Objective To determine the ability of the Internet-based Spaeth/Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) in assessing the change in contrast sensitivity (both central and peripheral) post-treatment... Show moreObjective To determine the ability of the Internet-based Spaeth/Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) in assessing the change in contrast sensitivity (both central and peripheral) post-treatment with travoprost 0.004%. Design This is a prospective observational study. Methods and participants. Data of 62 eyes (33 patients) undergoing treatment for naive POAG patients were analysed. Patients were followed up for a period of six months after starting topical travoprost (Travatan 0.004%, Alcon), and the change in central and peripheral CS was studied. Results Mean total SPARCS score at baseline was 69 +/- 10.99, improved to 74.62 +/- 9.50 after 6 months of therapy (p: 0.001) in all the glaucoma severity groups. Mean SPARCS score at baseline in mild glaucoma group was 72.05 +/- 9.87, in the moderate glaucoma group, it was 62.23 +/- 9.2, and in the severe glaucoma group, it was 59.36 +/- 11.65. After 6 months of treatment with travoprost, the CS improved to 76.05 +/- 8.36 in mild group, 76.69 +/- 8.82 in moderate group and 67.18 +/- 11.15 in severe group (p value: 0.014). The percentage change in the CS from baseline showed significant improvement in the superotemporal quadrant at 1 month (p value: 0.032), superonasal quadrant (p value: 0.049), inferotemporal quadrant at 3 months (p value: 0.003) and 6 months (p value: 0.039). Inferonasal quadrant was affected most by glaucoma. A statistically significant correlation was seen between total SPARCS score with MD and PSD. Correlation was also seen between the percentage change in CS and average RNFL thickness at 3 and 6 months. Conclusion Both central and peripheral CS improve following IOP reduction with travoprost. Change in the CS has a significant correlation with RNFL thickness and the perimetric indices. Show less
Background: Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is a highly prevalent rheumatic disease that predominates in females and causes pain and loss of functional capacity. Obesity and metabolic syndrome have been... Show moreBackground: Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is a highly prevalent rheumatic disease that predominates in females and causes pain and loss of functional capacity. Obesity and metabolic syndrome have been previously suggested to associate with the severity of HOA, but clarity on these associations is yet to be achieved.Objective: Test the association between obesity and other components of the metabolic syndrome and disability in women with hand osteoarthritis (HOA).Design: Individuals from EpiReumaPt epidemiological community-based study (2011-2013) are representative of the Portuguese population. Women with diagnosis of primary HOA were included.Primary outcome: hand functional status, assessed by Cochin questionnaire.Secondary outcomes: hand pain, assessed by visual analogue scale and tender hand joint count (THJ).Explanatory variables: obesity, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Possible associations between obesity and the other components of metabolic syndrome with Cochin score, hand pain and THJ were tested in a multivariable linear regression model.Potential confounders considered: age, education level and countrywide distribution.Results: 473 women with primary HOA were included. Forty percent were overweight and 29% obese. Ninety-three (19.8%) participants had diabetes, 261 (55.8%) reported hypertension and 261 (55.9%) hypercholesterolemia. Mean Cochin score was 15.5 +/- 14.8, mean pain VAS was 4.7 +/- 2.6 and mean THJ 1.4 +/- 3. In the multivariable analysis, obesity (beta 4.6 CI 0.7;8.5) and diabetes (beta 4.0 CI 0.4;7.6) were found to significantly associate with HOA functional disability. In addition, diabetes, but not obesity, associated with hand pain. There was no association between obesity or diabetes with THJ.Conclusion: In a Portuguese female population with primary HOA, obesity and diabetes mellitus independently associated with a worse hand functional status. These data add to evidence suggesting a role of metabolic factors in the severity of HOA. Show less
