Preliminary normative study of ImPACT® in Finnish professional male ice hockey players.

Assessment of cognition is an important part of concussion management. The common paradigm of baseline and postinjury evaluations is recommended but due to the often lacking baseline data, reliable normative values are needed. The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT®) battery is a widely used method of cognitive assessment offering several language options. There are few comparative studies between language groups on this test battery. ImPACT was administered at baseline to 184 Finnish male Professional Ice Hockey league players. The performance of the Finnish sample differed from previously published English and Czech language samples on the Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites with medium effect-sizes (d = 0.38-0.52). Age, but not education or prior concussions, was associated with ImPACT performance. ImPACT performance is not uniform across language and culture groups and the findings highlight the need for language-specific norms. Finnish reference values for ImPACT for ages <20, 20-26, and >26 are presented. A similar approach is encouraged for other languages.

Prospective, Randomized Study on the Use of Prosthetic Mesh to Prevent a Parastomal Hernia in a Permanent Colostomy: Results of a Long-term Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernias are common with permanent colostomies and prone to complications. The short-term results of trials of parastomal hernia prevention are widely published, but long-term results are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to detect the long-term effects and safety of preventive intra-abdominal parastomal mesh. DESIGN: This is a long-term follow-up of a previous prospective randomized, controlled multicenter trial. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at 2 university hospitals and 3 central hospitals in Finland. PATIENTS: Patients who had a laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer between 2010 and 2013 were included in the study and invited for a follow-up visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were clinical and radiological parastomal hernias. RESULTS: Twenty subjects in the mesh group and 15 in the control group attended the follow-up visit with a median follow-up period of 65 (25th-75th percentiles, 49-91) months. A clinically detectable parastomal hernia was present in 4 of 20 (20.0%) and 5 of 15 (33.3%) subjects in the mesh and control groups (p = 0.45). A radiological parastomal hernia was present in 9 of 19 (45.0%) subjects in the mesh group and 7 of 12 (58.3%) subjects in the control group (p = 0.72). However, when all subjects (n = 70, 1:1) who attended the 12-month follow-up were screened for long-term results according to register data, 9 of 35 (25.9%) subjects in the mesh group and 16 of 35 (45.6%) subjects in control group were diagnosed with a parastomal hernia during the follow-up period (p = 0.10). In addition, only 1 of 35 (2.7%) subjects in the mesh group but 6 of 35 (17.1%) subjects in the control group underwent a parastomal hernia operation during the long-term follow-up (p = 0.030). LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by the small number of patients. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic intra-abdominal keyhole mesh did not decrease the rate of clinically detectable hernias but reduced the need for the surgical repair of parastomal hernias. Further trials are needed to identify a more efficient method to prevent parastomal hernias. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B171. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02368873. ESTUDIO PROSPECTIVO ALEATORIZADO SOBRE EL USO DE MALLA PROTÉSICA PARA PREVENIR UNA HERNIA PARAESTOMAL EN UNA COLOSTOMÍA PERMANENTE: RESULTADOS DE UN SEGUIMIENTO A LARGO PLAZO: PREVENCIÓN DE HERNIA PARAESTOMAL, NEOPLASIA COLORRECTAL/ANAL: Las hernias paraestomales son comunes con colostomías permanentes y son propensas a complicaciones. Los resultados a corto plazo de los ensayos sobre la prevención de la hernia parastomal se publican ampliamente, pero los resultados a largo plazo son escasos.El objetivo del estudio es detectar los efectos a largo plazo y la seguridad de la malla parastomal intraabdominal preventiva.Este es un seguimiento a largo plazo de un estudio aleatorizado prospectivo, controlado y multicentrico previo.Este estudio se realizó en dos hospitales universitarios y tres hospitales centrales en Finlandia.Los pacientes que se sometieron a una resección abdominoperineal laparoscópica por cáncer de recto 2010-2013 fueron incluidos en el estudio e invitados a una visita de seguimiento.Hernias parastomales clínicas y radiológicas.Veinte sujetos en el grupo de malla y 15 en el grupo control asistieron a la visita de seguimiento con una mediana de seguimiento de 65 meses (25-75 ° percentil 49-91). Una hernia paraestomal clínicamente detectable estuvo presente en 4/20 (20.0%) y 5/15 (33.3%) en los grupos de malla y control, respectivamente (p = 0.45). Una hernia parastomal radiológica estuvo presente en 9/19 (45.0%) en el grupo de malla y 7/12 (58.3%) en el grupo de control (p = 0.72). Sin embargo, cuando todos los sujetos (n = 70, 1: 1) que asistieron a los 12 meses de seguimiento fueron evaluados para obtener resultados a largo plazo de acuerdo con los datos del registro, 9/35 (25.9%) sujetos en el grupo de malla y 16/35 (45,6%) sujetos en el grupo control fueron diagnosticados con una hernia paraestomal durante el período de seguimiento (p = 0,10). Además, solo 1/35 (2.7%) en el grupo de malla pero 6/35 (17.1%) en el grupo control se sometieron a una operación de hernia paraestomal durante el seguimiento a largo plazo (p = 0.030).El estudio está limitado por un pequeño número de pacientes.La malla intra-abdominal profiláctica en ojo de cerradura no disminuyó la tasa de hernias clínicamente detectables, pero redujo la necesidad de la reparación quirúrgica de las hernias paraestomales. Se necesitan ensayos adicionales para identificar un método más eficiente para prevenir las hernias parastomales. Vea el resumen del video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B171. (Traducción-Dr. Gonzalo Hagerman).NCT02368873.

