M. H. Mahbub

Review of Different Quantification Methods for the Diagnosis of Digital Vascular Abnormalities in Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome

Review of Different Quantification Methods for the Diagnosis of Digital Vascular Abnormalities in Hand‐arm Vibration Syndrome: MH Mahbub, et al. Department of Hygiene, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine—

Factors associated with contraceptive practices of married women in Bangladesh with respect to their employment status

Objective There might be a difference between non-working and working women in their perception of rights and privileges which may influence their contraceptive behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine contraceptive behavior among non-working and working women in Bangladesh determining associated factors. Method Analysis was based on data from the 1999–2000 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey which employs nationally representative sample. Results The prevalence of current contraceptive use (any method) was 58.2% among non-working women and 65.5% among working women. Both rates are still low for the country. Some factors, such as discussed family planning with husband, husband approves family planning, desire for more children, and husband lives together, were influential determinants of lower contraceptive prevalence among the non-working women. Conclusion The results indicate a necessity for social activities promoting husband–wife communication and womens participation in employment to enhance the use of contraceptives among Bangladeshi women, especially non-working women.

A systematic review of diagnostic performance of quantitative tests to assess musculoskeletal disorders in hand-arm vibration syndrome

The purpose was to systematically review the published reports for the clinical utility of quantitative objective tests commonly used for diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders in hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Two reviewers independently conducted a computerized literature search in PubMed and Scopus using predefined criteria, and relevant papers were identified. The articles were screened in several stages and considered for final inclusion. Quality of the selected papers was evaluated by a modified QUADAS tool. Relevant data were extracted as necessary. For this review, only 4 relevant studies could be identified for detailed examination. Grip strength, pinch strength, and Purdue pegboard tests were commonly used with their reported sensitivity and specificity ranging between 1.7 to 65.7% and 65.2 to 100%, 1.7 to 40% and 94 to 100%, and 44.8 to 85% and 78 to 95%, respectively. A considerable difference across the studies was observed with respect to patient and control populations, diagnostic performance and cut-off values of different tests. Overall, currently available English-language limited literature do not provide enough evidence in favour of the application of grip strength and pinch strength tests for diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries in HAVS; Purdue pegboard test seems to have some diagnostic value in evaluating impaired dexterity in HAVS.

Effect of room temperature on percentage finger systolic blood pressure response to finger cooling

Percentage finger systolic blood pressure (%FSBP) in response to finger cooling is used to assess vascular components of the hand-arm vibration syndrome and the measurement method is under discussion for standardization. It has been suggested that measurement circumstances including room temperature may affect %FSBP. We investigated the effect of room temperature on %FSBP response to finger cooling in healthy subjects. Six healthy male subjects who were medical students volunteered for the study. Multi-channel plethysmograph was used for simultaneous multi-finger FSBP measurements. The examination room was kept at 21±1°C and 25±1°C, and the subjects were randomly assigned. Percentage finger systolic blood pressures for the index, middle, ring and little fingers at 15°C and 10°C cuff-water temperatures were calculated. Four-way analysis of variance was performed to determine the independent effect of subject, room temperature, finger and cuff-water temperature factors on %FSBP. The room temperature as an independent factor affecting %FSBP was statistically significant (P<0.01). From the results, it can be concluded that %FSBP response to finger cooling in healthy subjects may be affected by room temperature. Therefore, room temperature is expected to be controlled when assessing peripheral vascular components of the upper extremities using %FSBP response to finger cooling.

Vibrotactile Perception at Glabrous and Nonglabrous Skin of Fingers: Repeatability of Measurements and Changes Induced by Acute Vibration Exposure

Vibrotactile Perception at Glabrous and Nonglabrous Skin of Fingers: Repeatability of Measurements and Changes Induced by Acute Vibration Exposure: MH Mahbub, et al. Department of Hygiene, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine—