Effectiveness of diagnosis and early treatment of ocular motility alterations in premature infants

Objective

Prematurity often results in important developmental sequelae of brain structures, particularly those involved in processing visual information, such as the optic nerve, primary visual cortex and visuomotor integration areas. The aim of this study is to analyse the functionality of the sensory and motor pathways of the visual system by means of an orthoptic-ophthalmological assessment.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, 151 records were examined, covering a period from 2000 to 2020, of preterm patients with gestational age < 32 weeks and birth weight ≤ 1,500 g up to an average age of about 8 years, referred to the Centre for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabology of the Ophthalmology Clinic of the Policlinico Umberto I, La Sapienza University of Rome, who underwent a complete ophthalmological and orthoptic assessment including the following tests measurement of ocular deviations according to the Hirschberg method, Lang I-II test, Titmus Stereotest, objective convergence assessment and ocular motility examination.

Results

From the charts reviewed, 24.5% (37/151) of patients had Retinopathy of the Premature (ROP); while 38% of the whole sample (57/151) had strabismic amblyopia, of the latter only 31.5% (18/57) had ROP. In 8% of patients (12/151) the stereoscopic sense was absent, in 45% (8/151) stereopsis was gross (> 60 seconds of arc). In addition, 20.52 % (31/151) had a manifest eye deviation. 7.28% (11/151) had hypermetropia in the right eye (RE); 7.95% (12/151) hypermetropia in the left eye (OS); 3.31% of the patients (5/151) had myopia in the RE; 2% (3/151), myopia in the left eye (LE). In addition, the study of ocular motility revealed varying degrees of alteration poorly correlated with prematurity status.

Conclusion

It was found that amblyopia, stereopsis and objective convergence are more affected by ROP than strabismus, refractive defects and ocular motility, indicating that premature children are particularly susceptible to ophthalmological and orthoptical alterations.

Work-related stress risk and preventive measures of mental disorders in the medical environment: an umbrella review

OBJECTIVE

Work-related stress (WRS) is widespread among medical doctors. WRS not only affects the physician's mental and physical well-being, but also patient care quality and the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the current preventive measures against mental disorders, work-related stress, and burnout among physicians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The presentation of this systematic review is in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed with specific rating tools: INSA, Newcastle Ottawa Scale, JADAD scale, and AMSTAR. English publications only were selected. No restrictions applied for publication type. Reviewers excluded articles not concerning the following topics: WRS prevention, WRS risk factors and mental disorders among physicians. Reviewers also excluded findings of less academic significance, editorial articles, individual contributions, purely descriptive studies published in scientific conferences.

RESULTS

Online search returned 4748 references on the following databases: PubMed (1638), Scopus (3108) and Cochrane Library (2). 36 studies were included in this review (thereof, 13 reviews and 23 original articles). Narrative reviews were rated on the INSA scale. The mean, median, and modal rating was 6. This indicates an intermediate-high quality of these studies. Systematic reviews were rated on the AMSTAR scale. The mean and median rating was 9, and the modal rating was 8. This indicates a high quality of these studies. The scores assigned to the original articles have a mean, median, and modal rating of 7. This also indicates an intermediate-high quality of these studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Work-related stress and mental disorders seem to be widespread among medical practitioners. It is already a priority to adopt preventive measures against these phenomena. However, there is still no consensus on what the most effective measures are. Additional research is needed to formulate evidence-based recommendations.

Impact of cardiovascular risk factors on incidence and severity of Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE

Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) is a thrombotic process affecting retinal veins. The purpose of this research is to study demographic characteristics and prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities among subjects affected by RVO. In addition, authors explore the role of each variable in determining occlusion type and severity.

SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective observational study recruiting subjects affected by RVO and secondary macular edema. Exclusion criteria included pre-existing macular edema, recent ocular surgery (<6 months), pregnancy, diagnosis other than RVO, diabetes mellitus type I, any systemic pathology that significantly reduced life expectancy. Each participant was studied through a comprehensive medical history, cardiovascular assessment, blood testing, ocular exam, and macular OCT imaging.

RESULTS

A total of 145 eyes, 145 participants, thereof 80 males (55%) and 65 females. (45%) Mean age: 62.5 ± 14.3 SD. 61 eyes (42%) were affected by CRVO and 84 eyes (58%) by BRVO. No statistically significant differences were noted between genders. Hypertension was very prevalent (63%). Dyslipidemia was more associated with BRVO (p = 0.044). Subjects with hypertension had a mean central macular thickness (CMT) of 643 µm against a mean of 489 µm of those without hypertension. (p < 0.05). No other variable was associated with macular edema severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Older age and hypertension are strong risk factors for RVO. Dyslipidemia was strongly associated with BRVO. (p=0.044) Hypertension was not only associated with RVO incidence, but also with its severity. In fact, hypertensive subjects had significantly worse macular edema.

Work-related stress and cortisol levels: is there an association? Results of an observational study

OBJECTIVE

Chronic exposure to work-related stress (WRS) stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to increase glucocorticoid secretion, including cortisol, and these hormones can be measured both in serum and urine. The Health Safety Executive Toolkit (HSE) questionnaire is used to assess WRS risk objectively. The scope of our study is to investigate whether serum or urinary cortisol levels could be used as alternative objective indicators of WRS, specifically in those subjects who are chronically exposed to it.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

130 patients (75 males and 55 females, mean age 47.7 ± 11.3 years) were evaluated at a specialized Centre for Secondary Hypertension, where both their serum (8 AM) and 24-hours urinary cortisol were measured and they were asked to complete two questionnaires: one questionnaire to collect data about their socio-demographic and job characteristics, and the HSE questionnaire to evaluate WRS.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression analysis showed an association of urinary cortisol with several variables: tobacco smoke (β = 69.6; p = 0.003); female gender (β = -37.3; p = 0.041); exposure to physical risks (β = 51.8; p = 0.032); control score (β = -22.7; p = 0.039); role score (β= 39.3; p = 0.020). Age was the only variable associated with serum cortisol levels (β = -3.6; p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary cortisol levels, but not serum levels, are associated with variables linked to WRS (score control and role) and to socio-demographic variables, namely gender and tobacco smoke. Thus, urinary cortisol can be considered a useful and non-invasive biological indicator to quantify WRS.