BACKGROUND: Eczema is the most common skin problem among children in Hong Kong. Previous studies have highlighted that the quality of life of the families of children with eczema influences the effects of eczema interventions. However, the Chinese version of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (C-FDLQI), a tool for measuring the quality of life of the families of children with eczema, has not yet been validated. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the psychometric properties of the C-FDLQI among parents and caregivers of children with eczema in Hong Kong. METHODS: This study evaluated the internal consistency, test-retest reliability and structural validity of the C-FDLQI and its convergent validity by examining its correlations with the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and the Cantonese version of the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (C-CDLQI) among 147 Chinese parents/caregivers of children with varying degrees of eczema.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Caregivers ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatology ; Eczema ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Parents ; Psychometrics ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Semantics ; Skin

INTRODUCTIONTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used as an alternative in treating children with atopic dermatitis (AD) but its efficacy and potential side effects are debatable. We recently used a TCM capsule (PentaHerbs) on 9 children and observed significant reductions in clinical scores of disease severity. However, there have been concerns that the therapeutic effects of many forms of TCM are due to the presence of corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if common corticosteroids are present in PentaHerbs capsules.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPentaHerbs powder was analysed with thin-layer chromatography, infra-red spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

RESULTSHydrocortisone, prednisolone, fludrocortisone and dexamethasone were not detected in the PentaHerbs capsules.

CONCLUSIONCorticosteroids are not present in the 5 familiar herbs that were earlier shown to have efficacy on AD.

Child ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; drug therapy ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Glucocorticoids ; analysis ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Pilot Projects ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared

Objective:To study the design and fabrication of the sub-ischial compression/release stabilized (CRS) transfemoral prosthetic socket based on 3D reconstructed residual limb. Methods:The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a transfemoral amputee's residual limb was used for 3D construction. The base of the socket was constructed by the surface of the 3D geometry of residual limb in SolidWorks, and then the sketching and swept surface function was applied to create the compression and release structure. The CRS socket was analyzed by finite element method. The simulation was then validated experimentally. Results:The transfemoral CRS socket was successfully constructed in SolidWorks and assembled with the residual limb for finite element modeling. The simulation results showed the residual limb pressure distribution over the CRS socket compression areas. The maximum residual limb pressure was predicted to be 218.5 kPa by the finite element model, and experimentally measured was 239 kPa. The maximum residual limb pressure was within the pain threshold and pain tolerance range, and the patient was satisfied with the socket. Conclusion:This attempt of reconstructing residual limb MRI to design the CRS prosthetic socket provided another way to study the socket behavior in the prosthesis fitting process. The FEM-CAD method can improve the socket design and fitting process with computer simulation to reduce the trial on patients.