Eighteen-month Follow-up Research Articles

The psychological implications of COVID-19 over the eighteen-month time span following the virus breakout in Italy.

In a short time, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a huge impact on many aspects of people's lives with a number of consequences, an increase in the risks of psychological diseases being one of them. The aim of this experimental study, based on an eighteen-month follow-up survey, is to assess the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, changes in stress, anxiety and depression levels, and the risks of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A follow-up survey was performed on a sample of 184 Italian individuals to collect relevant information about the psychological impact of COVID-19. Predictors of the components of the psychological impact were calculated based on the ANCOVA model. The analysis of the online questionnaires led to the conclusion that a high percentage of the participants suffer from levels of stress, anxiety and depression higher than normal as well as an increased risk of PTSD. The severity of such disorders significantly depends on gender, the loss of family members or acquaintances due to the pandemic, the amount of time spent searching for COVID-19 related information, the type of information sources and, in part, on the level of education and income. The time factor had a more severe effect on the low-income population. COVID-19 has entailed a very strong psychological impact on the Italian population also depending on the coping strategies adopted, the level of mindful awareness, socio-demographic variables, people's habits and the way individuals use the available means of communication and information.

Use and Outcomes of Amplatz Renal Dilator for Treatment of Urethral Strictures

Background: Urethral strictures pose a significant challenge in urological practice, with traditional treatments often associated with considerable morbidity. The quest for less invasive yet effective interventions has led to innovative approaches, among which the Amplatz Renal Dilator has emerged as a promising tool. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Amplatz Renal Dilator in the treatment of urethral strictures, focusing on urinary flow rates, stricture severity, patient symptom relief, and the incidence of complications. Methods: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted at multiple centers including Gajju Khan Medical College Swabi Naseer Teaching Hospital Peshawar in the duration from January, 2023 to June, 2023. Total Thirty-five participants diagnosed with urethral strictures were enrolled and treated with the Amplatz Renal Dilator. The study spanned two years, with an initial six-month recruitment phase followed by an eighteen-month follow-up. Efficacy was assessed through improvements in urinary flow rates and stricture severity, while safety was evaluated by monitoring procedural complications and recurrences. Quality of life and patient satisfaction were also measured using validated questionnaires. Results: Post-treatment, urinary flow rates significantly improved from a mean of 10 mL/s (SD ± 2) to 15 mL/s (SD ± 3) (p<0.001). Stricture severity decreased from Grade 3 (SD ± 1) to Grade 1 (SD ± 1) (p<0.001). International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) from 22 (SD ± 4) to 10 (SD ± 3) (p<0.001). The incidence of immediate complications was 5%, with no significant long-term complications reported. The recurrence rate of strictures was observed at 10%. Conclusion: The Amplatz Renal Dilator demonstrates significant efficacy in improving urinary flow rates and reducing stricture severity, with minimal complications and a low recurrence rate. These findings suggest that the Amplatz Renal Dilator is a safe and effective option for the treatment of urethral strictures, warranting further investigation in larger, randomized controlled trials.

Multidisciplinary approach to restore esthetics and function in a young patient with three consecutive impacted teeth: a case report with 18-month follow-up.

This case report describes the orthodontic treatment of an 11-year-old patient with three maxillary impacted teeth on the right side. Cone-beam computed tomography showed that these teeth were close together, with the lateral incisor in a lower position, followed by the central incisor, and the canine in a more apical position. Treatment included applying traction to these teeth. A transpalatal arch was used as an anchorage device, and surgical exposure of the lateral incisor was performed for traction with an elastic chain toward the hook welded to the 0.017 × 0.025-inch steel segmented arch. Subsequently, the central incisor was surgically exposed, elastic chains were used, along with a 0.016-inch steel arch with a box loop for correcting the tooth position. The canine spontaneously began to erupt, and a 0.017 × 0.025-inch TMA segmented arch with boot loop was used to control rotation and torque of the canine during its distalization. Once these three teeth were in the arch, treatment was finished in the usual manner. For esthetic improvement, gingivoplasty was performed in the maxillary arch. Eighteen-month follow-up showed that orthodontic treatment allowed preservation of the natural teeth, the contour of gingival support, and avoidance of prosthetic rehabilitation, reestablishing the patient's esthetics and function, with satisfactory stability.

