Mental Component Summary Scales Research Articles

Preoperative Hip Injection Response Does Not Reliably Predict 2-Year Postoperative Outcomes Following Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement

PurposeTo determine whether response to preoperative local anesthetic or corticosteroid intra-articular injections can predict 2-year postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS at a single institution from 2014-2020. Patients who underwent preoperative intra-articular hip injection were classified based on injection type (local anesthetic, corticosteroid) and whether they experienced pain relief following injection (responders, non-responders). Responders were matched 2:1 by age, BMI, and sex with non-responders. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) including Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), 12-item Short-Form Survey mental (SF-12-MCS) and physical component summary (SF-12-PCS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain were collected preoperatively and 2-years postoperatively. Mean score change and Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) achievement were calculated and compared between groups. ResultsThe matched cohort included 126 total patients (42 non-responders, 84 responders; 74.6% female; mean ± SD age: 30.9 ± 9.9 years; BMI: 24.7 ± 3.7 kg/m2) with no differences in demographic or radiographic hip variables. Both groups demonstrated significant 2-year postoperative score improvements across all PROs, except SF-12-MCS, which remained unchanged. There was no difference in mean score change or MCID achievement across all PROs between corticosteroid injection responder and non-responder groups. In the local anesthetic group, MCID achievement was similar across all PROs, except VAS pain which showed greater percentage of MCID achievement among local anesthetic non-responders relative responders (Responders: 55.0%, Non-responders: 89.5%; p = 0.03). Significant ceiling effects were most readily apparent among the injection responders group with greater percentages of patients achieving maximal 2-year postoperative survey scores (36.9% HOOS-ADL, 19.0% HOOS-Pain, 15.5% HOOS-QoL, 32.1% HOOS-Sport). ConclusionsResponse to preoperative injection with either corticosteroid or local anesthetic did not predict 2-year outcomes after hip arthroscopy in patients with FAIS. Level of EvidenceLevel III, retrospective matched cohort study.

What is the effect of preoperative depression on outcomes after minimally invasive surgery for adult spinal deformity? A prospective cohort analysis.

Depression has been implicated with worse immediate postoperative outcomes in adult spinal deformity (ASD) correction, yet the specific impact of depression on those patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) requires further clarity. This study aimed to evaluate the role of depression in the recovery of patients with ASD after undergoing MIS. Patients who underwent MIS for ASD with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 1 year were included from a prospectively collected, multicenter registry. Two cohorts of patients were identified that consisted of either those affirming or denying depression on preoperative assessment. The patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) compared included scores on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), numeric rating scale (NRS) for back and leg pain, Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Questionnaire (SRS-22), SF-36 physical component summary, SF-36 mental component summary (MCS), EQ-5D, and EQ-5D visual analog scale. Twenty-seven of 147 (18.4%) patients screened positive for preoperative depression. The nondepressed cohort had an average of 4.83 levels fused, and the depressed cohort had 5.56 levels fused per patient (p = 0.267). At 1-year follow-up, 10 patients still reported depression, representing a 63% decrease. Postoperatively, both cohorts demonstrated improvement in their PROMs; however, at 1-year follow-up, those without depression had statistically better outcomes based on the EQ-5D, MCS, and SRS-22 scores (p < 0.05). Patients with depression continued to experience higher NRS leg scores at 1-year follow-up (3.63 vs 2.22, p = 0.018). After controlling for covariates, the authors found that depression significantly impacted only 1-year follow-up MCS scores (β = 8.490, p < 0.05). Depressed and nondepressed patients reported similar improvements after MIS surgery, except MCS scores were more likely to improve in nondepressed patients.

Effectiveness of longstanding exercise therapy compared with usual care for people with rheumatoid arthritis and severe functional limitations: a randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness of longstanding (>52 weeks), supervised exercise therapy with usual care in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and severe functional limitations.MethodsParticipants were randomised 1:1 to the intervention...

