scholarly journals Validity of a Screening Tool for Patients with a Sub-Threshold Level of Lumbar Instability: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12151
Author(s):  
Arisa Leungbootnak ◽  
Rungthip Puntumetakul ◽  
Jaturat Kanpittaya ◽  
Thiwaphon Chatprem ◽  
Rose Boucaut
Keyword(s):  
Screening Tool ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Radiographic Measurement ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lumbar Instability ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Outpatient Settings ◽  
Flexion And Extension

Lumbar instability (LI) comprises one subgroup of those with chronic low back pain (CLBP); it indicates the impairment of at least one of the spinal stabilizing systems, and radiographic criteria of translation and rotation are used for its diagnosis. Previous studies have developed and tested a screening tool for LI where patients with sub-threshold lumbar instability (STLI) were detected in the initial stage of lumbar pathology using radiographs as a gold standard for diagnosis. The radiographic measurement in STLI lies between the range of translation and rotation of the LI and asymptomatic lumbar motion. However, there are no studies indicating the validity and cut-off points of the screening tool for STLI. The current study aimed to determine the validity of an LI screening tool to support the diagnostic process in patients with STLI. This study design was cross-sectional in nature. A total of 135 participants with CLBP, aged between 20 and 60 years, who had undergone flexion and extension radiographs, answered a screening tool with 14 questions. The cut-off score for identifying STLI using the screening tool was at least 6/14 positive responses to the LI questions. The findings suggested that the LI screening tool we tested is effective for the detection of STLI. The tool can be used in outpatient settings.

Psychiatrists and homicidal threats: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Musaab Elzain ◽  
Ahmed Bashir ◽  
Noreen Moloney ◽  
Colum P. Dunne ◽  
Brendan D. Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Frequency Characteristics ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
History Of ◽  
Outpatient Settings

Objectives: To investigate the frequency, characteristics and impact of death threats by patients towards psychiatrists. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of psychiatrists (n = 60) was undertaken to investigate the frequency, characteristics and impact of death threats by patients in one Irish healthcare region serving a mixed urban–rural population of 470,000. Results: Forty-nine responses (82%) were received. Thirty-one per cent of respondents experienced death threats by patients during their careers. Victims were more likely to be male and in a consultant role. Patients making the threats were more likely to be males aged 30–60 with a history of violence and diagnosis of personality disorder and/or substance misuse. A majority of threats occurred in outpatient settings and identified a specific method of killing, usually by stabbing. Prosecution of the perpetrator was uncommon. Of the victimised psychiatrists, 53% reported that such threats affected their personal lives, and 67% believed their professional lives were impacted. In half of the incidents, there were adverse incidents subsequent to the threats, involving either the patient or the clinician. Conclusions: Death threats by patients have significant psychological and professional impacts on psychiatrists. Early liaison with employers and police and transferring the care of the patient to another clinician may be useful measures.

scholarly journals Depression and anxiety among pregnant mothers in the initial stage of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the southwest of Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Najmeh Maharlouei ◽  
Pedram Keshavarz ◽  
Niloufar Salemi ◽  
Kamran B. Lankarani
Keyword(s):  
Short Form ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Medical Histories ◽  
Southwest Of Iran ◽  
Maternity Clinics ◽  
Abnormal Level ◽  
Pregnant Mothers

Abstract ‌Background Women are at a higher risk for depression progression, especially during pregnancy. The current study purposed to investigate depression, anxiety, and stress levels of pregnant mothers in the initial stage of the COVID-19 infection in the southwest of Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted during March and April, 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. Pregnant mothers registered in maternity clinics affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were included. An online self-administered checklist was used. It included socio-demographic, obstetric and medical histories, and the short form of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results In total, 540 pregnant mothers answered the questionnaire. 83.5% had no comorbidity. Abnormal depression scores were significantly higher in those who had no insurance (OR = 2.5) and in those with poor self-rated health (SRH) (OR = 27.8). Pregnant mothers with lower SRH and two or more comorbidities had a higher chance of having an abnormal level of anxiety subscale (6.9, 3.7 times, retrospectively). Conclusion The results revealed that an abnormal level of depression was associated with SRH and medical insurance status. Moreover, the number of comorbidities and poor SRH significantly increased the chance of achieving abnormal anxiety levels in pregnant mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Joint-Specific Play Controller for Upper Extremity Therapy: Feasibility Study in Children With Wrist Impairment

