc (version 19.0, MedCalc Software, Ostend, Belgium).Results: One hundred seventy-one patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, including 37 severe/critical cases (21.6%) and 134 mild/moderate cases were evaluated. Among all the analyzed variables, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was that with the highest relative importance (p = 0.0001), followed by CT severity score (p = 0.0002), and age (p = 0.0009). The optimal cut-off points for the predictive variables resulted: 3 for CCI [sensitivity 83.8%, specificity 69.6%, positive likelihood ratio (+LR) 2.76], 69.9 for age (sensitivity 94.6%, specificity 68.1, +LR 2.97), and 53 for CT severity score (sensitivity 64.9%, specificity 84.4%, +LR 4.17).Conclusion: The nomogram including CCI, age, and CT severity score, may be used to stratify patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 230-230
Author(s):  
Daniela Abreu ◽  
Jaqueline Porto

Abstract The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ability of the five times sit to stand test (5TSST), grip strength (GS) and step test (ST) to detect older women with reduced lower-limb muscle strength (LLMS), and to investigate the clinical usefulness of the combination of such tests. One hundred and nineteen older women were submitted to the 5TSST, GS, ST and lower limb peak torque by an isokinetic dynamometer. The capacity of the clinical tests to detect older women with reduced LLMS was measured using the ROC curve, followed by calculation of posttest probability (PoTP). The results show that a ST score of 0.24 cm per cm of participant’s height shows the best PoTP for a positive test (72%). However, the combination of the ST and 5TSST enhances the accuracy from 48% (prevalence of weakness in the population) to 82.6% if both tests are positive, and decreases the PoTP from 48% to 11.4% if both tests are negative. The inclusion of GS provided additional benefits of small magnitude. In conclusion, the ST performed alone or in combination with 5TSST could be an alternative for clinical screening of LLMS reduction in older women. The early identification of impairment of lower-limb muscle strength in independent older adults may favor early intervention and prevention of negative outcomes such as falls and functional limitations.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Giannella ◽  
Giovanni Delli Carpini ◽  
Francesco Sopracordevole ◽  
Maria Papiccio ◽  
Matteo Serri ◽  
...  

Background: Up to 40% of women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) can reveal endometrial cancer (EC) at hysterectomy. The pre-operative endometrial sampling method (ESM) and some independent cancer predictors may affect this outcome. The present study aimed to compare the rate of EC at hysterectomy in women with AEH undergoing dilation and curettage (D&C), hysteroscopically-guided biopsy (HSC-bio), or hysteroscopic endometrial resection (HSC-res). The secondary outcome was to compare the reliability of ESMs in women showing independent variables associated with EC. Methods: Two-hundred-and-eight consecutive women with AEH and undergoing hysterectomy between January 2000 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Based on pre- and post-test probability analysis for EC, three ESMs were compared: D&C, HSC-bio, and HSC-res. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess risk factors predicting cancer on final histology. Finally, the patient’s characteristics were compared between the three ESM groups. Results: D&C and HSC-bio included 75 women in each group, while HSC-res included 58 women. Forty-nine women (23.6%) revealed cancer at hysterectomy (pre-test probability). Post-test probability analysis showed that HSC-res had the lowest percentage of EC underestimation: HSC-res = 11.6%; HSC-bio = 19.5%; D&C = 35.3%. Patient characteristics showed no significant differences between the three ESMs. Multivariate analysis showed that body mass index ≥40 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 19.75; Confidence Intervals (CI) 2.193–177.829), and age (criterion > 60 years) (OR = 1.055, CI 1.002–1.111) associated significantly with EC. In women with one or both risk factors, post-test probability analysis showed that HSC-res was the only method with a lower EC rate at hysterectomy compared to a pre-test probability of 44.2%: HSC-res = 19.96%; HSC-bio = 53.81%; D&C = 63.12%. Conclusions: HSC-res provided the lowest rate of EC underestimation in AEH, also in women showing EC predictors. These data may be considered for better diagnostic and therapeutic planning of AEH.


1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla Gilliam MacRae ◽  
Michael E. Feltner ◽  
Sibylle Reinsch

This study examined the effects of a 1-year low intensity exercise program in community dwelling older women on falls, injuries, and risk factors for falls such as poor balance, muscular weakness, and gait abnormalities. Eighty older women were assigned to an exercise (Ex,n= 42) or attention control (Co,n= 38) group. During the 1-year study, 36% of the Ex group experienced a fall compared to 45% of the Co group (χ2= 0.22,p≥ 0.05). None of the 10 fallers in the Ex group suffered an injury that required medical attention, compared with 3 of the 14 fallers (21%) in the Co group. Further analyses indicated that the Co group declined significantly in isometric strength of the knee extensors and ankle dorsiflexors while the Ex group did not change significantly across the 1-year study. On measures of hip abductor strength, balance, and gait, the groups were not significantly different from each other pre- to post intervention.


