Search Results (773)

Background/Objectives: The implementation of advanced practice nursing in Kazakhstan is aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of primary healthcare. One of the key indicators of the effectiveness of this model is patient satisfaction, which reflects the perceived quality of care and directly influences treatment adherence. The aim of the study was to assess patient satisfaction with nurse-led consultations in primary healthcare institutions in Kazakhstan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire developed on the basis of Karin Bergman’s instrument and adapted to the Kazakhstani context. A total of 621 patients who attended independent nursing consultations in polyclinics in Aktobe, Almaty, Astana, and the village of Merke participated in the survey. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s χ² test were applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The majority of respondents were women, with a median age of 61 years. Awareness of independent consultations was higher among patients who regularly visited nurses (97.1% vs. 86.9%; p < 0.006). High satisfaction levels were associated with service accessibility, quality of examination, and clarity of recommendations. Among regular visitors, 99.2% reported satisfaction with the nurse’s work, and 76.6% rated the service as “excellent”. In contrast, patients with irregular visits more often reported dissatisfaction due to insufficient attention and limited knowledge of nurses. Conclusions: The findings confirm a high level of patient satisfaction with advanced practice nursing services and highlight the importance of this model in strengthening primary healthcare in Kazakhstan. Full article

Background: COVID-19 has been associated with neurological and psychiatric manifestations, both at disease onset and during post-infectious sequelae, such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Previous pandemics suggest potential for long-term neuropsychiatric consequences. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study in patients hospitalized with non-critical COVID-19, evaluating symptoms using validated psychometric instruments at discharge and after 3–6 and 12 months post-infection. Additionally, a four-year follow-up was performed through telephone interviews to document newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders and mortality. Results: At baseline, 22% of patients reported anxiety, 8% depression, and 16% poor sleep. Most symptoms improved within the first year, particularly during the first 3–6 months. At four-year follow-up, mortality reached 5%, while clinician-diagnosed psychiatric disorders increased to 6% for anxiety, 11% for depression, and 3% for mixed disorders. Anxiety and poor sleep—but not depression—were associated with the severity of the acute episode. Conclusions: Overall, post-COVID-19 anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances were more prevalent than in the general population, though the rates were lower than those reported in other studies. Most symptoms resolved within the first year. However, new-onset cases of depression and other psychiatric disorders emerged during long-term follow-up, suggesting distinct trajectories of post-COVID-19 psychiatric morbidity. Full article

Smart assistive technologies such as sensor-based footwear and walking aids offer promising opportunities for gait rehabilitation through real-time feedback and patient-centered monitoring. While biofeedback applications show great potential, current research rarely explores integrated closed-loop systems with device- and modality-specific feedback. In this work, we present a modular sensor-based system combining a smart foot orthosis and an instrumented forearm crutch to deliver real-time vibrotactile biofeedback. The system integrates plantar pressure and motion sensing, vibrotactile feedback, and wireless communication via a smartphone application. We conducted a user study with eight participants to validate the system’s feasibility for mobile gait detection and app usability, and to evaluate different vibrotactile feedback types across the orthosis and forearm crutch. The results indicate that pattern-based vibrotactile feedback was rated as more useful and suitable for regular use than simple vibration alerts. Moreover, participants reported clear perceptual differences between feedback delivered via the orthosis and the forearm crutch, indicating device-dependent feedback perception. The findings highlight the relevance of feedback strategy design beyond hardware implementation and inform the development of user-centered haptic biofeedback systems. Full article

Objective: Body awareness is the conscious, subjective multimodal integration of body-related sensitivity from bodily signals—detecting states and subtle reactions to internal and environmental conditions—modifiable by attention, interpretation, appraisal, beliefs, memories, conditioning, attitudes, and affect. The aim of our study is to identify patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of BA and evaluate their psychometric properties and cross-cultural adaptation processes. Literature Survey: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO; the last search was conducted on 1 July 2025. Methodology: We included studies that psychometrically evaluated PROMs regarding BA in the general adult population and their translations into other languages, with no time-range restrictions. Study selection was performed independently by two reviewers in a blind manner. Evaluation followed COSMIN guidance for systematic reviews of PROMs: (1) risk of bias assessment, (2) application of quality criteria for measurement properties, and (3) GRADE rating of the certainty of evidence. Synthesis: We identified 12 BA questionnaires and more than 30 cross-cultural adaptations, from a total of 50 studies. In summary, the Revised Body Awareness Rating Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA 1 and 2) showed good results for structural validity and internal consistency, which were the most frequently assessed psychometric properties. In contrast, construct validity was highly variable, and the findings on reliability were far from optimal. MAIA-2 was one of the most studied and showed stronger evidence and better pooled results (4 out of 5 properties) than other instruments. Conclusions: The psychometric quality of BA PROMs varies widely, reflecting challenges in operationalizing the construct of body awareness and related domains. While MAIA-2 currently presents the most acceptable—though still imperfect—evidence, further high-quality studies are needed to strengthen their measurement properties and clarify construct coverage. Full article

