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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Comparison of the Mini Nutritional Assessment, Subjective Global Assessment, and Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002) for nutritional screening and assessment in geriatric hospital patients.

The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) are screening and assessment tools aimed at detecting malnourished individuals and those at risk for malnutrition. In our study we tested their applicability in geriatric hospital patients and compared the results of the three tools. We examined prospectively all patients of two acute geriatric wards by the MNA, the SGA and the NRS. 121 patients were included in the study. The MNA could be completed in 66.1% of all patients, the SGA in 99.2% and the NRS in 98.3%. There was a significant association of all three tools with the BMI (p<0.01). With regard to serum albumin and to length of hospital stay (p<0.05), only a significant association could be shown for the MNA (p<0.05). Although the categories of the results were not completely identical for the three tools there were more patients at risk or malnourished according to the MNA (70%) than according to the SGA (45%) or the NRS (40.3%). The direct comparison of the NRS with the MNA and the SGA demonstrated significant differences, especially for the latter (p<0.001). In a relevant percentage of those tested, MNA, SGA, and NRS identify different individuals as malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Because of its association with relevant prognostic parameters, the MNA is still the first choice for geriatric hospital patients. For those patients to whom the MNA cannot be applied, the NRS is recommended.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Objective and subjective assessment of abnormal uterine artery Doppler flow velocity waveforms.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveforms in the second trimester of pregnancy can predict adverse outcome. The presence of a diastolic notch is a better predictor than measurement of impedance indices. A notch has generally been assessed subjectively, which has raised questions as to the reproducibility of the method. The aim of this study was to compare subjective and objective assessments of 50 abnormal waveforms. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of 50 abnormal uterine artery waveforms collected during a previous screening study. Subjective and objective assessments were compared and related to adverse outcomes. Five impedance indices incorporating a measurement of the diastolic notch were compared. Three indices predictive of adverse outcome were compared to subjective assessment. RESULTS: There was good agreement between experienced operators in their subjective assessment of uterine artery waveforms. Adverse outcome was predicted by only moderately or severely abnormal waveforms. Three impedance indices predictive of adverse outcome were the pulsatility index (PI), A/C and (D - C)/B (where A is the peak systolic, D is the maximum diastolic and B is the end-diastolic frequency, and C is the nadir of the notch). The cut-off values combining the highest sensitivity for the lowest false-positive rate were 1.5 for PI, 3.0 for A/C and 0.15 for (D - C)/B. A PI of 1.5 had the highest sensitivity (100%) and positive predictive value (55%) for adverse outcome in this preselected group. These three indices were compared to subjective assessment using the kappa index and the (D - C)/B ratio had the closest agreement, although all three indices showed at least moderate agreement. The cut-off values of 1.5, 3.0 and 0.15 for PI, A/C and (D - C)/B, respectively appear to differentiate between mildly abnormal waveforms and moderately/severely abnormal waveforms. CONCLUSION: Objective assessment of uterine artery waveforms using cut-off values of PI, A/C and (D - C)/B provides an estimation similar to that provided by subjective assessment by an experienced operator. These ratios will now need to be used prospectively in an unselected population to compare their screening properties.

Arteries↗
PubMed1992

Computerized and subjective assessments of post-thaw motility of semen from Finnish Ayrshire AI bulls in relation to non-return rates.

A semen analyser (Lazymot), was used to evaluate post-thaw motilities in 296 batches of semen from 74 Ayrshire bulls used for artificial insemination (AI). Motility was also assessed subjectively. A significant correlation was observed between assessments of motility using the Lazymot analyser and the subjective assessments. There was no correlation between post-thaw motility assessments and non-return rates in relation to the batches examined, which met Finnish criteria for use in AI. This suggests that criteria for post-thaw semen motility should not be increased beyond the present requirement for 40% motile spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between objective assessment of ligament stability and subjective assessment of symptoms and function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Relationships between objective assessment of ligament stability and subjective assessment of symptoms and function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have not been established. HYPOTHESIS: Relationships exist between objective and subjective assessments after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Patients (N = 202) undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with 2-year minimum follow-up were studied. Objective variables of ligament stability at follow-up included instrumented laxity, Lachman examination, and pivot-shift examination. Subjective variables of symptoms at follow-up included pain, swelling, giving way, locking, crepitus, stiffness, and limping. Subjective function at follow-up included walking, squatting, stair climbing, running, cutting, jumping, twisting, activity limitation, sports level, activities of daily living level, work level, knee function, sports participation, Lysholm score, and satisfaction with outcome. RESULTS: Instrumented knee laxity and Lachman examination had no significant (P >.05) relationships with any subjective variables of symptoms and function. Pivot-shift examination had significant associations with satisfaction (P =.03), partial giving way (P =.01), full giving way (P =.01), difficulty cutting (P =.01), difficulty twisting (P =.01), activity limitation (P =.01), overall knee function (P =.03), sports participation (P =.02), and Lysholm score (P =.01). CONCLUSIONS: The pivot-shift examination may be a better measure of "functional instability" than instrumented knee laxity or Lachman examination after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Effects of single and repeated doses of theophylline on aspects of performance, electrophysiology and subjective assessments in healthy human subjects.