Pediatric Stroke: The Clinical and Etiological Spectrum: An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Stroke Clinic, Kolkata, India

In different geographical regions, the clincoetiological spectrum of childhood stroke varies widely and studies from Eastern India is lacking. To determine the clinicoetiological spectrum of childhood stroke and their outcome. This study was conducted in a stroke clinic of a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata over a period of 18 months. All children below 12 years diagnosed as stroke were included. On the basis of clinical examination, relevant laboratory investigations and radioimaging etiologies were determined. Appropriate statistical methods were used to analyze the data gathered from these patients using a preformed proforma. Among the 70 pediatric stroke patients, the most common clinical presentation was found to be hemiparesis (61.42%) followed by seizure (30.00%) and aphasia (25.71%), respectively. Vasculopathies (30.00%) were found to be the most common etiology of childhood stroke followed by infective meningoencephalitis and craniocervical trauma (14.28% each). Ischemic stroke comprised 71.4% of cases. During discharge, 20 cases (28.57%) showed complete recovery, whereas 40 cases (57.14%) had persistent neurodeficit [Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM) score >1], 12 cases (17.14%) had recurrent stroke, 8 cases (11.42%) died, and only 2 (2.85%) patients were lost to follow-up. Out of those 40 cases having persistent neurodeficits during discharge had recovered too at follow-up at 18th month. At presentation PSOM score in 40 cases (57.14%) was >5 and at follow-up at 18th month, only 8 cases (11.42%) had PSOM score of >5. The commonest etiologies of stroke in pediatric patients presenting at our hospital were found to be intracranial vasculopathies, infection, and trauma. Ischemic stroke was the predominant type. Eighteen-month follow-up showed complete recovery from acute neurological deficits in most of the patients. Dubey S, Ghosh R, Chatterjee S, et al. Pediatric Stroke: The Clinical and Etiological Spectrum: An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Stroke Clinic, Kolkata, India. Indian J Phys Med Rehab 2019;30(3):74–80.

507-P: Eighteen-Month Follow-Up of Peer Support for Diabetes Management in Shanghai Integration Model

In 9 Community Health Centers (CHCs) , peer leaders led neighborhood activities, co-led meetings on diabetes management, and followed up with individuals and families, all under the Shanghai Integration Model coordinating primary (CHCs) , hospital, and specialty diabetes care. Previously reported were significant changes in HbA1c, other clinical markers, and diabetes distress from baseline to the end of the active program at 12 months. Changes were pronounced among those exceeding criteria for heightened concern at baseline. Here we report extended impacts for all participants (1009) with baseline and 18-month data, controlling for all individual characteristics. Evaluation indicators and criteria for heightened concern were: HbA1c ≥ 8%, SBP ≥ 130 and DBP ≥ 80 mmHg, LDLc ≥ 2.6 mmol/L, BMI ≥ 26 kg/m2, PHQ8 ≥ - moderate depression, EQ5D quality of life and 4-item measure of diabetes distress - top tertiles. Reductions from baseline to 18 months were significant for HbA1c, SBP and DBP, and PHQ8 depression (ps: 0.00to 0.0088) . Among those exceeding criteria for heightened concern, reductions from baseline to 18-months were significant for all variables (ps ≤ 0.0001) including, e.g., HbA1c from 9.06% to 8.50% (SDs = 0.96, 1.55) . Research staff blinded to outcomes rated implementation of the peer leader program, yielding high- and low-implementation CHCs. For all participants, changes from baseline to 18 months were significantly greater in high- than low-implementation CHCs for HbA1c (p = 0.0246) and SBP (p < 0.0001) . Among those at heightened concern, reductions were greater in high- vs. low-implementation CHCs for HbA1c, SBP and DBP (ps: < 0.0to 0.0073) . Conclusion: Improvements in clinical and quality of life measures following peer leaders promoting diabetes self management as part of the Shanghai Integration Model were sustained over 18 months, especially for those with baseline measures indicating heightened concern and in high implementation CHCs. Disclosure Y.Liu: None. W.Jia: None. C.Cai: None. X.Wu: None. P.Y.Tang: None. M.M.Coufal: None. L.Shen: None. Y.Qian: None. S.Luu: None. E.B.Fisher: Advisory Panel; Lilly, Consultant; WellDoc, Research Support; Merck & Co., Inc. Funding Shanghai Municipal Grants Award (GWIV-3.1) Shanghai Public Health Youth Award (GWV-10.2-YQ24) Shanghai Municipal Health Commission (201940141) Shanghai 6th People's Hospital (ynlc201812) The Merck FoundationSanofi China National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30 DK092926)

