The conventional tuning fork as a quantitative tool for vibration threshold.

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to describe a method for quantifying vibration when using a conventional tuning fork (CTF) in comparison to a Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork (RSTF) and to provide reference values. METHODS: Vibration thresholds at index finger and big toe were obtained in 281 participants. Spearman's correlations were performed. Age, weight, and height were analyzed for their covariate effects on vibration threshold. Reference values at the fifth percentile were obtained by quantile regression. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients between CTF and RSTF values at finger/toe were 0.59/0.64 (P = 0.001 for both). Among covariates, only age had a significant effect on vibration threshold. Reference values for CTF at finger/toe for the age groups 20-39 and 40-60 years were 7.4/4.9 and 5.8/4.6 s, respectively. Reference values for RSTF at finger/toe for the age groups 20-39 and 40-60 years were 6.9/5.5 and 6.2/4.7, respectively. DISCUSSION: CTF provides quantitative values that are as good as those provided by RSTF. Age-stratified reference data are provided. Muscle Nerve 57: 49-53, 2018.

Well-being and flourishing mental health in adults with inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis in Manitoba, Canada: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Among people with immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID), including multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) most research has focused on mental illness rather than on mental health. We assessed dimensions of mental health among persons with IMID and compared them across IMID. We also evaluated demographic and clinical characteristics associated with flourishing mental health. DESIGN: Participants: Adults with an IMID (MS, 239; IBD, 225; RA 134; total 598) who were participating in a cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care centre in Manitoba, Canada. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Participants completed the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF), which measures emotional, psychological and social well-being, and identifies flourishing mental health. This outcome was added midway through the study on the advice of the patient advisory group. Depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue and physical function were also assessed. RESULTS: Total MHC-SF and subscale scores were similar across IMID groups. Nearly 60% of participants were considered to have flourishing mental health, with similar proportions across disease types (MS 56.5%; IBD 58.7%; RA 59%, p=0.95). Older age was associated with a 2% increased odds of flourishing mental health per year of age (OR 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.04). Clinically meaningful elevations in anxiety (OR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.51) and depressive symptoms (OR 0.074; 95% CI: 0.009 to 0.61) were associated with lower odds. Higher levels of pain, anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with lower total Mental Health Continuum scores at the 50th quantile. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of people with MS, IBD and RA reported flourishing mental health, with levels similar across the disease groups. Interventions targeting symptoms of depression and anxiety, and upper limb impairments, as well as resilience training may help a higher proportion of the IMID population achieve flourishing mental health.

Rare case of Mirizzi syndrome associated with cholecystogastric fistula.

A woman in her mid-30s presented with upper right quadrant abdominal pain. On examination, there was mild upper right quadrant tenderness and negative Murphy's sign. Basic laboratory investigations revealed normal results except for elevated alkaline phosphatase. Subsequent imaging revealed chronic calculous cholecystitis and the dilated common bile duct harbouring stones, with pneumobilia. The patient underwent open cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration. Intraoperatively, the gallbladder was found contracted, and densely adherent to and fistulising with the common bile duct and stomach.