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BACKGROUND: The present study examined Afghan asylum seekers' and refugees' self-perceived problems, and their experiences of treatment with an adapted version of the brief transdiagnostic psychological intervention "Problem Management Plus" (aPM+). Specifically, the study explored which problems trouble them most and how these problems influence their daily functioning. Further, it examined how various standardized outcome measures correlate with these subjectively perceived problems. METHOD: This study is part of a larger RCT study (PIAAS study) in which 88 Afghan asylum seekers and refugees were randomly allocated either to aPM + in addition to treatment as usual (aPM+/TAU) or TAU alone. The presented study uses a multi-method approach consisting of two parts: First, we investigated participants' self-identified problems and subjective functional impairment using quantitative and qualitative assessment in both the aPM+/TAU and TAU group (n = 88). Second, we conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with a subsample of the aPM+/TAU group (n = 24) to gain a deeper understanding of participants' personal experiences with aPM + and to obtain suggestions for improvement. Spearman correlations were applied for quantitative data, and deductive and inductive approaches of thematic analysis were used for qualitative data. RESULTS: We identified six main themes of self-perceived problems (primary post-migration living difficulties, general mental health problems, interpersonal stressors, secondary post-migration living difficulties, mental health problems specifically associated with stress, and somatic problems) and their consequences, as well as subjective functional impairment. Standardized measures of general mental health, posttraumatic psychopathology, and quality of life did not correlate with the intensity of self-perceived problems. aPM + was mostly perceived positively, and few participants had recommendations for its improvement. CONCLUSION: The study aimed at giving a voice to Afghan trauma survivors to inform service providers and policy makers about their needs. Based on their expertise, future interventions can be tailored to their actual needs and optimized in terms of practical use. aPM + proved to be a positively perceived intervention that reduces subjective symptom burden and facilitates daily functioning. Culture-sensitive treatments within (mental) health services should increase service utilization and improve (mental) health in the long term.
Subject(s)
Mental Health Services , Refugees , Humans , Mental Health , Psychosocial Intervention , Quality of Life , Refugees/psychologyABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) for obstructive defecation with overt pelvic structural abnormalities.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 31 obstructive defecation patients with overt pelvic structural abnormalities who were admitted to the Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from June 2014 to August 2020 were collected. There were 6 males and 25 females, aged 59(range, 32?81)years. All 31 patients underwent LVR through transabdominal approach. Observation indicators: (1) the Cleveland clinic constipation score (CCCS); (2) severity of obstructive defecation; (3) patients assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QoL). Follow-up was conducted using telephone interview and outpatient examination up to October 2021. One professional researcher assessed the constipation symptoms and quality of life of patients through outpatient interview or mobile software platform of Questionnaire Star. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison before and after operation was conducted using the Wilcoxon sign rank test. Results:(1) The CCCS. All 31 patients underwent LVR for the first time and were followed up for 61.8(range, 11.0?87.0)months. The constipation symptoms of the 22 patients were improved. The CCCS of the 31 patients before surgery and at the last follow-up time were 15.8(range, 8.0?26.0) and 10.7(range, 2.0?20.0), respectively, showing a significant difference ( Z=?3.98, P<0.05). (2) Severity of obstructive defecation. The severity scores of frequency of bowel movements, difficult of bowel movements, sensation of incomplete defecation, abdominal distension or pain, time of each bowel movements, daily unsuccessful times of defecation, artificial assisted defecation for the 31 patients were 2.9(range, 1.0?4.0), 3.0(range, 1.0?4.0), 1.9(range, 0?3.0), 0.5(range, 0?3.0), 2.6(range, 2.0?4.0), 2.0(range, 0?4.0), 0.9 (range, 0?2.0) before surgery, versus 1.7(range, 0?4.0), 1.6(range, 0?4.0), 1.2(range, 0?4.0), 0.3(range, 0?3.0), 1.7(range, 0?3.0), 1.4(range, 0?3.0), 0.7(range, 0?2.0) after surgery, respectively. There were significant differences in the frequency of bowel movements, difficult of bowel movements, sensation of in-complete defecation, abdominal distension or pain, time of each bowel movements, daily unsuccessful times of defecation for the 31 patients before and after surgery ( Z=?3.38, ?3.80, ?2.54, ?2.31, ?3.64, ?2.75, P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the artificial assisted defecation for the 31 patients before and after surgery ( Z=?1.31, P>0.05). (3) PAC-QoL. The score of physical discomfort, satisfaction, worries and concerns, psychological discomfort for the 31 patients were 2.3(range, 1.0?4.0), 3.2(range, 1.0?4.8), 2.2(range, 0.6?4.0), 1.8(range, 0.4?3.9) before surgery, versus 1.6(range, 0?4.0), 2.3(range, 0?4.0), 1.7(range, 0?4.0), 1.3(range, 0?4.0)after surgery, respectively, showing significant differences before and after surgery ( Z=?3.49, ?2.17, ?2.50, ?3.05, P<0.05). Conclusions:The long-term outcomes of LVR for obstructive defecation with overt pelvic structural abnorma-lities are satisfactory. Symptoms as frequency of bowel movements, difficult of bowel movements, sensation of incomplete defecation, abdominal distension or pain, time of each bowel movements and daily unsuccessful times of defecation will be significantly improved after LVR and the constipation quality of life of patients will be improved.
