Long-term measurement of metacarpophalangeal joint motion in the normal and rheumatoid hand

Author(s):  
N K Fowler ◽  
A C Nicol

Low-profile flexible goniometers were used in an instrumented glove to monitor metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint usage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects over 3 days. Statistical analysis of the results provided descriptors of total joint motion per hour, the number of movements per hour and their duration, amplitude and angular velocity. The results show the patient group to have less overall joint usage than the control group, with movements being slower and smaller and with a restricted range. Yearly rates of joint usage were derived; these values are considerably higher than predicted in prosthetic joint testing protocols.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 107327482199743
Author(s):  
Ke Chen ◽  
Xiao Wang ◽  
Liu Yang ◽  
Zheling Chen

Background: Treatment options for advanced gastric esophageal cancer are quite limited. Chemotherapy is unavoidable at certain stages, and research on targeted therapies has mostly failed. The advent of immunotherapy has brought hope for the treatment of advanced gastric esophageal cancer. The aim of the study was to analyze the safety of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and the long-term survival of patients who were diagnosed as gastric esophageal cancer and received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Method: Studies on anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy of advanced gastric esophageal cancer published before February 1, 2020 were searched online. The survival (e.g. 6-month overall survival, 12-month overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rates (ORR)) and adverse effects of immunotherapy were compared to that of control therapy (physician’s choice of therapy). Results: After screening 185 studies, 4 comparative cohort studies which reported the long-term survival of patients receiving immunotherapy were included. Compared to control group, the 12-month survival (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.12, P < 0.0001) and 18-month survival (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.39 to 2.81, P = 0.0001) were significantly longer in immunotherapy group. The 3-month survival rate (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.36 to 3.06, P = 0.92) and 18-month survival rate (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 0.98 to 2.12, P = 0.07) were not significantly different between immunotherapy group and control group. The ORR were not significantly different between immunotherapy group and control group (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.65 to 3.66, P = 0.01). Meta-analysis pointed out that in the PD-L1 CPS ≥10 sub group population, the immunotherapy could obviously benefit the patients in tumor response rates (OR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.89 to 7.61, P = 0.0002). Conclusion: For the treatment of advanced gastric esophageal cancer, the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy was superior to that of chemotherapy or palliative care.


Author(s):  
Somayeh Ghadimi ◽  
Atefeh Fakharian ◽  
Mohsen Abedi ◽  
Reyhaneh Zahiri ◽  
Mahsan Norouz Afjeh ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) leads to limited activity and reduced quality of life. Treatment of this disease is a long-term process that requires the cooperation of patients in monitoring and treatment. Methods: In the present study which was conducted from April 2019 to March 2021 in Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran, 75 patients were randomly divided into telerehabilitation and control groups. Patients in the control group received pulmonary rehabilitation including respiratory, isometric, and aerobic exercises for 8 weeks, three times per week. In the second group, patients were given a lung rehabilitation booklet and asked to repeat the exercises three times a week for four weeks according to a specific schedule. In addition, patients installed Behzee care application on the mobile phone that recorded various indicators such as heart rate, SpO2, dyspnea, fatigue, and daily activities. This application reminded the patient of the program every day and at a specific time. Finally, the patients’ conditions were compared in the two groups after 8 weeks using CAT and mMRC questionnaires and 6-Minute Walk (6MW) exercise indices as well as spirometry tests. Results: In all four indicators (6MW, CAT,  and mMRC questionnaires as well as spirometry), patients showed improvement after rehabilitation (p<0.001). This improvement was significantly higher in the telemedicine group compared to the other group (p<0.01). Conclusion: The use of telerehabilitation in COPD patients is effective in improving spirometry indices, quality of life, as well as activity and sports indices.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vildan Güngörer ◽  
Mehmet Öztürk ◽  
Mustafa Yasir Özlü ◽  
Şükrü Arslan

ABSTRACT Objectives Long-term therapy with low-dose methotrexate (MTX) is widely used in treatment of rheumatic diseases, in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate liver elasticity in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who received MTX and compare the results with control group. Methods Liver elasticity was evaluated with shear wave elastography (SWE) technique in 25 patients aged 3–17 years who were followed up with JIA and received MTX and compared with 25 healthy controls of the same age and weight. Factors that had an effect on liver elasticity were examined. Results The mean SWE value of patients was 2.64 ± 2.13 m/s and 24.10 ± 18.50 kPa, whereas 1.83 ± 0.16 m/s and 10.09 ± 1.83 kPa in control group. There was a significant difference in liver elasticity in the patient and control groups. When the patients were evaluated as Group 1 (&lt; 1000 mg) and Group 2 (≥ 1000 mg) according to the cumulative MTX dose, no significant difference was obtained. There was positive correlation between liver elasticity and weekly MTX dose and age. Conclusions Our study revealed that liver elasticity significantly decreased in patients who received MTX when compared with the control group. The elastography technique will be understood better over time and used safely in many areas.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 525-532
Author(s):  
Diah Evawanna Anuhgera ◽  
Tjahjono Kuncoro ◽  
Sri Sumarni ◽  
Mardiyono Mardiyono ◽  
Ari Suwondo

