Health-related quality of life in gout patients in Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Gout can significantly impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to excruciating pain, chronic arthropathy, and associated comorbidities. The objective of our study was to evaluate HRQoL among patients diagnosed with gout in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The research took place in the Madinah Region, where eligible adult participants aged 18 years or older, having a confirmed history, or present diagnosis of gout were enrolled using medical records from 2016 to 2022. To gather data, patients were invited to participate in telephone-based interviews and complete the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Results: The majority of participants were male (81.5%), and 31-39 years form the largest group (37.0%). Most participants were married (86.4%), and the majority possess university and postgraduate education (70.4%). The respondents' self-reported assessments were as follows: physical function (69.9), limitation due to physical health (74.1), emotional problem (75.8), energy or fatigue (61.6), emotional well-being (68.9), social functioning (76.6), pain (78.9), and general health (63.8). Conclusions: HRQoL among patients with gout was not significantly affected.

The relationship between family quality of life, mindful attention, and social support in families of people with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: In families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the added difficulties they face may influence their perception of family quality of life (FQoL). It is important to identify factors which foster their perceived wellbeing and are susceptible to intervention. Our aim was to explore the association between mindful attention and FQoL in these families controlling their perceived social support. Method: Ninety-six parents of people with ASD were evaluated using the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Support Questionnaire for Parents with Children with Disability, and the Spanish Family Quality of Life Scale for families with underage members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that high levels of mindful attention positively predicted FQoL after controlling the influence of social support. Conclusions: Practical implications are discussed in terms of family support interventions. We conclude that mindful attention interventions may be useful for families with children and adolescents with ASD to improve their FQoL.

Comparison of patient-centered outcomes measures between low-speed drilling without irrigation and high-speed drilling with irrigation: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patient satisfaction during surgery, postoperative pain and inflammation and quality of life between high-speed drilling with irrigation and low-speed drilling without irrigation for implant bed preparation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six posterior single edentulous patients were included in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Implant beds were created using high-speed drilling with irrigation (control group) or low-speed drilling without irrigation (test group). Patient satisfaction during surgery (in relation to drilling-time perception, vibration, pressure, noise, comfort, and drowning sensation) and postoperative pain and inflammation were evaluated using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS)-based questionnaire. Quality of life was analyzed with a Likert scale (in relation to mouth opening, chewing, speaking, sleeping, daily routine, and job). The follow-up period was 7 days. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction in relation to drilling-time perception, vibration, pressure, and noise did not show statistically significant differences (p > .05). The highest scores of drowning sensation (p < .05) were correlated (moderate correlation (r = .57)) with lowest scores of comfort (p < .005). Both postoperative pain and inflammation means were significantly higher in the control group than in the test group. No significant differences in quality of life were observed during the postoperative period (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Low-speed drilling without irrigation for single implant site preparation was more comfortable for patients than high-speed drilling with irrigation, due to the correlation between important drowning sensation and low perceived comfort. Postoperative pain and inflammation were lower for low-speed drilling without irrigation. Further studies are needed to validate or refute these results.

Evaluation de la qualité de vie après mastectomie pour cancer du sein au CHU Gabriel Touré / Evaluation of the quality of life after mastectomy for breast cancer at the Gabriel Touré university hospital

