Comparison of counseling methods to promote employment for HIV+ ADULTS

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Martin C. McElhiney ◽  
Judith G. Rabkin ◽  
Milton L. Wainberg ◽  
Madeline R. Finkel ◽  
Jennifer Scodes
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Multiple Issues ◽  
Employment Goals ◽  
Vocational Goals ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Government Benefits ◽  
Career Direction

BACKGROUND: Despite improved health and during a strong job market (pre-COVID-19), a substantial proportion of HIV+ adults remained unemployed. This study sought to provide time-limited counseling to promote employment goals. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether behavioral activation (BA) or supportive counseling (SC), would be more effective in promoting vocational goals (full or part-time, paid or volunteer). METHODS: The study included two groups: those with clinically significant fatigue, who were first treated with armodafinil. Once their fatigue diminished, they were enrolled in the counseling program. Those without fatigue were enrolled directly. Both BA and SC interventions were manualized, consisting of eight individual sessions plus a follow-up. RESULTS: 116 participants entered counseling, including 87 assigned to BA and 29 to SC. Of these, 79 completed counseling or found a job by session eight. By follow-up, 51%of BA versus 41%of SC participants had found jobs, a non-significant difference either clinically or statistically. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple issues contributed to difficulty in employment, including gaps in resumes, loss of contact with former colleagues, and uncertainty about career direction. Ongoing barriers included substance use, housing instability, ambivalence about forfeiting government benefits, as well as inadequately treated depression. Success in employment for about half of participants is, in this context, a reasonable outcome.

scholarly journals Retrospective Analysis of Reoperation Rate After Standard Lumbar Discectomy and Microdiscectomy - Single Center Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vojin Kovacevic ◽  
Nemanja Jovanovic
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Reoperation Rate ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Single Center Experience ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Recurrent Herniation ◽  
Clinically Significant

Abstract Discectomy is a surgical procedure in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) if sciatica or neurological deficits occur and still persist after a course of conservative therapy. Standard discectomy (SD) and microdiscectomy (MD) are still equal in curent clinical practice. Many retrospective and prospective studies have shown that there is no clinically significant difference in the functional outcome after two treatment modalities. The aim of our study was to determine whether there are differences in the incidence of reoperation after performing SD and MD. The research included 545 patients with average period of postoperative follow-up of approximately 5.75 years. Standard discectomy was performed in 393 patients (72.11%), and micro-discectomy in 152 (27.8%) patients. The total number of reoperated patients was 37/545, or 6.78%. In the SD group, the number of reoperated patients was 33/393 (8.39%) and in the MD group 4/152 or 2.63%. Statistically significant difference (p <0.05) was recorded in favor of the MD group. Although it has been proven that both SD and MD give good endpoints of treatment and similar functional recovery, the advantage is given to microdiscectomy due to statistically significantly lower rates of recurrent herniation. This result is attributed to better visualization of neural structures and pathological substrates, as well as their mutual relationship.

scholarly journals One year follow-up of a case series using the iBalance medial opening wedge HTO system and an accelerated rehabilitation program

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967117S0018
Author(s):  
Kaushik Hazratwala
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Tibial Slope ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Opening Wedge ◽  
Loss Of Correction ◽  
Accelerated Rehabilitation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant

