Adult Musicians' Perceived and Measured Pulmonary Function

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Debbie Rohwer

The research questions for this study were 1) what was the measured pulmonary function of a group of senior adult musicians, and 2) was there a perceived and measured difference between senior adult musicians' pulmonary function scores before and after a rehearsal? The participants in this study were 57 adult musicians in two senior citizen bands in north Texas. Participants completed spirometry tests administered before and after band rehearsals on two occasions to ascertain repeated pulmonary function scores. Results showed that the participants were able to complete the spirometry task at the most basic level. On most pulmonary function measures, younger participants, males, and non-smokers tended to have higher scores. Seven percent of the participants perceived short-term increases in breath capacity after participating in a given rehearsal, and 35% of the participants perceived increases in breath capacity since joining the band. No statistically significant difference between the mean pulmonary function scores were found before and after rehearsal. Implications are addressed concerning the issues related to the measurement and pedagogy of adult music making.

Author(s):  
Lars Aksel Pedersen ◽  
S. Dölvik ◽  
K. Holmberg ◽  
C. Ahlström Emanuelsson ◽  
H. Johansson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Studies of patient-rated outcome in septoplasty and turbinoplasty most frequently involve several surgeons with varying surgical skills, techniques and experience. The aim of the present study was to evaluate outcome based on one experienced surgeon. Methods Three hundred and sixty-six consecutive patients referred for nasal obstruction were included. All the patients were examined with nasal endoscopy before and after decongestion, they filled out a nose VAS and rated their overall general health before and three to six months after surgery. The patients underwent septoplasty, septoplasty plus turbinoplasty or turbinoplasty. Results The mean nose VAS for nasal obstruction (0–100) preoperatively was 64.7 for all patients. Patients undergoing septoplasty (n = 159) were younger than patients undergoing septoplasty + turbinoplasty (n = 79) or patients undergoing turbinoplasty alone (n = 128). The nose VAS for nasal obstruction improved significantly in all three groups and 25% had a normal nose VAS after surgery in the septoplasty and septoplasty + turbinoplasty groups compared to only 8% in the turbinoplasty alone group. There was no significant difference in the improvement in nasal obstruction between septoplasty and septoplasty + turbinoplasty, but the septoplasty + turbinoplasty group experienced a significantly greater improvement in general health. Conclusions In 366 patients operated on by one experienced surgeon, septoplasty and septoplasty + turbinoplasty were more effective at relieving nasal obstruction than turbinoplasty alone. Septoplasty + turbinoplasty resulted in a greater improvement in general health than septoplasty alone, despite the same improvement in nasal obstruction, indicating a beneficial effect of additional turbinoplasty in septoplasty.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilahun Fufa Debela ◽  
Zerihun Asefa Hordofa ◽  
Aster Berhe Aregawi ◽  
Demisew Amenu Sori

Abstract Background The consequences of obstetric fistula on affected women are more than the medical condition. It has extensive physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences on them. Obstetric fistula affects the entire health and entire life of women. Women suffering from obstetric fistula are often abandoned by her partner, relatives, and the community. This study aimed to determine the quality of life of obstetrics fistula patients before and after surgical repair. Methods Institutional-based prospective, before and after study design was conducted in the Jimma University Medical Center from November 1, 2019–October 30, 2020. A face-to-face interview was conducted with fistula patients who visited Jimma University Medical center, fistula clinic during the study period. All fistula patients were included in the study. Accordingly, 78 women who underwent surgical repair were interviewed. The means and the standard deviation were computed using conventional statistics formulas. The unpaired t-test was used to compare two independent means, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the quality of life before repair and after a successful repair. Linear regression analysis was done for identifying determinants of quality of life. A P value of 0.05 will be considered statistical significance. Result The overall quality of life of women was 58.17 ± 7.2 before the surgical repair and 71.20 ± 10.79 after surgical repair. The result indicates there is a significant difference in the mean value of pre and post-operative (P < 0.001). The overall satisfaction of women with their health status before the surgical repair was 22.5 ± 1.30and it has increased to 53.0 ± .90after surgical repair. The physical health dimension score was 16.51 ± 5.27 before the surgical repair while it has increased to 21.77 ± 5.38 after the surgical repair. The score of the social domain before the surgical repair was 5.19 ± 1.34 and it has increased to 7.13 ± 3.67 after the surgical repair. The score of the environmental health domain was 17.41 ± 2.89 before the surgery while it also increased to 21.65 ± 4.04 after the surgical repair. The results have shown there was a significant difference in the mean values of pre and post-operatives in both social and environmental scores (P < 0.001). The score of the psychological health domain before the surgery was 19.06 ± 1.46 and it was increased to 19.84 ± 3.21 after the surgical repair. The result showed there is a significant difference in mean value pre and post-operative (P = 0.048), though it is a slight improvement compared to other domains. Conclusion The overall quality of life of the patient with fistula was improved after successful surgical repair. Although all domains of quality of life had shown significant improvement after successful surgical repair, the psychological domain showed slight improvement.


