Significance of evaluating mandibular parameters for the identification of an individual

Background: Estimating the age of death is a crucial step since it narrows the field of probable identities that must be compared to remains after mass tragedies. Morphological changes in the mandible are mostly driven by an individual抯 age and occlusal status. The aim of this study was to determine the association of the dimensions of these parameters with the age and gender of an individual with a larger sample size using orthopantograms in the north Indian population. Methods: A retrospective radio morphometric analysis was performed for panoramic radiographs of 300 (150 males and 150 females). The digital panoramic images were saved in Dicom format and exported to MicroDicom software for linear measurements. The co-relation of study parameters with age was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and assessment of co-relation with sex by applying student抯 t-test. Results: The mean values of the right and left gonial angles were higher in females, while the ramus height and bigonial width dimensions were greater in males. However, only the left gonial angle and ramus height showed statistically significant differences with gender (p<0.05). Conclusions: The present study found substantial changes in gonial angle, ramus height, and bigonial breadth based on gender and age in a larger sample size. As a result, these dimensions can be an accurate predictor of an individual抯 age and sex. Thus, morphometric examination of the mandible can be a useful tool in both identifying individuals and studying growth patterns.

Famotidina en el tratamiento de pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19. Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Famotidine in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introducción: El síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), de alta morbimortalidad, carece a la fecha de preparar esta revisión, de una terapia específica altamente eficaz. Famotidina se ha postulado como una opción terapéutica viable, basado en trabajos de cohorte retrospectiva y modelos computacionales guiados por inteligencia artificial. Objetivo: Recopilar la mejor evidencia científica disponible para determinar la efectividad y eficacia de famotidina en el tratamiento de pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19, para reducir el riesgo de progresión de la enfermedad, intubación, muerte y tiempo de estancia hospitalaria. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science y Cochrane Central, de artículos originales que reporten las variables de interés asociadas al uso de famotidina en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID- 19. Los investigadores independientemente evaluaron y seleccionaron los estudios, se extrajeron los datos expuestos para las asociaciones de interés y se procesaron con el software Revman 5.3. Resultados: En la búsqueda se obtuvo un total de 126 artículos potenciales para la revisión, de los cuales 14 fueron seleccionados para el análisis. En el metaanálisis se incluyeron un total de 47.044 pacientes, de los cuales 6.647 fueron los usuarios de famotidina. El riesgo de intubación se vio reducido en el grupo no expuesto a famotidina, aunque sin significancia estadística, (RR 1,43 IC95% 0,42-4,83), en cuanto a la mortalidad no se evidenció reducción significativa en el grupo de famotidina (RR 0,95 IC 95% 0,70-1,29). Se observó reducción en el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (DM -1,60 -2,89, -0,31) y finalmente se mostró que no hay presencia de asociación entre el uso de famotidina y el desenlace compuesto de reducción del riesgo de ingreso a UCI, intubación y muerte (RR 1,03 IC 95% 0,46-2,34). Conclusión: Famotidina no presenta efectividad ni eficacia en la reducción de riesgo de intubación o ingreso a UCI ni de mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. La eficacia en la reducción de la estancia hospitalaria no es consistente y se necesitan más ensayos clínicos con buena calidad metodológica para definirla.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with high morbidity and mortality, lacks, at the time of preparing this review, a highly effective specific therapy. Famotidine has been postulated as a viable therapeutic option, based on retrospective cohort investigations and computational models guided by artificial intelligence. Aim: The objective of this study was to compile the best scientific evidence available to determine the effectiveness and efficacy of famotidine in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, to reduce the risk of disease progression, intubation, death, and time to hospital stay. Methods: A search was carried out in PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Central Cochrane, for original articles that report the variables of interest associated with the use of famotidine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The investigators independently evaluated and selected the studies, the exposed data for the associations of interest were extracted and processed with Revman 5.3 software. Results: The search yielded a total of 126 potential articles for the review, of which 14 were selected for analysis. A total of 47,044 patients were included in the meta-analysis of which 6,647 were famotidine users. The risk of intubation was reduced in the group not exposed to famotidine, although without statistical significance (RR 1.43 IC95% 0.42 - 4.83), regarding mortality there was no significant reduction in the famotidine group (RR 0.95 IC 95 % 0.70-1.29). A reduction in the length of hospital stay was observed (MD -1.60 -2.89, -0.31) and finally it was shown that there is no association between the use of famotidine and the composite outcome of reduced risk of ICU admission, intubation and death. (RR 1.03 95% CI 0.46-2.34). Conclusion: Famotidine does not show effectiveness or efficacy in reducing the risk of intubation or ICU admission or mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The efficacy in reducing hospital stay is not consistent and more clinical trials with good methodological quality are needed to define it.