Enhancing Quality of Life through a Supervised Cardiac Rehabilitation Program along with a conventional conditioning exercise program at home in Cardiovascular Disease Patients

Objectives: Debilitating day-to-day practices, including a sedentary lifestyle, increased unhealthy food consumption habits, no exercise, smoking, remarkably low HDL, and high cholesterol levels, lead to increased obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), affecting the quality of life. Supervised, steady, and long-term aerobic exercise training benefits cardiorespiratory fitness, psychological status, and quality of life. Therefore, the study’s objective was to determine the effect of cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) on heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and quality of life (QOL) in CVD patients.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The study followed a two-arm parallel group randomized comparative design. Thirty participants (n=15/group) with CVD (aged between 45-76 years) were randomly allocated to two groups (CRP vs. Control). CRP Group received the CRP and a conventional conditioning exercise program (CEP) at home and the Control Group received the conventional CEP only at home. The outcomes, HR, SBP, DBP, and QOL, were assessed using a sphygmomanometer and short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire’s physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scale, respectively. The t-test and Wilcoxon test were used to analyze between and within-group comparisons for all the outcomes scores, keeping the significance level α at 95% (p&lt;0.05) for all the statistical analyses.&#x0D; Results: The mean scores comparison of the outcomes, HR, PCS, and MCS, were found significant (95% CI, p&lt;0.05) within CRP and Control groups; however, SBP and DBP mean scores were found insignificant (95% CI, p&gt;0.05) within both groups, except DBP mean score which was found significant (p&lt;0.05) within CRP Group. Comparing the outcomes mean scores between the groups at four-week post-intervention, except PCS and MCS (95% CI, p&lt;0.05), HR, SBP, and DBP were found to be insignificant (p&gt;0.05). &#x0D; Conclusions: The CRP and conventional CEP at home together and conventional CEP at home alone were equally effective in decreasing HR and improving QOL in CVD patients. However, the CRP and conventional CEP at home together showed more effectiveness than the conventional CEP at home in improving the QOL in CVD patients.

Clinical association of health-related quality of life and mortality in an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis cohort

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mortality in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). MethodsWe searched patients with AAV assessed for HRQoL at initial diagnosis using Short Form 36 (SF-36). Relationships between SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scales and variables were estimated using Pearson's correlation analysis. Contal's and O'Quigley's methods were used to determine optimal SF-36 PCS cut-off for predicting all-cause mortality. The Cox proportional hazards model and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis were used to ascertain prognostic implications of SF-36 scales and mortality. ResultsThe median SF-36 PCS and MCS values of the 189 patients were 47.5 and 53.3, respectively, and 21 (11.1%) patients (microscopic polyangiitis [MPA], n=15; granulomatosis with polyangiitis [GPA], n=6) died during follow-up. SF-36 PCS was significantly but weakly associated with Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, Five-factor score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein. However, SF-36 MCS was not associated with ESR. In the multivariable Cox analysis, a decrease of SF-36 PCS score by one unit indicated a higher death risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.030; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007, 1.052; p=0.041), which was not for SF-36 MCS. IPTW analysis in a subgroup of MPA and GPA patients revealed increased patient mortality with SF-36 PCS <53.75 independently (HR: 3.249; 95% CI: 1.169, 9.033; p=0.024). ConclusionPoor baseline physical functioning associated with premature death in patients with MPA and GPA. HRQoL assessment during initial diagnosis may provide clinical insights for this population.

The effects of weight loss on health-related quality of life in obese women with PCOS and controls

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complicated endocrine disorder with widespread symptoms that reduce women’s quality of life. The adverse effect of associated obesity on this reduction is unclear, therefore the impact of weight loss on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in obese women with PCOS is unknown. This study aimed to compare the impact of weight loss following a 24-week dietary intervention on HRQOL in obese women with and without PCOS.MethodsIn a 24-week hypocaloric LGI (low glycemic index) diet intervention study, 286 women were recruited (140 PCOS, 146 controls) and 216 participants (PCOS = 105, non-PCOS = 111) completed the study. HRQOL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire (Short Form Health Survey). Physical activity was measured using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Anthropometric assessments, dietary intake, physical activity levels, and HRQOL scores, according to the Iranian version of SF-36, were compared at baseline and 24 weeks with intervention.ResultsAt the end of the intervention, there was no significant difference in the percentages of weight loss between the two groups (PCOS: 6.29 ± 3.32% vs. non-PCOS: 7 ± 3.62%, p = 0.1). At baseline, women with PCOS had lower mean scores in aspects of physical function (PF), general health perception (GH), role limitation due to emotional problem (RE), vitality (VT), mental health (MH), physical (PCS) and mental component summary scales (MCS), compared to non-PCOS (P < 0.01). At 24 weeks, the percentage of improvement in HRQOL in the non-PCOS group was higher compared to the PCOS group but this difference didn’t reach statistical significance except for PCS. In both groups, greater weight loss was associated with further improvement in the physical aspects of HRQOL and vitality. In the non-PCOS group, with trivial exception, greater weight loss was associated with greater improvement in the mental aspects of HRQOL.ConclusionsBoth obese PCOS and non-PCOS women achieved nearly similar levels of improvement in HRQOL due to weight loss induced by a hypocaloric LGI diet.Trial registrationThis study is registered in the Iranian Randomized Clinical Trials Registry (IRCT, code: IRCT2016092129909N1).

