Development of a valid and reliable seven emotions impairment questionnaire and assessment of its predictability for phlegm and blood stasis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a Seven Emotions Impairment questionnaire (SEIQ), to define an optimum cut-off point for the SEIQ, and to examine whether SEI was predictive of Phlegm and Blood Stasis (BS). METHODS: Two hundred outpatients and 75 college students were asked to complete the SEIQ, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Phlegm Pattern Questionnaire (PPQ), and BS Questionnaire (BSQ). Twelve clinicians determined whether the outpatients exhibited SEI. SEIQ data were used to examine the internal consistency and determine validity for the outpatients. SEIQ, POMS, PPQ, and BSQ data were used to examine concurrent validity and predictability of SEI for Phlegm and BS in the college students. Total SEIQ scores and the clinicians' diagnoses of the outpatients were considered to define an optimum cut-off score for the SEIQ. RESULTS: The 18-item SEIQ had satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.905) and concurrent validity. In the construct validity test, four factors (chest-anxiety, fatigue-depression, working-family-troubles, and sleep-memory) were identified. In the receiver operator characteristic curve curve analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the SEIQ were 67.2%, 72.1%, and 73%, respectively. The optimum cut-off score was defined as nine points. SEIQ scores were strongly predictive of Phlegm and BS (ß = 0.862 and 0.673, respectively). CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we concluded that the SEIQ is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating SEI, and is strongly predictive of Phlegm and BS.

Development and validation of a Lao Juan questionnaire / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>Lao Juan (LJ, ) is a syndrome described in Chinese medicine (CM) that manifests with fatigue, fever, spontaneous sweating, indigestion, work-induced pain, weakness of the limbs, and shortness of breath. The present study was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of a Lao Juan Questionnaire (LJQ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 151 outpatients and 73 normal subjects were asked to complete the LJQ. Seventy-three normal subjects were additionally asked to complete the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS). Twelve clinicians determined whether the 151 outpatients exhibited LJ or not. The internal consistency and construct validity for the LJQ were estimated using data from the outpatient subjects. The CFS data were used to examine the concurrent validity of the LJQ. Total LJQ scores and the clinicians᾿diagnoses of the outpatients were used to perform receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses and to define an optimum cut-off score for the LJQ.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 19-item LJQ had satisfactory internal consistency (α=0.828) and concurrent validity, with significant correlations between the LJQ and the CFS subscales. In the test of construct validity using principal component analysis, a total of six factors were extracted, and the overall variance explained by all factors was 59.5%. In ROC curve analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 76.0%, 59.2%, and 0.709, respectively. The optimum cut-off score was defined as six points.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our results suggest that the LJQ is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating LJ.</p>

Hiatal Hernia in Neonate / 대한흉부외과학회지

The incidence of Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is 1 in 2000-5000 live births and hiatal hernia is even rarer especially in neonates. We experienced a case of congenital hiatal hernia (mixed type) in a week old female. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, the surgery was done. Through the right thoracotomy, Belsey-Mark IV fundoplication was performed after the reduction of herniated viscera. The patient was fed 3 days after operation. there has been no complaint for 6 months after discharge. Therefore, we present this case with overall review of the literature.