Psychometric Properties of the Greek Version of the Gianaros Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: The Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ) was developed in order to assess the multiple dimensions of the motion sickness syndrome (gastrointestinal, central nervous system, peripheral, and sopite-related symptoms). The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the MSAQ. METHODS: The MSAQ was translated into Greek and then translated back into English. Minor differences between the two texts were corrected. The Greek version was then administered to male subjects before and after nauseogenic motion stimulation. With the use of a motor driven rotating chair, the subjects were exposed to Coriolis cross-coupling stimulation. A battery of statistical tests was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the MSAQ. RESULTS: There were 112 subjects who participated. Internal consistency, measured with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was excellent for the total scale and subscales. The test-retest evaluation was done with Pearson's coefficient and Bland-Altman's plot for the total score and subscales and showed statistically significant results. Mean total MSAQ score was 19.04 before the exposure and 33.46 after the exposure, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Results suggest the Greek-MSAQ is a valid instrument with satisfactory internal consistency, reliability, reproducibility, validity, and responsiveness and can be used in future studies of motion sickness in Greek speaking populations. Kousoulis P, Pantes A, Alevetsovitis G, Fydanaki O. Psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Gianaros Motion Sickness Assessment Questionaire. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(11):954-957.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection aids with the outcome of motion sickness adaptation.

INTRODUCTION: Airsickness affects many aviators, especially at the beginning of their flight training. From the symptoms of airsickness, stomach awareness and nausea are among the most common and unpleasant. Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa is a common cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population, although it has seldom been associated with motion sickness in the scientific literature. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in all cases of pilot trainees taking basic flight training who were referred to the Hellenic Air Force Aeromedical Center due to airsickness and tested for H. pylori, for the time period 1996-2005. We compared the H.-pylori-positive pilots with the uninfected ones according to their responses to the habituation sorties and subsequent completion of the basic flight training as a whole. A statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The findings of the study suggest that diagnosing H. pylori infection and treating it with eradication therapy increases the possibility of a pilot trainee successfully completing the habituation flights, while it does not affect success in the basic flight training as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication therapy for H. pylori may provide a temporary reduction in reported nausea during flight training. The findings are not conclusive, but highly suggestive of a pathophysiologic link between H. pylori and motion sickness, needing further clarification through targeted studies.

Enteric infection in relapse of inflammatory bowel disease: importance of microbiological examination of stool.

OBJECTIVE: Previous reports have suggested that diarrhoeal relapses of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be associated or confused with enteric infection, and that treatment of such infections with appropriate antibiotics may be beneficial. To re-evaluate the suggestion that enteric infection is rare and microbiological testing of stool not routinely necessary in patients presenting with relapse of IBD, we have reviewed the incidence of concurrent infection in patients presenting in relapse over a recent 5-year period. METHODS: Stool microbiology results relating to relapses of IBD during the period 1997-2001 were obtained retrospectively. Relapse was confirmed by standard clinical, sigmoidoscopic and laboratory criteria. RESULTS: During the period 1997-2001 there were 237 relapses in 213 patients. Enteric infection was found in 25 (10.5%) relapses in 24 patients; in seven patients, infection was associated with the initial presentation of their IBD. Clostridium difficile toxin was detected in 13 (5.5%) instances; the 12 other infections (5% relapses) were Campylobacter spp. (five), Entamoeba histolytica (three), Salmonella spp. (one), Plesiomonas shigelloides (one), Strongyloides stercoralis (one) and Blastocystis hominis (one). There was a significant association between infection and the need for hospital admission. Of the 13 relapses associated with C. difficile, ten were in outpatients, seven patients had undergone previous antibiotic treatment, and four patients were presenting with IBD for the first time. All relapses resolved satisfactorily after treatment with antibiotics with or without corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of enteric infections, of which C. difficile was the most common, indicates that all patients presenting with relapse of IBD should have stool examined microbiologically.

Can somatostatin prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis? Results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), occurring in 1-10% of patients. Several substances have been used, with negative results, in an attempt to prevent this complication. METHODS: We performed a double-blind randomized trial in 372 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP to evaluate the role of somatostatin in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis. The first group received continuous somatostatin infusion for 12 h starting 30 min before ERCP, the second group received a bolus intravenous injection of somatostatin at the time of cannulation of the papilla, and the third group received a placebo. RESULTS: Two patients in each of the somatostatin groups (1.7%) and 12 patients in the placebo group (9.8%) developed pancreatitis (P<0.05). Serum amylase levels 5 and 24 h after the procedure were lower in both groups that received somatostatin than in the placebo group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Somatostatin is useful in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis. Further studies must be designed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the drug and to determine the ideal administration route and dosage.