Poor Patient-reported Outcomes Research Articles

Factors Associated With Poor Patient-Reported Outcomes in Isolated Gastrocnemius Recession for Heel Pain.

Gastrocnemius recession is commonly performed for a variety of pathologies of the foot and ankle, yet studies characterizing risk factors associated with patient-reported outcomes are limited. In this cohort study, patient outcomes were compared against the general population for PROMIS scores with correlation analysis comparing demographics and comorbidities. Our primary goal in this study is to identify risk factors associated with poor patient-reported outcomes following isolated gastrocnemius recession for patients with plantar fasciitis or insertional Achilles tendinopathy. A total of 189 patients met inclusion criteria. The open Strayer method was preferred. However, if the myotendinous junction could not be adequately visualized without expanding the excision, then a Baumann procedure was performed. The decision between the two did not depend on preoperative contracture. Patient demographics and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were obtained via the electronic medical record. Telephone interviews were completed to collect postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) scores. The data were analyzed using the type 3 SS analysis of variance test to identify individual patient factors associated with reduced PROMIS, FFI, and VAS scores. No demographic variables were found to be significantly associated with postoperative complications. Patients who reported tobacco use at the time of surgery had significantly decreased postoperative PROMIS physical function (P = .01), PROMIS pain interference (P < .05), total FFI scores (P < .0001), and each individual FFI component score. Patients undergoing their first foot and ankle surgeries reported numerous significant postoperative outcomes, including decreased PROMIS pain interference (P = .03), higher PROMIS depression (P = .04), and lower FFI pain scores (P = .04). Hypertension was significantly associated with an increased FFI disability score (P = .03) and, along with body mass index (BMI) >30 (P < .05) and peripheral neuropathy (P = .03), significantly higher FFI activity limitation scores (P = .01). Pre- and postoperative VAS scores demonstrated improvement in patient-reported pain from a mean of 5.53 to 2.11, respectively (P < .001). We found in this cohort that numerous patient factors were independently associated with differences in patient-reported outcomes following a Strayer gastrocnemius recession performed for plantar fasciitis or insertional Achilles tendinopathy. These factors include, but are not limited to, tobacco use, prior foot and ankle surgeries, and BMI. This study strengthens previous reports demonstrating the efficacy of isolated gastrocnemius recession and elucidates variables that may affect patient-reported outcomes. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Language Disparity Predicts Poor Patient-Reported Outcome and Follow-Up in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) have starkly different health care experiences compared with their English-proficient counterparts. The authors aim to examine the link between LEP and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent abdominal-based microsurgical breast reconstruction at our institution between 2009 and 2019 was performed. Variables collected included patient demographics, language status, interpreter usage, perioperative complications, follow-up visits, and self-reported outcomes (Breast-Q). Pearson's χ 2 test, Student's t-test, odds ratio analysis, and regression modeling were used for analysis. A total of 405 patients were included. LEP patients comprised 22.22% of the overall cohort with 80% of LEP patients utilizing interpreter services. LEP patients reported significantly lower satisfaction with an abdominal appearance at the 6-month follow-up and lower physical and sexual well-being scores at the 1-year follow-up (p = 0.05, 0.02, 0.01, respectively). Non-LEP patients had significantly longer operative times (539.6 vs. 499.3 minutes, p = 0.024), were more likely to have postoperative donor site revisions (p = 0.05), and more likely to receive preoperative neuraxial anesthesia (p = 0.01). After adjusting for confounders, LEP stats was associated with 0.93 fewer follow-up visits (p = 0.02). Interestingly, compared with LEP patients who did not receive interpreter services, LEP patients who did had 1.98 more follow-up visits (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in emergency room visits or complications between the cohorts. Our findings suggest that language disparities exist within microsurgical breast reconstruction and underscore the importance of effective, language-conscious communication between surgeon and patient.