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Patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities with osteoarthritis of the knee often experience improvement in knee joint symptoms after endovascular treatment. We considered that it was important to decide the operation indication of lower extremity varices, to know the correlation between the two diseases in the treatment of varicose veins. To investigate the postoperative improvement of knee symptoms related to varicose veins with knee osteoarthritis, we conducted a questionnaire survey for a total of 12 months, from December 2014 to May 2015 and from October 2018 to March 2019. The participants were 35 patients (7 men and 28 women) with varicose veins complicated with knee osteoarthritis. We classified knee osteoarthritis according to a grading scale and compared the improvement of knee symptoms after endovenous thermal ablation. The higher the knee grade, the lower the degree of improvement. However, the improvement was observed in all knee osteoarthritis grades, and as a whole, 25 patients (71.4%) have experienced improvement of subjective symptoms. For patients with knee osteoarthritis, we strongly recommend surgical treatment of the varicose veins regardless of the progression of knee grade. (This is a translation of Jpn J Phlebol 2019; 30(3): 279-283.).
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The aim of this study was to compare patient-reported symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) between the Japanese version of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (J-OSDI) and the Dry Eye-Related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS). A total of 169 participants were enrolled between September 2017 and May 2018. Patients were administered the J-OSDI and DEQS questionnaires at their first (baseline) and follow-up visits to evaluate DED-related symptoms. The correlations between the J-OSDI total score and DEQS (Frequency and Degree) scores were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient, and their clinical differences were assessed using the Bland-Altman analysis. At the baseline visit, the J-OSDI score and DEQS (Frequency and Degree) were significantly correlated (r = 0.855, r = 0.897, respectively). Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the J-OSDI score and DEQS (Frequency and Degree) at the follow-up visit (r = 0.852, r = 0.888, respectively). The Bland-Altman analysis revealed a difference (bias) of 4.18 units at the baseline and 4.08 units at the follow-up between the scores of the two questionnaires. The J-OSDI and DEQS were significantly correlated with negligible score differences, suggesting that the J-OSDI can be reliably used for Japanese patients, allowing for cross-country comparisons.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the subjective symptoms of eyes induced by laser radiation in workers and its related influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 82 workers exposed to laser radiation were taken as exposure group, and 71 workers without laser radiation exposure as control group by judgment sampling method. The questionnaire survey and subjective symptoms of eyes were surveyed in these two groups. The work-site surveys of laser radiation job posts and laser irradiation testing were conducted to evaluate the exposure level of laser radiation on each post. The basic eye use and eye discomfort symptoms were investigated. RESULTS: The median of the laser radiation in 12 workplaces was 2.18×10~(-5) W/cm~2, and it was below occupational exposure limit(2.22×10~(-3) W/cm~2). The total detection rate of subjective discomfort of eyes in the exposed group was significantly higher than that in the control group(35.4% vs 15.5%, P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that laser exposure and smoking were the risk factors of subjective symptoms of eyes(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Laser radiation operation has the risk of causing the subjective symptoms of eyes in exposed workers.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hand-transmitted vibration on the subjective symptoms of mine drilling workers. METHODS: A total of 117 mine drilling workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration were selected as the exposure group, and 46 workers without hand-transmitted vibration exposure were selected as control group by judgment sampling method. The Occupational Epidemiology Questionnaire of Mine Drilling Workers was used to investigate their subjective symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of tinnitus, hearing loss, cough and sputum in the exposure group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The occurrence rate of numbness, tingling, self-reported white fingers and cold hands in the exposure group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The total rate of symptoms of hand in the exposure group was higher than that in the control group(38.5% vs 21.7%, P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis results indicated that hand-transmitted vibration exposure and service length were risk factors of abnormal hand symptoms(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Occupational hand-transmitted vibration exposure can affect the hand subjective symptoms of mine drilling workers, and the length of service is a synergistic influencing factor.