1974 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Mahoudeau ◽  
A. Delassalle ◽  
H. Bricaire

ABSTRACT Plasma levels of testosterone (T) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were determined by radioimmunoassay in 29 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and in 56 control men of various ages. No significant difference was found in T, DHT nor DHT/T ratio between BPH and control subjects of similar age. Plasma DHT was higher in the prostatic than in the peripheral veins in 8/9 patients with BPH during laparotomy, indicating a prostatic secretion of DHT. No difference in the mean T nor the mean DHT was found in peripheral plasma before and after adenomectomy.


2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 482-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marili Doro Andrade Deonizio ◽  
Gilson Blitzkow Sydney ◽  
Antonio Batista ◽  
Roberto Pontarolo ◽  
Paulo Ricardo Bittencourt Guimarães ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the influence of apical patency, root filling removal technique and cleaning of the apical foramen, concerning the amount of debris extruded during root canal retreatment. Forty mandibular incisors were randomly assigned to 4 groups - GIM (n=10), GIIM (n=10), GIPT (n=10) and GIIPT (n=10), which were named according to leaving (I) or not (II) apical patency during canal preparation and filling removal technique (manual - M or ProTaper system - PT). After filling material removal, each specimen of each group had the apical foramen cleaned by sizes 15, 20 and 25 instruments, generating 12 subgroups: GIM15, GIM20, GIM25, GIIM15, GIIM20, GIIM25, GIPT15, GIPT20, GIPT25, GIIPT15, GIIPT20 and GIIPT25. Extruded filling debris was collected by a Milipore filtration system, an HV-durapore, 0.45 µm pore filter with a 25 mm diameter. The filters were weighed before and after the collection on an analytical scale (10–5 g), and the difference was calculated. The mean weight of extruded filling debris was analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman ANOVA tests (α=0.05). The mean values found in the groups (in mg) were: GIM (0.95±0.94), GIIM (0.47±0.62), GIPT (0.30±0.31) and GIIPT (0.32±0.44). There was no statistically significant difference among any of the groups or subgroups (p>0.05). ProTaper provided the smallest amount of extruded filling material, regardless of presence or absence of apical patency, followed by manual technique, without and with apical patency. Additional amounts of debris were collected during cleaning of the apical foramen, regardless of the instrument, presence/absence of patency or root filling removal technique.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Poletto ◽  
G Perri ◽  
F Malacarne ◽  
B Bianchet ◽  
A Doimo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was discovered during the 2019 outbreak in Mainland China and the first cases were reported in Italy on February 21, 2020. This study evaluates the emergency department (ED) attendances of an academic hospital in northern Italy before and after media reported the news of the first infected patients in Italy. Methods Adult attendances in ED in February 2020 were analysed dividing the period into 4 weeks (days 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28) compared with the same periods in 2019. The visits were analysed separately according to the Italian colour code of triage: white (non-critical), green (low-critical), yellow (medium critical), red (life-threatening). The mean weekly number of attendances was compared with t-test. Results February 2020 total ED attendances compared with February 2019 were 4865 vs 5029 (-3.3%), of which white codes were 834 vs 762 (+9.4%), green 2450 vs 2580 (-5.0%), yellow 1427 vs 1536 (-7.1%), red 154 vs 151 (+2.0%). February 2020 weekly mean ED attendances compared with February 2019 had statistically significant difference only in the fourth week (days 22-28) for green codes (75 vs 92, p = 0.007) and yellow codes (41 vs 52, p = 0.047), not for white (27 vs 26, p = 0.760) and red codes (5 vs 5, p = 0.817). The first three weeks of February 2020 compared with 2019 showed no statistically significant difference in weekly mean ED attendances. Conclusions There was a significant reduction of green and yellow codes attendances at ED in the fourth week of February 2020, corresponding to the initial phase of Italian COVID-19 outbreak. The fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 by attending the ED probably acted as a significant deterrent in visits, especially for low and medium critical patients. Additional data are required to better understand the phenomenon, including the behaviour of non-critical attendances. Key messages A reduction of green and yellow codes attendances was reported during initial phase of COVID-19 outbreak in an Italian academic hospital. Fear of contracting COVID-19 infection in a hospital setting could impact on emergency department attendances.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205031211882461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel ◽  
Teshome Gensa Geta

