Purpose of research Long COVID (LC) risk varies across SARS-CoV-2 variants, but causal inference is complicated by rising vaccine coverage coinciding with viral evolution. We examined whether pre-infection vaccination status modifies the association between SARS-CoV-2 variant and LC risk, to disentangle the contributions of viral evolution and vaccine-induced immunity. Principal results In this prospective cohort study of Israeli adults with SARS-CoV-2 infections from July 2021–March 2023, participants completed baseline and follow-up online surveys ≥60 days post-infection. LC was defined as ≥3 symptoms within validated symptom clusters. Infections were assigned to dominant circulating variants (Wild type, Alpha, Delta, Omicron). Pre-infection vaccination was categorized as unvaccinated (0–1 doses), partially vaccinated (2 doses), or fully vaccinated (≥3 doses). Generalized estimating equations estimated multivariable risk ratios, adjusted for age, sex, and follow-up time. Among 1715 participants reporting 2018 infections, LC was reported following 30·4% of infections. In models adjusted for vaccination, LC risk did not differ between Delta and Omicron variants (aRR 1·01, 95% CI 0·80-1·26). Among partially vaccinated individuals, Omicron infections carried lower LC risk than Delta (aRR 0·62, 95% CI 0·40–0·98). LC prevalence did not differ by variant among unvaccinated or fully vaccinated individuals. Major conclusions Variant-specific differences in LC risk may be largely explained by concurrent increases in vaccine coverage rather than intrinsic changes in variant pathogenicity. Full pre-infection vaccination confers consistent protection against LC regardless of variant.
ObjectiveTo determine whether myringotomy suffices to maintain a tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) or if a tympanostomy tube is required throughout a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).Study designAnimal model blinded study.SettingAnimal facility of a tertiary medical center.Animals and methodsBilateral myringotomies were performed on 14 C57BL/6J mice who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups of 7 mice each. All of the experimental mice underwent daily HBOT delivered at 2.8 technical atmosphere units (ATA) for 90 min. Otoscopy was performed daily by a single researcher who was blind to group assignment and who assessed spontaneous TMP closure until day 8 following the myringotomy.ResultsAll of the TMPs in the experimental group had closed spontaneously during days 1–5. Their TMP closure rate was more rapid than that of the control animals, with a cumulative TMP survival of 0.0 vs. 0.1429, respectively, at day 8 (P < 0.0001).ConclusionMyringotomy does not suffice to ensure the maintenance of a patent TMP throughout HBOT. A tympanostomy tube is therefore necessary to secure pressure equalization in patients with eustachian tube dysfunction who are candidates for HBOT for any reason.
Patient-reported outcomes questionnaires are accepted measurement tools to evaluate procedures results. The Rhinoplasty Health Inventory and Nasal Outcomes (RHINO) scale is an English-language validated and reliable quality-of-life instrument that evaluates both functional and aesthetic outcomes after rhinoplasty, and is not available in Hebrew. We followed the forward-and-back-translation method, defined by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Translation of the RHINO scale and merging it into one version were performed, following back-translation and validation on native Hebrew-speaking patients who underwent rhinoplasty and control healthy group. Lastly, we review and analyzed the results. The translated questionnaire had high reliability measures, demonstrating homogeneity (α value 0.800 in the rhinoplasty group and 0.896 in the control group), test-retest reproducibility with no significant difference (p = 0.5), and high agreement scores represented by the Bland-Altman plot (95% limits of agreement ranged from 8.78 to 9.80). Validity demonstrated by significant differences between the two study groups' mean questionnaire scores (p < 0.001 for rhinoplasty vs. controls, p < 0.001 for preoperative vs. postoperative, and p = 0.002 for postoperative vs. control group) and also between the aesthetic scores and functional scores of the rhinoplasty group before and after the surgery (p < 0.001). There were no reported understanding problems. The Hebrew version of the RHINO scale is a reliable and valid tool for pre- and post-rhinoplasty surgery outcomes measuring among Hebrew-speaking patients, and can improve coordination of expectations, follow-up, and quantify subjective evaluation of the surgery. Level of evidence: IV.