A cross sectional study to assess the general health status of immune compromised people at selected art center, Gadag district

Background: In the realm of health and wellbeing, the cursed part is illness. Times elapsed, the health problems and challenges evolved constantly. In 1980s the first case of HIV was reported and according to world health organization 36.9 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS. Life of people living with HIV/AIDS is challenging as opportunistic infections and their life style keeps their health status dynamic. The present study was done to assess and identify the level of general health status of immuno-compromised people at selected ART center, Gadag, Karnataka. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on assessment of general health status of PLHIV using standard general health questionnaire-28 at ART center, GIMS, Gadag from May 2022 to December 2022. Total 300 samples were chosen using purposive sampling method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was done using version SPSS 20.0. Results: The majority 90% (270) respondents were in state of distress or caseness and10% (30) of respondents were in state of wellbeing or no caseness. Conclusions: our study concluded thatoverall general health status of PLHIV swung towards state of distress, the main reason for this being inaccessibility of health care services & disruption in availability and accessibility of ART services

Comparison of various decalcifying agents to evaluate their efficacy

Background: Bone is a biological complex structure primarily comprising collagen and minerals. It is important to demineralize these mineralized tissues to remove their calcium apatite crystals for analysing the sub-cellular, cellular, and fibrillar architecture. Six demineralizing agents’ efficacy was examined by assessing their duration, ease of handling tissue, staining, and histological criteria. The present study aimed to evaluate six commonly used demineralizing agents to identify the best decalcifying agent. Methods: Twenty resected hard tissue specimens (1 cm × 1 cm x 1 cm) from the archives were used in the study. These segments were decalcified by solutions namely 10% nitric acid, 10% formic acid, 14% ethylene di amine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), a mixture of formic acid and hydrochloric acid (formic + HCL) 4% each, and a mixture of formic acid and nitric acid 4% each (formic + HNO3), 10% formal nitric acid further subjected to radiographic endpoint test. Results: The present study confirmed the fact that samples treated with EDTA showed the best overall impression in terms of tissue integrity and histology followed by 10% formal nitric acid which gave fairly good cellular details and was also rapid in the action. Conclusions: Based on the present study findings, we suggest that 10% formal nitric acid is the better decalcifying agent available, considering time and tissue integrity as two main factors.

“Dye another day!” – dyes in ophthalmology

Background: Dyes are substances that are an integral part of ocular procedures and surgeries. In Clinical practice, dyes help in better visualization and aid in diagnoses of ocular surface disorders. In Surgical practice, dyes help in better resolution of the structures that are otherwise naked to the surgeon’s eyes. Purpose: To educate ophthalmologists about the importance and uses of dyes. Synopsis: Dyes have become an important part of an ophthalmologists' clinical as well as surgical practice. This video aims at educating the different characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of each dye. Dyes help in identifying the obscure and highlighting the invisible. The indications and contraindications as well as the side effects of each dye are discussed which would help ophthalmologists in the correct usage of these wonder substances. This video will also help the new eye doctors understand and utilize these dyes judiciously which would aid in their learning process and provide better patient care. Highlights: This video highlights the uses, indications, contraindications and side effects of all the dyes used in ophthalmology

