Postal questionnaire study of disability in the community associated with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the disability caused by psoriasis in patients recorded as having psoriasis by their general practitioner. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire survey using the psoriasis disability index and SF-36. SETTING: Five general practices in Cleveland. SUBJECTS: Of 767 patients identified, 546 completed the questionnaire and 435 were eligible and gave informed consent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on SF-36 and psoriasis disability index. RESULTS: The psoriasis disability index score was highly negatively correlated with all eight of the SF-36 health measures (P < 0.0001 for each), and the manual social classes scored higher than the non-manual social classes (P < 0.0001). The manual social class group scored significantly lower scores than the controls on all the SF-36 scales, and the non-manual group scored significantly lower for physical and mental role limitation (P < 0.0004 and P = 0.026), mental health (P < 0.0001), energy and vitality (P < 0.0004), and health perception (P < 0.0001). Also, the manual group had poorer health perception on five of the SF-36 variables when compared with the non-manual group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis have an overall lower perception of their quality of life than healthy controls, and those in the lower social classes suffer a greater degree of disability from their disease than the higher social classes.     

Should breast reduction surgery be rationed? A comparison of the health status of patients before and after treatment: postal questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the health status of patients before and after breast reduction surgery and to make comparisons with the health status of women in the general population. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire survey sent to patients before and six months after surgery. SETTING: The three plastic surgery departments in the Oxford Regional Health Authority, during April to August 1993. SUBJECTS: 166 women (over the age of 16 years) referred for breast reduction; scores from the "short form 36" (SF-36) health questionnaire completed by women in the 1991-2 Oxford healthy life survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health status of breast reduction patients before and after surgery as assessed by the SF-36, the 28 item general health questionnaire, and Rosenberg''s self esteem scale; comparisons between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population; outcome of surgery as assessed retrospectively by patients. RESULTS: Differences between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population were detected by the SF-36 both before and after surgery. Breast reduction surgery produced substantial change in patients'' physical, social, and psychological function. The proportion of cases of possible psychiatric morbidity according to the general health questionnaire fell from 41% (22/54) before surgery to 11% (6/54) six months after treatment. Eighty six per cent (50/58) of patients expressed great satisfaction with the surgical result postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The study provides empirical evidence that supports the inclusion of breast reduction surgery in NHS purchasing contracts.     

Psychometrics of the Short Form 36 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-36v2) and the Quality of Life Scale for Drug Addicts (QOL-DAv2.0) in Chinese Mainland Patients with Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Objective

To test psychometrics of the Short Form 36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2) and the Quality of Life Scale for Drug Addicts (QOL-DAv2.0) in Chinese mainland patients with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Methods

A total of 1,212 patients were recruited from two MMT clinics in Xi’an, China. Reliability was estimated with Cronbach’s α and intra-class correlation (ICC). Convergent and discriminant validity was assessed using multitrait-multimethod correlation matrix. Sensitivity was measured with ANOVA and relative efficiency. Responsiveness was evaluated by pre-post paired-samples t-test and standardized response mean based on the patients’ health status changes following 6-month period.

Results

Cronbach’s α of the SF-36v2 physical and mental summary components were 0.80 and 0.86 (eight scales range 0.73–0.92) and the QOL-DAv2.0 was 0.96 (four scales range: 0.80–0.93). ICC of the SF-36v2 two components were 0.86 and 0.85 (eight scales range: 0.72–0.87) and the QOL-DAv2.0 was 0.94 (four scales range: 0.88–0.92). Convergent validity was lower between the two instruments (γ <0.70) while discriminant validity was acceptable within each instrument. Sensitivity was satisfied in self-evaluated health status (both instruments) and average daily methadone dose (SF-36v2 physical functioning and vitality scales; QOL-DAv2.0 except psychology scale). Responsiveness was acceptable in the improved health status change (SF-36v2 except vitality scale; QOL-DAv2.0 except psychology and symptoms scales) and deteriorated health status change (SF-36v2 except vitality, social functioning and mental health scales; QOL-DAv2.0 except society scale).

Conclusions

The SF-36v2 and the QOL-DAv2.0 are valid tools and can be used independently or complementary according to different emphases of health-related quality of life evaluation in patients with MMT.     

