BACKGROUND Optimal diagnosis and timely treatment of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) depends on distinguishing differences between popular "myths" about ischemic symptoms in women and men. Chest pain or discomfort is regarded as the hallmark symptom of ACS, and its absence is regarded as "atypical" presentation. This review describes the presenting symptoms of ACS in women compar...

INTRODUCTION The primary complaint of patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) is frequently the inelegant appearance of their hands. Only one study has been conducted to assess the magnitude of and identify the determinants of aesthetic discomfort in hand OA. METHODS The LIège Hand Osteoarthritis Cohort is a prospective cohort of 203 patients diagnosed with hand OA. At baseline, these patients...

BACKGROUND Ice pack therapy has been widely used in treatment for soft tissue injuries. However, no studies have yet explored the most appropriate and effective duration for ice therapy with ice packs. PURPOSE This study explored the antiswelling and analgesic effects of different ice pack therapy durations on soft tissue injuries as well as patient discomfort. METHODS An experimental desig...

Literature has shown that some patients with leg ulcers have a significantly poorer quality of life compared with those who do not have leg ulcers (Persoon et al, 2004; Briggs and Flemming, 2007). Table 1 shows that leg ulceration is a chronic condition, with many patients experiencing multiple problems, including (Stevens, 2006; Ellis, 2004; Persoon et al, 2004):  Pain  Discomfort  Social i...

TO THE EDITOR: In their recent paper, Amann and colleagues (1) report an experiment in which they used a powerful analgesic, fentanyl, to block afferent feedback from Group III and IV neurons innervating the locomotor muscles. The authors investigated the effects of this experimental treatment on various physiological and perceptual responses to cycling exercise at different power outputs. Inte...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The objective was to explore the role of specific patient-related and operator-related factors in pain perception during flexible laryngoscopy, which is one of the most common ENT procedures. STUDY DESIGN Monocentric, randomized, individual prospective study. METHODS A total of 532 patients (145 men and 387 women), without any relevant ENT diseases, underwent laryngosc...

BACKGROUND Caring for one's children is among the most ubiquitous of occupations. However, few studies have examined the ergonomic risks involved in parents caring for children at home. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency, type, and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms in parents of children less than 4 years old. The study further examined the factors that contrib...

The pathogenesis of achalasia involves the degeneration of enteric and autonomic nervous systems with resultant effects on esophageal motility. The neural degeneration could affect visceral sensation in achalasia. The aim of this study was to examine mechanosensitivity and chemosensitivity in patients with achalasia. Perceptual responses to esophageal distension and acid perfusion were assessed...

BACKGROUND We examined the relationship between health literacy (HL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as well as relationship differentials by ethnicity among rural women from a Chinese poor minority area. METHODS We conducted in-person interviews with 913 rural women aged 23 - 57 (57.5% Hui minorities/42.5% Han ethnicity) enrolled in the Ningxia Women Health Project, gathering data...

Population aging is associated with increasing numbers of geriatric trauma patients, and various studies have evaluated their short-term outcomes, assessment, and treatment. However, there is insufficient information regarding their long-term outcomes. This study evaluated the physical and nutritional statuses of geriatric patients after trauma-related hospitalization.Data regarding physical an...