Responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference of the Chinese version of the Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire after cataract surgery

AIM: To investigate the Chinese version of the Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (CLVQOL) as an instrument for obtaining clinically important changes after cataract surgery. METHODS: Patients underwent cataract surgery in Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who fit the inclusion criteria were recruited. Two CLVQOLs were administered, including a preoperative CLVQOL and a CLVQOL at the end of the 3mo follow-up period, and were completed using face-to-face interviews or phone interviews conducted by trained investigators. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was calculated using an anchor-based method and a distribution method. In addition, the responsiveness of the questionnaire was measured. RESULTS: A total of 155 residents were enrolled. The average visual acuity (VA) preoperatively was 0.08 (SD=0.05), and it increased to 0.47 (SD=0.28) at the end of follow-up. Statistically significant positive changes in the CLVQOL scores indicated significant improvement of vision related quality of life after cataract surgery. With the larger value between the two results as the final value, the MCID values of the CLVQOL (scores of the four scales as well as the total score) were 8.94, 2.61, 4.34, 3.10 and 17.63, respectively. The CLVQOL has both good internal and external responsiveness. CONCLUSION: CLVQOL scores are appropriate instruments for obtaining clinically important changes after cataract surgery. This study is an effective exploration for establishing cataract surgery efficacy standards, which helps clinical and scientific research workers in ophthalmology to gain a more in-depth understanding when using CLVQOL.     

原发性干燥综合征合并肺动脉高压的临床研究

目的探讨原发性干燥综合征(pSS)并发肺动脉高压(PAH)的发生率、临床特点及筛查方法。方法对61例临床确诊为pSS的患者行彩色多普勒超声心动检查,应用三尖瓣反流速度来估测肺动脉收缩压(PASP),依据PAH诊断标准将其分为PAH组(10例)和非PAH组(51例),收集2组的临床资料、实验室检查、胸CT扫描和超声心动的检测结果并进行比较。结果 (1)61例pSS患者中并发PAH者占16.4%,PAH组中PASP为31~64mmHg,平均(40±9)mmHg,其中4例无任何与PAH相关的临床表现,PAH的发生与患者年龄、性别、病程无关。(2)患者的主要症状为发热、干咳、胸闷或胸痛、心悸、进行性呼吸困难、雷诺现象、胸腔积液和肺间质病变,PAH组雷诺现象、心悸、肺间质病变的发生率高于非PAH组(P<0.05),PAH组的补体C3水平低于非PAH组(P<0.05)。(3)PAH组瓣膜受累达100%,其中2例仅伴有右心系统扩大,3例同时出现左心和右心系统扩大,PAH组左房内径、右房内径、右室内径、肺动脉内径高于非PAH组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论 pSS并发PAH并不少见,患者即使无相应临床症状,也应行超声心动筛查,这对PAH的临床早期诊断和治疗十分重要。     

彩色多普勒用于足月新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病颅内静脉系统检查

目的 观察缺氧缺血新生儿的颅内静脉系统的血流特点,为临床判定缺氧缺血性脑病提供新的参考依据.方法 实验组缺氧缺血新生儿52例,对照组正常足月新生儿52例,通过前囟门应用彩色多普勒观察颅内静脉系统中直窦(SS)、上矢状窦(sss)、双侧横窦(Ts)、双侧室管膜下静脉(SV)及双侧大脑内静脉(ICV)的最大平均血流速度及频谱形态.结果 与对照组相比较,实验组SSS、双侧ICV及双侧SV平均最大血流速度减低.对照组SSS频谱为搏动型,双侧ICV及双侧SV频谱为连续平坦型.实验组SSS的频谱形态可见连续平坦型,SS及双侧TS的频谱形态存在搏动型及连续平坦型.颅内双侧ICV及双侧SV的频谱为连续乎坦型.结论 颅内静脉系统中,SSS、双侧ICV及双侧SV为提示缺氧缺血性脑病的合适观察对象.     

Measuring distortion of skeletal elements in Lodox Statscan‐generated images

Due to a scarcity of available skeletal material, anthropologists and other practitioners face difficulties with either the creation or validation of techniques used to estimate a biological profile in subadults. To address this problem, radiographic images of living individuals are often used in lieu of dry skeletal elements. However, radiographic images suffer from distortion. Some problems with metric analyses when using radiographic images may be addressed with the Lodox Statscan, an X‐ray machine that claims to produce minimal distortion along the scan‐axis due to a linear slot‐scanning design. The purpose of this research was to measure the distortion of skeletal elements in radiographic images generated from a Lodox Statscan. Skeletal elements subject to multiple imaging variables that affect distortion were radiographed, measured, and then compared to the dry bone measurements through multiple approaches. An 85% percent agreement within a ±1 mm range and a 97% agreement within a ±2 mm range was obtained. Percent difference results demonstrate that slot‐axis measurements incurred more distortion than scan‐axis measurements (11.8% and 2.7%, respectively). Inclusion of foam results in 4.5% more error than when foam is not included in the image. Angled scan‐axis measurements also incurred more distortion than either nonangled slot‐ and scan‐axis measurements. A Bland‐Altmanplot reveals an overall agreement between the radiographic and dry bonemeasurements, with most measurements falling within the upper and lower limits. Similar measurement error is found in Statscan radiographic and dry bone measurements; therefore, the Statscan offers a radiographic venue to collect metric data. Clin. Anat. 26:780–786, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Masking Level Differences Encountered in Clinical Populations

Methods for measuring masking level differences (MLDs) at 500 Hz and for spondees were used with 290 subjects: 50 persons with normal hearing and 240 patients with various diseases. Of particular interest was whether techniques currently in clinical use could be used with ease, dispatch, and profit in determining MLD size. The methods selected, which were variations of Békésy audiometry and speech reception threshold procedures, proved clinically feasible

Results revealed differences in behavior from one group of subjects to another. Although MLDs were not affected by cortical lesions, they were very often abnormally small for patients with eighth-nerve tumor, Menière's disease, or multiple sclerosis

The high incidence of abnormally small MLDs in populations with normal sensitivity to pure tones and speech but with evidence of subcortical central lesions, such as patients with multiple sclerosis, suggests that the MLD tasks can be of diagnostic value in detecting retrocochlear lesions. However, in persons with hearing loss or significant interaural differences in threshold sensitivity, or both, the MLD tests are not always reliable in differentiating cochlear from retrocochlear disease     

The Effectiveness and Safety of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Chronic Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and adverse events of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in individuals with lower-extremity diabetic ulcers, lower-extremity venous ulcers, and pressure ulcers.Patients and MethodsWe searched multiple databases from database inception to June 11, 2020, for randomized controlled trials and observational studies that compared PRP to any other wound care without PRP in adults with lower-extremity diabetic ulcers, lower-extremity venous ulcers, and pressure ulcers.ResultsWe included 20 randomized controlled trials and five observational studies. Compared with management without PRP, PRP therapy significantly increased complete wound closure in lower-extremity diabetic ulcers (relative risk, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.32, moderate strength of evidence [SOE]), shortened time to complete wound closure, and reduced wound area and depth (low SOE). No significant changes were found in terms of wound infection, amputation, wound recurrence, or hospitalization. In patients with lower-extremity venous ulcers or pressure ulcers, the SOE was insufficient to estimate an effect on critical outcomes, such as complete wound closure or time to complete wound closure. There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events.ConclusionAutologous PRP may increase complete wound closure, shorten healing time, and reduce wound size in individuals with lower-extremity diabetic ulcers. The evidence is insufficient to estimate an effect on wound healing in individuals with lower-extremity venous ulcers or pressure ulcers.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO Identifier: CRD42020172817