Predictive and classification capabilities of the timed up and go as a physical performance measure in hip osteoarthritis: a retrospective study of 606 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint pathology that significantly constrains functional capacity. Assessing the impact of hip OA on functionality is crucial for research and clinical practices. The study aimed to assess hip OA patients' functionality using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and to evaluate its diagnostic ability to differentiate between different grades of hip OA. We hypothesized that the severity of hip OA would impact the time required to complete the TUG test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (Ν = 606) with unilateral, primary hip OA were selected from de-identified data and divided according to the radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence classification system (groups: Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4). Groups' differences were assessed using the X2 test of independence and the one-way ANOVA model. Correlations between dependent and independent variables were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to assess the TUG test's ability to differentiate between the hip OA grades. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in age, gender distribution, TUG test, and occasional cane use (all p-values < 0.001). The correlation analysis shows a significant and strong positive correlation between TUG performance time and hip OA grades (r = .78, p < .001). The adjusted odds ratios (OR) were: Grade2-3=(2.29[95%CI: 1.89, 2.77], p < .001) and Grade3-4=(1.47[95%CI: 1.34, 1.62], p < .001). The TUG cut-off points from the ROC analysis were: Grades 2-3 = 10.25 s, Grades 2-4 = 11.35 s, and Grades 3-4 = 12.8 s. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the duration of the TUG test significantly increased with the severity of the disease. TUG can offer real-time data on the management and progression of hip OA. Future studies should explore the correlation between hip OA and the TUG test, as understanding the relationship can influence treatment and patient outcomes.

Lateral phase mucosal wave asymmetries in the clinical voice laboratory.

Anecdotally, in some persons it has been observed by the Senior Author (K.K.) that asymmetries of the mucosal wave exist when examined videostroboscopically. In the vast majority of these people, no pathology is ever discovered. Mucosal wave asymmetries could cause concern for the otolaryngologist, who may consider them to be a forewarning of subclinical pathology and subject the patient to unnecessary, expensive, and anxiety-provoking investigations or interventions. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of mucosal wave asymmetries in an asymptomatic population lacking laryngeal pathology. Acoustic spectral analysis is also utilized to determine if the presence of subharmonics might be associated. A hospital-based, cross-sectional study design was used. The subjects had no known vocal or medical pathologies, and were nonsmoking. The study group was composed of 30 males aged 35-50 years and 30 women between 22-55 years. Each of the males underwent acoustic spectral analysis; and all subjects completed a medical questionnaire, subjective talkativeness rating, and videostroboscopic laryngeal examination. 10.5% of the subjects (exact 95% CI = 4.0-21.5%) exhibited mucosal wave variations at stroboscopy, characterized as periodic lateral phase asymmetries found consistently in both the modal and upper registers. There was no association with the chosen acoustic spectral parameters, talkativeness scales, or questionnaire-based variables. Mucosal wave asymmetries may be a variance of normal, and are likely to be far more common in the general population than previously believed. The prevalence detected here is expected to be important in the clinical laryngology practice, where these asymmetries may be frequently encountered and influencing management decisions. There has been little normative data published for variations of the mucosal wave specifically for epidemiological purposes. Clinically, in the absence of such data, otolaryngologists may over interpret videostroboscopic findings, leading to unnecessary investigations or interventions.

Mucosal wave asymmetries in the clinical voice laboratory.

OBJECTIVE: Anecdotally, it has been observed that in some healthy middle-aged men, who have neither vocal complaints nor known vocal pathology, asymmetries of the mucosal wave exist when examined videostroboscopically. This may cause concern on the part of the otolaryngologist, who might consider mucosal wave asymmetries to be a forewarning of subclinical pathology and subject the patient to unnecessary, expensive, and anxiety-provoking investigations or interventions. The purpose of this study is to establish the presence of mucosal wave asymmetries in a healthy, asymptomatic subpopulation. Acoustic spectral analysis is also used to determine if the presence of subharmonics might be associated. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, cohort study design was used. The population was randomly selected, healthy, asymptomatic, nonsmoking men aged 35 to 50 years. Each subject completed acoustic spectral analysis and a medical questionnaire, followed by videostroboscopic laryngeal examination. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of the subjects exhibited mucosal wave variations at stroboscopy, characterized as periodic lateral phase asymmetries. There was no association with the acoustic spectral parameters chosen. CONCLUSION: Mucosal wave asymmetries may be a variance of normal. The 37% found here is expected to be very significant. Mucosal wave asymmetries are likely to be far more common in the general population than previously believed. There have been few normative data published for variations of the mucosal wave specifically for epidemiologic purposes. These results establish a starting point and justification for the normative population studies under way at our institution. Clinically, in the absence of such data, otolaryngologists may overinterpret videostroboscopic findings, leading to unnecessary investigations or interventions.