国际功能、残疾和健康分类理念下的作业训练对脑卒中患者认知功能、心理状态和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨国际功能、残疾和健康分类(ICF)理念下的作业训练对脑卒中患者认知功能、心理状态和生活质量的影响。方法:选取我院2018年1月~2020年1月收治的脑卒中患者140例,根据随机数字表法,分成观察组(n=70)、对照组(n=70)。对照组行常规作业训练,观察组采用基于ICF理念下的作业训练。两组均观察3个月,分别在干预前、干预3个月后,经蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MOCA)评价两组认知功能的变化。经抑郁自评量表(SDS)、焦虑自评量表(SAS)分析患者的焦虑、抑郁情况。经Fugl-Meyer运动功能评定量表(FMA)、功能综合评定量表(FCA)评估患者运动功能、综合功能。利用健康状态调查量表(SF-36)评估两组生活质量。结果:两组干预后MOCA评分高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后SDS、SAS评分低于干预前,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后FMA、FCA评分高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后SF-36各维度评分均高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:基于ICF理念下的作业训练能进一步改善脑卒中患者的认知功能以及心理状态,且有利于提升运动功能与综合功能,改善生活质量。     

直肠癌切除术患者永久性与临时性造口术后生活质量变化及其与排便症状的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨直肠癌切除术患者永久性与临时性造口术后生活质量变化,并分析其生活质量与排便症状的相关性。方法：纳入我院2017年4月～2020年4月收治的直肠癌切除术患者110例,所有纳入者均行造口术。根据造口方式,分成永久性造口组（简称永久组,n=41）、临时性造口组（简称临时组,n=69）。记录两组造口并发症发生率,分别在患者术后1、3、6个月,采用简明生活质量量表（SF-36）评估其生活质量,采用排便症状量表评估患者排便症状的变化。经Pearson线性相关分析患者生活质量评分与排便症状评分的相关性。结果：临时组造口并发症发生率（8.90%）与永久组（12.20%）比较无差异（P＞0.05）。两组术后3、6个月SF-36各维度评分均高于术后1个月,术后6个月各评分高于术后3个月,且临时组术后3个月SF-36各维度评分高于永久组（P＜0.05）,但两组术后6个月各评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）。两组术后3、6个月大便症状各评分均低于术后1个月,术后6个月的排便急迫感、排便费力、里急后重评分及总分低于术后3个月,且临时组术后3个月的排便急迫感、排便费力、里急后重评分及总分低于永久组（P＜0.05）,但两组术后6个月排便症状各评分比较未见差异（P＞0.05）。Pearson线性相关分析显示,排便症状总分与机体疼痛、躯体功能、躯体角色受限、情感角色受限、心理健康、社会功能、总体健康评分呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：直肠癌切除术患者临时性造口能够进一步促进术后3个月生活质量、排便功能的改善,在术后6个月,永久性造口患者的生活质量、排便功能基本达到临时性造口患者的状态,且排便功能与生活质量具有相关性。     

Is the SF-36 a valid measure of change in population health? Results from the Whitehall II Study.

OBJECTIVE: To measure within-person change in scores on the short form general health survey (SF-36) by age, sex, employment grade, and disease status. DESIGN: Longitudinal study with a mean of 36 months (range 23-59 months) follow up, with screening examination and questionnaire to detect physical and psychiatric morbidity. SETTING: 20 civil service departments originally located in London. PARTICIPANTS: 5070 male and 2197 female office based civil servants aged 39-63 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in the eight scales of the SF-36 (adjusted for baseline score and length of follow up) and effect sizes (adjusted change standard deviation of differences). RESULTS: Within-person declines (worsening health) with age were greater than estimated by cross sectional data alone. General mental health showed greater declines among younger participants (P for linear trend < 0.001). Employment grade was inversely related to change; lower grades had greater deteriorations than higher grades (P < 0.001 for each scale in men; P < 0.05 for each scale in women except general health perceptions and role limitations due to physical problems). The greatest declines were seen among participants with disease at baseline, with the effects of physical and psychiatric morbidity being additive. Effect sizes ranged from 0.20 to 0.65 in participants with both physical and psychiatric morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Health functioning, as measured by the SF-36, changed in hypothesised directions with age, employment grade, and disease status. These changes occurred within a short follow up period, in an occupational, high functioning cohort which has not been the subject of intervention, suggesting that the SF-36 is sensitive to changes in health in general populations.     

