scholarly journals Hand Strength Deficit in Patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 874
Author(s):  
Alban Fouasson-Chailloux ◽  
Pauline Daley ◽  
Pierre Menu ◽  
Bastien Louguet ◽  
Guillaume Gadbled ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grip Strength ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽  
Hand Strength ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽  
Hand Dynamometer ◽  
The Mean

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) is a chronic painful and disabling condition. Patients complain about upper-limb paresthesia or weakness. Weakness has been considered one of the diagnostic criteria of NTOS, but objective comparisons to healthy controls are lacking. We compared the grip and the key pinch strengths between NTOS patients and healthy controls. Grip strength was evaluated with a hydraulic hand dynamometer and the key pinch with a pinch gauge. All the patients with NTOS completed a QuickDASH. We included prospectively 85 patients with NTOS, 73% female and 27% male. The mean age was 40.4 ± 9.6. They were compared to 85 healthy subjects, 77.6% female and 22.4% male. Concerning the grip, symptomatic hands of NTOS patients had significantly 30% less strength compared to control hands (p ≤ 0.001), and 19% less strength compared to asymptomatic hands (p = 0.03). Concerning the key pinch, symptomatic hands of patients with NTOS had significantly 19.5% less strength compared to control hands (p ≤ 0.001). Grip and key pinch strengths had a significant correlation with the QuickDASH (r = −0.515 and r = −0.403, respectively; p ≤ 0.001). Patients with NTOS presented an objective hand strength deficit compared to healthy controls. This deficit was significantly correlated to the upper-limb disability. These findings confirm the interest of hand strength evaluation in the diagnostic process of patients with NTOS.

scholarly journals Shoulder Isokinetic Strength Deficit in Patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1529
Author(s):  
Pauline Daley ◽  
Germain Pomares ◽  
Pierre Menu ◽  
Guillaume Gadbled ◽  
Marc Dauty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Isokinetic Strength ◽  
Painful Condition ◽  
Strength Evaluation ◽  
Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽  
Shoulder Strength ◽  
Significant Deficit

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) is an impairing painful condition. Patients usually report upper-limb pain, weakness and paresthesia. Shoulder weakness is frequently reported but has never been described with objective strength evaluation. We aimed to compare isokinetic shoulder strength between patients with NTOS and healthy controls. Patients and controls were prospectively evaluated with an isokinetic strength test at 60 and 180°/s, and an endurance test (30 repetitions at 180°/s) of the shoulder rotators. Patients were functionally assessed with QuickDASH questionnaires. One hundred patients and one hundred healthy subjects were included. Seventy-one percent of patients with NTOS were females with a mean age of 39.4 ± 9.6. They were compared to controls, 73% females and the mean age of 38.8 ± 9.8. Patients’ mean QuickDASH was 58.3 ± 13.9. Concerning the peak of strength at 60°/s, the symptomatic limbs of patients with NTOS had significantly 21% and 29% less strength than the control limbs for medial and lateral rotators, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). At 180°/s, the symptomatic limbs had significantly 23% and 20% less strength than the controls for medial and lateral rotators, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). The symptomatic limbs had significantly 45% and 30% less endurance than the controls for medial and lateral rotators, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). These deficits were correlated to the QuickDASH. Patients with NTOS presented a significant deficit of strength and endurance of the shoulder rotators correlated to disability. This highlights the interest in upper-limb strength evaluation in the diagnostic process and the follow-up of NTOS.

Anatomically Complete Supraclavicular Reoperation for Recurrent Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Clinical Characteristics, Operative Findings, and Long-term Outcomes

Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472098807
Author(s):  
Momodou L. Jammeh ◽  
J. Westley Ohman ◽  
Chandu Vemuri ◽  
Ahmmad A. Abuirqeba ◽  
Robert W. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Scalene Muscle ◽  
Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽  
First Rib ◽  
Previous Operation ◽  
Combined Operations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Operative Findings