Background/Objectives: Scaling is central to non-surgical periodontal therapy; however, it is often perceived as uncomfortable, particularly in periodontitis. Psychological distress may amplify pain and reduce adherence. This comparative pilot study assessed whether ultrasonic technology influences patient-reported pain and psychoemotional status while quantifying the contribution of the periodontal condition and baseline psychological factors. Methods: A monocentric split-mouth design enrolled 42 adults (21 with stage I–III, grade B periodontitis; 21 periodontally healthy). Maxillary scaling was performed with Device nr.1 and mandibular scaling was performed with Device nr.2, and no anesthesia was used. Pain was measured immediately post-procedure using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ; sensory and affective subscales). Psychological status was assessed pre- and post-session with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Construct validity was examined via exploratory factor analysis. The Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank, Spearman’s ρ, and Cliff’s δ were applied (α = 0.05). Results: The overall pain was low. Between devices, sensory pain did not differ, whereas affective pain was modestly lower with the “No Pain” device (p = 0.017). Periodontitis was the dominant determinant of pain: higher sensory (U = 509.00, p = 0.0004; δ = 0.42) and affective scores (U = 290.00, p < 0.0001; δ = 0.67) occurred irrespective of device, while device-related effects were negligible (sensory δ = −0.03) to small (affective δ = 0.27). Somatic distress correlated with affective pain (ρ = 0.25, p = 0.023) and was borderline for sensory pain (ρ = 0.21, p = 0.060); emotional distress showed no significant associations. During the session, K10 scores decreased and RSES values increased, indicating immediate psychoemotional benefits. Conclusions: Pain perception during scaling is shaped primarily by periodontal status and psychological distress rather than by ultrasonic technology per se. Although the electronic module to dynamically adjust the power of the instrument technology may attenuate the affective component, standardized atraumatic techniques and routine psychosocial screening are likely to yield greater gains. The observed short-term improvements in distress and self-esteem support integrating patient-reported outcomes into individualized, patient-centered periodontal care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) can improve patient survival and biomarkers to facilitate this are greatly needed. We recently reported a serum biomarker signature comprising tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), cathepsin D (CTSD), thrombospondin 1 (TSP1/THBS1), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), that detected Stage I and II PDAC with high sensitivity and specificity. In this assay, CA 19-9 is measured with a commercial instrument and individual ELISAs were developed to measure TIMP1, ICAM1, CTSD, and THBS1. Here, we report the analytical performance of these four analytes in their ELISA formats. Methods: Biomarker precision, linearity, algorithm precision, matrix effects, hook effect, method comparison, interference, and analyte stability were evaluated against acceptance criteria per CLSI guidelines. Results: High, medium, and low concentrations of each biomarker met acceptance criteria for inter- and intra-day precision (%CVs < 14%) and for linearity (%CVs < 11%). Matrix effects did not impact quantitation of any analyte nor was hook effect present. All analytes met acceptance criteria for accuracy and stability (all biases < 11.2% and <16.5%, respectively). For interference, two CTSD measurements and one ICAM1 measurement in HAMA-spiked samples showed 20.7–29% biases, falling slightly outside of acceptance criteria (<20% bias). All other analyte concentrations met interference acceptance criteria. In total, 94.1% of all diagnostic calls were made with 100% certainty, indicating high precision of the assay’s algorithm. Conclusions: All analytes demonstrated acceptable analytical precision, linearity, accuracy, and stability, showing high overall analytical performance of each analyte. Full article

