Objective To study the relationships among health-related quality of life( HRQL) ,social support, excessive daytime sleepiness ( EDS) and PSG parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) . Methods Eighty-five patients were recruited who were diagnosed as OSAHS by overnight polysomnography from August 2007 through November 2007 in West China Hospital.The Calgary sleep apnea quality of life index ( SAQLI) was used for HRQL, social support rating scale ( SSRS) was used for social support, and Epworth sleepiness scale( ESS) was used for EDS. The Pearson linear correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation among SAQLI, SSRS, ESS, and PSG. Results The SAQLI was correlated with SSRS score ( r =0. 402, P lt;0. 01) ;ESS score ( r = - 0. 505, P lt;0. 01) ; apnea-hypopnea index ( AHI) ( r = - 0. 269, P lt; 0. 05) and lowest artery oxygen saturation ( LSaO2) ( r = 0. 226, P lt; 0. 05) . Stepwise multiple regression analysis determined two variables, the SSRS and ESS score, as independent factors for predicting the total score of SAQLI which accounted for 37. 3% of the total variance in the total score on SAQLI ( R2 = 0. 373, P lt; 0.001) .Conclusions The HRQL of patients with OSAHS was correlated with the SSRS score, ESS score and PSG parameters. The former two were the more important factors to affect the HRQL of patients with OSAHS.
ObjectiveTo observe the medium-term clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior release internal distraction in treatment of severe and rigid scoliosis. MethodsBetween March 2009 and March 2012, 26 patients with severe and rigid scoliosis were treated with anterior release, posterior internal distraction, and two stage posterior spinal fusion. There were 11 males and 15 females with an average age of 19.6 years (range, 14-25 years). The average disease duration was 13.6 years (range, 3-24 years). All cases were idiopathic scoliosis. Of 26 cases, 2 cases were rated as Lenke type I, 8 as type Ⅱ, 13 as type IV, 1 as type V, and 2 as type VI. The apical vertebrae located at T6 in 1 case, at T7 in 3 cases, at T8 in 7 cases, at T9 in 13 cases, and at T10 in 2 cases. The average 4 vertebral bodies were released by anterior approach, and average 14 vertebral bodies were fused after posterior surgery. Fourteen patients received 2 times distraction. Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire was used to access health-related quality of life. The radiological parameters were measured, including coronal plane Cobb angel of major curve, apical vertebral translation (AVT), C7 plumb line-center sacral vertical line (C7PL-CSVL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and thoracic kyphosis (TK) at pre-and post-operation. ResultsThe average total operation time was 592.7 minutes; the average total blood loss volume was 1 311.2 mL; and total hospitalization cost was (14.7±1.4)×104 yuan RMB. The coronal plane Cobb angle of major curve was (55.7±16.5)°, and the TK was (43.2±16.2)° after first distraction. The patients were followed up 2-5 years (mean, 3.8 years). Temporary dyspnea and pleural effusion occurred in 1 case respectively after distraction, and symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. Screw loosening and pseudoarthrosis formation was observed in 1 case at 6 months after fusion, good recovery was achieved after revision. No infection or neurological complication was found. The coronal plane Cobb angel of major curve, TK, and AVT after fusion and at last follow-up were significantly lower than preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at post-fusion and last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in C7PL-CSVL and SVA between at pre-and post-operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, SRS-22 questionnaire scores were 4.32±0.42 for active degree, 4.54±0.58 for mental health, 3.97±0.76 for self-image, 4.09±0.64 for pain, and 4.03±0.83 for satisfaction degree. ConclusionAnterior release internal distraction can provide satisfactory correction results for severe and rigid scoliosis with higher safety and lower incidence of complication.
The discrete choice experiment (DCE) is a stated preference analysis method to evaluate the impact of multiple factors on individual choice, which has been explored by scholars around the world for health utility measurement. This method is considered to reduce the cognitive burden of traditional utility measurement methods and has high development potential. Through examining empirical studies conducted domestically and internationally that employ DCE for measuring health utility, and drawing on methodological guidelines for constructing DCE models, this article provides an overview of the methodological background of DCE, the practical process used for measuring health utility, and discusses relevant challenges in its application.