Neighborhood Deprivation and Rurality Associated With Patient-Reported Outcomes and Survival in Men With Prostate Cancer in NRG Oncology RTOG 0415

Rurality and neighborhood deprivation can contribute to poor patient-reported outcomes, which have not been systematically evaluated in patients with specific cancers in national trials. Our objective was to examine the effect of rurality and neighborhood socioeconomic and environmental deprivation on patient-reported outcomes and survival in men with prostate cancer in NRG Oncology RTOG 0415. Data from men with prostate cancer in trial NRG Oncology RTOG 0415 were analyzed; 1,092 men were randomized to receive conventional radiation therapy or hypofractionated radiation therapy. Rurality was categorized as urban or rural. Neighborhood deprivation was assessed using the area deprivation index and air pollution indicators (nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) via patient ZIP codes. Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite measured cancer-specific quality of life. The Hopkins symptom checklist measured anxiety and depression. EuroQoL-5 Dimension assessed general health. We analyzed 751 patients in trial NRG Oncology RTOG 0415. At baseline, patients from the most deprived neighborhoods had worse bowel (P=.011), worse sexual (P=.042), and worse hormonal (P=.015) scores; patients from the most deprived areas had worse self-care (P=.04) and more pain (P=.047); and patients from rural areas had worse urinary (P=.03) and sexual (P=.003) scores versus patients from urban areas. Longitudinal analyses showed that the 25% most deprived areas (P=.004) and rural areas (P=.002) were associated with worse EuroQoL-5 Dimension visual analog scale score. Patients from urban areas (hazard ratio, 1.81; P=.033) and the 75% less-deprived neighborhoods (hazard ratio, 0.68; P=.053) showed relative decrease in risk of recurrence or death (disease-free survival). Patients with prostate cancer from the most deprived neighborhoods and rural areas had low quality of life at baseline, poor general health longitudinally, and worse disease-free survival. Interventions should screen populations from deprived neighborhoods and rural areas to improve patient access to supportive care services.

Social determinants of health influence clinical outcomes of patients undergoing rotator cuff repair: a systematic review.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the collection of environmental, institutional, and intrinsic conditions that may bias access to, and utilization of, health care across an individual's lifetime. The effects of SDOH are associated with disparities in patient-reported outcomes after hip and knee arthroplasty, but its impact on rotator cuff repair (RCR) is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the influences that SDOH have on accessing appropriate orthopedic treatment, as well as its effects on patient-reported outcomes following RCR. This systematic review was performed in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and guidelines outlined by the Cochrane Collaboration. A search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception until March 2022 was conducted to identify studies reporting at least 1 SDOH and its effect on access to health care, clinical outcomes, or patient-reported outcomes following RCR. The search term was created with reference to the PROGRESS-Plus framework. Methodological quality of included primary studies was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for nonrandomized studies, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized studies. Thirty-two studies (level I-IV evidence) from 18 journals across 7 countries, published between 1999 and 2022, met inclusion criteria, including 102,372 patients, 669 physical therapy (PT) clinics, and 71 orthopedic surgery practices. Multivariate analysis revealed female gender, labor-intensive occupation and worker's compensation claims, comorbidities, tobacco use, federally subsidized insurance, lower education level, racial or ethnic minority status, low-income place of residence and low-volume surgery regions, unemployment, and preoperative narcotic use contribute to delays in access to health care and/or more severe disease state on presentation. Black race patients were found to have significantly worse postoperative clinical and patient-reported outcomes and experienced more pain following RCR. Furthermore, Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to present to low-volume surgeons and low-volume facilities. A lower education level was shown to be an independent predictor of poor surgical and patient-reported outcomes as well as increased pain and worse patient satisfaction. Patients with federally subsidized insurance demonstrated significantly worse postoperative clinical and patient-reported outcomes CONCLUSIONS: The impediments created by SDOH lead to worse clinical and patient-reported outcomes following RCR including increased risk of postoperative complications, failed repair, higher rates of revision surgery, and decreased ability to return to work. Orthopedic surgeons, policy makers, and insurers should be aware of the aforementioned SDOH as markers for characteristics that may predispose to inferior outcomes following RCR.

Periodontal health and patient-reported outcomes: A longitudinal analysis of data from non-specialist practice settings.

