Validation of the Spanish version of the electronic facial palsy assessment (eFACE)

Purpose The clinician-graded electronic facial paralysis assessment (eFACE) is a relatively new digital tool for assessing facial palsy. The present study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the eFACE. Methods Forward–backward translation from the original English version was performed. Videos and photographs from 65 adult patients with unilateral facial paralysis (any severity, time course, and etiology) were evaluated twice by fve otolaryngologists with varying levels of experience in facial palsy evaluation. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s α and the intra- and inter-rater reliability were measured using intraclass correlation coefcient. Concurrent validity was established by calculating Spearman’s rho correlation (ρ) between the eFACE and the House–Brackmann scale (H–B) and Pearson’s correlation (r) between the eFACE and the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS). Results The Spanish version of the eFACE showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α>0.8). The intra-rater reliability was nearly perfect for the total score (intraclass correlation coefcient: 0.95–0.99), static score (0.92–0.96), and dynamic score (0.96–0.99) and important-to-excellent for synkinesis score (0.79–0.96). The inter-rater reliability was excellent for the total score (0.85–0.93), static score (0.80–0.90), and dynamic score (0.90–0.95) and moderate-to-important for the synkinesis score (0.55–0.78). The eFACE had a very strong correlation with the H–B (ρ= – 0.88 and – 0.85 for each evaluation, p<0.001) and the SFGS (r=0.92 and 0.91 each evaluation, p<0.001). Conclusion The Spanish version of the eFACE is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment of facial function in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with facial paralysisThis research was funded by a grant (PI20/01032) from Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento del Sistema Español de I+D+I, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain. The authors report no involvement in the research by the sponsor that could have infuenced the outcome of this wor

Effect of cochlear implantation on cognitive decline and quality of life in younger and older adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss

Purpose: (a) To measure the change in cognition, the improvement of speech perception, and the subjective benefit in people under and over 60 years following cochlear implantation. (b) To assess the relationship between cognition, demographic, audiometric, and subjective outcomes in both age groups. Methods: 28 cochlear implant (CI) users were assigned to the < 60y group and 35 to the ≥ 60y group. Cognition was measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Hearing impaired individuals (RBANS-H); subjective benefit was measured using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ); the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI); the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19); Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Prior to surgery: the RBANS-H total score positively correlated with the domains “Advanced sound”, “Self-esteem”, and “Social functioning” of NCIQ, and negatively with HADS scores. 12 months post-implantation: the RBANS-H total score increased in the < 60y (p = 0.038) and in the ≥ 60y group (p < 0.001); speech perception and subjective outcomes also improved; RBANS-H total score positively correlated with “Self-esteem” domain in NCIQ. Age and the RBANS-H total score correlated negatively in the ≥ 60y group (p = 0.026). Conclusions: After implantation, both age groups demonstrated improved cognition, speech perception and quality of life. Their depression scores decreased. Age was inversely associated with cognition.This work was supported by a grant (PI16/00079) from Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento del Sistema Español de I+D+I, ISCiii, Spain. The authors would like to thank the subjects for their participation, and Angelina Gurkina for their medical writer assistanc

Adherence to the mediterranean lifestyle and desired body weight loss in a mediterranean adult population with overweight: a PREDIMED-Plus Study