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OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence of the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among Italian adolescents. METHODS: The data were recorded from 567 subjects (246 males and 321 females; age range 11-19 years), grouped according to age and molar class relationship. RESULTS: Forty-four point one percent of subjects showed at least one sign or symptom of TMD, which were significantly more frequent in the 16-19 year-old group (52.9%) in respect to the 11-15 year-old group (39.8%) (χ 2 = 8.78; p = 0.003). Signs and/or symptoms were about 1.6 times more frequent in subjects with Class II/1 malocclusion (χ 2 = 13.3, p = 0.0003), mostly for TMJ sounds (χ 2 = 1.444; p = 0.036). Myalgia was more frequent in females than in males (χ 2 = 3.882; p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: TMD signs and/or symptoms among Italian adolescents seem diffused (44.1%). Therefore, all adolescents should be screened thorough medical history and clinical examination.
Subject(s)
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/epidemiology , Adolescent , Age Factors , Child , Female , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Malocclusion/epidemiology , Mass Screening , Myalgia/epidemiology , Prevalence , Sex Factors , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/diagnosis , Young AdultABSTRACT
One of the most important prognostic factors in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the presence of lymph node metastasis. Therefore, the early detection of late-presenting cervical lymph node metastasis is important. Although many studies have assessed diagnostic modalities for detecting metastatic cervical lymph nodes, no study has evaluated the process, especially first signs, for detecting late-presenting cervical lymph node metastasis. A retrospective analysis comparing methods for detecting the first signs of late-presenting lymph node metastasis was performed. A total of 65 OSCC patients were assessed. These patients were identified retrospectively as having presented late metastasis during follow-up after initial treatment with curative intent. The findings of four detection methods were analyzed: palpation, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and subjective symptoms. The numbers of cases identified by each method were as follows: palpation, 31 (47.7%); ultrasonography, 17 (26.1%); computed tomography, 12 (18.5%); and subjective symptoms, 5 (7.7%). Palpation played a major role in the discovery of late-presenting lymph node metastasis. In contrast, metastatic lymph nodes were detected by other methods in about half of the cases. The results suggest a possible stratification of the various methods used for metastatic lymph node detection, depending on the characteristics of individual cases.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnosis , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Mouth Neoplasms/therapy , Diagnostic Imaging , Female , Humans , Japan , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Palpation , Prognosis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
From March 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016, 375 dental implant patients between the ages of 30 and 70 years to evaluate their subjective symptoms and satisfaction according to prosthesis methods. The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square distribution test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple logistic regression. Of the patients with subjective symptoms of peri-implantitis, 40.5% reported food impaction, 49.1% reported bleeding, 61.1% reported pain, 61.9% reported halitosis, and the overall satisfaction level with the implants was 3.95 points. In the prosthesis methods, implant-teeth connective group showed the lowest level of the food impaction (21.3%), the pain (35.5%), and the halitosis (36.6%) (p<0.001), and the lowest bleeding was the implant single (33.8%) (p<0.05). Patient satisfaction was higher in the implant-teeth connective group (4.06 points) and the group without bone grafting (4.03 points) (p<0.01). Factor analysis showed that implant satisfaction was 0.43 times lower in the single implant group and 0.44 times lower in the implant-implant connective group than in the implant-teeth connective group. As a result of the study, it is expected that the method of extending the life of adjacent teeth and restoring the function of the tooth defect region is an implant-teeth connection method, so that it can be utilized positively through various clinical studies.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bone Transplantation , Dental Implants , Halitosis , Hemorrhage , Logistic Models , Methods , Patient Satisfaction , Peri-Implantitis , Prostheses and Implants , ToothABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Most of the reports on instrumentalists' experiences of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been reported not by clinical examinations but by subjective questionnaires. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical signs and subjective symptoms of TMD in a large number of instrumentalists objectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 739 musicians from a diverse range of instrument groups completed a TMD questionnaire. Among those who reported at least one symptom of TMD, 71 volunteers underwent clinical examinations and radiography for diag-nosis. RESULTS: Overall, 453 participants (61.3%) reported having one or more symptoms of TMD. The most frequently reported symptom was a clicking or popping sound, followed by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, muscle pain, crepitus, and mouth opening limitations. Compared with lower-string instrumentalists, a clicking or popping sound was about 1.8 and 2 times more frequent in woodwind and brass instrumentalists, respectively. TMJ pain was about 3.2, 2.8, and 3.2 times more frequent in upper-string, woodwind, and brass instrumentalists, respectively. Muscle pain was about 1.5 times more frequent in instrumentalists with an elevated arm position than in those with a neutral arm position. The most frequent diagnosis was myalgia or myofascial pain (MFP), followed by disc displacement with reduction. Myalgia or MFP was 4.6 times more frequent in those practicing for no less than 3.5 hours daily than in those practicing for less than 3.5 hours. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that playing instruments can play a contributory role in the development of TMD.