Construct Validity of the SF-12v2 for the Homeless Population with Mental Illness: An Instrument to Measure Self-Reported Mental and Physical Health

Background

Self-reported health measures are important indicators used by clinicians and researchers for the evaluation of health interventions, outcome assessment of clinical studies, and identification of health needs to improve resource allocation. However, the application of self-reported health measures relies on developing reliable and valid instruments that are suitable across diverse populations. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the construct validity of the SF-12v.2, an instrument for measuring self-rated physical and mental health, for homeless adults with mental illness. Various interventions have been aimed at improving the health of homeless people with mental illness, and the development of valid instruments to evaluate these interventions is imperative.

Study Design

We measured self-rated mental and physical health from a quota sample of 575 homeless people with mental illness using the SF-12v2, EQ-5D, Colorado Symptoms Index, and physical/mental health visual analogue scales. We examined the construct validity of the SF-12v2 through confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), and using ANOVA/correlation analyses to compare the SF-12v2 to the other instruments to ascertain discriminant/convergent validity.

Results

Our CFA showed that the measurement properties of the original SF-12v2 model had a mediocre fit with our empirical data (χ² = 193.6, df = 43, p < .0001, CFI = 0.85, NFI = 0.83, RMSEA = 0.08). We demonstrate that changes based on theoretical rationale and previous studies can significantly improve the model, achieving an excellent fit in our final model (χ² = 160.6, df = 48, p < .0001, CFI = 0.95, NFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.06). Our CFA results suggest that an alternative scoring method based on the new model may optimize health status measurement of a homeless population. Despite these issues, convergent and discriminant validity of the SF-12v2 (scored based on the original model) was supported through multiple comparisons with other instruments.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates for the first time that the SF-12v2 is generally appropriate as a measure of physical and mental health status for a homeless population with mental illness.     

The effectiveness of surgical and nonsurgical interventions in relieving the symptoms of macromastia

In this report, the authors evaluate the effectiveness of breast reduction in alleviating the symptoms of macromastia by comparing baseline and postoperative health status using a series of well-validated self-report instruments. The study had a prospective design with a surgical intervention group and two control groups: a hypertrophy control group with bra cup sizes D or larger and a normal control group with bra cup sizes less than D. The effectiveness of nonsurgical interventions in relieving the symptoms of macromastia was also evaluated, both in the operative subjects and in the control groups.Surgical candidates and controls completed a self-administered baseline survey that consisted of the following validated and standardized instruments commonly used to evaluate outcomes: SF-36, EuroQol, Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). A specially designed and validated instrument, the Breast-Related Symptoms (BRS), was also used. There were also questions about prior nonsurgical treatments, comorbid conditions, bra size, and a physical assessment. Additional information obtained on the operative subjects included surgical procedure data, resection weight, and complications. Approximately 6 to 9 months postoperatively, surgical subjects completed the same questionnaire as described above, and a final physical assessment was performed.The cohort included 179 operative subjects with matched preoperative and postoperative data sets, 96 normal controls and 88 hypertrophy controls. The women were predominantly Caucasian, middle-aged, well educated, and employed. Fifty percent of the operative subjects reported breast-related pain all or most of the time in the upper back, shoulders, neck, and lower back preoperatively compared with less than 10 percent postoperatively. Operative subjects and hypertrophy controls tried a number of conservative treatments, including weight loss, but none provided adequate permanent relief. Compared with population norms, the preoperative subjects had significantly lower scores (p < 0.05) in all eight health domains of the SF-36, and in the mental and physical component summary scores. After surgery, the operative subjects had higher means (better health) than national norms in seven of the eight domains and improved significantly from presurgical means in all eight domains (p < 0.05). Before surgery, the operative subjects reported high levels of pain with a Pain Rating Index (PRI) score from the MPQ of 26.6. After surgery, pain was significantly lower with a mean PRI score of 11.7, similar to that of our controls (mean PRI score, 11.2). Regression analysis was used to control for covariate effects on the main study outcomes. Among the operative subjects, benefits from breast reduction were not associated with body weight, bra cup size, or weight of resection, with essentially all patients benefiting from surgery.Breast hypertrophy has a significant impact on women's health status and quality of life as measured by validated and widely used self-report instruments including the SF-36, MPQ, and EuroQol. Pain is a significant symptom in this disease, and both pain and overall health status are markedly improved by breast reduction. In this population, conservative measures such as weight loss, physical therapy, special brassieres, and medications did not provide effective permanent relief of symptoms.     