Les thérapeutiques oncologiques entraînent des répercussions sur la qualité de vie des patientes. Cette qualité de vie constitue un élément cardinal dans le parcours de soins de malades. Nous avons initié ce travail pour évaluer la qualité de vie après mastectomie. Matériel et méthode : Nous avons réalisé une étude transversale descriptive sur une période de 5ans allant de janvier 2016 à décembre 2020 au service de chirurgie générale au CHU Gabriel Touré. Nous avons inclus tous les patients opérés pour cancer du sein avec preuve histologique et ayant subi une mastectomie et acceptant de répondre au questionnaire. Résultat : Le questionnaire QLQC3O est une échelle spécifique au cancer utilisée pour établir le score sur la qualité de vie comme beaucoup d'autres mais à la différence d'être plus simple, facile d'utilisation et plus utilisé. Nous avons enregistré 79 cas de mastectomie pour cancer du sein. La prévalence de la mastectomie était de 5,8%. L'âge médian était de 58 ans. Les patientes avaient au moins un enfant dans 92,38%. Le carcinome canalaire de type non spécifique était le type histologique le plus fréquent avec 87,33%.Les effets secondaires de la mastectomie affectent le domaine des symptômes ont constitué l'étape la plus difficile à supporter avec p value non significatif. Ces situations ont sérieusement affecté l'estime de soi. Parmi les effets secondaires affectant la qualité de vie (52 cas), les troubles digestifs (22 cas) étaient au 1er plan suivis de dyspnée (7 cas) et des difficultés financières (8 cas) qui ont abouti à la vente de biens. Conclusion : La place de la qualité de vie reste incontestable dans la stratégie thérapeutique et son évaluation améliore quant au choix thérapeutique.

Oncology therapies have repercussions on the quality of life of patients. This quality of life is a cardinal element in the care pathway of patients. We initiated this work to assess the quality of life after mastectomy. Material and method: We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study over a period of 5 years from January 2016 to December 2020 in the General Surgery Department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital. We included all patients who had undergone surgery for breast cancer with histological evidence and who had undergone a mastectomy and agreed to answer the questionnaire. Results: The QLQC3O questionnaire is a cancer-specific scale used to establish the quality of life score like many others, but with the difference that it is simpler, easier to use and more widely used. We have recorded 79 cases of mastectomy for breast cancer. The prevalence of mastectomy was 5.8%. The median age was 58 years. Patients had at least one child 92.38%. Non-specific ductal carcinoma was the most common histological type with 87.33%.The side effects of mastectomy affect the area of symptoms were the most difficult stage to bear with p value not significant. These situations have seriously affected self-esteem. Among the side effects affecting quality of life (52 cases), digestive disorders (22 cases) were in the first place, followed by dyspnea (7 cases) and financial difficulties (8 cases) which resulted in the sale of goods. Conclusion: The place of quality of life remains undeniable in the therapeutic strategy and its evaluation improves the therapeutic choice

Chilean Patients' Perception of Their Oral Health-Related Quality of Life After Bichectomy.

Objective: To describe the quality of life associated with oral health in patients who have had bichectomy surgery in Chile using the Spanish version of the health-Related Quality of Life instrument (HRQOL-sp). Material and Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study. The HRQOL-sp scale was administered to dental patients in a private clinic who had bichectomy surgery between December 2020 and June 2021. The HRQOL-sp instrument has four domains: oral function, general activity, postoperative signs, symptoms or complications, and pain level. The instrument was administered by telephone survey on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 post-surgery. Interference in quality of life was defined as when patients selected the options "quite a few problems" or "many problems" for oral function and general activity. Signs and symptoms related to post-surgical complications and pain were also described with a verbal rating scale from one to ten. All results were compared between postoperative days according to the domains of the HRQOL-sp scale. Results: Seventy-three patients (age 27.75 ± 8.06 years; 93.15% female) participated. Bichectomy patients report the highest interference in quality of life on the first postoperative day because most were unable to chew (71.23%). On the first and third postoperative days, the most frequent complication was swelling (97.26%), and on the fifth day was ecchymosis (42.47%). The average worst perceived pain was 3.34±2.32 on the verbal analogue scale. The rest of the evaluated items significantly decreased towards the seventh postoperative day (p<0.05). Conclusion: Interference in quality of life associated with bichectomy surgery is greatest on the first postoperative day. Complications and pain levels decreased significantly over time.

Correlation between severity of knee osteoarthritis with gender of patients in Secondary Referral Hospital in Indonesia.