Background: Chronic consumption of khat affects many organ systems and leads to various health disturbances in the chewers. Few studies examined the acute effects of khat ingestion on lung function parameters. However, studies which assessed the long-term effects of khat chewing on pulmonary function parameters and oxygen saturation are lacking. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of chronic Khat chewing on pulmonary function parameters and oxygen saturation among chronic Khat chewers in Wolkite, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Wolkite, Ethiopia from 1 June 2018 to 15 August 2018. A total of 324 participants, 162 khat chewers and 162 non-chewers were included in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face interview by trained data collectors. British Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms. A spirometer was used to assess various lung function parameters. Moreover, oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was measured using pulse oximeter. Data were entered into CSPro version 6.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: This study showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the mean values of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in first second and maximum ventilation volume among khat chewers as compared to non-chewers. There was no significant difference in the mean values of other lung function parameters between the two groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference (p = 0.642) in mean oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO2) across the two groups. Conclusion: It is evident from this study that long-term khat consumption is associated with decreased mean forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in first second and maximum ventilation volume. Hence, there is a need for further study to strengthen the current findings and to explore the mechanisms of khat chewing effect on lung function parameters.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 29566
Author(s):  
Magali Santos Lumertz ◽  
Ângela De Moura ◽  
Leonardo Araújo Pinto ◽  
Paulo Augusto Moreira Camargos ◽  
Paulo José Cauduro Marostica

AIMS: To compare clinical, laboratory and spirometric parameters of preschoolers (ages from three to six years old) with cystic fibrosis identified by abnormal newborn screening test (NS group), with data of patients whose diagnostic suspicion arose from characteristic clinical signs and symptoms (CS group).METHODS:  Retrospective cohort study, with a sample obtained from the medical charts of patients who received specialized and multidisciplinary outpatient follow-up. All the included children had a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis by sweat electrolyte testing and/or genetic sequencing. Variables included sex, weight, height, body mass index, number of hospitalizations per year, Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, presence of pancreatic insufficiency and Shwachman score, which covers four domains: general activity, nutrition, radiological examination and physical evaluation, each one scored between 5 and 25 points. A total score ≤40 points indicates severe state, and ≥86 points indicates excellent state. For comparison of pulmonary function, data from the last spirometry performed before the age of six years were used. Outcomes were compared by chi-square or Student's t test, with a significance limit of 0.05.RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included in the study, seven children in the NS group and 17 children in the CS group. The children of the NS group started follow-up with a mean age of 1.51±2.04 months, and those of the CS group started with 3.77±1.80 months (p=0.014). The mean Shwachman score was 94.40±2.19 in the NS vs. 87.67±8.00 in the CS group (p=0.018). The mean Z score for body mass index was 0.95±1.02 in the NS group vs. 0.51±1.05 in the CS group (p=0.051). Spirometric variables had slightly higher values in the NS group, with no statistically significant difference between groups.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that those patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis from the neonatal screening test suspicion benefited from an early intervention, being able to initiate pulmonary function tests and receive treatment and counseling earlier. Evaluation of clinical parameters with the Shwachman score showed that benefits could be already observed at the preschool age.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Tao Ai ◽  
Ronghua Luo ◽  
Yinghong Fan ◽  
Huiling Liao ◽  
...  

