Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the outcome-determining factors of stroke patients treated in our hospital which is the largest hospital in Ibaraki Prefecture with more than 1,000 beds.Methods: Ninety two patients (62 with cerebral infarction and 30 with hemorrhage) who were hospitalized for stroke for the first time between January and June in 2004, and underwent rehabilitation. The patients were classified into two groups according to their outcomes: Group 1 patients who were directly discharged to home and Group 2 patients who were transferred to other hospitals or nursing homes. We investigated the severity of paresis, high cortical functional disorder as complication, functional outcome, and family background of these patients, and analyzed the outcome-determining factors.Result: Among the patients, 65.2% were directly discharged to home. Their paresis was not severe in most cases, and 70% of them could walk independently (with or without canes and devices). There were no significant differences in age or family size between the two groups. Fifteen patients did not choose to go home, even though they were physically able to do so. They all had higher brain dysfunction or difficulty in accepting their disability. For such patients, the shortage of caregivers was not necessarily considered as a factor in their decision not to go home.Conclusion: The severity of paresis and walking ability (locomotion) are the key factors in determining of whether the patients can be discharged to home or not.
Cerebrovascular accident ; Paresis ; Impaired health ; Hospitals ; agreement

We report on a right-handed 43-year-old policeman with atypical Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD). The typical clinical manifestations of MBD are reduced consciousness, confusion, seizures, psychotic and emotional symptoms, hemiparesis, dysarthria, ataxia, and coma and death. However, our patient had not developed any of the above symptoms except for slowly progressive cognitive impairment mimicking that of Alzheimer disease. The incidence of MBD may be higher and its prognosis less severe than generally believed. MBD has been underdiagnosed and underreported, and nonspecific general symptoms and encephalopathy in an alcoholic might indicate undiagnosed MBD.
Impaired health ; symptoms <1> ; Marchiafava-Bignami disease ; Problem drinker ; prognostic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a stress management program on mental health and coping behavior for children of alcoholics. METHOD: Data was collected from January to February, 2003. The subjects were 20 adolescents from 13 to 18 years old. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and t-test with the SAS program. RESULT: There were statistically significant differences in mental health, active coping, positive cognitive restructuring, and support-seeking for problem solving between the experimental group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The stress management program helped children of alcoholics by enhancing self-esteem, providing information about alcohol, and improving emotional and problem focused coping abilities. This eventually enhanced mental health.
Stress, Psychological/*therapy ; *Mental Health ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Child of Impaired Parents/*psychology ; *Alcoholism ; Adolescent ; *Adaptation, Psychological

PURPOSE: Disability is a significant problem and is accepted globally as a health priority in childhood. Like nonvisually impaired children, visually impaired children also need to use health services during childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine the health problems of visually impaired children. METHODS: A descriptive design was used. The subjects were 74 children with visual impairment attending primary school (aged 5e14 years), who agreed to participate and whose parents gave permission. Data were collected via physical examination including questionnaires and a physical assessment form. The health screening included physical measurements for height, weight, blood pressure, dental health, hearing, and scoliosis. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 10.43 +/- 2.9 years. When the health screening results of children were examined, it was found that 25.7% of the children were overweight or obese, 35.1% of them had dental problems, 27.0% had hearing problems, and 39.2% had scoliosis risk. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were normal in 91.8% and 93.2% of the children, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed the important role of school health nurses in performing health screenings directed at visually impaired children who constitute a special group for school health services. Health screening for height, weight, dental health, hearing, and scoliosis is suggested for visually impaired children.
Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; *Disabled Persons ; Female ; Hearing ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening/*methods ; Oral Health ; School Health Services/*organization & administration ; Scoliosis/*diagnosis ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Turkey ; *Visually Impaired Persons

At present the sight impairment evaluation in forensic medicine of China is based on the international classification of disease by WHO in 1973. The main measured indicator is "best corrected visual acuity". It is different from "presenting distance visual acuity" in some situations. In the new blindness and vision loss classification made by WHO in 2003, "presenting distance visual acuity" took the place of the "best corrected visual acuity". In the practice of forensic medicine, "presenting distance visual acuity" can not reflect the real visual acuity duo to the exaggeration or disguise of the wounded. We suggest to use "the best corrected presenting distance visual acuity" instead of "presenting distance visual acuity" in order to avoid the influences of the exaggeration or disguise of the wounded.
Activities of Daily Living ; Blindness/diagnosis* ; China ; Expert Testimony ; Forensic Medicine ; Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Vision Disorders/diagnosis* ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Field Tests/standards* ; Visual Fields ; Visually Impaired Persons ; World Health Organization