Qualitative assessment of Tongue Drive System by people with high-level spinal cord injury

The Tongue Drive System (TDS) is a minimally invasive, wireless, and wearable assistive technology (AT) that enables people with severe disabilities to control their environments using tongue motion. TDS translates specific tongue gestures into commands by sensing the magnetic field created by a small magnetic tracer applied to the user’s tongue. We have previously quantitatively evaluated the TDS for accessing computers and powered wheelchairs, demonstrating its usability. In this study, we focused on its qualitative evaluation by people with high-level spinal cord injury who each received a magnetic tongue piercing and used the TDS for 6 wk. We used two questionnaires, an after-scenario and a poststudy, designed to evaluate the tongue-piercing experience and the TDS usability compared with that of the sip-and-puff and the users’ current ATs. After study completion, 73% of the participants were positive about keeping the magnetic tongue-barbell in order to use the TDS. All were satisfied with the TDS performance and most said that they were able to do more things using TDS than their current ATs (4.22/5)

Sexual dysfunction during treatment with serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressants: Clinical description and the role of the 5-HTTLPR

Objectives. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a frequently reported side-effect of antidepressant treatment, particularly of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In the multicentre clinical and pharmacogenetic GENDEP study (Genome-based Therapeutic Drugs for Depression), the effect of the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism 5-HTTLPR on sexual function was investigated during treatment with escitalopram (SSRI) and nortriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant). Methods. A total of 494 subjects with an episode of DSM-IV major depression were randomly assigned to treatment with escitalopram or nortriptyline. Over 12 weeks, depressive symptoms and SD were measured weekly with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Antidepressant Side-Effect Checklist, the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale, and the Sexual Functioning Questionnaire. Results. The incidence of reported SD after 12 weeks of treatment was relatively low, and did not differ significantly between antidepressants (14.9% escitalopram, 19.7% nortriptyline). There was no significant interaction between the 5-HTTLPR and antidepressant on SD. Improvement in depressive symptoms and younger age were both associated with lower SD. The effect of age on SD may have been moderated by the 5-HTTLPR. Conclusions. In GENDEP, rates of reported SD during treatment were lower than those described in previous reports. There was no apparent effect of the 5-HTTLPR on the observed decline in SD. © 2011 Informa Healthcare.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Latent class analysis of sexual health markers among men and women participating in a British probability sample survey.

BACKGROUND: Despite known associations between different aspects of sexual health, it is not clear how patterning of adverse sexual health varies across the general population. A better understanding should contribute towards more effective problem identification, prevention and treatment. We sought to identify different clusters of sexual health markers in a general population, along with their socio-demographic, health and lifestyle correlates. METHODS: Data came from men (N = 5113) and women (N = 7019) aged 16-74 who reported partnered sexual activity in the past year in Britain's third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, undertaken in 2010-2012. Latent class analysis used 18 self-reported variables relating to adverse sexual health outcomes (STI and unplanned pregnancy, non-volitional sex, and sexual function problems). Correlates included socio-demographics, early debut, alcohol/drug use, depression, and satisfaction/distress with sex life. RESULTS: Four classes were found for men (labelled Good Sexual Health 83%, Wary Risk-takers 4%, Unwary Risk-takers 4%, Sexual Function Problems 9%); six for women (Good Sexual Health 52%, Wary Risk-takers 2%, Unwary Risk-takers 7%, Low Interest 29%, Sexual Function Problems 7%, Highly Vulnerable 2%). Regardless of gender, Unwary Risk-takers reported lower STI/HIV risk perception and more condomless sex than Wary Risk-takers, but both were more likely to report STI diagnosis than Good Sexual Health classes. Highly Vulnerable women reported abortion, STIs and functional problems, and more sexual coercion than other women. Distinct socio-demographic profiles differentiated higher-risk classes from Good Sexual Health classes, with depression, alcohol/drug use, and early sexual debut widely-shared correlates of higher-risk classes. Females in higher-risk classes, and men with functional problems, evaluated their sex lives more negatively than those with Good Sexual Health. CONCLUSIONS: A greater prevalence and diversity of poor sexual health appears to exist among women than men in Britain, with more consistent effects on women's subjective sexual well-being. Shared health and lifestyle characteristics of higher-risk groups suggest widespread benefits of upstream interventions. Several groups could benefit from tailored interventions: men and women who underestimate their STI/HIV risk exposure, women distressed by low interest in sex, and women experiencing multiple adverse outcomes. Distinctive socio-demographic profiles should assist with identification and targeting

