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Functional outcome and radiographic correction after spinal osteotomy.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical trial to study the radiographic parameters and functional outcome in patients undergoing spinal osteotomy. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether correction of specific radiographic parameters is associated with improved functional outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although vertebral osteotomies have been shown to improve functional outcome in patients with spinal deformity, no prospective reports have studied whether correction of specific radiographic parameters is associated with improvement in functional outcome. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with fixed sagittal and/or coronal deformity were followed over a 7-year period. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically and completed a SF-36 Health Survey and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Modems Instrument questionnaire. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the association between correction of radiographic parameters and functional outcome. RESULTS: Mean preoperative lumbar lordosis measured -14.2 degrees (i.e., kyphosis) with an average postoperative correction of 27.9 degrees. Mean preoperative lumbar scoliosis measured 40.1 degrees with an average postoperative correction of 15.1 degrees. Mean preoperative plumb sagittal and coronal plane alignment was 8.37 cm and 4.22 cm, respectively; after surgery they improved to 3.33 cm and 2.31 cm, respectively. A significant association was found between sagittal angular correction and physical function (P = 0.034) and role-physical (P = 0.01) when postoperative lumbar lordosis was >25 degrees. A significant association was also found between plumb coronal correction and physical function (P = 0.041), vitality (P = 0.05), and social function (P = 0.047) when postoperative plumb coronal alignment was <2.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Correction of sagittal and coronal deformity is important in the treatment of spinal deformity. A significant association was found between outcomes and radiographic correction of coronal and/or sagittal deformity if postoperative sagittal lordosis was >25 degrees and if postoperative plumb coronal alignment was <2.5 cm. Therefore, these radiographic parameters should be the goal of a spinal osteotomy. The surgery has a relatively high complication rate.

Adult↗

The role of age at the onset of cancer in relation to survivors' long-term adjustment: a controlled comparison over an eight-year period.

The goal of the study was to explore the role of age in survivors' long-term adjustment to cancer (n = 155). Data, both quantitative and qualitative, was assessed at 3 months, 15 months, and 8 years after diagnosis. A reference group from the general population (n = 120) was included to be able to distinguish the effects of cancer from those of aging. The findings showed that, in the first year after diagnosis, survivors' physical functioning (especially in those aged 45-65 years) was strongly affected by cancer. In the long term, their physical functioning was more affected by aging. Regarding psychological functioning, survivors younger than 65 years reported more depressive symptoms than similar-aged references, but only at 3 months after diagnosis. In the long term, younger survivors reported more cancer-related thoughts and a greater search for meaning in the cancer experience than older survivors. Overall, the findings provide an intriguing description of the complex and interwoven processes of age and aging in the process of adjustment to cancer.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Do worker's compensation patients with neck pain have lower SF-36 scores?

Poorer outcomes of treatment are reported in patients with spinal disorders who receive worker's compensation. The reason for their suboptimal outcomes is unclear. No study has examined the relationship between worker's compensation and SF-36 health status of patients with neck pain. The aim of our study was to compare the self-perceived health status of patients with neck pain receiving worker's compensation, with that of patients not receiving worker's compensation. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2356 patients with neck pain who were evaluated at the 27 centers comprising the National Spine Network, between January 1998 and April 2000. The outcome measures used were the eight individual and two component scores of the SF-36 health survey. Of the 2356 patients, 171 (7%) were receiving worker's compensation. Bivariate analyses revealed seven individual scores (except General Health) and two summary scores of the SF-36 were significantly lower in patients receiving worker's compensation. After controlling for confounding covariates, worker's compensation status was a significant predictor of lower SF-36 scores for Physical Functioning ( P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that worker's compensation status is associated with poorer Physical Functioning in patients presenting with neck pain. Another significant finding of the study is that confounding factors can exert major effects on the SF-36 scores obtained on normal validated instruments.

Adult↗

Racial differences in patients' perceptions of debilitated health states.

