BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a public health problem that requires accurate assessment for proper management and predicting prognosis.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the agreement between visual analogue scale (VAS) and numeric rating scale (NRS) in measuring LBP severity, and investigate their ability in predicting disability.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on 100 patients with chronic LBP. Pain severity assessment was performed using VAS, NRS, and pain severity scores of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Disability assessment was done by BPI-Pain interference and Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI).ResultsThere was a significant positive correlation between VAS and NRS (r = 0.92, p < 0.001) with high agreement between both as detected by Bland-Altman method (mean difference = 0.33). Moreover, there was significant (p < 0.001) positive correlation between disability scores and either VAS (r = 0.92 with BPI pain interference; r = 0.75 with MODI) or NRS (r = 0.95 with BPI pain interference; r = 0.68 with MODI). By using receiver operating characteristic curve, a score of 6 in VAS or NRS can predict severe disability, whereas VAS score higher than 4 and NRS score higher than 3 can predict moderate disability.ConclusionsVisual analogue scale and NRS appeared reliable in assessing LBP severity with no significant difference between them. Moreover, either VAS or NRS scores can predict disability of patients with LBP.

The efficacy of ear electroacupuncture on appetite and weight control was investigated in 3 separate studies. Part I: The Stomach, Hunger, or placebo ear points were stimulated in three different groups. Stimulating the Stomach, or Hunger, points was significantly more effective in appetite control than stimulating the placebo points. Part II: Stimulation of 3 pairs of ear points (Stomach, Hunger, and Shen Men) was performed on 61 obese subjects for 8 weeks. Only 43 subjects engaged, in addition, in an exercise program. 79% of the subjects succeeded to follow a low calorie diet for 8 weeks with subsequent weight reduction. Active exercises significantly increased weight loss. Part III: 19 obese patients with knee osteoarthritis participated in electroacupuncture, diet, and exercise program and 89% of them lost 5-10 kg in 8 weeks.

Incomplete recovery from Bell's palsy was observed in some patients even after the intake of corticosteroids. This prospective study was performed on 160 patients with unilaterial nonrecurrent Bell's palsy in order to investigate the role of prednisolone on the prognosis of Bell's palsy. Ninety-three patients were given prednisolone tablets (1 mg/kg body wt/day up to 70 mg) for six successive days, then the dose was reduced gradually over the next four days. The remaining 67 patients were not given prednisolone (control group). Facial nerve recovery was assessed clinically and electrophysiologically for up to one year. The results of this study suggested that the most probable contributing factor for the success of prednisolone in improving the prognosis of Bell's palsy was its early intake (within the first 24 hours following onset).

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