Quality of Life in Patients With Definite Chronic Pancreatitis: A Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Because CP is a chronic condition, multiple assessments of QoL are required to obtain a thorough understanding of its impact on patients. Such studies are currently lacking. This study aims to gain insight into the course and predictors of QoL in patients with CP using prospective longitudinal data from a large cohort of patients. Post hoc analysis of consecutive patients with definite CP registered in a prospective database between 2011 and 2019 in the Netherlands. Patient and disease characteristics, nutritional status, pain severity, medication usage, pancreatic function, and pancreatic interventions were assessed from medical records and through standard follow-up questionnaires. The physical and mental component summary scales of the Short-Form 36 were used to assess physical and mental QoL at baseline and during follow-up. The course of both physical and mental QoL and their associated factors were longitudinally assessed by using generalized linear mixed models. Overall, 1,165 patients with definite CP were included for this analysis. During 10-year follow-up, generalized linear mixed model analyses revealed improvements in both physical (41.6-45.2, P < 0.001) and mental (45.9-46.6, P = 0.047) QoL. Younger age, current alcohol consumption, employment, no need for dietetic consultation, no steatorrhea, lower Izbicki pain score, and pain coping mechanism were positively associated with physical QoL ( P < 0.05). For mental QoL, a positive correlation was found between employment, nonalcoholic CP, no need for dietetic consultation, no steatorrhea, lower Izbicki pain score, pain coping mechanism, and surgical treatment. No association was observed between disease duration and longitudinal QoL per patient. This nationwide study provides insight into the dynamics of physical and mental QoL in patients with CP over time. Important and potentially influenceable factors to improve QoL are nutritional status, exocrine pancreatic function, employment status, and patients' coping strategy.

QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Abstract: Background: Quality of life should be a very important issue for doctors, especially in chronic diseases. Currently, the most important matters in the therapeutic process are not only bringing about the relief of certain symptoms of the disease itself, but also improving the patients functioning with respect to such areas as social, physical and self-perception through the disease. The study researched the quality of life in relation to demographic and clinic factors in patients with different psychiatric disorders. Materials and Methods: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), socio-demographic data questionnaire were delivered to a group of 186 subjects (110 females, 76 males) during outpatient visits or hospitalizations in the Psychiatry Ward of the Hager Multispecialty District Hospital in Tarnowskie Gry. There were 5 groups of patients, who had been diagnosed with different psychiatricdiseases: schizophrenia (22 females and 28 males in mean age 33,410,06), recurrent major depressive disorder (28 females and 18 men, age was 40,6110,64), bipolar disorders (8 woman and 12 men, average age was 41,0910,45), anxiety disorders (26 women and 18 men the age was 33,5810,21) and eating disorders (women only mean age was 26,4342.50). Results: Schizophrenic patients showed significantly better results in health-related quality of life in most domains of SF-36 score and summary scales The Physical Component Summary Scale (PCS) and Mental Component Summary Scale (MCS) than patients with other psychiatric disorders. The lowest results in SF-36 scale were obtained by recurrent major depressive disorder and eating disorders patients. Importantly, symptoms of depression and anxiety influenced the quality of life in all examined groups. Age, marital status as well as duration of illness were negatively associated with the MCS. The BMI was negatively associated with PCS in schizophrenic patients. In anxiety patients, MCS was negatively influenced by BMI.Conclusions: Active treatment for depressive and anxiety symptoms is recommended to improve quality of life in patients with different psychiatric disorders. Schizophrenic andanxiety patients must not forget that high body weight may be a risk factor of the low quality of life.

Associations of Health-Related Quality of Life and Sleep Disturbance With Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors.

