scholarly journals Concurrent validity and intrarater reliability of two ultrasound-based methods for assessing patellar tendon stiffness

Ultrasound ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1742271X2199460
Author(s):  
P Henriksen ◽  
K Brage ◽  
T Junge ◽  
B Juul-Kristensen ◽  
J Bojsen-Møller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Intrarater Reliability ◽  
Kendall’S Tau ◽  
Reference Tissue ◽  
Kendall's Tau ◽  
Tendon Stiffness ◽  
Relative Reliability ◽  
Strain Elastography ◽  
Absolute Reliability

Introduction Assessment of tendon stiffness in vivo traditionally involves maximal muscle contractions, which can be challenging in pain populations. Alternative methods are suggested, although the clinimetric properties are sparse. This study investigated the concurrent validity and the intrarater reliability of two ultrasound-based methods for assessing patellar tendon stiffness. Methods Patellar tendon stiffness was assessed in 17 healthy adults with (a) the dynamometer and B-mode ultrasonography method (DBUS) and (b) the strain elastography method. Correlations between the two methods were analysed using Kendall’s Tau-b. The relative reliability of both methods was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The absolute reliability was presented by Bland–Altman plots, standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC). Results No correlation was found between the two methods, irrespective of reference tissue in strain elastography (Kendall’s Tau-b Hoffa = –0.01 (p = 1.00), Kendall’s Tau-b subcutis = 0.04 (p = 0.87)). Tracking of the tendon elongation in the DBUS method had good to excellent relative reliability (ICC = 0.95 (95% confidence interval – CI: 0.85–0.98)) and high absolute reliability (SEM = 0.04 mm (1%), MDC = 0.11 mm (3%)). The strain elastography method had good to excellent relative reliability, regardless of reference tissue (ICC Hoffa = 0.95 (95% CI: 0.86–0.98), ICC subcutis = 0.94 (95% CI: 0.82–0.98)), but low absolute reliability (SEM Hoffa = 0.06 (20%), MDC Hoffa = 0.18 (60%), SEM subcutis = 0.12 (41%), MDC subcutis = 0.32 (110%)). Conclusions No concurrent validity existed for DBUS and strain elastography, suggesting that the two methods measure different tendon properties. The overall reliability for the DBUS method was high, but the absolute reliability was low for strain elastography stiffness ratios. Therefore, the strain elastography method may not be recommended for tracking differences in patellar tendon stiffness in healthy adults.

scholarly journals Agreement of the mMRC and NYHA scales for assessing the impact of self-rated breathlessness in cardiopulmonary disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 00460-2021
Author(s):  
Zainab Ahmadi ◽  
Helena Igelström ◽  
Jacob Sandberg ◽  
Josefin Sundh ◽  
Magnus Sköld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Kendall’S Tau ◽  
Kendall's Tau ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundFunctional impact of breathlessness is assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale in chronic respiratory disease and with the New York Heart Association Functional Classification (NYHA) scale in heart failure. We evaluated agreement between the scales and their concurrent validity with other clinically relevant patient-reported outcomes in cardiorespiratory disease.MethodsOutpatients with stable chronic respiratory disease or heart failure were recruited. Agreement between mMRC and NYHA was analysed using Cramer's V and Kendall's Tau B. Concurrent validity was evaluated using correlations with clinically relevant measures of breathlessness, anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life. Analyses were conducted in all participants and separately in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure.ResultsIn a total of 182 participants with cardiorespiratory disease, agreement between mMRC and NYHA was moderate (Cramer's V: 0.46; Kendall's Tau B: 0.57,) with similar results in COPD (Cramer's V: 0.46; Kendall's Tau B: 0.66) and in heart failure (Cramer's V: 0.46; Kendall's Tau B: 0.67). In the total population, the scales correlated in similar ways to the other patient-reported outcomes.ConclusionIn outpatients with cardiorespiratory disease, the mMRC and NYHA scales show moderate to strong correlations and similar associations with other patient-reported outcomes. This supports that the scales are comparable when assessing the impact of breathlessness on function and patient-reported outcomes.