To explore the associations between periodontal health and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), accounting for changes over time, in a large, non-specialist dental practice patient cohort. This longitudinal study used data from 13,162 dentate patients, collected by 162 dentists at routine appointments between May 2013 and April 2020, in 238 non-specialist dental practices across the United Kingdom. Dentists collected data, as part of routine clinical care, on periodontal probing pocket depths, alveolar bone loss, bleeding on probing, as well as a range of covariates. Patients inputted data on outcomes (oral pain/discomfort, dietary restrictions, and dental appearance). Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the associations between periodontal health and PROs. Models accounted for clustering at the patient and dentist level and were adjusted for time and variables which were thought to confound these associations. The odds of all PROs tended to increase with worsening periodontal parameters. For example, the odds of reporting pain in the worst periodontal health category were 1.99 (95% confidence interval: 1.57-2.53) times higher than in the best periodontal health category. This study confirms, using a large longitudinal dataset from a unique non-specialist setting, the associations between poorer periodontal health and poorer PROs.

Depression and anxiety in cervical degenerative disc disease: Who are susceptible?

Pre-operative depression and anxiety are associated with poorer patient-reported outcomes following cervical spine surgery. Identification of and interventions for these disorders are key to preventing related negative effects. However, most spine surgeons do not routinely evaluate mental health disorders. Few studies have investigated which patients with cervical degenerative disc diseases (CDDD) are susceptible to depression and anxiety. To determine the factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with CDDD. Three hundred twelve patients with CDDD were recruited in this cross-sectional case-control study. Patients underwent a structured interview to acquire demographic and clinical characteristic information, which included the Neck Disability Index (NDI), modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for neck/arm pain. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with depression and anxiety. Of all patients, 102 (32.7%) had depression and 92 (29.5%) had anxiety. Two hundred six (66.0%) patients with neither depression nor anxiety were defined as the control group. Univariate analysis indicated that gender, educational level, occupation type, Charlson comorbidity index, symptom duration, symptomatology, surgery history, NDI, mJOA, VAS-neck, and VAS-arm scores were associated with depression and anxiety (except for symptom duration for anxiety). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that females [odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-3.23], physical work (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.16-3.65), poor mJOA score (ORmoderate 2.67, 95% CI 1.40-5.07; ORsevere 7.63, 95% CI 3.85-15.11), and high VAS-neck score (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11-1.39) were independent risk factors for depression. Physical work (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.01-3.35), poor mJOA score (ORmoderate 2.66, 95% CI 1.33-5.33; ORsevere 9.26, 95% CI 4.52-18.99), and high VAS-neck score (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.19-1.51) were independent risk factors for anxiety. Approximately one-third of patients with CDDD had depression or anxiety. Patients who engaged in heavy work and had severe symptoms (poor mJOA and high VAS-neck scores) are susceptible to depression and anxiety. Additionally, female patients are susceptible to depression. Our findings may help identify CDDD patients with depression and anxiety in clinical practice.

The impact of smoking on response to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

To investigate the impact of smoking on disease activity, treatment retention, and response in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with their first tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi). AS patients who started their first TNFi treatment for the active axial disease (BASDAI ≥ 4) from TURKBIO Registry were included. Treatment response of smoker (current and ex-smokers) and nonsmoker (never smoker) patients were primarily evaluated as achievement of BASDAI50 or improvement in BASDAI at least 20 mm at 3 months and 6 months compared to baseline. There were 322 patients with AS (60% male, 59% smoker, mean age: 38.3 years). The median follow-up time was 2.8 years (Q1- Q3: 1.3-3.8), and disease duration was 3.5 years (Q1-Q3: 0.7-8.2). Smokers had male predominance (p < 0.001), lower ESR (p = 0.03), higher BASDAI (p = 0.02), BASFI (p = 0.05), HAQ-AS (p = 0.007), and ASDAS-CRP (p = 0.04) compared with nonsmokers at baseline. In the multivariate analysis, male gender [OR 2.7 (95%CI 1.4-5), p = 0.002], and concomitant conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use [OR 2.4 (95%CI 1.1-5.2), p = 0.03] were associated with better treatment response. There was an association of male gender [HR 2.4 (95%CI 1.6-3.7), p < 0.001], older age (≥30years) [HR 1.8 (95%CI 1.1-2.8), p = 0.01], and response to treatment [HR 1.8 (95%CI 1.2-2.9), p = 0.008] with better treatment retention. No impact of smoking status was found on treatment retention and response in univariate and multivariate analyses. This study suggested that smoking was associated with poorer patient-reported outcomes in biologic naïve AS patients initiating their first TNFi treatment, but it had no impact on the TNFi treatment response and retention rate.

