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Background: This study aimed to provide a psychometric evaluation of the Japanese version of the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire (JPAC-QOL). Methods: Data for scoring were collected prospectively from patients with constipation who visited our center from 2008 to 2010, and analyzed retrospectively. Reliability of the JPAC-QOL was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha to calculate internal consistency, and a test-retest study was performed to evaluate reproducibility. For concurrent validity assessment, the JPAC-QOL scores were compared with Constipation Scoring System (CSS) scores. In assessing responsiveness, the JPAC-QOL scores before and after treatments were compared in patients whose modified CSS (mCSS) scores decreased by >50 %. Results: Internal consistency was assessed in 295 patients (165 women; mean age 67.0 years). Cronbach's alpha was >0.7 for the overall score and all four subscales, showing a strong internal consistency. The intraclass correlations for the 145 patients available for the test-retest study were >0.7 for the overall score and for all subscales except satisfaction. The JPAC-QOL scores were significantly associated with the CSS scores in 284 patients, demonstrating concurrent validity in all four subscales and the overall score. The mean JPAC-QOL score improved significantly after treatment in the 72 patients whose mCSS scores decreased by >50 %, indicating good responsiveness in all four subscales and in the overall score. Conclusions: Our study data confirmed the validity and reliability of the JPAC-QOL and demonstrated it ready for use in evaluating the symptom-specific QOL in Japanese patients with constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the effects of intramuscular ( IM) administration of medetomidine and xylazine on intraocular pressure ( IOP) and pupil size in normal dogs. Study design Prospective, randomized, experimental, crossover trial. Animals Five healthy, purpose-bred Beagle dogs. Methods Each dog was administered 11 IM injections of, respectively: physiological saline; medetomidine at doses of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg kg−1, and xylazine at doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 mg kg−1. Injections were administered at least 1 week apart. IOP and pupil size were measured at baseline (before treatment) and at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 24 hours post-injection. Results A significant decrease in IOP was observed at 6 hours after 80 μg kg−1 medetomidine compared with values at 0.25 and 0.50 hours, although there were no significant changes in IOP from baseline. In dogs treated with 8.0 mg kg−1 xylazine, significant reductions in IOP were observed at 4 and 5 hours compared with that at 0.25 hours after administration. In dogs treated with 5, 10, 20 and 40 μg kg−1 medetomidine and 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg kg−1 xylazine, there were no significant changes in IOP. Pupil size did not change significantly after any of the medetomidine or xylazine treatments compared with the baseline value. Conclusions and clinical relevance Low or moderate doses of medetomidine or xylazine did not induce significant changes in IOP or pupil size. In contrast, high doses of medetomidine or xylazine induced significant changes up to 8 hours after treatment, but values remained within the normal canine physiological range. The results of this study suggest a lack of significant change in IOP and pupil size in healthy dogs administered low or moderate doses of xylazine or medetomidine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]