Patient-related Outcome Measures Research Articles

Comparison of Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty Techniques: Functional and Aesthetic Review of Subdorsal Septal Strip Methods.

Objective: To compare subdorsal strip excisions in patients undergoing dorsal preservation (DP) rhinoplasty using patient-related outcome measures (PROMS). Methods: Patients were treated from 2020 to 2022 using the modified subdorsal strip method (MSSM) or Z flap approach. A two-sample t-test determined whether there was a difference in functional and aesthetic scores using the NOSE, Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), SCHNOS, and ESS scales. Results: Seventy-one primary rhinoplasty patients met inclusion criteria at 12 months with an average age of 23 years (62 female, 9 male), with 35 (49%) undergoing the MSSM technique, while 36 (51%) receiving the Z flap. PROMS at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were compared. The average preoperative and postoperative NOSE score was 9.36 and -4.4 (standard deviation [SD] 3.1, p < 0.001). The average preoperative SNOT-22 score was 23.9 and -16.4 (SD 10.2, p < 0.001). ESS scores was average was 6.2 and -1.6 (SD 3.2, p = 0.01). The average SCHNOS total, functional, and cosmetic scores were 27.6 (6-47), 8.2 (0-20) and 18.7 (0-37), respectively, and -5.7 (SD 8.2, p < 0.001), -5.73 (SD 6.24, p < 0.001), -18.1 (SD 9.7, p < 0.001). No significant complications were found and no difference in PROMs among groups. Conclusion: There was no difference in septal strip techniques as evaluated by PROMS.

Clinical outcomes after hip arthroscopy in acetabular dysplastic patients, previously treated with periacetabular osteotomy: a minimum of two-year follow-up data from the Danish Hip Arthroscopy Registry

ABSTRACT Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is the treatment of choice in dysplastic acetabulum. Due to continued symptoms, 2–11% of these patients require an additional hip arthroscopy. The purpose of this study was to report clinical outcome after a minimum of 2-year follow-up of additional hip arthroscopy after PAO with data from Danish Hip Arthroscopy Registry. Inclusion criteria in the study cohort were PAO surgery resulting in an additional hip arthroscopy procedure. The cohort was evaluated according to the surgical findings and patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) pre-operatively and at 2-year follow-up. A total of 287 patients were included in the study cohort. PROMs improved significantly in all subscales from pre-operatively to 2-year follow-up in the study cohort. According to PROM subscales, 47.8–57.6% and 25.2–38.2% achieved Minimal Clinical Important Difference and Patient Acceptable Symptom State, respectively. This study demonstrates, in PAO-treated patients, significant PROM improvements after additional hip arthroscopy. Unfortunately, only ∼50% and 30% achieved Minimal Clinical Important Difference and Patient Acceptable Symptom State, respectively.

A randomized clinical trial on zirconia versus titanium implants in maxillary single tooth replacement.

This RCT aimed to compare zirconia and titanium dental implants in the maxillary premolar region. The comparison was based on marginal bone level (MBL) changes, clinical parameters, aesthetic outcomes, and patient related outcome measures (PROMs) 1 year after prosthetic loading. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive either a zirconia (ZrO2, n = 25) implant or a titanium (Ti, n = 25) bone-level implant. Implants were provided with a lithium disilicate crown 3 months after placement. Follow-up was at 1 month and after 1 year. The primary outcome pertained to changes in MBL. Reported secondary outcomes consisted of implant survival, peri-implant tissue health, aesthetics, and PROMs. Mean MBL change after 1 year was 0.01 mm (SD = 0.45; min = 0.72, max = 0.86) for ZrO2 and -0.09 mm (SD = 0.34; min = 0.53, max = -1.06) for Ti (p = .439). Scores for the other clinical outcome parameters and PROMs were generally favorable, with no significant differences. However, significant differences were found for the aesthetic outcomes regarding two criteria: (a) level of facial mucosa (p = .022), in favor of Ti, and (b) root convexity/soft tissue color and texture (p = .005) in favor of ZrO2. The ZrO2 and Ti implant types used in this study, replacing a single missing maxillary premolar, show a comparable outcome in terms of MBL change after 1 year. Clinical and aesthetic parameters, as well as PROMs, are favorable and similar between both implant types after 1 year of prosthetic loading. These short-term study results suggest that both are suitable for clinical use.

