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Intensity Score (intensity + score)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	80%

Kinds of Intensity Score

pain intensity score

Selected Abstracts

Aerodigestive Tract Invasion by Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Diagnosis, Management, Prognosis, and Biology

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 1 2006
Judith Czaja McCaffrey MD
Objectives/Hypothesis: 1) To describe the clinical entity invasive well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (IWDTC), 2) to determine prognostic factors for survival in patients with IWDTC, 3) to describe and compare types of surgical resection to determine treatment efficacy, 4) to offer a staging system and surgical algorithm for management of patients with IWDTC, 5) to examine alterations in expression of E-cadherin and ,-catenin adhesion molecules in three groups of thyroid tissue and propose a cellular mechanism for invasion of the aerodigestive tract. Study Design: Basic science: quantification of expression of E-cadherin and ,-catenin in three groups of thyroid tissue. Clinical: retrospective review of patients with IWDTC surgically treated and followed over a 45-year time period. Methods: Basic science: immunohistochemical staining was used with antibodies against E-cadherin and ,-catenin in three groups of tissue: group 1, normal control thyroid tissue (n = 10); group 2, conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 20); group 3, IWDTC (n = 12). Intensity scores were given on the basis of protocol. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate differences between groups. Post hoc ANOVA testing was completed. P < .05 was significant. Clinical: patients were divided into three surgical groups within the laryngotracheal subset: group 1, complete resection of gross disease (n = 34); group 2, shave excision (n = 75); group 3, incomplete excision (n = 15). Cox regression analysis was used to determine significance of prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to evaluate survival. P < .05 was significant. Results: Basic science: a significant difference between the three thyroid tissue groups for E-cadherin expression was demonstrated on one-way ANOVA testing. When controls were compared with either experimental group in post hoc ANOVA testing, differences between all groups were demonstrated (P < .001). For ,-catenin, the intensities of the three groups were not different by one-way ANOVA testing. Similar nonsignificant results were found on post hoc ANOVA testing. Clinical: there was a statistically significant difference in survival for patients with and without involvement of any portion of the endolarynx or trachea (P < .01). There was a significant difference among all three surgical groups when compared (P < .001). When complete and shave groups were compared with gross residual group there was a significant decrease in survival in incomplete resection group (P < .01). Cox regression analysis demonstrated invasion of larynx and trachea were significant prognostic factors for poor outcome. The type of initial resection was significant on multivariate analysis. Removal of all gross disease is a major factor for survival. Conclusions: Basic science: there is a decrease in membrane expression of E-cadherin in IWDTC, and loss of this tumor suppressor adhesion molecule may contribute to the invasive nature of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas. Clinical: laryngotracheal invasion is a significant independent prognostic factor for survival. Patients undergoing shave excision had similar survival when compared with those undergoing radical tumor resection if gross tumor did not remain. Gross intraluminal tumor should be resected completely. Shave excision is adequate for minimal invasion not involving the intraluminal surfaces of the aerodigestive tract. [source]

Identifying the Activities Affected by Chronic Nonmalignant Pain in Older Veterans Receiving Primary Care

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 4 2005
Bao D. Duong MD
Objectives: To identify the specific types of activities affected by chronic pain in older persons and the extent to which older individuals modify, perform less frequently, or terminate activities because of pain. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Primary care practice at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New England. Participants: Two hundred forty-four patients (aged 65,90) with chronic nonmalignant pain. Measurements: Open-ended questions were used to identify the activities affected by pain; participants' responses were subsequently organized into distinct categories (e.g., climbing stairs under higher-order physical activities and going out to dinner under social/recreational activities). Participants were also asked to indicate whether they had modified, performed less frequently, or terminated these activities because of pain. Results: Participants had a mean age±standard deviation of 75.4±5.2, were mostly male (84%), and had an average pain intensity score of 6.2±1.9 on a 0- to 10-scale. Two hundred three participants (83%) reported that pain affected one or more higher-order physical activities, and the corresponding percentages for the categories of social/recreational activities, instrumental activities of daily living, and basic activities of daily living were 74%, 57%, and 3%, respectively. The proportions of participants who modified, performed less frequently, or terminated one or more activities because of pain were 71%, 69%, and 22%, respectively. Conclusion: Assessing the effects of chronic pain across multiple functional domains is indicated in older primary care patients, particularly higher-order physical and social/recreational activities. Inquiring about whether the activities are modified, reduced, or terminated may also help to expand understanding of pain-related disability in older persons. [source]

Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects of Raisin Paste in Cooked Ground Beef, Pork, and Chicken