Reliability of the scapular dyskinesis test yes-no classification in asymptomatic individuals between students and expert physical therapists

Background@#Scapular dyskinesis is considered a risk factor for the shoulder pain that may warrant screening for prevention. Clinicians of all experience screen scapular dyskinesis using the scapular dyskinesis test yes-no classification (Y-N), yet its reliability in asymptomatic individuals is unknown. We aimed to establish Y-N’s intra- and inter-reliability between students and expert physical therapists. @*Methods@#We utilized a cross-sectional design using consecutive asymptomatic subjects. Six students and two experts rated 100 subjects using the Y-N. Cohen’s kappa (κ) and Krippendorff’s alpha (K-α) were calculated to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability. @*Results@#Intra- and inter-rater values for experts were κ=0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–0.93) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.84–0.87) respectively; students were κ=0.77 (95% CI, 0.75–0.78) and K-α=0.63 (95% CI, 0.58–0.67). @*Conclusions@#The Y-N is reliable in detecting scapular dyskinesis in asymptomatic individuals regardless of experience.

Clinical profile of dry eye disease at the Philippine General Hospital

Objectives@#To describe the population of dry eye disease (DED) patients seen at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Dry Eye Clinic, and to compare the diagnosis, type, and severity of DED using Oculus Keratograph® 5M (Oculus GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) with clinical diagnosis.@*Methodology@#This was a single-center comparative, cross-sectional study. Newly-diagnosed DED patients were recruited for the dry eye group. A subset of healthy volunteers without DED was also recruited for the control group. The clinical data for both groups were collected, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered. Standard clinical dry eye testing and Keratograph testing were subsequently done. The PGH Dry Eye Clinic definitions were used to classify the types of dry eye. @*Results@#Eighty (80) eyes of 40 patients per group were examined. For the dry eye group, the mean age and OSDI scores were significantly higher, while the average tear break up time (TBUT) was significantly lower. There was no significant difference in average basal secretion test (BST) and Schirmer 1 measurements between the two groups. 73% had evaporative type dry eye, while 27% had mixed type. Majority of the DED patients were females of >50 years old with mild evaporative type. Foreign body sensation was the most common symptom. Overall, there was poor agreement between clinical and Keratograph assessments of diagnosis and severity among patients in the dry eye group, but there was acceptable agreement when assessment was done in the control group.@*Conclusions@#DED patients at the PGH have similar characteristics to reported DED of other Asian populations. Evaporative or short TBUT type dry eye is the most frequently seen. Further formal validity study is needed for Oculus Keratograph® 5M to increase the value of its data to be included in routine dry eye screening.

Comparison of Outcome between the Implementation of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Programme (ERAS) vs. Traditional Care, in Elective Abdominal Surgeries

ERAS has been responsible for reducing surgical stress, maintaining postoperative physiological function, and for enhancing mobilization after surgery. It has been ultimately shown to reduce the rates of morbidity, hastening recovery, and reducing the length of hospital stay. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome between the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery program vs. traditional care in elective abdominal surgeries. METHODSThis retrospective study was carried out in the General Surgery Department of Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala. This is a tertiary care centre that caters to the needs of nearly five districts in the state. The hospital has excellent critical care and surgical facilities. Patients were grouped as ERAS and Non-ERAS. 78 patients were included in each group. A standard questionnaire was formulated. The clinical outcomes, functional recovery, and patient experience in ERAS and conventional methods of recovery after surgery were analyzed and compared. RESULTSDuration of hospital stay, complications, and costs incurred were found to be almost 60 % less as compared to the non-ERAS group and patient satisfaction was high in the ERAS group. By using ERAS, we have been able to reduce the duration of hospital stay by more than 30 % and the post-operative complications by up to 50 %. CONCLUSIONSThe ERAS programme has definite advantage over traditional methods in terms of hospital stay, treatment cost, complications, readmission rates and overall patient satisfaction. We have to analyse the avoidable factors leading to substandard care or any missed opportunities. Patient education must also be given utmost importance.