Background: The clinical outcomes of reoperations for recurrent neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) remain undefined. Methods: From 2009 to 2019, 90 patients with recurrent NTOS underwent anatomically complete supraclavicular reoperation after previous operation(s) performed at other institutions using either supraclavicular (Prev-SC = 48), transaxillary (Prev-TA = 31), or multiple/combination (Prev-MC = 11) approaches. Prospectively maintained data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The mean patient age was 39.9 ± 1.4 years, 72% were female, and the mean interval after previous operation was 4.1 ± 0.6 years. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score was 62 ± 2, reflecting substantial preoperative disability. Residual scalene muscle was present in 100% Prev-TA, 79% Prev-SC, and 55% Prev-MC ( P < .05). Retained/residual first rib was present in 90% Prev-TA, 75% Prev-SC, and 55% Prev-MC ( P < .05). There were no differences in operative time (overall 210 ± 5 minutes), length of hospital stay (4.7 ± 0.2 days), or 30-day readmissions (7%). During follow-up of 5.6 ± 0.3 years, the improvement in QuickDASH scores was 21 ± 2 (36% ± 3%) ( P < .01) and patient-rated outcomes were excellent in 10%, good in 36%, fair in 43%, and poor in 11%. Conclusions: Anatomically complete decompression for recurrent NTOS can be safely and effectively accomplished by supraclavicular reoperation, regardless of the type of previous operation. Residual scalene muscle and retained/residual first rib are more frequently encountered after transaxillary operations than after supraclavicular or multiple/combined operations. Supraclavicular reoperation can achieve significant symptom reduction and functional improvement for approximately 90% of patients with recurrent NTOS.

scholarly journals Diurnal Corrected QT Interval and QT Dispersion Variation in Non-Alcoholic Cirrhotic Patients and Healthy Control: A Case-Control Study, Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taghi Amiriani ◽  
Vahid Khori ◽  
Ali Davarian ◽  
Niloofar Rajabli ◽  
Mahsa Niknam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Diurnal Variation ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Alcoholic Cirrhosis ◽  
Qt Dispersion ◽  
Qtc Interval ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cirrhotic Patients ◽  
The Mean

Background: Cirrhosis could lead to a long corrected QT (QTc) interval in a subgroup of patients, but there are spare data on its diurnal variation. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the diurnal variation of QTc interval and its relationship to heart rate and blood pressure variation during 24-hour Holter-monitoring in non-alcoholic cirrhosis in comparison with the healthy controls. Methods: The study population comprised 15 patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and 15 healthy subjects, undergoing 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate, and blood pressure monitoring. The mean QT interval, mean QTc, maximum and minimum QT, QT dispersion (QT disp), heart rate, and mean arterial blood pressure were measured for each person for 24 hours. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was performed by FibroScan® 502 machine (EchoSense, Paris, France, 5 MHz). The results were demonstrated as percentages and mean ± SD. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean QTc was significantly higher in cirrhosis (438 ms) than healthy controls (401.7 ms) (P = 0.03). The mean heart rate was significantly different in cirrhotic patients (79.6 ± 2.9/bpm) compared to healthy controls (72.47 ± 2.0/bpm) (P = 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, QTc was prolonged and increased with the severity of cirrhosis, and its diurnal variation in cirrhosis was different from healthy subjects.

Haemostasis Change in Intensive Care Patients with Severe Sepsis and Patients with Organ Failure without Sepsis