Objective Defining how pregnant women respond to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination is critical to optimize vaccination strategies that protect mother and infant at the epidemic. This study aimed to compare anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) of vaccinated versus infected women and to determine the optimal timing of maternal vaccination during pregnancy at the time of epidemic. Study Design We collected maternal/cord blood at delivery (October 2021–March 2022) and measured anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike IgG geometric mean concentrations (IgG-GMCs) using a quantitative immunoassay. We compared groups according to timing and number of doses and correlated maternal and fetal IgG levels. We described the proportion of women with IgG levels above the 150 AU/mL positivity threshold according to the timing of infection/vaccination and performed a subanalysis for maternal IgG-GMC levels pre- and during the Omicron wave. Results We included 238 vaccinated women, 125 who received two doses and 113 three doses, and 48 unvaccinated infected women. All groups infected/vaccinated in the second or third trimester had an IgG-GMC above the positivity threshold. Third-trimester vaccination (second/third dose) resulted in higher maternal and cord-blood IgG-GMC compared to the second trimester (maternal-IgG: 102,32 vs. 4,325 AU/mL, p < 0.001; cord-IgG: 12,113 vs. 8,112 AU/mL, p < 0.001). Compared with infected-only women, a higher proportion of vaccinated women with ≥2 doses and their newborns had IgG levels above the positivity threshold at all time points. In vaccinated women, there were higher maternal IgG-GMC levels during the Omicron wave than pre-Omicron. Conclusion At the time of epidemic, receiving an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose in the third trimester resulted in a higher IgG-GMC compared to the second trimester. Relatively higher levels of maternal and cord IgG-GMC were achieved following vaccination than infection. Women infected during or before the first trimester might benefit from an additional third-trimester dose to prevent peripartum infection and to passively immunize their newborn. The higher levels of maternal IgG-GMC in the Omicron period are suggestive of hybrid immunity. Key Points
INTRODUCTION:Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak into the temporal air spaces is a prominent risk factor for meningitis, often leading to debilitating neurological morbidities and even death. CSF leaks may arise due to trauma, congenital malformation, or surgery, but in most cases, they develop spontaneously. In spontaneous CSF leaks, no obvious triggering event is apparent in the patient's clinical history that points to this diagnosis, in contrast to some of the other etiologies. The clinical presentation of spontaneous CSF leaks is not unique and is characterized by patients' complaints, such as hearing loss and aural fullness. These symptoms are commonly associated with prevalent conditions, such as serous otitis media. For these reasons, a typical diagnostic delay of spontaneous CSF leaks, which can last for years in some cases, leaves the patients exposed to meningeal infection without being offered an efficient surgical treatment to keep them safe and protected.
The impact of individual symptoms reported post-COVID-19 on subjective well-being (SWB) is unknown. We described associations between SWB and selected reported symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We analysed reported symptoms and subjective well being from 2295 participants (of which 576 reporting previous infection) in an ongoing longitudinal cohort study taking place in Israel. We estimated changes in SWB associated with reported selected symptoms at three follow-up time points (3-6, 6-12 and 12-18 months post infection) among participants reporting previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, adjusted for key demographic variables, using linear regression. Our results suggest that the biggest and most sustained changes in SWB stems from non-specific symptoms (fatigue -7.7 percentage points (pp), confusion/ lack of concentration -10.7 pp, and sleep disorders -11.5pp, P < 0.005), whereas the effect of system-specific symptoms, such as musculoskeletal symptoms (weakness in muscles and muscle pain) on SWB, are less profound and more transient. Taking a similar approach for other symptoms and following individuals over time to describe trends in SWB changes attributable to specific symptoms will help understand the post-acute phase of COVID-19 and how it should be defined and better managed. Post-acute COVID19 symptoms were associated with a significant decrease in subjective well being up to 18 months after initial infection.
