Are Two Meshes Better than One in Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse? Comparison of Single Anterior versus Anterior and Posterior Vaginal Mesh Procedures

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Sacrocolpopexy (SC) is the main treatment option for the repair of anterior and apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Indications and technical aspects are not standardized, and the question remains whether it is necessary to place a mesh on both anterior and posterior vaginal walls, particularly in cases with only minor or no posterior compartment prolapse. The present study aimed to compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of single anterior mesh only versus anterior and posterior mesh procedures in SC. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Our prospectively maintained database on POP was used to identify patients who had undergone either abdominal or mini-invasive SC from January 2006 to October 2019. Patients with symptomatic or unmasked stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were not included in the study and were treated using the pubo-vaginal cystocele sling procedure. Objective outcomes included clinical evaluation of pre-existing or de novo POP by the halfway system and POP-q classifications, as well as the development of de novo SUI. Subjective outcomes were assessed using the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) with questions on bladder, bowel, and vaginal functions. Persistent or de novo constipation and overactive bladder were defined as bowel symptoms and urinary urgency/frequency/urinary incontinence after surgery. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ninety-five women with symptomatic anterior and apical POP underwent SC. Forty-one patients were treated with only anterior vaginal mesh (group A), and 54 with anterior and posterior mesh (group B). There were no differences between the pre- and post-operative characteristics of the 2 groups. In group B, there were 2 blood transfusions, 1 wound dehiscence, and 3 mesh erosions/extrusion after abdominal SC (Clavien-Dindo II), and in group A, there was 1 ileal lesion after laparoscopic SC (Clavien-Dindo III). There were no differences between the 2 groups in either anatomical or functional outcomes during 3 years of follow-up. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> SC with single anterior vaginal mesh has similar results to SC with combined anterior/posterior mesh, regardless of the surgical approach. The single anterior mesh may reduce the risk of complications (mesh erosion/extrusion), and offers better subjective outcomes with improved quality of life. Anterior/posterior mesh may be justified in the presence of clinically significant posterior POP.

Acute objective and subjective intoxication effects of legal-market high potency THC-dominant versus CBD-dominant cannabis concentrates

As the market for cannabis concentrate products grows, the lack of research regarding the effects of concentrated THC and CBD becomes more glaring. The present study analyzes cannabinoid blood levels and subjective outcomes of physical sensation and affective state after ad libitum use of legal-market concentrate products. Recreational cannabis users were randomly assigned to THC- or CBD-dominant concentrate products, completing a baseline session, and an experimental mobile laboratory session consisting of timepoints before, immediately after, and one-hour after concentrate use. THC-dominant concentrates induced higher intoxication, and higher ratings of drug effect and drug liking than the CBD-dominant concentrate. Both products induced immediate feelings of elation, diminishing over the subsequent hour. Subjective outcomes in the CBD-dominant group revealed immediate decreases in tension and anxiety relative to pre-use, while the THC-dominant group only saw significant decreases in anxiety after one hour. Paranoia spiked immediately post-use in THC-dominant concentrate users, returning to baseline within an hour. Overall, the CBD-dominant concentrate invoked positive mood effects, lower intoxication and an absence of undesirable effects experienced with the THC-dominant concentrate, potentially mitigating negative effects when combined. Results support the need for further investigation into harm-reduction potential of concentrated CBD when used alone and with THC.

Double bundle ACL reconstruction leads to better restoration of knee laxity and subjective outcomes than single bundle ACL reconstruction

Purpose The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare arthroscopic single bundle (SB) and double bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions in the light of all available randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis of this well-researched topic was performed and subgroup analyses of the medial portal (MP) technique and the transtibial technique (TT) were added as a new idea. The hypothesis was that the DB technique is superior to the SB technique also in subgroup analyses of the MP and TT techniques. Methods Instructions of the PRISMA checklist were followed. Systematic literature search from electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane library and Scopus was performed to find RCTs that compared the SB and DB techniques. Nine outcomes were used to compare these two techniques. Each study was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool and three subgroup analyses (minimum 2-years’ follow-up, TT technique and MP technique) were performed. Results A total of 40 studies were included in this meta-analysis. When analysing all the included studies, the DB technique was superior to the SB technique in KT-1000/2000 evaluation (p < 0.01), IKDC subjective evaluation (p < 0.05), Lysholm scores (p = 0.02), pivot shift (p < 0.01) and IKDC objective evaluation (p = 0.02). Similar results were also found in the subgroup analyses of minimum 2-years’ follow-up and the TT technique. However, there were no differences between the two techniques in a subgroup analysis of the MP technique. Conclusion Generally, DB ACL reconstruction leads to better restoration of knee laxity and subjective outcomes than SB ACL reconstruction. The subgroup analysis of the MP technique revealed that surgeons can achieve equally as good results with both techniques when femoral tunnels are drilled through the medial portal. Level of evidence II.