First case of cyproterone acetate induced multiple meningiomas in identical female twins: A case report

Meningiomas are the most common tumors of the central nervous system. Most meningiomas are benign and occur mainly in middle-aged women. Only a few cases of meningiomas in identical twins have been reported. Cyproterone acetate (Androcur® Bayer Healthcare SAS) (CPA) is an antiandrogenic progestin used to treat female hirsutism in some countries including France. We report a case of identical twin sisters who developed multiple, atypically located meningiomas in the setting of long-term CPA use. Eighteen-month follow-up showed spontaneous decrease of meningiomas after cessation of CPA. This case illustrates CPA's ability to induce development of atypically located meningiomas that differ even between identical twins, confirms benefit of surgical abstention, and raises questions regarding security of use of CPA.

Squat and smile assessment in predicting healing of lower limb fractures fixed with a SIGN nail

BackgroundIrrespective of the treatment method, union is the ultimate goal of any fracture treatment. However, nowadays, rather than the physician-based clinico-radiological methods, the patient-reported outcome measurements assessing their quality of life and function are gaining much popularity. This is specifically true in the part of the world where the patient needs almost complete degree of hip/knee flexion – for social, cultural, religious or occupational reason(s). The ability to squat can assess the mobility and stability of joints and thus the quality of squatting is a proxy reflection of the functional outcome after fixation of lower limb fracture. Thus, we studied to determine the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of Radiographic Union Score for Tibia (RUST) and Squat and Smile (S & S) test in clinical photograph. We further calculated the sensitivity and specificity of S & S test in predicting healing of lower limb fracture fixed by intramedullary interlocking nail considering RUST as the gold standard. MethodsThis was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of solid Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) intramedullary interlocking nailing from a single, university-based, high volume tertiary center where 56 consecutive adults with either tibial or femoral shaft fractures fixed with a SIGN nail within one year and not requiring any surgery till minimum of eighteen-month follow-up were included. Cases without either Anterior-Posterior (AP) view and/or Lateral (Lat.) view follow-up x-ray(s) or proper S & S clinical photograph (at least 1.5-year post fixation) were excluded. The x-rays (RUST criteria) and clinical photograph (S & S grading) were scored by two independent and blinded observers each and repeated after 1 month. ResultsThe overall intra-observer reliability was from 0.773 to 0.825 and inter-observer reliability from 0.635 to 0.757 for RUST scoring which was from 0.687 to 0.785 and from 0.301 to 0.650 respectively for S & S scoring. The sensitivity and specificity of S & S in predicting fracture healing were up to 82.22% and 63.64% respectively. ConclusionThe S & S test is reliable to predict the healing of lower limb fracture fixed with an intramedullary nail. The test is more useful to determine healed fractures than to determine non-healed ones. (sensitivity being higher than specificity)