Patient-reported pelvic floor symptoms 5 years after hysterectomy with or without prolapse surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hysterectomy with or without concomitant prolapse surgery on subject-reported pelvic floor disorders (PFD) with a 5-year follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective longitudinal study was carried out in two Finnish central hospitals among 286 women who had undergone hysterectomy for benign reasons. The presence of urinary incontinence, urinary frequency, feeling of vaginal bulging, constipation and anal incontinence was evaluated at baseline, 1 and 5 years postoperatively. Analysis was performed on 256 (895%) patients who answered at least one of the follow-up questionnaires. RESULTS: Hysterectomy with concomitant native tissue prolapse surgery significantly reduced urinary incontinence, urinary frequency, constipation and the feeling of vaginal bulging, and the results were maintained over the following five years. Plain hysterectomy reduced urinary frequency and the feeling of vaginal bulging but did not relieve urinary incontinence. Hysterectomy had no effect on anal incontinence. The total subsequent prolapse and/or incontinence operation rate was 2,7%, and was higher among patients who underwent hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse. CONCLUSIONS: During a 5-years follow-up a hysterectomy alone or with native tissue prolapse surgery did not worsen pelvic floor disorders.

A novel approach to sports concussion assessment: Computerized multilimb reaction times and balance control testing.

INTRODUCTION: Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) or concussions often result in problems with attention, executive functions, and motor control. For better identification of these diverse problems, novel approaches integrating tests of cognitive and motor functioning are needed. The aim was to characterize minor changes in motor and cognitive performance after sports-related concussions with a novel test battery, including balance tests and a computerized multilimb reaction time test. The cognitive demands of the battery gradually increase from a simple stimulus response to a complex task requiring executive attention. METHOD: A total of 113 male ice hockey players (mean age = 24.6 years, SD = 5.7) were assessed before a season. During the season, nine concussed players were retested within 36 hours, four to six days after the concussion, and after the season. A control group of seven nonconcussed players from the same pool of players with comparable demographics were retested after the season. Performance was measured using a balance test and the Motor Cognitive Test battery (MotCoTe) with multilimb responses in simple reaction, choice reaction, inhibition, and conflict resolution conditions. RESULTS: The performance of the concussed group declined at the postconcussion assessment compared to both the baseline measurement and the nonconcussed controls. Significant changes were observed in the concussed group for the multilimb choice reaction and inhibition tests. Tapping and balance showed a similar trend, but no statistically significant difference in performance. CONCLUSION: In sports-related concussions, complex motor tests can be valuable additions in assessing the outcome and recovery. In the current study, using subtasks with varying cognitive demands, it was shown that while simple motor performance was largely unaffected, the more complex tasks induced impaired reaction times for the concussed subjects. The increased reaction times may reflect the disruption of complex and integrative cognitive function in concussions.

Quality of life and pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms after hysterectomy with or without pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of hysterectomy with or without pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and pelvic floor disorders. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study at two central hospitals in Finland. During one year 322 women underwent elective hysterectomy for benign conditions with or without vaginal wall repair. The study population was divided in two groups, patients with and without POP. The HRQoL questionnaires RAND-36 and 15D, and questionnaires assessing urinary and bowel dysfunction symptoms were obtained preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. POP was defined as the descent of apical, anterior or posterior compartment of vaginal wall grade ≥2 in the Baden-Walker classification at any site. Main outcome measures were HRQoL, improvement of symptoms and de novo symptoms. RESULTS: At baseline the mean 15D score of all patients was lower than that of the age-standardized population sample (p<0.001). At one year postoperatively, the mean 15D score of the patients had improved (p=0.001), this resulting mainly on dimensions of excretion (voiding and defecation), usual activities, discomfort and symptom, distress, vitality and sexual activity. HRQoL improved especially in patients with POP. They reported improvement of symptoms in urinary incontinence, urinary frequency, constipation and sense of bulging but surgery had no effect on anal incontinence. Patients without POP reported improvement in pain dimension, urinary frequency and feeling of bulging. Urinary incontinence was the most common (15.4% and 13.8%) de novo symptom in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hysterectomy with or without concomitant pelvic organ prolapse surgery improves health-related quality of life and reduces pelvic floor symptoms in one-year follow-up.

