Patient preferences for diabetes-related complications in Taiwan

Background: As the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to increase rapidly, there has been a rising need not only to assess the clinical outcomes but also the impact of DM on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of affected individuals. Most previous studies have found that having complications is strongly associated with decreased HRQoL in DM patients. As such, it is crucial to measure individuals’ preferences for DM-related complications in order to assess the magnitude of complications’ effect on overall HRQoL. In addition, preference scores are an essential component of cost–utility analyses (CUAs), which studies can incorporate healthcare costs, HRQoL and clinical outcomes of DM into one analysis.

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the preference scores of DM-related complications using both the standard gamble (SG), a choice-based method, and visual analogue scale (VAS), a scaling method. We also aimed to assess several possible factors that might be associated with the preference scores of the complications.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional interview-administered survey, and 213 patients with type 2?DM were interviewed. The respondents’ preference scores of eleven DM-related complications were obtained using VAS and SG techniques. Demographic information, clinical characteristics and risk attitudes were also collected to explore factors that may affect patients’ preference scores.

Results: Nearly one quarter of participants in Taiwan ranked at least one of the complications worse than death. The mean VAS scores ranged from 0.004 (amputation) to 0.47 (nocturnal hypoglycemia) while the mean adjusted SG scores ranged from 0.30 (blindness) to 0.66 (nocturnal hypoglycemia). There were significant differences in all of the complications’ preference scores depending on risk attitudes.

Conclusion: Both the VAS and SG methods were used to elicit the preference scores of DM-related complications, and the preference scores derived could be useful for future cost utility analyses.     

Multicenter Study of the Psychometric Properties of the New Demoralization Scale (DS-II) in Spanish-Speaking Advanced Cancer Patients

Context

Demoralization is a state of existential distress in patients with advanced illness, typically with coping difficulties, feelings of loss of sense, and purpose in life and despair, among other things. The New Demoralization Scale (DS-II) is an evaluation tool for this syndrome, which has recently been reformulated on a shorter scale.

Symptom improvement in dry eye subjects following intranasal tear neurostimulation: Results of two studies utilizing a controlled adverse environment

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the intranasal tear neurostimulator (ITN) in improving dry eye symptoms assessed in a controlled adverse environment (CAE®).MethodsStudy 1: Multicenter, subject-masked, randomized-sequence, crossover design. Single intranasal (active) and extranasal (control) ITN administration during CAE exposure. Study 2: Single-arm, open-label design. Intranasal ITN administration ≥2 times/day for 45 days, CAE assessment at days 0 and 45. In both studies, upon CAE entry, and every 5 min thereafter, subjects assessed eye dryness score (visual analog scale, 0–100 mm; EDS-VAS), and ocular discomfort score (ODS; Ora Calibra™, 0–4), for ≈2 h. Study 1: when ODS was ≥3 at 2 consecutive timepoints, subjects applied ITN intranasally or extranasally for ≈3 min, and again when achieving the same ODS criteria in randomized sequence. Study 2: days 0 and 45, ITN was applied for ≈3 min employing the same ODS criteria as Study 1.ResultsStudy 1: Significantly greater pre- to post-application reductions in mean [SEM] EDS (−16.5 [1.7] vs −3.1 [1.7], P < 0.0001) and ODS (−0.93 [0.08] vs −0.34 [0.08], P < 0.0001; n = 143) with intranasal vs extranasal stimulation. Study 2: On day 0 (n = 52) and day 45 (n = 48), significant pre- to post-application reductions in mean [SEM] EDS (−15.9 [2.7] and −15.2 [2.4]; P < 0.0001), and ODS (−1.3 [0.2] and −1.3 [0.1]; P < 0.0001). Few device-related adverse events were reported, none serious.ConclusionsAcute symptom relief is significant with the ITN and remains undiminished after daily use.     

Temporal integration as “common currency” of brain and self‐scale‐free activity in resting‐state EEG correlates with temporal delay effects on self‐relatedness

The self is a multifaceted phenomenon that integrates information and experience across multiple time scales. How temporal integration on the psychological level of the self is related to temporal integration on the neuronal level remains unclear. To investigate temporal integration on the psychological level, we modified a well‐established self‐matching paradigm by inserting temporal delays. On the neuronal level, we indexed temporal integration in resting‐state EEG by two related measures of scale‐free dynamics, the power law exponent and autocorrelation window. We hypothesized that the previously established self‐prioritization effect, measured as decreased response times or increased accuracy for self‐related stimuli, would change with the insertion of different temporal delays between the paired stimuli, and that these changes would be related to temporal integration on the neuronal level. We found a significant self‐prioritization effect on accuracy in all conditions with delays, indicating stronger temporal integration of self‐related stimuli. Further, we observed a relationship between temporal integration on psychological and neuronal levels: higher degrees of neuronal integration, that is, higher power‐law exponent and longer autocorrelation window, during resting‐state EEG were related to a stronger increase in the self‐prioritization effect across longer temporal delays. We conclude that temporal integration on the neuronal level serves as a template for temporal integration of the self on the psychological level. Temporal integration can thus be conceived as the “common currency” of neuronal and psychological levels of self.     