Aim Knee osteoarthritis is a common osteoarthritis, which limits individual's activity and affects aspects of daily life and quality of life. The prevalence of osteoarthritis in Indonesians is still high, reaching 12.7% in women and 15.8% in men. Based on the WHO, the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the world is still high, with 18% in women and 80% in men. This study aimed to determine the relationship between gender and the severity of knee osteoarthritis at Baptis Hospital, Batu City. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 27 female patients and 10 male patients who suffer from knee osteoarthritis at Baptis Hospital, Batu City. Data on gender and the severity of osteoarthritis were collected from medical records. The severity of knee osteoarthritis was assessed using the Kellgren-Lawrence system. Results Among 27 female (73%) and 10 male patients (27%), seven patients suffered from osteoarthritis grade 1, 13 from osteoarthritis grade 2, 16 from osteoarthritis grade 3, and one patient suffered from osteoarthritis grade 4. There was no significant relationship (p>0.05) between the severity of knee osteoarthritis and patients gender. Conclusion There was no significant relationship between the severity of knee osteoarthritis between males and females.

Effects of music medicine on premenstrual symptoms levels and quality of life: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome is an important health problem affecting women of reproductive age. This study aimed to show that music medicine can be used to reduce the premenstrual syndrome levels and increase the quality of life of women. DESIGN: A prospective, single-blinded randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS: The study was conducted between January and April 2021 on 97 college students. The participants consisted of women over 20 years of age and suffering from premenstrual syndrome. The participants were randomized into music and control groups. RESULTS: Immediately post-intervention, the women in the experimental groups had significantly higher reduced premenstrual syndrome levels and an improved quality of life. Music and control groups were evaluated with The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) and the short form of the Short of World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Comparing these two groups, music significantly reduced the premenstrual syndrome level after application (PMSS-1123.23 ± 32.06 vs. 105.90 ± 27.55, respectively, PMSS-2 94.21 ± 28.42 vs. 119.44 ± 27.29, respectively, p < .05). Comparing the music medicine and control groups had significantly increased WHOQOL-BREF scores (Physical, psychological, and environmental) after the application (13.71 vs. 13.14; 14.33 vs. 15.44 vs.14.66, respectively, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Premenstrual symptoms were significantly reduced in the music medicine group than the control group. Additionally, music medicine improves the quality of life.

Six-Month Quality of Life in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit Survivors.

OBJECTIVES: Because there is increasing evidence of serious deterioration in long-term quality of life (QoL) in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, the authors identified predictors of poor quality of life in these patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Research hospital repurposed into a COVID-19 center. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients admitted in COVID-19 ICUs between March and June 2020. INTERVENTIONS: An SF-36 questionnaire, which included physical and mental items, was used six months after patient's discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 403 patients were managed in the ICU, with a hospital mortality of 181 of 403 (44.9%), and 16 (4.0%) patients died within six months. Among the 125 questionnaire responders, only 32.0% and 52% had a normal quality of life in terms of the physical and mental component of health. Multivariate analysis identified low-molecular-weight heparin treatment in the ICU as the only modifiable factor associated with an increase in physical component of QoL odds ratio (OR) 3.341 (95% confidence interval 1.298-8.599), p = 0.012, and age ≥52 years OR 0.223 and female sex OR 0.321 were significantly associated with a decrease in the physical component. Medical history of cerebrovascular insufficiency was significantly associated with a decrease in mental component of QoL OR 0.125, and the only factor associated with an increase in the mental health component was body mass index ≥27.6 kg/m2 OR 7.466. CONCLUSIONS: In COVID-19 ICU survivors the authors identified treatment with low- molecular-weight heparin as a predictor of improved physical component of QoL at 6 months.