Breast cancer (BC) survivors are at an increased risk of long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD), often attributed to cancer treatment. However, cancer treatment may also negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL), a risk factor of CVD in the general population. We examined whether sleep disturbance, and physical or mental HRQoL were associated with CVD risk in BC survivors. We conducted a longitudinal analysis in the Women's Health Initiative of postmenopausal women given a diagnosis of invasive BC during follow-up through 2010 with no history of CVD before BC. The primary outcome was incident CVD, defined as physician-adjudicated coronary heart disease or stroke, after BC. Physical and mental HRQoL, measured by the Short-Form 36 Physical and Mental Component Summary scores, and sleep disturbance, measured by the Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale, were recorded post BC. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models were used starting at BC diagnosis until 2010 or censoring and adjusted for relevant confounders. In 2884 BC survivors, 157 developed CVD during a median follow-up of 9.5 years. After adjustment, higher Physical Component Summary scores were significantly associated with a lower risk of CVD (hazard ratio, 0.90 [95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.99]; per 5-point increment in Physical Component Summary). No associations with CVD were found for Mental Component Summary or Insomnia Rating Scale. In BC survivors, poor physical HRQoL is a significant predictor of CVD. Our findings highlight the importance for nurses to assess and promote physical HRQoL as part of a holistic approach to mitigating the risk of CVD in BC survivors.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion for atrial fibrillation (AF) is an invasive therapy that reduces stroke incidence and death. The impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on patients with AF with LAA occlusion remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the effects and safety of CR in patients with AF with LAA occlusion. This 6-mo single-center randomized controlled trial compared an exercise-based CR program with a control group. Patients with AF who underwent LAA occlusion from December 2018 to December 2020 were randomized into two groups: exercise-based CR and usual care (control). All patients underwent echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, scale survey, physical function, and exercise capacity at baseline and at 3 and 6 mo follow-up. There were 33 and 30 patients in the control and CR groups, respectively, in the final analysis. After the study period, the 6-min walk test distance, handgrip and leg strength, and left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly in the CR group compared with baseline. Significant between-group differences were found in the mental and physical component summary scales, including all eight subscales, of the Short Form 36. The incidence of incomplete endothelialization in the CR group at 3 and 6 mo was significantly lower than that in the control group. Cardiac rehabilitation was shown to accelerate device endothelialization in patients with AF with LAA occlusion, while also improving the quality of life, exercise capacity, and physical function.

Assessment of quality of life in patients with Lyme arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

ObjectivesPatients’ quality of life is one of the key concepts of modern medicine, which characterizes the role of physical and mental functioning in the course of the disease. This article presents a stratification of factors influencing the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Lyme arthritis (LA).Material and methodsNinety patients with RA were included in this study among them n = 44 (48.89%) also with LA diagnosis and n = 46 (51.11%) with RA. All studied patients were examined and questioned according to the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) to assess their quality of life. The disease activity score with examination of 28 joints was used to assess the activity of the disease. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the most significant factors influencing patients’ quality of life.ResultsPatients who agreed to participate in the study had high and moderate disease activity; however, patients with LA showed significantly higher baseline data on the intensity of the inflammatory process. According to the analysis of the questionnaire responses, a significantly reduced physical activity of both groups was revealed, but patients with LA had significantly worse BP (p = 0.002), GH (p = 0.006), and Mental Component Summary scales (p = 0.001). The greatest relationship between disease activity and quality of life by Physical Component Summary according to SF-36 (r = –0.80) was found in patients with LA and (r = –0.72) – with RA.ConclusionsThe presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in patients with arthritis not only significantly reduced the motor activity of patients, but also complicated the mental adaptation to their own disease. Factors that affect the quality of life – the activity and duration of the disease in patients of both cohorts, and age and total number of affected joints – for patients with RA.

Understanding the Pathways to the Healthy Aging Framework: Empirical Evidence and Future Directions

Despite a large body of literature documenting the association between individual characteristics and financial literacy, our understanding of the impact of macro-environmental conditions on individual financial literacy remains limited, particularly in later life. Drawing from a micro-macro perspective on the social environment and individual processes, we examined the extent to which three state-level contextual characteristics were associated with individual later-life financial literacy in the United States: tertiary educational attainment, poverty prevalence, and Internet penetration. We utilized data from the 2019 Understanding America Study (UAS) for adults aged 50 years or older to assess financial literacy (n=2,930), and data from the American Community Survey to evaluate contextual conditions. The UAS is a nationally representative survey panel supported by the Social Security Administration and the National Institute on Aging. Cross-sectional multilevel regression models were used to examine the hypothesized effects. We found that state-level poverty prevalence was negatively associated with individual financial literacy while state-level Internet penetration was positively associated with individual financial literacy, over and above individual characteristics known to impact financial literacy. No association was found between state-level educational attainment and individual financial literacy after controlling for respondents’ own education. Findings suggest that the social environment may condition financial literacy in later life through exposure to opportunities that promote knowledge acquisition. Interventions to enhance later-life financial literacy may benefit from targeted approaches that take into account the environmental characteristics of their locations of residence.