食管癌切除术患者运动能力、肌肉力量和生活质量的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨食管癌患者术前功能锻炼能力、肌力、焦虑、抑郁和健康相关生活质量（QOL）的特点,并评估食管癌根治术对这些参数的影响。方法：我们对2019年1-12月36例新诊断的可切除食管癌患者进行回顾性分析,这些患者接受了食管切除术并进行了术后康复治疗。术前、术后2周分别进行6 min步行距离（6MWD）、膝伸肌肌力、握力、医院焦虑抑郁量表（HADS）和慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）评定量表（CAT）测试。术前进行肺功能测试,并对MOS 36项目健康问卷（SF-36）的组成部分进行一般健康评定。结果：患者平均年龄66.1±9.2岁。患者以男性为主（75.0%）,有较高的吸烟史（80.6%）,鳞状细胞癌（94.4%）。COPD 15例。临床分期：0-I期11例,II期6例,III期15例,IV期4例。29例行开腹手术。SF-36评分的组成部分与CAT和HADS评分显著相关,COPD患者的身体状况明显差于非COPD患者（P<0.05）。比较术前和术后的数值,发现术后6MWD、握力、等长膝伸肌肌力显著降低,CAT评分显著升高（P<0.05）,HADS评分无明显升高（P>0.05）。在多元回归分析中,术后6MWD的下降与术前SF-36的生理成分总结显著相关。结论：从微创手术和围手术期处理的角度来看,有必要进一步改进围手术期的康复。在手术后两周,食管切除术对健康相关的QOL和身体健康有害,需建立围手术期康复策略,以改善术后结果。     

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas Undergoing Postoperative Radiation Therapy: A Case-Control Study

Objective: Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) can be associated with significant morbidity including a compromised quality of life (QoL). Radiotherapy (RT) is listed as one of the contributing factors to QoL impairment in these patients, however the evidence supporting this association is scarce and conflicting. Here we evaluate health-related QoL (HRQoL) impairment in patients with NFPA and to what extent this is due to RT.Methods: HRQoL was evaluated with the short form-36 questionnaire (SF-36), which explores 8 domains pertaining physical, emotional, and mental well being. We assessed 50 patients with NFPA subjected to RT after pituitary surgery, and their results were compared to those from 127 subjects who had undergone surgery but not RT. Both groups were matched for age, sex, and metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities. The SF-36 was applied a median of 72 months after RT in the group of cases and 78 months after the last surgical procedure in the control group.Results: Both groups scored equally low in the 8 areas explored by the survey. In a multiple linear regression model, age was significantly associated with worse physical health scores, whereas female sex was associated with worse general health perception and lower emotional role and physical role scores. The presence of a visual field defect was significantly associated with a worse social role functioning score.Conclusion: QoL in patients with NFPAs is significantly compromised in most scales evaluated by the SF-36 survey. However, RT itself does not affect QoL.Abbreviations:CI = confidence intervalGH = growth hormoneHRQoL = health-related quality of lifeIQR = interquartile rangeNFPA = nonfunctioning pituitary adenomaQoL = quality of lifeRT = radiotherapySF-36 = short form 36-item health surveyTSS = transsphenoidal surgeryXRT = external beam radiotherapy     

Does the cannabinoid dronabinol reduce central pain in multiple sclerosis? Randomised double blind placebo controlled crossover trial

