Agreement between proxy- and self-report scores on PROMIS health-related quality of life domains in pediatric burn survivors: a National Institute on Disability,Independent Living,and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System Study

Quality of Life Research - To examine agreement between pediatric burn survivor self- and caregiver proxy-report on multiple PROMIS domains and examine factors associated with differences between...     

A combined method for estimating ventilatory threshold

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare two new methods (Dmax and CUSUM) for determination of the ventilatory threshold and to examine the consequences of estimation by application of these methods in combination. METHODS: Experimental design: a comparative design was used. Setting: the study was performed in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory in the Faculty of Medicine, Sel?uk University. Participants: thirty-two untrained males (20.6 +/- 1.2 yrs) performed an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Interventions: there is no intervention. Measures: ventilatory and gas exchange variables were measured breath-by-breath. The ventilatory thresholds were detected by conventional linear regression, CUSUM, Dmax and combined CUSUM-Dmax methods. RESULTS: The ventilatory thresholds determined by Dmax method gave the highest r-values compared to the criterion method. There was no statistical difference between thresholds determined by all methods or by the same method using different variables. Ventilatory thresholds could not be determined by the conventional linear regression method in three subjects but were determined in all subjects by the other three methods. CONCLUSIONS: Although all methods presented in this study can be used in the determination of ventilatory threshold, the Dmax method was found to be the most valid one. When using the CUSUM method, combining it with the Dmax method increases the validity of the measurement.     

Cryptorchidism as a result of burn injury

Thermal injury of the genitalia usually occurs as part of larger body surface burns. The most common sequelae of burns of the penoscrotal region are contractures of penile shaft, but we did not encounter any reported cases in English Literature with cryptorchidism as a sequel of burn injury. A 7 year old boy with cryptorchidism as a component of extensive perineal and inguinal burn deformity is reported to indicate the role of burn injury in cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism as a component of perineal burn injury may be caused by the attachment of the cremaster muscle or fascia to the abdominal wall during the process of wound healing. As healing process of wounds on inguinal region by contraction may cause testis entrapment and cryptorchidism, a careful genital examination bears a great importance in inguinal burn deformities in order not to miss any trapped testis and replace it as early as possible before degenerative changes begin.     

Iodine deficiency disorders in Bangladesh

An extensive iodine deficiency disorders survery was conducted in Bangladesh in 1993 to assess the latest iodine nutriture status of the country. The clinical variables of the survey were goitre and cretinism, and the biochemical variable was urinary iodine. The “EPI-30 cluster” sampling methodology was followed for selecting the survey sites. In each survey site, the study population consisted of boys and girls, aged 5–11 years, and men and women, aged 15–44 years, in about equal populations. the total number of survey sites was 78 and the total number of respondents was 30 072. The total number of urine samples was 4512 (15% sub-sample). The current total goitre rate (grade 1+grade 2) in Bangladesh is 47.1% (hilly, 44.4%; flood-prone, 50.7%; and plains, 45.6%). The prevalence of cretinism in the country is 0.5% (hilly, 0.8%; flood-prone, 0.5%; and plains, 0.3%). Nearly 69% of Bangladeshi population have biochemical iodine deficiency (urinary iodine excretion [UIE]<10 mg/dl) (hilly, 84.4; flood-prone, 67.1%; and plains 60.4%). Women and children are more affected than men, in terms of both goitre prevalence and UIE. The widespread severe iodine deficiency in all ecological zones indicates that the country as a whole is an iodine-deficient region. Important recommendations of global interest are made from the experience of the survey. An erratum to this article is available at .     

The Efficacy of Fluoxetine in the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation: A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study

Purpose

The efficacy of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor fluoxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation was examined.

Materials and Methods

The study comprised 17 patients with premature ejaculation who presented to the urology clinic of our medical school. In this double-blind study the patients were randomized into treatment groups receiving 20 mg. fluoxetine daily for 1 week and 40 mg. daily afterward (group 1) or 1 capsule placebo daily for 1 week and 2 capsules daily afterward (group 2). The groups were evaluated according to the latent period of intravaginal ejaculation.

Results

The latent period of intravaginal ejaculation in group 1 was significantly longer than that in group 2. Nausea, headache and insomnia were reported side effects.

Conclusions

Fluoxetine may be regarded as a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of premature ejaculation.