Objectives: To investigate the clinical outcome and postoperative alignment changes changes to following computer navigated medial opening wedge HTO using the iBalance HTO system Methods: We performed a prospective observational series at a single centre of 20 consecutive patients undergoing computer navigated high tibial osteotomy by a single surgeon. The surgical device used to maintain the osteotomy was the Arthrex iBalance® HTO system. We compared preoperative and postoperative ROM, WOMAC, Lysholm, IKDC, alignment and the inferred tibial slope. We also measured the tibiofemoral angle on long leg weight bearing plain radiographs at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year and calculated any change from the initial correction measured at 2 weeks to asses any loss of correction over 1-year time frame. We also correlated clinical outcome with loss of correction. Results: Regarding intraoperative results, the mean navigated correction to HKA was 5.4°±1.3°. No significant change was found to the knee sagittal angle posteroperatively (pre op mean 0.1°±4.4°, post op mean 0.81°±5.1°; p> 0.05). No significant change was found to the post operative ROM (pre op mean 125.4°±41.5°, post op mean 123.9°±34.4°; p> 0.05). The IKDC, Lysholm and WOMAC scores showed a significant difference, between 6 week to 3 months and 3 months to 6 months follow-up. After this time point scores did not show and statistical significant difference. The IKDC, Lysholm and WOMAC scores all demonstrate a general improvement over 12 months. One patient had to be removed from the study, as he had a lateral cortex breach at three months, and was converted to a TKR. There was a significant loss of correction between 2 weeks and 6 weeks, and again a significant loss of correction between 6 weeks and 3 months. However, the average loss of correction was measured radiographically to be 1.6°±1.7°, between 2 week and 12 month postoperative follow-up. Though this may be statistically significant, it is not clinically significant when compared to PROMs. We divided the loss of correction into greater than 1.5° and less than 1.5° and compared them to measured PROMs at all time points. We found no significant correlation between increased loss of correction and poorer PROM scores. Conclusion: Computer assisted iBalance medial opening wedge HTO with accelerated rehabilitation program does radiographically show loss of correction over 12 months. However it is not clinically significant when compared to PROMs. ROM and inferred tibial slope is preserved.

scholarly journals Microaneurysm Turnover in Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy is Associated with Progression and Development of Vision-Threatening Complications: A 5-Year Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2142
Author(s):  
Ana Rita Santos ◽  
Luis Mendes ◽  
Maria Helena Madeira ◽  
Ines P. Marques ◽  
Diana Tavares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Predictive Biomarker ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Background: Analysis of retinal microaneurysm turnover (MAT) has been previously shown to contribute to the identification of eyes at risk of developing clinically significant complications associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). We propose to further characterize MAT as a predictive biomarker of DR progression and development of vision-threatening complications. Methods: 212 individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D; ETDRS grades 20 and 35) were evaluated annually in a 5-year prospective, longitudinal study, by color fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. Endpoints were diabetic macular edema (DME) or proliferative retinopathy (PDR). MAT analysis included determination of MA formation and disappearance rates, automatically assessed using the RetMarkerDR®. Retinopathy severity progression was evaluated using step increases in ETDRS severity levels. Results: Of the 212 individuals, 172 completed the 5-year follow-up study or developed an endpoint (n = 27). MAT calculated at 1 year showed a significant difference between groups of endpoint developments (p = 0.018), particularly MA disappearance rate (p = 0.007). MAT also showed a significant difference between eyes with different ETDRS severity progression in the 5-year period (p = 0.035). Conclusions: MAT is an indicator of the development of DME and/or PDR as well as of DR severity progression in T2D individuals with mild retinopathy.

scholarly journals Persistence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Depends on the Analytical Kit: A Report for Up to 10 Months after Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Favresse ◽  
Christine Eucher ◽  
Marc Elsen ◽  
Constant Gillot ◽  
Sandrine Van Eeckhoudt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Antibody Assays ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Kinetics Of

Several studies have described the long-term kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies but long-term follow-up data, i.e., >6 months, are still sparse. Additionally, the literature is inconsistent regarding the waning effect of the serological response. The aim of this study was to explore the temporal dynamic changes of the immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized and non-hospitalized symptomatic patients over a period of 10 months. Six different analytical kits for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection were used. Positivity rates, inter-assay agreement and kinetic models were determined. A high inter-individual and an inter-methodology variability was observed. Assays targeting total antibodies presented higher positivity rates and reached the highest positivity rates sooner compared with assays directed against IgG. The inter-assay agreement was also higher between these assays. The stratification by disease severity showed a much-elevated serological response in hospitalized versus non-hospitalized patients in all assays. In this 10-month follow-up study, serological assays showed a clinically significant difference to detect past SARS-CoV-2 infection with total antibody assays presenting the highest positivity rates. The waning effect reported in several studies should be interpreted with caution because it could depend on the assay considered.

