The association of patient education level with outcomes after elective lumbar surgery: a Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative study

OBJECTIVE Socioeconomic factors have been shown to impact a host of healthcare-related outcomes. Level of education is a marker of socioeconomic status. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between patient education level and outcomes after elective lumbar surgery and to characterize any education-related disparities. METHODS The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative registry was queried for all lumbar spine operations. Primary outcomes included patient satisfaction determined by the North American Spine Society patient satisfaction index, and reaching the minimum clinically important difference of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function score and return to work up to 2 years after surgery. Multivariate Poisson generalized estimating equation models reported adjusted risk ratios. RESULTS A total of 26,229 lumbar spine patients had data available for inclusion in this study. On multivariate generalized estimating equation analysis all comparisons were done versus the high school (HS)/general equivalency development (GED)–level cohort. For North American Spine Society satisfaction scores after surgery the authors observed the following: at 90 days the likelihood of satisfaction significantly decreased by 11% (p < 0.001) among < HS, but increased by 1% (p = 0.52) among college-educated and 3% (p = 0.011) among postcollege-educated cohorts compared to the HS/GED cohort; at 1 year there was a decrease of 9% (p = 0.02) among < HS and increases of 3% (p = 0.02) among college-educated and 9% (p < 0.001) among postcollege-educated patients; and at 2 years, there was an increase of 5% (p = 0.001) among postcollege-educated patients compared to the < HS group. The likelihood of reaching a minimum clinically important difference of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function score at 90 days increased by 5% (p = 0.005) among college-educated and 9% (p < 0.001) among postcollege-educated cohorts; at 1 year, all comparison cohorts demonstrated significance, with a decrease of 12% (p = 0.007) among < HS, but an increase by 6% (p < 0.001) among college-educated patients and 14% (p < 0.001) among postcollege-educated compared to the HS/GED cohort; at 2 years, there was a significant decrease by 19% (p = 0.003) among the < HS cohort, an increase by 8% (p = 0.001) among the college-educated group, and an increase by 16% (p < 0.001) among the postcollege-educated group. For return to work, a significant increase was demonstrated at 90 days and 1 year when comparing the HS or less group with college or postcollege cohorts. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated negative associations on all primary outcomes with lower levels of education. This finding suggests a potential disparity linked to education in elective spine surgery.

Aging with multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal study of physical function, mental health, and memory in two cohorts of US women

Background: It is unknown how individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) age compared to unaffected peers. Objectives: The objective of the study is to describe the impact of MS on health and functioning in aging women. Methods: We used 10-item Physical Functioning Scale (PF10) scores (from the Short Form-36 (SF-36)) and other indicators of general, physical, mental health, and memory collected repeatedly over 25 years with self-administered questionnaires among participants in the Nurses’ Health Study ( n = 121,700 recruited at ages 30–55) and Nurses’ Health Study II ( n = 116,429 recruited at ages 25–42) to compare women with MS ( n = 733) to unaffected peers in their health and disability, and describe/quantify the burden of aging with MS. Results: Women with MS had a consistently lower PF10 by 0.9–1.7 standard deviations with greater overall variability than unaffected women. PF10-scores gradually decreased with increasing age in both groups, but MS cases declined 3–4 times faster in midlife, while decline was similar in old age. The physical function score of 45-year-old women with MS was comparable to that of 75-year-old unaffected women; 70-year-old women with MS scored similarly to 85-year-old unaffected women. MS cases also reported worse health/more disability throughout adulthood on the other indicators. Conclusion: The age-related decline in physical health is accelerated by 15–30 years in MS patients compared to unaffected peers.