Objective To evaluate the effect of the oral synthetic δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol dronabinol on central neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis.Design Randomised double blind placebo controlled crossover trial.Setting Outpatient clinic, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark.Participants 24 patients aged between 23 and 55 years with multiple sclerosis and central pain.Intervention Orally administered dronabinol at a maximum dose of 10 mg daily or corresponding placebo for three weeks (15-21 days), separated by a three week washout period.Main outcome measure Median spontaneous pain intensity (numerical rating scale) in the last week of treatment.Results Median spontaneous pain intensity was significantly lower during dronabinol treatment than during placebo treatment (4.0 (25th to 75th centiles 2.3 to 6.0) v 5.0 (4.0 to 6.4), P = 0.02), and median pain relief score (numerical rating scale) was higher (3.0 (0 to 6.7) v> 0 (0 to 2.3), P = 0.035). The number needed to treat for 50% pain relief was 3.5 (95% confidence interval 1.9 to 24.8). On the SF-36 quality of life scale, the two items bodily pain and mental health indicated benefits from active treatment compared with placebo. The number of patients with adverse events was higher during active treatment, especially in the first week of treatment. The functional ability of the multiple sclerosis patients did not change.Conclusions Dronabinol has a modest but clinically relevant analgesic effect on central pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. Adverse events, including dizziness, were more frequent with dronabinol than with placebo during the first week of treatment.     

Reduced health-related quality of life in elders with frailty: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling elders in Taiwan

Purpose

Exploring the domains and degrees of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) that are affected by the frailty of elders will help clinicians understand the impact of frailty. This association has not been investigated in community-dwelling elders. Therefore, we examined the domains and degree of HRQOL of elders with frailty in the community in Taiwan.

Methods

A total of 933 subjects aged 65 years and over were recruited in 2009 from a metropolitan city in Taiwan. Using an adoption of the Fried criteria, frailty was defined by five components: shrinking, weakness, poor endurance and energy, slowness, and low physical activity level. HRQOL was assessed by the short form 36 (SF-36). The multiple linear regression model was used to test the independent effects of frailty on HRQOL.

Results

After multivariate adjustment, elders without frailty reported significantly better health than did the pre-frail and frail elders on all scales, and the pre-frail elders reported better health than did the frail elders for all scales except the scales of role limitation due to physical and emotional problems and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). The significantly negative differences between frail and robust elders ranged from 3.58 points for the MCS to 22.92 points for the physical functioning scale. The magnitude of the effects of frail components was largest for poor endurance and energy, and next was for slowness. The percentages of the variations of these 10 scales explained by all factors in the models ranged from 11.1% (scale of role limitation due to emotional problems) to 49.1% (scale of bodily pain).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that the disabilities in physical health inherent in frailty are linked to a reduction in HRQOL. Such an association between clinical measures and a generic measure of the HRQOL may offer clinicians new information to understand frailty and to conceptualize it within the broader context of disability.     

Patterns of disease activity in multiple sclerosis: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE--To compare the abnormalities shown by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in three clinically distinct groups of patients with multiple sclerosis, and to correlate the extent of abnormality with the degree of clinical disability in the three groups. DESIGN--All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and full neurological examination, and their disability was scored according to the expanded Kurtzke disability state scale. SETTING--National Hospital for Nervous Diseases (Multiple Sclerosis NMR Research Group). PATIENTS--Three groups of patients with confirmed multiple sclerosis were studied: 12 patients with minimal disability despite a long (greater than 10 years) duration of illness (benign multiple sclerosis), 16 who had developed progressive disability after a relapsing and remitting course (secondary progressive multiple sclerosis), and 13 who had had progressive disability from the onset of the disease (primary progressive multiple sclerosis). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Number and size of lesions in 17 anatomically defined sites; total lesion load, estimated with an arbitrary scoring system weighted for the size of lesions; and disability score. RESULTS--Magnetic resonance imaging showed that all 41 patients had abnormalities. These were extensive in the groups with secondary progressive and benign disease compared with the group with primary progressive disease. The lesions in the patients with secondary progressive disease were larger and more confluent than those in the two other groups (p = 0.007). Most lesions (85%) in the patients with primary progressive disease were under 5 mm in diameter; this percentage was higher than that in the two other groups (p = 0.032). Consequently the patients with primary progressive disease had the lowest mean lesion load (36.7); that in the patients with benign disease was 52.7 and that in the patients with secondary progressive disease 64.6 (p = 0.05). No correlation existed between disability and total lesion load. The distribution of brain lesions and of detectable lesions of the spinal cord, and the frequency of cortical atrophy, were similar in all groups. CONCLUSIONS--No relation was found between the degree of clinical disability and the extent of abnormality shown by magnetic resonance imaging: patients with clinically benign disease often had extensive abnormalities and those with primary progressive disease had surprisingly few lesions. Though magnetic resonance imaging increases knowledge of the disease process in multiple sclerosis and is invaluable in diagnosis, it is not helpful in predicting disability in individual patients.     

