The aims of this investigation were to study the relation between facial morphology and bite force at different ages during growth and to investigate possible relations between bite force and the variables age, finger force, stature, and sex in growing healthy individuals. One hundred and thirty-six individuals were included, consisting of six groups of males and females, 7-9, 10-12, and 20-24 years old. Standardized photographs were taken to determine the facial type. The occlusal relationship, body height, finger force, maximal bite force, and bite force endurance amplitude were recorded. All bite force variables and finger force increased with age in both sexes. A positive correlation was found between the maximal bite force in the incisor region and the ratio of upper to lower facial height; this is, subjects with a high bite force had a relatively short lower anterior height. The maximal bite force for molars and endurance amplitude were positively correlated to stature and finger force but not to facial characteristics. A longitudinal study to follow each individual child during growth would be of interest to evaluate the importance of muscular influence on facial growth.

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Health-related quality of life in COPD: why both disease-specific and generic measures should be used. C.P. Engström, L.O. Persson, S. Larsson, M. Sullivan. #ERS Journals Ltd 2001. ABSTRACT: Although research has consistently demonstrated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impairs health-related quality of life (HRQL), little agreement has been evidenced regarding the factors identified as contributing to impaired HRQL. The aim was to study such factors using well established generic and specific HRQL instruments.The patients (n~68) were stratified by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to represent a wide range of disease severity. Pulmonary function, blood gases and 6-min walking distance test (6MWD) were assessed. HRQL instruments included: St George9s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Mood Adjective Check List.The strength of the impact of COPD on HRQL was represented along a continuum ranging from lung function, functional status (physical and psychosocial) to wellbeing. Although correlations between FEV1 versus SGRQ total and SIP overall scores (r~-0.42 and -0.32) were stronger than previously reported, multiple regression analyses showed that lung function contributed little to the variance when dyspnoearelated limitation, depression scores and 6MWD were included in the models. These three factors were important to varying degrees along the whole range of HRQL.Physiological, functional and psychosocial consequences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are only poorly to moderately related to each other. The present study concludes that a comprehensive assessment of the effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requires a battery of instruments that not only tap the diseasespecific effects, but also the overall burden of the disease on everyday functioning and emotional wellbeing.

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