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (11) ◽  
pp. 1773-1781
Author(s):  
Bethany J. Wilcox ◽  
Megan M. Wilkins ◽  
Benjamin Basseches ◽  
Joel B. Schwartz ◽  
Karen Kerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Average Frequency ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Wrist Flexion ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Play Activity ◽  
Play Session ◽  
Flexion And Extension

Abstract Background Challenges with any therapeutic program for children include the level of the child's engagement or adherence. Capitalizing on one of the primary learning avenues of children, play, the approach described in this article is to develop therapeutic toy and game controllers that require specific and repetitive joint movements to trigger toy/game activation. Objective The goal of this study was to evaluate a specially designed wrist flexion and extension play controller in a cohort of children with upper extremity motor impairments (UEMIs). The aim was to understand the relationship among controller play activity, measures of wrist and forearm range of motion (ROM) and spasticity, and ratings of fun and difficulty. Design This was a cross-sectional study of 21 children (12 male, 9 female; 4–12 years of age) with UEMIs. Methods All children participated in a structured in-clinic play session during which measurements of spasticity and ROM were collected. The children were fitted with the controller and played with 2 toys and 2 computer games for 5 minutes each. Wrist flexion and extension motion during play was recorded and analyzed. In addition, children rated the fun and difficulty of play. Results Flexion and extension goal movements were repeatedly achieved by children during the play session at an average frequency of 0.27 Hz. At this frequency, 15 minutes of play per day would result in approximately 1,700 targeted joint motions per week. Play activity was associated with ROM measures, specifically supination, but toy perception ratings of enjoyment and difficulty were not correlated with clinical measures. Limitations The reported results may not be representative of children with more severe UEMIs. Conclusions These outcomes indicate that the therapeutic controllers elicited repetitive goal movements and were adaptable, enjoyable, and challenging for children of varying ages and UEMIs.

scholarly journals Linking cardiorespiratory fitness classification criteria to early subclinical atherosclerosis in children

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Melo ◽  
Helena Santa-Clara ◽  
Diana A. Santos ◽  
Nuno M. Pimenta ◽  
Cláudia S. Minderico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Arterial Wall ◽  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Resolution Ultrasonography

It is unclear if cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can be used as a screening tool for premature changes in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in paediatric populations. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was 3-fold: (i) to determine if CRF can be used to screen increased cIMT; (ii) to determine an optimal CRF cut-off to predict increased cIMT; and (iii) to evaluate its ability to predict increased cIMT among children in comparison with existent CRF cut-offs. cIMT was assessed with high-resolution ultrasonography and CRF was determined using a maximal cycle test. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were conducted in boys (n = 211) and girls (n = 202) aged 11–12 years to define the optimal sex-specific CRF cut-off to classify increased cIMT (≥75th percentile). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the CRF cut-offs with the risk of having an increased cIMT. The optimal CRF cut-offs to predict increased cIMT were 45.81 and 34.46 mL·kg−1·min−1 for boys and girls, respectively. The odds-ratios for having increased cIMT among children who were unfit was up to 2.8 times the odds among those who were fit (95% confidence interval: 1.40–5.53). Considering current CRF cut-offs, only those suggested by Adegboye et al. 2011. (Br. J. Sports Med. 45(9): 722–728) and Boddy et al. 2012 (PLoS One, 7(9): e45755) were significant in predicting increased cIMT. In conclusion, CRF cut-offs (boys: ≤ 45.8; girls: ≤ 34.5 mL·kg−1·min−1) are associated with thickening of the arterial wall in 11- to 12-year-old children. Low CRF is an important cardiovascular risk factor in children and our data highlight the importance of obtaining an adequate CRF.