2014 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Shin ◽  
Diana Caragacianu ◽  
Gregory W. Randolph

Ultrasound ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie A. Ross ◽  
Alina Unipan ◽  
Jackie Clarke ◽  
Catherine Magee ◽  
Jemma Johns

Introduction The primary aims of this study were to establish what proportion of ultrasonically suspected molar pregnancies were proven on histological examination and what proportion of histologically diagnosed molar pregnancies were identified by ultrasound pre-operatively. The secondary aim was to review the features of these scans to help identify criteria that may improve ultrasound diagnosis. Methods This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the Early Pregnancy Unit at King’s College Hospital London over an 11-year period. Cases of ultrasonically suspected molar pregnancy or other gestational trophoblastic disease were identified and compared with the final histopathological diagnosis. In addition, cases which were diagnosed on histopathology that were not suspected on ultrasound were also examined. In discrepant cases, the images were reviewed unblinded by two senior sonographers. Statistical analysis for likelihood ratio and post-test probabilities was performed. Results One hundred eighty-two women had gestational trophoblastic disease suspected on ultrasound examination (1:360, 0.3%); 106/182 (58.2%, 95% CI 51.0 to 65.2%) had histologically confirmed gestational trophoblastic disease. The likelihood ratio for gestational trophoblastic disease after a positive ultrasound was 607.27, with a post-test probability of 0.628.The sensitivity of ultrasound for gestational trophoblastic disease was 70.7% (95% CI 62.9% to 77.4%) with an estimated specificity of 99.88% (95% CI 99.85% to 99.91%); 102/143 (71.3%, 95% CI 63.4 to 78.1%) molar pregnancies were suspected on pre-op ultrasound; 60/68 (88.2%, 95% CI 78.2 to 94.2%) of complete moles were suspected on pre-op ultrasound, compared with 42/75 (56.0%, 95% CI 44.7 to 66.7%) of partial moles. On retrospective review of the pre-op ultrasound images, there were cases that could have been suspected prior to surgery. Conclusion Detecting molar pregnancy by ultrasound remains a diagnostic challenge, particularly for partial moles. These data suggest that there has been an increase in both the predictive value and the sensitivity of ultrasound over time, with a high LR and post-test probability; however, the diagnostic criteria remain ill-defined and could be improved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 104222
Author(s):  
Pâmela Precinotto Martins ◽  
Jaqueline Mello Porto ◽  
Flávio Tavares Vieira ◽  
Isabella Ramirez Trimer ◽  
Luana Letícia Capato ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed Ferber ◽  
Karen D. Kendall ◽  
Lindsay Farr

Abstract Context: Very few authors have investigated the relationship between hip-abductor muscle strength and frontal-plane knee mechanics during running. Objective: To investigate this relationship using a 3-week hip-abductor muscle-strengthening program to identify changes in strength, pain, and biomechanics in runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Design: Cohort study. Setting: University-based clinical research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Fifteen individuals (5 men, 10 women) with PFPS and 10 individuals without PFPS (4 men, 6 women) participated. Intervention(s): The patients with PFPS completed a 3-week hip-abductor strengthening protocol; control participants did not. Main Outcome Measure(s): The dependent variables of interest were maximal isometric hip-abductor muscle strength, 2-dimensional peak knee genu valgum angle, and stride-to-stride knee-joint variability. All measures were recorded at baseline and 3 weeks later. Between-groups differences were compared using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Results: At baseline, the PFPS group exhibited reduced strength, no difference in peak genu valgum angle, and increased stride-to-stride knee-joint variability compared with the control group. After the 3-week protocol, the PFPS group demonstrated increased strength, less pain, no change in peak genu valgum angle, and reduced stride-to-stride knee-joint variability compared with baseline. Conclusions: A 3-week hip-abductor muscle-strengthening protocol was effective in increasing muscle strength and decreasing pain and stride-to-stride knee-joint variability in individuals with PFPS. However, concomitant changes in peak knee genu valgum angle were not observed.


Author(s):  
Mi-Ji Kim ◽  
Byeong-Hun Kang ◽  
Soo-Hyun Park ◽  
Bokyoung Kim ◽  
Gyeong-Ye Lee ◽  
...  

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between muscle strength and knee symptoms (pain, stiffness, and functional limitation) regardless of the presence of radiologic knee osteoarthritis (RKOA) in community-dwelling elderly. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Namgaram-2 cohort. The Namgaram-2 cohort consisted of participants living in three rural communities. Such participants were included for studies on activity limitation due to age-related musculoskeletal disorders including knee osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), a health assessment tool for patients with arthritis in lower extremities, was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Muscle strengths were measured by knee strength (by using the isokinetic dynamometer) and hand grip strength. Results: The WOMAC pain of Kallgren–Lawrence (K/L) grade < 2 was correlated with age, grip strength, nutrition status, and knee extension 180 peak torque. The WOMAC pain of K/L grade ≥ 2 was correlated with age, nutrition status, and knee extension 60 peak torque. The WOMAC stiffness of K/L grade < 2 was correlated with having a spouse, nutrition status, and knee extension 60 peak torque. The WOMAC stiffness of K/L grade ≥ 2 was correlated with knee extension 60 peak torque. The WOMAC function of K/L grade < 2 was correlated with age, grip strength, osteoporosis, nutrition status, and knee extension 180 peak torque. The WOMAC function of K/L grade ≥ 2 was correlated with age, nutrition status, and knee extension 60 peak torque. Conclusion: Muscle strength as measured by grip strength and knee extension was statistically significantly correlated with the WOMAC scores in patients with knee symptoms regardless of whether radiologic signs of knee osteoarthritis were observed.


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