First case of cyproterone acetate induced multiple meningiomas in identical female twins : a case report

Introduction Meningiomas are the most common tumors of the central nervous system. Most meningiomas are benign and occur mainly in middle aged women. Risk factors include female sex, exposure to ionizing radiation, and age. The relationship between meningiomas and sex hormones is supported by their higher expression of specific receptors. Only few cases of meningiomas in identical twins have been reported. Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is an antiandrogenic progestin used to treat hirsutism in some countries. We report the case of identical twin sisters with multiple CPA-induced meningiomas and their spontaneous decrease after drug discontinuation, permitting surgical abstention. Method This study is an original case report with 18 month follow up, at University Hospital Reims, France. Study population are two 48-year-old identical twin sisters under CPA treatment against hirsutism with 50 mg daily during 30 years (total dose of approximately 547.5 g per person). Results We described four biggest lesions (two per patient) as markers of evolution with the average decrease of volume of the four described lesions (combined results patient one and two) after eighteen month of CPA stopping was 58.6 %. Conclusions These two identical twin patients illustrate the risk of development of multiple meningiomas with long-term use of CPA. Eighteen-month follow-up showed decrease of meningiomas after treatment interruption. The history of these two patients suggests the presence of genetic abnormalities that would favor the development of progestin-associated meningiomas. In our case influence of both factors seems strongly possible. The stopping of CPA permitted surgical abstention and significant reduction of tumor volume.

Comparing the Effects of Governmental and Local Family Intervention Projects on Social Work Practices in Norway: A Cluster-Randomised Study

AbstractIncreased child poverty in Europe has urged the need for poverty alleviating measures, such as family intervention projects. In this project, family coordinators follow-up low-income families on multiple areas. The cluster-randomised evaluation compares effects of governmental and local family intervention projects on social work practices in Norway. Of the twenty-nine participating Labour and Welfare offices, fifteen were randomised to the experimental condition and received the governmental model for comprehensive follow-up (HOLF) model, including manuals, schemes for follow-up work and supervision structures. The fourteen offices randomised to the control group developed local models for the follow-up. The data comprise baseline (n = 58) and eighteen-month follow-up questionnaires to family coordinators. Effects on goal-focused meetings, relational skills, empowering and comprehensive follow-up processes and the coordination of services were measured. After adjusting for the nested structure of the data in a two-level model, the findings demonstrate that family coordinators from experimental group offices achieved more goal-focused meetings (p < 0.001) and demonstrated more relational skills (p = 0.011), compared to family coordinators from control group offices. Results demonstrate that the HOLF model increased the quality of the follow-up when compared to locally developed family intervention projects. The findings are discussed in the context of social work with families in poverty.

Using TSF Multi-Planar External Fixation for Overcorrection of Severe Equinus Contractures of the Ankle joint

Category:Ankle, Hindfoot, TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:Equinus deformity is a debilitating condition which interferes with the activity of daily living. Correction of the deformity ranges from conservative (heel cord stretching, orthotics) to surgical treatment (Baumann, Strayer, Achilles lengthening, soft tissue releases). Severe contractures need surgical intervention with extensive dissections to release soft tissues. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of gradual equinus contracture overcorrection using a Taylor Spatial Frame with tendo-Achilles lengthening or toe flexor tenotomy as necessary.Methods:This retrospective chart review evaluated patients with significant equinus treated with a Taylor Spatial Frame at a single large tertiary referral center. Data collected included: diagnosis; patient demographics; laterality; time in frame; additional procedures; complications. Patients were assessed preoperatively and were followed at one-week, three-week, six-week, three- month, and six-month intervals, and yearly after.Results:24 patients (26 procedures) were treated with a Taylor Spatial Frame for equinus and had complete preoperative and eighteen-month follow-up measurements. The angle of deformity increased from a preoperative -21.5 (range, -69.0 to -1.0) degrees to a postoperative 4.9 (range, -17.0 to 17.0) degrees (z = -4.4573, p = 0.0001, N = 26, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Four complications occurred during the follow up (two pin site infections, one broken pin, and one plantar abscess). Three patients had recurrence of of equinus deformity at time of last follow-up.Conclusion:Taylor Spatial Frame is a successful method for correcting severe, fixed equinus contractures of the ankle joint with minimal soft tissue related complications. Over correction should be achieved in order to compensate for the loss of some dorsiflexion after frame removal.