The Association between Poor Diet Quality, Physical Fatigability and Physical Function in the Oldest-Old from the Geisinger Rural Aging Study

More perceived physical fatigability and poor diet quality are associated with impairments in physical function in older adults. However, the degree to which more perceived fatigability explains the association between poor diet quality and low physical function is unknown. We examined this relationship in 122 (66F, 56M) of the oldest-old participants from the Geisinger Rural Aging Study (GRAS). We used 24-h dietary recalls to assess the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS, 0–50) to assess perceived physical fatigability, and the PROMIS Physical Function 20a* to assess physical function. We grouped participants into three age categories: 80–84 (n = 51), 85–89 (n = 51), and 90+ (n = 20) years. Multiple linear regression revealed that a lower HEI was associated with higher PFS Physical score after adjusting for age group, sex, body mass index, and the number of medical conditions (p = 0.001). Several macro- and micro-nutrient intakes were also lower in those reporting more (≥15) compared to less (<15) perceived physical fatigability. Mediation analysis revealed that PFS Physical scores explained ~65% (p = 0.001) of the association between HEI total score and PROMIS19 Physical Function score. Poor diet quality may contribute to more perceived physical fatigability, which could exacerbate impairments in the oldest-old’s physical function.

Chronic COVID-19 Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) following the first pandemic wave in Germany – a first analysis of a prospective observational study

ObjectiveCharacterization of the clinical features of patients with persistent symptoms after mild to moderate COVID-19 infection and exploration of factors associated with the development of Chronic COVID-19 Syndrome (CCS).MethodsSetting: Charité Fatigue Center with clinical immunologists and rheumatologist, neurologists and cardiologists at Charité University hospital.Participants: 42 patients who presented with persistent moderate to severe fatigue six months following a mostly mild SARS-CoV-2 infection at the Charité Fatigue Center from July to November 2020.Main outcome measures: The primary outcomes were clinical and paraclinical data and meeting diagnostic criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Relevant neurological and cardiopulmonary morbidity was excluded.ResultsThe median age was 36.5, range 22–62, 29 patients were female and 13 male. At six months post acute COVID-19 all patients had fatigue (Chalder Fatigue Score median 25 of 33, range 14–32), the most frequent other symptoms were post exertional malaise (n=41), cognitive symptoms (n=40), headache (n=38), and muscle pain (n=35). Most patients were moderately to severely impaired in daily live with a median Bell disability score of 50 (range 15–90) of 100 (healthy) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) physical function score of 63 (range 15-80) of 100. 19 of 42 patients fulfilled the 2003 Canadian Consensus Criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). These patients reported more fatigue in the Chalder Fatigue Score (p=0.006), more stress intolerance (p=0.042) and more frequent and longer post exertional malaise (PEM) (p=0.003), and hypersensitivity to noise (p=0.029), light (p=0.0143) and temperature (p=0.024) compared to patients not meeting ME/CFS criteria. Handgrip force was diminished in most patients compared to healthy control values, and lower in CCS/CFS compared to non-CFS CCS (Fmax1 p=0.085, Fmax2, p=0.050, Fmean1 p=0.043, Fmean2 p=0.034, mean of 10 repeat handgrips, 29 female patients). Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency was observed frequently (22% of all patients) and elevated IL-8 levels were found in 43% of patients.ConclusionsChronic COVID-19 Syndrome at months 6 is a multisymptomatic frequently debilitating disease fulfilling diagnostic criteria of ME/CFS in about half of the patients in our study. Research in mechanisms and clinical trials are urgently needed.

Pain and Functional Outcome with Single dose 25% Dextrose Intra-Articular Injection in Patients with Primary Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic joint disorder worldwide and is associated with significant pain and disability. The introduction of 25% Dextrose injection has been viewed as an advance in the management of OA knee. Methods: A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 84 cases in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) department of BSMMU. Group A, 42 patients received single dose 25% Dextrose injection intra articular 8ml, exercise and ADL; Group B, 42 patients received exercise and ADL. Outcomes were measured by OA specific translated and validated Bengali instrument- Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10). They were followed up for 6 months. Result: At the initial stage and in week 4, there was no statistical difference between two groups regarding VAS score (as p value was >0.05). But in week 12 and 24, there was highly significant statistical difference regarding VAS score between two groups as the p value was <0.001. Again at the initial stage and week 4, there was no statistical difference between two groups regarding stiffness and physical function score. But in week 12 and 24, there was significant statistical difference regarding stiffness and physical function score between two groups as the p value was less than 0.05. Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of 25% dextrose administered to patients with OA knee has significant effects in pain reduction and functional improvement. J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 29, No.2, October, 2020, Page 138-144