The effects of both single and repeated doses of theophylline were evaluated on a battery of nine performance tests, the EEG, the EMG and on subjective assessments of mood and side-effects. The subjects were 20 healthy adults who participated in both phases of this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study. The single dose of 400 mg and the repeated doses of 300 mg b.d. for 4 weeks were intended to attain therapeutic serum concentrations. The Sternberg Additive Factors Method for assessing information processing revealed enhanced performance in both phases of this study, while the Horizontal Addition Test showed improved performance in the single dose phase only. The remaining seven performance tests failed to show significant differences between theophylline and placebo. Single doses of theophylline did not significantly alter mood, but marked adverse effects were encountered in the repeated dose phase, possibly related to unpleasant side-effects. Both EEG and EMG findings indicative of stimulation were associated with a single dose of theophylline, but substantial tolerance developed during 4 weeks of therapy. These findings demonstrate CNS stimulation by both single and repeated doses of theophylline with the occurrence of adverse side-effects during repeated administrations.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The subjective assessment of echogenic fetal bowel.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the subjective interpretation of the echogenicity of fetal bowel compared to bone from antenatal ultrasound images taken during examinations conducted between 17 and 22 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Eighty-seven women attending for their antenatal scan were selected in a random prospective manner over a 9-month period. Images of the fetal bowel were taken and evaluated by 10 sonographers, one consultant obstetrician and one consultant radiologist. Images from a further 13 fetuses, in which the subjective assessment of echogenic bowel was made, were also included. All ultrasound images were acquired on a dedicated ultrasound scanner, with a standard transducer, thermal paper printer and single operator using standardized equipment settings and reproducible image sections. Questionnaires with 100 sets of images of fetal bowel were distributed to the participants. Performance was assessed by means of percentage agreement and levels of chance corrected agreement (Kappa). RESULTS: The subjective assessment of fetal bowel echogenicity is very variable. Intra- and inter-observer variation discrepancies in the assessment of bowel echogenicity compared to bone were demonstrated between the sonographers. Good agreement was identified between the consultants with good to almost perfect intra-observer agreement. Overall, only moderate agreement was observed between the sonographers and the consultants. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of agreement demonstrated between sonographers when evaluating the echogenicity of fetal bowel should be addressed if this ultrasound marker is to be incorporated into routine fetal screening programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of workers' shoe wear on objective and subjective assessment of slipperiness.

Subjective rating of slipperiness tests were conducted for 12 male industrial workers on three slippery surfaces, with poor or good lighting conditions, and with new or workers' own old shoes. A strain gauge force platform was used to evaluate dynamic coefficient of friction (COF) of shoes for the same surface conditions representing objective measurements. The shoe wear, available tread pattern, and hardness of old shoes were determined by instruments including a digital caliper, a digitizer, and a durometer, respectively. The surface effect was found to be highly significant on subjective ratings as well as dynamic COF (p < 0.0001). The correlation between dynamic COF values and subjective ratings was significant only for old shoes under medium oily conditions (r = 0.55, p < 0.04). For a slightly oily surface, decreasing the percent of tread available significantly increased dynamic COF values (p < 0.016). In addition, the effect of increased shoe hardness significantly increased the available tread pattern when only the data from the most deteriorated old shoes were included in the analyses (p < 0.004). These results emphasize the need to consider subjective assessment of slipperiness as a valid way to evaluate floor slipperiness. Further study is needed to (1) evaluate the effects of physical fatigue due to workload on subjective assessment of slipperiness and workers' ability to assess slipperiness during task performance; (2) consider the effect of available shoe tread on COF values and slip potential; and (3) determine if guidelines should be developed regarding when work shoes should be replaced to reduce slip and fall injuries.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1999

[Subjective assessment of self health and subjective morbidity in Germany. Results of a representative demographic survey].