Salvage of Combat Hindfoot Fractures in 2003-2014 UK Military.

Hindfoot fractures pose a considerable challenge to military orthopaedic surgeons, as combat injuries are typically the result of energy transfers not seen in civilian practice. This study aimed to characterize the pattern of hindfoot injuries sustained by UK military casualties in recent conflicts, define the early amputation and infection rate, and identify factors associated with poor early outcomes. The UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry was searched for British military casualties sustaining a hindfoot fracture from Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2014. Data on the injury pattern and management were obtained along with 18-month follow-up data. Statistical analysis was performed with the chi-square test and binomial logistic regression analysis. The threshold for significance was set at P < .05. One hundred fourteen patients sustained 134 hindfoot injuries. Eighteen-month follow-up was available for 92 patients (81%) and 114 hindfeet (85%). The calcaneus was fractured in 116 cases (87%): 54 (47%) were managed conservatively, 32 (28%) underwent K-wire fixation, and 30 (26%) underwent internal fixation. Nineteen patients (17%) required transtibial amputation during this time. A deep infection requiring operative treatment occurred in 13 cases (11%) with Staphylococcus aureus, the most common infectious organism (46%). A deep infection was strongly associated with operative fracture management ( P = .0016). When controlling for multiple variables, the presence of a deep infection was significantly associated with a requirement for amputation at 18 months ( P = .023). There was no association between open fractures and a requirement for amputation at 18 months ( P = .640), nor was conservative management associated with a requirement for amputation ( P = .999). Thirty-six fractures (32%) required unplanned revision surgery within the first 18 months following salvage, of which 19 (53%) involved amputation. A deep infection was the sole variable significantly associated with a requirement for amputation by 18 months. These results suggest that attempts at salvaging these injuries are at the limits of orthopaedic technical feasibility. Level III, comparative series.

The Effects of Skill Training on Social Workers' Professional Competences in Norway: Results of a Cluster-Randomised Study.

Using a cluster-randomised design, this study analyses the effects of a government-administered skill training programme for social workers in Norway. The training programme aims to improve social workers' professional competences by enhancing and systematising follow-up work directed towards longer-term unemployed clients in the following areas: encountering the user, system-oriented efforts and administrative work. The main tools and techniques of the programme are based on motivational interviewing and appreciative inquiry. The data comprise responses to baseline and eighteen-month follow-up questionnaires administered to all social workers (n = 99) in eighteen participating Labour and Welfare offices randomised into experimental and control groups. The findings indicate that the skill training programme positively affected the social workers' evaluations of their professional competences and quality of work supervision received. The acquisition and mastering of combinations of specific tools and techniques, a comprehensive supervision structure and the opportunity to adapt the learned skills to local conditions were important in explaining the results.

Comparing robotic surgery with laparoscopy and laparotomy for endometrial cancer management: A cohort study

Introduction: Robotic surgery has been applied in managing various types of gynecologic cancers. The purpose of this study is to compare the surgical outcomes of robotic surgery, laparoscopy and laparotomy for managing endometrial cancer. Methods: A total of 365 patients received surgical staging for treating IA to IIIC endometrial cancer were retrospectively enrolled. Patient demography, peri-operative parameters, and survival outcomes were studied. Results and discussions: Robotic surgery showed a significant lower blood loss and 24-h pain score as compared to other surgical types. Moreover, compared to laparotomy, robotic and laparoscopic surgeries were associated with reduced operation time, decreased time to full diet resumption, and shortened hospital stay. No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of overall complication rate. Eighteen-month follow-up of the patients indicated no significant differences in disease-free survival and overall survival. Conclusion: Compared to conventional approaches, robotic surgery showed favorable short-term outcomes with comparable survival. It is suggested that robotic surgery is a feasible tool for endometrial cancer management.