Background/Objectives: The cancer experience has a significant affective impact on patients, often causing anxiety and depression. Given the importance of this condition, there is a true need for psychometrically valid and culturally appropriate assessment tools for anxiety and depression in this condition. This is also true for Arabic-speaking populations. This study evaluates the measurement properties of the PROMIS Depression in Cancer (PROMIS-Ca-D) and Anxiety in Cancer (PROMIS-Ca-A) questionnaires, part of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System^® (PROMIS^®), for assessing depression and anxiety in Saudi Arabian cancer patients. Methods: The PROMIS-Ca-D was translated into Arabic and subsequently tested with 30 participants from five Arabic-speaking countries. The PROMIS-Ca-A had been previously translated into Arabic. The second phase recruited 213 cancer patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who completed the PROMIS-Ca-D and PROMIS-Ca-A. Rasch analysis (rating scale model) was used to assess category functioning, item fit, unidimensionality, differential item functioning, and measures reliability. Results: The translation process confirmed the cultural appropriateness of the Arabic PROMIS-Ca-D. In the validation cohort (N = 213), Rasch analysis indicated excellent reliability for both scales. Although disordered modal thresholds and signs of multidimensionality were observed, control analyses confirmed that these features did not compromise the item calibrations or the person’s measures. Item fit was adequate, and Differential Item Functioning was negligible. However, suboptimal item-person targeting was noted. Conclusions: The Arabic PROMIS-Ca-D and PROMIS-Ca-A are psychometrically sound instruments for evaluating psychological distress in Arabic-speaking cancer patients. Future research should focus on assessing responsiveness and evaluating metric equivalence with legacy measures. Full article

Background: Dementia is a chronic, multifactorial syndrome with a high incidence and prevalence worldwide. The clinical assessment of these patients is challenging, imposing several barriers related to the system, the healthcare professional and the patient. While numerous assessment tools exist for dementia, few are specifically validated or widely used in palliative care. This study evaluates the relevance of using the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale for Dementia (IPOS-Dem) in Portugal. The primary objective is to synthesize evidence on the implementation and clinical performance of IPOS-Dem in people with dementia receiving palliative care—including feasibility, acceptability, validity, reliability, and clinical applicability—while the secondary objective is to assess the instrument’s relevance and potential for cultural/linguistic adaptation to context. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out, with research in evidence-based medicine databases on the use of the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale for Dementia (IPOS-Dem) in palliative care, using the terms “dementia”, “alzheimer”, “lewy body”, “cognitive impair”, “outcome”, “IPOS-Dem”, “patient outcome assessment”, “outcome assessment”, “scale”, “palliative care”, and “palliative outcome scale”. Results: The IPOS-Dem was considered to be a useful tool for monitoring patients with dementia while receiving palliative care, allowing for a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of symptoms, as well as involving family members in the care process. It facilitates the identification of previously unknown symptoms and issues, particularly emotional and social concerns. Its use led to an improvement in symptom control and greater family involvement in care. The reduction in missing response rates and the time required to complete the scale with repeated use indicated good adaptation to the scale’s implementation. Difficulties were reported in assessing patients with communication impairments. Some staff also highlighted the need for training in using the scale. The Swiss Easy-Read IPOS-Dem showed significant variation in scores between evaluators, which raises concerns about the reliability and consistency of the scale, indicating that the tool requires further validation. Digital models, although they may present some inconveniences, were suggested as a potential improvement in acceptability. Conclusions: Our review suggests that IPOS-Dem provides initial evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and potential clinical usefulness in dementia palliative care, making its implementation beneficial for the Portuguese population. Translation and adaptation to the Portuguese population and culture will be necessary, but the scale is promising, and we recommend its national use. Full article

Background: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) profoundly affect daily life, limiting mobility, independence, and emotional stability. While antifibrotic therapies may slow physiological decline, the living experience—characterized by breathlessness, cough, frailty, and psychological distress—remains insufficiently understood; this study therefore aimed to capture real-world patient perspectives on functional capacity, self-management, and mental health to identify treatable traits beyond conventional physiological measures. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative online survey was conducted between September 2024 and January 2025 by Lungenfibrose e.V. in collaboration with the Center for Interstitial and Rare Lung Diseases (ZISL), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (Giessen site). Patients with physician-confirmed ILD completed standardized instruments assessing dyspnea (MRC), cough intensity (VAS-Cough), frailty (CFS), and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). Data were analyzed descriptively across physical, functional, and psychosocial domains. Results: The majority of 69 respondents had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (64.7%) with a mean diagnostic delay of 1.4 ± 2.2 years; 69% were diagnosed within two years of symptom onset, and 77% were receiving antifibrotic therapy (nintedanib 57%, pirfenidone 19%). Functional limitations were substantial—55% were mobile for fewer than two hours per day, 73% reported mobility impairment, and oxygen use was common (51% during exertion, 26% at rest). Frailty increased over time (mean CFS 3.2 → 3.8), with 46% classified as fit, 36% vulnerable, and 18% frail. Dyspnea and cough remained burdensome (mean VAS-cough 40 ± 26; 58% moderate–severe), and health-related quality of life was reduced (mean EQ-VAS 56.5 ± 23.7), with high rates of anxiety/depression (78%), limitations in daily activities (76%), and pain/discomfort (74%). Despite overall satisfaction with care (mean 7.1 ± 2.5), respondents frequently reported unmet needs for psychological support and clearer communication about treatment and disease management. Conclusions: Despite antifibrotic therapy and structured specialist care, individuals living with ILD continue to face substantial physical and emotional challenges. Treatable traits—including frailty, dyspnea, inactivity, anxiety, and social isolation—emerge as key determinants of well-being. Multidisciplinary strategies integrating rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and patient education alongside pharmacological therapy are essential to preserve autonomy and improve quality of life in pulmonary fibrosis. Full article