We determined whether COVID-19 vaccination was associated with Quality of Life (QoL) changes among individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Israel. Using a validated questionnaire, we collected information about socio-demographics, SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 vaccination and QoL (using the EQ-5D-5L tool) 3–18 months post-infection among adults tested for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction in Northern Israel between March 2020–June 2022. We compared post-COVID QoL between those vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of infection and those not, using an adjusted linear regression model, stratified by time elapsed since infection. Of 951 participants, mean EQ-5D Utility Index (EQ-5D UI) was 0.82 (SD = 0.26) and 0.83 (SD = 0.25) among the 227 double and 250 triple vaccinated respectively, compared to 0.76 (SD = 0.33) among those who received 0 dose (n = 243). The size of the effect of vaccination was small (Cohen’s d = 0.2). In the adjusted model, previously infected individuals vaccinated with two or more doses reported a QoL score post- infection 0.05 points higher (CI = 0.01–0.10, p = 0.02) compared with those unvaccinated when infected. No association between vaccination and QoL was detected beyond 12 months post-infection. Vaccination with two or more doses of COVID19 vaccine, or at least the BNT162b2 vaccine, may modestly mitigate QoL losses associated with post-acute COVID-19 symptoms, at least in the first 12 months post-infection.
With the collapse of the medical system in Syria, Israel began providing Syrians with humanitarian aid, first to the war-injured and then general medical treatment. We developed a novel specialist ambulatory care concept to provide medical care for Syrian children. Children with their caregivers were transported by bus across the border from Syria to our medical center in Israel for day-stay outpatient-clinic advanced evaluation and treatment due to coordination between Syrian, Red Cross, and Israeli authorities, including Israeli Defense Forces. This retrospective field report includes 371 Syrian children treated as outpatients at Galilee Medical Center between January 2016 and September 2018. In our experience, this novel pediatric ambulatory care concept has been feasible, efficient, and successful in providing specialist care for children in a crisis region devoid of access to health care. We believe it can also serve adult patients and be implemented in other crises and disasters scenarios.
Background:Postrhinoplasty periorbital ecchymosis is an inevitable side effect contributing to patients' psychological aspect and early postoperative morbidity. Efforts are constantly being made to reduce ecchymosis using different methods with varying success. To evaluate treatment response, it is mandatory to have a reliable score. Several studies suggest other scoring systems, but none has been postrhinoplasty-specific, validated, and accepted. This study aimed to demonstrate the natural history of postrhinoplasty ecchymosis, find potential risk factors for worsening patterns, and suggest a useful and reliable periorbital ecchymosis scoring system for postrhinoplasty follow-up. Methods:This prospective study included 183 patients who underwent closed rhinoplasty by the same surgeon and the same principle method. Photographs of the periorbital ecchymosis were taken on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7. The periorbital area was divided into quarters, and three independent physicians assigned the dominant color of each quarter. Results:There were no significant variations between the three physicians' scoring. The interobserver consistency defined as an excellent scoring system reliability, according to our statistical analysis. The postoperative ecchymosis demonstrated a consistent pattern of spread over time, dominating the medial quarters on early postoperative days 1 and 2, following into the lower lateral quarters in postoperative day 7. We found no correlation between patient demographics and clinical characteristics to ecchymosis patterns and temporal spread. Conclusions:Our study suggests a reliable and easy-to-use postrhinoplasty ecchymosis scoring system. This scoring method can be used for postrhinoplasty ecchymosis assessment and as a research-validated tool to quantify different perioperative treatments to reduce ecchymosis and estimate mid-face trauma.
Objectives: The long-term impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities is under-researched. We investigated changes in health-related inequalities following SARS-CoV-2 infection between the Jewish majority and the Arab/Druze minority in Israel. Methods: Patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test processed from one of the Northern-Israeli government hospitals between 03/2021 and 05/2022 were invited to participate. We collected socio-demographic, COVID-19-related, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) information using a validated questionnaire. We compared pre- and post COVID-19 HRQoL changes between Jews and Arabs/Druze, up to 12+ months post-infection using an adjusted linear regression model. Results: Among the 881 included participants the average post-COVID HRQoL score was lower among Arabs/Druze than Jews (0.83 vs. 0.88; p = 0.005). Until 12 months post-infection, HRQoL changes were similar for Arabs/Druze and Jews. After 12 months, HRQoL dropped significantly more among Arabs/Druze than among Jews (0.11 points difference between the groups; p = 0.014), despite adjusting for socioeconomic variables. Conclusion: 12 months post-infection, COVID-19 affected the HRQoL of Arabs/Druze more than Jews, with the gap not fully explained by socio-economic differences. The COVID-19 pandemic may widen pre-existing long-term health inequalities.