This study presents selected results from the poll of a representative cross-section of the German population during the Spring of 1996 was subjective data on health and illness investigated, inter alia. The majority of the questioned subjects stated good health with low impairment of their general condition by their general conditions by their health. Compared with data from 1975, people have the impression that their health is in a better state, but, on the other hand, more significantly inparied by their health. East Germans claim a somewhat lower state of health and more impairment than West Germans; the same results were found for women in comparison with men and elderly persons compared with younger subjects. There is no difference between East and West Germans with respect the frequency of disease, but there were more illnesses with a clear morphological correlation reported by East-Germans. West Germans report more functional infirmities or troubles. One of the most striking results was the high frequency of cardiovascular disorders in East Germany. The influence of social support and social status on the subjective assessment of one's own health and subjective morbidity is of only low importance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Causes of dissociation between subjective workload measures and performance ; Caveats for the use of subjective assessments.

Dissociations between subjective workload assessments and performance were investigated. The difficulty of a Sternberg memory search task was manipulated by varying stimulus presentation rate, stimulus discernibility, value of good performance, and automaticity of performance. All Sternberg task conditions were performed both alone and concurrently with a tracking task. Bipolar subjective workload assessments were collected. Dissociations between workload and performance were found related to automaticity, presentation rate and motivation. The results were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that the specific cognitive processes responsible for subjective assessments can differ from those responsible for performance. The potential contamination these dissociations could inflict on operational assessments was discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

Subjective assessment of liquid volumes by humans during swallowing.

To test the hypothesis that during drinking the appreciation of a volume of fluid in the mouth (VM) is important in determining the volume swallowed (VS), we assessed how well subjects recognized different volumes taken into the mouth and swallowed. Five volumes of tap water (5-25 cm3) were drunk in random order with the eyes closed and the subjects assessed these by selecting from an assortment of cylindrical blocks those with volumes which were thought to correspond visually or manually to the test volumes. Two known reference volumes and cylinders each of 15 cm3 were included in the test. Scores for total error magnitude, correct responses and bias showed that subjective assessment of volumes, though poor, was reproducible and that a student group performed better than children and elderly subjects who consistently underestimated VM. Of the factors studied which might contribute to perception of VM, the time taken for water to enter the mouth, but not the interval before swallowing, seemed most important. Raising the water temperature to 37 degrees C, surface anaesthesia of tongue and palate, and sipping as opposed to gulping, did not alter scores in students. The mean VS in unrestricted drinking was 12.6 cm3 for 44 students; repeat measurements in an individual varied by only about 11 per cent.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Assessment of resident knowledge: subjective assessment versus performance on the ACR in-training examination.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors assessed the ability of faculty and residents to predict the ranked performance of residents on the American College of Radiology (ACR) In-Training Examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiology faculty at Penn State Geisinger Health System (PSGHS), the Medical College of Virginia (MCV), and the University of Virginia (UVA) and residents at PSGHS and MCV ranked the expected performances of residents taking the 1997 ACR In-Training Examination. Surveyed faculty and residents were blinded to the actual performances on the examination. Forty-nine residents took the examination (21 at PSGHS, 22 at MCV, six at UVA), and 37 faculty members (11 at PSGHS, 11 at MCV, 15 at UVA) participated in the study. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the agreement between the subjective and actual ranking of residents in each residency class. RESULTS: Faculty were moderately accurate in the overall ranking of resident performances (r = 0.34). High levels of concordance for ranking individual residents correlated with accuracy in only certain cases. Differences in agreement and accuracy of the respondents existed between PSGHS and MCV (P = .0001 and .0014, respectively). The concordance of respondents increased significantly from the 1st- to the 2nd-year class at MCV (P = .0002), whereas accuracy increased significantly between these classes for the PSGHS (P = .042). CONCLUSION: Faculty are only moderately successful in ranking resident performances on the ACR In-Training Examination, and a high level of agreement is not necessarily indicative of increased accuracy. The concordance and accuracy of subjective rankings differ among residency programs and classes.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1994

Digital assessment of MRI for lumbar disc desiccation. A comparison of digital versus subjective assessments and digital intensity profiles versus discogram and macroanatomic findings.