OBJECTIVE: To determine health utility scores for specific debilitated health states and to identify whether race or other demographic differences predict significant variation in these utility scores. DESIGN: Utility analysis. SETTING: A community hospital general internal medicine clinic, a private internal medicine practice, and a private pulmonary medicine practice. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four consecutive patients aged 50 to 75 years awaiting appointments. In order to participate, patients at the pulmonary clinic had to meet prespecified criteria of breathing impairment. MEASUREMENTS: Individuals' strength of preference concerning specific states of limited physical function as measured by the standard gamble technique. MAIN RESULTS: Mean utility scores used to quantitate limitations in physical function were extremely low. Using a scale for which 0 represented death and 1.0 represented normal health, limitation in activities of daily living was rated 0. 19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13, 0.25), tolerance of only bed-to-chair ambulation 0.17 (95% CI 0.11, 0.23), and permanent nursing home placement 0.16 (95% CI 0.10, 0.22). Bivariate analysis identified female gender and African-American race as predictors of higher utility scores ( p </=.05). In multiple regression analysis, only race remained statistically significant ( p </=.02 for all three outcome variables). CONCLUSION: Comparisons of African-American values with those of whites concerning defined states of debility demonstrate greater than threefold increases in utility scores. This finding suggests that racial differences need to be taken into account when studying the effects of medical interventions on quality of life.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among rural older African Americans, Native Americans, and whites with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is associated with morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life and is a well-established complication among people with diabetes. Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among older adults living in rural communities, particularly among ethnic minority groups, who are at increased risk of developing diabetes and complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from the ELDER (Evaluating Long-term Diabetes Self-management Among Elder Rural Adults) diabetes study in which face-to-face interviews were conducted with 696 older (> or =65 years of age) African-American, Native American, and white men and women in two rural counties in central North Carolina. RESULTS: Using a criterion of > or =9 on a modified CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Study of Depression) scale, 15.8% of the sample had depressive symptoms. In bivariate analyses, depressive symptomatology was more common among women and individuals who were unmarried and had less than a high school education, fewer financial resources, more chronic conditions, more prescription medications, and lower physical functioning. In multivariate analyses, sex, education, living arrangement, BMI, number of prescription medications, number of chronic conditions, and physical functioning remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that older rural adults with diabetes are at high risk for depressive symptoms, regardless of their ethnic group, and that certain demographic and health characteristics are important factors in this association. These findings add to the limited body of knowledge of comorbid depression in this population. Greater attention should be paid to diagnosing and treating this condition by those who provide care to these populations.

Adult↗

Comparison of symptomatic and quality of life outcomes of laparoscopic versus open antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: Even though laparoscopic antireflux procedures have become the surgical treatment of choice for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), little quantitative data exist comparing symptomatic and quality of life outcomes between laparoscopic and standard open procedures. This study was done to compare short-term outcomes. METHODS: All patients referred for surgical treatment of GERD are prospectively followed with a disease-specific reflux symptom score (the GERD-HRQL, best score 0, worst score 50) and a generic quality of life questionnaire (the SF-36, best score 100, worst score 0). Patients are evaluated preoperatively and at least 6 weeks postoperatively. Patients were treated with either laparoscopic or open Nissen (360-degree wrap) or Toupet (270-degree wrap) fundoplications. RESULTS: Sixty patients underwent laparoscopic surgery (LS) and 20 open surgery (OS). LS and OS had significant improvement in the median GERD-HRQL scores, 27 to 3 and 27 to 1, respectively, both P < .000001. LS had statistically significant improvements in the SF-36 domains of mental health (62 to 71.5, P = .05) and general health (57 to 67, P = .004). There was no worsening in any of the other 6 domains. OS produced a worsening score in the domain of physical functioning (75 to 67.5, P = .02). LS had better postoperative scores compared with OS in the domains of physical functioning (80 vs 67.5, P = .05) and trended to better scores in bodily pain (64 vs 51.5, P = .09). CONCLUSIONS: LS produces equivalent improvement in reflux symptoms compared with OS, with improved general quality of life outcomes.

Adult↗

Defining and assessing health-related quality of life.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in quality of life assessment in clinical research and practice, as well as in public health and policy analysis. Indicators of health-related quality of life are important not only for health professionals and their patients, but also for health administrators and health economists in health care planning and policy making. Most studies on the outcome of treatments and interventions now include some kind of a quality of life measure. This usually takes a form of an assessment of symptoms and physical functioning, measurement of psychological well-being, life satisfaction, or coping and adjustment. Numerous scales of psychological health, physical health status and physical functioning have been developed for use in the assessment of health outcomes and a wide range of instruments for measurement of health-related quality of life is available. These fall into two broad categories of generic and disease-specific instruments. The selection of an instrument depends upon its measurement properties but also upon the specific context in which the instrument is going to be used. Adequate attention needs to be paid to the translation and validation of instruments for use across countries and cultural contexts.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