Population Medicine considers the following types of articles:• Research Papers -reports of data from original research or secondary dataset analyses.• Review Papers -comprehensive, authoritative, reviews within the journal's scope.These include both systematic reviews and narrative reviews.• Short Reports -brief reports of data from original research.• Policy Case Studies -brief articles on policy development at a regional or national level.• Study Protocols -articles describing a research protocol of a study.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.
Endometrial polyps (EPs) are benign overgrowths of the endometrium, with the potential to cause severe complications, ranging from discomfort to inflammation and infertility. Dysfunction of endometrial fibroblasts may be a critical component leading to the development of polyps. Although surgical intervention is the common remedy for severe cases, it comes with drawbacks, including infection, bleeding, and risk of damage to the cervix and adjacent tissues. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are at the focus of modern medicine, as key modulators of tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and tissue repair, rendering them prime candidate agents for tissue regeneration and cell-based therapies. In this study, EPs were isolated from patients admitted to the OB/GYN department at the Galilee Medical Center and extracted fibroblasts (endometrial polyp fibroblasts, EPFs) were isolated and characterized. ASCs were isolated from healthy patients. The effect of EPF- and ASC-conditioned media (CM) on polyp-derived fibroblasts was evaluated, in both 2D and 3D assays, as well as on the expression of matrix-related gene expression. Herein, EPFs exposed to ASC-CM exhibited reduced migration, invasion, contraction of hydrogels, and extracellular matrix deposition, compared with those exposed to EPF-CM. Altogether, this study suggests that ASCs may have a modulating effect on fibroblasts involved in forming EPs and may serve as the basis for conservative treatment strategies aimed at treating severe cases of EPs.
OBJECTIVE:Studies have demonstrated a potential correlation between low vitamin D status and both an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and poorer clinical outcomes. This retrospective study examines if, and to what degree, a relationship exists between pre-infection serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and disease severity and mortality due to SARS-CoV-2. PARTICIPANTS:The records of individuals admitted between April 7th, 2020 and February 4th, 2021 to the Galilee Medical Center (GMC) in Nahariya, Israel, with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) were searched for historical 25(OH)D levels measured 14 to 730 days prior to the positive PCR test. DESIGN:Patients admitted to GMC with COVID-19 were categorized according to disease severity and level of 25(OH)D. An association between pre-infection 25(OH)D levels, divided between four categories (deficient, insufficient, adequate, and high-normal), and COVID-19 severity was ascertained utilizing a multivariable regression analysis. To isolate the possible influence of the sinusoidal pattern of seasonal 25(OH)D changes throughout the year, a cosinor model was used. RESULTS:Of 1176 patients admitted, 253 had records of a 25(OH)D level prior to COVID-19 infection. A lower vitamin D status was more common in patients with the severe or critical disease (<20 ng/mL [87.4%]) than in individuals with mild or moderate disease (<20 ng/mL [34.3%] p < 0.001). Patients with vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) were 14 times more likely to have severe or critical disease than patients with 25(OH)D ≥40 ng/mL (odds ratio [OR], 14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4 to 51; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, pre-infection deficiency of vitamin D was associated with increased disease severity and mortality.