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 1233-1233
Author(s):  
Patrick Van Dreden ◽  
Barry John Woodhams ◽  
Bernard Lenormand ◽  
Marc Vasse
Keyword(s):  
Severe Sepsis ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Organ Failure ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Coagulation Abnormalities ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Abstract 1233 Introduction: Despite recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis, multiple organ failure remains one of the leading causes of death in intensive care units (ICUs). A wide range of coagulation abnormalities have been observed in patients diagnosed with severe sepsis (SS). Its magnitude in relationship to organ failure without sepsis is less well documented. In this study, we examined and compared the results of plasma levels of coagulation tests and thrombin generation (calibrated automated thrombography (CAT) in patients with sepsis, patients with organ failure (OF) without sepsis and controls. We investigated whether the CAT and procoagulant phospholipids would be good prognostic markers and whether these markers would show a significant correlation with coagulation disorders. Patients and Methods: 21 patients with severe sepsis, 24 non-sepsis patients with organ failure were compared with 30 healthy subjects as controls. The delay between the onset of SS or OF and blood sampling was less than 12 hours. Analytical determinations of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and the levels of factors V,VII,VIII,X antithrombin, fibrinogen, protein C, protein S, D-Dimers were analysed using the STA-R analyser (Diagnostica Stago, France), Tissue factor activity (TFa) and thrombomodulin activity (TMa) were measured with two home-test. Free tissue factor pathway inhibitor (fTFPI), Soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR), and soluble thrombomodulin antigen were measured by ELISA assays (Diagnostica Stago, France). CAT was performed on PPP using PPP-reagent 5pM (Thrombinoscope, The Netherlands). Procoagulant phospholipids (PPL) were evaluated using the STA Procoag PPL assay (Diagnostica Stago, France). Results: The mean levels of factors V, VII, X, antithrombin, protein S, protein C, sEPCR were decreased in both SS and OF (p<0.001) compared with controls. Protein S, factor VII and X were significantly lower in the SS group than in the OF group (p<0.05). Factor VIII, D-Di, and fibrinogen level were increased in SS and OF groups (p<0.001). Activity and antigen thrombomodulin were significantly higher in SS and OF groups (p<0.01) than in healthy subjects, with no difference between patients groups. TFa was strongly increased in SS and OF (p<0.001) and not compensated by any increase in TFPI. We also observed that TF/fTFPI ratio were significantly increased in the SS and OF groups (p<0.001). Elevated thrombin generation was observed in patients with SS and OF. In particular lag-time and time to peak were prolonged (p<0.05), peak thrombin was significantly decreased only in SS group. However the mean total amount of thrombin generated in the groups of patients by endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP) was equivalent to healthy controls. Procoagulant phospholipids were significantly higher in SS and OF groups than controls (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively). Non-surviving patients showed higher ETP, D-Di, TFa, PPL than survivors in both groups (p<0.05). No difference in fTFPI levels were observed between patients with negative outcome and survivors in the two groups of patients. IL-6 levels as inflammatory status were higher in SS and OF than in healthy controls, with a more pronounced increase in SS group. The levels of IL-6 were more important in non-survivors compared with survivors (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that severe septic and non septic patients with organ failure have similar coagulation abnormalities independently of the triggering event. Marked TFa generation was not adequately balanced by TFPI and inflammation may synergistically play a role in the pathogenesis of OF and death. Thrombin generation results showed that while the total amount of thrombin generated (ETP) was unchanged the initiation of thrombin generation was delayed and peak thrombin was reduced. This could be explained by the decreased levels of FVII, X, II causing a delay in the generation of thrombin. PPL and TGT may be useful in determining clinical outcome in patients and perhaps as a predictive parameter for an increased risk of bleeding or thrombotic complications in these patients. Their role to develop useful new markers in the management of patients remains to be defined. Disclosures: Van Dreden: Diagnostica Stago: Employment. Woodhams:Diagnostica Stago: Employment. Lenormand:Hospital: Employment. Vasse:hospital: Employment.

scholarly journals What is the real impact of upper limb cast immobilisation on activity-related energy expenditure in children?

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albane B R Maggio ◽  
Xavier Eric Martin ◽  
Anne Tabard-Fougère ◽  
Cécile Delhumeau ◽  
Dimitri Ceroni
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cast Immobilisation ◽  
Related Energy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Limb Fractures ◽  
Upper Limb Fractures

BackgroundUpper limb fractures and subsequent cast immobilisation constitute a potential cause of reduction in childhood levels of physical activity (PA), with subsequent decrease of energy consumption. The main objective of this study was thus to quantify the decrease of activity-related energy expenditure (AEE) due to upper limb cast immobilisation .MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal matched case-control study that included 35 children and teenagers with a first episode of upper limb fracture and 35 healthy cases. PA was assessed during cast immobilisation by accelerometer. AEE was the calculated using an equation based on the total counts per day measured by accelerometers.ResultsAEE in children and teenagers with upper limb fractures was estimated to be 7.4 % lower than healthy controls. The mean difference corresponded to 1.35 kcal/kg per mean valid recorded time (750  min), that is, the waking hours. When converted in kcal per mean subjects’ weight, the difference in AEE amounted 63.5 kcal/day, which corresponds approximately to 26  min of walking at a speed of 4  km/hours. In comparison with the mean AEE in healthy controls (18.2 kcal/kg), the noted decrease (1.35 kcal/kg) represents only 7.4 % of AEE.ConclusionReduction of AEE in children and teenagers with upper limb fractures may lead to a slight positive energy balance, as there is usually no compensatory reduction of energy intake. An increase of light PA has to be counselled in this situation or patients should be advised to reduce their energy intake during the immobilisation period.Level of evidenceLevel I: high-quality prospective study (all patients were enrolled at the same point in their disease with ≥80 % follow-up of enrolled patients).

scholarly journals Two-Year Change in 18F-Sodium Fluoride Uptake in Major Arteries of Healthy Subjects and Angina Pectoris Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Piri ◽  
Gauher Lici ◽  
Pooriya Riyahimanesh ◽  
Oke Gerke ◽  
Abass Alavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angina Pectoris ◽  
Statin Therapy ◽  
Sodium Fluoride ◽  
Similar Pattern ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Standardized Uptake Values ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
The Mean