Changes in Corneal Topography and Clinical Refraction Following Horizontal Rectus Muscle Surgery

Objectives@#Refractive changes have been studied after muscle surgery in literature but most results are inconsistent. It has been postulated that changes in corneal tension after muscle surgery may cause a change in corneal curvature resulting in the change in refraction postoperatively. This study investigated changes in corneal topography and clinical refraction after horizontal rectus muscle surgery.@*Methods@#Twenty-one eyes of 13 patients underwent horizontal rectus muscle surgery via limbal approach. Manifest refraction, cycloplegic refraction, and corneal topography were measured preoperatively, and postoperatively at day 1 and weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8. The proportion of subjects with at least 0.5 D change from preoperative measurements and the proportion of subjects that needed new prescription postoperative were also computed. Analysis of the results were done using the Friedman test to identify significant differences among measurements at different time periods with post-hoc analysis utilized to identify specific time periods with significant changes from preoperative measurements.@*Results@#Mean corneal keratometry, horizontal, vertical, and oblique astigmatism, obtained topographically showed no significant difference from preoperative measurements. The statistically significant difference in corneal astigmatism in the recession group at day 1, week 4 and week 8 postoperatively was not confirmed when converted to power vectors in both vertical/horizontal (J0) and oblique (J45) astigmatism. Clinical refraction showed a transient myopic shift in spherical equivalent, statistically significant only on postoperative day 1 in the recession group. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical astigmatism. There was ≥ 0.5 D change in spherical equivalent in 60% in both study groups by the end of follow-up. The shift in J0 was more than 10% in the recession group. More than fifty percent (52.4%) needed new prescription for glasses.@*Conclusion@#No statistically significant change in corneal topography and clinical refraction following horizontal rectus muscle surgery were found. Patients should still be refracted at least 2 weeks postoperatively to check if there is a need for change in prescription glasses to improve alignment and/or improve vision.

Consequences of chemotherapeutic agents on primordial follicles and future clinical applications

The ovarian reserve is necessary for female fertility and endocrine health. Commonly used cancer therapies diminish the ovarian reserve, thus, resulting in primary ovarian insufficiency, which clinically presents as infertility and endocrine dysfunction. Prepubertal children who have undergone cancer therapies often experience delayed puberty or cannot initiate puberty and require endocrine support to maintain a normal life. Thus, developing an effective intervention to prevent loss of the ovarian reserve is an unmet need for these cancer patients. The selection of adjuvant therapies to protect the ovarian reserve against cancer therapies underlies the mechanism of loss of primordial follicles (PFs). Several theories have been proposed to explain the loss of PFs. The “burn out” theory postulates that chemotherapeutic agents activate dormant PFs through an activation pathway. Another theory posits that chemotherapeutic agents destroy PFs through an “apoptotic pathway” due to high sensitivity to DNA damage. However, the mechanisms causing loss of the ovarian reserve remains largely speculative. Here, we review current literature in this area and consider the mechanisms of how gonadotoxic therapies deplete PFs in the ovarian reserve.

Validation of a Portuguese version of the health-related quality of life measure for active chronic otitis media (COMQ-12) / Validation of a Portuguese version of the health-related quality of life measure for active chronic otitis media (COMQ-12)

Abstract Introduction: Measuring the impact on quality of life, especially after the beginning of the treatment, is becoming increasingly important in healthcare. Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) into Portuguese language and validate this version in a group of patients with chronic otitis media. Methods: The Portuguese version of COMQ-12 was obtained by translation and back translation. Portuguese speaking patients with a history of active chronic otitis media were asked to complete the COMQ-12 Portuguese version. Cronbach's α coefficient was calculated for an estimation of the internal consistency of the questionnaire. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study; 49 women and 51 men, with a mean age of 39 years (range 12-77 years, median 40 years). The average COMQ-12 score was 29, out of a maximum score of 60. Cronbach's α result for the Portuguese version of the COMQ-12 was 0.85, indicating a high internal consistency. The participants presented with different forms of chronic otitis media, and almost all domains of the COMQ-12 questionnaire were able to differentiate between patients with healed chronic otitis media and patients with cholesteatoma or wet tympanic membrane perforation. Showing that patients with healed chronic otitis media have a better quality of life, measured by the COMQ-12, is a first step to guarantee the questionnaire's validity. The next step will consist on routinely using the questionnaire in patients undergoing surgery for chronic otitis media in order to evaluate their quality of life after treatment. Conclusion: The COMQ-12 Portuguese version showed high reliability, and may be used as an assessment of quality of life in patients with chronic otitis media