The outcome of hydrodilation in frozen shoulder patients and the relationship with kinesiophobia, depression, and anxiety

Purpose The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the effect of hydrodilatation in frozen shoulder patients on objective indices of shoulder functionality and subjective outcomes of pain, mobility, kinesiophobia, depression, and anxiety, and (2) progress knowledge about the reciprocal temporal relationship between psychological parameters at baseline and objective and subjective outcomes at 3-month follow-up. Methods We evaluated the clinical and psychological status of 72 patients with a frozen shoulder before and after hydrodilatation, using the Constant Murley score, the Visual Analogue score, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Shoulder Pain And Disability Index. Results We noted a significant improvement in functionality, pain and disability (p < .001). Depression and anxiety improved significantly (p < .001) between baseline and 3-month follow-up. Prospective analyses demonstrated that psychological factors are more likely to predict outcomes of hydrodilatation than vice versa. Conclusion Hydrodilatation followed by physiotherapy is an excellent way to treat patients with recalcitrant frozen shoulder, resulting in a continuous improvement of ROM and pain. Physiotherapists and physicians should be aware that psychological factors might have an impact on the treatment outcome.

Visual outcomes and patient satisfaction 1 and 12 months after combined implantation of extended depth of focus and trifocal intraocular lenses

Purpose To assess the 1-month and 12-month postoperative visual performance and subjective outcomes following combined implantation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) and a trifocal IOL. Methods The study enrolled consecutive patients undergoing refractive lens extraction or cataract surgery with combined implantation of an EDOF IOL (dominant eye) and trifocal IOL. Uncorrected (UDVA) and best-corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected intermediate (UIVA) and near (UNVA) visual acuities, and subjective questionnaires were evaluated 1 month and 12 months postoperatively. Results The study enrolled 58 consecutive patients. Binocular UDVA, UIVA and UNVA were − 0.08 ± 0.07 logMAR, 0.15 ± 0.14 logMAR and 0.17 ± 0.11 logMAR at 1 month, compared to − 0.09 ± 0.06 logMAR (P = .323), 0.11 ± 0.10 logMAR (P = .030) and 0.13 ± 0.10 logMAR (P = 0.008) at 12 months. Satisfaction was high with 93.1% of patients fulfilled or more than fulfilled postoperatively, and 84.5% and 86.3% reported spectacle independence for near at the respective postoperative assessments. The mean daytime and nighttime quality of vision (QoV) scores were 9.12 ± 0.94 and 7.88 ± 1.74 at 1 month, compared to 9.24 ± 0.78 (P = .183) and 8.26 ± 1.38 (P = .043) at 12 months. Conclusions This IOL combination provides good unaided visual acuity at 1 and 12 months postoperatively, with high functional vision and postoperative satisfaction reported at 1 and 12 months. However, a significant improvement in overall nighttime QoV at the 12 months assessment was found.