Risk factors for a medically inappropriate admission to a Department of Internal Medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patient- and admission-related risk factors for a medically inappropriate admission to a department of internal medicine. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a systematic sample of 500 admissions to the department of internal medicine of an urban teaching hospital. The appropriateness of each admission and reasons for inappropriate admissions were assessed using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. Risk factors included the time (day of week and holidays) and manner (through emergency department or direct admission) of admission, patient age and sex, health status of patient and spouse, living arrangements, formal home care services, and informal support from family or friends. RESULTS: Overall, 76 (15.2%) hospital admissions were rated as medically inappropriate by the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. In multivariate analysis, the likelihood of an inappropriate admission was increased by better physical functioning of the patient (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.1 [for 1 SD in Physical Functioning scores]), lower mental health status of the patient's spouse (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6), receipt of informal help from family or friends (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.5-7.2), and hospitalization by one's physician (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7-7.5). Receiving formal adult home care was not associated with inappropriateness of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate admissions to internal medicine wards are determined by a mix of factors, including the patient's health and social environment. In addition, the private practitioners' discretionary ability to hospitalize their patients directly may also favor medically inappropriate admissions.

Adolescent↗

Pituitary and gonadal function during physical exercise in the male rat.

The effects of training and acute exercise on serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and corticosterone levels and on testicular endocrine function in male rats were studied. In the first part of the study, the rats were trained progressively on a treadmill, over 8 weeks. Training did not change the basal levels of serum testosterone, LH and corticosterone, or the testicular concentrations of testosterone and its precursors progesterone and androstenedione. The levels of testicular LH (30.3 +/- 2.6 ng/g wet wt, mean +/- SEM) and lactogen (150 +/- 14 pg/g) receptors were unchanged after training. However, the capacity of testicular interstitial cell suspensions to produce cAMP and testosterone increased by 20-30% during in vitro gonadotropin stimulation. In the second part, the trained and untrained control animals underwent acute exhaustive exercise. Serum testosterone levels decreased by 74 and 42% in trained and untrained rats, respectively (P less than 0.02), and corticosterone rose by 182% in trained and 146% in untrained rats (P less than 0.01), whereas the LH level was unchanged. Testicular levels of testosterone and its precursors decreased, with the exception of unchanged androstenedione, in trained rats; the cAMP concentration was unchanged. In both trained and untrained rats, acute exercise decreased the capacity of interstitial cell suspensions to produce cAMP, whereas there were no consistent effects on testosterone production. Acute exercise had no effect on LH or lactogen receptors in testis tissue. In conclusion, training had no effect on serum or testicular androgen concentrations, but increased Leydig cell capacity to produce testosterone and cAMP. Acute exercise decreased serum and testicular testosterone concentrations without affecting serum LH. A direct inhibitory effect of the increased serum corticosterone level on the hypothalamic-pituitary level and/or testis may be the explanation for this finding.

Androstenedione↗

Long-term health-related quality of life, growth, and spiritual well-being after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: To examine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and growth, and spiritual well-being in adult survivors of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) for a malignant disease. METHODS: HSCT survivors (n = 662) were recruited through the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry/Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry and were drawn from 40 transplantation centers. HSCT survivors completed a telephone interview and a set of questionnaires a mean of 7.0 years post-HSCT (range, 1.8 to 22.6 years). Study measures included a variety of standardized measures of HRQOL and growth and spiritual well-being. An age- and sex-matched healthy comparison (HC) group (n = 158) was recruited using a peer nomination method. The HC group completed a parallel telephone interview and set of questionnaires. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of variance analyses found the HSCT survivor group reported poorer status relative to the HC group for all HRQOL outcome clusters including physical health, physical functioning, social functioning, psychological adjustment, and dyadic adjustment. In contrast, the HSCT survivor group reported more psychological and interpersonal growth. Mean effect size for the 24 outcome indices examined was 0.36 standard deviations, an effect size often considered clinically meaningful or important. The largest group differences were found for measures of general health, physical function and well-being, depression, cognitive function, and fatigue. CONCLUSION: The experience of HSCT for a malignant disease has a wide-ranging, longstanding, and profound impact on adult recipients. Relative to healthy controls, HSCT survivors reported poorer physical, psychological, and social functioning but, conversely, more psychological and interpersonal growth, differences that appeared to persist many years after HSCT.

Adult↗

Fibromyalgia syndrome in men.

