ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare neurological disorder that is often associated with viral infections. Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a few COVID-19-associated ANE cases have been reported. Since very little is known about ANE, the present study aimed to determine the clinical, biochemical, and radiological characteristics of affected patients. METHODS: A search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases for articles published up to August 30, 2022 using relevant keywords. Case reports and series in the English language that reported ANE in adult patients with COVID-19 confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were included in this study. Data on the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients were extracted and analyzed using the SPSS software (version 26). RESULTS: The study included 30 patients (18 males) with COVID-19 and ANE who were aged 49.87±18.68 years (mean±standard deviation). Fever was the most-prevalent symptom at presentation (66.7%). Elevated C-reactive protein was observed in the laboratory assessments of 13 patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were the most-common radiological modalities used for brain assessments. The most commonly prescribed medications were methylprednisolone (30%) and remdesivir (26.7%). Sixteen patients died prior to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of COVID-19-associated ANE requires a thorough knowledge of the disease. Since the clinical presentations of ANE are neither sensitive nor specific, further laboratory and brain radiological evaluations will be needed to confirm the diagnosis. The suspicion of ANE should be raised among patients with COVID-19 who present with progressive neurological symptoms.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the construct validity of the Child Occupational Self-Assessment, translated to Persian that could provide occupational therapists with a tool to evaluate occupational competence and values of children in Iran. METHODS: A total of 250 children (87 girls and 163 boys) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder aged 7.5-11 years referred from two specialised children's hospitals were included. The researchers read the questions to the children and they identified their own answers. The data were analysed based on the Rasch Rating Scale Model. RESULTS: Four of the items showed misfit and as a result of deleting these items the Persian version of the questionnaire has 21 items with an appropriate validity. CONCLUSION: The Persian version of Child Occupational Self-Assessment can be used with new items format. It could be also useful to replace the missing question to develop the tool further.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: When the first carpometacarpal joint of the wrist is immobilized using an orthosis to combat the effects of osteoarthritis, atrophy of the thenar muscles may occur. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the thenar muscle diameter and cross-sectional area, joint function, and pain, before and after being supplied with an orthosis in patients with grades 1 and 2 carpometacarpal osteoarthritis compared to a control group. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: A total of 25 volunteer patients were randomized into two groups (an orthosis group and a control group) using a randomization table. A visual analog scale, the Michigan Hand Questionnaire, and ultrasound were used to measure pain, function, and specific muscle cross-sectional areas at baseline and after 4 weeks in both groups. RESULTS: Mean visual analog scale pain scores decreased by 20% after 4 weeks of splinting, while those in the control group decreased by 3%. Changes in scores were significantly different between both groups ( p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in either the Michigan Hand Questionnaire score or the muscle cross-sectional area. CONCLUSION: A large and significant effect on perceived pain in patients with first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis was observed after 4 weeks of splint use. Differences in treatment effects were found with regard to muscle cross-sectional areas, but these were not significant. Clinical relevance Custom-made splints may be recommended for the treatment of first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Moderate to large but non-significant treatment effects were found with regard to muscle cross-sectional areas.