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation with autogenous bone graft compared with composite grafts: A one-year single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

The objective was to assess the one year implant treatment outcome and patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) following maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) with autogenous bone graft (ABG) from the zygomatic buttress (control) compared with 1:1 mixture of ABG and anorganic porcine bone mineral (APBM) (Test I) or biphasic bone graft material (BBGM) (Test II). Sixty healthy patients (34 females, 26 males) were randomly allocated to either control or test groups. Outcome measures included survival of suprastructures and implants, implant stability quotient, health status of peri-implant tissue, peri-implant marginal bone loss, frequency of complications, and PROMs using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 combined with questionnaire assessing patient perception of peri-implant soft tissue, prosthetic solution, implant function, and implant treatment outcome using visual analogue scale. Mean differences were expressed with standard deviation and 95% confidence interval. Level of significance was .05. All suprastructures and implants were well-functioning after one year of functional implant loading. There was no significant difference between control and test groups in any of the applied outcome measures. The implant stability significantly increased from implant placement to abutment connection within all groups (p < .001). High patient satisfaction and significant improvement in oral health-related quality of life was also reported within all groups. This study demonstrates that MSFA with composite grafts containing minimal amounts of ABG reveals comparable implant treatment outcomes as compared with ABG alone, after one year of functional implant loading. Extensive ABG harvesting in conjunction with MSFA therefore seems not to be needed.

Analysis of the treatment of RT2 recessions with a xenogeneic collagen matrix vs. connective tissue graft combined with a coronally advanced flap. A double-blinded randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesTo compare the clinical efficacy in terms of mean root coverage in RT2 recession treated with a coronally advanced flap combined with a xenogeneic collagen matrix versus a connective tissue graft.Materials and methodsA total of 20 patients were randomized to receive one of two treatments: coronally advanced flap + xenogeneic collagen matrix (test group) and coronally advanced flap + connective tissue graft (control group). Patient-related outcomes measures and professional aesthetic assessment by root esthetic score were performed. A descriptive and analytical statistical analysis of the variables was performed.ResultsAt 12 months, the mean root coverage was 56.48% in the test group and 69.72% in the control group (p = 0.048), with a 35% and 40% complete root coverage in the xenogeneic collagen matrix and connective tissue graft, respectively. Test group presented less pain (3.65 vs. 5.2 VAS units) (p = 0.015) and less surgical time (45 vs. 49.15 min) (p = 0.004) than control group.ConclusionThe use of xenogeneic collagen matrix in RT2 recessions was effective for recession reduction to those obtained using autologous grafts; with the advantage that the duration of surgery and patient morbidity decreased. Therefore, xenogeneic collagen matrix in RT2 recessions could be an alternative to autologous grafts.Clinical relevanceThe use of xenogeneic collagen matrix decreases the surgery time and patient morbidity but connective tissue graft results in significantly better mean root coverage and complete root coverage. Xenogeneic collagen matrix can be used in the treatment of RT2 gingival recessions.Study registrationNCT 03344315.

The Ankle Ligament Reconstruction-Return to Sport after Injury (ALR-RSI) is a valid and reliable measure to assess psychological readiness before returning to sport following peroneal tendon pathology surgery.

