No abstract

Background: COPD is a powerful and independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality which includes right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and cor pulmonale secondary to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), left ventricular dysfunction. Echocardiography provides a rapid, noninvasive, portable, and accurate method to evaluate cardiac functions. Early diagnoses and intervention for cardiac comorbidities would reduce mortalities in COPD patients. The aim of this study is to find echocardiographic changes in COPD patients and to assess RV dysfunction by echocardiography and correlate with the disease severity.Methods: 100 patients of COPD fulfilling the inclusion criteria coming to OPD/wards of NMCH, Kota were recruited. They were staged by pulmonary function test (PFT) and evaluated by echocardiography. Statistical analysis of correlation was done with chi square test and statistical significance was taken p<0.05.Results: Most common echocardiographic finding was cor pulmonale, which was present in 62% of cases, other echocardiographic findings were PAH in 44% cases, RA/RV dilatation (43%), RVH (42%), LVDD (46%), RVSD (14%) and LVH in 11% of cases. Echocardiographic signs of RV dysfunction observed are PAH, cor pulmonale and RVSD which are correlated with the severity of the disease (p<0.05).Conclusions: Echocardiographic examination is reliable in following COPD patients with PAH instead of repeated cardiac catheterization. The incidence of RV dysfunction is more common as the severity of COPD increases and there is a significant correlation between the degree of air flow limitation (FEV1) and RV dysfunction.

No abstract

Objective To adapt and validate the Malay version of Osteoarthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life (OAKHQOL) questionnaire. Design The OAKHQOL was adapted into Malay version using forward-backward translation methodology. It was then validated in a cross-sectional study of 191 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients completed the OAKHQOL and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Confirmatory analysis, reliability analysis, and Pearson correlation test were performed. Results The new five-factor model of 28 items demonstrated an acceptable level of goodness of fit (comparative fit index = 0.915, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.905, incremental fit index = 0.916, chi-squared/degree of freedom = 1.953, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.071), signifying a fit model. The Cronbach's alpha value and the composite reliability of each construct ranged from 0.865 to 0.933 and 0.819 to 0.921, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the OAKHQOL and the WOMAC showed adequate criterion validity. Known groups validity showed statistical difference in body mass index in physical activity, mental health, and pain construct. The pain domain was statistically different between the age groups. Conclusion The Malay version OAKHQOL questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to assess health-related quality of life in knee OA patients.

No abstract