Repeatability of Retinal Macular Thickness Measurements in Patients with Clinically Significant Macular Edema Using Two Different Scanning Protocols of Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography

2015 ◽  
Vol 234 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tito Fiore ◽  
Marco Lupidi ◽  
Sofia Androudi ◽  
Fabrizio Giansanti ◽  
Daniela Fruttini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Coherence Tomography ◽  
Macular Edema ◽  
Retinal Thickness ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Optical Coherence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant Macular Edema ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Thickness Measurements

Objective: To determine the repeatability of Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal thickness measurements in diabetic patients with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) using two different scanning protocols. Methods: Seventy-one eyes of 71 diabetic patients with CSME were included in the study. Coefficients of repeatability and intrasession variation coefficients were tested with 20 × 15 degree raster scans consisting of 19 or 37 high-resolution line scans (15 or 8 frames per scan, respectively) that were repeated 2 times by 1 experienced examiner. The first scan was set as the reference scan; the second scan was the follow-up scan and was performed with the use of the follow-up mode. Results: The mean and standard deviation for the central foveal subfield (CSF) using the first scanning method was 404 ± 88 μm, while it was 399 ± 86 μm using the second protocol, which was not statistically significantly different (p = 0.35, paired test). Particularly examining the CSF, the coefficient of repeatability was 1.48 (6.00 µm) and 1.49 (5.95 µm) for the 19- and the 37-B-scan acquisition, respectively, showing a nonstatistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Retinal thickness measurements in diabetic patients with CSME are repeatable using both scanning protocols (19 or 37 B-scans) with Spectralis OCT. The repeatability of the retinal thickness measurement does not improve by increasing the number of B-scans from 19 to 37.

scholarly journals Reporting of Benign Endometrial Cells in Papanicolaou Tests

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-386
Author(s):  
Andrea Hernandez ◽  
Nina Schatz-Siemers ◽  
Fang Zhou ◽  
Tamar C Brandler ◽  
Raquel Negron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Hyperplasia ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Endometrial Biopsy ◽  
Atypical Hyperplasia ◽  
Endometrial Cells ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Bethesda System ◽  
Clinically Significant

Abstract Objectives The 2014 Bethesda System (TBS 2014) guidelines for reporting cervical cytology revised the age for reporting benign endometrial cells (BECs) from 40 years or older to age 45 years or older. We evaluated this change and further investigated if extending the reporting age to 50 years or older may be acceptable. Methods We reviewed cases with BECs reported on Papanicolaou tests in women age 40 years or older and 45 years or older before and after implementation of TBS 2014. Follow-up endometrial biopsy/curettage results were categorized as benign, endometrial hyperplasia with or without atypia, or malignant. Hyperplasia and malignant follow-up were considered clinically significant. Clinical data were documented. Results were compared for women age 40 to 44, 45 to 49, and 50 years or older. Results Follow-up in 15 (100%) women age 40 to 44 years was benign. In women age 45 to 49 years, 61 (96.8%) had benign follow-up, one (1.6%) had atypical hyperplasia, and one (1.6%) had malignant follow-up. In women age 50 years or older, 57 (86.5%) had benign follow-up, four (6%) had malignant follow-up, and seven (7.5%) had atypical or nonatypical hyperplasia. There was a significant difference in follow-up between the age groups of 40 to 49 and 50 or older (P = .023). Conclusions We conclude that the TBS 2014 revision was justified. Our data suggest that age 50 years or older rather than age 45 years or older may be an acceptable cutoff for reporting BECs.

scholarly journals PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Cartilage ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 194760352093117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Filardo ◽  
Davide Previtali ◽  
Francesca Napoli ◽  
Christian Candrian ◽  
Stefano Zaffagnini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant

Objective To evaluate effectiveness, in terms of patient-reported outcome measures, of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for knee osteoarthritis compared to placebo and other intraarticular treatments. Design PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, as well as the gray literature were searched on January 17, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PRP injections with placebo or other injectable treatments, in any language, on humans, were included. Risk of bias was assessed following the Cochrane guidelines; quality of evidence was graded using the GRADE guidelines. Results Thirty-four RCTs, including 1403 knees in PRP groups and 1426 in control groups, were selected. WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) score favored PRP, with a statistically and clinically significant difference versus placebo at 12-month follow-up ( P = 0.02) and versus HA (hyaluronic acid) at 6-month ( P < 0.001) and 12-month ( P < 0.001) follow-ups. A clinically significant difference favoring PRP versus steroids was documented for VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) pain ( P < 0.001), KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) pain ( P < 0.001), function in daily activities ( P = 0.001), and quality of life ( P < 0.001) at 6-month follow-up. However, superiority of PRP did not reach the minimal clinically important difference for all outcomes, and quality of evidence was low. Conclusions The effect of platelet concentrates goes beyond its mere placebo effect, and PRP injections provide better results than other injectable options. This benefit increases over time, being not significant at earlier follow-ups but becoming clinically significant after 6 to 12 months. However, although substantial, the improvement remains partial and supported by low level of evidence. This finding urges further research to confirm benefits and identify the best formulation and indications for PRP injections in knee OA.

