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Parkinsonism & Related Disorders Jan 2012In Parkinson's disease (PD), rating scales are used to assess the degree of disease-related disability and to titrate long-term treatment to each phase of the disease.... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
In Parkinson's disease (PD), rating scales are used to assess the degree of disease-related disability and to titrate long-term treatment to each phase of the disease. Recognition of non-motor symptoms required modification of existing widely used scales to integrate non-motor elements. In addition, new scales have been developed for the assessment of non-motor symptoms. In this article, assessment of PD patients will be discussed, particularly for non-motor symptoms such as pain and fatigue.
Topics: Disability Evaluation; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Weights and Measures
PubMed: 22166443
DOI: 10.1016/S1353-8020(11)70070-0 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Jul 2020Background Laboratory professionals should independently verify the correct implementation of metrological traceability of commercial measuring systems and determine if...
Background Laboratory professionals should independently verify the correct implementation of metrological traceability of commercial measuring systems and determine if their performance is fit for purpose. We evaluated the trueness, uncertainty of measurements, and transferability of six clinically important enzyme measurements (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], creatine kinase [CK], γ-glutamyltransferase [γGT], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) performed on the Abbott Alinity c analytical system. Methods Target values and associated uncertainties were assigned to three pools for each enzyme by using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) reference measurement procedures (RMPs) and the pools were then measured on the Alinity system. Bias estimation and regression studies were performed, and the uncertainty associated with Alinity measurements was also estimated, using analytical performance specifications (APS) derived from biological variability of measurands as goals. Finally, to validate the transferability of the obtained results, a comparison study between two Alinity systems located in Milan, Italy, and Bydgoszcz, Poland, was carried out. Results Correct implementation of traceability to the IFCC RMPs and acceptable measurement uncertainty fulfilling desirable (ALP, AST, LDH) or optimal APS (ALT, CK, γGT) was verified for all evaluated enzymes. An optimal alignment between the two Alinity systems located in Milan and Bydgoszcz was also found for all enzyme measurements. Conclusions We confirmed that measurements of ALT, ALP, AST, CK, γGT, and LDH performed on the Alinity c analytical system are correctly standardized to the IFCC reference measurement systems and the system alignment is consistent between different platforms.
Topics: Calibration; Enzymes; Humans; Laboratories; Laboratory Personnel; Reference Values; Uncertainty
PubMed: 32126012
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2020-0015 -
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine :... Mar 2017To determine the intrarater reliability and precision of lumbar multifidus and transversus abdominis thickness measurements using freehand sonography in a range of...
OBJECTIVES
To determine the intrarater reliability and precision of lumbar multifidus and transversus abdominis thickness measurements using freehand sonography in a range of static and dynamic conditions.
METHODS
Fifteen asymptomatic participants performed a range of exercises while sonography was used to measure absolute muscle thickness and changes in muscle thickness from rest. Exercise conditions included the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, active straight leg raise, contralateral arm lift, both unloaded and loaded, treadmill walking, and using the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device. Intraday and interday reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients, and the standard error of measurement was used to assess measurement precision.
RESULTS
Good to excellent reliability was achieved for absolute transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus thickness in all conditions. Measurement precision for absolute lumbar multifidus thickness was ≤2.8 mm for the unloaded contralateral arm lift, ≤1.8 mm for the loaded contralateral arm lift, ≤3.1 mm for treadmill walking, and ≤3.8 mm for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device; for absolute transversus abdominis thickness, precision was ≤0.6 mm for the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, ≤0.5 mm for the active straight leg raise, ≤0.7 mm for treadmill walking, and ≤0.5 mm for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device. Good to excellent reliability was achieved for relative transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus thickness in all conditions. Measurement precision for relative lumbar multifidus thickness was ≤3.7% for the unloaded contralateral arm lift, ≤3.8% for the loaded contralateral arm lift, ≤6.3% for treadmill walking, and ≤7.6% for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device; for relative transversus abdominis thickness, precision was ≤13.6% for the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, ≤6.9% for the active straight leg raise, ≤11.1% for treadmill walking, and ≤7.2% for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device.
