DESCRIBING LYMPHEDEMA IN FEMALES WITH TURNER SYNDROME.

Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal condition affecting an estimated 1 in 2,500 girls where the second X chromosome is missing, or partially formed. This abnormality affects multiple body systems and can lead to short stature, cardiac, neural, and renal abnormalities. Due to the chronic, non-life threatening nature of lymphedema in comparison to other symptoms of TS, it is often ignored by girls and women with TS and their physicians. Consequently, little is known about how lymphedema affects girls and women with TS across the lifespan. Therefore, the objective of the study was to deliver an online survey for females with TS and caregivers in the US, UK, and Canada to provide a worldwide perspective on their current experience with lymphedema within the spectrum of TS. There were 219 participants who completed the survey, and we were able to identify incidence and characteristics of lymphedema across the lifespan. In addition, we found that females with 45,X karyotyping were more likely to report lymphedema symptoms. Lymphedema is not the most significant concern of females with TS, but education, physician evaluation, and assistance with referrals for treatment and management would improve the ease of managing lymphedema in girls and women with TS.

Two-year outcomes following ACL reconstruction with allograft tibialis anterior tendons: a retrospective study.

The outcomes of 18 patients (11 females, 7 males; age, 40.4+/-11 years) at 2 years after ACL reconstruction with cryopreserved tibialis anterior allografts using a double bundle technique are presented. Most subjects (72%) described themselves as being moderately active before surgery. After providing written informed consent, subjects completed the 2000 IKDC Knee Form, underwent arthrometric knee measurements, and performed one-leg hop and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring torque tests (60 degrees /s). Ninety-four percent (17/18) of the subjects had normal or near-normal grades for manual knee ligament tests. Knee arthrometry measurements revealed a mean 1.1-mm involved side increase at 134 N (8.9+/-2 mm vs 7.8+/-3 mm) and a 2-mm involved side increase during manual maximum testing (11.3+/-2 mm vs 9.3+/-3 mm). Group means revealed active knee flexion (136+/-8 degrees vs 139+/-6 degrees ) and knee hyper-extension (3+/-2 degrees vs 5+/-2 degrees ), which were slightly reduced at the involved knee. One-leg hop testing revealed a 15% mean deficit at the involved side (0.81+/-0.3 m vs 0.95+/-0.3 m). Isokinetic testing revealed an 11% mean deficit at the involved side (143.4+/-60 Nm vs 161.8+/-54 Nm) for the quadriceps and 7% greater strength at the involved side (105.9+/-35 Nm vs 98.8+/-35 Nm) for the hamstrings. Side-to-side comparisons revealed that many patients displayed less than normal quadriceps femoris torque (72%, 13/18), hamstring torque (28%, 5/18) and hop test (28%, 5/18) performance. Moderate positive correlations existed between involved side quadriceps ( r=0.80) and hamstring ( r=0.83) torque/bodyweight and hop test performance. Scores were 77.6+/-21 (range 28.7-100) and 78.1+/-16 (range 41.7-100) for the 2000 IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation and Health Assessment forms. Most subjects (83%, 15/18) rated their current function at >or=91% of pre-injury levels and all subjects continued to participate at their pre-injury perceived activity level. At 2 years after ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior allografts, this subject group displayed satisfactory functional outcomes. Tibialis anterior allograft use provides an effective ACL reconstruction alternative, particularly for older individuals who want to continue recreational sports.

[Family information days. Attitudes and needs of family of schizophrenic patients]. / Angehörigen-Informationstage. Einstellungen und Bedürfnisse von Angehörigen schizophrener Patienten.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine attitudes, knowledge about disease and needs of relatives of schizophrenic patients. METHOD: Questions concerning needs and wishes addressed to professionals were added to the "Questionnaire of attitudes concerning disease for relatives". The questionnaire was distributed to relatives participating in the workshop at Bezirksklinikum Regensburg and sent by post to non-participating relatives. RESULTS: The relatives of both groups were predominantly comparable regarding attitudes, knowledge and needs. Mainly they wished more dialogue with therapists. Information about schizophrenia was assessed as very important. Relatives participating in the workshop reported significantly more frequently that the atmosphere in the family is strained and that they understand the nature of the illness less than non-participating relatives. They reproached themselves more frequently, but felt less depressive than non-participating relatives. 95% of the participating relatives were satisfied or very satisfied with the workshop. They assessed self-help groups for relatives of schizophrenics as more important than non-participating relatives. CONCLUSION: Workshops for relatives of schizophrenic patients have proved to be economic and well accepted to contact many relatives and to give attention to their problems.