The objective of this study was to validate a scale that could help surgeons evaluate patients' psychological readiness to return to sport (RTS) after peroneal tendon pathology surgery. The Ankle Ligament Reconstruction-Return to Sport after Injury (ALR-RSI) scale, which had previously been validated in ankle ligament reconstruction patients, was adapted to evaluate the psychological preparedness for RTS in athletic patients who underwent peroneal tendinopathy surgery. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Foot Ankle Ability Measurement (FAAM) scores were employed as patient-related outcome measurement (PROM) instruments. This study included 57 patients. There was a strong correlation between ALR-RSI and both FAOS and FAAM (r = -0.68 and 0.74, respectively). ALR-RSI was considerably higher in patients who returned to sports than in those who did not. The mean score was 72.9 ± 19.0 in patients who returned to the same preinjury level, 48.5 ± 24.0 in those who returned to a lower leveland 53.6 ± 31.1 in patients who changed their athletic activity (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, ALR-RSI showed at least a similar discrimination ability when compared to FAOS and FAAM. The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95. The Cronbach's α statistic used to measure the internal consistency was high (0.95). A Youden index of 0.65 was observed for a cut-off score of 68 points. ALR-RSI is a valid instrument for assessing psychological readiness to RTS in an athletic population following peroneal tendon surgery. When compared to the most commonly used PROMs, it was strongly correlated and demonstrated at least similar discrimination capacity. This could assist surgeons in identifying athletes who will have poor postoperative results and advising them on their capability to RTS. Level III.

A longitudinal prospective study of active tuberculosis in a Western Europe setting: insights and findings.

This study investigates the potential of inflammatory parameters (IP), symptoms, and patient-related outcome measurements as biomarkers of severity and their ability to predict tuberculosis (TB) evolution. People with TB were included prospectively in the Stage-TB study conducted at five clinical sites in Barcelona (Spain) between April 2018 and December 2021. Data on demographics, epidemiology, clinical features, microbiology, and Sanit George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and Kessler-10 as Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) were collected at three time points during treatment. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil/lymphocyte, and monocyte/lymphocyte ratios (NLR and MLR), complement factors C3, C4, and cH50, clinical and microbiological data, and HRQoL questionnaires were assessed at baseline, 2months, and 6months. Their ability to predict sputum culture conversion (SCC) and symptom presence after 2months of treatment was also analysed. The study included 81 adults and 13 children with TB. The CRP, ESR, NLR, and MLR values, as well as the presence of symptoms, decreased significantly over time in both groups. Higher IP levels at baseline were associated with greater bacillary load and persistent symptoms. Clinical severity at baseline predicted a delayed SCC. Kessler-10 improved during follow-up, but self-reported lung impairment (SGRQ) persisted in all individuals after 6months. IP levels may indicate disease severity, and sustained high levels are linked to lower treatment efficacy. Baseline clinical severity is the best predictor of SCC. Implementing health strategies to evaluate lung function and mental health throughout the disease process may be crucial for individuals with TB.

Feasibility of an Application-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation Program for Stroke Survivors: Acceptability and Preliminary Results for Patient-Reported Outcomes.

The majority of stroke survivors experience long-term impairments. Regular physical activity and other lifestyle modifications play an important role in rehabilitation. Outpatient rehabilitation using telemedicine might be suitable to improve functional ability and long-term secondary prevention. The Strokecoach Intervention Program (SIP, Strokecoach GmbH, Cologne, Germany) comprises training, coaching and monitoring with the aim of improving or at least maintaining functional independence and preventing further stroke through more targeted physical activity. The SIP is provided as blended care, which refers to the integrated and coordinated delivery of healthcare services that combines traditional in-person interactions with technology-mediated interventions, optimizing the use of both face-to-face and virtual modalities to enhance patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of the SIP by the participants and its practical application, as well as to obtain initial indications of effects of the SIP on the basis of patient-related outcome measures, blood pressure measurements and recording of physical activity in parallel with the intervention. Data from individuals with stroke participating in the SIP were analyzed retrospectively. Within the SIP, participants received an application-based training program, were instructed to measure their blood pressure daily and to wear an activity tracker (pedometer). During the intervention period of either 6 or 12 weeks, the participants were supported and motivated by a personal coach via a messenger application. The primary outcomes of the analysis were recruitment, acceptance of and satisfaction with the SIP. Secondary outcomes included functional measures, mobility and health-related quality of life. A total of 122 individuals with stroke could be recruited for the SIP. A total of 96 out of 122 were able to start the program (54% female, mean age 54.8 (SD = 13.1), 6.1 (SD = 6.6) years after stroke onset) and 88 completed the SIP. Participants wore the activity tracker on 66% and tracked their blood pressure on 72% of their intervention days. A further analyzed subgroup of 38 participants showed small improvements in patient-reported outcomes such as health-related quality of life (SF-36) with an increase of 12 points in the subdomain mental health, vitality (12.6) and physical functioning (9.1). However, no statistically significant improvements were found in other performance-based measures (Timed Up and Go test, gait speed). This study showed that a blended therapy approach for stroke survivors with mild to moderate impairments in the chronic phase is feasible and was highly accepted by participants, who benefitted from the additional coaching.