Risk Factors Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes of Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolus.

Ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus (PM) tend to result in inferior clinical outcomes compared to other ankle fractures. However, it is unclear which specific risk factors and fracture characteristics are associated with negative outcomes in these fractures. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for poor postoperative patient-reported outcomes in patients with fractures involving the PM. This retrospective cohort study included patients who sustained ankle fractures involving the PM between March 2016 and July 2020 and had preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. In total, 122 patients were included for analysis. One patient (0.8%) had an isolated PM fracture, 19 (15.6%) had bimalleolar ankle fractures involving the PM, and 102 (83.6%) had trimalleolar fractures. Fracture characteristics including the Lauge-Hansen (LH) and Haraguchi classifications and posterior malleolar fragment size were collected from preoperative CT scans. Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. The association between various demographic and fracture characteristics with postoperative PROMIS scores was assessed. Involvement of more malleoli was associated with worse PROMIS Physical Function (P = .04), Global Physical Health (P = .04), and Global Mental Health (P < .001), and Depression scores (P = .001). Elevated BMI was also associated with worse PROMIS Physical Function (P = .0025), Pain Interference (P = .0013), and Global Physical Health (P = .012) scores. Time to surgery, fragment size, Haraguchi classification, and LH classification were not associated with PROMIS scores. In this cohort, we found that trimalleolar ankle fractures were associated with inferior PROMIS outcomes compared with bimalleolar ankle fractures involving the PM in multiple domains. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

A Qualitative Study of the Factors Influencing Patients' Experience of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in the United Kingdom.

Treatment of soft tissue sarcoma frequently involves extensive surgery, loss of mobility, and complex rehabilitation programs. Poorer patient-reported outcomes are reported in comparison to those from patients with other cancer types. Understanding patient experience is therefore important to support patients and improve care. The aim of this study was an in-depth exploration of patients' experience of being diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 68 patients with soft tissue sarcoma (59% female; aged 23-82 years). These were analyzed using adapted framework analysis. Two overarching themes explained the factors influencing patients' experiences: individual and social factors to manage the impact of soft tissue sarcoma; and context and processes of care. Access to professionals with sarcoma expertise and services in specialist hospitals had an impact on patients' well-being. Lack of access to specialist services and coordinated care were associated with worse experiences. These were influenced by age and support from family/friends/other patients and were crucial in patients' adaptation to living with and beyond a sarcoma diagnosis. We describe factors that both negatively and positively influenced the experience of patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Access to specialist soft tissue sarcoma and rehabilitation services and support tailored to patients' age and disease trajectory are needed to improve these experiences. Nurses are important for helping patients manage the long-term effects and directing them to supportive care services. Rehabilitation services need to be available and easily accessible.

Knee

The December 2022 Knee Roundup360 looks at: Effect of physical therapy versus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy: the ESCAPE trial at five years; Patellofemoral arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial; Rehabilitation versus surgical reconstruction for anterior cruciate ligament injury; End-stage knee osteoarthritis in Australia: the effect of obesity; Do poor patient-reported outcome measures at six months relate to knee revision?; What is the cost of nonoperative interventions for knee osteoarthritis?

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cancer Patients with HIV.