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is uncommon in men and data on its characteristics and severity are limited. The current study was undertaken to determine whether the clinical characteristics and the spectrum of this disorder are similar in men and women. METHODS: Forty men with FMS were matched with 40 women by age and educational level. All subjects were asked about the presence and severity (assessed by visual analog scale) of FMS symptoms; a count of 18 tender points was conducted by thumb palpation, and tenderness thresholds were measured by dolorimetry. Psychological status was assessed by the anxiety and depression subscales of the revised Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales. Quality of life was evaluated by two scales, QOL-16 and SF-36, and physical function was measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. RESULTS: Men with FMS reported more severe symptoms than women, decreased physical function, and lower quality of life. Women had lower tender thresholds than men; however their mean point counts were similar. CONCLUSION: Although FMS is uncommon in men, its health outcome in our study population was worse than in women. Further studies in larger samples and in diverse ethnocultural populations are needed to confirm this observation.

Adult↗

Hemophilia and AIDS in married men: functioning of family members. Hemophilia PAC Project.

Aspects of functioning in families of 137 hemophilic men who, in 50% of cases, were also HIV seropositive were examined in terms of psychological and physical functioning and economic pressure. Results indicated that HIV-seropositive status, but not severity of hemophilia, was associated with poorer psychological and physical functioning of the husband, a poorer mother-child relationship, less support from outside the family for both spouses, and greater economic pressure on the family.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Social support and health-related quality of life in hip and knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To document the association between social support and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: A prospective survey including the SF-36 and the Social Support questionnaire (SSQ) was administered to 108 hip and knee OA patients attending an outpatient physical rehabilitation and rheumatology clinic. Multiple regression analysis were performed to study the relation between social support and each dimension of the SF-36, controlling for age, sex, body mass index, number of comorbid conditions, socioeconomic status, site of survey completion and severity of OA which was gauged with the pain dimension of the WOMAC, an OA-specific health status instrument. RESULTS: Greater social companionship transactions were associated with higher physical functioning (standardized regression coefficients: beta = 0.26, p < 0.01), general health (beta = 0.32, p < 0.001), mental health (beta = 0.25, p < 0.01), social functioning (beta = 0.20, p < 0.05) and vitality (beta = 0.25, p < 0.05). Satisfaction with problem-oriented emotional support was related to better physical functioning (beta = 0.22, p < 0.01), mental health (beta = 0.38, p < 0.001), role-emotional (B = 0.23, p < 0.01), social functioning (beta = 0.19, p < 0.05) and vitality (beta = 0.26, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Social support components significantly account for HRQoL. Health interventions in OA, primary dedicated to pain and physical disability, could be supplemented with social support component to enhance health outcomes.

Aged↗

Impact of obesity on medical problems and quality of life in Taiwan.

Little is known about the impact of obesity on medical problems and quality of life for people in the Asia-Pacific region. This January 2002-June 2003 cross-sectional study surveyed 6,318 Taiwanese (3,540 men and 2,778 women) visiting health screening centers in southern Taiwan. The authors used the body mass index classification endorsed by the World Health Organization for people in this region. Information was collected on 15 medical problems and quality of life outcomes, measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 questionnaire. After adjustment for age, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors, and after comparison of subjects with those not overweight or obese (reference group), an increasing trend of body mass index effects based on this reference category was observed on hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, type II diabetes, hyperuricemia, pulmonary function impairment, fatty liver disease, and osteoarthritis in both sexes (p <0.01). Concerning quality of life, an increasing trend of body mass index effects was also observed on the outcomes physical functioning and bodily pain for both sexes and role limitation due to physical problems for women (p <0.05). Specifically, only the physical functioning domain, including daily activities such as climbing stairs, bending, walking, or some moderate activities, was significantly associated with obesity and was limited to class II obesity.

Activities of Daily Living↗

A comparison of five low back disability questionnaires: reliability and responsiveness.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine 5 commonly used questionnaires for assessing disability in people with low back pain. The modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, the Waddell Disability Index, and the physical health scales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were compared in patients undergoing physical therapy for low back pain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with low back pain completed the questionnaires during initial consultation with a physical therapist and again 6 weeks later (n=106). Test-retest reliability was examined for a group of 47 subjects who were classified as "unchanged" and a subgroup of 16 subjects who were self-rated as "about the same." Responsiveness was compared using standardized response means, receiver operating characteristic curves, and the proportions of subjects who changed by at least as much as the minimum detectable change (MDC) (90% confidence interval [CI] of the standard error for repeated measures). Scale width was judged as adequate if no more than 15% of the subjects had initial scores at the upper or lower end of the scale that were insufficient to allow change to be reliably detected. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) calculated to measure reliability for the subjects who were classified as "unchanged" and those who were self-rated as "about the same" were greater than.80 for the Oswestry and Quebec questionnaires and the SF-36 Physical Functioning scale and less than.80 for the Waddell and Roland-Morris questionnaires and the SF-36 Role Limitations-Physical and Bodily Pain scales. None of the scales were more responsive than any other. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Measurements obtained with the modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, the SF-36 Physical Functioning scale, and the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale were the most reliable and had sufficient width scale to reliably detect improvement or worsening in most subjects. The reliability of measurements obtained with the Waddell Disability Index was moderate, but the scale appeared to be insufficient to recommend it for clinical application. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Role Limitations-Physical and Bodily Pain scales of the SF-36 appeared to lack sufficient reliability and scale width for clinical application.

