Comparison of patient and spouse assessments of health related quality of life in men with metastatic prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We examined the extent of agreement in health related quality of life ratings provided by patients with metastatic prostate cancer and their spouses. This agreement is important for determining the feasibility of using spouses as potential proxy raters in quality of life studies in this patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 72 pairs of patients with metastatic prostate cancer in remission or progression and their spouses. Patients and spouses independently completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 and a prostate cancer specific questionnaire module. Together the 2 questionnaires assess a wide range of symptoms and functional limitations for a total of 21 quality of life outcomes. RESULTS: For 5 of the 21 patient-proxy comparisons we noted systematic differences in the mean score with spouses rating more impairment in patients than patients indicated. Most patient-proxy correlations were 0.40 to 0.75, indicating moderate to good agreement in patient and spouse ratings. A low patient-proxy correlation of less than 0.40 was noted only for the 2 measures of sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the spouses of men with metastatic prostate cancer evaluate with a fair degree of accuracy how patients experience physical and psychosocial functioning, symptoms and overall quality of life. However, caution should be exercised when relying on proxy raters for assessing sexual functioning and satisfaction.     

Improving the functional outcome of Tucker's reconstructive laryngectomy

BACKGROUND: The goal of reconstructive laryngectomy addressing glottic carcinoma, as described by Tucker, is twofold: achieve local control and preserve as much as possible the physiological laryngeal function. METHODS: The study consisted of long-term assessment of oncological, deglutitory, and vocal outcome in 34 patients following Tucker's reconstructive laryngectomy. Postoperative follow-up included fiberscopic examination, videoradiography, and voice assessment after speech rehabilitation. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate was 92% +/- 5%. Fiberscopic examination and videoradiography contributed to observing and understanding the rehabilitation process and impairment to its progress. Two main compensatory movements were identified: the anticipatory backward movement of the tongue base (50%) and the anticipatory upward laryngeal motion (15%). Both movements occurred simultaneously at the beginning of the pharyngeal stage of the swallow (35%). The median duration prior to tracheostomy tube removal was 14 days. Swallowing of solids resumed on day 9 (median), and liquid intake (water and soup) resumed on day 12 (median). The median duration of hospitalization was 16 days. Following speech rehabilitation, the latest follow-up visit measured as follows: the mean conversational voice intensity at 64 dB (range, 57-79 dB); the mean maximum intensity at 87 dB (range, 78-96 dB); the minimum intensity at 54 dB (range, 45-65 dB); the mean maximum phonation time at 16 seconds (range, 10-29 seconds); and the mean phonation quotient at 284 mL/second (range, 205-341 mL/second). According to our classification, voice spectral analysis revealed 19 class-III patients, 12 class-II patients, and three class-I patients. CONCLUSION: Tucker's reconstructive laryngectomy is reliable in terms of both the oncological and functional outcome. Fiberscopic examination and videoradiography are two complementary methods for assessing postoperative deglutition.     

CHRONIC SACRAL NEUROMODULATION IN PATIENTS WITH LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS: RESULTS FROM A NATIONAL REGISTER

PURPOSE: The Italian Register was created in February 1997 to collect the national results of sacral neuromodulation. All Italian centers at which sacral neuromodulation is performed were invited to participate in our study. We present the results from retrospective and prospective registers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 196 patients underwent permanent implantation of sacral neuromodulation and were enrolled in the Italian register. There were 18 males and 75 females in the retrospective, and 28 males and 75 females in the prospective studies. Student's t test was used to compare paired values, and the Wilcoxon rank sum and nonparametric tests were used when necessary. RESULTS: Mean incontinent episodes daily plus or minus standard deviation for patients with detrusor instability went from 5.4 +/- 3.9 to 1.1 +/- 1.6 (median 5 and 0, respectively) at 12-month followup (p <0.001). For idiopathic retention average residual volume decreased from 277 to 108 cc (median 287 and 80, respectively), and 50% of patients stopped catheterization and another 13% catheterized once daily at 1-year after implantation. With neurogenic voiding disturbances, the results fluctuated with time from a minimum of 33% to a maximum 66% of patients who did not catheterize at 6-month followup and 12 months after implantation, respectively. At 12-month followup, 50% of patients with hyperreflexia had less than 1 incontinent episode daily. The problem was completely solved in 66% of patients in the retention group. Of patients in the urge incontinent population 39% were completely dry and 23% had less than 1 incontinent episode daily. CONCLUSIONS: Sacral neuromodulation is effective therapy for treating lower urinary tract symptoms resistant to less invasive therapy.     

