Abnormal cytogenetics and significant bone marrow plasmacytosis are predictive of early progression and short survival in patients with low tumor mass asymptomatic multiple myeloma

In order to evaluate the prognostic factors for progression and survival in patients with a low tumor mass asymptomatic multiple myeloma (MM), we studied 59 patients who had a long term follow-up. Cytogenetic abnormalities (using conventional cytogenetics) were observed in 14 out of 45 analyzable patients (31%). An abnormal karyotype and a bone marrow (BM) plasmacytosis > 15% were found to be adverse prognostic factors for progression in univariate and multivariate analysis.     

Debridement arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the elbow (Outerbridge-Kashiwagi procedure)

The Outerbridge-Kashiwagi (O-K) procedure has been described to treat mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the elbow. We treated a consecutive series of 15 patients (16 elbows) with the O-K procedure. All patients were reviewed after a mean follow-up of twenty months (range 3-64 months). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the O-K procedure. Assessment included evaluation of elbow pain, range of motion and the Mayo elbow Performance Index (MPI). The mean arc of motion improved from 94 degrees (range, 65 degrees-120 degrees) preoperatively to 114 degrees (range 93 degrees-128 degrees) at the time of follow-up (p < 0.01). At the latest follow-up evaluation the total MPI improved from 63 (range, 50-75) to 88 (range, 45-100) (p < 0.01), eight elbows (50%) had no pain, seven (43.8%) mild pain and one (6.2%) moderate pain. The result was excellent for 8 elbows (50%), good for 6 (37.5%), fair for one (6.2%) and poor for one (6.2%). Patients' satisfaction showed that thirteen (86.6%) were much better or better and two (13.3%) were not improved compared with the preoperative situation.     

Double dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in the finger. Case report and literature review

The authors report a case of traumatic dislocation of both interphalangeal joints of the ring finger in a 29-year-old male patient, an injury sustained while playing soccer football. Reduction was achieved by closed manipulation, followed by splinting in the "intrinsic plus" position. The joints were stable but had not yet fully recovered their mobility at six months follow-up. The authors survey the literature reports on this rare injury.     

Measuring social participation: reliability of the LIFE-H in older adults with disabilities

PURPOSE: Much more attention should be paid to instruments documenting social participation as this area is increasingly considered a pivotal outcome of a successful rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to document the reliability of a participation measure, the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H), in older adults with functional limitations. METHODS: Eighty-four individuals with physical disabilities living in three different environments were assessed twice with the LIFE-H, an instrument that documents the quality of social participation by assessing a person's performance in daily activities and social roles (life habits). RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) computed for intrarater reliability exceeded 0.75 for seven out of the 10 life habits categories. For interrater reliability, the total score and daily activities subscore are highly reliable (ICC 相似文献