Patient-Reported Outcomes and Factors Associated with Achieving the Minimal Clinically Important Difference After ACL Reconstruction: Results at a Mean 7.7-Year Follow-up.

Background:Analyzing outcomes and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is of increased interest in the orthopaedic literature. The purposes of this study were to report outcomes after ACLR at medium to long-term follow-up, identify the threshold preoperative outcome values that would be predictive of achieving the MCID postoperatively, and analyze outcome maintenance at medium to long-term follow-up after ACLR.Methods:Active athletes who underwent ACLR were identified in an institutional ACL registry. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were administered preoperatively and at the 2-year and >5-year postoperative follow-up; measures included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS), and Lysholm scale. We calculated the MCID from baseline to each of the 2 follow-up periods (2-year and mean 7.7-year). Logistic regression was performed to investigate factors associated with achievement of the MCID.Results:A total of 142 patients (mean follow-up, 7.7 years [range, 6.6 to 9.1 years]) underwent ACLR. The mean age and body mass index at the time of surgery were 27.2 ± 13.0 years and 23.2 ± 3.0 kg/m2, respectively. Final postoperative outcome scores improved significantly from baseline for the IKDC (50.9 ± 14.7 to 87.9 ± 11.2), SF-12 PCS (41.6 ± 8.9 to 55.6 ± 3.2), and Lysholm scale (62.2 ± 17.6 to 90.5 ± 10.3) (p < 0.0001), while the SF-12 MCS did not improve significantly (54.2 ± 8.0 to 54.4 ± 6.0) (p = 0.763). Between 2- and >5-year follow-up, the SF-12 PCS showed significant improvement (54.6 ± 4.5 to 55.6 ± 3.2; p = 0.036), while no change was noted in the IKDC (87.6 ± 11.1 to 87.9 ± 11.2), SF-12 MCS (55.5 ± 5.3 to 54.4 ± 6.0), and Lysholm scale (89.8 ± 10.6 to 90.5 ± 10.3) (p ≥ 0.09). At the time of final follow-up, the MCID was achieved by 94.7% of patients for the IKDC, 80.8% for the Lysholm, 79.0% for the SF-12 PCS, and 28.2% for the SF-12 MCS. At 2-year follow-up, 95.3% of patients were either “very” or “somewhat” satisfied with their surgery, compared with 88.6% at the time of final follow-up.Conclusions:We found a high level of maintained function following ACLR. The IKDC, SF-12 PCS, and Lysholm scores improved significantly after ACLR at the time of final follow-up and were not significantly different between follow-up periods. Approximately 95% and 89% of patients reported being satisfied with the outcome of surgery at the 2-year and final follow-up, respectively.Level of Evidence:Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Dizziness and physical health are associated with pain in dizzy patients-A cross-sectional study.

Associations between dizziness, health-related quality of life, and musculoskeletal pain have not been systematically explored in patients with vestibular disorders. Such knowledge may be important for choice of treatments. The study objectives were to examine the extent and localization of musculoskeletal pain and explore whether pain was associated with dizziness and health-related quality of life. The cross-sectional study investigated anonymized data from an earlier survey on patients with long-lasting dizziness (>3months) examined in an oto-rhino-laryngological department. The sample includes patient between 18 and 70years with Ménière's disease, vestibular schwannoma, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, vestibular neuritis, non-otogenic dizziness, and cervicogenic dizziness. General musculoskeletal, that is, pain in muscles, tendons, and joints was registered by a yes/no question. A pain drawing registered localization of pain. Multiple binary logistic regression models were used to determine the association between pain and vertigo-balance and autonomic-anxiety related dizziness by the short Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS) and sub-scales (VSS-V, VSS-A), and between pain and health-related quality of life by the SF-36, mental and physical component summary scale (SF-36 MCS, SF-36 PCS). The sample consisted of 503 patients, 60.2% were women, the median age was 50years. General musculoskeletal pain was reported by 72.8% of patients, neck pain by 59.2% and widespread pain by 21.9%. Multiple binary logistic regression models demonstrated that all the pain measures were significantly associated with VSS-V and VSS-A and SF-36 PCS, but not SF-36 MCS. Musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in patients with long-lasting dizziness. The strong associations between pain, VSS, and SF-36 PCS could result in a self-sustaining complex condition. The findings imply that in addition to assessing and treating the vestibular symptoms, musculoskeletal symptoms and physical health should be addressed.