Subject(s)
Music , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Range of Motion, Articular/physiology , Sound/adverse effects , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/diagnosis , Temporomandibular Joint/physiopathology , Adult , Facial Pain/etiology , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Occupational Diseases/physiopathology , Physical Examination , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/etiology , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathologyABSTRACT
La psoriasis es una enfermedad dermatológica principalmente inmunitaria que se puede desencadenar por diferentes factores, esta patología es de gran importancia médica ya que compromete la calidad de vida de la persona. La psoriasis es una enfermedad que puede tener dificultad en el enfoque diagnóstico por los casos atípicos de su presentación y puede ser confundida con otras patologías. El estudio de la semiología homeopática tiene su complejidad al traducir lo que el paciente expresa en su propio lenguaje al lenguaje homeopático y más específicamente al lenguaje del Repertorio. Ante esto se necesita un conocimiento claro de los síntomas tanto subjetivos como objetivos de la psoriasis. También surgen dificultades al estudiar aisladamente los síntomas, pues ellos forman parte de una totalidad y la mayoría de las veces se asocian e interrelacionan armónicamente dando una imagen coherente, un perfil definido. En este trabajo se presenta una revisión sistemática de la literatura, de tipo cualitativo, narrativo y documental realizado a partir de la búsqueda de síntomas en el repertorio Syntesis asociados con la psoriasis, así como la revisión de las materias médicas de Boericke, Kent, Lathoud, Vannier y Vijnovsky; haciendo énfasis en la condición clínica en estudio. Finalmente se presenta la repertorizacion de un caso de psoriasis
Subject(s)
Humans , Homeopathic Diagnoses , Homeopathic Semiology , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Homeopathic Repertory , Complementary TherapiesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Most of the reports on instrumentalists' experiences of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been reported not by clinical examinations but by subjective questionnaires. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical signs and subjective symptoms of TMD in a large number of instrumentalists objectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 739 musicians from a diverse range of instrument groups completed a TMD questionnaire. Among those who reported at least one symptom of TMD, 71 volunteers underwent clinical examinations and radiography for diag-nosis. RESULTS: Overall, 453 participants (61.3%) reported having one or more symptoms of TMD. The most frequently reported symptom was a clicking or popping sound, followed by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, muscle pain, crepitus, and mouth opening limitations. Compared with lower-string instrumentalists, a clicking or popping sound was about 1.8 and 2 times more frequent in woodwind and brass instrumentalists, respectively. TMJ pain was about 3.2, 2.8, and 3.2 times more frequent in upper-string, woodwind, and brass instrumentalists, respectively. Muscle pain was about 1.5 times more frequent in instrumentalists with an elevated arm position than in those with a neutral arm position. The most frequent diagnosis was myalgia or myofascial pain (MFP), followed by disc displacement with reduction. Myalgia or MFP was 4.6 times more frequent in those practicing for no less than 3.5 hours daily than in those practicing for less than 3.5 hours. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that playing instruments can play a contributory role in the development of TMD.