Partial intracapsular tonsillectomy in the treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome: a prospective study with 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy and safety of tonsil reduction with bipolar forceps electrocautery as treatment of paediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective interventional study. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-three children aged 4-10 years with OSAHS and an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > 3 were enrolled from March 2013 to January 2016. Pre-operative evaluation included oropharyngeal clinical examination with fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, OSA-18 questionnaire and overnight sleep study. All children were treated with adenoidectomy and tonsillotomy with bipolar forceps. OSA-18 questionnaire and overnight sleep study were performed 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: Pre-operative average of the OSA-18 questionnaires was of 70.3 (SD = 9.7); 30-day post-operative score was 23.15 (SD = 8.2; p = 0.045). Pre-operative average Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score was 9.41 (SD = 4.1); 30-day post-operative average of AHI score was of 1.75 (SD = 0.8; p = 0.012). Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) rate changed from 7.39 (SD = 4) to 1.34 (30-day post-operative) (SD = 4.7; p = 0.085). NADIR rate changed from 79% (SD = 6.32) to 90% (30-day post-operative) (SD = 5.18; p = 0.00012). Peri- and post-operative complications in our sample were mainly pain (average 75 doses of paracetamol), while bleeding did not occur (0%). All patients received a follow-up examination 5 years after surgery to evaluate tonsil size; at this time-point, a reduction in tonsil size from 3.6 (3-4; SD = 4.2) to 1.3 (1-2; SD = 5.5) was found, while tonsil regrowth was observed in five children (2%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that partial tonsillotomy with bipolar forceps electrocautery associated to adenoidectomy is an effective technique in treating OSAHS symptoms in children and ensures less complications in terms of hemorrhage, postoperative pain and infections compared to traditional adenotonsillectomy. The very low tonsillar regrowth rate reported in this study may support the routine use of this technique.

Efficacy of an internet-based psychological intervention for problem gambling and gambling disorder: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Gambling Disorder is a prevalent non-substance use disorder, which contrasts with the low number of people requesting treatment. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) could help to enhance the dissemination of evidence-based treatments and considerably reduce the costs. The current study seeks to assess the efficacy of an online psychological intervention for people suffering from gambling problems in Spain. The proposed study will be a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 134 participants (problem and pathological gamblers) will be randomly allocated to a waiting list control group (N = 67) or an intervention group (N = 67). The intervention program includes 8 modules, and it is based on motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and extensions and innovations of CBT. It includes several complementary tools that are present throughout the entire intervention. Therapeutic support will be provided once a week through a phone call with a maximum length of 10 min. The primary outcome measure will be gambling severity and gambling-related cognitions, and secondary outcome measures will be readiness to change, and gambling self-efficacy. Other variables that will be considered are depression and anxiety symptoms, positive and negative affect, difficulties in emotion regulation strategies, impulsivity, and quality of life. Individuals will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. During the treatment, participants will also respond to a daily Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) in order to evaluate urges to gamble, self-efficacy to cope with gambling urges, gambling urge frequency, and whether gambling behaviour occurs. The EMI includes immediate automatic feedback depending on the participant's responses. Treatment acceptance and satisfaction will also be assessed. The data will be analysed both per protocol and by Intention-to-treat. As far as we know, this is the first randomized controlled trial of an online psychological intervention for gambling disorder in Spain. It will expand our knowledge about treatments delivered via the Internet and contribute to improving treatment dissemination, reaching people suffering from this problem who otherwise would not receive help. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04074681. Registered 22 July 2019.

Autoestima global y calidad de vida relacionada con salud percibida por adultos mayores / Global self-esteem and health related quality life perceived by older adults

Objetivo: determinar el nivel de autoestima y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) en personas matriculadas en el Programa Institucional para la Persona Adulta y Adulta Mayor de la Universidad de Costa Rica (PIAM-UCR). Métodos: estudio descriptivo-correlacional, transversal de abordaje cuantitativo en una población de 256 personas del PIAM-UCR. Se utilizó un cuestionario biosociodemográfico, Escala de Autoestima Global de Rosenberg (EAGR) y SF-12 de CVRS. Durante toda la investigación se respetaron principios bioéticos internacionales. Resultados: los participantes reportaron una alta percepción de autoestima y CVRS, y ambas variables presentaron relaciones estadísticamente significativas (p≤0,05). Conclusiones: existe relación entre la autoestima y la CVRS dado los factores protectores que posee esta población adulta mayor en específico. Además, que una alta autoestima propicia un aumento en la CVRS, las cuales se convierten en variables claves para alcanzar un envejecimiento positivo. (AU)

Objective: determine the level of self-esteem and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people enrolled in the Institutional Program for the Adult and Older Adults at the University of Costa Rica (PIAM-UCR). Methods: Descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study of a quantitative approach in a population of 256 people from PIAM-UCR. An sociodemographic questionnaire, Rosenberg Global Self-Esteem Scale (RGSS) and HRQoL SF-12 were used. Throughout the research, international bioethical principles were respected. Results: the participants reported a high perception of self-esteem and HRQoL, and both variables presented statistically significant relationships (p≤0.05). Conclusions: there is a relationship between self-esteem and HRQoL given the protective factors that this specific older adult population possesses. In addition, that high self-esteem an increase the HRQL, which become key variables to achieve positive aging. (AU)

Health-related quality of life and neuropathic pain in sickle cell disease in Jamaica.