Supercutaneous locking compression plate in the treatment of infected non-union and open fracture of the leg

IntroductionSalvage of infected tibia and fibula non-union and severe open fractures is challenging and often requires staged treatment. We describe all cases that underwent supercutaneous plating of the leg as external fixation technique and assessed union rate, time to union, rate of infection clearance, and patient-reported outcome measures.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study from a single level 1 trauma center. We included 19 patients that underwent supercutaneous plating—locking compression plate applied as external fixator—of the leg. Indications were: infected non-union of a pilon, cruris, or ankle fracture (n = 13); post-traumatic fistula draining osteomyelitis of the tibia (n = 3); infected mal-reduced subacute cruris fracture (n = 1); acute open pilon fracture (n = 1); and acute open cruris fracture (n = 1). Outcome measures were: union, time to union, infection clearance, the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) physical component summary scale (PCS) and mental component summary scale (MCS), and NRS pain scores.ResultsUnion was achieved in 88% of the patients after a median of 279 days [interquartile range (IQR) 154–440]. Infection clearance was achieved in 94% of the patients. The PCS (median 51, IQR 46–56, p = 0.903) and MCS (median 57, IQR 50–60, p = 0.241) do not differ from normative population values. NRS Pain score at rest was 0 on average (IQR 0–1), 2 on average when walking (IQR 0–4), and 1 on average when climbing stairs (IQR 0–2).ConclusionSupercutaneous plating is a simple and reliable technical trick to bridge and stabilize a nonunion or fracture site while clearing an infection and have soft-tissues heal before subsequent definitive (internal)fixation and/or cancellous bone grafting. Reasonable union and infection clearance rates are achieved, and good functional outcome can generally be expected.Level of evidenceTherapeutic level III.

Quality of Life Worsens After Surgical Repair of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

This study aimed to determine how acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) impacts patients' quality of life. The 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) was used to measure quality of life. The eight SF-36 scales were aggregated into a two-factor summary: physical and mental component summary scales (PCS and MCS). One hundred fourteen patients were included in the ATAAD group and 81 patients in the aortic valve replacement (AVR) group. All patients underwent surgery between June 2007 and December 2018. Surveys were completed after the operation. The mean scaled score of the ATAAD group decreased significantly in all eight domains of the SF-36 survey after aortic dissection repair except mental health. Also, the postsurgery PCS score was significantly lower than the presurgery score (39 vs 49; P < 0.0001). Multivariable regression confirmed the negative impact of ATAAD on postsurgery PCS score and higher presurgery PCS score had a significant positive impact. The postsurgery MCS score did not change significantly (49 vs 50; P = 0.32), but higher preoperative MCS score had a significant positive impact on the postsurgery MCS score. Age, sex, connective tissue disorders, and stroke did not contribute significantly to the postsurgery PCS and MCS scores. The AVR group had significantly increased postsurgery PCS and MCS scores compared to the presurgery scores (47 vs 41; P < 0.0001) and (53 vs 51; P = 0.02) respectively. Patients reported significantly decreased physical health after recovery from acute type A aortic dissection repair. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to improve patients' quality of life.