CONCLUSIONS
Acceptable reliability and precision of measurement is achieved for absolute and relative measures of deep spinal muscle thickness using freehand sonography in relatively static and dynamic exercises.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Back Muscles; Body Weights and Measures; Exercise; Female; Humans; Lumbosacral Region; Male; Muscle Contraction; Observer Variation; Reference Values; Reproducibility of Results; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 28150321
DOI: 10.7863/ultra.16.03059 -
Nutricion Hospitalaria Jul 2021Background: an association between low 25(OH)D levels and blood lipids has been identified in children, adolescents, and adults but not in the early stages of life, and...
Background: an association between low 25(OH)D levels and blood lipids has been identified in children, adolescents, and adults but not in the early stages of life, and a relation to carotid and aortic intima-media thickness has not been well studied and is controversial. Objective: to identify whether 25(OH)D levels are correlated with blood lipids and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness in infants aged 3 to 9 months. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 109 healthy term infants between the ages of 3 and 9 months. Serum vitamin D [25(OH)D], total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness were measured. Feeding method, vitamin D supplementation, and sun exposure habits were recorded. Results: only 2.8 % (n = 3) and 10.1 % (n = 14) had vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively. Infants with inadequate levels of vitamin D were younger (< 6 months) (p = 0.004), and a lower percentage of their body surface area was exposed to the sun (p = 0.006). A significant positive correlation was found between 25(OH)D levels and non-HDL-cholesterol in the infants that consumed breastmilk substitutes (rho = 0.600, p < 0.001) or were partially breastfed (rho = 0.371, p = 0.026), whereas a positive correlation was found with total cholesterol in the infants receiving breastmilk substitutes (rho = 0.618, p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between vitamin D and aortic or carotid intima-media thickness. Conclusions: there was a positive correlation between 25(OH)D levels and both total and non-HDL-cholesterol only in infants receiving breastmilk substitutes. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was low.
Topics: Aorta; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Lipids; Male; Risk Factors; Vitamin D; Weights and Measures
PubMed: 34024110
DOI: 10.20960/nh.03516 -
PloS One 2022The outcomes anxiety and depression are measured frequently by healthcare providers to assess the impact of a disease, but with numerous instruments. PROMIS item banks...
INTRODUCTION
The outcomes anxiety and depression are measured frequently by healthcare providers to assess the impact of a disease, but with numerous instruments. PROMIS item banks provide an opportunity for standardized measurement. Cross-cultural validity of measures and the availability of reference values are prerequisites for standardized measurement.
METHODS
PROMIS Anxiety and Depression item banks were completed by 1002 representative Dutch persons. To evaluate cross-cultural validity, data from US participants in PROMIS wave 1 were used and differential item functioning (DIF) was investigated, using an iterative hybrid of logistic regression and item response theory. McFadden's pseudo R2-change of 2% was the critical threshold. The impact of any DIF on full item banks and short forms was investigated. To obtain Dutch reference values, T-scores for anxiety and depression were calculated for the complete Dutch sample, and age-group and gender subpopulations. Thresholds corresponding to normal limits, mild, moderate and severe symptoms were computed.
RESULTS
In both item banks, two items had DIF but with minimal impact on population level T-scores for full item banks and short forms. The Dutch general population had a T-score of 49.9 for anxiety and 49.6 for depression, similar to the T-scores of 50.0 of the US general population. T-scores for age-group and gender subpopulations were also similar to T-scores of the US general population. Thresholds for mild, moderate and severe anxiety and depression were set to 55, 60 and 70, identical to US thresholds.
CONCLUSIONS
The limited number of items with DIF and its minimal impact, enables the use of standard (US) item parameters and comparisons of scores between Dutch and US populations. The Dutch reference values provide an important tool for healthcare professionals and researchers to evaluate and interpret symptoms of anxiety and depression, stimulating the uptake of PROMIS measures, and contributing to standardized outcome measurement.
