1.Assessment of Quality of Life for Scheuermann’s Kyphosis Patients with Cobb’s Angle 50°–65° Treated Conservatively or Surgically in North Jordan: A Prospective Comparative Study
Ziad Ali AUDAT ; Khalid Ahmed KHEIRALLAH ; Bayan Faisal ABABNEH ; Hisham Zaidon ALJAMAL ; Jomana Waleed ALSULAIMAN ; Yaman Sameer BATAINEH ; Mohammad Moneer ALGHARIBEH ; Abdarrahman Ziad AUDAT
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2022;14(2):244-252
Background:
Scheuermann’s disease is the most common cause of hyperkyphosis of the thoracic spine during the adolescence period. It causes neck and lower back pain, restriction of lung expansion, traction of the spinal cord, increased vulnerability to vertebral fracture, and a hump. Patients with curves < 60° are treated conservatively, while surgery is used for patients with curves > 60°. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to assess the quality of life and functional changes in conservatively or surgically treated Scheuermann’s disease patients with a curve size of 50°–65° in north Jordan.
Methods:
Sixty-three adolescent patients with Scheuermann’s kyphosis (aged between 10 and 18 years) were treated at our hospital between January 2014 and August 2018. All patients were investigated clinically, radiologically (Cobb’s angle), and functionally (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Scoliosis Research Society 22 revision [SRS-22r] questionnaire, and pulmonary function test [PFT]) preand post-treatment (final follow-up). Patients were randomly selected for treatment method (conservative versus surgical).
Results:
There were 31 patients (mean age, 15.48 ± 2.50 years) and 32 patients (mean age, 16.19 ± 1.51 years) treated conservatively and surgically, respectively. Mean ± standard deviation of ODI, SRS-22r, and Cobb’s angle of the surgical group improved from 16.8% ± 14.3%, 3.5 ± 0.5, and 58.75° ± 3.59°, respectively, pre-surgery to 13.4% ± 10.8%, 4.2 ± 0.5, and 41.53° ± 3.94°, respectively, post-surgery, while those of the conservative group became worse from 12.6% ± 13.4%, 3.9 ± 0.7, and 56.1° ± 3.3°, respectively, to 20.1% ± 13.6%, 3.5 ± 0.7, and 58.8° ± 5.8°, respectively. The surgical group showed better improvement in all scores than the conservative group (p < 0.05), as well as in PFT.
Conclusions
Surgical treatment of Scheuermann’s kyphosis with curves of 50°–65° resulted in better QOL, Cobb’s angle, and PFT than conservative treatment. This was because of lower patient cooperation in the conservative management group, which made the curve less flexible for exercises and bracing.
2.Determinants of the willingness of the general population to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in a developing country
Abdel-Hameed AL-MISTAREHI ; Khalid A. KHEIRALLAH ; Ahmed YASSIN ; Safwan ALOMARI ; Maryam K. ALEDRISI ; Ehab M. BANI ATA ; Nouran H. HAMMAD ; Asim N. KHANFAR ; Ali M. IBNIAN ; Basheer Y. KHASSAWNEH
Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research 2021;10(2):171-182
Purpose:
Vaccination is a cost-efficient intervention to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to assess the population's willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine in Jordan and investigate potential determinants of their acceptance
Materials and Methods:
This study used an online survey distributed in November 2020, before introducing the vaccine, with items investigating socio-demographic characteristics, seasonal flu vaccination history, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance once available, and factors affecting their decision-making. Also, “COVID-19 risk perception” and beliefs toward COVID-19 vaccine benefits and barriers were assessed.
Results:
A total of 2,208 participants completed the survey with a participation rate of 13.1%. The mean±standard deviation age was 33.2±13.5, and 55.7% were females. Study participants were almost equally distributed between willingness, unwillingness, and indecision to take the COVID-19 vaccine (30.4%, 36.4%, and 31.5%, respectively). Younger adults, males, and those who were not married, do not have children, have a bachelor or higher education, employees or being students, healthcare workers, and those who reported receiving flu vaccine had higher rates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance compared to their counterparts (p<0.001 for each category). COVID-19 risk perception, and perceived vaccine benefits, and barriers were significant predictors of intention. Among those undecided or unwilling to take the COVID-19 vaccine, its safety and side effects were the most common concerns.
Conclusion
The low rate of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a developing country is alarming, and a significant proportion are indecisive. Interventions to elevate vaccine acceptance by addressing its safety and efficacy and targeting vulnerable groups are recommended.