Resumo: Introdução: Medir o impacto na qualidade de vida, especialmente após o início do tratamento dos pacientes, está se tornando cada vez mais importante nos cuidados da saúde. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir o Questionário de Otite Média Crônica-12 (COMQ-12) para a língua portuguesa e validar essa versão em um grupo de pacientes com Otite Média Crônica. Método: A versão em Língua Portuguesa do COMQ-12 foi obtida através de tradução e posterior retrotradução. Pacientes nativos da língua portuguesa com histórico de OMC ativa foram convidados a completar o COMQ-12 em Português. O coeficiente α de Cronbach foi calculado para estimar a consistência interna do questionário. Resultados: Um total de 100 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo; 49 eram mulheres e 51 eram homens, com média de idade de 39 anos (variação: 12 a 77 anos, mediana de 40 anos). O escore médio do COMQ-12 foi 29, de um escore máximo de 60. O resultado do coeficiente α de Cronbach para a versão em português do COMQ-12 foi de 0,85, indicando que sua consistência interna era alta. Os participantes apresentavam diferentes formas de otite média crônica e quase todos os domínios do questionário COMQ-12 foram capazes de diferenciar entre pacientes com otite média crônica curada e pacientes com colesteatoma ou perfuração úmida de membrana timpânica. Demonstrar que pacientes com otite média crônica curada apresentam uma melhor qualidade de vida, medida pelo COMQ-12 é o primeiro passo para garantir a validade do questionário. O próximo passo será utilizá-lo rotineiramente em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para otite média crônica e avaliar a qualidade de vida após o tratamento. Conclusão: A versão em português do questionário COMQ-12 mostrou alta confiabilidade e pode ser utilizada como questionário de medida de qualidade de vida em pacientes com otite média crônica.

Measuring herpes zoster disease burden in São Paulo, Brazil: a clinico-epidemiological single-center study

OBJECTIVES: Herpes zoster is characterized by acute neuritis and post-herpetic neuralgia. Currently, data concerning the zoster-associated impact on quality of life and healthcare resource utilization in Brazil are scarce. This study measured the zoster-associated burden in a Brazilian population. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, single-cohort study conducted in a primary hospital's emergency room in São Paulo, Brazil. Patients enrolled at various timepoints during a zoster episode were followed over 180 days. The Zoster Brief Pain Inventory and the Initial Zoster Impact Questionnaire assessed zoster-associated pain. The EuroQoL assessed the impact of herpes zoster and/or zoster-associated pain on quality of life. Healthcare resource utilization was assessed by patient-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: One-hundred forty-six zoster patients were enrolled [mean (SD) age of 69.9 (10.9) years]. Mean (SD) worst pain scores decreased from 5.3 (3.5) at baseline to 1.9 (3.0) 180 days following rash onset. Mean (SD) EuroQoL scores significantly decreased from 0.9 (0.2) before rash appearance to 0.7 (0.2) after rash onset (p<0.001), followed by gradual improvements in quality of life over 180 days, with pre-herpes zoster quality of life achieved at the end of the observation period. The majority of patients purchased prescription medications (89.7%) and required doctor's office visits (65.8%) for zoster episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Herpes zoster is associated with a significant disease burden, including zoster-associated pain, impaired quality of life and increased healthcare resource utilization in Brazil. These results support the implementation of early intervention and prevention programs such as vaccinations to reduce the herpes zoster-associated disease burden in Brazil.