Morphometric Parameters of the Proximal Femur in Nepalese Population: A Cross-sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
Bishnu Pokharel ◽  
Ashok Raj Pant ◽  
Pashupati Chaudhary ◽  
Guru Prasad Khanal
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Neck ◽  
Proximal Femur ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Morphometric Parameters ◽  
Radiographic Measurement ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neck Width ◽  
Femur Fractures ◽  
Femoral Neck Width

Background: Most of the proximal femur fractures are managed surgically by internal fiation with a variety of implants. Improperly designed or ill-fited implant may lead to a failure of fiation, breakage of implant and nonunion, thus increasing the morbidity and the cost of treatment. This study was conducted to evaluate the radiographic morphometry of the proximal femur which may be helpful in designing the implants for the Nepalese population. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 84 patients aged 18 years and above with traumatic unilateral hip fracture were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. The postoperative check X-ray in the antero-posterior view of the pelvis and bilateral hip were assessed. Various morphometric parameters of the proximal femur were measured and recorded in the radiograph of the unaffcted limb using a digital caliper. Results: Out of 84 patients, 47 were male. The mean ± SD femoral neck width, femoral neck length, femoral axis length, cervico-diaphyseal angle, acetabular tear-drop distance, and great trochanter-pubic symphysis distance were 36.10 ± 5.67 mm, 28.29 ± 4.18 mm, 104.51 ± 9.56 mm, 130.35 ± 8.67°, 32.56 ± 11.05 mm, and 163.07 ± 10.71 mm respectively. The femoral neck width was found to be signifiantly larger in males (39.08 ± 3.06 mm) than in females (32.32 ± 5.99 mm, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study determined the radiographic measurement of the proximal femur and found that the femoral neck width of the males was larger than that of the females.

scholarly journals Neck circumference and clustered cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents: cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e016048 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Castro-Piñero ◽  
Alvaro Delgado-Alfonso ◽  
Luis Gracia-Marco ◽  
Sonia Gómez-Martínez ◽  
Irene Esteban-Cornejo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional

ObjectiveEarly detection of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as obesity, is crucial to prevent adverse long-term effects on individuals’ health. Therefore, the aims were: (1) to explore the robustness of neck circumference (NC) as a predictor of CVD and examine its association with numerous anthropometric and body composition indices and (2) to release sex and age-specific NC cut-off values to classify youths as overweight/obese.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting23 primary schools and 17 secondary schools from Spain.Participants2198 students (1060 girls), grades 1–4 and 7–10.MeasuresPubertal development, anthropometric and body composition indices, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), cardiorespiratory fitness, blood sampling triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), glucose and inflammatory markers. Homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and cluster of CVD risk factors were calculated.ResultsNC was positively correlated with all anthropometric and body composition indices. NC was negatively associated with maximum oxygen consumption (R2=0.231, p<0.001 for boys; R2=0.018, p<0.001 for girls) and positively associated with SBP, DBP, TC/HDL-c, TG, HOMA, complement factors C-3 and C-4, leptin, adiponectin and clustered CVD risk factor in both sexes (R2from 0.035 to 0.353, p<0.01 for boys; R2from 0.024 to 0.215, p<0.001 for girls). Moreover, NC was positively associated with serum C reactive protein, LDL-c and visfatin only in boys (R2from 0.013 to 0.107, p<0.05).ConclusionNC is a simple, low-cost and practical screening tool of excess of upper body obesity and CVD risk factors in children and adolescents. Paediatricians can easily use it as a screening tool for overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. For this purpose, sex and age-specific thresholds to classify children and adolescents as normal weight or overweight/obese are provided.

scholarly journals Parameters for gait rehabilitation in Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: cross sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Corradini ◽  
Renata de Sousa Mota ◽  
Maíra Macêdo ◽  
Marina Brasil ◽  
Selena Márcia Dubois-Mendes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Spastic Paraparesis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Tropical Spastic Paraparesis ◽  
Foot Drop ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Asymmetry ◽  
Swing Time ◽  
Flexion And Extension

