Work Ability and Quality of Life in Patients with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

This study aimed to investigate level of work ability and quality of life (QOL) as well as the relationship between them among patients suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study design with continuous sampling and a questionnaire were used to obtain the research data. Controlling for personal characteristics, pain, psychological distress, and social support, multiple linear regressions were adopted to explore the relationship between work ability and overall QOL. Further analyses were also made to clarify the relationships between work ability and each domain of QOL. In total, 165 patients with WMSDs were recruited. Compared with general workers, the participants reported a lower level of work ability and overall QOL. Work ability was significantly associated with overall QOL when covariates were controlled. Among the four domains of QOL, work ability was significantly associated with both the physical and psychological domains. The conclusion was that work ability is a definite factor of QOL for patients with WMSDs; the essence of work ability may be beyond economic function or social support. Strategies to help workers with WMSDs enhance their work ability to fit their new or temporary jobs would be beneficial to their QOL.

Classifications of seizures and epilepsies, where are we? - A brief historical review and update.

In March 2017, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) announced their new classifications of seizures and epilepsies. Development of these classification systems led by the ILAE is a long and complicated process. Outsiders may find it difficult to understand the arguments behind. We summarize the major developmental milestones of the ILAE classification schemata. An update of the latest classification is also included. It is hope that this review can serve as an outline in learning the taxonomy in epileptology.

Value of Doppler ultrasonography in predicting deteriorating renal function after spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: The authors sought to study the relationship between Doppler ultrasonography and deterioration of renal function in patients with spinal cord injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients who underwent follow-up with radioisotopic renography were evaluated. Median patient age was 50 [interquartile ratio (IQR) 35-57] years, and time since injury was 4.7 (IQR 1.3-9.2) years. Following Doppler ultrasound, patients were divided into groups based on baseline renal resistive index (RRI): normal RRI (≤ 0.7), group 1 (n=14); and abnormal RRI (> 0.7), group 2 (n=5), and were followed up with radioisotopic renography 1 or more years later. Annual change in effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) was analysed. RESULTS: The 38 kidneys (two for each patient) were stratified by initial RRI, with 28 in group 1 and ten in group 2. Result of univariate generalised estimation equation (GEE) analysis for the factors affecting the change in effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) indicated that the high RRI value (RRI > 0.7) correlated with the change in ERPF. ERPF value in group 2 was significantly decreased (p=0.01) by an average of 60.33 ml/min (standard error = 23.26). CONCLUSIONS: An RRI > 0.7 is a risk factor for future renal function deterioration in patients with spinal cord injury. Thus, annual Doppler ultrasonography to assess the RRI and the degree of hydronephrosis is recommended.

Exercise motivation and processes of change in community-dwelling older persons.

Although exercise is important for the health of older persons, many older persons fail to participate in exercise. Knowledge and skills about changing exercise behavior is needed for health professionals to develop appropriate interventions to engage older persons in exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine how exercise processes of change were used by community-dwelling older persons to engage in exercise. A cross- sectional correlational design was employed. Cluster sampling was used to obtain potential subjects. A sample of 167 older persons participated in the study. The age of the participants ranged from 65 to 89 years (M = 73.7, SD = 6.14). Each participant was interviewed face-to-face with the investigator reading the questions and marking the answers on the Exercise Stages of Change Questionnaire and the Exercise Processes of Change Questionnaire. The results revealed that half of the older persons were underactive or inactive. One- way ANOVAs and Scheffe post-hoc analyses revealed that 10 processes of change were significantly different among the stages of change (all p values <.05). The study findings provide guidance in designing exercise interventions to increase compliance of older persons with exercise.