Objective. To evaluate the efficiency of sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops in children with single and multiple respiratory allergic diseases. Methods. Seventy-one children with allergic respiratory diseases who had been treated with Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops for one year or more were divided into a single allergic group (12 cases) and multiple allergic group (59 cases). The rhinitis score, daytime and night symptom score of asthma, VAS score, drug score, pulmonary function, and FeNO level before and after treatment were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results. The rhinitis score, night symptom score, VAS score, and drug score in the single allergic group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment ( p < 0.05 ), but there was no significant difference in the daytime symptom score before and after treatment ( p > 0.05 ). The rhinitis score, VAS score, and drug score in the multiple allergic group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment ( p < 0.05 ), but there was no significant difference in the scores of daytime symptoms and nighttime symptoms before and after treatment ( p > 0.05 ). In both the single allergic group and multiple allergic group, the pulmonary function indexes of the patients were significantly improved after treatment, and the FeNO after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment ( p < 0.05 ). There was no significant difference in scores, pulmonary function, and FeNO between the two groups ( p > 0.05 ). Conclusion. Sublingual specific immunotherapy is effective in treating multiple and single allergic respiratory diseases in children.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-455
Author(s):  
Sirlei Ricarte Bento ◽  
Ana Carolina Ottaviani ◽  
Allan Gustavo Brigola ◽  
Vânia Paula de Almeida Neris ◽  
Fabiana de Souza Orlandi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective :to evaluate the presence of depressive symptoms and cognitive disorders before and after an intervention program with a digital therapeutic game among elderly persons undergoing hemodialysis. Method: a quasi-experimental study was carried out with 26 elderly patients on hemodialysis. For the data collection, a questionnaire relating to sociodemographic and health conditions, the Geriatric Depression Scale - 15 items and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised were used. The intervention with the digital therapeutic game was performed over 5 sessions. Results: of the participants, 80.8% were male, with a mean age of 66.7 (± 5.8) years. The mean pre-intervention depressive symptom score was 3.9 (± 3.0) while post-intervention it was 2.8 (± 2.9), representing a statistically significant difference (p = 0.005). Regarding cognitive function, there was no statistically significant difference before and after the intervention. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean of the depressive symptom scores, which were lower after the intervention. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean of the cognitive assessments. Conclusion: intervention studies with patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment are still scarce and this study describes the positive results of an intervention with a digital therapeutic game, demonstrating improvement in the depressive symptoms of the participants.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212096345
Author(s):  
Marco Lupidi ◽  
Ramkailash Gujar ◽  
Alessio Cerquaglia ◽  
Jay Chhablani ◽  
Daniela Fruttini ◽  
...  

Purpose: To quantitatively assess retinal neovascularizations (RNVs) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) before and after photocoagulative laser treatment (PLT) using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A). Methods: Consecutive patients with PDR were examined with fluorescein angiography (FA) and OCT-A before and after PLT. Baseline and after-treatment FA images were quantitatively analyzed to assess both the RNVs area and leakage area. On OCT-A RNVs area, vascular perfusion density (VPD), vessel length density (VLD) and fractal dimension were computed. VPD of the full-retina OCT-A underneath the RNV was determined to evaluate potential laser-induced changes in vascular perfusion. Results: Fifteen eyes of 13 patients with PDR were enrolled. The mean area of the RNVs was 0.47 ± 0.50 mm2 in the baseline OCT-A and 0.32 ± 0.40 mm2 in the post-treatment assessment ( p = 0.0002). The mean RNV VPD of RNV was 2% ± 4% in pre-treatment and 1% ± 1% for the post-treatment ( p = 0.0001). The mean VLD of RNV was 7.26 ± 1.53 at baseline and 6.64 ± 1.65 in the post treatment ( p = 0.0002). A significant difference in terms of mean RNVs area and VPD reduction between eyes that needed additional treatment and those that did not (~40% vs ~20%; p < 0.05), was observed. Mean VPD of full-retinal thickness OCT-angiogram was 55% ± 10% for the pre-treatment and 53% ± 8% for the post treatment scan ( p = 0.02). Conclusion: The quantitative OCT-A assessment of laser-induced changes of RNVs can be a useful non-invasive approach for determining treatment efficacy. A reduction of RNVs area or VPD ⩾ 40% might reveal those eyes that won’t require additional treatment. Retinal perfusion impairment seemed to progress independently from the treatment.


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