The effectiveness of a family-centred intervention after traumatic brain injury: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a family-centred intervention for patients with traumatic brain injury and family members. Design: Open-labelled, two-armed randomised controlled trial. Settings: Outpatient clinic and family residences. Participants: Sixty-one patients (33 women) with traumatic brain injury, with mean (SD) age 43.8 (12.2), and 63 family members (33 women), with mean (SD) age 42.6 (11.3), were assign to intervention (n = 30 families) and control group (n = 31 families). Intervention: An eight-session single-family intervention to improve individual and family functioning. Outcome measures: Self-reported questionnaires at start-of-treatment, median (IQR) 11.4 (8.4, 15.9) months post-injury, and at two follow-ups, 2.7 (2.3, 3.8) and 9.2 (8.2, 9.9) months after start-of-treatment. Primary outcome measures were the SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Caregiver Burden Scale (CGB). Secondary outcome measures were the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES) and Quality of Life after Brain Injury Questionnaire (QOLIBRI). Group differences were analysed with linear mixed-model analysis for repeated measurements. Results: No significant between-group differences were found. The intervention group significantly improved on the MCS, the CGB and FACES in the treatment period, whereas the controls did not. The mean (SD) MCS change in the treatment period was 2.4 (1.1) points P = 0.028 in the intervention group. Mean (SE) MCS scores were 47.9 (1.26) and 47.3 (1.27) in the intervention and control group at last follow-up. Conclusions: Receiving an eight-session family intervention, in addition to specialised rehabilitation for the patients, was not superior to rehabilitation at a specialised traumatic brain injury outpatient clinic.

Life stage-specific trends in educational inequalities in health-related quality of life and self-rated health between 2002 and 2016 in Germany: findings from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (GSOEP)

ObjectivesWhile evidence suggests persisting health inequalities, research on whether these trends may vary according to different stages of life has rarely been considered. Against this backdrop, we analysed life stage-specific...

Trends in healthy life expectancy between 2002 and 2018 in Germany - Compression or expansion of health-related quality of life (HRQOL)?

The question of whether rising life expectancy has led to additional life years spent in good health or poor health is of major public health relevance. We tested the theories of compression or expansion of morbidity for Germany with respect to the mental and physical component summary scales (MCS/PCS) of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire (SF-12). Data of 90,758 women and 81,400 men were obtained from the German Socio-Economic Panel between 2002 and 2018. Linear and logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate temporal changes in MCS and PCS in different life stages. The development of healthy life expectancy (H-LE) expressed by life years without severe functional limitations was calculated by applying the Sullivan method.Overall, a significant increase of MCS and PCS was found in both genders. The rise was mainly due to declining proportions of severe limitations (norm values < 40 points) while the proportions of norm values > 60 points did not change substantially. Improvements were most apparent for the ‘young seniors’ (65–79 years) and at ‘old age’ (80 years +). In contrast, no improvements in PCS were found for ‘later working life’ (50–64 years) and decreasing levels were observed for persons of ‘middle working age’ (30–49 years). During the study period, H-LE at age 50 increased in women/men by 2.93/2.90 years (MCS) and 1.92/2.53 years (PCS), respectively. Our results support the hypothesis of absolute compression of morbidity. However, since consistent improvements were not found for ages below 65 years, it remains open to debate whether the positive health trend will also persist in the future. Our findings suggest that health promotion efforts should be strengthened for people of middle and later working age to support healthy aging.

The Effect of Perioperative Adverse Events on Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes After Lumbar Spine Surgery.

Perioperative adverse events (AEs) lead to patient disappointment and greater costs. There is a paucity of data on how AEs affect long-term outcomes. To examine perioperative AEs and their impact on outcome after lumbar spine surgery. A total of 3556 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative disorders enrolled in the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network were analyzed. AEs were defined using the validated Spine AdVerse Events Severity system. Outcomes at 3, 12, and 24 mo postoperatively included the Owestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary scales, visual analog scale (VAS) leg and back, EuroQol-5D (EQ5D), and satisfaction. AEs occurred in 767 (21.6%) patients, and 85 (2.4%) patients suffered major AEs. Patients with major AEs had worse ODI scores and did not reach minimum clinically important differences at 2 yr (no AE: 25.7±19.2, major: 36.4±19.1, P <.001). Major AEs were associated with worse ODI scores on multivariable linear regression (P=.011). PCS scores were lower after major AEs (43.8±9.5, vs 37.7±20.3, P=.002). On VAS leg and back and EQ5D, the 2-yr outcomes were significantly different between the major and no AE groups (<0.01), but these differences were small (VAS leg: 3.4±3.0vs 4.0±3.3; VAS back: 3.5±2.7vs 4.5±2.6; EQ5D: 0.75±0.2vs 0.64±0.2). SF12 MCS scores were not different. Rates of satisfaction were lower after major AEs (no AE: 84.6%, major: 72.3%, P <.05). Major AEs after lumbar spine surgery lead to worse functional outcomes and lower satisfaction. This highlights the need to implement strategies aimed at reducing AEs.