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J Natour

Publications and source records attributed to J Natour.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Translation into Brazilian Portuguese, cultural adaptation and evaluation of the reliability of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire.

The objective of the present study was to translate, adapt and validate a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire. The study was carried out in two steps. The first was to translate the DASH into Portuguese and to perform cultural adaptation and the second involved the determination of the reliability and validity of the DASH for the Brazilian population. For this purpose, 65 rheumatoid arthritis patients of either sex (according to the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology), ranging in age from 18 to 60 years and presenting no other diseases involving the upper limbs, were interviewed. The patients were selected consecutively at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of UNIFESP. The following results were obtained: in the first step (translation and cultural adaptation), all patients answered the questions. In the second step, Spearman's correlation coefficients for interobserver evaluation ranged from 0.762 to 0.995, values considered to be highly reliable. In addition, intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.97 to 0.99, also highly reliable values. Spearman's correlation coefficients and the intraclass correlation coefficients obtained during intra-observer evaluation ranged from 0.731 to 0.937 and from 0.90 to 0.96, respectively, being highly reliable values. The Ritchie Index showed a weak correlation with Brazilian DASH scores, while the visual analog scale of pain showed a good correlation with DASH score. We conclude that the Portuguese version of the DASH is a reliable instrument.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Brazilian version of the Berg balance scale.

The purpose of the present study was to translate and adapt the Berg balance scale, an instrument for functional balance assessment, to Brazilian-Portuguese and to determine the reliability of scores obtained with the Brazilian adaptation. Two persons proficient in English independently translated the original scale into Brazilian-Portuguese and a consensus version was generated. Two translators performed a back translation. Discrepancies were discussed and solved by a panel. Forty patients older than 65 years and 40 therapists were included in the cultural adaptation phase. If more than 15% of therapists or patients reported difficulty in understanding an item, that item was reformulated and reapplied. The final Brazilian version was then tested on 36 elderly patients (over age 65). The average age was 72 years. Reliability of the measure was assessed twice by one physical therapist (1-week interval between assessments) and once by one independent physical therapist. Descriptive analysis was used to characterize the patients. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient were computed to assess intra- and interobserver reliability. Six questions were modified during the translation stage and cultural adaptation phase. The ICC for intra- and interobserver reliability was 0.99 (P < 0.001) and 0.98 (P < 0.001), respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient for intra- and interobserver reliability was 0.98 (P < 0.001) and 0.97 (P < 0.001), respectively. We conclude that the Brazilian version of the Berg balance scale is a reliable instrument to be used in balance assessment of elderly Brazilian patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

An evaluation of the association between fibromyalgia and repetitive strain injuries in metalworkers of an industry in Guarulhos, Brazil.

UNLABELLED: Repetitive strain injuries are a common diagnostic label for musculoskeletal pain occurring at the workplace. Although many individuals present with diffuse pain, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia in this setting is rare. Our objective was to establish the point prevalence of the fibromyalgia syndrome in a population of assembly line workers in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Thirty-four workers with repetitive strain injury diagnoses were studied and compared with 49 workers, paired by age, sex, and labor function. All individuals were studied by a comprehensive clinical protocol. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome was established when the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for this syndrome were met. RESULTS: Among the 34 workers with the diagnosis of repetitive strain injuries, 58.8% fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia syndrome, while only 10.4% of the controls met the same criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Fibromyalgia syndrome was largely involved in the symptoms of patients with repetitive strain injuries, as opposed to coworkers with non-repetitive strain injuries. So, instead of the repetitive strain injuries label, many of these cases should be called fibromyalgic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Translation, adaptation and validation of the Roland-Morris questionnaire--Brazil Roland-Morris.

The purpose of the present study was to translate the Roland-Morris (RM) questionnaire into Brazilian-Portuguese and adapt and validate it. First 3 English teachers independently translated the original questionnaire into Brazilian-Portuguese and a consensus version was generated. Later, 3 other translators, blind to the original questionnaire, performed a back translation. This version was then compared with the original English questionnaire. Discrepancies were discussed and solved by a panel of 3 rheumatologists and the final Brazilian version was established (Brazil-RM). This version was then pretested on 30 chronic low back pain patients consecutively selected from the spine disorders outpatient clinic. In addition to the traditional clinical outcome measures, the Brazil-RM, a 6-point pain scale (from no pain to unbearable pain), and its numerical pain rating scale (PS) (0 to 5) and a visual analog scale (VAS) (0 to 10) were administered twice by one interviewer (1 week apart) and once by one independent interviewer. Spearman's correlation coefficient (SCC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were computed to assess test-retest and interobserver reliability. Cross-sectional construct validity was evaluated using the SCC. In the pretesting session, all questions were well understood by the patients. The mean time of questionnaire administration was 4 min and 53 s. The SCC and ICC were 0.88 (P<0.01) and 0.94, respectively, for the test-retest reliability and 0.86 (P<0.01) and 0.95, respectively, for interobserver reliability. The correlation coefficient was 0.80 (P<0.01) between the PS and Brazil-RM score and 0.79 (P<0.01) between the VAS and Brazil-RM score. We conclude that the Brazil-RM was successfully translated and adapted for application to Brazilian patients, with satisfactory reliability and cross-sectional construct validity.