Topics: Anxiety; Depression; Humans; Language; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Reference Standards; Reference Values; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35998333
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273287 -
Health Literacy Research and Practice Oct 2019Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in cognitive impairments that require investigators to consider language accessibility of survey instruments, clinical...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in cognitive impairments that require investigators to consider language accessibility of survey instruments, clinical evaluations, and other research tools. We describe an iterative language validation process for the Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool (BAST) and BAST Spanish version (BAST-ESP), consisting of two phases: (1) achieving an accessible literacy level for English-speaking people with TBI and (2) translating, validating, and cognitively testing the BAST-ESP for Spanish-speaking people with TBI. Investigators recruited scientific experts and members of the target populations to adapt and test the surveys. Modifications to original survey instruments included simplified semantic structures, enhanced conceptual clarity, rephrased idiomatic expressions, and rewording to bridge cultural differences in linguistic connotation. Findings from participants in focus groups and cognitive interviews confirmed accuracy and ease of comprehension and informed further adjustments and content relevant to the specific target populations. We demonstrate the importance of a systematic adaptation and validation process to develop a lower-literacy instrument appropriate for people with cognitive deficits and to enhance the BAST-ESP beyond translation alone. This article, along with a previously published article about BAST content validity process, provides a road map for other investigators to conduct systematic adaptation of scientific instruments for low-literacy and non-English-speaking populations. .
Topics: Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Cognitive Dysfunction; Humans; Literacy; Mass Screening; Patient-Centered Care; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Translating; Weights and Measures
PubMed: 31768495
DOI: 10.3928/24748307-20190925-01 -
Medicine Feb 2020A core outcome set (COS) is an agreed minimum set of outcomes that should be reported in all clinical trials in specific areas of health care. A considerable amount of...
BACKGROUND
A core outcome set (COS) is an agreed minimum set of outcomes that should be reported in all clinical trials in specific areas of health care. A considerable amount of trials did not report essential outcomes or outcomes measurement methods, which makes it challenging to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment strategies for pressure injury (PI) and produced significant heterogeneity of reported outcomes. It is necessary to develop a COS, which can be used for clinical trials in PI treatment.
METHODS/DESIGN
The development of this COS will be guided by an advisory group composed of clinicians, senior nurses, patients, and methodologists. We will search six databases and 2 registry platforms to identify currently reported PI treatment outcomes and outcome measurement instruments in randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis, and systematic reviews. We will also conduct a semi-structured interview with clinicians, nurses, and adult PI patients to collect their opinions on important outcomes. Each outcome of the initial list generated from systematic review and interviews will be scored and reach a consensus through two rounds of international Delphi survey with all key stakeholders. A face-to-face consensus meeting with key stakeholders will be conducted to finish a final COS and recommend measurement instruments for each outcome.
RESULTS
We will develop a COS that should be reported in future clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of PI treatment.
DISCUSSION
The COS will follow current guidance to develop a high-quality COS in the field of PI treatment to reduce heterogeneity in trial reporting, facilitate valid comparisons of new therapies, and improve the quality of clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Clinical Protocols; Clinical Trials as Topic; Delphi Technique; Endpoint Determination; Research Design; Weights and Measures; Pressure Ulcer
PubMed: 32118756
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000019311 -
Critical Care (London, England) Jul 2020Mechanical power (MP) is the energy delivered to the respiratory system over time during mechanical ventilation. Our aim was to compare the currently available methods... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Mechanical power (MP) is the energy delivered to the respiratory system over time during mechanical ventilation. Our aim was to compare the currently available methods to calculate MP during volume- and pressure-controlled ventilation, comparing different equations with the geometric reference method, to understand whether the easier to use surrogate formulas were suitable for the everyday clinical practice. This would warrant a more widespread use of mechanical power to promote lung protection.
