Dry eye in chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Dry eye is reported to be associated with several neurological diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients with hemiplegia after stroke for dry eye and compare their results with a control group.

Materials and methods: Forty-five patients with hemiplegia and 45 individuals as the control group were included in the study. Tear function tests (Schirmer and tear breakup time) and a dry eye questionnaire for dry eye symptoms (ocular surface disease index) were performed and the results of the two groups were compared.

Results: Schirmer test results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (11.3 ± 8.2 mm and 20.6 ± 11.6 mm, respectively, p < .001). Tear breakup time results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (7.9 ± 3.1 s and 12.1 ± 4.3 s, respectively, p < .001). Ocular surface disease index scores were not significantly different between hemiplegia and control groups (21.6 ± 20.0 and 19.8 ± 13.9, respectively, p = .635). Schirmer scores lower than 10 mm (60% and 30%, p < .001) and tear breakup time results lower than 10 s (65.6% and 28.9%, p < .001) were also higher in the hemiplegia group compared to control group.

Conclusion: We found lower Schirmer test and tear breakup time results and similar OSDI scores in hemiplegia patients compared to controls. Hemiplegia patients may have dry eye without typical symptoms. This should be taken into consideration in the follow-up and rehabilitation of post-stroke hemiplegia patients.     

Outcomes after neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy for cT2-4N0-1 non–small cell lung cancer: A propensity-matched analysis

Objective

Comparative survival between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with cT2-4N0-1M0 non–small cell lung cancer has not been extensively studied.

Self-reported time-to-relapse following smoking cessation: Comparison by operationalization of initial abstinence classification

Aims: Relapse rates among cigarette smokers are high. Few studies have examined time-to-relapse using survival analysis in racially/ethnically diverse smokers and initial abstinence criteria have been inconsistent or unspecified. This study compared survival curves using two common definitions of initial abstinence. We hypothesized greater relapse rates among participants abstinent for only 24 hours (h) at the end-of-therapy (EOT) compared with 7 days. Methods: Adult smokers (59% Black, 22% Hispanic and 17% White) received 8-sessions of group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) plus transdermal nicotine patches and were assessed monthly up to 12 months post-EOT. Participants reporting abstinence (7-day point prevalence abstinence [ppa] or 24-h ppa) at the EOT were included in Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: Of 301 participants, 120 (40%) reported 7-day ppa at the EOT and an additional 29 (10%) reported 24-h ppa only. Over the 12-month follow-up period, nearly 50% remained abstinent. Of those who resumed smoking, most relapses occurred within the first three months. Survival curves indicated that median survival was 207 and 225 days for 7-day and 24-h definitions of abstinence, respectively. The difference in time-to-relapse between participants abstinent for 24?h at the EOT versus 7-days was not significant (p?=?0.14). Conclusions: Operationalization of initial abstinence is important for relapse analyses and comparisons of survival curves across samples. Participants reported high rates of abstinence and relapse rates were relatively low. Contrary to expectations, 24-h ppa at the EOT was not associated with greater relapse than 7-day abstinence. This suggests either measure may be utilized in relapse prevention research in racially/ethnically diverse treatment-seekers.     

Efficacy and Feasibility of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background

Refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes AML includes failure of disease to respond to standard induction chemotherapy, relapse within 6 months after first CR, and 2 or more relapses. The outcome of these patients is usually very poor; only a small proportion can be rescued by allogenic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of allo-HSCT in patients with refractory AML.