Community pulmonary rehabilitation after hospitalisation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: randomised controlled study

Objective To evaluate the effects of an early community based pulmonary rehabilitation programme after hospitalisation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Design A single centre, randomised controlled trial.Setting An inner city, secondary and tertiary care hospital in London.Participants 42 patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of COPD.Intervention An eight week, pulmonary rehabilitation programme for outpatients, started within 10 days of hospital discharge, or usual care.Main outcome measures Incremental shuttle walk distance, disease specific health status (St George''s respiratory questionnaire, SGRQ; chronic respiratory questionnaire, CRQ) and generic health status (medical outcomes short form 36 questionnaire, SF-36) at three months after hospital discharge.Results Early pulmonary rehabilitation, compared with usual care, led to significant improvements in median incremental shuttle walk distance (60 metres, 95% confidence interval 26.6 metres to 93.4 metres, P = 0.0002), mean SGRQ total score (-12.7, -5.0 to -20.3, P = 0.002), all four domains of the CRQ (dyspnoea 5.5, 2.0 to 9.0, P = 0.003; fatigue 5.3, 1.9 to 8.8, P = 0.004; emotion 8.7, 2.4 to 15.0, P = 0.008; and mastery 7.5, 4.2 to 10.7, P < 0.001) and the mental component score of the SF-36 (20.1, 3.3 to 36.8, P = 0.02). Improvements in the physical component score of the SF-36 did not reach significance (10.6, -0.3 to 21.6, P = 0.057).Conclusion Early pulmonary rehabilitation after admission to hospital for acute exacerbations of COPD is safe and leads to statistically and clinically significant improvements in exercise capacity and health status at three months.     

Quality of Life after Lap‐Band Placement: Influence of Time,Weight Loss,and Comorbidities

Objective: To assess the quality of life (QOL) in severely obese subjects before and after Lap‐Band gastric restrictive surgery and identify factors that may influence change. Research Methods and Procedures: All patients, over a 3‐year period, attending for preoperative assessment (n = 459) or annual review after surgery (n = 641) have completed the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) health survey. Eight domain and physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were calculated. Scores were analyzed in groups based on time after surgery and compared with community normal (CN) values. Paired preoperative and 1‐year scores (n = 218) data were used to find predictors of QOL change. Results: All preoperative mean scores (n = 459) were lower than CN values, with greater impairment in the PCS (36.8 ± 9.5 vs. CN: 51.3 ± 8.3, p < 0.001) than in the MCS (45.7 ± 8.2 vs. CN: 48.8 ± 9.5, p < 0.001) scores. After 1 year, scores were closer to CN scores (PCS: 52.4 ± 8.2 and MCS: 48.4 ± 7.7), and these remained closer for 4 years. Preoperative obesity comorbidity, especially physical disability, was the best predictor of poor preoperative SF‐36 scores and of improvement in scores at 1 year. The percentage of excess weight loss at 1 year (46 ± 16%) was of little predictive value of improved QOL. Discussion: Severely obese subjects have poor health‐related QOL as measured by the SF‐36 health survey. Lap‐Band surgery for this group has provided a dramatic and sustained improvement in all measures of the SF‐36. Improvement is greater in those with greater preoperative disability, and the extent of weight loss is not a good predictor of improved QOL.     