BACKGROUND: Health related quality of Life (HRQOL) is an important consideration when managing chronic diseases, like sickle cell disease (SCD). Assessment of neuropathic pain (NP) and its association with HRQOL in SCD are rarely reported. OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of NP and its association with HRQOL in adult Jamaicans with SCD. METHODS: Adult SCD patients were recruited consecutively and data were collected on socio-demographics, NP using Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4), and HRQOL using the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me). Means, medians, t-tests, ANOVA tests, Wilcoxon Rank-sum tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Pearson's correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed using STATA 14.2. RESULTS: There were 236 respondents, with 56.8% female, mean age 33.2 years (SD: 11.6; range: 18-67 years), and 75% had homozygous SS genotype. NP was likely present in 26.7% of the population. The standardized ASCQ-Me (mean ± SD; ordered from lowest to best HRQOL domain scores) were: emotional impact 53.3 ± 10.1; sleep impact 56.1 ± 9.7; social function 57.7 ± 10.6; pain impact 58.6 ± 7.8; and stiffness impact 61.0 ± 7.3. On multivariate analyses, NP significantly reduced emotional and social functioning and worsened sleep and stiffness. Higher acute pain scores significantly worsened all HRQOL domains, while higher disease severity worsened all except stiffness. Obesity was associated with worse sleep and greater stiffness. Females with leg ulcers reported lower social functioning and unemployed females had greater pain impact. CONCLUSIONS: NP is increasingly prevalent in SCD and worsens HRQOL. Gender specific studies are needed to understand the significantly poorer HRQOL in women.

Quality of Life and Concerns in Parent Caregivers of Adult Children Diagnosed with Intellectual Disability: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Previous studies have confirmed that parenting a child diagnosed with an intellectual disability (ID) can negatively affect the parents' quality of life in several dimensions. However, fewer have assessed its impact years after the initial diagnosis. The objective of this work was to carry out an in-depth analysis of the current quality of life and concerns of both mothers and fathers of adults diagnosed with ID, having as a reference the moment of the diagnosis. Methods: 16 parents of adult children with ID were evaluated using a semi-structured interview format. A thematic qualitative analysis was carried out by employing ATLAS.ti software. Results: The results suggested that both the emotional and physical well-being of parents, as well as their interpersonal relationships, had declined. In addition, the multiple life changes that had occurred over the time considered in this study, as well as day-to-day worries, had prevented improvements in their quality of life. Conclusions: Several dimensions of the parents' quality of life were affected years after a child is diagnosed with ID. These included poor physical and psychological health, economic difficulties, lack of social and family support, and lack of time for self-care.

Evaluation of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on dermatological diseases with dermatological quality life index.

Disease-related skin lesions have been reported in 8% to 20% of COVID-19 patients. In the literature, cutaneous symptoms associated with the disease are generally emphasized. However, there are very few studies on the effect of this new SARS-CoV-2 virus entering our lives on dermatological diseases, and none of them have used the dermatological quality of life index (DLQI). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the difficulties faced by the patients who applied to the dermatology outpatient clinic during the pandemic period and the course of their diseases with the dermatological quality of life index. The study was carried out prospectively by including dermatology patients who will apply to the outpatient clinic in June-July 2020. 282 patients were evaluated in the study. DLQI was significantly lower in the group using regular emollients (P < .001). When DLQI was compared between disease groups, it was found to be significantly different (P: .017). DLQI was found to worsen significantly compared to prepandemic studies. It was found that using moisturizer in this period helps to maintain the dermatological quality of life.

