Psychometric properties of the Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire and its relationship to standard assessment tools used in spine research.

BACKGROUND: The Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire (CSOQ), a disease-specific outcomes instrument, has not been systematically compared with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) or the Neck Disability Index (NDI). PURPOSE: To examine the psychometric properties of the CSOQ and to compare them with those of the SF-36 and NDI. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective analysis of outcomes data in patients undergoing surgery. METHODS: We used telephone surveys (CSOQ) and clinical assessments (SF-36 and NDI) to evaluate 534 patients undergoing anterior cervical decompression and fusion at 23 nationwide sites. The psychometric properties of the CSOQ were analyzed for floor/ceiling effect, internal consistency of items within the CSOQ, and concurrent validity with the SF-36 and NDI. RESULTS: The CSOQ domain scores showed good psychometric properties (Cronbach's alpha >0.70). Only physical symptoms (other than pain) showed a ceiling effect. The CSOQ domain scores had good concurrent validity (Spearman rank correlation coefficient >0.70) with the mental health score of the SF-36 and the total disability score of NDI. CONCLUSIONS: The CSOQ domain scores provide a disease-specific assessment of functional limitations resulting from cervical spine disorders. The domain scores for functional disability and psychological distress provide similar information to that provided by the NDI and SF-36. The CSOQ domain scores for pain severity provide information that is more specific to cervical disc disease than does the physical health score of the SF-36.     

Spine update. Lumbar foraminal stenosis

Lumbar foraminal stenosis is an important pathologic entity to identify in the patient being treated for radicular symptoms. This update reviews the anatomy, clinical presentation, neuroradiographic evaluation, and treatment of pathology located in the intervertebral foramen. Patients with significant leg pain refractory to conservative treatment and concordance between the demonstrated area of stenosis and radicular symptoms and signs are candidates for the decompressive procedures discussed. The role of arthrodesis and spinal instrumentation in the management of foraminal stenosis also is addressed.     

胸腰段结核的手术治疗

目的：探讨胸腰段结核的手术治疗,以提高胸腰段结核的手术治愈率。方法：１９９１年１月至１９９９年１月,我院共实施胸腰段结核手术３４例,其中前路病灶清除兼椎间植骨融合术３２例,后路病灶清除并横突间植骨融合术２例。结果：术后对所有病人进行了０．５￣６．５年,平均３．５年的随访,手术优良率为９４．１％。结论：多数胸腰段结核适合于前路病灶清除术Ⅰ期椎间植骨融合术,部分可以选用后路病灶清除并Ⅰ期横突间植骨融合     

腰脊柱构型与椎间盘突出症的关系

本文复习了２０５例已手术治疗的腰椎间盘突出的症病人的术前Ｘ线表现，结果提示深 Ｌ５发生Ｌ４－５椎间盘突出的可能性增高，而高骑Ｌ５则与Ｌ５－Ｓ１椎间盘出有关，腰骶移行椎的发生率较正常人显著增高，而腰骶角的病理意义尚难确定。     

A systematic review of the psychometric properties of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire

Background  

The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) is a disease-specific measure of self-reported symptom severity and functional status. It is frequently used in the reporting of outcomes from trials into interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome. We conducted a systematic review of published studies on the psychometric properties of the BCTQ to determine the level of evidence on the instrument's validity, reliability and responsiveness to date.     

Measuring the expectations of kidney donors: initial psychometric properties of the Living Donation Expectancies Questionnaire

We report on the initial development and validation of the Living Donation Expectancies Questionnaire (LDEQ), designed to measure the expectations of living kidney donor candidates. Potential living donors (n=443) at two transplant centers were administered the LDEQ and other questionnaires, and their medical records were reviewed. Factor analysis provides support for six LDEQ scales: Interpersonal Benefit, Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth, Quid Pro Quo, Health Consequences, and Miscellaneous Consequences. All but one scale showed good internal consistency. Expected benefits of donation were associated with higher optimism and lower mental health; expected consequences of donation were associated with lower optimism and lower physical and mental health. More potential donors with relative or absolute contraindications had high Interpersonal Benefit (P<0.0001), Personal Growth (P<0.01), Quid Pro Quo (P<0.0001), and Health Consequences (P<0.0001) expectations. The LDEQ has promise in evaluating donor candidates' expectations.     

Interbody Fusions in the Lumbar Spine: A Review

HSS Journal ® - Lumbar interbody fusion is among the&nbsp;most common types of spinal surgery performed. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a number of different approaches to...     

Lumbar Spine Imaging: Role in Clinical Decision Making

Imaging studies are an integral component of the evaluation of the lumbar spine. For each study there is a specific role, an appropriate indication, and a correct time for utilization during the course of a patient's illness. The physician must know the specificity and sensitivity of each test, as well as the prevalence of abnormal findings in asymptomatic persons, to properly order and interpret the results of the studies. Many errors in decision making arise, not from misinterpretation of what is seen on imaging studies, but rather from misuse of imaging information in the clinical decision making process. Because all neurodiagnostic imaging modalities reveal abnormalities in at least a third of asymptomatic persons, the use of these tests for general screening is dangerous. The challenge for the future is to be able to better correlate what is seen on imaging studies with the patient's symptoms. Obtaining these expensive studies too early in the treatment of self-limited disorders is costly and often misleading for both the physician and the patient. The authors outline an approach to the judicious timing of imaging studies and discuss pitfalls in their interpretation in the evaluation of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.     

The psychometric properties of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire and Respiratory Symptoms in CF tool in cystic fibrosis: A preliminary study

Background

There are few tools to quantify the impact of cough in cystic fibrosis (CF). The psychometric properties of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and Respiratory Symptoms in CF (ReS-CF) tool were investigated in adults with CF.