Assessment of subjective outcomes in women after treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are the most common symptoms in women at all age groups worldwide. Their overall prevalence among women is 67%, and incidence increases with age. To assess the impact of LUTS comprehensively, it is therefore necessary to measure both the level of an individual’s symptoms and the extent to which they impair their life. This is particularly important when making a decision as to whether an individual is likely to require or benefit from treatment, and in evaluating the effectiveness of such treatment. Aim and objectives were to assess the subjective outcomes in women following treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms using King’s health questionnaire (KHQ).Methods: This study was carried out in 106 women presenting with LUTS at Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria from November 2017 to June 2019. KHQ was used to assess subjective outcomes pre-treatment and 3 months post-treatment. Statistical analysis was done using the statistical software namely IBM statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) statistics version 22.Results: There was significant improvement in all the domains of KHQ indicating that patients had a better quality of life (QoL) post treatment. The mean total KHQ score decreased from a maximum of 40.14 at the pre-treatment time point to a minimum of 12.25 at the post treatment time point. This change was statistically significant. 90.6% of the participants had subjective improvement following treatment of LUTS. 9.4% of the participants reported no improvement in quality of life QoL following treatment of LUTS.Conclusions: This study shows the value of KHQ as an evaluation tool to determine the subjective outcome in women following treatment of LUTS. There was significant improvement in all the domains of KHQ between the two time points in our study indicating a better QoL following the treatment given with subjective improvement of 90.6%.

Effects of Various Physical Interventions on Reducing Neuromuscular Fatigue Assessed by Electromyography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Various interventions have been applied to improve recovery from muscle fatigue based on evidence from subjective outcomes, such as perceived fatigue and soreness, which may partly contribute to conflicting results of reducing muscle fatigue. There is a need to assess the effectiveness of various intervention on reducing neuromuscular fatigue assessed by a quantitative outcome, such as electromyography (EMG). The objective of this review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions and intervention timing for reducing fatigue rates during exercise.Methods: The literature was searched from the earliest record to March 2021. Eighteen studies with a total of 87 data points involving 281 participants and seven types of interventions [i.e., active recovery (AR), compression, cooling, electrical stimulation (ES), light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT), massage, and stretching] were included in this meta-analysis.Results: The results showed that compression (SMD = 0.28; 95% CI = −0.00 to 0.56; p = 0.05; I2 = 58%) and LEDT (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.88; p = 0.01; I2 = 52%) have a significant recovery effect on reducing muscle fatigue. Additionally, compression, AR, and cooling have a significant effect on reducing muscle fatigue when conducted during exercise, whereas a non-effective trend when applied after exercise.Discussion: This meta-analysis suggests that compression and LEDT have a significant effect on reducing muscle fatigue. The results also suggest that there is a significant effect or an effective trend on reducing muscle fatigue when compression, AR, cooling, and ES are applied during exercise, but not after exercise.

Objective and Subjective Outcomes in Patients with Hearing Aids: A Cross-Sectional, Comparative, Associational Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Outcome assessment for hearing aids (HAs) is an essential part of HA fitting and validation. There is no consensus about the best or standard approach for evaluating HA outcomes. And, the relationship between objective and subjective measures is ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the outcomes after HA fitting, explore correlations between subjective benefit and acoustic gain improvement as well as objective audiologic tests, and investigate several variables that may improve patients’ perceived benefits. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eighty adults with bilateral symmetrical hearing loss using HAs for at least 1 month were included in this study. All subjects completed the pure tone average (PTA) threshold and word recognition score (WRS) tests in unaided and aided conditions. We also administered the Chinese version of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), to measure participants’ subjective benefits. Objective HA benefit (acoustic gain improvement) was defined as the difference in thresholds or scores between aided and unaided conditions indicated with ΔPTA and ΔWRS. Thus, patients’ baseline hearing levels were taken into account. Correlations were assessed among objective audiologic tests (PTA and WRS), acoustic gain improvement (ΔPTA and ΔWRS), multiple potential factors, and IOI-HA overall scores. <b><i>Results:</i></b> PTA decreased significantly, but WRS did not increase when aided listening was compared to unaided listening. Negative correlations between PTAs and IOI-HA scores were significant but weak (<i>r</i> = −0.370 and <i>r</i> = −0.393, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Significant weak positive correlations were found between WRSs and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.386 and <i>r</i> = 0.309, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). However, there was no correlation among ΔPTA, ΔWRS, and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.056 and <i>r</i> = −0.086, all <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Moreover, 2 nonaudiological factors (age and daily use time) were significantly correlated with IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = −0.269 and <i>r</i> = 0.242, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Correlations among objective audiologic tests, acoustic gain, and subjective patient-reported outcomes were weak or absent. Subjective questionnaires and objective tests do not reflect the same hearing capability. Therefore, it is advisable to evaluate both objective and subjective outcomes when analyzing HA benefits on a regular basis and pay equal attention to nonaudiological and audiological factors.