Eighteen-Month Follow-Up of Internet-Based Parent Management Training for Children with Conduct Problems and the Relation of Homework Compliance to Outcome.

The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate if previously reported treatment gains of a parent management training (PMT) program, administered via Internet, were retained from post to the 18-month follow-up. Another aim was to evaluate homework compliance as a predictor of short and long-term outcomes. Participants were parents of 58 children (3-11 years) with conduct problems who received a 10-week self-directed PMT program, with limited therapist support. Parents of 32 children (55.2 %) responded at all measurement point (baseline, post-test and follow-up) and analyses showed that child conduct problems continued to decrease during the 18-month period after the intervention whereas parenting skills deteriorated somewhat from post treatment. Pre- to post-treatment change in child conduct problems was predicted by parental engagement in homework assignments intended to reduce negative child behaviors. The findings provide support for the use of Internet-based PMT and stress the importance of parental compliance to homework training.

Assessment of Quality of Life and Speech after Implant-Retained Oral Rehabilitation in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Aim. To assess quality of life and speech after rehabilitation with implant-retained dental prosthesis in head and neck cancer patients. Material and Methods. Twenty-six patients who were diagnosed with tumour of the maxilla and mandible were selected for rehabilitation with implant-retained dental prosthesis following resection and reconstructive surgery. They were evaluated for quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and H-N35 questionnaires, version 3), speech, and swallowing (questionnaire and Dr. Speech software, version 4) before implant treatment and at six-, twelve-, and eighteen-month followup. Statistical analysis of quality of life, speech, and swallowing for different duration of their preoperative status was done. Quality of life, speech, and swallowing in grafted and native groups and radiated and nonradiated groups were also compared. Results. Quality of life was statistically significant in scale of pain, speech, and trouble with social eating, pain killers, and weight loss. It was insignificant when radiated and nonradiated or grafted and native jaw groups were compared. Improvement in movement of the tongue, swallowing ability, salivation taste, and intelligibility of speech was also observed. Conclusion. The surgical treatment of head and neck cancers with microvascular surgery and dental rehabilitation with implants restores function, esthetics, and patient’s well-being.

Recovery of Decreased Bone Mineral Mass After Lower-Limb Fractures in Adolescents

Loss of bone mineral mass, muscle atrophy, and functional limitations are predictable consequences of immobilization and subsequent weight-bearing restriction due to leg or ankle fractures. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine whether decreased bone mineral mass following lower-limb fractures recovers at follow-up durations of six and eighteen months in adolescents. In the present study, we included fifty adolescents who underwent cast immobilization for a leg or ankle fracture. Dual x-ray absorptiometry scans of four different sites (total hip, femoral neck, entire lower limb, and calcaneus) were performed at the time of the fracture, at cast removal, and at follow-ups of six and eighteen months. Patients with fractures were paired with healthy controls according to sex, age, and ethnicity. Dual x-ray absorptiometry values were compared between groups and between injured and non-injured legs in adolescents with fractures. Among those with fractures, lower-limb bone mineral variables were significantly lower at the injured side compared with the non-injured side at cast removal, with differences ranging from 6.2% to 31.7% (p &lt; 0.0001). Similarly, injured adolescents had significantly lower bone mineral values at the level of the injured lower limb compared with healthy controls (p &lt; 0.0001). At the six-month follow-up, there were still significant residual differences between injured and non-injured legs in adolescents with fractures (p &lt; 0.0001). However, a significant residual difference between healthy controls and injured adolescents was present only for femoral neck bone mineral density (p = 0.011). At the eighteen-month follow-up, no significant difference was observed at any lower-limb site. Bone mineral loss following a fracture of the lower limb in adolescents is highly significant and affects the lower limb both proximal to and distal to the fracture site. In contrast to observations in adults, a rapid bone mass reversal occurs with full bone recovery by eighteen months. Prognostic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Genu Recurvatum after Tibial Tuberosity Fracture