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006
M.N. Vasavada
ABSTRACT:, The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible antioxidant activity of raisin paste added to raw ground beef, pork, or chicken before cooking to 163 °C. Samples were held at 2 °C for up to 14 d. TBA values were measured using a distillation method, to avoid yellow color interference found in "wet" TBA methods. Sample meat flavor intensity, rancid flavor intensity, and raisin flavor intensity were evaluated by a trained panel (n = 6). Addition of raisin paste lowered (p < 0.05) TBA values and decreased panel scores for rancid flavor scores of all meat samples in a concentration-dependent manner. Highest antioxidant effects were obtained with a minimum of 1.5%, 2.0%, or 2.0% raisin paste in cooked ground beef, pork, or chicken, respectively. There was a high correlation (0.93, 0.94, 0.94) between TBA values and sensory rancid flavor scores in beef, pork, and chicken samples respectively. Addition of a reducing sugar (glucose) was nearly as effective as raisins for maintenance of low TBA values and rancid flavor scores, probably due to antioxidant effects of Maillard browning products. There was no detectable raisin flavor in cooked ground beef samples with added raisins. However, all meats with added glucose had a higher raisin flavor intensity score than controls, indicating that panelists associated sweetness with raisin flavor. Maillard browning (sample darkening) was evident after cooking of ground chicken with either raisins or glucose. [source]

Acetyl-l-carnitine in the treatment of painful antiretroviral toxic neuropathy in human immunodeficiency virus patients: an open label study

JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 1 2006
Maurizio Osio
Abstract Antiretroviral toxic neuropathy causes morbidity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients under dideoxynucleoside therapy, benefits only partially from medical therapy, and often leads to drug discontinuation. Proposed pathogeneses include a disorder of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, eventually related to a reduction of mitochondrial DNA content, and interference with nerve growth factor activity. Carnitine is a substrate of energy production reactions in mitochondria and is involved in many anabolic reactions. Acetyl carnitine treatment promotes peripheral nerve regeneration and has neuroprotective properties and a direct analgesic role related to glutamatergic and cholinergic modulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate acetyl-l-carnitine in the treatment of painful antiretroviral toxic neuropathy in HIV patients. Twenty subjects affected by painful antiretroviral toxic neuropathy were treated with oral acetyl-l-carnitine at a dose of 2,000 mg/day for a 4-week period. Efficacy was evaluated by means of the modified Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire with each item rated on an 11-point intensity scale at weekly intervals and by electromyography at baseline and final visit. Mean pain intensity score was significantly reduced during the study, changing from 7.35 ± 1.98 (mean ± SD) at baseline to 5.80 ± 2.63 at week 4 (p = 0.0001). Electrophysiological parameters did not significantly change between baseline and week 4. In this study, acetyl-l-carnitine was effective and well tolerated in symptomatic treatment of painful neuropathy associated with antiretroviral toxicity. On the contrary, no effect was noted on neurophysiological parameters. [source]

An evaluation of the psychometric properties of the traumatic events questionnaire in primary care patients

JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 1 2008
Eric F. Crawford
This study examined the reliability of reports of traumatic experiences across the Traumatic Events Questionnaire (TEQ; S. Vrana & D. Lauterbach, 1994) and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI; World Health Organization, 1998), and evaluated other psychometric properties of the TEQ in 154 primary care patients. Agreement rates for various traumatic experiences were moderate to substantial, with sexual abuse showing 87% agreement, and other forms of trauma exhibiting rates from 81,74%. The TEQ yields a trauma intensity score, which produced stronger correlations with self-reported PTSD symptoms and problematic anger than the sum of traumas experienced. Trauma intensity also proved to be a powerful predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic status. Results support the TEQ as a measure of traumatic exposure in primary care populations. [source]

(204) Rofecoxib Was More Effective than Codeine with Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Acute Pain

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2001
David J. Chang
Rofecoxib (VIOXX®) is a selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and is indicated for the treatment of acute pain. Prior acute pain studies showed similar analgesic efficacy of rofecoxib 50 mg compared with analgesics doses of non-selective NSAIDs. We performed a randomized, double-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rofecoxib, a standard fixed formulation of codeine with acetaminophen, and placebo in the treatment of acute pain. Three-hundred ninety-three patients with moderate or severe pain after surgical extraction of at least two 3rd molars were randomized to receive a single dose of rofecoxib 50 mg (n = 182), codeine 60 mg with acetaminophen 600 mg (n = 180), or placebo (n = 31). Efficacy was assessed at 11 pre-specified time points after dosing by pain relief and pain intensity scores. Patient global assessment of study medication was also performed. Baseline characteristics were similar among the groups. The mean age was 21 years; 69.0% were female; and 78.6% had a pain intensity score of "moderate." For the primary endpoint, total pain relief over 6 hours, rofecoxib was more effective than codeine/acetaminophen (p < 0.001) and placebo (p < 0.001). Proportion of patients who rated the study medication as good, very good, or excellent at 6 hours was 64.6% on rofecoxib, 36.4% on codeine/acetaminophen, and 10.3% on placebo (rofecoxib> codeine/acetaminophen; p < 0.001). The time to rescue medication was longer for rofecoxib compared to codeine/acetaminophen (p < 0.001). More patients on codeine/acetaminophen experienced clinical adverse events than rofecoxib (p < 0.05). Patients receiving codeine/acetaminophen versus rofecoxib had higher incidences of nausea (25.0% vs 6.0%; p < 0.001) and vomiting (18.3% vs 3.8%; p < 0.001). In this study, rofecoxib had superior efficacy and gastrointestinal safety compared to codeine/acetaminophen, which provides support for the use of rofecoxib as an alternative option to opioid analgesics in the treatment of acute post-surgical pain. [source]