Background: Post-cesarean mothers often experience anxiety and discomfort due to long-term pain. The combination of hypnobreastfeeding and acupressure is considered to be effective in reducing anxiety and pain levels. Objective: This study aims to examine the effect of combination of hypnobreastfeeding and acupressure on anxiety and pain levels in post-caesarean mothers.Methods: This study was a true experiment with pretest-posttest control group design, conducted in the Ambarawa Public Hospital on 5 November to 9 December 2016. There were 36 participants selected using stratified random sampling, with 18 assigned in the experiment and control group. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and wilcoxon test.Results: There were statistically significant differences of anxiety and pain levels before and after intervention in the experiment and control group with p-value 0.001 (<0.05).Conclusion: The combination of hypnobreastfeeding and acupressure has a significant effect in reducing anxiety and pain levels in post-cesarean mothers. This intervention could be applied as an alternative therapy in treating post-caesarean mothers.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Nieri-Bastos ◽  
M. P. J. Szabó ◽  
R. C. Pacheco ◽  
J. F. Soares ◽  
H. S. Soares ◽  
...  

The distribution ofRickettsia parkeriin South America has been associated withAmblyomma tristeticks. The present study evaluated under laboratory conditions two colonies ofA. triste: one started from engorged females that were naturally infected byR. parkeri(designated as infected group); the other started from noninfected females (designated as control group). Both colonies were reared in parallel for five consecutive generations. Tick-naïve domestic rabbits were used for feeding of each tick stage and generation.R. parkeriwas preserved by transstadial maintenance and transovarial transmission inA. tristeticks for five consecutive generations, because all tested larvae, nymphs, and adults from the infected group were shown by PCR to contain rickettsial DNA. All rabbits infested by larvae, nymphs, and adults from the infected group seroconverted, indicating that these tick stages were all vector competent forR. parkeri. Expressive differences in mortality rates were observed between engorged nymphs from the infected and control groups, as indicated by 65.9% and 92.4% molting success, respectively. Our results indicate thatA. tristecan act as a natural reservoir forR. parkeri. However, due to deleterious effect caused byR. parkerion engorged nymphs, amplifier vertebrate hosts might be necessary for natural long-term maintenance ofR. parkeriinA. triste.


Author(s):  
Sakine MOAIEDMOHSENI ◽  
Tooba GHAZANFARI ◽  
Ensie Sadat MIRSHARIF ◽  
Nayere ASKARI ◽  
Zuhair MOHAMMAD HASSAN ◽  
...  

Background: Despite several reports on the clinical manifestations of sulfur mustard (SM) intoxication, there is no study on serum concentrations of thyroid hormones long-term after SM exposure. In this study, the changes in thyroid functioning parameters 20 yr after SM exposure were evaluated. Methods: This study is a part of a larger historical cohort study conducted in 2007 following 20 years of the exposure to SM, called Sardasht–Iran cohort study (SICS). We (SICS) comprised an SM–exposed group from Sardasht City, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran (n=169 as hospitalized group and n=203 as non-hospitalized exposed group); and control participants were selected from Rabat, a town near Sardasht (n=126). Peripheral blood samples were taken in fasting state and then the sera were separated. T4, T3, TSH, antithyroglobulin (anti–Tg), and antithyroid peroxidase (anti–TPO) concentrations in the sera were measured by the ELISA method. Results: The mean of T3 concentration was significantly higher in the exposed than control group (0.88 ± 0.26 nmol/L vs 0.8 ± 0.25 nmol/L, P<0.001). The levels of TSH, T4, and T3up were not significantly different between the exposed and control groups. Thyroglobulin level was significantly higher in the exposed non-hospitalized group (56.07 ± 140.22 µg/L vs 17.66 ± 41.49 µg/L, P=0.004), but the level of anti–Tg and anti–TPO showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: More studies are needed on the alterations in thyroid hormones, their gene expressions, and mechanisms involved in SM exposure to clarify the causes of these alterations.


2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-31
Author(s):  
Sabaheta Hasić ◽  
Emina Kiseljaković ◽  
Radivoj Jadrić ◽  
Belma Zečević ◽  
Nešina Avdagić ◽  
...  

