Objective To assess the appropriateness of Barthel Index (BI) and Modified Rankin Scales (MRS) used as long-term outcome measures in a stroke data register and to investigate the correlation between cutoff points of the two scales in different stroke patients with and without disability. Methods Nine hundred and twelve patients were registered prospectively. BI and MRS were evaluated at the end of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke onset. The distribution, ceiling effects and floor effects of the two scales were evaluated. A logistic regression model was established to investigate correlation of cutoff points of BI and MRS. Results There were a total of 2 829 evaluation points of BI and MRS. The percentages of patients reaching the maximum scores of BI at the end of 3, 6 and 12 months (54.8％, 62.2％ and 68.3％, respectively) were higher than those of MRS. There was significant correlation between the two scales (Spearman’s correlation coefficient 0.887, P＜0.05), when MRS scores of ≤1 and ≤2 were taken as cutoff points, the corresponding cutoff points of BI score were ≥90 and ≥85, respectively. Conclusions BI has significant ceiling effects when used as long-term outcome measurement in a stroke data register. There was significant correlation between BI and MRS scores. In future clinical studies, an MRS score ≤2 or BI score ≥85 could be used as cutoff points in predicting stroke patients with and without disability.
ObjectiveTo improve activities of daily living (referring to Barthel Index) in the older inpatients.MethodsIn January 2016, a quality control circle (QCC) was established. According to 10 steps in activity of QCC, we figured out the causes of low Barthel Index score in older inpatients by using Plato method and Fishbone Diagram which were common methods of QCC. In addition, we designed and implemented a rectification program to improve Barthel Index score.ResultsAfter intervention of QCC, the average Barthel Index score of the older inpatients increased from 72.40±6.42 to 89.30±5.87 with a statistical difference (P<0.01); the satisfaction percent of hospitalized patients increased from 94.5% to 98.7% with a statistical difference (P<0.01). The percentage of registered nurses whose theoretical test score were over 90 increased from 57% to 88% (P<0.01) and the satisfaction percent of nurses increased from 90.5% to 95.6% (P<0.01). Moreover, the member’s ability of learning, discovery, analysis and problem solving, communication, application of QCC skills were improved.ConclusionThe application of QCC activities will increase older inpatients’ Barthel Index score, improve the satisfaction of patients and nursing staff, and enhance the members’ ability of solving problems by using QCC skills.
Objective To explore the effect of early weight-bearing exercise on the recovery of elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures after internal fixation. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures (AO 31-A2 or A3) who underwent proximal femoral nail treatment between February and August 2015 were collected. Among them, 25 patients underwent early weight-bearing exercise after surgery (the observation group), and 25 patients underwent routine recovery after surgery (the control group). Demographic data of patients, modified Barthel Index, and EuroQOL Five Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D) scores were collected, and mortality was assessed by telephone follow-up one year after surgery. Results In the observation group, the modified Barthel Index before injury, within 48 hours , 6 weeks , 12 weeks, and 1 year after surgery was 49.56±2.00, 26.40±3.11, 44.04±3.92, 47.92±3.13, and 48.76±3.07, respectively; in the control group, the modified Barthel Index at the above mentioned time points was 49.92±0.40, 26.52±3.34, 40.92±2.62, 45.44±2.36, and 49.16±1.75, respectively. The difference between the observation group and the control group at 6 and 12 weeks after surgery was a statistically significant (P<0.05), and the observation group was better than the control group; there was no statistical difference between the two groups in the modified Barthel Index before surgery, within 48 hours after surgery or one year after surgery (P>0.05). None of the patients died within the first one year after surgery. Conclusion The early weight-bearing exercise after hip fracture in the elderly has a positive effect on the recovery of the patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of early preoperative mobilization on the rehabilitation of the elderly patients with hip fractures after operation.MethodsThe clinical data of 16 elderly patients with hip fractures between February 2017 and April 2018 who met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 8 females, with an average age of 80.3 years (range, 69-90 years). There were 8 cases of intertrochanteric fracture and 8 cases of femoral neck fracture. The preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scored 2.94±0.43. There were 3 cases of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, 6 cases of essential hypertension, 5 cases of respiratory diseases, 3 cases of diabetes, and 2 cases of other system diseases. The time from injury to admission was 4 hours to 14 days with an average of 39.5 hours. On the day of admission or on the first day after admission, the patient started to exercise on the floor underwent analgesia treatment. And the patients were treated with closed reduction (9 cases) or artificial hip arthroplasty (7 cases). The time from admission to operation was 4 to 25 days, with an average of 7.4 days. At the time of admission, after the first ground movement before operation, on the second day after operation, and at last follow-up, the Barthel Index was used to assess the patients’ self-care ability, and Barthel effectiveness (BE) was calculated. The complications were observed and recorded during follow-up.ResultsAll 16 patients underwent operation successfully. The hospital stay was 8 to 24 days, with an average of 14.1 days. All patients were followed up 2.5-16.0 months with an average of 6.5 months. One patient developed postoperative pulmonary infection; the remaining patients had no surgical-related complications. No patient died during the follow-up. The Barthel Index scored 30.63±5.56 at admission, 53.13±9.50 after the first ground movement before operation, 60.63±6.09 on the second day after operation, and 96.25±4.84 at last follow-up. There were significant differences in Barthel Index scores between different time points (P<0.05). The BE was 0.23±0.06 after the first ground movement before operation, 0.30±0.04 on the second day after operation, and 0.66±0.06 at last follow-up. There were significant differences in BE between different time points (P<0.05).ConclusionFor elderly patients with hip fractures who have long waiting time before operation, early preoperative mobilization has a positive impact on patients’ activities of daily living.