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment by providing durable survival gains, but understanding their effects on patient health-related quality of life (HRQL) is critical. Methods: We performed a narrative review of cross-sectional surveys, early-phase trials, and large-scale phase II and III randomized controlled clinical trials assessing FDA-approved ICIs, including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, with emphasis on patient-reported HRQL. Validated HRQL instruments were summarized, and for pivotal trials, the positioning of HRQL outcomes as primary, secondary, or exploratory endpoints was taken from original protocols or primary manuscripts. Results: ICIs generally preserved or improved HRQL in patients with various malignancies compared with chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or observation. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors maintained global health and function and delayed symptom progression in patients with lung cancer, melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma. Regimens combining CTLA-4 blockade and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition (e.g., nivolumab + ipilimumab, durvalumab + tremelimumab) are associated with HRQL outcomes similar or superior to those of targeted therapies. Overall, most immune-related adverse effects were short-term and did not diminish HRQL benefits. Conclusions: ICIs extend survival while preserving, and often enhancing, patient HRQL. These medications represent a shift in oncology, offering not just longer life but also better daily well-being. Continued long-term patient-reported outcome monitoring is essential to guide survivorship care in the immunotherapy era. Full article

Background/Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition, significantly impacting quality of life and incurring high social costs. Although non-specific (without anatomical abnormalities) LBP accounts for nearly 80% of cases, LBP due to adult spinal deformities (ASDs), including scoliosis, remains a major concern. Several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)—notably the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire (SRS-22), and Core Outcome Measure Instrument (COMI)—are recommended for assessment in these populations. This study aims to verify if these PROMs can effectively distinguish between adults with scoliosis-associated LBP (SLBP) and those with non-specific LBP (LBP). Methods: subjects were categorised as either having idiopathic/degenerative scoliosis (>10° Cobb angle in the coronal plane) with LBP, or non-specific LBP. Statistical comparisons applied non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon rank-sum, Mood’s median, chi-square), Spearman’s correlation, and generalised linear regression analyses. Results: Among 1092 subjects (552 SLBP; 540 LBP), median ODI scores were similar between groups, while SRS-22 scores were modestly higher in the SLBP cohort. Females consistently reported higher ODI and lower SRS-22 scores. Significant correlations arose between ODI and COMI, with moderate inverse associations with SRS-22. Regression analysis demonstrated that pathology group, gender, age, and BMI weakly predicted PROM scores. Conclusions: ODI and SRS-22 perform comparably in assessing disability in adults with LBP regardless of scoliosis, suggesting they cannot discriminate different pathologies. These findings underscore the importance of employing multiple PROMs to capture clinical dimensions. Full article

Background: Psychosocial oncology research has largely focused on DSM Axis I disorders such as depression and anxiety, while broader psychological dimensions—particularly personality functioning—have received limited attention. In the context of long-term survivorship and chronic cancer care, understanding personality disorders (PDs) is increasingly important. Objective: This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of PDs in adults with cancer based on studies using DSM or ICD diagnostic frameworks. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched major electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) for studies published over the past 45 years that reported PD prevalence in individuals with cancer. Eligible studies employed DSM or ICD criteria for diagnosing PDs. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessments were conducted independently by multiple reviewers. Extracted data included study design, sample characteristics, diagnostic tools, and PD prevalence. Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Reported prevalence estimates varied widely, ranging from 1.4% to 100%. Most studies were characterized by small sample sizes, cross-sectional designs, and a primary focus on breast cancer populations; only one study included a broader cancer cohort. Study quality was generally low to moderate. A major limitation across studies was the use of unvalidated or non-standardized diagnostic instruments, along with limited methodological detail and heterogeneity in assessment approaches, preventing meaningful pooling of results. Conclusions: The findings reveal a substantial lack of high-quality research examining personality disorders in oncology settings. Robust, methodologically rigorous studies using validated diagnostic tools are urgently needed to clarify the prevalence and clinical relevance of PDs in cancer populations and to inform the development of comprehensive, patient-centered psychosocial care models. Full article