Measuring the burden of herpes zoster disease in Costa Rica

AbstractBackground: Herpes zoster is a distressing illness that significantly reduces patients' quality of life. However, Costa Rican data regarding the clinical burden of herpes zoster and associated health care resource utilization is limited. This study aimed to assess the zoster-associated burden evaluating pain, impact on quality of life and health care resource utilization in a Costa Rican sample.Methods:Herpes zoster patients recruited in Costa Rica at a private geriatric practice were enrolled at various time points during a zoster episode and were actively followed over 6 months. Outcomes including zoster-associated pain, quality of life and health care resource utilization were assessed via patient self-reported questionnaires.Results: 50 zoster patients were included [68.0% female, mean (SD) age = 69.5 (10.8) years]. Zoster-associated pain decreased over time while quality of life improved though without full base recovery. The highest health care resource utilization included doctor's office (98.0%), emergency room (60.0%) and specialists (60.0%) visits. Sixteen (32.0%) patients were hospitalized [mean (SD)= 4.3 (4.1) days].Conclusion: Similar to other Latin American countries, high herpes zoster burden was observed in a private geriatric practice in Costa Rica, supporting the need for early intervention and preventive strategies, one of such could be the implementation of a HZ vaccination program.

ResumenJustificación: El herpes zoster es una enfermedad estresante que reduce significativamente la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Sin embargo, datos relativos a la carga clínica de herpes zoster y la utilización de recursos de salud son limitados en Costa Rica. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la carga asociada al herpes zoster evaluando dolor, impacto sobre la calidad de vida y utilización de recursos de salud en una muestra costarricense.Métodos:Pacientes con herpes zoster fueron reclutados en una práctica geriátrica privada en diferentes etapas de un episodio de zoster y fueron activamente seguidos durante 6 meses. Se evaluaron los resultados en el paciente, incluyendo el dolor asociado a zoster, calidad de vida y utilización de recursos de salud mediante cuestionarios autoadministrados.Resultados: Se incluyeron 50 pacientes con herpes zoster [68,0% mujeres, media de edad (SD) = 69.5 (10.8) años]. El dolor asociado a zoster disminuyó con el tiempo mientras que calidad de vida mejoró, aunque sin plena recuperación comparado con la calidad de vida inicial. La utilización de recursos de salud más alta fue visitas al consultorio (98.0%), visitas a sala de urgencias (60.0%) y visitas a especialistas (60.0%). Dieciséis pacientes (32.0%) fueron hospitalizados [media (SD) = 4.3 (4.1) días].Conclusión: Similar a otros países de América Latina, se observó una alta carga de enfermedad debido a herpes zoster en una práctica privada geriátrica en Costa Rica, lo cual respalda la necesidad de la intervención temprana y uso de estrategias preventivas, una de las cuales podría ser la implementación de un programa de vacunación a herpes zoster.

Immediate Postoperative Intraocular Pressure Adjustment Reduces Risk of Cystoid Macular Edema after Uncomplicated Micro Incision Coaxial Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of visual estimation of immediate postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) following microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and the effect of immediate postoperative IOP adjustment on prevention of cystoid macular edema (CME). SETTING: Ambulatory surgical center. METHODS: Prospective, randomized analysis of 170 eyes in 135 patients with MICS, performed in a Medicare approved outpatient ambulatory surgery center. Surgical parameters included a keratome incision of 1.5 mm to 2.8 mm, topical anesthetic, case completion IOP estimation by palpation and patient visualization of light, and IOP adjustment before exiting the operating theater. IOPs were classified into three groups: low (21 to 30 mmHg). IOP measurements were repeated 1 day after surgery. Optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT, Zeiss) was measured at 2 weeks. An increase in foveal thickness greater than 15 µm was used to indicate CME. Statistical analysis was performed using one- and two-tailed Student's t-tests. RESULTS: Mean minimal foveal thickness averaged 207.15 µm in the low pressure group, 205.14 µm in the normal IOP group, and 210.48 µm in the elevated IOP group 2 weeks following surgery. CME occurred in 14 of 170 eyes (8.2%) at 2 weeks (low IOP, 35.7%; normal IOP, 14.2%; elevated IOP, 50.0%). Change in IOP from the operating theater to 1 day after surgery was within +/−5 mmHg in 54 eyes (31.7%), elevated by 6 to 15 mmHg in 22 eyes (12.9%), and elevated more than 15 mmHg in four eyes (2.3%). IOP was reduced by 6 mmHg to 15 mmHg in 39 eyes (22.9%) and reduced by more than 15 mmHg in nine eyes (5.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate postoperative adjustment of IOP may prevent CME in MICS. Physicians can improve their ability to estimate postoperative IOP with experience in tonometry to verify immediate postoperative IOP. There are patient safety and economic benefits to immediate IOP adjustment in the operating theater. SYNOPSIS: Immediate postoperative IOP adjustment following cataract surgery before the patient leaves the operating theater may reduce the incidence of CME and provide patient safety and economic benefits.