Abstract PurposeTo examine 2-year changes in carotid and aortic 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) uptake in both healthy controls and angina pectoris patients.MethodsTwenty-nine healthy subjects and 20 angina pectoris patients underwent 90-min NaF-PET/CT twice two years apart. The carotids and three sections of the aorta (arch, thoracic, abdominal) were manually segmented. NaF uptake was expressed as the mean and total standardized uptake values without and with partial volume correction (SUVmean, SUVtotal and cSUVmean, cSUVtotal). ResultsInsignificant tendencies were higher NaF uptake in angina patients at both time points with less uptake in healthy subjects and higher uptake in angina patients after 2 years. Thus, aortic cSUVmean of angina patients was 1.14±0.35 and 1.29±0.71 at baseline and after 2 years vs. 0.99±0.31 and 0.95±0.28 in healthy subjects. A similar pattern was observed for the carotid cSUVmean. NaF uptake at baseline could not predict a change in CT-calcification after 2 years. NaF uptake in all parts of the aorta correlated positively with age.ConclusionsSlightly, but consistently, higher arterial NaF uptake in the angina group indicated more ongoing microcalcification at both time points in patients than in healthy subjects. The 2-year changes were very small in both groups, albeit with a tendency of slight decreases among healthy controls and slight increases in angina patients despite statin therapy in half of these.

Inter-Rater Reliability of Cyclotorsion Measurements Using Fundus Photography

2018 ◽  
Vol 235 (04) ◽  
pp. 420-423
Author(s):  
Muriel Dysli ◽  
Madeleine Kanku ◽  
Ghislaine Traber
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Trochlear Nerve ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Fundus Camera ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fundus Photographs ◽  
Very High

Abstract Background The foveo-papillary angle (FPA) on fundus photographs is the accepted standard for the measurement of ocular cyclotorsion. We assessed the inter-rater reliability of this method in healthy subjects and in patients with trochlear nerve palsies. Patients and Methods In this methodological study, fundus photographs of healthy subjects and of patients with trochlear nerve palsies were made with a fundus camera (Zeiss Fundus Camera FF 450 plus, Jena, Germany). Three independent observers measured the FPA on the fundus photographs of all subjects in synedra View (synedra View 16, Version 16.0.0.11, Innsbruck, Austria). Results One hundred and four eyes of 52 subjects (26 healthy controls and 26 patients) were assessed. The mean FPA of the healthy controls was 5.80 degrees (°) [± 0.44 standard error of the mean (SEM)] compared to 11.55° (± 0.80 SEM) for patients with trochlear nerve palsies. The inter-rater reliability of all measured FPAs showed an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.98 (95% CI 0.97 – 0.98). Conclusions The inter-rater reliability of objective cyclotorsion measurements using fundus photographs was very high.

Decreased Expression of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 in Dendritic Cells From Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia Induces Impaired Regulatory T-Cell Development