ABSTRACT Vaccination is a key tool to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Israel, COVID-19 vaccines became available to adults in December 2020 and to 5–11-year-old children in November 2021. Ahead of the vaccine roll-out in children, we aimed to determine whether surveyed parents intended to vaccinate their children and describe reasons for their intentions. We collected information on parental socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine history, intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, and reasons for parental decisions using an anonymous online survey. We identified associations between parental characteristics and plans to vaccinate children using a logistic regression model and described reasons for intentions to vaccinate or not. Parental non-vaccination and having experienced major vaccination side effects were strongly associated with non-intention to vaccinate their children (OR 0.09 and 0.18 respectively, p < .001). Parents who were younger, lived in the socio-economically deprived periphery, and belonged to the Arab population had lower intentions to vaccinate their children. Reasons for non-intention to vaccinate included concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy (53%, 95%CI 50–56) and the belief that COVID-19 is a mild disease (73%, 95%CI 73–79), while a frequent motive for vaccination was the return to normal social and educational life (89%, 95%CI 87–91). Understanding rationales for COVID-19 vaccine rejection or acceptance, as well as parental demographic data, can pave the way for intentional educational campaigns to encourage not only vaccination against COVID-19, but also regular childhood vaccine programming. Highlights Parental intention to vaccinate children aged 5-11 is much lower than vaccine coverage in parental age groups Being unvaccinated and having experienced side effects following vaccination were the greatest negative predictors in parents of intention to vaccinate their children Parents were more likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine for their children to allow them to return to daily social life and to ensure economic security in the family Parents were more likely to reject a COVID-19 vaccination for health reasons such as safety concerns or due the belief that COVID-19 was a mild disease in children
The effectiveness of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines against the long-term COVID-19 symptoms expressed by a substantial proportion of patients is not well understood. We determined whether vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was associated with incidence of reporting long-term symptoms post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. We invited individuals PCR-tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection at participating hospitals between March 2020 and November 2021 to fill an online questionnaire that included information about demographics, acute COVID-19 episode and symptoms they were currently experiencing. Using binomial regression, we compared vaccinated individuals with those unvaccinated and those uninfected, in terms of post-acute self-reported symptoms. Of the 951 infected, 637(67%) were vaccinated. In the study population, the most prevalent symptoms were: fatigue (22%), headache (20%), weakness of limbs (13%), and persistent muscle pain (10%). After adjusting for age, time from beginning of symptoms to responding to the survey, and baseline symptoms, those who received two vaccine doses were less likely than unvaccinated individuals to report any of these symptoms (fatigue, headache, weakness of limbs, persistent muscle pain) by 62%, 50%, 62%, and 66% respectively, (Risk ratios 0.38, 0.50, 0.38, 0.34, p < 0.04 in the listed sequence). Compared to the 2447 included individuals who never reported SARS-CoV-2 infection, double-vaccinated participants were no more likely to report any of the mentioned symptoms. Vaccination with 2+ doses of BNT162b2 was associated with a reduced risk of reporting most of the common post-acute COVID-19 symptoms. Our results suggest that BNT162b2 vaccination may have a protective effect against longer term COVID-19 symptoms.
Background: Long COVID is a post-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection syndrome characterised by not recovering for several weeks or months following the acute episode. The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against long-term symptoms of COVID19 is not well understood. We determined whether vaccination was associated with reporting long-term symptoms post-SARS-CoV-2 infection by comparing, among individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, those who were vaccinated to those who were not, in terms of self-reported long-term symptoms. Methods: We invited individuals who were PCR tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection at participating hospitals between March 2020-June 2021 to fill an online questionnaire that included baseline demographics, details of their acute episode and information about symptoms they were currently experiencing. Using binomial regression, we compared vaccinated individuals with those unvaccinated in terms of self-reported symptoms post-acute infection. Results: Of 951 previously infected individuals who filled the survey 637(67%) were vaccinated. The most commonly reported symptoms were; fatigue (22%), headache (20%), weakness (13%), and persistent muscle pain (10%). After adjusting for follow-up time and baseline symptoms, fully vaccinated (2 or more doses) individuals were less likely than unvaccinated individuals to report any of these symptoms by 64%, 54%, 57%, and 68% respectively, (Risk ratios 0.36, 0.46, 0.43, 0.32, p<0.04 in the listed sequence). Conclusions: Vaccination with at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a substantial decrease in reporting the most common post-acute COVID19 symptoms. Our results suggest that, in addition to reducing the risk of acute illness, COVID-19 vaccination may have a protective effect against long COVID.