Utility of Radiographs, Computed Tomography, and Three Dimensional Computed Tomography Pelvis Reconstruction for Identification of Acetabular Defects in Residency Training / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: The Paprosky classification system of acetabular defects is complex and its reliability has been questioned. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different radiologic imaging modalities in classifying acetabular defects in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) and their value of at different levels of training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone defects in 8 revision THAs were classified by 2 fellowship-trained adult reconstruction surgeons. A timed presentation with representative images for each case (X-ray, two-dimensional computed tomography [CT] and three-dimensional [3D] reconstructions) was shown to 35 residents from the first postgraduate year of training year of training (PGY-1 to PGY-5), 2 adult reconstruction fellows and 2 attending orthopaedic surgeons. The Paprosky classification of bone defects was recorded. The influence of image modality and level of training on classification were analyzed using chi-square analysis (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Overall correct classification was 30%. The level of training had no influence on correct classification (P=0.531). Using X-ray led to 37% correctly identified defects, CT scans to 33% and 3D reconstructions to 20% of correct answers (P < 0.001). There was no difference in correct classification based defect type (P < 0.001). Regardless of level of training or imaging, 64% of observers recognized type 1 defects, compared to only 16% correct recognition of type 3B defects. CONCLUSION: Using plain X-rays led to an increased number of correct classification, while regular CT scan and 3D CT reconstructions did not improve accuracy. The classification system of acetabular defects can be used for treatment decisions; however, advanced imaging may not improve its utilization.

Assessing the impact of an emergency trauma course for senior medical students in Kenya

Introduction:Ninety percent of all injury-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO recommends short, resource-specific trauma courses for healthcare providers.Studies show that teaching trauma courses to medical students in developed countries leads to significant increases in knowledge and skill. High costs hinder widespread and sustained teaching of these courses in low-income countries.Methods:A two-day trauma course was designed for students at Moi College of Health Sciences in Eldoret,Kenya. Participants underwent pre- and post-course written and simulation testing and rated their confidence in 21 clinical scenarios and 15 procedures pre- and post-course using a five point Likert scale. A subset of the students was re-evaluated nine months post-course. Using the pairedt-test, mean written, simulation and confidence scores were compared pre-course,immediately post-course and nine months post-course.Results:Twenty-two students were enrolled. Written test score means were 61.5% pre-course and 76.9%post-course, mean difference 15.5% (p < 0.001). Simulation test score means were 36.7% pre-course and 82.2% post-course, mean difference 45.5% (p < 0.001). Aggregate confidence scores were 3.21 pre-course and 4.72 post-course (scale 1­5). Ten out of 22 (45.5%) students were re-evaluated nine months post- course. Results showed written test score mean of 75%, simulation score mean of 61.7%, and aggregate confidence score of 4.59 (scale 1­5). Mean differences between immediate post- and nine months post-course were 1.6% (p = 0.75) and 8.7% (p = 0.10) for the written and simulation tests, respectively.Conclusion: Senior Kenyan medical students demonstrated statistically significant increases in knowledge, skills and confidence after participating in a novel student trauma course. Nine months post-course, improvements in knowledge skills and confidence were sustained

