Adaptation and psychometric testing of the Turkish evaluation of daily activity questionnaire in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Purpose: The aims were to translate the Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire (EDAQ) into Turkish, then test validity and reliability in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey. Material and Methods: Phase 1: The EDAQ was forward and backward translated, culturally adapted following cognitive debriefing interviews with participants with RA (n=10) and finalised by an expert committee. Phase 2: Participants (n=215) completed a questionnaire including the EDAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and Short-Form 36 v1 (SF-36v1). Two weeks later, the EDAQ was again completed for test-retest reliability (n=82:38%). Internal construct validity was assessed using Rasch analysis. Internal consistency, concurrent validity, and test-retest reliability were assessed. Results: Following cultural adaptation, one item was removed, and examples increased or changed. Cronbach’s α values were 0.71 – 0.93 for all EDAQ domains, i.e., acceptable to good. The EDAQ met Rasch model requirements for fit (excellent construct validity: p>0.05). Concurrent validity was moderate to strong for most EDAQ domains with HAQ (rs 0.49-0.81) and SF-36-v1 Physical Function (rs 0.42-0.70). There was excellent test-retest reliability for all domains (ICC (2,1): 0.95-1.00).Conclusion: The Turkish EDAQ is a valid, reliable measure of daily activity ability for use in practice and research with Turkish speakers with RA

The Effect of Hydrogen Sulphide on Experimental Cerebral Vasospasm.

Cerebral vasospasm is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S), a gaseous neurotransmitter, is produced in many tissues including the central nervous system (CNS). The vasodilatatory effect of H2S has been shown in the CNS; however, its role in cerebral vasospasm has not been investigated before

The Effect of Hydrogen Sulphide on Experimental Cerebral Vasospasm

AIM: Cerebral vasospasm is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), a gaseous neurotransmitter, is produced in many tissues including the central nervous system (CNS). The vasodilatatory effect of H2S has been shown in the CNS; however, its role in cerebral vasospasm has not been investigated before. MATERIAL and METHODS: The rats were divided into 8 groups: control, SAH, sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), propargylglycine (PPG), aminooxy acetic acid (AOAA), SAH+NaHS, SAH+PPG, and SAH+AOAA. After establishing experimental SAH, the basilar artery and brain stem were harvested at 24th hours. The diameter and wall thickness of basilar artery were measured. Production of H2S was assessed by showing the activity of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase enzymes (CSE). RESULTS: NaHS treatment significantly reduced vasospasm at 24 hours following SAH. This vasodilatatory effect was correlated with the CSE expression in basilar artery. CSE and CBS enzyme expressions were significantly lower in brain stem and basilar artery in PPG and AOAA-treated groups. PPG and AOAA treatments exerted a vasoconstrictive effect in the basilar artery. There were statistically significant differences between NaHS, PPG and AOAA groups, in terms of basilar artery lumina! diameter. CONCLUSION: H2S may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of vasospasm with its vasodilatator activity