Spinal Cord Injury–Functional Index/Capacity: Responsiveness to Change Over Time

ObjectiveTo establish responsiveness of 3 Spinal Cord Injury–Functional Index/Capacity (SCI-FI/C) item banks in the first year after spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignLongitudinal patient-reported outcomes assessment replicated through secondary analysis of an independent data set.SettingA total of 8 SCI Model Systems rehabilitation hospitals in the United States.ParticipantsStudy 1 participants included 184 adults with recent (≤4 months) traumatic SCI and 221 community-dwelling adults (>1 year post injury) (N=405). Study 2 participants were 418 individuals with recent SCI (≤4 months) (N=418).InterventionsIn study 1, SCI-FI/C computer adaptive tests were presented in a standardized interview format either in person or by phone call at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Responsiveness was examined by comparing 6-month changes in SCI-FI scores within and across samples (recently injured vs community-dwelling) because only the recent injury sample was expected to exhibit change over time. Effect sizes were also computed. In study 2, the study 1 results were cross-validated in a second sample with recent SCI 1 year after baseline measurement. Study 2 also compared the SCI-FI/C measures’ responsiveness to that of the Self-reported Functional Measure (SRFM) and stratified results by injury diagnosis and completeness.Main Outcome MeasuresThe SCI-FI Basic Mobility/C, Self-care/C and Fine Motor/C item banks (study 1 and study 2); Self-reported Functional Measure SRFM (study 2 only).ResultsIn study 1, changes in SCI-FI/C scores between baseline and 6-month follow-up were statistically significant (P<.01) for recently injured individuals. SCI-FI Basic Mobility/C, Self-care/C, and Fine Motor/C item banks demonstrated small to medium effect sizes in the recently injured sample. In the community-dwelling sample, all SCI-FI/C effects were negligible (ie, effect size<0.08). Study 2 results were similar to study 1. As expected, SCI-FI Basic Mobility/C and Self-care/C were responsive to change for all individuals in study 2, whereas the SCI-FI Fine Motor/C was responsive only for individuals with tetraplegia and incomplete paraplegia. The SRFM demonstrated a medium effect size for responsiveness (effect size=0.65).ConclusionsThe SCI-FI Basic Mobility/C and Self-care/C banks demonstrate adequate sensitivity to change at 6 months and 1 year for all individuals with SCI, while the SCI-FI/C Fine Motor item bank is sensitive to change in individuals with tetraplegia or incomplete paraplegia. All SCI-FI/C banks demonstrate stability in a sample not expected to change. Results provide support for the use of these measures for research or clinical use.     

Sensitivity and specificity of patient-entered red flags for lower back pain

Background Context

Red flags are questions typically ascertained by providers to screen for serious underlying spinal pathologies. The utility of patient-reported red flags in guiding clinical decision-making for spine care, however, has not been studied.

Taking the patient and the patient's perspective into account to improve outcomes of care of patients with musculoskeletal diseases

Patient-reported outcome measures are commonly used in the assessment of patients with musculoskeletal diseases. The present review provides an overview of historic and recent developments, including core set recommendations for assessing patient-reported outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. The evidence supporting commonly used patient-reported outcomes measures is reviewed. Furthermore, various methodological approaches that can be utilized to evaluate validity and measurement precision of patient reported outcomes are introduced. Commonly used methods based on the classical test theory as well as modern approaches based on item response theory will be discussed. The review finally describes the increasing use of item response theory-based approaches used in patient-reported outcomes assessment in the musculoskeletal diseases.     

河南省新报告HIV感染者中丙型肝炎病毒感染状况及其影响因素分析

目的 了解河南省新报告HIV感染者中丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染情况及其相关影响因素。方法 对2012年7月1日至2013年6月30日河南省所有新确证上报的HIV-1感染者进行信息整理、HIV-1 BED新发感染检测和HCV抗体检测。结果 河南省该期间新确证上报2 049例HIV-1感染者中HCV抗体阳性率为14.87%（271/1 887），BED阳性比例（新发感染比例）为26.34%（497/1 887）。新发HIV-1感染者中HCV抗体阳性率较既往HIV-1感染者低，20～39岁组HIV-1感染者的HCV抗体阳性率较其他年龄组低，个别地区HIV-1感染者的HCV抗体阳性率较高，经注射吸毒感染HIV-1者中HCV抗体阳性率较高。结论 新发感染、年龄、传播途径和地区分布是河南省新报告HIV-1感染者中HCV感染率的影响因素，应有针对性地开展此人群的丙型肝炎防治工作。