Reliability and validation of the German Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score.

Patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) are important instruments to evaluate efficacy of orthopaedic procedures. The Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) is a PROM developed to evaluate outcomes after treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs). Purpose of this study is to develop and culturally adapt the German version of the ATRS and to evaluate reliability and validity. The ATRS was translated by forward-backward translation based on common guidelines. In this retrospective study, 48 patients with a surgical intervention after ATR were recruited. Reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was valued by determining Pearson correlation coefficient with the German version of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A). The German Version of the ATRS has an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.96) as well as an excellent test-retest-reliability (ICC 0.98). It has a moderately strong correlation with the VISA-A (r = 0.73) as well as with the FAOS subclasses (r = 0.6-0.79). The German version of the ATRS demonstrated good psychometric properties. It proofed to be a valid and reliable instrument for use in patients with Achilles tendon Rupture. Level II.

IscorEB-p: A patient-reported outcome measure for Epidermolysis bullosa. Psychometric properties of the Patient Score from the Instrument for Scoring Clinical Outcome of Research for EB.

In contrast to clinical diagnosis via external examination, patient-related outcome measures allow to access the patients' internal perception. Particularly, in the case of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare disease characterized by a wide variety of symptoms and individual courses of disease, it is central to integrate the patient's perspective into diagnostic processes. The Instrument for Scoring Clinical Outcome of Research for EB (iscorEB) is an EB-specific measurement tool, combining a clinician score (iscorEB-c) and a patient questionnaire (iscorEB-p). The aim of this study is to establish the iscorEB-p as an independent patient-related outcome measure tool by exploring its psychometric properties. The following steps were performed on data collected via a multinational online cross-sectional study: sample-based psychometric testing and evaluation. Data analysis was performed with n=95 participants across all EB types. The reliability and internal consistency of the iscorEB-p was excellent (α=0.90). A principal component analysis with a varimax rotation resulted in a two-factor solution, explaining 55.6% of the total variance, with the distinct factors "everyday life functioning" and "specific EB symptoms". Convergent validity was shown by high correlations to the SWLS (r=-0.52, p<0.001), the QOLEB (r=0.72, p<0.001) and EB-BoD (r=-0.73, p<0.001). In conclusion, the iscorEB-p is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the patient-reported view on the health status of EB patients.

Patient-Related Outcome Measures for Oculomotor Symptoms in the Cerebellar Ataxias: Insights from Non-Cerebellar Disorders.

In patients with cerebellar ataxia (CA), symptoms related to oculomotor dysfunction significantly affect quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to analyze the literature on patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) assessing QoL impacts of vestibular and cerebellar oculomotor abnormalities in patients with CA to identify the strengths and limitations of existing scales and highlight any areas of unmet need. A systematic review was conducted (Medline, Embase) of English-language original articles reporting on QoL measures in patients with vertigo, dizziness or CA. Pre-specified parameters were retrieved, including diseases studied, scales applied and conclusions drawn. Our search yielded 3671 articles of which 467 studies (n = 111,606 participants) were deemed relevant. The most frequently studied disease entities were (a) non-specific dizziness/gait imbalance (114 studies; 54,581 participants), (b) vestibular schwannomas (66; 15,360), and (c) vestibular disorders not further specified (66; 10,259). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was the most frequently used PROM to assess QoL (n = 91,851), followed by the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality-of-Life Scale (n = 12,027) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (n = 2'471). QoL-scores capturing symptoms related to oculomotor abnormalities in CA were rare, focused on visual impairments (e.g., National-Eye-Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, Oscillopsia Functional Impact, oscillopsia severity score) and were unvalidated. The DHI remains the most widely used and versatile scale for evaluating dizziness. A lack of well-established PROMs for assessing the impact of oculomotor-related symptoms on QoL in CA was noted, emphasizing the need for developing and validating a new QoL-score dedicated to the oculomotor domain for individuals with CA.

