Clinical characteristics affecting motor recovery and ambulation in stroke patients

[Purpose] To describe the clinical characteristics affecting motor recovery and ambulation in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Demographic and clinical characteristics of 53 stroke patients (31 M, 22 F), such as age, gender, etiology, hemiplegic side, Brunnstrom stage, functional ambulation scale scores, history of rehabilitation, and presence of shoulder pain and complex regional pain syndrome were evaluated. [Results] The etiology was ischemic in 79.2% of patients and hemorrhagic in 20.8%. Brunnstrom hand and upper extremity values in females were lower than in males. Complex regional pain syndrome was observed at a level of 18.9% in all patients (more common in females). Brunnstrom hand stage was lower in complex regional pain syndrome patients than in those without the syndrome. Shoulder pain was present in 44.4% of patients. Brunnstrom lower extremity values and functional ambulation scale scores were higher in rehabilitated than in non-rehabilitated cases. [Conclusion] Brunnstrom stages of hand and upper extremity were lower and complex regional pain syndrome was more common in female stroke patients. Shoulder pain and lower Brunnstrom hand stages were related to the presence of complex regional pain syndrome

False Negative D Vitamin Measurement in LC-MS/MS Method Due to Hyperlipidemia: Case Report

Background: Lipemia can influence laboratory test results by different mechanisms. Although the liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is considered the reference method for 25(OH)D3, some compounds (carbohydrate, lipids, proteins, etc.) in the blood may cause a false result indicating a negative or positive deviation rate from the correct blood level of the test. Case Report: In this paper, we report a case of D vitamin intoxication due to a false negative result caused by lipemia. A young woman with a complaint of pain in multiple joints applied to the physical therapy clinic and was found to have some cystic bone lesions. She was eventually diagnosed with DM tip 1, familial hyperlipidemia, and nephrolithiasis. Although she had D vitamin replacement therapy, low levels of blood 25(OH)D3 concentration, measured by an LC-MS/MS device, were detected. After blood dilution, a high level of 25(OH)D3 and blood intoxication due to lipid interference were indicated. Conclusion: From this case, we can conclude that analytical errors caused by the ingredients of a blood sample may lead to unnecessary treatment and intoxication. While evaluating the blood 25(OH)D3 levels, clinicians should guard against false-negative results due to interference in patients with familial hyperlipidemia. </jats:sec

Isokinetic muscle performance of the hip and ankle muscles in women with fibromyalgia

ObjectiveTo compare isokinetic muscle performances of a proximal (hip) and a distal (ankle) muscle of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients with those of age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy subjects

Evaluation of Open and Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises in Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

[Purpose] To compare outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction after open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises and closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercises. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects comprised 11 female and 47 male patients who are randomly divided into two groups: which performed a CKC exercise program Group I and Group II which performed an OKC exercise program. Pain intensity was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS). Knee flexion was evaluated using a universal goniometer, and thigh circumference measurements were taken with a tape measure at baseline and at 3 months and 6 months after the treatment. Lysholm scores were used to assess knee function. [Results] There were no significant differences between the two groups at baseline. Within each group, VAS values and knee flexion were improved after the surgery. These improvements were significantly higher in the CKC group than in the OKC group. There were increases in thigh circumference difference at the 3 and 6 month assessments post-surgery. A greater improvement in the Lysholm score was observed in the CKC group at 6 months. [Conclusion] The CKC exercise program was more effective than OKC in improving the knee functions of patients with ACL reconstruction