Outcome after Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis: A Retrospective Review

1992 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 103-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mathew ◽  
R.J. Cuschieri ◽  
H.I. Tankel
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Complete Excision ◽  
Operative Morbidity ◽  
Transcervical Approach ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant

This is a retrospective study of 54 patients, who in the period November 1977 to November 1986 underwent thymectomy as treatment for myasthenia gravis. Patients in whom difficulty attempting complete excision of the gland was anticipated were selected for a transthoracic procedure. All others underwent an initial transcervical approach, proceeding to an upper sternal splitting incision if further access was required to remove adequately a large gland. The sample was split almost equally between the two surgical procedures. Patients in the transthoracic group were significantly older and experienced significantly greater peri-operative morbidity or mortality. There was no significant difference in outcome between the two groups, 52% achieving a good result (defined as remission or clinically significant improvement of symptoms) that was sustained over the five year follow-up period. In our opinion, complete removal of the thymus should be the goal of surgical treatment for myasthenia gravis.

scholarly journals Modelling and estimation of health-related quality of life after hip fracture

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Parsons ◽  
X. L. Griffin ◽  
J. Achten ◽  
T. J. Chesser ◽  
S. E. Lamb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Hip Trauma

Objectives This study investigates the reporting of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients following hip fracture. We compare the relative merits and make recommendations for the use for two methods of measuring HRQoL; (i) including patients who died during follow-up and (ii) including survivors only. Methods The World Hip Trauma Evaluation has previously reported changes in HRQoL using EuroQol-5D for patients with hip fractures. We performed additional analysis to investigate the effect of including or excluding those patients who died during the first four months of the follow-up period. Results The dataset included 503 patients, 25 of whom died between 30 days and four months of injury. There was a statistically significant difference in 30-day HRQoL between those alive (mean 0.331 and standard deviation (SD) 0.360) and those dead (mean 0.156 and SD 0.421) by four months (independent-samples t-test; p 0.022). The estimated difference of 0.175 in HRQoL (95% confidence interval 0.025 to 0.325) was also highly clinically significant. Conclusion When reporting HRQoL for patients after a hip fracture, excluding patients who die during follow-up leads to an overestimate of the effects of the intervention or treatment pathway. We would recommend that death-adjusted estimates should be used routinely when reporting HRQoL in this population. Cite this article: N. Parsons, X. L. Griffin, J. Achten, T. J. Chesser, S. E. Lamb, M. L. Costa. Modelling and estimation of health-related quality of life after hip fracture: A re-analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:1–5.

scholarly journals Comparing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Activation and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome in Patients with Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Amiri ◽  
Parvin Ehteshamzadeh ◽  
Fariba Hafezi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Borna
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Control

Background: Cognitive-attentional syndrome (CAS) is one of the primary constructs of depression, the treatment of which is highly challenging because of its high prevalence and the emergence of symptoms such as feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of behavioral activation (BA) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in CAS in patients with depression. Methods: This quasi-experimental research utilized a pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up design with a control group. The study population comprised 260 patients with a diagnosis of depression who referred to the psychological centers of Ahvaz in 2019. The sample consisted of 45 patients with depression selected by convenience sampling. We randomly divided the participants into two experimental groups (BA and ACT) and a control group (n = 15 per group). The research instrument included the cognitive-attentional syndrome (CAS-1) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 with descriptive and inferential statistics, such as mean, standard deviation, and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: In terms of CAS and its components, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the posttest and follow-up phases (P = 0.0001). Besides, ACT and BA significantly reduced CAS and its components in the posttest phase (P = 0.0001). However, the effectiveness of BA in decreasing CAS and its components remained during the follow-up phase. Furthermore, the results showed that ACT was more effective in reducing attention to threat and metacognitive beliefs during the posttest phase. Conclusions: According to research findings, both BA and ACT are efficient therapies in reducing CAS in patients with depression. Thus, both approaches can be used to strengthen treatment interventions to reduce CAS in patients with depression.

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