A multicentre Prospective evaluation of Patient Related Outcome Measures (PROMS) and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Patients with Resectable Pancreatic and Peripancreatic Cancer (PROMCAN Study)

A multicentre Prospective evaluation of Patient Related Outcome Measures (PROMS) and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Patients with Resectable Pancreatic and Peripancreatic Cancer (PROMCAN Study)

A Systematic Review of Speech-Language Pathology Interventions for Presbyphonia Using the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System

BackgroundThe prevalence of voice disorders for people over the age of 65 is 4× higher than for the population at large. The most common cause of dysphonia in this group is presbyphonia, the preferred first-line treatment for which is voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist. This systematic review seeks to identify how voice therapy affects multidimensional voice outcomes in people with presbyphonia. MethodsA systematic search of CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, MEDLINE and Google Scholar was undertaken in March 2023. Comparative and non-comparative studies of voice therapy in participants over 50 years with presbyphonia were considered for inclusion. No limitations were placed on date or language of publication. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Subgroup analysis was used to compare studies based on participant sex, intervention duration, study design and intervention content. Interventions were specified using the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) employing a consensus methodology among reviewers. Results were synthesized utilizing metanalysis when outcomes were adequately specified, and narrative analysis when they were not. Results23 studies were included with 1,050 subjects (mean age: 72.5 ± 8.6; 51% female). The most reported intervention was Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs). Per the RTSS, 14 interventions employed a predominantly Organ Functions approach and the 14 remaining interventions employed a Skills & Habits approach. Metanalysis confirmed post-therapy improvement in patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) of 0.93 standard mean difference (p<0.00001, 95% CI: 0.70-1.17); studies with predominantly males and with longer treatment periods were associated with larger improvements, while RCTs reported more modest improvements. Metanalysis also identified a mean post-therapy increase in maximum phonation time (MPT) of 5.37 seconds (p<0.00001, 95% CI: 3.52-7.22). Treatments with an Organ Functions focus resulted in greater gains in MPT than those with a Skills & Habits focus (7.52 s vs. 2.90 s). Finally, metanalysis identified reductions in acoustic perturbation measures (jitter: 0.62%, p<0.001, 95% CI: 0.26-0.97%; shimmer 1.05%, p<0.00001, 95% CI: 0.67-1.44%). Narrative synthesis further identified improvement in auditory-perceptual voice quality in all active treatment groups as well as improved glottal function in most studies which reported this. ConclusionsDespite the uncertainty around internal validity introduced by the inclusion of a wide range of study designs, there is convincing evidence that voice therapy for presbyphonia results in significant improvement in patient-reported, aerodynamic, acoustic, and expert-rated voice outcomes. Treatments with an Organ Functions focus may better address the underlying physiological deficits of presbyphonia, although future comparative studies with multidimensional voice assessment are warranted.

Correlations of Different Objective and Patient Related Outcome Measures for Patellar Instability Patients

Correlations of Different Objective and Patient Related Outcome Measures for Patellar Instability Patients

Pelvic floor reconstruction-update 2024: prolapse-associated symptoms and their treatment

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and associated symptoms of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, obstructive micturition, defecation, and pain are frequent and awidespread disease with relevant reduction of quality of life and high costs. New insights into functional anatomy and pathophysiology of these pelvic floor dysfunctions let us recognize how ligamentous laxities/defects lead to these dysfunctions. Results of the PROpel study (ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier: NCT00638235) are shown in which adetailed observation of symptoms (patient-related outcome measures) pre- and postoperatively was performed. Ligamentous vaginal repair of POP enables symptom cure in high percentages for urinary urge incontinence (up to 82%), nocturia (up to 92%), obstructive micturition (up to 87%), fecal incontinence (58-72%), obstructive defecation (71-84%), and pain (53-90%), if caused by POP. Women with POP‑Q stage2 have similar symptom frequencies as women with POP‑Q stage3-4, and also similar cure rates of their symptoms. If good anatomical prolapse repair (in responders) was achieved, the cure rates for obstructive micturition, urinary urgency incontinence, and nocturia were significantly higher than in those women with less effective surgical repair. In the future, pelvic floor surgery should have symptom cure as the primary objective and should lead to improved quality of life. The different, currently performed techniques for POP repair have to be investigated concerning this matter.