Brazil↗
PubMed1996

Liver and plasma concentrations in paf-acether and its precursors after partial hepatectomy.

Liver and plasma concentrations in paf-acether (paf) and related phosphocholines, i.e., lysopaf and the ether lipid 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AAGPC) were studied in rats following two-third hepatectomy. We report a rapid increase in hepatic content of the 3 phospholipids at early steps of the regeneration process, when hepatocytes are switching from G0 to G1 (time 2-6 h). Later on, throughout G1 and at the G1-S transition, these concentrations decreased progressively. They were back to sham-operated or intact control levels at 50 h. In the plasma of hepatectomized animals, no comparable changes were detected. However, an increase in both circulating paf and lipoprotein-bound paf concentrations was measured during the regenerating response. This report is, to our knowledge, the first one on paf level variations following 2/3 hepatectomy. In rats, partial resection of the liver was shown to initiate rapid and complex cascades of biochemical changes involving growth factors, neurotransmitters and interleukins among others. Our data are in good agreement with reported increases in both total phospholipid content and synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a paf precursor, in the regenerating liver. At present, the possible functional significance of high paf concentrations measured over the 'priming' stage of the induced proliferative wave is suggested as a working hypothesis. However, on the one hand, the observed paf response is noteworthy in view of its cytokine-related action, i.e., stimulation of IL-6 production by different cell types (endothelial, macrophagic). On the other hand, it could represent an in vivo confirmation of previously reported in vitro paf effects inducing c-fos and c-jun expression, two members of the so-called 'cellular immediate-early gene' family.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Treatment of carrageenan induced arthritis by the platelet activating factor antagonist BN 50730.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of platelet activating factor (PAF) in the early stage of arthritis. METHODS: Arthritis was induced in rabbits by weekly intra-articular injections of carrageenan. A PAF receptor antagonist, BN 50730, was used as a preventive or curative agent. RESULTS: BN 50730 was able partially to prevent the development of arthritis, and was also active on established arthritis. The joint arthritis scores of BN treated animals were significantly lower than those of the non-treated animals. The blood concentrations of PAF, PAF bound to lipoproteins (lipo-PAF), and its precursor, lyso-PAF, were not correlated with clinical variations. CONCLUSIONS: The present data demonstrate a therapeutic action of a PAF antagonist in experimental arthritis and suggest a critical role for PAF during the early stage of arthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Automatic computer analysis of transients in EEG.

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is often used for the diagnosis of diseases and functional disturbances in the brain. In this paper, new algorithms developed for the automatic detection of transients in EEG are described. The single spike, and spike and wave bursts, both of which are abnormal phenomena associated with epileptic activity are considered. The algorithms for detecting these transients were tested using real EEG data. The transient detection is enhanced by two classification algorithms: patient-independent analysis and patient-dependent analysis. In the patient-independent analysis, multiple reference templates are generated from a patient population and for the patient-dependent analysis, the spikes from the patient's own EEG recording is used as reference. The description of the algorithms and their performances are presented.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Brazil Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (PKQ) and evaluation of disease-specific knowledge in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To create a Brazilian version of the Patient Knowledge Questionnaire--PKQ, an instrument for measuring the knowledge of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as regards their disease, and through the use of this instrument, also measure the knowledge of RA patients from reference hospitals in the city of São Paulo. METHODS: Two teachers of English translated the PKQ into Portuguese in order to obtain a single version, which was then translated back into English to evaluate its equivalence to the original version (back translation). The final version in Portuguese was applied to 20 patients with RA for adaptation to cultural issues, and questions not understood by 20% or more patients were subsequently modified. Inter- and intraobserver reliability and the constructive validity of the PKQ were tested. The questionnaire was then applied to 100 RA patients, selected in four outpatient clinics at reference hospitals in the city of São Paulo. RESULTS: Three of the PKQ questions were modified to adapt to cultural issues. Intraclass correlation coefficients used for the reliability and validity of the PKQ were between were between 0.62 and 0.94, therefore, statistically significant (p< 0.05). The mean PKQ score was 12.96 and the mean test application time was 10.3 minutes, for the 100 patients assessed. The lowest scores were observed in the domains of medications and joint protection/energy conservation. PKQ scores showed a positive correlation with the level of education (r=0.40) and a negative correlation with the patients' age (r= -0.32) and with HAQ (r= -0.28). CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the PKQ that was created and proved to be a reliable and valid instrument. Patients' knowledge of RA is poor, particularly in the domains regarding medications and joint protection/energy conservation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A study of synovial membrane of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

In this study, 30 percutaneous synovial knee biopsies were taken from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that had been diagnosed in accordance with ARA criteria. Acute articular involvement was present in 16 cases. The synovial membrane was then examined using routine histological techniques and by direct immunofluorescent methods. The most frequently observed histological picture was comprised of: a) synoviocyte hyperplasia, b) scarce inflammatory infiltrate, c) vascular proliferation, d) oedema and congestion, e) fibrinoid necrosis and intimal fibrous hyperplasia of blood vessels, g) presence of fibrin on the synovial surface and fibrin-like deposits in the chorion. It is concluded that immunofluorescence can be used in the characterization of typical cases but is not specific.

Adolescent↗