Efficacy of microcurrent therapy for treatment of acute knee pain: A randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial

Objective: We would like to determine whether electrotherapy, specifically microcurrent therapy, increases function and decreases pain in people who have acute knee pain. Design: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting: University laboratory and patient home. Subjects: A total of 52 subjects (35 females and 17 males) with acute knee pain. Intervention: Treatment group ( n = 26) wore the active microcurrent therapy device at home for 3 hours per day for 4 weeks and the control group ( n = 26) wore the placebo for 3 hours per day for 4 weeks. Main Measures: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Short Form 12 (SF-12) health scale were used to measure the pain level and the functionality of the participants. Secondary assessments included musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging (MSK US) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Results: A total of 52 subjects completed the study; 26 in the treatment group and 26 in the control group. Microcurrent therapy significantly reduced pain over 4 weeks. Especially week three was significant ( P < 0.01) after adjusting for the family-wise error rate. The analysis on SF-12 revealed those with microcurrent therapy showed an increasing trend in the improvement of physical function score until week three. Conclusion: An active microcurrent therapy device decreased knee pain and increased function. Microcurrent therapy may be an alternative or used with a pharmacological approach for people with acute knee pain.

Patient Outcomes Differences Following Ankle Fracture Fixation with or without Ankle Arthroscopy

Category: Arthroscopy; Ankle; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Ankle fractures are one of the most common types of fractures, yet there is currently no consensus about how best to treat these patients. The treatment approach typically includes open reduction-internal fixation (ORIF), but not all patients have a good clinical outcome. Intra-articular injuries have been suggested as one potential cause of these sub-optimal outcomes. Use of arthroscopy at the time of surgery is useful in identifying intra-articular lesions in acute ankle fractures, however, there is no evidence that arthroscopic intervention changes the patient’s outcome. Ankle arthroscopy increases the duration and potential complications of anesthesia administration and also increases cost. Our study assesses the clinical impact of arthroscopy accompanying an ankle fracture ORIF, which is essential to promote positive outcomes, while decreasing unnecessary complications and costs. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review. We queried all patients that underwent operative fixation of a bimalleolar or trimalleolar ankle fracture at our institution from January 1, 2014 through November 1, 2018. From this list, we excluded patients less than 18 years old and patients that had concomitant injuries to other body parts that required surgery. In addition, we only included Weber B and Weber C fibula fracture to homogenize the data. We then performed a chart review to extract all demographic data, fracture pattern, surgical procedures performed, tourniquet times, any revision surgeries, arthroscopic findings and any interventions performed due to the arthroscopic portion of the procedure. We then conducted a phone and email survey utilizing the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health Short Form and the two question Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS). Results: Our study included 213 total patients (142 traditional ORIF, 71 ORIF plus arthroscopy) with an average age of 40 (standard deviation 14.2). The average follow up was 32.4 (13.1) months with a survey follow up rate of 50.7%. The demographic information between the two cohorts was statistically similar. The average tourniquet time for the arthroscopy cohort is 10 minutes longer (89 minutes versus 79 minutes). During the arthroscopy, there was a 28.2% rate of full thickness osteochondral lesions, 33.8% rate of loose bodies, and a 49.2% rate of small cartilage injury not requiring intervention. The mean PROMIS physical function score amongst Weber B fibula fractures was 45.8 and 42.3 in the arthroscopy and non-arthroscopy groups respectively (P value 0.012). In addition, the patient satisfaction rate in Weber B fibula fractures was higher in those patients that underwent arthroscopy as compared to ORIF alone (93.1% versus 75.5%, P value of 0.05). Patients that suffered a tibiotalar joint dislocation at the time of the ankle fracture had a significantly higher PROMIS physical function score (46.6 versus 40.2, P value 0.005) when their surgery included arthroscopy. Conclusion: Ankle arthroscopy at the time of ORIF led to higher mean patient reported outcomes for every tested metric but this reached statistical significance only when looking at the Weber B fibula fractures and ankle dislocations. There was no increase in complication rate and the arthroscopy took only 10 minutes longer on average. [Table: see text]