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 696-696
Author(s):  
Lucia Catani ◽  
Daria Sollazzo ◽  
Sara Trabanelli ◽  
Cecilia Evangelisti ◽  
Antonio Curti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Ido1 Expression ◽  
Expression Activity ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Abstract 696 Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of T cells involved in the maintenance of peripheral self-tolerance. Specifically, Tregs modulate the maturation and/or function of dendritic cells (DCs). In turn, along with their immunogenic role, DCs are also critical in maintaining tolerance to self-antigens by inducing Tregs via the expression of the immunomodulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). IDO1-expressing DCs may play a role in preventing the initiation of autoimmune disorders. Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which platelet surface proteins become antigenic and stimulate the immune system. However, in ITP, the interaction between DCs and Tregs has never been investigated, although decreased numbers of Tregs as well as altered DCs have been described. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether, in ITP: 1) IDO1 expression/activity is decreased in monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs); 2) the mechanism of Tregs generation is impaired; 3) Mo-DCs maturation is abnormally modulated by Tregs. We studied 54 patients with active ITP. Nineteen patients were newly diagnosed and 35 patients had persistent (25 cases) or chronic (10 cases) ITP. At the time of samples collection, all patients with persistent or chronic ITP were out of any treatment for at least two months and none of the patients received previous treatment with rituximab or were splenectomized. We demonstrated that in mature Mo-DCs from ITP patients the absolute number of IDO1 transcripts was significantly reduced as compared with healthy donors (973.000±771.000 vs 2.409.000±1.592.000 (IDO1 copy number/ABL1 copy number)*10.000; p<0.04). Accordingly, when we evaluated kynurenine levels as an index of IDO1 enzyme activity, we found that kynurenine concentration in the supernatants from equal numbers of mature Mo-DCs was significantly lower in ITP patients (40.7±12.5 μM) as compared to healthy subjects (66.5±9.4 μM) (p<0.05). We therefore assessed whether in ITP Mo-DCs, which have IDO1 reduced expression and activity, are less efficient in generating Tregs in vitro. We found that after co-cultures of Mo-DCs from healthy subjects or ITP patients with autologous CD4+CD25− T cells, the mean percentage of FoxP3+ cells (gated on CD4+CD25high T cells) was significantly reduced in ITP patients (54.4±4.5%) in comparison with that of healthy individuals (88.3±5.8%; p<0.01). When we evaluated whether these in vitro generated Tregs possess suppressive activity, we demonstrated that the inhibition of the proliferative response of CD4+CD25− cells in coculture with autologous in vitro generated CD4+CD25+ T cells (100:1 ratio) was significantly lower in ITP patients (25±4%) as compared with healthy controls (47±6%; p<0.05). To evaluate whether Tregs induce functional differences in Mo-DCs, we first assessed the production of cytokines in the supernatants of normal immature Mo-DCs co-cultured with highly purified circulating CD4+CD25+ or CD4+CD25− T cells from ITP patients or healthy controls. We found that in ITP patients the concentration of IL-10 was significantly reduced in the supernatant of Mo-DCs plus CD4+CD25+ T cells as compared with the normal counterparts (99±26 pg/mL vs 218±19 pg/mL; p<0.01). However, since IL-10 plays a central role in immune tolerance and can be produced by either DCs or T cells, we performed the intracytoplasmic staining of IL-10 to evaluate whether its secretion was due to Mo-DCs upon co-culture and/or produced by Tregs. The mean percentage of IL-10-producing Tregs was significantly lower in ITP patients (19.3±8.0 %) in comparison with that of normal individuals (34.9±6.6 %; p<0.04).We therefore analyzed the capacity of highly purified circulating Tregs of inhibiting Mo-DCs maturation. We found that, at variance with healthy controls, highly purified CD4+CD25+ T cells from ITP patients failed to inhibit the expression of CD80 and CD86 molecules on Mo-DCs. In summary, this study demonstrates that in ITP low IDO1 expression/activity in DCs results in the reduced ability of generating Tregs. In turn, circulating Tregs with impaired IL-10 production show decreased capacity of inhibiting DCs maturation. Taken together these data suggest that in ITP the cross-talk between Tregs and DCs is hampered and plays a pathogenetic role. As a consequence, DCs are less “tolerogenic” and Tregs are defective in their regulatory function. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayhan Dursun ◽  
Ayse Vural Ozec ◽  
Oznur Dogan ◽  
Feyza Gulac Dursun ◽  
Mustafa Ilker Toker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Choroidal Thickness ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Glaucomatous Damage ◽  
Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Glaucoma Group

Purpose. To compare the macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome and PEX glaucoma with the normal eyes of healthy controls.Materials and Methods. In this prospective study, 30 eyes of 30 patients with PEX syndrome, 28 eyes of 28 patients with PEX glaucoma, and 30 eyes of 30 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Choroidal thicknesses in the macular and peripapillary areas were measured by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.Results. Gender, age, and axial length did not significantly differ between the groups (all,p>0.05). The mean values of choroidal thickness in the macular and peripapillary areas (except the superior quadrant) in the patients with PEX syndrome and PEX glaucoma were lower compared with controls (allp<0.05). The mean values of the macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness in the PEX glaucoma group were lower compared with PEX syndrome group; however this difference was not significant.Conclusions. The findings of this study revealed that macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were decreased in PEX syndrome and PEX glaucoma cases. The role of choroid in the development of glaucomatous damage in patients with PEX syndrome remains unclear.

Alexithymia in Schizophrenia: An Exploratory Study

2001 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Cedro ◽  
Andrzej Kokoszka ◽  
Agnieszka Popiel ◽  
Władysław Narkiewicz-Jodko
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Paranoid Schizophrenia ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Toronto Alexithymia Scale ◽  
Schizophrenia Group ◽  
Polish Version ◽  
Comprehensive Examination ◽  
The Mean

This study assessed a relationship between alexithymia and schizophrenia suggested by reports based on small samples of patients. Here, 50 outpatients with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia were compared with 50 pair-matched healthy subjects. Alexithymia was measured by the Polish version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale–20. The mean total score was significantly higher in the schizophrenia group ( M = 52.3, SD = 13.47) than in the healthy controls ( M = 45.8, SD = 11.39, p < .02). This replicates earlier findings showing that a group of patients with paranoid schizophrenia have higher scores on alexithymia scales than healthy controls. There seems a need for a comprehensive examination of relations between alexithymia and other concepts denoting pathology of affect in schizophrenia.

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