Subject(s)
Arm , Diagnosis , Mouth , Myalgia , Radiography , Temporomandibular Joint , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders , VolunteersABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Most of the reports on instrumentalists' experiences of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been reported not by clinical examinations but by subjective questionnaires. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical signs and subjective symptoms of TMD in a large number of instrumentalists objectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 739 musicians from a diverse range of instrument groups completed a TMD questionnaire. Among those who reported at least one symptom of TMD, 71 volunteers underwent clinical examinations and radiography for diag-nosis. RESULTS: Overall, 453 participants (61.3%) reported having one or more symptoms of TMD. The most frequently reported symptom was a clicking or popping sound, followed by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, muscle pain, crepitus, and mouth opening limitations. Compared with lower-string instrumentalists, a clicking or popping sound was about 1.8 and 2 times more frequent in woodwind and brass instrumentalists, respectively. TMJ pain was about 3.2, 2.8, and 3.2 times more frequent in upper-string, woodwind, and brass instrumentalists, respectively. Muscle pain was about 1.5 times more frequent in instrumentalists with an elevated arm position than in those with a neutral arm position. The most frequent diagnosis was myalgia or myofascial pain (MFP), followed by disc displacement with reduction. Myalgia or MFP was 4.6 times more frequent in those practicing for no less than 3.5 hours daily than in those practicing for less than 3.5 hours. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that playing instruments can play a contributory role in the development of TMD.
Subject(s)
Arm , Diagnosis , Mouth , Myalgia , Radiography , Temporomandibular Joint , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders , VolunteersABSTRACT
The fermented soybean product natto is a popular traditional food in Japan and is considered a health supplement. NKCP(®), a natto-derived dietary food supplement whose main component is bacillopeptidase F, has antithrombotic, fibrinolytic, and blood pressure-lowering effects. We examined whether daily intake of NKCP(®) effectively improves subjective symptoms in patients with lifestyle diseases in this cross-over, double-blind study. Fermented soya extract with subtilisin NAT (nattokinase) as the main component was used as an active placebo. A 4-week course of NKCP(®) significantly decreased the visual analog scale (VAS) score for shoulder stiffness from 42.3 to 32.4 (P=0.009), the VAS score for low back pain from 25.5 to 18.8 (P=0.02), and the VAS score for coldness of the extremities from 33.1 to 25.7 (P=0.002). However, no significant difference was found in the VAS score for headache. After a 4-week course of active placebo, no significant changes in the VAS score were found for any symptoms. The significant improvement in the symptoms secondary to blood flow disturbance was caused by the improvement in blood flow by NKCP(®). The use of dietary supplements based on the Japanese traditional food natto helps to relieve subjective symptoms for patients with lifestyle diseases receiving medical care.
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Objective Three common positions have been observed for its influence on the objective indicators of the patients with unilateral lung disease,and the change of subjective symptoms in these patients were collected.Methods The study group consisted of 93 patients who had unilateral lung diseases,each of which was randomly observed for three common positions (healthy side position,affected side position and the horizontal position) for 30 minutes respectively.In these patients,the changes of the objective indictors (heart rate,breathing,blood oxygen saturation,the mean arterial pressure) and subjective symptoms (chest stuffiness,breath is aggravating,etc.) were recorded.Results When using different positions,no statistical difference was observed with the heart rate,breathing,oxygen saturation and mean arterial pressure,whereas when affected side position was taken,the occurrence of worrisome symptoms was obviously higher than the condition when using healthy side position and the horizontal position.There was no statistical difference between the two groups of healthy side position and the horizontal position.Conclusions The occurrence of worrisome symptoms in the case of affected side po-sition is significantly more than the other two positions,indicating that patients with unilateral pulmonary disease are more willing to adopt the healthy side position and the horizontal position.
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<b>Objective: </b>The present study investigated risk factors and subjective symptoms associated with drug-induced thrombocytopenia.<br><b>Methods: </b>We selected 361 patients with drug-induced thrombocytopenia from the Case Reports of Adverse Drug Reactions and Poisoning Information System (CARPIS) database of over 65,000 case reports of adverse drug reactions and assigned these patients to a case group. We also randomly selected 794 cases of adverse drug reactions not associated with thrombocytopenia as a control group.<br><b>Results: </b>Data were compared between the case and control groups, and results were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. We identified type of infection (non-viral) and renal failure as risk factors for drug-induced thrombocytopenia. In addition, administration of carbamazepine, methotrexate, interferon alpha, ticlopidine or valproic acid significantly increased the risk of drug-induced thrombocytopenia. Significant associations were also found between drug-induced thrombocytopenia and purpura, fever, and mucosal bleeding.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>These findings provide helpful information for early detection and prevention of thrombocytopenia as a serious adverse drug reaction.