Falls and confidence related quality of life outcome measures in an older British cohort

Falls are common in older subjects and result in loss of confidence and independence. The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) were developed in North America to quantify these entities, but contain idiom unfamiliar to an older British population. Neither has been validated in the UK. The FES and the ABC were modified for use within British culture and the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the modified scales (FES-UK and ABC-UK) assessed. A total of 193 consecutive, ambulant, new, and return patients (n=119; 62%) and their friends and relatives ("visitors", n=74; 38%) were tested on both scales, while the last 60 subjects were retested within one week. Internal reliability was excellent for both scales (Cronbach's alpha 0.97 (FES-UK), and 0.98 (ABC-UK)). Test-retest reliability was good for both scales, though superior for the ABC-UK (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.58 (FES-UK), 0.89 (ABC-UK)). There was evidence to suggest that the ABC-UK was better than the FES-UK at distinguishing between older patients and younger patients ([t(ABC)] = 4.4; [t(FES)] = 2.3); and between fallers and non-fallers ([t(ABC)] = 8.7; [t(FES)] = 5.0) where the t statistics are based on the comparison of two independent samples. The ABC-UK and FES-UK are both reliable and valid measures for the assessment of falls and balance related confidence in older adults. However, better test-retest reliability and more robust differentiation of subgroups in whom falls related quality of life would be expected to be different make the ABC-UK the current instrument of choice in assessing this entity in older British subjects.     

Molecular adsorbent recirculating system: albumin dialysis-based extracorporeal liver assist device

Extracorporeal liver assist devices have been used for more than five decades to support patients with liver failure. Numerous modifications have been made to both biological as well as mechanical liver assist devices. Possibly, an ideal liver assist device would be one that would perform optimal detoxification and synthetic functions of the liver, be simple to set up and yet be cost-effective. An albumin dialysis-based device that uses a hybrid albumin-impregnated membrane to get rid of albumin-bound toxins that circulate in abundance in liver failure, called the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) has been in clinical use for nearly four years now. Results with the use of this device in both acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure have shown consistent improvement in biochemical profile, resolution of encephalopathy, correction in hemodynamics, reduction in intracranial pressure and some improvement in the synthetic function of the liver. In a number of studies, albeit of small sample size, survival advantage has also been observed. The timing of initiation of therapy with MARS, duration of treatment, frequency of sessions and 'maintenance therapy' are still some of the unresolved issues with the use of this device. Large multicentric trials on the use of this technique are expected to throw light on these issues and help optimize the potential of this liver assist device.     

抗柯萨奇B中药胶囊治疗病毒性心肌炎的临床疗效评价

目的观察抗柯萨奇B心肌炎胶囊(ACCM)治疗病毒性心肌炎(VM)的临床疗效.方法将120例VM患者随机分成ACCM组(用ACCM治疗,60例)和对照组(西药常规治疗,60例),进行对比观察.结果ACCM组总有效率85%,明显优于对照组的57%(P<0.05).治疗后ACCM组的心悸、反复感冒、胸闷、胸痛、气短、乏力、头晕等症状的恢复明显优于对照组.结论ACCM是治疗VM的一种高效、价廉及使用方便的中药制剂, 无明显不良反应.     

