Personality Types as Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening Compliance in Korean Patients: A Mixed-Method Approach

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to identify personality types that can influence breast cancer screening (BCS) compliance among Korean women with breast cancer using a mixed-method approach. MethodsThe participants consisted of 93 women who underwent surgery for breast cancer between July 2010 and March 2012. The demographic and medical characteristics of the participants were evaluated through structured interviews. To identify personality types, in-depth interviews were performed and the transcribed interviews were evaluated using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The participants were categorized into two groups (compliance and non-compliance) based on compliance with the Korean Breast Cancer Society recommendations for BCS. ResultsFive personality types were identified through phenomenological analysis. There were significant differences in the chi-square test results for the BCS compliance and non-compliance groups according to age (p=0.048), cancer stage (p<0.001), and personality types (p=0.018). Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for compliance with BCS was 9.35 (p=0.01) for individuals with a cautious-organized personality type, 9.38 (p=0.02) for those with a cautious-dependent personality, and 10.58 (p=0.04) for those with a sensitive-downcast personality compared to those with a cautious personality type. ConclusionParticipants with cautious-organized, cautious-dependent, and sensitive-downcast personality types were less likely to follow the BCS recommendations than those with a cautious personality type. This study provides a basis for the future development of an effective questionnaire to investigate the personality types of individuals with breast cancer in order to predict compliance with BCS.     

Mothers’ Perceptions of Quality of Family-Centered Care and Environmental Stressors in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Predictors of and Relationships with Psycho-emotional Outcomes and Postpartum Attachment

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Maternal attachment to promote role development in mothers of preterm infants is critical for babies’ optimal growth and development. However, few models...     

Association of hyperhomocysteinemia with genetic variants in key enzymes of homocysteine metabolism and methotrexate toxicity in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objectives

The study investigated the association between plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 with 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C), thymidylate synthase (TYMS 2R → 3R) and methionine synthase (MTR A2756G) polymorphisms and methotrexate (MTX) treatment and toxicity in Tunisian Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

A total of 185 patients with RA were included. Homocysteine (Hcy) was assessed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay, and folate and vitamin B12 were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassays. The genetic polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR or PCR-RFLP. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) was considered for Hcy?>?15 µmol/L.

Results

MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with HHC in RA patients (multi-adjusted OR, 95% CI 2.18, [1.07–4.57]; p?=?0.031). No association was detected with the remaining polymorphisms. Plasma Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 did not differ according to each polymorphism, or with MTX treatment or toxicity. However, HHC was more prevalent in patients with than those without MTX toxicity (32.7 vs. 16.7%; p?=?0.035).

Conclusions

The MTHFR 677TT genotype is an independent risk factor for HHC in Tunisians RA patients. HHC could be a useful marker of MTX toxicity in RA patients.

     

Correlation of antibiotic prophylaxis and difficulty of extraction with postoperative inflammatory complications in the lower third molar surgery

Our aim was to investigate the correlation among antibiotic prophylaxis, difficulty of extraction, and postoperative complications in the removal of lower 3rd molars. A total of 1222 such extractions in 890 patients between January 2010 and January 2012 were analysed retrospectively. The difficulty of extraction measured by Pederson's index, antibiotic prophylaxis with cefditoren, and postoperative complications were recorded. The difficulty of extraction was significantly associated with postoperative complications (p = 0.03). There were no significant associations between antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative complications in groups of equal difficulty (“easy” group (class I) p = 1.00; “moderate” group (class II) p = 1.00; and “difficult” group (class III) p = 0.65). There was a small but insignificant increase in the number of dry sockets and infections in class III cases. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence that antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of postoperative inflammatory complications is unnecessary for extraction of 3rd molars.     

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Giant Extra-articular Synovial Osteochondromatosis of the Sinus Tarsi: A Case Report

A 32-year-old male presented with painful swelling of the sinus tarsi that occurred during daily activities. Diagnostic imaging suggested the presence of a large synovial osteochondromatosis that blocked subtalar motion with deformity of the adjacent bone. The large bony mass was excised, and normal subtalar motion was achieved.     

Intra-articular corticosteroid injection in diabetic patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose

An intra-articular corticosteroid injection is considered an effective treatment for idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. This study examined the efficacy of corticosteroid injections for the treatment for adhesive capsulitis in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Forty-five diabetic patients were randomized into a corticosteroid injection group or non-injection control group and received the same instruction for a home stretching exercise. The corticosteroid group patients were administered intra-articular corticosteroid injection composed of 40?mg triamcinolone acetonide. Pain by a visual analogue scale, shoulder range of motion, and functional state by the American Shoulder and Elbow score were assessed at the baseline, 4-, 12-, and 24-week follow-up.

Results

Diabetic patients treated with corticosteroid injections showed significant improvement in the pain score at 4?weeks and in the functional score at 12?weeks (P?=?0.020 and P?=?0.042, respectively). The range of motion in forward elevation and internal rotation was significantly higher in the corticosteroid group than in the non-corticosteroid group at the 12-week follow-up (P?=?0.030 and 0.045, respectively), but there were no significant differences at the final follow-up between the corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid groups.

Conclusions

A corticosteroid injection in diabetic patients decreases the pain perception and accelerates the functional recovery in the early post-injection period. An intra-articular corticosteroid injection is considered a viable option for the treatment for adhesive capsulitis with diabetes.

Level of evidence

Randomized clinical trial, therapeutic study, Level II.