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The purpose of this study was to verify the concept of Kampo medicine epidemiologically and demonstrate the objective bases of the Kampo treatment. For this purpose, a population based survey of subjective symptoms based on Kampo medicine was conducted among 1,486 residents of Hase village, Nagano prefecture, ages 20 and older. The completion rate was 80.7% and 1,199 residents provided favorable responses. An investigation of gender differences showed a higher rate of blood deficiency among female residents, while spleen and qi deficiency were more common in males. Considering age differences, symptoms related to blood deficiency and water-dampness affected younger females, symptoms related to qi deficiency primarily affected younger males, and symptoms of liver afflictions were common in younger both genders. Among the elderly residents, symptoms of kidney deficiency were overwhelmingly predominant in both genders. Though younger people with subjective sense of health had few diseases in western medicine, most of the elderly with perceived health actually had some kind of diseases for medical treatment. Physical symptoms in the chest area such as shortness of breath correlated positively with the perception not to be healthy, and these may be regarded as both the manifestation and factors contributing to ill health. Approximately 1 out of 12 residents reported currently receiving the treatment of oriental medicine or demonstrated the potential to benefit from such intervention. These results may clinically be useful as the objective bases to perform the Kampo treatment.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Psychophysical tests such as 16-item Korean Version of Sniffin' Sticks test (KVSS) identification test and Butanol Threshold Test (BTT) are relatively objective tests, but such tests cannot completely explain olfactory complaints. Furthermore, the correlation between KVSS and BTT has not been validated in Korea. We evaluated subjective olfactory symptoms of patients by a questionnaire and the correlation between two tests and the symptom questionnaire. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A total of 789 patients who visited olfactory clinic of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from April 2004 through July 2007 were included in this study. BTT and KVSS identification tests were performed and all the patients filled out an olfactory questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of 4 parts: general olfaction, general taste, odorspecific olfaction and quality of life. Patients were categorized into 4 groups according to KVSS identification score. KVSS identification scores 0 to 3 represent anosmia, 4 to 7 severe hyposmia, 8 to 12 mild to moderate hyposmia and 13 to 16 normosmia. We analyzed the differences in the subjective symptom questionnaire scores of 4 groups. RESULTS: KVSS and BTT showed a significant correlation (R=.646, p<.001). Each part of the questionnaire also showed significant correlation to KVSS or BTT. The mean scores of subjective symptoms were 2.69 for anosmia, 3.04 for severe hyposmia, 3.84 for mild to moderate hyposmia and 4.02 for normal and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: BTT and KVSS identification test scores and subjective symptoms exhibited significant correlations between each other and the odor-specific olfaction part of the questionnaire showed the greatest correlation to olfactory function tests.
Subject(s)
Humans , Korea , Olfaction Disorders , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires , SmellABSTRACT
Ogikeishigomotsuto is a Kampo formula used for numbness or body pains. We experienced 29 cases in which attending physicians believed the drug would be effective. In 18 cases the drug was effective and in 11 cases it was not. We analyzed the difference in subjective symptoms between the responder group and the non-responder group. We concluded that some symptoms could be indicators for choosing the formula. Hypersensitivity to cold and heaviness of the whole body has previously been reported in many articles. In our cases, we observed a high incidence and specificity of the symptoms reported above, as well as arthralgia, dry skin and irritability in the responder group compared to the non-responder group. We believe these newly detected subjective symptoms can also be indicators for choosing Ogikeishigomotsuto.
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare subjective symptoms of VDT between computer-addicted and non-addicted adolescents. METHOD: A descriptive survey design was used and 646 students in one middle and two high schools were selected as participants. RESULT: The VDT subjective symptoms and degree of severity differed according to whether the students were computer-addicted or not, and in all symptoms, general, musculoskeletal, eye and mental, the mean score for subjective symptoms was higher in the addicted group than in the non-addicted group. The score for VDT subjective symptoms was highest in the addicted group for girls and students who were not healthy. The most frequent physical symptom reported by students who visited the school health room for a health problem after using the computer was headache. The most frequent type of treatment at the school health room was treatment of the symptom. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that students must acquire correct habits in computer use and be careful not to be addicted to the computer in order to avoid VDT syndrome. For this, educational authorities should develop computer-related health education programs and start the programs from the lower grades of elementary school.