不同高浓度CO_2对2-细胞小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响

目的 :观察不同高浓度二氧化碳 ( CO2 )对 2 -细胞小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响。方法 :获取小鼠 2 -细胞胚胎 ,置于 CZB培养液微滴 ,覆盖经三蒸水处理的石蜡油 ,分别在 5 % CO2 (对照组 )、5 .7%CO2 、6.0 % CO2 和 1 5 % CO2 浓度下体外培养 ;在 1 5 % CO2 时 ,另设覆盖经磷酸盐缓冲液 ( PBS)处理的石蜡油或不覆盖石蜡油的实验组 ,观察胚胎发育情况。结果 :5个实验组的囊胚率均显著低于对照组 ( P<0 .0 1 ) ,5 .7% CO2 时仅为 4.3% ,其余 4组的均为 0。 CO2 浓度 5 .7%和 6.0 %时 ,胚胎大部分停滞在 2 -细胞和 4-细胞期 ,两者间无统计学差异 ( P>0 .0 5 )。CO2 浓度 1 5 %时 ,覆盖经三蒸水处理的石蜡油组 ,有 1 5 %的胚胎发育到 4-细胞阶段 ,但 4-细胞胚胎的卵裂球不规则 ,很快退化 ;覆盖经 PBS处理过的石蜡油组 ,有 2 .2 %的胚胎发育到 4-细胞 ,其余出现严重的退化。结论 :高浓度 CO2 对小鼠胚胎发育有强毒性效应 ,引致胚胎发育停滞和严重降解 ;高浓度 CO2 时 ,胚胎覆盖三蒸水处理石蜡油的效果优于经 PBS处理的石蜡油 ;严密监控 CO2 浓度对胚胎体外发育是重要的     

重组人甲状旁腺激素1-34的氨基酸组成分析

分析重组人甲状旁腺激素 1-3 4的氨基酸组成 ,为该品种的结构鉴定提供依据。水解条件含 1%苯酚的6mol L盐酸 ,10 5℃水解 2 4h ;衍生方法异硫氰酸苯酯 (PITC)柱前衍生法 ;氨基酸测定色谱条件色谱柱为PhenomenexprodigyODS 10 0A。 (4 .6mm× 2 5cm ,5 μm) ;流动相A为 0 .1mol L醋酸钠 (pH6.5 ) -乙腈 (93 :7) ,B为水 -乙腈 (1:4) ;二元梯度洗脱 ;检测波长为 2 5 4nm ;流速为 1ml min ;柱温为 40℃。结果 :实验值与理论值一致 ,偏差小于 10 %。本法准确、可靠、重现性好 ,可用于该产品的质量控制。     

药敏纸片的质量控制研究

目的：探讨和研究药敏纸片质量控制的方法。方法：以克拉霉素药敏纸片为例，参照美国临床实验室标准化委员会(NCCLS)和联邦法规全书(CFR)的方法，建立一套药敏纸片质量控制的指标，包括鉴别、检查及含量测定。结果：采用专属性较强、灵敏度较高的TLC法进行鉴别，最低检出量为50μg；制订纸片的的直径、重量差异、含量均匀性及干燥失重作为检查项，采用短小芽孢杆菌(Bacillus pumilus)[CMCC(B)63202]作为检定菌，进行含量测定。结论：建立的克拉霉素药敏纸片质量标准能够控制其质量，可作为其他抗生素药敏纸片建立质量标准的参考。     

Impact of Cochlear Implants on the Functional Health Status of Older Adults

Objectives To assess the impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life changes in older adults aged 50 years and above. Study Design Retrospective study by questionnaire and chart review. Methods Forty‐seven patients aged 50 to 80 years (mean age, 63.4 y [SD = 8.6 y]), who have multiple‐channel cochlear implants received at The Listening Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, completed the Ontario Health Utilities Index Mark 3 survey and a questionnaire on quality of life changes. Health utility scores before and after cochlear implantation were measured, and audiologic data before implantation and at 6 months and 1 year after implantation were analyzed. Results Cochlear implantation in older adults is associated with a mean gain in health utility(P <.0001) of 0.24 (SD = 0.33), which corresponds to a favorable cost‐utility of $9530 per quality‐adjusted life‐year. Improvements in hearing and emotional health attributes were primarily responsible for this increase in health‐related quality of life measure. There was a significant increase in speech perception scores at 6 months after surgery (P <.0001 for both CID sentence and monosyllabic word tests) and a strong correlation between the magnitude of health utility gains and the postoperative increase in speech perception scores (r = 0.45, P <.05). Conclusions Cochlear implants have a significant impact on the quality of life of older deaf patients, and are a cost‐effective intervention in this population. Improvements in speech perception are predictive of gains in health‐related quality of life and associated emotional benefits after cochlear implantation.