Co-Administration of Dextromethorphan and Morphine: Reduction of Post-Operative Pain and Lack of Influence on Morphine Metabolism

BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Maciej Suski
In a double-blind study, 60 patients with ASA physical status I,II were randomised into two groups. Group dextromethorphan (n = 30; age: 15.9 ± 2.4 years) was given oral dextromethorphan 30 or 45 mg 1 hr before surgery and 8, 20 and 32 hr after operation. Group placebo (n = 30; age: 16.5 ± 2.7 years) received placebo at identical times. Post-operative analgesic requirements were assessed using nurse-controlled analgesia system. Pain was assessed using numeric rating scale before first administration of morphine and at 2, 3, 4, 6, 24 and 48 hr after operation. Blood samples were taken 20 min. after the first use of morphine (within 1 hr after operation). The total use of analgesics during surgery was lower in the dextromethorphan group. The dose of morphine providing relief immediately after surgery, as well as total analgesic requirements in the first and second day after surgery did not differ between groups. Subjectively evaluated pain intensity score (numeric rating scale) was lower for the dextromethorphan patients in the first 4 hr, but not later after surgery. Plasma levels of morphine, morphine-6-glucuronide and morphine-3-glucuronide did not differ between groups. Dextromethorphan did not influence morphine glucuronidation, in terms of promotion of formation of any morphine glucuronides. In conclusion, in young patients subjected to spine surgery, addition of dextromethorphan to morphine reduced pain only in early post-operative period. In such patients, co-analgesic action of dextromethorphan was not associated with significant changes in plasma levels of morphine metabolites. [source]

Once-daily OROS®,hydromorphone for the management of chronic nonmalignant pain: a dose-conversion and titration study

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 10 2007
M. Wallace
Summary Background:, The use of opioid analgesics for patients with chronic nonmalignant pain is becoming more widely accepted, and long-acting formulations are an important treatment option. Aim:, To assess conversion to extended-release OROS® hydromorphone from previous stable opioid agonist therapy in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain of moderate-to-severe intensity. Methods:, In this open-label multicentre trial, patients were stabilised on their previous opioid therapy before being switched to OROS® hydromorphone at a ratio of 5 : 1 (morphine sulphate equivalent to hydromorphone hydrochloride). The OROS® hydromorphone dose was titrated over 3,16 days to achieve effective analgesia, and maintenance treatment continued for 14 days. Results:, Study medication was received by 336 patients; 66% completed all study phases. Stabilisation of OROS® hydromorphone was achieved by 94.6% of patients, the majority in two or fewer titration steps (mean time, 4.2 days). Mean pain intensity scores, as determined by the Brief Pain Inventory, decreased during OROS® hydromorphone treatment (p , 0.001). The percentage of patients rating their pain relief as ,good' or ,complete' increased, and the use of rescue analgesics for breakthrough pain decreased. The interference of pain with everyday activities (e.g. walking or work), and the effects on mood and enjoyment of life, also improved during the study (all p < 0.001). OROS® hydromorphone was well tolerated, and adverse events were those expected for opioid agonist therapy. Conclusion:, Patients with chronic nonmalignant pain who had been receiving opioid therapy easily underwent conversion to OROS® hydromorphone, with no loss of efficacy or increase in adverse events. [source]

(204) Rofecoxib Was More Effective than Codeine with Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Acute Pain

Differential expression of estrogen-related receptors , and , (ERR, and ERR,) and their clinical significance in human prostate cancer

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010
Tetsuya Fujimura
(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 646,651) Estrogen-related receptor (ERR) is a nuclear receptor that modulates the estrogen-signaling pathway. Here, we investigated the expression of both ERR, and ERR, in human prostate tissues. Using original rabbit polyclonal anti-ERR, and anti-ERR, antibodies, the expression of ERR, and ERR, was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of cancerous lesions (n = 107) and benign foci (n = 92), obtained by radical prostatectomy. Stained slides were evaluated for the proportion of immunoreactive cells and their staining intensity. Total immunoreactivity scores (IR scores; range, 0,8) were calculated as the sum of the proportion and intensity scores. The relationship between the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients and the expression of the three ERRs (ERR,, ERR ,, and ERR ,) was evaluated. IR scores for ERR, and ERR, were significantly lower in cancerous lesions than that in benign foci (P < 0.0001, for both). Clinicopathological analyses revealed that the patients with low ERR, IR scores (,4) tended to show poor cancer-specific survival (P = 0.07). Then, we used data from our previous study (Fujimura T., Int J Cancer, 2007; 120: 2325,30). Patients with a high IR score for ERR, and a low score for ERR, showed significantly poorer cancer-specific survival than those with a low IR score for ERR, and a high score for ERR, (P = 0.0003). We demonstrated the differential expression of ERR, and ERR, in prostate tissue. The combined evaluation of the expression of ERR, and ERR, could be a significant prognostic factor for prostate cancer. [source]