Hiroshi Tatsumi

Japanese Adaptation of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39): Comparative Study among Different Types of Aphasia

BACKGROUND We have developed a Japanese version of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39), designated as SAQOL-39-J, and used psychometric methods to examine its acceptability and reliability. METHODS The acceptability and reliability of SAQOL-39-J, which was developed from the English version using a standard translation and back-translation method, were examined in 54 aphasia patients using standard psychometric methods. The acceptability and reliability of SAQOL-39-J were then compared among patients with different types of aphasia. RESULTS SAQOL-39-J showed good acceptability, internal consistency (Cronbachs α score = .90), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .97). Brocas aphasia patients showed the lowest total scores and communication scores on SAQOL-39-J. CONCLUSIONS The Japanese version of SAQOL-39, SAQOL-39-J, provides acceptable and reliable data in Japanese stroke patients with aphasia. Among different types of aphasia, Brocas aphasia patients had the lowest total and communication SAQOL-39-J scores. Further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of health care interventions on health-related quality of life in this population.

Crescentic glomerulonephritis with antimyeloperoxidase antibodies developing during the course of IgA nephropathy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Glomerulonephritis, such as membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and p-antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-related crescentic glomerulonephritis, has been shown to occur in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the occurrence of two types of glomerulonephritis in a patient with RA is rarely observed. Here, we describe a patient with RA who developed crescentic glomerulonephritis with antimyeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies during the course of IgA nephropathy. This case indicates that crescentic glomerulonephritis and IgA nephropathy may occur together in association with p-ANCA in RA.

Effects of Latex and Different Doses of Silica on Behavior of Iron Particles in Rabbit Lungs

Silica is known to have a fibrogenic effect on pulmonary tissue and give rise to silicosis. Frequent complications of pulmonary infection suggest the disturbed clearance in the silicotic lung. Early studies on the pathogenesis of silicosis suggested that the basic lesion was to macrophages. Silica has been shown to be toxic for macrophages.