During magnetic resonance imaging, a vast amount of digital data on anatomic structures is translated into images, which are then assessed subjectively. The development of an objective, sensitive method to directly assess the digital data would have clear benefits, particularly for clinical research on disc degeneration. The study goals were to develop a method of digital assessment of disc desiccation and to compare digital signal intensity profiles with discographic patterns and macroanatomic findings. Proton density-weighted MRIs were obtained from 45 males (9-77 years) and digital analysis was done with a freely selectable region of interest facility. The adjacent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was used as a reference for disc signal-intensity scores, and the disc to CSF-intensity ratio provided "adjusted digital scores." The CSF-adjusted digital method yielded reproducible scores that correlated with the subjective assessments. However, the CSF-adjusted digital scores were more sensitive than the subjective assessments, identifying findings that otherwise were undetected in younger subjects. Additionally, 10 cadaveric spines were evaluated using MRI with T2 and proton density-weighted sequences, discography, and macroanatomic dissection. MRI disc-intensity profiles were determined along a midsagittal line drawn through the disc. The profile of the digital scores along this line was then compared with discograms and macroanatomic sections. In all cases of disc degeneration on discograms, changes were present in the intensity profile. Based on both the living subjects and the cadaveric specimens, the digital assessments and disc intensity profiles appear to demonstrate disc degeneration, particularly in early stages.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Subjective assessment of nutritional status-validity and reliability of a modified Detsky index in a Swedish setting.

In the search for a clinically useful nutritional index for use in a European context, we have translated an American nutritional assessment index - Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and tested the modified translated version for validity and reliability in a Swedish setting. Judgements by an expert panel resulted in a mean agreement of 71% for clarity, 80% for content validity and 65% for internal consistency. Construct validity was demonstrated by the use of contrasting patient-groups (n = 20) and by 90% agreement with a medical expert as 'gold standard' for unknown patients (n = 20). Inter-rater reliability showed 75% agreement by 3 Registered Nurses (RNs) (n = 20). The individual Kappas for the raters varied from 0.68 to 0.89. The study showed difficulties experienced by raters in relating certain aspects in the SGA-index to normality. However, we concluded that a modified SGA-index translated from one language to another, with all the problems of cultural and idiomatic differences, can be of value for assessing and documenting pre-operative nutritional status of patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery in a Swedish setting.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Correlation between electromyographic spectral changes and subjective assessment of lumbar muscle fatigue in subjects without pain from the lower back.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate objective measurements of muscle fatigue in the lower back to the subject's own assessment of fatigue. DESIGN: Muscle fatigue in the lower back was assessed in healthy subjects using electromyography (EMG), endurance time and the Borg scale. BACKGROUND: Muscle fatigue, measured with EMG and endurance time, in the lower back, is significant for patients with pain in the lower back. METHODS: Fifty healthy subjects participated. EMG was detected from the lumbar extensor muscles during a modified Sørensen's test, an isometric contraction for the back extensors until exhaustion. During the test, subjects rated their subjective fatigue on a Borg CR-10 scale. RESULTS: Borg scale ratings correlated with endurance time (0.68) and EMG median- and mean power frequency slopes (0.41-0.50). At a Borg rating of 3, median- and mean power frequency and endurance time were reduced by 30%. At a Borg rating of 5, median- and mean power frequency and endurance time were reduced by 50%. At a Borg rating of 7, median- and mean power frequency and endurance time were reduced by 60-70%. CONCLUSIONS: Significant correlation between the Borg scale, EMG and endurance time suggests a close relationship between subjective and objective assessment of muscle fatigue.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The Sexual Arousal and Desire Inventory (SADI): a multidimensional scale to assess subjective sexual arousal and desire.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual arousal and desire are integral parts of the human sexual response that reflect physiological, emotional, and cognitive processes. Although subjective and physiological aspects of arousal and desire tend to be experienced concurrently, their differences become apparent in certain experimental and clinical populations in which one or more of these aspects are impaired. There are few subjective scales that assess sexual arousal and desire specifically in both men and women. AIMS: (i) To develop a multidimensional, descriptor-based Sexual Arousal and Desire Inventory (SADI) to assess subjective sexual arousal and desire in men and women; (ii) to evaluate convergent and divergent validity of the SADI; and (iii) to assess whether scores on the SADI would be altered when erotic fantasy or exposure to an erotic film was used to increase subjective arousal. METHODS: Adult men (N = 195) and women (N = 195) rated 54 descriptors as they applied to their normative experience of arousal and desire on a 5-point Likert scale. Another sample of men (N = 40) and women (N = 40) completed the SADI and other measures after viewing a 3-minute female-centered erotic film or engaging in a 3-minute period of erotic fantasy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Principal components analyses derived factors that the scale descriptors loaded onto. These factors were categorized as subscales of the SADI, and gender differences in ratings and internal validity were analyzed statistically. Factors were considered subscales of the SADI, and mean ratings for each subscale were generated and related to the other scales used to assess convergent and divergent validity. These scales included the Feeling Scale, the Multiple Indicators of Subjective Sexual Arousal, the Sexual Desire Inventory, and the Attitudes Toward Erotica Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: Descriptors loaded onto four factors that accounted for 41.3% of the variance. Analysis of descriptor loadings > or = 0.30 revealed an Evaluative factor, a Physiological factor, a Motivational factor, and a Negative/Aversive factor based on the meaning of the descriptors. Men's and women's subjective experiences of sexual desire and arousal on the Physiological and Motivational factors were not significantly different, although on the Evaluative and Negative factors, statistically significant differences were found between the genders. Mean scores on the Evaluative factor were higher for men than for women, whereas mean scores on the Negative factor were higher for women than for men. Internal consistency estimates of the SADI and its subscales confirmed strong reliability. Mean scores on the Evaluative, Motivational, and Physiological subscales of the SADI were significantly higher in the fantasy condition than in the erotic clip condition. Women had significantly higher mean scores than men on the Physiological subscale in the fantasy condition. Cronbach's alpha coefficients demonstrated excellent reliability of the SADI subscales. Evidence of convergent validity between the SADI subscales and other scales that measured the same constructs was strong. Divergent validity was also confirmed between the SADI subscales and the other scales that did not measure levels of sexual arousal, desire, or affect, such as the BDI-II. CONCLUSION: The SADI is a valid and reliable research tool to evaluate both state and trait aspects of subjective sexual arousal and desire in men and women.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Prognostication in acute cerebrovascular disease. Subjective assessment and test of a prognostic score.