Fractures of the tibial tuberosity are infrequent injuries that occur during adolescence. Displaced tibial tuberosity fractures are typically treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Since these fractures occur at or near skeletal maturity, growth disturbances are not seen. This paper presents a case, the first report to our knowledge, of genu recurvatum deformity after open reduction and internal fixation of a tibial tuberosity fracture. A successful treatment plan of tibial tuberosity osteotomy with proximal tibial opening wedge osteotomy was used for the correction of genu recurvatum deformity and to maintain appropriate patellar height. At eighteen-month followup, the deformity remains corrected with satisfactory functional results. This case highlights the importance of recognition of potential complications of fracture management in adolescence.

A Case of Adrenal Metastasis in Seminoma

We report an uncommon case of testicular cancer with adrenal metastasis without retroperitoneal or distant metastatic disease. This situation is highly unusual. In fact, no similar case was reported in the literature. Our case is the first adrenalectomy that has been performed for secondary localization of testicular cancer. After eighteen-month followup, the patient was doing well, with no evidence of disease.

Do work-related factors affect care-seeking in general practice for back pain or upper extremity pain?

Musculoskeletal pain conditions remain a major cause of care-seeking in general practice. Not all patients with musculoskeletal pain (MP) seek care at their general practitioner (GP), but for those who do, the GP's knowledge of what work-related factors might have influenced the patient's decision to seek care could be important in order to give more well-founded advice to our patients. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of workloads on care-seeking for back pain or upper extremity pain during an eighteen-month follow-up period. This is a prospective study with a baseline questionnaire and eighteen-month follow-up. Among the registered patients of 8 GPs, we identified 8,517 persons between 17 and 65 years of age, who all received the questionnaire. A total of 5,068 (59.5 %) persons answered. During the eighteen months of follow-up, we used the International Classification for Primary Care (ICPC) to identify all care-seekers with either back pain or upper extremity pain. Of these, all currently employed persons were included in our analysis, in all 4,325 persons. For analysis, we used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Analyses were stratified by gender. High levels of heavy lifting, defined as the upper tertile on a categorical scale, were associated with care-seeking for back pain (HR 1.90 [95 % CI: 1.14-3.15]) and upper extremity pain (HR 2.09 [95 % CI: 1.30-3.38]) among males, but not in a statistically significant way among females. Repetitive work and psychosocial factors did not have any statistically significant impact on care-seeking for neither back pain nor upper extremity pain. Work-related factors such as heavy lifting do, to some extent, contribute to care-seeking with MP. We suggest that asking the patient about physical workloads should be routinely included in consultations dealing with MP.

Stabilization of Bilateral Progressive Rheumatoid Corneal Melt with Infliximab

Purpose. To report the use of infliximab in the rapid stabilization of a case of progressive, bilateral rheumatoid peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) that failed to respond to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Methods. A single interventional case report. Results. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis presented with bilateral PUK following a 2-month history of ocular discomfort and redness. His systemic prednisolone (PDN) and methotrexate (MTX) were increased and, despite an initial favorable response, bilateral recurrent corneal perforations ensued. Both eyes underwent cyanoacrylate glue repair, amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT), and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Recurrence of the disease and bilateral perforations of the second PKP in both eyes prompted administration of intravenous infliximab immediately after the fourth PKP. The disease activity rapidly settled in both eyes, and at eighteen-month followup, after 12 infliximab infusions, the PUK remains quiescent with no further graft thinning or perforation. Conclusion. Infliximab can be used to arrest the progression of severe bilateral rheumatoid PUK in cases that are refractory to conventional treatment.