Schirmer test performed with open and closed eyes: variations in normal individuals.

PURPOSE: To analyze the difference between measurements of Schirmer test I (STI) and basal Schirmer test (STB) with open and closed eyes. METHODS: Sixty eyes of 30 normal volunteers, 12 males and 18 females aged 28 +/- 9 years were recruited for the study. All ST were carried out in a closed environment with the absence of airflow (humidity 60 +/- 2.34% and temperature 20.72 +/- 1.52 degrees C). STI and STB were performed with the individuals' both eyes open and closed with an interval of 6 hours. All ST were conducted in 5 minutes. For statistical analysis, the ST strip's wetting velocity (STV) (in millimeters per minute) was calculated, dividing the ST values by its wetting time. If ST values were 35 mm before 5 minutes, wetting time was recorded to obtain STV. RESULTS: STV measurements of STI performed with closed eyes (10.30 +/- 11.55) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (18.85 +/- 17.88) and STV measurements of STB performed with closed eyes (3.74 +/- 3.14) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (6.19 +/- 5.86). CONCLUSION: ST performed with open or closed eyes can have an important influence in the results of STI and STB in normal individuals.

Schirmer test performed with open and closed eyes: variations in normal individuals / Comparação entre os testes de Schirmer em olhos abertos e fechados em indivíduos normais

PURPOSE: To analyze the difference between measurements of Schirmer test I (ST I) and basal Schirmer test (STB) with open and closed eyes. METHODS: Sixty eyes of 30 normal volunteers, 12 males and 18 females aged 28 ± 9 years were recruited for the study. All ST were carried out in a closed environment with the absence of airflow (humidity 60 ± 2.34 percent and temperature 20.72 ± 1.52ºC). ST I and ST B were performed with the individuals' both eyes open and closed with an interval of 6 hours. All ST were conducted in 5 minutes. For statistical analysis, the ST strip's wetting velocity (ST V) (in millimeters per minute) was calculated, dividing the ST values by its wetting time. If ST values were 35mm before 5 minutes, wetting time was recorded to obtain ST V. RESULTS: ST V measurements of ST I performed with closed eyes (10.30 ± 11.55) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (18.85 ± 17.88) and ST V measurements of STB performed with closed eyes (3.74 ± 3.14) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (6.19 ± 5.86). CONCLUSION: ST performed with open or closed eyes can have an important influence in the results of ST I and STB in normal individuals.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a diferença das medidas dos testes de Schirmer I e Schirmer basal realizados com os olhos abertos e olhos fechados. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 60 olhos de 30 indivíduos normais com idade média de 28 ± 9 anos. A umidade média do ar foi de 60 ± 2,34 por cento e a temperatura média de 20,72 ± 1,52ºC. No primeiro dia, foi feito o teste de Schirmer I com os olhos abertos. Após um intervalo de 6 horas, foi realizado o teste de Schirmer I com os olhos fechados. No segundo dia, foi realizado o mesmo procedimento com o teste de Schirmer basal. Para fins de comparação, as medidas das tiras de papel foram divididas pelo tempo de umedecimento das tiras (velocidade) para análise estatística. RESULTADOS:No teste de Schirmer I realizado com os olhos abertos, a medida de umedecimento das tiras mostrou ser estatisticamente maior quando comparado com a medida do mesmo teste realizado com olhos fechados (p<0,0001). No teste de Schirmer basal realizado com os olhos abertos, a medida de umedecimento das tiras mostrou ser estatisticamente maior quando comparado com a medida do mesmo teste realizado com olhos fechados (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: As medidas do teste de Schirmer I com olhos fechados foram estatisticamente diferentes do realizado com olhos abertos. As medidas do teste de Schirmer basal com olhos fechados foram estatisticamente diferentes do realizado com olhos abertos.

Cold stimulus-fingertip lacticemy: standardization of the test in normal volunteers and diagnostic application for systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To standardize the cold stimulus-fingertip lacticemy test (CS-FTL) in normal individuals and to establish reference levels for discrimination of normal individuals and patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: FTL was determined before (pre-CS) and 3, 8, and 13 min after cold stimulus (post-CS) in 94 normal controls according to gender and age. Diagnostic performance of DeltaCS-FTL (percentage difference between post- and pre-CS-FTL) was tested comparing 25 SSc patients and the 94 normal individuals by ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: Successive FTL determinations in the same fingertip yielded consistent results and the whole CS-FTL test proved to be reproducible. Pre-CS-FTL in SSc patients was higher than in normal controls (P<0.001). FTL decreased after cold stimulus (negative DeltaCS-FTL) in normal controls while SSc patients presented positive DeltaCS-FTL. Gender did not influence pre-CS-FTL and post-CS-FTL in normal controls. The decrease in FTL after cold stimulus was more prominent for normal individuals between 25 and 34 years old in comparison to other age subgroups, with statistical significance for females at 3 min post-CS (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed better diagnostic performance with post-CS-FTL at 8 and 13 min. CONCLUSION: CS-FTL test provides a reproducible quantitative biochemical parameter that reflects fingertip microcirculation status and was able to discriminate patients with SSc and normal controls, with optimal performance with post-CS-FTL at 8 to 13 min.