Ankylosing spondylitis functional and activity indices in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians have at hand several indices to evaluate disease activity and functionality in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in order to evaluate the prognostic and the treatment of AS patients. OBJECTIVES: to examine the relationship between functional and activity scores in AS; to note whether disease activity is associated with any clinical or laboratory variables. METHODS: the study included AS patients, classified according to the revised New York criteria; data recorded: demographics, disease duration, type of articular involvement, HLA B27 presence, history of uveitis, calculation of BASFI, BASDAI and ASDASCRP, quantification of inflammation markers. RESULTS: 50 AS patients; ASDASCRP correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with BASFI (r = 811), BASDAI (r = 0.810) and with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; r = 0.505); HLA B27 positive patients had a median BASDAI 5 times higher than HLA B27 negative patients (p = 0.033); compared with patients with strictly axial disease form, patients with axial and peripheral disease had a median ESR 3 times higher (p = 0.042) and a median BASDAI 2 times higher (p = 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: functional and activity AS indices are strongly correlated in assessing disease severity; inflammation and HLA B27 can predict the high value of these indices; axial and peripheral disease pattern is associated with higher disease activity.

Statistical association criteria in forensic psychiatry-a criminological evaluation of casuistry.

PURPOSE: Identification of potential shared primary psychoprophylaxis and crime prevention is measured by analyzing the rate of commitments for patients-subjects to forensic examination. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The statistic trial is a retrospective, document-based study. The statistical lot consists of 770 initial examination reports performed and completed during the whole year 2007, primarily analyzed in order to summarize the data within the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Bucharest, Romania (INML), with one of the group variables being 'particularities of the psychiatric patient history', containing the items 'forensic onset', 'commitments within the last year prior to the examination' and 'absence of commitments within the last year prior to the examination'. The method used was the Kendall bivariate correlation. For this study, the authors separately analyze only the two items regarding commitments by other correlation alternatives and by modern, elaborate statistical analyses, i.e. recording of the standard case study variables, Kendall bivariate correlation, cross tabulation, factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. RESULTS: The results are varied, from theoretically presumed clinical nosography (such as schizophrenia or manic depression), to non-presumed (conduct disorders) or unexpected behavioral acts, and therefore difficult to interpret. CONCLUSIONS: One took into consideration the features of the batch as well as the results of the previous standard correlation of the whole statistical lot. The authors emphasize the role of medical security measures that are actually applied in the therapeutic management in general and in risk and second offence management in particular, as well as the role of forensic psychiatric examinations in the detection of certain aspects related to the monitoring of mental patients.

[Displaced fractures of the middle third of the forearm in children. The therapeutic considerations]. / Fracturile cu deplasare ale 1/3 medii a antebratului la copil. Consideratii terapeutice.

There been studied 100 cases of fractures of the middle third of both bones of forearm in child for to assess the correctitude of the therapy, based on the analysis of results. The most correct surgical techniques consist of osteosynthesis with Kirschner wire of the both bones, knowing the particularities of the fracture linea in child and the minimal tissues' damages. In the child younger then 10 years old, the open reduction is rarely necessary. Any displaced fracture of middle third of both bones of forearm, whatever the age of the child would be orthopedically reduced, before performing the surgical therapy. The unstable osteosynthesis such as simple screw "osteosynthesis" with wire or thread are contraindicated.