Validation of the Ankle Ligament Reconstruction-Return to Sports after Injury (ALR-RSI) Score as a Tool to Assess Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport in an Active Population After Ankle Fracture Surgery: A Cross-sectional Study

Ankle injuries account for 15% to 25% of all sports injuries resulting in significant pain and loss of function. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to validate a scale to help surgeons quantify the psychological readiness to Return To Sport (RTS) in patients undergoing ankle fracture surgery. ALR-RSI was used to assess the psychological readiness for RTS in athletic patients who underwent ankle fracture fixation between January 2020 and January 2021. Participants filled out ALR-RSI and 2 Patient-Related Outcome Measurement (PROM) tools: Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) and Self-Reported Foot and Ankle Score (SEFAS). A total of 93 patients were included. There was a strong correlation between ALR-RSI and both OMAS and SEFAS, with Pearson coefficients of r = 0.58 and 0.53, respectively. ALR-RSI was significantly higher in the RTS group than in those who no longer practiced their main preinjury sport. Moreover, the discriminant validity of ALR-RSI (AUC = 0.81) was better than that of the SEFAS and OMAS (AUC = 0.64 and 0.65, respectively, p = .001). The intra-class correlation coefficient ρ of 0.94 showed excellent reproducibility. At an optimal cutoff value of 76.7, ALR-RSI had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 75% with a Youden index of 0.56. In conclusion, ALR-RSI was a valid and reproducible tool to evaluate the psychological readiness for RTS in an active population after an ankle fracture. This score could help surgeons identify athletes who may have unfavorable postoperative outcomes and provide support on the ability to RTS.

Relationship between labial bone dimensions, labio-palatal implant position and esthetic outcomes of single tooth implants.

To investigate the association between the oro-facial implant position distance (ID) and facial bone crest thickness (FBCT) in single-tooth implant crowns (STIC) placed in the esthetic zone, and predict presence of facial bone above the implant shoulder and its impact on Pink and White Esthetic Score (PES and WES) and patient related outcome measurements (PROMS). In this cross-sectional study, all patients treated with STIC in esthetic zone between 2006 and 2013, with at least 12 months post-loading were invited to enroll. CBCTs were used to assess ID and FBCT. Esthetic outcomes included the PES and WES. PROMS measures included participants' satisfaction questionnaire with 13 formulated questions for this study. Descriptive statistics and ROC analysis were used. The association between ID, FBCT, esthetic outcomes and PROMS were calculated. Data was available for 60 implants. Mean ID was 2.02mm (SD=0.77). Mean FBCT at implant shoulder was 0.99mm (SD=0.98). FBCT was significantly associated with higher PES scores (P=0.040), but not with WES scores (P=0.149). FBCT was significantly associated with ID (P=0.009) and implants positioned ≥ 1.6mm palatal in relation to the adjacent teeth were likely to have higher FBCT. FBCT influences PES and is more predictable if implants are positioned ≥ 1.6mm palatal in relation to the adjacent teeth. Int J Prosthodont 2023. Doi: 10.11607/ijp.8052.

