Biomedical subjects
M Szpalski
Publications and source records attributed to M Szpalski.
Reproducibility of trunk isoinertial dynamic performance in patients with low back pain.
The purpose of this study was to assess consistency of response in repeated measurements of isoinertial trunk performance among patients with low back pain. An underlying assumption was that inconsistency can detect lack of effort. Ninety-two patients, 53 men and 39 women, were evaluated using a multiaxis isoinertial dynamometer. The patients were asked to perform with maximum effort against 25 and 50% maximum isometric torque in each plane of motion. Torque, velocity, and range of motion were measured in repeated trials. Correlations between first and second trials were extremely high in all cases even through the range of performance was diverse. Percentage differences between first and second trials were found to be approximately normally (Gaussian) distributed. On the basis of normality, we calculated limits for the percentage difference between first and second trials, within which patients with low back pain would be expected to fall 95% of the time. These limits, presented separately for men and women, are given for each combination of measurements of torque, velocity, and range of motion; plane of motion; and two levels of resistance. Resistance was measured at 25 and 50% of maximum isometric. The limits may be used as guidelines to assess maximum performance for patients with low back pain.
[Occupational transmission by HIV and by hepatitis B virus. Attitude of Belgian surgeons and anesthetists. An opinion survey].
Risk of professional transmission of hepatitis B is known since the seventies. Recently the possibility of HIV transmission during surgical practice was demonstrated. It was interesting to assess Belgian surgeons and anesthetists opinion about this risk and about the precautions taken. An opinion survey was performed with a representative sample of Belgian surgeons and orthopedists (340) as well as anesthetists (100). Risks of transmission of HIV and possible elementary precautions are not well known. The rate of vaccination against hepatitis B is low, specially in smaller hospitals. However the frequency of injuries during practice is high in surgeons as well as in anesthetists. This study shows that important information efforts about the risks of HIV infection and the possible precautions to be taken are still necessary. Information about the need for vaccination against hepatitis B should also be done, considering the high incidence of operative injuries.