Asian adaptation and validation of an English version of the multiple sclerosis international quality of life questionnaire (MusiQoL)

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life questionnaire (MusiQoL) is a self-administered, multi-dimensional, patient-based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument. With increasing prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Asian countries, a valid tool to assess HRQoL in those patients is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient acceptability, content validity and psychometric properties of an Asian version of the English MusiQoL in Singapore, Malaysia and India.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>English speaking patients older than 18 years of age with a defi nite diagnosis of MS were included. The self-administered survey material included the adapted HRQoL questionnaire, a validated generic HRQoL questionnaire: the short-form 36 (SF-36), as well as a checklist of 14 symptoms. We assessed the internal and external validity of the adapted MusiQoL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 81 patients with MS were included in the study. The questionnaire was generally well accepted. In the samples from Malaysia and Singapore, all scales exhibited good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.70). Correlation to SF-36 was generally good, demonstrating high construct validity (P <0.001) in some aspects of the MusiQoL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Asian adaptation of the English version of the MusiQoL in evaluating HRQoL seems to be a valid, reliable tool with adequate patient acceptability and internal consistency.</p>

case-control study of bidi smoking and bronchogenic carcinoma

To evaluate the risks imposed by tobacco smoking, in particular, bidi smoking, in the development of lung cancer. Two hundred eighty-four histologically confirmed patients of bronchogenic carcinoma and 852 controls matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status were interviewed according to a predesigned questionnaire. Effects of individual variables defining the various aspects of tobacco smoking, in particular, bidi smoking, were assessed using logistic regression models. 81.3% cases of bronchogenic carcinoma were ever smokers as compared with 42.2% among controls. The odd ratios for ever smoking, bidi smoking, and cigarette smoking were 5.9 [confidence interval [CI] 4.3, 8.4], 6.1 [CI 4.3, 8.7], and 5.3 [CI 2.7, 10.4], respectively. Bidi smoking poses a very high risk for lung cancer even more than that of cigarette smoking

case-control study of tobacco smoking and tuberculosis in India

To evaluate the role of smoking as a risk factor for the development of pulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 111 sputum smear-positive patients of pulmonary tuberculosis and 333 controls matched for age and sex were interviewed according to a predesigned questionnaire. The adjusted odd ratio of the association between tobacco smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis was 3.8 [95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 7.0; P value, <.0001]. A positive relationship between pack years, body mass index and socioeconomic class was also observed. There is a positive association between tobacco smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis

Pediatric multiple sclerosis is similar to adult-onset form in Asia

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis is underreported because of difficulty in diagnosis and assessment. In Western series, pediatric-onset disease showed significant differences from adult-onset disease with higher female preponderance, polysymptomatic in onset, frequent systemic manifestation in relapses, higher relapse rate, but less disability, and fewer lesions in brain magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple sclerosis manifests differently in Asians, yet there was no large series of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis reported. We found that pediatric-onset disease in Asians showed greater similarity with adult-onset disease without the reported differences in female preponderance, relapse rate, and magnetic resonance imaging findings. There were also similar proportion and clinical features in optico-spinal form, and long spinal cord lesions were common in both groups. The significant difference was less disability among the pediatric-onset group. Thus, although multiple sclerosis in Asia is different from Western countries, there is greater similarity between the pediatric-onset and adult-onset group in Asia.

Circulatory assist devices

The circulation has to be assisted by mechanical assist devices in cases of refractory heart failure. These devices allow the ventricles to recover by restoring adequate perfusion by augmenting the cardiac output and decreasing the load on the heart. In the last 40 years the technology of these circulatory assist devices has improved and has led to their widespread clinical application. Survival rates have improved and morbidity is on a decline. Several patients have been supported for more than one year. Efforts are on for achieving the ultimate goal of manufacturing an implantable total cardiac substitute which is biologically acceptable and functional for a long period. The concept of dynamic cardiomyoplasty and dynamic aortomyoplasty is new and novel method for supporting chronically failing heart. This article reviews various circulatory assist devices and the concept of cardiomyoplasty along with their historical background, mechanism of action and criteria for patient selection