Objective To analyse the relationship between the social support network (SSN) and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods The sample comprised 150 consecutive MS patients attending our MS clinic. To assess the socio-demographic data, a specifically designed questionnaire was applied. The HRQOL dimensions were measured with the Short-Form Health Sur...

We report a series of 42 patients reviewed at a mean of 19.6 months after treatment of distal tibial and pilon fractures using the AO distal tibia locking plate with a minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technique. Mean time to union was 22.4 weeks. All fractures united with acceptable alignment and angulation. Two cases of superficial infection were noted, with one cas...

BACKGROUND There are concerns that pre-operative psychological distress might be associated with reduced patient satisfaction after total hip replacement (THR). METHODS We investigated this in a multi-centre prospective study between January 1999 and January 2002. We dichotomised the patients into the mentally distressed (MHS ≤ 56) and the not mentally distressed (MHS > 56) groups based on th...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to study the effect of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections in spastic upper limb muscles on impairment, activity, participation and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. METHODS BoNT-A (Dysport) was injected into several upper limb spastic muscles in a group of 20 patients. Neurological impairment (muscle tone and strength, dex...

BACKGROUND Assessment of quality of life can promote health services. The purpose of this study was evaluation of health related quality of life in lower limbs amputee veterans of Iran. METHODS In the present cross sectional study, we compared 38 lower limbs amputee veterans with 50 normal healthy subjects with SF36 questioner in face-to-face interview. RESULTS Amputees had significantly lo...

We assessed depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 137 cases of landmine injury in Ilam province, using the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (HADS) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF36) questionnaires. We also compared their scores with an uninjured control group (n = 360). Most of the injured were male (93.4%) and illiterate (54.7%) with some irreversible sequel...

OBJECTIVE Quality of life measures can provide an important source of medical information for promoting the health status of chronically ill patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate health related quality of life in psychiatric veterans of the Iraq- Iran war of the 1980s. METHODS They were out patients diagnosed with various psychiatric symptoms. The present study used a cro...

In a prospective single-centre longitudinal randomized controlled trial 116 patients were allocated to the sub-vastus approach, and 115 to the medial parapatellar approach. At one week follow-up, compared to baseline, range of motion, Knee Society (KS) global, KS knee, and KS pain scores were significantly better in the sub-vastus group. At the one year follow-up, WOMAC global and pain scores, ...

INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY: EVIDENCE FOR PARTIAL MELTING. P. A. Abell, F. Vilas, K. S. Jarvis, M. J. Gaffey, and M. S. Kelley, Planetary Astronomy Group, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science, NASA Johnson Space Center, Mail Code KR, Houston, TX 77058, [email protected]. Jacobs Sverdrup, ESC Group, 2224 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058. Department of Space Studies, Bo...