Background: Body weight dissatisfaction is a hindrance to following a healthy lifestyle and it has been associated with weight concerns. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet and exercise) and the desired body weight loss in an adult Mediterranean population with overweight. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis in 6355 participants (3268 men; 3087 women) with metabolic syndrome and BMI (Body mass index) between 27.0 and 40.0 kg/m2 (55-75 years old) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Desired weight loss was the percentage of weight that participants wished to lose. It was categorized into four cut-offs of this percentage (Q1: <10%, n = 1495; Q2: 10-15%, n = 1804; Q3: <15-20%, n = 1470; Q4: ≥20%, n = 1589). Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a 17-item Mediterranean diet questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by the validated Minnesota-REGICOR and the validated Spanish version of the Nurses' Health Study questionnaire. Results: Participants reporting higher percentages of desired weight loss (Q3 and Q4) were younger, had higher real and perceived BMI and were more likely to have abdominal obesity. Desired weight loss correlated inversely to physical activity (Q1: 2106 MET min/week; Q4: 1585 MET min/week. p < 0.001) and adherence to Mediterranean diet (Q1: 8.7; Q4: 8.3. p < 0.001). Conclusions: In older Mediterranean individuals with weight excess, desired weight loss was inversely associated with Mediterranean lifestyle adherence. Deeply rooted aspects of the MedDiet remained similar across groups. Longitudinal research is advised to be able to establish causality.The PREDIMED-Plus trial was supported by the official funding agency for biomedical research of the Spanish government, ISCIII, through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (FIS), which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (five coordinated FIS projects led by J.S.-S. and J.Vidal, including the following projects: PI13/00673, PI13/00492, PI13/00272, PI13/01123, PI13/00462, PI13/00233, PI13/02184, PI13/00728, PI13/01090, PI13/01056, PI14/01722, PI14/00636, PI14/00618, PI14/00696, PI14/01206, PI14/01919, PI14/00853, PI14/01374, PI14/00972, PI14/00728, PI14/01471, PI16/00473, PI16/00662, PI16/01873, PI16/01094, PI16/00501, PI16/00533, PI16/00381, PI16/00366, PI16/01522, PI16/01120, PI17/00764, PI17/01183, PI17/00855, PI17/01347, PI17/00525, PI17/01827, PI17/00532, PI17/00215, PI17/01441, PI17/00508, PI17/01732, PI17/00926, PI19/00957, PI19/00386, PI19/00309, PI19/01032, PI19/00576, PI19/00017, PI19/01226, PI19/00781, PI19/01560, and PI19/01332, the Especial Action Project entitled: Implementación y evaluación de una intervención intensiva sobre la actividad física Cohorte PREDIMED-Plus grant to J.S.-S., the European Research Council (Advanced Research Grant 2013–2018, 340918) to Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, the Recercaixa Grant to J.S.-S. (2013ACUP00194), Grants from the Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía (PI0458/2013, PS0358/2016, and PI0137/2018), a Grant from the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2017/017), a SEMERGEN Grant, EU-COST Action CA16112, a Grant of support to research groups no. 35/2011 from the Balearic Islands Government, Grants from Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IDISBA), funds from the European Regional Development Fund (CIBEROBN CB06/03 and CB12/03) and from the European Commission (EAT2BENICE_H2020_SFS2016). M. Rosa Bernal-López was supported by “Miguel Servet Type I” program (CP15/00028) from the ISCIII-Madrid (Spain), cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund. Jordi Salas-Salvadó is partially supported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia programme. Cristina Bouzas received a Fernando Tarongí Bauzà PhD Grant. I.M Gimenez-Alba received a grant FPU from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Univesities (reference FPU 18/01703). The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study, in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results

Adherence to the Mediterranean Lifestyle and Desired Body Weight Loss in a Mediterranean Adult Population with Overweight: A PREDIMED-Plus Study

Background. Body weight dissatisfaction is a hindrance to following a healthy lifestyle and it has been associated with weight concerns. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet and exercise) and the desired body weight loss in an adult Mediterranean population with overweight. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis in 6355 participants (3268 men; 3087 women) with metabolic syndrome and BMI (Body mass index) between 27.0 and 40.0 kg/m2 (55–75 years old) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Desired weight loss was the percentage of weight that participants wished to lose. It was categorized into four cut-offs of this percentage (Q1: <10%, n = 1495; Q2: 10–15%, n = 1804; Q3: <15–20%, n = 1470; Q4: ≥20%, n = 1589)

Adherence to the Mediterranean Lifestyle and Desired Body Weight Loss in a Mediterranean Adult Population with Overweight: A PREDIMED-Plus Study

Background. Body weight dissatisfaction is a hindrance to following a healthy lifestyle and it has been associated with weight concerns. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet and exercise) and the desired body weight loss in an adult Mediterranean population with overweight. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis in 6355 participants (3268 men; 3087 women) with metabolic syndrome and BMI (Body mass index) between 27.0 and 40.0 kg/m2 (55–75 years old) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Desired weight loss was the percentage of weight that participants wished to lose. It was categorized into four cut-offs of this percentage (Q1: <10%, n = 1495; Q2: 10–15%, n = 1804; Q3: <15–20%, n = 1470; Q4: ≥20%, n = 1589)