Movie watching during dialysis sessions reduces depression and anxiety and improves quality of life: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of watching comedy movies as a complementary practice during dialysis on levels of anxiety, depression, quality of life, stress, laboratory findings and intra-dialysis complications. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted involving the practice of presenting comedy movies during dialysis. The primary outcome was depression. The secondary outcomes were anxiety, quality of life, stress, laboratory findings and intra-dialysis complications.ResultsTwenty-six patients were in the control group and 35 were in the experimental group. Significant intra-group differences [6.0 to 3.0 (p <0.001) and 8.0 to 4.0 (p <0.001), respectively] and inter-group differences [5.0 vs. 3.0 (p = 0.016) and 7.0 vs. 4.0 (p = 0.017), respectively] were found regarding anxiety and depression scores, with improvements in the experimental group. The experimental group was also less likely to have intra-dialysis complications, such as hypertension (p = 0.003) and headache (p = 0.020), and reported significant improvements in different domains of quality of life [symptoms/problems (p = 0.003); effects of the disease (p = 0.008); pain (p = 0.027); general health state (p = 0.004); and social function (p = 0.036)]. No significant differences were found in salivary cortisol or the results of the biochemical exams, with the exception of a reduction in hematocrit in the control group.ConclusionsThe proposed complementary practice was associated with reductions in anxiety and depression scores and intra-dialysis complications (hypertension and headache) as well as improvements in quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Telemedicine for Delivery of Care in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration During COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from Southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is changing clinical practice in neurology, after the governments decided the introduction of social distancing and interruption of medical non-emergency services in many countries. Teleneurology is an effective tool for the remote evaluation of patients but its adoption for frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTD) is in a preliminary stage. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated multidisciplinary assessment of patients with FTD using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: All patients received a diagnosis of FTD during 2018-2019 according to international criteria. A structured questionnaire and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR)-FTD were used by the neurologist with patients and/or caregivers. Index symptoms of COVID-19 infection were searched. RESULTS: Twenty-eight clinical interviews were completed with caregivers and four with both patients/caregivers. Most patients and caregivers were satisfied with the neurological interview and expressed their willingness to continue to be included in remote evaluation programs (90%). Fifty percent of patients experienced significant worsening of clinical picture and quality of life since the start of social distancing. The CDR-FTD scale revealed a significant worsening of behavior (p = 0.01) and language functions (p = 0.009), compared to the last in-person evaluation at the center. One patient presented index symptoms of COVID-19 infection and was confirmed to be positive for COVID-19 with pharyngeal swab. CONCLUSION: The study was conducted in Italy, one of the countries hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with interruption of all non-emergency medical services. Our study indicates that telemedicine is a valid tool to triage patients with FTD to increase practice outreach and efficiency.

Telemedicine is a useful tool to deliver care to patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: results from Southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Teleneurology is an effective tool for the rapid evaluation of patients in remote locations with a well-established use in stroke and epilepsy. To date its adoption for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) care is still in a preliminary stage. We evaluated the feasibility of multidisciplinary assessment of patients with ALS, using telememedicine during the emergency determined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: All patients included in this survey had received a diagnosis of ALS according to international criteria after a complete clinical and paraclinical assessment during 2019. A structured questionnaire was used by the neurologist with the patient or the caregiver. A video interaction was offered but refused by all patients because they did not feel comfortable or did not have smartphone. Results: Out of 31 clinical interviews 8 were completed directly with the patients and 23 with patients' caregivers. In a successive survey, most of patients were satisfied with the neurological interview (85%), the possibility to interact directly with the clinician being at home (85%) and reduction of economic and time costs because they avoided unnecessary travel to the clinic. Most of subjects expressed their willingness to continue to be included in remote evaluation programs (90%). Notably, none of the patients presented index symptoms of Covid-19 infection. Conclusion: Our study indicates that telemedicine is a valid tool to triage patients with ALS to increase practice outreach and efficiency. Delivery of care via telemedicine was effective and successful in people with ALS in the dramatic and sudden crisis determined by Covid-19 outbreak.