METHODS
Forty respiratory failure patients, sedated and paralyzed for clinical reasons, were ventilated in volume-controlled ventilation, at two inspiratory flows (30 and 60 L/min), and pressure-controlled ventilation with a similar tidal volume. Mechanical power was computed both with the geometric method, as the area between the inspiratory limb of the airway pressure and the volume, and with two algebraic methods, a comprehensive and a surrogate formula.
RESULTS
The bias between the MP computed by the geometric method and by the comprehensive algebraic method during volume-controlled ventilation was respectively 0.053 (0.77, - 0.81) J/min and - 0.4 (0.70, - 1.50) J/min at low and high flows (r = 0.96 and 0.97, p < 0.01). The MP measured and computed by the two methods were highly correlated (r = 0.95 and 0.94, p < 0.01) with a bias of - 0.0074 (0.91, - 0.93) and - 1.0 (0.45, - 2.52) J/min at high-low flows. During pressure-controlled ventilation, the bias between the MP measured and the one calculated with the comprehensive and simplified methods was correlated (r = 0.81, 0.94, p < 0.01) with mean differences of - 0.001 (2.05, - 2.05) and - 0.81 (2.11, - 0.48) J/min.
CONCLUSIONS
Both for volume-controlled and pressure-controlled ventilation, the surrogate formulas approximate the reference method well enough to warrant their use in the everyday clinical practice. Given that these formulas require nothing more than the variables already displayed by the intensive care ventilator, a more widespread use of mechanical power should be encouraged to promote lung protection against ventilator-induced lung injury.
Topics: Female; Humans; Lung; Male; Mechanical Phenomena; Middle Aged; Pressure; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Insufficiency; Weights and Measures
PubMed: 32653011
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-020-03116-w -
Annals of Saudi Medicine 2020Cochlear morphology and cochlear duct length (CDL) play important roles in the selection of appropriate electrodes. Cochlear parameters such as diameter (A value) and...
BACKGROUND
Cochlear morphology and cochlear duct length (CDL) play important roles in the selection of appropriate electrodes. Cochlear parameters such as diameter (A value) and width (B value) are used as inputs for calculating the CDL. Current measurements of these parameters are inefficient and time consuming. Recently developed otological planning software (OTOPLAN) allows surgeons to directly measure these parameters and then automatically calculate the CDL.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective was to validate this new software for measuring the cochlear parameters and CDL. The secondary aim was to investigate the correlation between each cochlear parameter with the calculated CDL.
DESIGN
Retrospective.
SETTINGS
Ear specialist hospital.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The measurement of cochlear diameter (A value) was chosen as the validation parameter. To do this, the A value was measured by a neurotologist on the new OTOPLAN planning software and was validated to the one measured on the currently used DICOM viewer. Upon the validation of the OTOPLAN software, the other two cochlear parameters, namely width (B value) and height (H value) were measured, and CDL was automatically calculated. Finally, the correlation of all parameters with the CDL was statistically analyzed.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Validation of OTOPLAN and CDL estimation.
SAMPLE SIZE
88 ears.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the A-value measured on the DICOM viewing software and that on the new planning software by the two independent neurotologists (=.27). Both A-and B-values showed a high positive correlation to the CDL. However, the B-value showed a stronger correlation to the CDL than the A-value (r=0.63 for A, and r=0.96 for B).
CONCLUSION
The direct measurement of cochlea parameters and automatic calculation of the CDL could improve the efficiency of clinical workflow and make otology surgeons more independent. Moreover, the cochlear width (B) has a strong correlation to the CDL. Thus, we suggest using the combination of A and B to accurately estimate the CDL rather than using only one.
LIMITATIONS
Single center and small sample size.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None. No relationship with manufacturers.
Topics: Body Weights and Measures; Child; Child, Preschool; Cochlear Duct; Cochlear Implantation; Cochlear Implants; Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Infant; Male; Preoperative Period; Retrospective Studies; Software; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 32493102
DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2020.218 -
British Medical Journal Mar 1953
Topics: Metric System; Weights and Measures
PubMed: 13019151
DOI: No ID Found