Elevated cancer-specific mortality in PWH has been demonstrated for non-AIDS-defining malignancies. However, additional clinical endpoints of interest, including patient-reported outcomes (PROs), have not been systematically examined in PWH and cancer. We evaluated differences in patient-reported symptomology between cancer patients with versus without HIV using data from 12,529 patients at the Moffitt Cancer Center, including 55 with HIV. The symptoms were assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), which asks patients to rank 12 symptoms on a scale of 1−10, with scores ≥7 considered severe. The responses across all questions were summed to create a composite score. Vital status through t July 2021 was determined through linkage to the electronic health record. PWH reported a higher composite ESAS score on average (44.4) compared to HIV-uninfected cancer patients (30.7, p-value < 0.01). In zero-inflated negative binomial regression models adjusted for cancer site, sex, and race, the composite ESAS scores and the count of severe symptoms were 1.41 times (95% CI: 1.13−1.77) and 1.45 times (95% CI: 1.09−1.93) higher, respectively, in cancer patients with HIV. Among PWH, higher ESAS scores were associated with mortality (p-value = 0.02). This is the first demonstration of uniquely poor PROs in PWH and cancer and suggests that patient symptom monitoring to improve clinical endpoints deserves further study.

Patellofemoral articular cartilage damage is associated with poorer patient-reported outcomes following isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of articular cartilage damage on outcomes following medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Record review identified 160 patients who underwent isolated MPFL reconstruction at a single institution between 2008 and 2016. Patient demographics, patellofemoral articular cartilage status at surgery, and patient anatomical measures from imaging were obtained via chart review. Patients were contacted and outcomes assessed through collection of Norwich Patellar Instability (NPI) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Marx activity score as well as an assessment for recurrent patellar dislocation. Outcomes of patients with grade 0-II patellofemoral cartilage damage were compared to those of patients with grade III-IV cartilage damage. One hundred twenty-two patients (76%) with a minimum of one year follow-up were contacted at a mean of 4.8years post-operatively. A total of 63 patients (52%) had grade III or IV patellofemoral chondral damage at the time of surgery. The majority of the defects was on the medial patella (46 patients-72%) and the mean patellar defect size was 2.8cm2. Among 93 patients who completed patient-reported outcome scores, the 52 with grade III or IV chondral damage reported a significantly poorer KOOS Quality of Life than the 44 patients with grade 0 to II chondral damage (p = 0.041), controlling for patient age, sex, BMI, and anatomical factors. Patients with grade III or IV articular cartilage damage of the patellofemoral joint at the time of MPFL reconstruction demonstrated poorer KOOS knee-related quality of life than patients without grade III or IV articular cartilage damage at a mean of 4.8years following isolated MPFL reconstruction. Level II.

Language Disparity Predicts Poor Patient-Reported Outcomes and Follow-Up in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction

INTRODUCTION: Limited English proficiency (LEP) has been associated with lower patient satisfaction, worse outcomes, and delay in seeking care. No study to date has examined LEP in plastic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery. METHODS: A review of all patients with abdominal-based microsurgical breast reconstruction at our institution between 2009 and 2019 was performed. Variables collected include patient demographics, preferred language, interpreter usage, postoperative clinic/ED visits, self-reported outcomes (Breast-Q), and postoperative complication. Statistical analysis was conducted using Pearson’s chi-square test, 2-tailed t-tests, odds ratio analysis, and multivariable regression modeling. RESULTS: In total, 405 patients were included, with 22.22% of patients identifying as LEP and 41.4% identifying as Hispanic; 75% of LEP patients used interpreter services. A 2-year, longitudinal analysis of patient-reported outcomes revealed that LEP-speaking patients reported significantly lower physical well-being scores than English-speaking patients. The chest physical well-being scores were 13.6 (95% CI 6.9–20.2) units lower, and the abdomen physical well-being scores were 19.6 (95% CI 11.7–27.6) units lower. Multivariable regression models demonstrated that LEP was significantly associated with 0.87 days longer length of stay (p = 0.006) and 1.58 fewer postoperative clinic visits (p = 0.041). Interestingly, within LEP cohort, interpreter use was associated with 1.89 more postoperative clinic visits when compared with those who did not use an interpreter (p = 0.027). There were no significant differences in emergency room visits or complication between proficient and LEP speakers. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that language disparity exists within microsurgical breast reconstruction and underscore the importance of effective, language-conscious communication.