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscular Strength Compared to Predicted Values in Patients with Stroke.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength of individuals affected by stroke and to compare it with the predicted values in the literature considering their corresponding age. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated in 22 elderly people who had sequels of stroke, four with right hemiparesis, 16 with left hemiparesis and two with bilateral, of ages ranging from 34 to 82 years. The collected data were submitted to statistical analysis using a Mann-Whitney test to evaluate if there was a significant difference in the average data collected when compared with a mean of the predicted data in the literature. Fourteen men and eight women were evaluated, who obtained mean values of 71.85 cmH2O and 57.75 cmH2O, respectively, for a maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and when compared to the predicted values for men and women, 105.41 cmH2O (p-value 0.0019) and 80.57 cmH2O (p-value 0.00464) were significantly lower. For a maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), the mean value obtained for men was 62.28 cmH2O and 49.5 cmH2O for women, whereas the predicted values in the literature were 114.79 cmH2O (p-value < 0.0001) and 78, 46 cmH2O (p-value 0.0059), respectively. In the statistical analysis, it was possible to notice that the studied population did not reach the predicted age indexes and that there was a significant difference between the median columns. In conclusion, there is a weakness in the respiratory muscles of hemiparetic men and women due to stroke.

Mediating Effect of Psychological Distress and Sexual Satisfaction in Puerto Ricans with Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed in the male population in Puerto Rico. However, it is little studied in the field of health, specifically in the field of clinical health psychology. The present study examines whether emotional distress and sexual satisfaction mediate the relationship between erectile dysfunction and quality of life and if erectile dysfunction is related to the treatment. For this, a quantitative exploratory design was used. The sample was 44 patients between the ages of 50 to 86 years. It was compiled by availability in different urologists' offices. For its collection, several meetings were held with specialists, a data collection logistics was established, in which the administrative staff identified the participants through their ICD 10 diagnoses. The participants completed four self-administered questionnaires, which most of them showed an appropriate Cronbach's Alpha. The results indicated that exist a low moderately significant relationship between treatment and erectile dysfunction (b = -0.35, 95% BcCI [-0.82, -0.03]) and that there is an indirect effect of psychological distress (b = -0.35, 95 % BcCI [-0.82, -0.03]) and sexual satisfaction (b = -.87, 95% BcCI [-2.18, -0.24] in the relationship between erectile dysfunction and the patient's quality of life. The preliminary data from the present study allow the offering of psychotherapeutic treatments focused on this population.

El cáncer de próstata es el más diagnosticado en la población de hombres en Puerto Rico. Sin embargo, es poco estudiado en el campo de la salud, específicamente en el campo de la psicología clínica de la salud. El presente estudio pretende examinar: si la angustia psicológica y la satisfacción sexual median la relación entre disfunción eréctil y calidad de vida, y si la disfunción eréctil se relaciona con el tratamiento que esté recibiendo la persona para tratar su condición. Para esto, se realizó un diseño exploratorio de tipo cuantitativo, con una muestra compuesta por 44 pacientes, entre las edades de 50 a 86 años. La misma fue recopilada por disponibilidad en diferentes oficinas de urólogos. Para su recolección, se realizaron varias reuniones con los especialistas donde se estableció la logística de recogido de datos, en la cual el personal administrativo identificó a los participantes a través de sus diagnósticos según el ICD 10. Los participantes completaron cuatro cuestionarios autoadministrables, los cuales, en su mayoría, mostraron un Alfa de Cronbach apropiado. Los resultados del estudio indican que existe una relación significativa moderada baja entre el tratamiento y la disfunción eréctil (b = −0.35, 95%BcCI [−0.82, −0.03]) y que existe un efecto indirecto de la angustia psicológica (b = −0.35, 95%BcCI [−0.82, −0.03]) y la satisfacción sexual (b = −.87, 95% BcCI [−2.18, −0.24] en la relación entre la disfunción eréctil y la calidad de vida del paciente. Los datos preliminares del presente estudio permiten el ofrecimiento de tratamientos psicoterapéuticos centrados en esta población.