Test of mastication and swallowing solids in healthy individuals aged 6 to 20 years: A normative study in an Indian context.

BACKGROUND: The Test of Mastication and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) is a reliable tool for assessing chewing and swallowing in healthy adults, using commercially available crackers. TOMASS-Children (TOMASS-C) is the paediatric version of TOMASS. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to establish normative data for TOMASS-C using a validated regional commercial cracker among healthy individuals aged between 6-20 years of India. METHODS: 327 healthy individuals between 6-20 years were recruited in a cross-sectional study design following a convenient sampling procedure. Participants consumed one validated regional cracker and the procedure was video recorded. Data were stratified according to age groups (6-7, 8-9, 10-13, 14-17 and 18-20 years) and sex (boys and girls). Two Speech Language Pathologists independently analysed the video recordings to derive discrete bites, masticatory cycles, swallows and total swallow time indices. Using them, time/swallow, masticatory cycles/bite, swallows/bite and time/bite were calculated. RESULTS: All parameters of TOMASS-C had moderate to good (0.6-0.85) test-retest reliability and moderate to excellent (0.69-0.99) inter-rater reliability at p > .000. Younger participants took more bites, chewed more times and swallowed more frequently with longer chewing and swallowing time. Boys exhibited a lower number of swallows, shorter swallow time and reduced total masticatory time at p > .05. Additionally, girls demonstrated fewer bites and chewing cycles compared to boys at p > .05. CONCLUSION: TOMASS-C using a validated regional cracker was feasible and reliable. Normative data established for healthy boys and girls between 6-20 years offers much-needed quantitative data to objectively delineate individuals with and without chewing and swallowing solid food difficulties.

Immunosuppression for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the effects of immunosuppression on Group 1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) with a search strategy developed by a medical librarian. We included retrospective, cross-sectional, case-control, prospective studies, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in our analysis and only included studies that contained data for patients with SLE. We included any immunosuppressive agents (including but not limited to cyclophosphamide, glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, and rituximab) We assessed for risk of bias and certainty of evidence. Outcomes included hemodynamics (as measured by pulmonary arterial hypertension), functional status, 6 minute walk test (6MWT), quality of life, mortality, and serious adverse events. RESULTS: We included three studies. One RCT and two single-arm interventional observational studies. The RCT had a high risk of bias whereas the two single-arm interventional studies were graded as fair quality. Meta-analysis could not be conducted because of insufficient data. The RCT showed significant improvements in hemodynamics (as measured by pulmonary arterial pressures) and functional status. One observational study showed improvements in hemodynamics, functional status, and 6MWT. There were insufficient data for serious adverse events, mortality, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high prevalence and with a poor prognosis, there is a paucity of data for the role of immunosuppression in the treatment of Group 1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in SLE. More high-quality studies are needed, especially to investigate serious adverse events and quality of life.

A Survey of Speech-Language Pathologists' Applications of Motor Learning Principles in Dysphagia Therapy in Adults in India.

PURPOSE: In the study, we investigated whether speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in India use practice and feedback conditions of motor learning principles (MLPs), including biofeedback, in dysphagia therapy in adults using a problem-solution approach. METHOD: Based on a literature review and clinical experience, we developed and validated a hypothetical case involving an adult with dysphagia (representing the problem) and a purpose-built 22-item questionnaire (representing the solution). We distributed the questionnaire electronically by sending an e-mail to 2,069 SLPs and also published a flyer on the dysphagia special interest group of India. RESULTS: A total of 107 SLPs anonymously submitted their responses. In practice conditions, most of the SLPs reported following massed over distributed, small over large, blocked over random, whole over part, variable over constant, and internal over external practice strategies. In feedback conditions, most of the participants reported using knowledge of results over performance, high over low, immediate over delayed, and self over therapist feedback strategies. Lastly, more than two thirds of SLPs did not use biofeedback devices for dysphagia therapy. CONCLUSION: The findings from our study indicate that SLPs in India do not adhere uniformly to the recommended practices of MLPs for dysphagia therapy in adults.

The Role of Systemic Therapy in the Management of Stage I Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal treatment strategy for resected stage I large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung (LCNEC) remains unknown. In this analysis, we evaluate the impact of systemic chemotherapy on patients with stage I LCNEC who have undergone surgical resection. METHODS: The study population included patients who underwent surgical resection for LCNEC and had pathologic stage I disease. We compared overall survival between patients who underwent surgical resection alone and those who underwent surgical resection plus chemotherapy. Overall survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparisons were analyzed by using multivariable Cox models and propensity score-matched analyses. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2013, 1232 patients underwent surgical resection for stage I LCNEC in the National Cancer Database, including 957 patients (77.7%) who underwent surgical resection alone and 275 (22.3%) who received both surgery and systemic chemotherapy. Five-year survival was significantly improved in patients who received chemotherapy (64.5% versus 48.4% [hazard ratio =0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.43-0.68, p < 0.001]). Multivariable Cox modeling confirmed the survival benefit from chemotherapy for patients with resected stage I LCNEC (hazard ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.43-0.68, p <0.0001). The survival benefit was further confirmed by propensity-matched analysis. In addition, older (age >70 years), comorbid white patients who underwent sublobar resections for tumors larger than 20 mm had worse survival outcomes. CONCLUSION: In this largest-reported retrospective study of patients with resected stage I LCNEC, survival was improved in patients who received chemotherapy in both stage IA and stage IB LCNEC.