Comparison of Use of Short Form-36 Domain Scores and Patient Responses for Derivation of Preference-Based SF6D Index to Calculate Quality-Adjusted Life Years in Patients with Intermittent Claudication.

Background: The short form 36 (SF36) questionnaire is used for assessment of generic quality of life. Responses to the individual question in SF36 are also used for calculation of the SF6D index score. This score is used for calculation of quality adjusted-life years (QALYs) in economical analyses.

A randomized placebo controlled trial of the effect of preoperative statin use on matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases in areas of low and peak wall stress in patients undergoing elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was carried out to study the effects of statins on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in areas of peak and low abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall stress.

Methods: A total of 40 patients undergoing elective open AAA repair were randomized to receive either atorvastatin 80 mg (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 4 weeks preoperatively. Finite element analysis was used to determine AAA wall stress distribution.