Objectives: To assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-rated stress levels among dentists who treated children during the outbreak and pediatric patient cooperation during dental treatments. Methods and materials: This cross-sectional study was assessed by enrolling an online questionnaire among dental practitioners treated children during April 2020. Results: Dentists with higher COVID-19-induced distress reported a lower degree of pediatric patient cooperation during dental treatments than dentists with lower reported stress (p value < 0.01). Additional factors negatively impacting patient cooperation were degree of professional practitioner seniority in pediatric dentistry, and perceived knowledge about the COVID-19 disease infectivity and feeling protective against viral transmission with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Also, stress levels among dentists treating children influenced medical decisions, such as the selected treatment approach influenced by COVID-19 considerations. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has adverse effects on clinicians and pediatric patients. Educational programs should be developed to advance dental staff.
The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of intra-articular and three-point sub-synovial steroid injections. In this retrospective Cohort study an OSCA lysis and lavage, intra-articular and threepoint subsynovial steroid injections were performed and the maximal interincisinal opening (MIO), pain using 10- point visual analog scale (VAS) and quality of life (QOL) were measured one week before the procedure and 1, 3, 6,12 months, and 2 and 3years after surgery. Sixty-five patients suffering from internal derangement refractory to conservative treatment charts were reviewed. successfully lowered pain (p value = 0.0012), and improved mouth opening (p value = 0.023), and quality of life (QoL) (p value = 0.003) for up to 6 months after surgery. OSCA with intra-articular CS injections effectively lowered pain (p value = 0.0025), and improved mouth opening (p value = 0.03) and QoL (p value = 0.004) for 12 months. In comparison, OSCA with sub-synovial steroid injections was significantly effective in lowering pain (p value = 0.000002), improving mouth opening (p value = 0.000004), and QoL (p value p = 0.000006) for the duration of the 36-month follow-up period within the limitations of the study it seems that the OSCA technique with site-specific, sub-synovial CS injections should be the preferred treatment approach when the priority is long-term success concerning pain relief, increased mouth opening and improved quality of life in Wilkes II-IV patients. (c) 2022 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Abstract Objective Nasal obstruction is a common complaint. The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale (NOSE) is a reliable validated tool used to assess the quality of life of patients with nasal obstruction. The purpose of this study is to validate the Hebrew version of the NOSE scale (He‐NOSE). Methods A prospective instrument validation was conducted. The NOSE scale was translated primarily from English to Hebrew and then back from Hebrew to English according to the accepted guidelines of the cross‐cultural adaptation process. The study group included surgery candidates suffering from nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum and/or inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The study group completed the validated He‐NOSE questionnaire twice prior to the surgery and once again, a month post‐surgery. A control group of individuals with no history of nasal complaints or surgeries was asked to complete the questionnaire once. Reliability, internal consistency, validity, and responsiveness to change of the He‐NOSE were evaluated. Results Fifty‐three patients and 100 controls were included in this study. The scale showed excellent ability to discriminate between the study and the control group, exhibiting significantly lower scores in the control group (73.8 and 7 average scores respectively, p < .001). Good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha .71 and .76) and test–retest reliability (Spearman rank correlation r = .752, p < .0001) were measured. Moreover, the scale revealed remarkable responsiveness to change (p < .00001). Conclusion The translated and adapted He‐NOSE scale can be a useful tool to be applied in both clinical and research fields when assessing nasal obstruction. Level of evidence N/A.
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by the liver defect of oxalate metabolism, which leads to kidney failure and systemic manifestations. Until recently, liver transplantation was the only definitive treatment. The timing of liver transplantation can be early, while kidney function is still normal (pre-emptive liver transplantation—PLT), or when the patient reaches stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and needs combined liver-kidney transplantation. We aimed to determine the long-term kidney outcomes of PLT in PH1 patients. A retrospective single-center study of PH1 patients who were followed in our center between 1997 and 2017. We compared the kidney outcomes of patients who underwent PLT to those who presented with preserved kidney function and did not undergo PLT. Out of 36 PH1 patients, 18 patients were eligible for PLT (eGFR > 40 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the time of diagnosis). Seven patients underwent PLT (PLT group), while 11 continued conservative treatments (PLTn group). In the PLT group, the median eGFR at the time of PLT and at the end of the follow-up period (14–20 years) was 72 (range 50–89) and 104 (range 86–108) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, and no patient died or reached stage 5 CKD. In the PLTn group, eight patients (72.7