scholarly journals Workload for radiologists during on-call hours: dramatic increase in the past 15 years

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. M. Bruls ◽  
R. M. Kwee
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Kendall Test ◽  
Kendall’S Tau ◽  
Kendall's Tau ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Past ◽  
Relative Value ◽  
Burn Out ◽  
Picture Archiving And Communication ◽  
Ct Studies

Abstract Background The objective of this study is to investigate the workload for radiologists during on-call hours and to quantify the 15-year trend in a large general hospital in Western Europe. Methods Data regarding the number of X-ray, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) studies during on-call hours (weekdays between 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m., weekends, and national holidays) between 2006 and 2020 were extracted from the picture archiving and communication system. All studies were converted into relative value units (RVUs) to estimate the on-call workload. The Mann–Kendall test was performed to assess the temporal trend. Results The total RVUs during on-call hours showed a significant increase between 2006 and 2020 (Kendall's tau-b = 0.657, p = 0.001). The overall workload in terms of RVUs during on-call hours has quadrupled. The number of X-ray studies significantly decreased (Kendall's tau-b = − 0.433, p = 0.026), whereas the number of CT studies significantly increased (Kendall's tau-b = 0.875, p < 0.001) between 2006 and 2020. CT studies which increased by more than 500% between 2006 and 2020 are CT for head trauma, brain CTA, brain CTV, chest CT (for suspected pulmonary embolism), spinal CT, neck CT, pelvic CT, and CT for suspected aortic dissection. The number of ultrasound studies did not change significantly (Kendall's tau-b = 0.202, p = 0.298). Conclusions The workload for radiologists during on-call hours increased dramatically in the past 15 years. The growing amount of CT studies is responsible for this increase. Radiologist and technician workforce should be matched to this ongoing increasing trend to avoid potential burn-out and to maintain quality and safety of radiological care.

scholarly journals Patellar and Achilles Tendon Stiffness in Elite Soccer Players Assessed Using Myotonometric Measurements

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iver Cristi-Sánchez ◽  
Claudia Danes-Daetz ◽  
Alejandro Neira ◽  
Wilson Ferrada ◽  
Roberto Yáñez Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Tendon Stiffness ◽  
Handheld Device

Background: Tendon overuse injuries are an issue in elite footballers (soccer players) and may affect tendon function. Achilles and patellar tendinopathy are the most frequent pathologies. Tendon stiffness, the relationship between the force applied to a tendon and the displacement exerted, may help represent tendon function. Stiffness is affected by training and pathology. Nevertheless, information regarding this mechanical property is lacking for elite soccer athletes. Hypothesis: Achilles and patellar tendon stiffness assessed using myotonometric measurements will be greater in elite soccer athletes than in control participants. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Forty-nine elite soccer athletes and 49 control participants were evaluated during the 2017 preseason. A handheld device was used to measure Achilles and patellar tendon stiffness. Dominant and nondominant limbs were assessed for both groups. Results: A significantly stiffer patellar tendon was found for both the dominant and the nondominant limb in the elite soccer athletes compared with the control group. Nevertheless, no differences were found in Achilles tendon stiffness between groups. When comparing between playing positions in soccer athletes, no significant differences were found for both tendons. Conclusion: Greater patellar tendon stiffness may be related to an improvement in force transmission during muscle contraction. On the other hand, it seems that after years of professional training, Achilles tendon stiffness does not change, conserving the storing-releasing function of elastic energy. The nonsignificant differences between positions may be attributable to the years of homogeneous training that the players underwent. Clinical Relevance: The present study shows another technique for measuring mechanical properties of tendons in soccer athletes that could be used in clinical settings. In the future, this technique may help clinicians choose the best exercise protocol to address impairments in tendon stiffness.

scholarly journals High association of COVID-19 severity with poor gut health score in Lebanese patients

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258913
Author(s):  
Imad Al Kassaa ◽  
Sarah El Omari ◽  
Nada Abbas ◽  
Nicolas Papon ◽  
Djamel Drider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Equal Proportion ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Kendall’S Tau ◽  
High Association ◽  
Kendall's Tau ◽  
Health Score ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
The Impact