Adult↗

Quality of life may be affected more by disease parameters and response to therapy than by haemoglobin changes.

Earlier studies showing a negative impact of anaemia on quality of life (QOL) lack adequate adjustment for confounding factors such as disease stage and tumour response. We examined the impact of haemoglobin concentration on QOL scores of 745 multiple myeloma patients followed from diagnosis, adjusting for objective disease parameters. Data from two Nordic studies with the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire were analysed using linear regression analysis. Haemoglobin was independently related only to fatigue at baseline (P = 0.001) and at 12 months (P = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, extent of skeletal disease was at least as strong a predictor for fatigue at diagnosis as haemoglobin and was also related to other important QOL scores such as physical functioning, role functioning, global QOL and pain (P < 0.001). At 12 months' follow-up, response to therapy was related to physical functioning (P < 0.001) and pain (P = 0.001). In conclusion, haemoglobin and extent of skeletal disease were both predictors for fatigue in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, but extent of skeletal disease was also associated with other important QOL scores. During follow-up, response to therapy emerged as an important predictor variable. When examining the effect of haemoglobin on QOL, it is essential to adjust for disease parameters and response to therapy in order not to overestimate the impact of haemoglobin on QOL. Our findings imply that uncontrolled studies on the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) in cancer patients may be making exaggerated claims for the effect of EPO on QOL.

Adult↗

Elderly participants of social and rehabilitative day centres.

As it develops, an ageing society has increased need of services that can promote the health and well-being of the elderly. Community-based day programmes are one kind of service intended to support elderly people with restricted function in their daily lives. There are several different forms of day programmes for the elderly in Sweden, but guidelines are vague about their aim and implementation and little is known about the persons using them. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of the elderly people living in their own home who participated in social day centres in comparison with participants who attended a rehabilitative day centre. The focus was on perceived functioning and competence in daily life. Twelve social day centre participants and 12 rehabilitative day centre participants answered two questionnaires, the sickness impact profile (SIP) and occupational self-assessment (OSA). The results show that the majority of participants from both centres were elderly persons living alone who experienced severely restricted physical function. This demonstrates that the day centres serve the needs of a specific group of elderly people, namely, those with highly restricted functioning living on their own. A significant difference between the groups was that those who attended the social day centre perceived better psychosocial function than the group attending the rehabilitative centre. The fact that the social centre group had better psychosocial function than the other group, but yet had severely restricted physical function indicates that it is preferably the psychosocial well-being of elderly persons with restricted functioning that is possible to influence. This result implies that these centres serve as an important meeting place for elderly persons who would otherwise be isolated in their homes because of their physical restrictions. To fulfil this challenge, the day centres might need to accommodate a wider range of persons with restricted functioning.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The impact of functional gastrointestinal disorders on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) on quality of life is unknown. We aimed to evaluate whether FGIDs impair quality of life in terms of mental and physical functioning in patients and nonpatients. METHODS: A random sample of 4500 subjects, representative of the Australian population, were mailed a questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms in the past 12 months. Quality of life was assessed using the valid SF-12, in which the lower the scores, the greater the impairment of quality of life. The response rate was 72%. RESULTS: Among those fulfilling Rome I criteria for a diagnosis of a FGID (n = 1006) versus those not having a FGID (n = 1904) (healthy controls), there was a significant association with impaired mental (43.9 vs. 48.1) and physical (47.7 vs. 51.6) functioning. Mental functioning (43.3 vs. 44.9) and physical functioning (46.0 vs. 50.5) was significantly more impaired in patients versus nonpatients with a FGID. Furthermore, nonpatients with a FGID had more impaired mental and physical functioning than healthy controls. CONCLUSION: FGIDs impair quality of life, particularly in those that consult for health care.

Activities of Daily Living↗