Long term stress exposure results in somatisation symptoms appearance. Cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and muscle-bone symptoms arise because of intensified activity of autonomic nervous system caused by chronic stress. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between long term war stress exposure and appearance of somatisation. 40 students of health-care faculties in Sarajevo, of both sexes, were included in investigation and divided in two groups-somatisation and control. Somatisation group subjects (N=20) lived in B&H under war conditions, from 1992-1995. Control subjects (N=20) spent the same period outside B&H. For evaluation of somatisation symptoms we used SCL-90-R test. The obtained data were statistically evaluated using Student’s t-test and χ2 test. Confidence level was set at ρ < 0,05. Our results showed statistically significant difference in somatisation level between somatisation and control subjects group. Different intensity of appearance of certain symptoms in male and female was established. The score of somatisation dimension between somatisation and control group showed statistically significant level (p < 0,0001). Study results confirmed correlation of chronic stress exposure (living in war environment) and somatisation symptom appearance. Individual organic systems had various level of symptom expression. The influence of sex on intensity of individual symptoms of somatisation is possible.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (23) ◽  
pp. 4030-4035
Author(s):  
Jordan Minov ◽  
Sasho Stoleski ◽  
Tatjana Petrova ◽  
Kristin Vasilevska ◽  
Dragan Mijakoski ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The failure of mucus clearance in bronchiectasis can be improved by chest physiotherapy or/and mucoactive agents. AIM: To assess the effects of long-term use of carbocysteine on frequency and duration of exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis. METHODS: We performed an observational, non-randomized, open study (a real-life study) including 64 patients with bronchiectasis divided into two groups, examined group (EG) and control group (CG). All participants were treated with appropriate treatment for the stable disease, but in the study, subjects of EG two capsules 375 mg carbocysteine three times a day was added over three months. Daily diary cards realised collection of data regarding the occurrence and duration of exacerbation in all study subjects. RESULTS: Over the study period 43 exacerbations were documented, 17 in the EG and 26 in the CG, 10 (23.4%) of which required hospital treatment (four in the EG [23.5%] and six in the CG [23.1%]). A mean number of exacerbations over the study period was significantly lower in the EG (0.5 ± 0.1) as compared to their mean number in the CG (0.8 ± 0.2) (P = 0.0000). Mean duration of exacerbations expressed in days needed for complete resolution of symptoms or return of the symptoms to their baseline severity in the EG was significantly shorter than the mean duration of exacerbations in the CG (10.1 ± 2.6 vs 12.8 ± 2.1; P = 0.0000). The frequency of adverse effects, i.e. mild gastrointestinal manifestations and headache which did not require discontinuation of the treatment, in the EG during the study period was 15.6%. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated positive effects of carbocysteine regarding the frequency and duration of exacerbations, as well as its good tolerability in the patients with bronchiectasis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 921-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
S P Kokoreva ◽  
O A Razuvaev

Aim. To identify risk factors for mycoplasma pneumonia at the outbreak of respiratory mycoplasmosis in the children’s collective using a comprehensive statistical analysis. Methods. 120 children aged 12-15 years from the focus of respiratory mycoplasmosis outbreak were observed. They were divided into two groups: study group - 33 children with mycoplasma pneumonia, and control group - 56 children from the focus of infection, 14 of which during the observation period had no disease simptoms, and 42 children had other forms of respiratory mycoplasmosis. Results. 6 factors influencing the development of mycoplasma pneumonia were identified in children from the focus of respiratory mycoplasmosis outbreak. The correlation analysis was performed and one-dimensional models of the chance of developing pneumonia were constructed by calculating odds ratios. Past history of pneumonia increases the risk for pneumonia by 23.46 times, passive smoking in a child - by 2.77 times. At the same time, emergency prevention with immunotropic drugs reduces the risk for pneumonia by 8.93 times, daily walking - by 3.31 times, walking for more than 2 hours - by 3.83 times, increasing fruit in the diet - by 3.09 times and taking multivitamins - by 2.56 times compared to cases when these measures were not taken. The binary logistic regression was calculated to build a multidimensional research model. The sensitivity of this model was 87.88%, specificity - 91.07%. Conclusion. At the outbreak of respiratory mycoplasmosis the risk factors for the development of mycoplasmal pneumonia are pneumonia in past medical history, smoking in a child’s family; preventive measures are long-term daily exposure to fresh air, emergency prevention with immunotropic, complex multivitamin preparations with trace elements and lactic acid bacteria, dietary intake corrected for fruit intake.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jialing Zhang ◽  
Xiangxue Lu ◽  
Jianan Feng ◽  
Han Li ◽  
Shixiang Wang

Introduction. The present meta-analysis was to explore the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in IgA nephropathy patients in terms of proteinuria. Method. We systematically searched PubMed and Embase for studies that compared HCQ and other treatments to reduce proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy up to June 2021. Mean ± SD of percentage change and level of proteinuria was calculated. Results. A total of 5 studies with 587 participants were included. IgA nephropathy patients who received HCQ were at a lower level of mean proteinuria at 6 months. However, there was no statistical difference between HCQ and control group considering percentage reduction in proteinuria. The long-term therapeutic effect of HCQ might be inferior to HCQ and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition. Conclusion. HCQ might play a role in the reduction of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy patients. The addition of HCQ to other immunosuppressive agents should be clarified further.


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