Shape-texture-identification-STI-A test for tactile gnosis: Concurrent validity of STI2.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. INTRODUCTION: The shape-texture-identification (STI) test (Össur Nordic AB, Sweden) is used to evaluate one aspect of tactile gnosis in nerve disorders, and it has proven good methodological properties. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: A new version of the STI test was recently introduced-STI2 (www.sensory-test.com). The purpose of this study was to test the concurrent validity in STI2. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, this methodological study compared STI2 to the original version based on 2 cohorts; 1 including 20 persons (1 affected finger and corresponding finger on in opposite hand) with affected sensibility after hand injuries and 1 healthy group including 20 persons (digits II and V in both hands). The agreement between the 2 versions of the instrument was calculated statistically by a percentage comparison of the test results and weighted kappa. RESULTS: The 112 tested fingers showed a complete agreement, or 1-point accepted deviation, between the 2 tests in 92% with weighted kappa of 0.74 and 95% confidence interval of 0.63-0.89. The result showed that there is no significant deviation between the 2 versions of the test. DISCUSSION: The use of standardizes and evidence based assessment tools in clinical practice is paramount for a patient centered healthcare. Previous research has shown good psychometric proprties in the STI-test. This study contributes to the scientific evidence of the instrument. CONCLUSION: As the new STI2 proved good agreement within the accepted deviation, we conclude that there is evidence to use the new STI2 test in assessment of tactile gnosis.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension: rule of thirds in the Skaraborg project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension in a Swedish population during the early 2000s to address implications for care and prevention. DESIGN: A cross-sectional population survey. SETTING: Primary health care in Skaraborg, a rural part of western Sweden. SUBJECTS: Participants (n =2816) in a population survey of a random sample of men and women between 30 and 75 years of age in the municipalities of Vara (81% participation rate) and Skövde (70%), in western Sweden during 2001-2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, leisure-time physical activity, current smoking, fasting glucose, and cholesterol. Hypertension was defined as ongoing treatment for hypertension, or three consecutive blood pressure readings ≥140 systolic and/or ≥90 mmHg diastolic. Hypertension was considered controlled when the blood pressure was <140/90 mm Hg (both). RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 20% in both men and women with a steep increase by age. Among hypertensive subjects, 33% were unaware, 36% aware but uncontrolled, and 31% aware and controlled, with no statistically significant differences between men and women. Patients with diabetes had a higher awareness (87% vs. 64%, p <0.001), but the same control rate (56% vs. 44%, p =0.133), when compared with those without diabetes. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of subjects with hypertension are still unaware of their condition, or aware but not controlled. It is important to emphasize population-based prevention to reduce the prevalence of hypertension, to perform screening to increase awareness, and to improve implementation of expert guidelines in clinical practice to improve control.