Background: This prospective case series evaluated a treatment strategy in endodontic-periodontal lesions resulting from concurrent pulpal and periodontal infections. These present significant management challenges, particularly when they exhibit resistance to standard treatment modalities. Persistent microbial biofilms in regions like dentinal tubules and lateral canals can make it hard for healing to happen, even with good endodontic and periodontal care. Diode lasers have antibacterial and photobiomodulatory effects, but they are most often used as single-stage disinfection techniques. This pilot study evaluated a multi-stage diode laser protocol designed to enhance healing outcomes in refractory endo-perio lesions that had not responded to conventional treatment. Methods: Twelve patients (aged 20–60 years) with chronic endo-perio lesions, referred after unsuccessful earlier treatment, were treated utilizing a sequential diode laser regimen: Phase 1—Endodontic disinfection: Following canal instrumentation (0.75 W, pulsed mode, frequency 15 Hz, 200 μm fiber, 15 J dosage/20 s) using a 976 nm diode laser. Phase 2—Periodontal disinfection: Following SRP, intra-pocket (0.75 W, pulsed mode, frequency 15 Hz, 300 μm fiber, 3.75 J dosage/5 s) using a 976 nm diode laser; Phase 3—Post treatment photobiomodulation: After periodontal and endodontic therapy, photobiomodulation was applied using a 650 nm diode laser intra-pocket and in the periapical region (25 mW, continuous mode, 1.5 J dosage) to reduce postoperative inflammation and stimulate healing. Clinical parameters—probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and mobility—along with radiographic bone fill were recorded at baseline and after 6 months. Results: All twelve cases showed measurable within-patient improvements over the six-month follow-up. Median probing depth decreased from 7.6 mm to 6.0 mm, and median bleeding on probing declined from 0.9 to 0.3. Radiographically, partial bone fill was observed in all cases, with a median value of 58.3 percent. Postoperative pain decreased progressively over the first 24 h, with patients reporting mild discomfort by 24 h. No adverse events were recorded. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this small, uncontrolled pilot study, the multi-stage diode laser protocol was associated with clinical and radiographic improvements and low postoperative discomfort in refractory endo-perio lesions. These preliminary findings suggest that such a protocol may serve as a useful adjunct to conventional therapy. Larger, controlled studies are required to confirm these outcomes and determine long-term efficacy. Full article

Background: Recently, patients have been using large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to address their concerns. However, it remains unclear whether the readability, understandability, actionability, and empathy meet the standard guidelines. In this study, we aim to address these concerns and compare the outcomes of the LLMS to those of professional resources. Methods: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study by following the relevant items of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross-sectional studies and using 14 patient-style questions. These questions were collected from the professional platforms to represent each domain. We derived the 14 domains from validated quality-of-life instruments (EORTC QLQ-H&N35, UW-QOL, and FACT-H&N). Fourteen Responses were obtained from three LLMs (ChatGPT-4o, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Claude Sonnet 4) and two professional sources (Macmillan Cancer Support and CURE Today). All responses were evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), DISCERN instrument, and the Empathic Communication Coding System (ECCS). Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level metrics. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test for group comparisons. Results: No differences were found in quality (DISCERN), understandability, actionability (PEMAT), and empathy (ECCS) between LLMS and professional resources. However, professional resources outperform the LLMs in readability. Conclusions: In our study, we found that LLMs (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) can produce patient information that is comparable to professional resources in terms of quality, understandability, actionability, and empathy. However, readability remains a key limitation, as LLM-generated responses often require simplification to align with recommended health-literacy standards. Full article

Background/Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy, often impairing daily function and quality of life. This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and assess the validity of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) in a Romanian cohort. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Romanian version of the BCTQ. A total of 190 participants were recruited, representing 380 wrists, including 130 patients with suspected or confirmed CTS and 60 healthy controls. The adaptation process followed international standards, with forward and backward translation, expert committee review, and pilot testing. Participants completed the Romanian BCTQ and performed standardized nerve conduction studies. The internal consistency and validity, including convergent and discriminant validity, exploratory factor analysis, and test–retest assessments, were performed. Results: The Romanian BCTQ exhibited exceptional internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.96), significant inter-item correlations, and robust factor loadings confirming a one-factor structure. Convergent validity was evidenced by strong correlations with electrodiagnostic measurements. The test–retest reliability was high, with intraclass correlation coefficients above 0,99. Conclusions: The Romanian adaptation of the BCTQ is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate patient-reported instrument to assess symptom severity and functional status in CTS, improving clinical decision-making and cross-cultural research. Full article