TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage with a context and an answer, construct a question on the basis of the information present in the passage. Construct the question in such a way that (i) it is unambiguous, (ii) it is answerable from the passage, (iii) its answer is unique (iv) it answer uses text phrases from the passage. Avoid creating questions that (i) can't be answered correctly without actually understanding the passage and (ii) uses the same words or phrases given in the passage.
PROBLEM: Context: Cross-sectional, clinical measurement.', 'To investigate the validity of the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) in the assessment of hand function in patients with tetraplegia.', "A total of 40 patients with tetraplegia participated. Patients' upper extremities were assessed on the level of 'body function and structure' [The American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) 2000 revised criteria, upper extremity motor score (UEMS), neurologic level of injury and visual analogue scale of hand function (VAS-HF)], 'activity' [DHI and Quadriplegia index of function-short form (QIF-SF)] and 'body function and structure, activity and participation' [Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36)] according to International Classification of Function.", 'The DHI showed significant correlations with UEMS, AIS, QIF-SF, VAS-HF, physical functioning and physical compound summary scores of SF-36.
Answer: The DHI was found a valid method in the assessment of hand functions in patients with tetraplegia.

SOLUTION: Do validation of Duruöz Hand Index in patients with tetraplegia?

PROBLEM: Context: Anemia is an established adverse risk factor in cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of preoperative anemia is not well defined in heart surgery. This study evaluates the effect of preoperative anemia on early clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.', 'A retrospective, observational, cohort study of prospectively collected data was undertaken on 7,738 consecutive patients undergoing heart surgery between April 2003 and February 2009. Of these, 1,856 patients with preoperative anemia were compared to 5,882 patients without anemia (control group). According to the World Health Organization, anemia was defined as hemoglobin level\u2009<\u200913 g/dl for men and <12 g/dl for women. Selection bias not controlled by multivariable methods was assessed with propensity-adjustment method.', 'Overall mortality was 2.1%. Preoperative anemia was associated with tripling in the risk of death (4.6% vs 1.5%, p\u2009<\u20090.0001) and postoperative renal dysfunction (18.5% vs 6.5%, p\u2009<\u20090.0001). There was also a significant difference between the anemic and non-anemic group in the risk of postoperative stroke (1.9% vs 1.1%, p\u2009=\u20090.008), atrial fibrillation (36.7% vs 33%, p\u2009=\u20090.003) and length of hospital stay\u2009>\u20097 days (54% vs 36.7%, p\u2009<\u20090.0001). In propensity-adjusted, multivariable logistic regression, preoperative anemia was an independent predictor of mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 2.03), postoperative renal dysfunction (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.1) and length of hospital stay\u2009>\u20097 days (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.47).
Answer: In patients undergoing heart surgery, preoperative anemia is associated with an increased risk of mortality and postoperative morbidity.

SOLUTION: Does preoperative anemia increase mortality and postoperative morbidity after cardiac surgery?

PROBLEM: Context: Only a few small studies have evaluated risk factors related to early death following emergency surgery for colonic cancer. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for death within 30 days after such surgery.', 'Some 2157 patients who underwent emergency treatment for colonic cancer from May 2001 to December 2005 were identified from the national colorectal cancer registry. Thirty-day mortality rates were calculated and risk factors for early death were identified using logistic regression analysis.', 'The overall 30-day mortality rate was 22.1 per cent. The strongest risk factor for early death was postoperative medical complications (cardiopulmonary, renal, thromboembolic and infectious), with an odds ratio of 11.7 (95 per cent confidence interval 8.8 to 15.5). Such complications occurred in 24.4 per cent of patients, of whom 57.8 per cent died. Other independent risk factors were age at least 71 years, male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade III or more, palliative outcome, tumour perforation, splenectomy and adverse intraoperative surgical events. Postoperative surgical complications were noted in 20.4 per cent of the patients but had no statistically significant influence on mortality.
Answer: Emergency surgery for colonic cancer is still associated with an increased risk of death. There is a need for a system providing increased safety in the perioperative period.

SOLUTION:
Are postoperative medical complications the main cause of early death after emergency surgery for colonic cancer?