民航飞行学员飞行训练应激源研究

目的确定我国民航飞行学员飞行训练的应激源。方法采用德尔菲法形成量表初步维度并在此基础上编制初测量表,从不同训练分院及国外训练归校的学员中采取分层随机取样;选取524名飞行学员进行测试,对所得数据进行分析形成正式问卷。对所获数据进行探索性因素分析和验证性因素分析,并分别检验量表的内部一致性系数、重测信度、内容效度与结构效度。结果训练环境、职业前景、飞行教员、座舱环境4个维度共解释了总变异的57.154%。量表总体的Cronbach’sα系数为0.830,各因子的Cronbach’sα系数为0.751~0.782,重测的相关系数均在0.806(P<0.01)以上。维度间的相关系数为0.134~0.438(P<0.05),各维度与总体的相关系数在0.617~0.748(P<0.01)。一阶4因素模型(GFI=0.929、IFI=0.989、TLI=0.986、CFI=0.989、RMSEA=0.013)拟合效果较好。结论民航飞行学员飞行训练应激源量表符合心理测量学标准,具有良好信效度,民航飞行学员飞行训练应激源主要来源于训练环境、职业前景、飞行教员、座舱环境。     

Long-term changes in dietary intake and its association with eating-related problems after gastric bypass in adolescents

BackgroundRoux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is an established, effective treatment for severe adolescent obesity. Long-term dietary intake and the relationship to eating-related problems are scarcely evaluated in this population.ObjectivesAssess changes in dietary intake in adolescents after RYGB and explore associations between dietary intake and eating-related problems.Setting: Multicenter study in Swedish university hospitals.MethodDiet history, binge eating scale (BES), and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire were assessed preoperatively and 1, 2, and 5 years after RYGB in 85 adolescents (67% female) aged 16.5 ± 1.2 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 45.5 ± 6.0 kg/m² and compared with control individuals at 5 years.ResultsFive-year BMI change was –28.6% ± 12.7% versus +9.9% ± 18.9% in RYGB patients versus control individuals (P < .001). Through 5 years, RYGB adolescents reported reduced energy intake, portion size of cooked meals at dinner, and milk/yoghurt consumption (P < .01). The BES scores were 9.3 ± 8.3 versus 13.4 ± 10.5 in RYGB patients versus control individuals (P = .04). Association between BES score and energy intake was stronger in control individuals (r = .27 versus r = .62 in RYGB patients versus control individuals, P < .001). At 5 years, lower energy intake was associated with greater BMI loss in all adolescents (r = .33, P < .001). Higher scores in BES and uncontrolled and emotional eating were associated with higher energy intake, cooked meals, candies/chocolates, cakes/cookies, desserts, and sugary drinks (r > .23, P < .04) and lower intake of fruits/berries (r = –.32, P = .044). A higher score in cognitive restraint was associated with a higher intake of cereals and fruits/berries (r > .22, P < .05) and a lower intake of sugary drinks (r = –.24, P < .03).ConclusionTo support optimization of long-term outcomes in adolescent RYGB patients, it is important to provide management strategies to reduce energy intake. Monitoring eating-related problems could identify potential individuals at risk of poor weight loss and to initiate treatment interventions.     

V-EMF treatment of facial scar: First results

Aim of studyThis is a retrospective study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the use of electromagnetic fields and negative pressure treatment (V-EMF) for facial scars, from an aesthetic and functional point of view, and considering the variations in the levels of hydration.Material and methods25 subjects with facial scarring were re-evaluated after being treated with the V-EMF method. The hydration levels of the scars before and after treatment were compared. The results were evaluated considering the satisfaction levels of the patients with the VAS, and of the medical specialists who performed the treatment, and of 3 independent dermatologists with the Likert scale.ResultsMean hydration levels of scars went from 41.8 to 53.3, with mean hydration levels of healthy reference points equal to 54.6. The minimum patient satisfaction level was 2 in the VAS. The minimum level of satisfaction of specialists and dermatologists was equal to IV on the Likert scale for all patients, except for 1 subject in which it was III for the specialist who had treated him. Anti-aging and re-pigmentation effects were also noted as secondary results.ConclusionsFrom an aesthetic and functional point of view, and for the overall anti-aging effect of the treated area, V-EMF applied to facial scars has shown extremely promising results.     

耳甲电针治疗功能性消化不良的临床效果

目的:观察耳甲电针治疗功能性消化不良的疗效。方法:选取2018年6月至2019年5月北京同仁医院收治的功能性消化不良患者90例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组45例,对照组采用对照刺激,观察组采用耳甲电针刺激,所有患者治疗前后均使用功能性消化不良主要症状评分表、功能性消化不良生命质量量表(FDDQL)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)评估患者症状的严重程度,并参照功能性消化不良中医诊疗专家共识意见和功能性消化不良中西医结合诊疗共识意见的疗效评估方法,对比分析观察组与对照组治疗功能性消化不良的疗效。结果:观察组和对照组治疗前主要症状评分表、功能性消化不良生命质量量表(FDDQL)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后观察组症状及量表评分与对照组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组治疗有效率82.22%,对照组治疗有效率57.78%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:耳甲电针对于功能性消化不良的各项症状具有较好的疗效。