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of lives globally. However, the disease has presented more extreme challenges for developing countries that are experiencing economic crises. Studies on COVID-19 symptoms and gut health are scarce and have not fully analyzed possible associations between gut health and disease pathophysiology. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate a potential association between gut health and COVID-19 severity in the Lebanese community, which has been experiencing a severe economic crisis. Methods This cross-sectional study investigated SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive Lebanese patients. Participants were interviewed and gut health, COVID-19 symptoms, and different metrics were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression models. Results Analysis of the data showed that 25% of participants were asymptomatic, while an equal proportion experienced severe symptoms, including dyspnea (22.7%), oxygen need (7.5%), and hospitalization (3.1%). The mean age of the participants was 38.3 ±0.8 years, and the majority were males (63.9%), married (68.2%), and currently employed (66.7%). A negative correlation was found between gut health score and COVID-19 symptoms (Kendall’s tau-b = -0.153, P = 0.004); indicating that low gut health was associated with more severe COVID-19 cases. Additionally, participants who reported unhealthy food intake were more likely to experience severe symptoms (Kendall’s tau-b = 0.118, P = 0.049). When all items were taken into consideration, multiple ordinal logistic regression models showed a significant association between COVID-19 symptoms and each of the following variables: working status, flu-like illness episodes, and gut health score. COVID-19 severe symptoms were more common among patients having poor gut health scores (OR:1.31, 95%CI:1.07–1.61; P = 0.008), experiencing more than one episode of flu-like illness per year (OR:2.85, 95%CI:1.58–5.15; P = 0.001), and owning a job (OR:2.00, 95%CI:1.1–3.65; P = 0.023). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study that showed the impact of gut health and exposure to respiratory viruses on COVID-19 severity in Lebanon. These findings can facilitate combating the pandemic in Lebanon.

scholarly journals Hubungan Screen Based Activity dan Perilaku Makan dengan Status Gizi Anak Usia 10-12 Tahun (Studi di SDI Darush Sholihin Kabupaten Nganjuk)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Silvia Alfinnia ◽  
Lailatul Muniroh ◽  
Dominikus Raditya Atmaka
Keyword(s):  
Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Kendall’S Tau ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Kendall's Tau ◽  
Food Frequency ◽  
Food Recall

ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Anak usia sekolah mengalami peningkatan kebutuhan gizi untuk tumbuh kembang. Di usia ini, anak-anak bisa memilih makanan maupun media bermain sesuai keinginan mereka. Aktivitas menggunakan layar yang berlebih serta perilaku makan yang buruk dapat memicu terjadinya obesitas.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan Screen Based Activity (SBA) dan perilaku makan dengan status gizi anak usia sekolah.Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain penelitian cross sectional. Penelitian dilakukan di SDI Darush Sholihin Kabupaten Nganjuk. Besar sampel sebanyak 48 siswa yang dipilih secara proportional random sampling. Pengumpulan data meliputi berat badan, tinggi badan, kuesioner SBA, Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), serta food recall 2x24 jam. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji korelasi Spearman dan Kendall’s tau dengan nilai signifikansi 0,05.Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada hubungan SBA (p=0,151), perilaku makan makanan pokok (p=0,101), perilaku makan lauk hewani (p=0,212), perilaku makan lauk nabati (p=0,829), perilaku makan sayuran (p=0,751) dan perilaku makan jajanan (p=0,109) dengan status gizi. Namun, terdapat hubungan perilaku makan buah (p=0,040) dengan status gizi.Kesimpulan: Konsumsi buah-buahan yang sering tanpa memperhatikan kandungan gula dan cara penyajian dapat memberikan risiko obesitas pada anak. Diperlukan pendidikan gizi kepada pihak sekolah maupun orang tua mengenai pembatasan SBA dan perilaku makan sehat terutama buah untuk mencapai tumbuh kembang yang optimal dan terhindar dari obesitas.

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