Subjective assessment of the short-term outcome and functional state at discharge was made shortly after admission in 200 consecutive patients with acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD) treated in a stroke unit. The assessments proved correct in 59% of the patients. The accuracy of the predictions was not significantly better in patients with a correct preliminary disanosis than in those with a false. When a known prognostic score for prediction of hospital mortality was tested on 179 of the patients with cerebral haemorrhage or infarction, a correct trend was noted. The score was best applicable in patients with serious symptoms and those with only minor deficit on admission. A high sensitivity of the score was combined with a relatively low specificity. A true comparison between the predictive value of the score and the quality of the subjective assessments was difficult as the latter, in addition to prediction of mortality, also included predicton of the patient's functional state at discharge. The degree of neurological deficit rather than the type of cerebrovascular lesion seemed associated with the short-term outcome. Improvement of the quality of prognostic assessments in CVD is warranted.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Validity of subjective assessment of changes in respiratory health status: a 30 year epidemiological study of workers in Paris.

The validity of scales used for subjective assessment of health, particularly transitional indices, is under discussion. The aim of the present study was to assess the concurrent and predictive validity of a simple estimate of long-term subjective assessment of respiratory health changes. A longitudinal study of 915 workers was conducted over 30 yrs, with both retrospective self-assessment of respiratory health changes and objective measurements of spirometric values 12 yrs apart. An assessment of the reason for death during the subsequent 20 yrs was performed. Subjective assessment of respiratory deterioration over 12 yrs was significantly related to both cross-sectional lung function values and longitudinal lung function changes (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline), an association which remained after adjustment for FEV1 level. It was also related to the same risk factors as decline in FEV1 (smoking, occupational exposure). Self-evaluation of respiratory deterioration was significantly predictive of death from all causes, with the highest (but nonsignificant) rate ratio for respiratory causes. Asthmatics exhibited greater long-term variability (objective and subjective) than nonasthmatics. Independent of dyspnoea, self-assessment of respiratory health deterioration was significantly related to FEV1. Subjective assessment of long-term changes in respiratory health provides valid information.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

A comparison of rat femoral, sternebral and lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content by subjective assessment and image analysis of histological sections.

A subjective assessment of the amount of fat within the available marrow space was made from histological sections of the femur, sternebrae and lumbar vertebrae in rats. The sternebrae and vertebrae showed considerably less variability than the femur. Comparison between subjective assessment and image analysis of femoral bone marrow fat showed that there is no great advantage to be gained from using the latter technique. It was concluded that evaluation of sternebral and vertebral bone marrow results in a more accurate assessment of fat content.

Animals↗