INTRODUCTION: The gait in people with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM / TSP) is little known. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the kinematic profile of gait in people with HAM/TSP. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 25 people with HAM/TSP and 25 healthy participants. Spatiotemporal and angular data from filming of gait were submitted to kinematic analysis using CVMob software. The gait of partipants with HAM/TSP was analized quantitatively through t Student test (alpha 5% and Power of 80%). The project was approved by Ethical Committee of the Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health with CAAE 13568213.8.0000.5544. RESULTS: The HAM/TSP group showed significant changes in two different domains of biomechanical gait analysis when compared to healthy controls. The angular variables showed increased trunk inclination, flexion and extension (p<0.05); increased hip flexion and decreased hip extension (p<0.05); decreased knee flexion and extension (p<0.05); decreased ankle dorsi and plantar flexion (p<0.05). Range of Motion was also reduced in all those joints. The spatiotemporal variables showed decreased stride length and increased stride time and speed gait cycle (p<0.001). Those changes point out to reduction in joint amplitudes of hip, knee and ankle, changes in support base and double support time asymmetry between right and left sides, reduction of pre-swing time, hip lift in the mid-swing, and foot drop throughout the swing. CONCLUSION: People with HAM/TSP have gait characterized by reduction in joint amplitudes of hip, knee and ankle, asymmetry between right and left sides and reduction of pre-swing time, hip lift in the mid-swing, and foot drop throughout the swing.

scholarly journals Accuracy and Incremental Yield of the Chest X-Ray in Screening for Tuberculosis in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Joanitah Nalunjogi ◽  
Frank Mugabe ◽  
Irene Najjingo ◽  
Pastan Lusiba ◽  
Francis Olweny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Screening Tool ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Case Detection ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Number Needed To Screen ◽  
Screening Algorithm ◽  
Chest X Ray

The WHO END TB strategy requires ≥90% case detection to combat tuberculosis (TB). Increased TB case detection requires a more sensitive and specific screening tool. Currently, the symptoms recommended for screening TB have been found to be suboptimal since up to 44% of individuals with TB are asymptomatic. The chest X-ray (CXR) as a screening tool for pulmonary TB was evaluated in this study, as well as its incremental yield in TB diagnosis using a cross-sectional study involving secondary analysis of data of 4512 consented/assented participants ≥15 years who participated in the Uganda National TB prevalence survey between 2014 and 2015. Participants with a cough ≥2 weeks, fever, weight loss, and night sweats screened positive for TB using the symptoms screening method, while participants with a TB defining abnormality on CXR screened positive for TB by the CXR screening method. The Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture was used as a gold standard for TB diagnosis. The CXR had 93% sensitivity and 65% specificity compared to LJ culture results, while symptoms had 76% sensitivity and 31% specificity. The screening algorithm involving the CXR in addition to symptoms led to a 38% increment in the yield of diagnosed tuberculosis. The number needed to screen using the CXR and symptoms screening algorithm was 32 compared to 45 when the symptoms are used alone. Therefore, the CXR in combination with symptoms is a good TB screening tool and increases the yield of diagnosed TB.

scholarly journals Hypertensive retinal changes, a screening tool to predict microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1839-1845 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. S. Shantha ◽  
A. A. Kumar ◽  
E. Bhaskar ◽  
K. Sivagnanam ◽  
D. Srinivasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Screening Tool ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hypertensive Patients

A Visual-Analogue Screening Tool for Assessing Mood and Quality of Daily Life Complications in Family Members of People Living With Cancer: Portuguese Version of the Emotion Thermometers: Burden Version

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-269
Author(s):  
Neide P. Areia ◽  
Alex Mitchell ◽  
Gabriela Fonseca ◽  
Sofia Major ◽  
Ana P. Relvas
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Entire Family ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Emotional Upset ◽  
Living With Cancer

Cancer is a disease that impacts not only the patient but also affects the entire family. Family members experience high levels of distress. Therefore, screening for cancer-specific distress among family members of people with cancer is important but relatively unexplored. This cross-sectional study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of a screening tool for family members of people with cancer. We examined the usefulness of the emotional thermometers burden version (ET-BV) in detecting caregiver emotional distress. The ET-BV is a simple multidomain visual analogue scale distributed in two major domains: “emotional upset” and “impact.” A total of 364 cancer patients’ family members completed the ET-BV and Brief Symptom Inventory. Analyses were aimed to examine the diagnostic accuracy (receiver operating characteristic) of the ET-BV. A fair to good diagnostic accuracy was achieved for ET-BV. For emotional upset thermometers, a cutoff of ≥5 was determined and for impact thermometers, a cutoff of ≥4 was established. ET-BV seems to be a useful, quick, and simple tool for distress screening in family members of people with cancer. A revision of a specific thermometer is discussed in order to increase ET screening performance and clinical utility.

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