Assessment of Ischemic Index in Retinal Vascular Diseases Using Ultra-Wide-Field Fluorescein Angiography: Single Versus Summarized Image.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare a single image with a computer-generated summarized image from the ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiogram (UWFFA) sequence for evaluation of ischemic index (ISI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: UWFFA sequences from patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) (n=5), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) (n=5), and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) (n=5) were evaluated by six graders. A single image best illustrating retinal non-perfusion was compared to a summarized image generated by computerized superimposition of angiograms. Non-perfused and ungradable retinal areas were outlined and the ISI between the single and summarized images was compared. RESULTS: The mean ISI in the single versus (vs) summarized images was 17% vs 15% in BRVO (p=0.12), 48% vs 48% in CRVO (p=0.67), and 25% vs 23% in DR (p=0.005). Inter-grader agreement of ISI in single versus summarized images was 0.43 vs 0.40 in BRVO, 0.69 vs 0.71 in CRVO, and 0.53 vs 0.34 in DR. CONCLUSION: Computer-generated summarized images were similar to single images for grading ISI in BRVO and CRVO, but underestimated it in DR.

The Psychometric Properties of a Modified Sit-to-Stand Test With Use of the Upper Extremities in Institutionalized Older Adults.

Current sit-to-stand protocols do not permit use of upper extremities, limiting the protocols' utility for institutionalized older adults with diminished physical function. The objective of this study was to modify a 30-s sit-to-stand protocol to allow for arm use and to examine test-retest reliability and convergent validity; 54 institutionalized older adult men (age = 91 ± 3 year) performed the 30-s sit-to-stand twice within a span of 3 to 7 days. Results suggest good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .84) and convergent validity with the Timed Up and Go Test (r = -.62). This modified 30-s sit-to-stand can be used to assess physical function performance in institutionalized older adults and will ensure that individuals with lower physical function capacity can complete the test, thus eliminating the floor effect demonstrated with other sit-to-stand protocols.