Outcomes Following Ankle Fracture Fixation With or Without Ankle Arthroscopy

Background: Ankle fractures are one of the most common orthopedic injuries, and although most patients have a satisfactory outcome following operative fixation, there are patients that have persistent pain despite anatomic reduction. Intra-articular injuries have been suggested as one potential cause of these suboptimal outcomes. Our study assesses the clinical impact of performing an ankle arthroscopy during ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent operative fixation of a bimalleolar or trimalleolar ankle fracture at our institution from 2014 through 2018. We extracted all demographic data, fracture pattern, operative procedures performed, tourniquet times, arthroscopic findings and any arthroscopic interventions. We then conducted a phone and e-mail survey. Our study included 213 total patients (142 traditional ORIF, 71 ORIF plus arthroscopy) with an average age of 40 years. The average follow-up was 32.4 months with a survey follow-up rate of 50.7% (110/213). Results: The average tourniquet time for the arthroscopy cohort was 10 minutes longer (89 minutes vs 79 minutes). During the arthroscopy, there was a 28% (20/71) rate of full-thickness osteochondral lesions, 33% (24/71) rate of loose bodies, and a 49% (35/71) rate of partial-thickness cartilage injury. The mean Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) physical function score among Weber B fibula fractures was 45.8 and 42.3 in the arthroscopy and nonarthroscopy groups, respectively ( P = .012). In addition, the patient satisfaction rate in Weber B fibula fractures was higher in those patients who underwent arthroscopy compared with ORIF alone (93% vs 75%, P = .05). Patients who had a tibiotalar joint dislocation at the time of the ankle fracture had a significantly higher PROMIS physical function score (46.6 vs 40.2, P = .005) when their surgery included arthroscopy. Conclusion: Ankle arthroscopy at the time of ORIF led to statistically significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes for Weber B fibula fractures and ankle dislocations. There was no increase in complication rates and the arthroscopy took 10 minutes longer on average. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Predictors of Hand Contracture in Early Systemic Sclerosis and the Effect on Function: A Prospective Study of the GENISOS Cohort

Objective.To identify baseline features that predict progression of hand contractures and to assess the effect of contractures on functional status in the prospective GENISOS cohort.Methods.Rate of decline in hand extension, as an indicator of hand contracture, was the primary outcome. We assessed longitudinal hand extension measurements, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ) score, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) physical function score, and demographic, clinical, and serological variables. Subjects with ≥ 2 hand measurements at least 6 months apart were included.Results.A total of 1087 hand measurements for 219 patients were available over an average of 8.1 ± 4.8 years. Hand extension decreased on average by 0.11 cm/year. Antitopoisomerase I antibody (ATA) positivity and higher modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) were predictive of faster decline in hand extension (p = 0.009 and p = 0.046, respectively). In a subgroup analysis of 62 patients with ≤ 2 years from SSc onset, ATA and diffuse disease type were associated with faster decline in hand extension; anticentromere positivity was associated with slower rate of decline. Although the rate of decline in patients with disease duration ≤ 2 years was numerically higher, the difference was not statistically significant. Hand extension continued to decline in a linear fashion over time and was inversely related to overall functional status.Conclusion.ATA was predictive of contracture development in both early disease (≤ 2 yrs) and in the overall cohort. Hand extension declined linearly over time and was inversely associated with MHAQ and SF-36 scores. ATA positivity and higher baseline mRSS were predictive of faster decline in hand extension.