Reliability, Construct and Predictive Validity of the Hong Kong Chinese Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability, construct validity and predictive validity of the Hong Kong Chinese version of the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (COMPSQ-HK). Methods The COMPSQ-HK was developed using the forward-backward translation. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficient with one-way random-effects model (ICC1,1), minimum detectable change (MDC) and 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Construct validity was evaluated by correlating the COMPSQ-HK with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12. The predictive validity was investigated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses with sick leave >60 days and return-to-work for ≥4 consecutive weeks as outcomes at 1 year follow-up. The areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Results The COMPSQ-HK was administered to 305 patients with acute/subacute low back pain and 160 patients with acute/subacute neck pain. The Cronbach's alphas and ICC1,1 ranged from 0.83 to 0.84 and 0.81 to 0.92 respectively. The MDC were 32.1 and 21.1. The 95% LoA were -32.4 to 31.8 and -15.4 to 26.7. The Pearson r ranged from 0.333 to 0.697 in absolute value. The AUC for the ROC curve analyses ranged from 0.59 to 0.71. Conclusions The COMPSQ-HK has good internal consistency, moderate test-retest reliability, satisfactory construct validity and predictive validity as a screening tool for patients with back and neck pain at risk of chronic disability.

Multifaceted ergonomic intervention programme for community nurses: pilot study.

AIM: This paper is a report of a pilot study conducted to investigate the effect of a tailor-made ergonomic intervention programme for community nurses. BACKGROUND: The nursing profession is known to be a high risk group for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Community nurses are at risk as they have to travel to patients' homes and work in varied environments daily. Their occupational risk factors are unique and intervention strategies need to be specially designed to address these issues. METHOD: The study was conducted from August 2007 to September 2008 in Hong Kong with community nurses from three hospitals. The intervention group (n = 14) received a multi-faceted ergonomic intervention programme over an 8-week period, with group training, onsite individual training, equipment modification, exercise programme, typing and computer workstation advice. The control group (n = 12) received no interventions. Both groups had baseline and follow-up assessments, which included musculoskeletal symptoms, perceived risk factors and functional outcome and physical mobility measures. RESULTS: The intervention group showed statistically significantly improved symptom scores and neck and upper limb functional outcomes at postintervention. The control group showed no change in symptom or functional outcomes. CONCLUSION: A multifaceted intervention programme may be more effective than interventions that mainly focus on ergonomic training and could be considered by community or home care nursing groups in other countries. The programme was based on risk assessment and may be a useful reference for other nursing groups in other countries.

Pituitary adenoma presenting with visual complications.

A pituitary adenoma is a benign tumour of the pituitary gland. The anatomical position and pathological expansion of a pituitary adenoma characteristically results in a bitemporal visual field defect which may or may not be apparent to the affected individual. The patient described in this report did not realise that a visual field loss was present until he presented for a routine eye examination. Optometrists, together with medical practitioners, can help diagnose patients with brain tumours. Automated perimeters can facilitate the optometrist's role.