Postoperative lordosis distribution index, patient reported outcome measures, and revision surgery following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

ObjectiveLordosis Distribution Index (LDI) is a new radiographic parameter associated with postoperative residual symptoms in patients undergoing Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF). Recently, it has been applied on patients undergoing instrumented spine surgery, however not correlated to Patient Related Outcome Measures (PROMs). This study investigates whether the obtained the postoperative LDI after TLIF surgery correlates with the clinical outcome measured with PROMs. MethodsThis study was based on prospectively obtained data in patients undergoing TLIF throughout 2017 at a Danish university hospital. Medical records and the DaneSpine Database were accessed to obtain preoperative, operative and follow-up data. Primary outcome was Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) 12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included revision rate and additional PROMs. Results126 patients were included. 70 patients were classified with normolordosis (56 %), 42 hypolordosis (33 %) and 14 hyperlordosis (11 %). All groups experienced significant radiological changes undergoing surgery. Average reduction in ODI at 12 months postoperatively was −15.3 (±20.0). Minimally clinical important difference was achieved in 68 patients (54.0 %). No significant difference in PROMs between LDI-groups was observed in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. Revision surgery was performed in 8 patients with normolordosis (11.4 %), 7 hypolordosis (16.7 %) and 4 hyperlordosis (28.6 %). ConclusionsWe found no significant correlation between postoperative LDI subgroups of normolordotic, hypo- or hyperlordotic patients and the clinical outcome of posterolateral fusion and TLIF surgery. A trend towards lower rate of revision surgery in the normolordotic group compared to the hypo- and hyperlordotic group was observed.

Benefits of unilateral cochlear implantation in adults with asymmetric hearing loss: Audiologic and patient-related outcome measures

PurposeTo investigate the benefits of cochlear implantation in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL). Study designProspective within-subjects repeated-measures. SettingTwo tertiary cochlear implant centers. PatientsFourteen adults with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in the worse hearing ear and up to moderate SNHL in the better hearing ear. InterventionCochlear implantation in the worse hearing ear. Main outcome measuresConsonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) test, AzBio sentence test in noise, and lateralization testing were conducted preoperatively and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-activation. Patient-related outcomes were measured using the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale and Glasgow Benefit Inventory. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory was administered to subjects with tinnitus. ResultsMean length of hearing loss in the worse hearing ear was 3.5 years. The mean CNC change scores from baseline were 54.8, 55.9, and 58.9 percentage points at 3-, 6-, and 12-months (p < 0.001). AzBio sentence test in noise demonstrated improved scores in all spatial configurations, although statistically significant in S0N0 (speech front, noise front) only. Lateralization testing showed significant improvement of 22.9, 24.5, and 24.0 percentage points at 3-, 6-, and 12 months post-activation (p = 0.002). All patient-related outcome measures revealed significant improvement. ConclusionThis study demonstrates improved speech perception in noise, sound lateralization, quality of life, and reduction in tinnitus perception in adults with SSD/AHL who undergo cochlear implantation. Our results add to the growing body of evidence that cochlear implant should be offered to this population.

Both gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps and semitendinosus tendon grafts are effective in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures – a systematic review

IntroductionA chronic Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is defined as an ATR that has been left untreated for more than four weeks following rupture. This systematic review aims to summarize the outcomes of chronic ATR treated using either a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap or semitendinosus tendon graft.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane), for studies describing outcomes after surgical treatment of chronic ATR using gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps or semitendinosus tendon grafts with more than 10 patients included. The studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias using the Methodological Items used to assess risk of bias in Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS).ResultsOut of the 818 studies identified with the initial search, a total of 36 studies with 763 individual patients were included in this systematic review. Gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap was used in 21 and semitendinosus tendon graft was used in 13 of the studies. The mean (SD) postoperative Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) for patients treated with a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap was 83 (14) points and the mean (SD) American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was 96 (1.7) points compared with ATRS 88 (6.9) points and AOFAS 92 (5.6) points for patients treated with a semitendinosus tendon graft. The included studies generally had low-quality according to MINORS, with a median of 8 (range 2–13) for all studies.ConclusionBoth gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps and semitendinosus tendon grafts give acceptable results with minimal complications and are valid methods for treating chronic ATR. The main difference is more wound healing complications in patients treated with a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap and more sural nerve injuries in patients treated with a semitendinosus grafts. The current literature on the subject is of mainly low quality and the absence of a patient-related outcome measure validated for chronic ATR makes comparisons between studies difficult.Level of evidenceLevel IV.