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Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a vein visualization display system using near-infrared light ("Vein Display") for the safe and proper selection of venipuncture sites for indwelling needle placement in the forearm., Methods: Ten second year nursing students were recruited to apply an indwelling needle line with and without Vein Display. Another ten participants were recruited from various faculty to serve as patients. The quality of the venipuncture procedure at various selected sites was evaluated according to a scale developed by the authors. Time, scores and patterns of puncture-site selection were compared with respect to three different methods: [1] attempt 1 (tourniquet only), [2] attempt 2 (Vein Display only) and [3] attempt 3 (both). To validate the effectiveness of Vein Display, 52 trials were conducted in total., Results: We found that venipuncture site selection time was significantly improved with the Vein Display, particularly in the case of difficult to administer venipuncture sites. Overall, we found no significant difference with respect to venipuncture quality, as determined by our scale., Conclusion: These results suggest that equipment such as the Vein Display can contribute immensely to the improvement of practical skills, such as venipuncture, especially in the context of elderly patients., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disorder with an age onset mainly from infancy to adolescence. Patients with this disorder usually have a long history of repeated relief and relapse. The aim of the present studies is to quantify the relationship between the QOL score of patients and symptomatic characteristics (including severity measured by SF-36). From November 2000 to February 2001, the study recruited 281 patients with atopic dermatitis who had been treated at the Nagano dermatology and allergology clinic. The results of this study demonstrated that the symptoms severity and pruritus grade had strong influences on QOL score, and the location of pruritic lesion on the neck had the strongest influence on their self-perceived health status. The patients group with moderate atopic dermatitis who showed pruritus lesion in face, neck, and or knee, and female had consistently lower scores than male on all of the subscales. In conclusion, it is critically important to control of pruritus, and to develop an appropriate management.

Perennial allergic rhinitis may impair daily activities. However it isn't known how it affects a patient's self-perceived health status. In present study, QOL was measured by MOS Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for assessment of useful information for individualization of care. 252 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis who visited 14 hospitals and clinics from June to August 1999 were questioned, and 249 patients were engaged in this study as subjects. Each patient's background was investigated, and the factors which influenced HRQOL score were identified. In addition, comparisons with healthy subjects and subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis were performed. It was shown that age, gender, and the number of comorbid conditions were significant contributions to HRQOL score. It was considered that nasal obstruction had a strong influence on SF-36 score compared to other symptoms of nasal allergy. In general, QOL scores were significantly depressed in the patients with perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis compared with healthy subjects. The difference of scores between perennial allergic rhinitis were not significant, although the patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis showed low scores compare with perennial allergic rhinitis.