Selena Márcia Dubois Mendes

Analysis of the psychometric properties of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: application of the Rasch model

OBJECTIVE To tested the reliability and validity of Aofas in a sample of rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHODS The scale was applicable to rheumatoid arthritis patients, twice by the interviewer 1 and once by the interviewer 2. The Aofas was subjected to test-retest reliability analysis (with 20 Rheumatoid arthritis subjects). The psychometric properties were investigated using Rasch analysis on 33 Rheumatoid arthritis patients. RESULTS Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were (0.90<ICC<0.95; p<0.001) for intra-observer reliability and (0.75<ICC<0.91; p<0.001) for inter-observer reliability. Subjects separation rates were 1.9 and 4.75 for the items, showing that patients fell into three ability levels, and the items were divided into six difficulties levels. The Rasch analysis showed that eight items was satisfactory. One erroneous item have been identified, showing percentages above the 5% allowed by the statistical model. Further Rasch modeling suggested revising the original item 8. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the Brazilian versions of Aofas exhibit adequate reliability, construct validity, response stability. These findings indicate that Aofas Ankle-Hindfoot scale presents a significant potential for clinical applicability in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Other studies in populations with other characteristics are now underway.

Physiotherapy for human T-lymphotropic virus 1-associated myelopathy: review of the literature and future perspectives

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infection may be associated with damage to the spinal cord – HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis – and other neurological symptoms that compromise everyday life activities. There is no cure for this disease, but recent evidence suggests that physiotherapy may help individuals with the infection, although, as far as we are aware, no systematic review has approached this topic. Therefore, the objective of this review is to address the core problems associated with HTLV-1 infection that can be detected and treated by physiotherapy, present the results of clinical trials, and discuss perspectives on the development of knowledge in this area. Major problems for individuals with HTLV-1 are pain, sensory-motor dysfunction, and urinary symptoms. All of these have high impact on quality of life, and recent clinical trials involving exercises, electrotherapeutic modalities, and massage have shown promising effects. Although not influencing the basic pathologic disturbances, a physiotherapeutic approach seems to be useful to detect specific problems related to body structures, activity, and participation related to movement in HTLV-1 infection, as well as to treat these conditions.