Association of dermatomyositis with systemic and opportunistic infections in the United States

© 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Patients with dermatomyositis have multiple risk factors for serious and opportunistic infections, including immune dysregulation, long-term systemic corticosteroid treatment and comorbid health conditions. We sought to determine whether dermatomyositis is associated with increased odds and burden of systemic, opportunistic and antibiotic-resistant infections. We analyzed data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2012, containing a cross-sectional representative 20% sample of all hospitalizations in the US. Overall, dermatomyositis was associated with serious infections in adults (multivariable logistic regression; adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.19 [2.08–2.30]) and children (1.45 [1.20–1.76]). In particular, dermatomyositis was significantly associated with 32 of 48 and 15 of 48 infections examined in adults and children, respectively, including infections of skin, bone, joints, brain, heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal system, as well sepsis, antibiotic-resistant and opportunistic infections. Predictors of infections included non-white race/ethnicity, insurance status, history of long-term systemic corticosteroid usage, Cushing’s syndrome (likely secondary to corticosteroid usage), diabetes, and cancer. Serious infections were associated with significantly increased inpatient cost and death in dermatomyositis patients. In conclusion, dermatomyositis is associated with higher odds, costs and inpatient mortality from serious and opportunistic infections

Potential relationship between Rosacea and Parkinson’s disease

Rosacea is a common inflammatory condition characterized by transient or persistent facial erythema, telangiectasias, papules and pustules, for which an association has been reported to exist with Parkinson's disease (PD). We used a large, urban, single center, electronic medical record repository by searching the Northwestern Medicine Enterprise Data Warehouse (NMEDW) (> 4 million patients) for this association. Patients were included if they had an in-person encounter (Jan 2001 to May 2016) and with 1 year documentation of follow-up. Of these, all patients diagnosed with rosacea (ICD-9 codes: 372.31; 695.3, ICD-10 codes: L71.8; L71.9) and with a subsequent diagnosis of PD (ICD-9 code: 332; ICD-10 code: G20) were selected. Data on age, gender, race and tetracycline class therapy were collected. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) was obtained by using logistic regression analysis. A total of 815,210 patients were detected. 18,066 were diagnosed with rosacea, of whom 51 were subsequently diagnosed with PD (mean age: 74.5 years, range 53-89). A significant association between rosacea and PD was detectable after adjusting for age, gender, race and tetracycline class therapy (OR =1.7; 95%CI 1.27-2.22; p<0.001). Moreover, the adjusted odds ratio among untreated patients was higher than for rosacea-treated patients (ORs: 1.64 vs 1.10) and PD remained significantly associated with rosacea for both groups, suggesting that rosacea is an independent factor in the development of PD. These findings warrant further exploration for the relevance of this association between the two disorders

Qualitative assessment of Tongue Drive System by people with high-level spinal cord injury

The Tongue Drive System (TDS) is a minimally invasive, wireless, and wearable assistive technology (AT) that enables people with severe disabilities to control their environments using tongue motion. TDS translates specific tongue gestures into commands by sensing the magnetic field created by a small magnetic tracer applied to the user’s tongue. We have previously quantitatively evaluated the TDS for accessing computers and powered wheelchairs, demonstrating its usability. In this study, we focused on its qualitative evaluation by people with high-level spinal cord injury who each received a magnetic tongue piercing and used the TDS for 6 wk. We used two questionnaires, an after-scenario and a poststudy, designed to evaluate the tongue-piercing experience and the TDS usability compared with that of the sip-and-puff and the users’ current ATs. After study completion, 73% of the participants were positive about keeping the magnetic tongue-barbell in order to use the TDS. All were satisfied with the TDS performance and most said that they were able to do more things using TDS than their current ATs (4.22/5)