Résumé
The advantages of participating in physical activities are so well proved that many statements recommend them in preventing chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. Training methods that are used to treat this condition is aquatic exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aquatic exercises on the motor performance and quality of life in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis. 22 women with knee osteoarthritis with mean age 35-55 [years] were equally randomly assigned to one of two groups: experimental or control groups the world-known knee injuries and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score questionnaire was used for data collection. Aquatic exercises were carried out under the supervision of a aquatic expert three sessions a week for 8 weeks, each session lasting 60 minutes. Patients in the control group continued their normal daily living activities. Data were statistically analyzed via ANOVA. Results showed significant mean differences of performance comparing pre- [40.56 +/- 10.23] and post- [71.81 +/- 10.94] intervention conditions in the experimental group, while mean differences between pre- [46.20 +/- 15.04] and post- [45.71 +/- 15.41] tests was not significant in control group. The mean differences of quality of life regarding pre-[63.89 +/- 7.10] and post- [75 +/- 5.68] intervention evaluations was significant in experimental group [P<0.05], but there was no significant mean differences between pre- [65.97 +/- 6.6] and post- [64.81 +/- 6.69] tests in control group. The results showed that aquatic exercises, as a safe and effective exercise method, should be incorporated in rehabilitation programs to improve the motor functions and quality of life of elderly females with knee osteoarthritis
Résumé
The role of inflammatory markers in diagnosis of acute appendicitis has not been clearly defined. To determine the diagnostic value of WBC count and C-reactive protein in diagnosis or rejection of acute appendicitis in children. In a prospective study, 100 child with probable diagnosis of acute appendicitis [Alvarado score = 5] referred to Tabriz Pediatric Hospital during 14 months from April 2007 to May 2008 were studied. Serum CRP, WBC count, and neutrophil percentage were compared in patients with and without definite diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Out of 100 patients, 54 were males and 46 females with a mean age of 9.6 +/- 2.7 years. The number of patients with definite diagnosis of acute appendicitis was 48. Children with final diagnosis of acute appendicitis had significantly higher value of inflammatory markers. Elevated CRP showed the greatest sensitivity [85%] and negative predictive value [83%]. None of the children with normal markers had acute appendicitis. This study showed that despite elevation of these inflammatory markers in patients with acute appendicitis, it is unwise to completely rely on results of such tests in confirming or rejecting the disease. Normal values obtained for all three markers are unlikely to be associated with pathologically confirmed appendicitis in children