Goniometry of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, Part II: placement prefereces, interrater reliability, and concurrent validity.

The purposes of this repeated-measures single-case-design study were to describe goniometric placement preferences and their effect on the measurement of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, to determine interrater reliability, and to determine concurrent validity. Thirty-nine therapists measured one patient dorsally and laterally with the DeVore and the 6" clear goniometers. No significant differences were found between the two goniometers used in the study. Comparison of the means of lateral and dorsal measurements revealed that the only joint associated with a significant difference was the contracted index proximal interphalangeal joint (p=0.0347). Preferences did affect the standard deviations and ranges but not the means of the measurements. Interrater reliability was high (ICC 2,1: 0.99 and 0.86). Clinical and radiographic measurements were markedly different from each other (paired-difference t-tests), leading to inconclusive concurrent validity.

Very low birth weight children at school age: comparison of neonatal management methods.

The outcome of 293 infants born to a geographically defined community and weighing 501-1500 g was investigated. Medical intervention in the newborn period had been avoided. Morbidity was assessed at school age. Of the infants, 236 had been live born in the labour ward of this hospital; of these, 117 (49.6%) died in the neonatal period, one (0.4%) died in the first year, four (1.7%) were untraced, 13 (5.5%) had major handicap, 29 (12.3%) had minor handicap, and 72 (30.5%) were considered to be normal. In terms of survival, handicap, and intellectual with that of infants born over the same period (1963-71) in areas where intensive methods of perinatal care were used. These results imply that postnatal survival and potential of infants of very low birth weight are by no means prejudiced when only experienced nursing care is available.

Hereditary multiple exostosis. A comparative human-equine-epidemiologic study.

Hereditary multiple exostosis (HME), a bone tumor first described by Virchow, has been studied over a period of 15 years on a comparative basis. The horse, an excellent biomedical model for this physically deforming multiple bone tumor in man, has been utilized in this study. The etiology, hereditary pattern, potential for malignancy and other aspects of this strange affliction need additional clarification. This in-depth study of 261 individuals from 144 families was compared with that of 55 horses bearing the HME trait, selectively bred and studied over the same period. Important information has been collected and evaluated about this condition that is suspect of being frequently missed diagnostically, with a higher incidence in humans that recognized. Continuing development studies of offspring of the original study participants; sarcomatous transformation monitoring; and recently developed genetic techniques should add to our understanding of this puzzling hereditary condition.