87例系统性硬化症患者健康相关生活质量的评价与分析

目的:采用short-form 36(SF-36)量表评估87例系统性硬化症患者的健康相关生活质量(HRQOL),与健康人群的生活质量进行比较,评价系统性硬化症患者的病情变化情况及预后。方法:在搜集人口学信息及临床信息的基础上,对87例系统性硬化症患者(45例局限型、42例弥漫型)及50例健康对照进行SF-36量表的自评打分;统计学方法计算与比较患者组与对照组的得分情况。结果:SF-36量表的各项计分中,局限型组与弥漫型组在生理机能、生理职能、躯体疼痛、一般健康状况、精力、社会功能、情感职能、精神健康状况等各项得分均低于正常对照组,其中弥漫型组得分更低;健康变化一项得分不具有差异。结论:系统性硬化症患者(局限型、弥漫型)与健康人群比较,生活质量均存在不同程度的下降。这种下降与病情严重程度、生理机能下降情况、躯体疼痛程度、心理状况变化及社会适应能力减退等存在显著关联性。     

Genetic associations with brain cortical thickness in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by temporal and spatial dissemination of demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system. Associated neurodegenerative changes contributing to disability have been recognized even at early disease stages. Recent studies show the importance of gray matter damage for the accrual of clinical disability rather than white matter where demyelination is easily visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The susceptibility to MS is influenced by genetic risk, but genetic factors associated with the disability are not known. We used MRI data to determine cortical thickness in 557 MS cases and 75 controls and in another cohort of 219 cases. We identified nine areas showing different thickness between cases and controls (regions of interest, ROI) (eight of them were negatively correlated with Kurtzke's expanded disability status scale, EDSS) and conducted genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) in 464 and 211 cases available from the two data sets. No marker exceeded genome‐wide significance in the discovery cohort. We next combined nominal statistical evidence of association with physical evidence of interaction from a curated human protein interaction network, and searched for subnetworks enriched with nominally associated genes and for commonalities between the two data sets. This network‐based pathway analysis of GWAS detected gene sets involved in glutamate signaling, neural development and an adjustment of intracellular calcium concentration. We report here for the first time gene sets associated with cortical thinning of MS. These genes are potentially correlated with disability of MS.     

假体隆胸患者手术前后生命质量和自尊的评估

目的:通过对接受假体法隆胸患者的手术前后的生命质量和自尊水平进行主观的评价,得到真实、可靠的手术效果评价结果,最终提高隆胸手术患者的满意度。方法:选取接受假体法隆胸术患者共60例,在手术之前、术后6个月使用SF-36生命质量量表和Rosenberg自尊量表进行生命质量状况和自尊状况的测量评估,并和常模进行比较。结果:接受假体法隆胸患者术前SF-36生命质量量表中社会功能(SF)和精神健康(MH)两项得分明显低于常模(P0.01);术后6个月量表中社会功能(SF)和精神健康(MH)两项水平有显著改善(P0.01);Rosenberg自尊量表显示患者术后6个月的自尊水平较术前有明显的改善(P0.001)。结论:假体法隆胸手术能使患者的生命质量得到一定程度的改善,隆胸手术对患者的自尊水平有积极的显著的影响。     

Validating the SF-36 health survey questionnaire: new outcome measure for primary care.

OBJECTIVES--To test the acceptability, validity, and reliability of the short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and to compare it with the Nottingham health profile. DESIGN--Postal survey using a questionnaire booklet together with a letter from the general practitioner. Non-respondents received two reminders at two week intervals. The SF-36 questionnaire was retested on a subsample of respondents two weeks after the first mailing. SETTING--Two general practices in Sheffield. PATIENTS--1980 patients aged 16-74 years randomly selected from the two practice lists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Scores for each health dimension on the SF-36 questionnaire and the Nottingham health profile. Response to questions on recent use of health services and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS--The response rate for the SF-36 questionnaire was high (83%) and the rate of completion for each dimension was over 95%. Considerable evidence was found for the reliability of the SF-36 (Cronbach''s alpha greater than 0.85, reliability coefficient greater than 0.75 for all dimensions except social functioning) and for construct validity in terms of distinguishing between groups with expected health differences. The SF-36 was able to detect low levels of ill health in patients who had scored 0 (good health) on the Nottingham health profile. CONCLUSIONS--The SF-36 is a promising new instrument for measuring health perception in a general population. It is easy to use, acceptable to patients, and fulfils stringent criteria of reliability and validity. Its use in other contexts and with different disease groups requires further research.