Success with plasmapheresis treatment for recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

FSGS recurs in approximately 30% of transplanted kidneys and may lead to graft loss. We retrospectively examined the efficacy of early and intensive PP without additional IS in pediatric kidney transplant patients with recurrent FSGS at our center. Seven of 24 patients (29%) had nephrotic proteinuria and histologic evidence of FSGS recurrence within 1-5 days post-transplantation. PP was initiated early after transplantation and initially performed daily until sustained decline in proteinuria. PP frequency was then individually tapered according to proteinuria. Recurrent FSGS in all seven patients responded to a four- to 32-wk course of PP. Two of seven patients had a second recurrence of FSGS, and both recurrences remitted after an additional 3-6 wk of PP. Median observation period was 4.5 yr (0.8-16.3 yr). Complete remission of recurrent FSGS has been sustained in all seven patients, and all patients have stable graft function with recent plasma creatinine <1.5 mg/dL in six of seven patients. Most recent urine protein/creatinine is 0.13-0.61 mg/mg in six of seven patients. One patient has heavy proteinuria secondary to chronic allograft nephropathy 16 yr post-transplant. Intensive and prolonged PP, when initiated early in the post-operative period, is effective in treating recurrent FSGS and preventing graft loss without the use of additional immunosuppressants.

[Dysfunctions associated with pelvic floor function, and their diagnostics]. / Lantionpohjan toimintaan liittyvät häiriöt ja niiden diagnostiikka.

Pelvic floor dysfunctions are common, mainly female ailments that are usually benign but decreasing the quality of life. Their main risk factors include pregnancy, childbirth and ageing. Investigation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions should be carried out in a pervasive manner, including observation of all compartments, structures and functions of the pelvic floor. Diagnostic forms are helpful in symptom surveys. Pelvic floor dysfunctions are elucidated by functional investigations such as EMG investigation of the pelvic floor, anomanometry and urodynamics.

[Functional obstructed defecation syndrome]. / Toiminnallinen ulostamisvaikeusoireyhtymä.

The complex neural coordination and physiology of normal defecation has not yet been completely explained. A defecation event can be disturbed for many reasons, the most common being associated with pregnancy and childbirth, gynaecological descent or neurogenic disturbances of the brain-bowel axis. Causes of obstructed defecation are elucidated by functional imaging and functional investigations of the pelvic floor. Biofeedback treatment can be applied to paradoxal puborectal contraction (anismus), a coordination disturbance of pelvic floor muscles. A new surgical procedure has been developed for the treatment of rectal invagination and rectocele.

T cell CD3 receptor zeta (TCRzeta)-chain expression in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) have an increased risk of developing life-threatening infections. Several studies have demonstrated functional abnormalities in the T lymphocytes of patients with nephrotic syndrome. Although T cells are activated in INS during relapse, as indicated by an increased expression of interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, these cells have a decreased ability to proliferate. The T-cell receptor (TCR) plays an important role in signal transduction and T cell activation, with the TCR-zeta (TCRzeta) chain being a key element in early signaling. We measured the expression of the TCRzeta chain in patients with INS (steroid resistant and steroid sensitive) during relapse and remission by flow cytometry and by PCR ELISA. The results showed a significant decrease in the expression of the TCRzeta chain at both the protein and mRNA level in INS patients during relapse as compared with normal controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, when patients with INS achieved remission, the expression of TCRzeta normalized and was similar to that expressed in normal controls. Therefore, a decreased expression of the TCRzeta chain may explain the abnormal function of T cells in patients with INS, and it may also contribute to the increased risk for infections seen in these patients.

Development of colorectal tumors in colonoscopic surveillance in Lynch syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mutation carriers in Lynch syndrome families have a high risk for developing colorectal cancer during their lifetime. This study was designed to assess the cumulative risk for the development of colorectal adenoma or carcinoma in prospective colonoscopic surveillance. METHODS: Data from the Finnish Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registry electronic database on 420 Lynch syndrome mutation carriers without previous colorectal tumors were reviewed. Between March 1982 and May 2005 the mutation carriers underwent a total of 1252 colonoscopies. The total follow-up time was 3150 years (mean, 6.7 y/patient). RESULTS: The cumulative risk of adenoma by age 60 was estimated as 68% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50%-80%) in men and 48% (95% CI, 29%-62%) in women. The estimated cumulative risk up to age 60 years for the development of cancer found as a result of surveillance at an interval of 2-3 years was 35% (95% CI, 16%-49%) in men and 22% (95% CI, 7%-34%) in women. Half of the adenomas were located proximal to the splenic flexure. Extracolonic cancer was diagnosed in 73 patients (18%). CONCLUSIONS: Adenoma would appear to be the most important lesion preceding cancer formation in Lynch syndrome and removal of adenomas decreases the risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). The Finnish surveillance protocol of colonoscopies at 2- to 3-year intervals facilitates patient adherence but includes an essential risk for CRC up to 60 years of age, but without CRC-related mortality when the surveillance instructions are followed.