Dolor, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y utilización de servicios médicos asociados al herpes zoster en Argentina / Herpes zoster-associated pain, health-related quality of life, and healthcare utilization in Argentina

El herpes zoster (HZ) es causado por reactivación del virus varicela-zoster latente. Se caracteriza por exantema vesicular unilateral, neuri-tis aguda y neuralgia posherpética. Aún hay escasos datos sobre el do-lor asociado al HZ (DAZ), su repercusión en la calidad de vida (CdV) y la utilización de recursos sanitarios (URS) asociada en Argentina. En este estudio prospectivo, observacio-nal, de una cohorte, realizado en 3 centros argenti-nos se valuó la carga de morbilidad asociada al HZ en Argentina en contextos clínicos reales. Los pa-cientes fueron enrolados en diversos momentos du-rante un episodio herpético, y seguidos activamen-te los días 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 y 180. Hubo 96 enrolados(edad 70±10,7 años; tiempo desde el inicio del exantema 16±16,9 días[media±DE]). El puntaje del peor dolor (media±DE) disminuyó de 5,5±3,1 en el enrolamiento a 0,2±0,7 a los 180 días de seguimiento. El puntaje del cuestionario de cali-dad de vida EQ-5D (media±DE) disminuyó significa-tivamente de 0,8±0,1 antes del inicio del exantema a 0,6±0,2 tras su inicio (P<0,001), con mejoría gra-dual de la CdV durante 180 días (0,9±0,1), hasta un puntaje similar al previo al inicio del exantema. La URS más frecuente fueron visitas al consultorio mé-dico (96,9%). La gran mayoría de pacientes compró medicamentos recetados (95,8%) y de venta sin receta (83,3%) para los episodios herpéticos. El DAZ estuvo asociado a gran carga de morbili-dad, deterioro de CdV, aumento de URS y costos asociados en Argenti-na. Esto subraya la importancia de estrategias de intervención precoz o prevención para disminuir la carga de morbilidad asociada al HZ

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by re-activation of latent varicella zoster virus and is characterized by unilateral, vesicular cutaneous eruptions, acute neuritis, and post-herpetic neuralgia. To date, data on HZ associated pain (ZAP) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and associated healthcare resource utilization use (HCRU) in Argentina is scarce. This study assessed the burden of illness associated with HZ in Argentina in a real-life clinical setting. This was a prospective, observational, single-cohort study conducted in 3 sites across Argentina. Patients were enrolled at various time points during the course of a zoster episode and were actively followed on days 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180. There were 96 HZ patients enrolled with a mean±SD age and time since rash onset of 70±10. 7 years and 16±16. 9 days, respectively. Mean±SD worst pain score decreased from 5. 5±3. 1 at enrollment to 0. 2±0.7 at 180 days of follow-up. The mean±SD EQ-5D score significantly decreased from 0. 8±0. 1 before rash onset to 0. 6±0. 2 after rash onset (P <0.001) followed by gradual improvement in QoL over 180 days (0. 9±0.) reaching a similar score to that prior to rash onset. The most common HCRU was visits to the doctor's office with 96.9%. The vast majority of patients purchased prescription medications (95.8%) and over-the-counter medications (83.3%) for HZ episodes. ZAP was found to be associated with severe burden of illness, impaired QoL, increased HCRU, and associated cost in Argentina; highlighting the importance of early intervention or prevention strategies to reduce HZ-associated disease burden

Factors associated with incident HIV infection versus prevalent infection among youth in Rakai, Uganda

Factors associated with prevalent and incident HIV infection were compared among sexually experienced Ugandans aged 15-24. Most factors were similar. However, in women, older age and current marriage were associated with prevalent, but not incident, infection. It is important to recognize the limitations of prevalence analyses for identifying at-risk youth