Arthritis Severity and Medical Comorbidities Are Prognostic of Worse Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Patients With Concomitant Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis

To assess demographic factors, comorbidities, radiographic variables, and injury patterns as potential prognostic indicators of poor functional and patient-reported outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients with concomitant glenohumeral osteoarthritis. A retrospective review of consecutive patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis who underwent arthroscopic supraspinatus repairs between 2013 and 2018 with a minimum of 1-year follow up was performed. Demographic variables included age, tobacco use, alcohol use, diabetes, sex, hypercholesterolemia, and body mass index while injury patterns included partial- versus full-thickness tear, bicep tendon involvement, and osteoarthritis severity. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of visual analog pain scale (VAS), subjective shoulder value (SSV), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score as well as active range of motion (ROM) in forward flexion (FF) and external rotation (ER). Binary logistic regression was used to identifypredictors of repair failure as well as postoperative strength in FF and ER. In total, 91 patients (mean age61.48 ± 9.4 years) were identified with an average follow up of 26.3 ± 5.7 months. Repair failures occurred in 9.9% (9/91 patients) of the total cohort. Postoperative outcomes were significantly improved with regards to visual analog pain scale, subjective shoulder value, ASES score, ROM in FF, FF strength, and external rotation strength compared with preoperative baseline. Obesity (P= .023) and diabetes (P= .010) were significant independent predictors of greater pain scorespostoperatively. Obesity (P= .029) and tobacco use (P= .007) were significant predictors of lower ASES scores postoperatively. Finally, moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis was a significant risk factor for poor ROM and strength in FF postoperatively compared to mild osteoarthritis (P= .029). No variables were predictive of repair failure. Tobacco use, obesity, and diabetes are associated with worse pain and patient-reported outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the context of glenohumeral OA. In addition, moderate-to-severe OA is associated with worse strength and forward flexion compared to those with mild OA. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Accelerated rehabilitation program following medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction does not increase risk of recurrent instability

BackgroundRehabilitation protocols following medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction were historically restrictive, with patients often immobilized and/or given weightbearing restrictions. However, more recently published protocols have been more aggressive. We compared patient-reported outcomes and recurrent dislocation risk between patients treated with a restrictive rehabilitation program (early post-operative bracing and weightbearing restrictions) and an accelerated rehabilitation protocol (no post-operative bracing or weightbearing restrictions) following MPFL reconstruction. MethodsPatients who underwent isolated MPFL reconstruction at an academic center between 2008 and 2016 were identified. Patient demographics, anatomical measurements, surgical details, and outcomes were collected. During this period, the rehabilitation protocol at the center transitioned from a restrictive to an accelerated rehabilitation protocol. Failure risk and patient-reported outcomes were compared based on rehabilitation protocol. ResultsOf the163 isolated MPFL reconstructions performed during the study period, 123 (75%) were available for minimum one-year follow up at a mean of 4.0 years post-operative. Overall, 53 knees (43%) underwent the accelerated rehabilitation protocol and the remaining 70 knees (57%) underwent the restrictive protocol. There were 3 recurrent dislocations during the study period (2.4%), all of which occurred in the restrictive rehabilitation group. Multiple linear regression demonstrated that being in the accelerated rehabilitation group was not associated with poorer Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales controlling for age, sex, body mass index, Caton-Deschamps Index, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance, sulcus angle, MPFL graft choice, and length of follow-up. ConclusionAn accelerated rehabilitation protocol without immobilization or weightbearing restrictions does not increase risk of recurrent patellar dislocation or poorer patient-reported outcome following isolated MPFL reconstruction.

Are cultural or psychosocial factors associated with patient-reported outcomes at the conclusion of kidney transplant evaluation?

Kidney transplant evaluation (KTE) is a period marked by many stressors for patients, which may lead to poorer patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Research on the association of cultural and psychosocial factors with PROs during KTE is lacking, even though cultural and psychosocial variables may mitigate the relationship between acceptance status and PROs. Using a prospective cohort study of 955 adults referred for KTE, we examined whether cultural factors and psychosocial characteristics, assessed at the initiation of KTE, are associated with PROs at KTE completion, controlling for demographics and medical factors. Also, we analyzed whether these factors moderate the relationship between transplant acceptance status and PROs. In multivariable regression models, a stronger sense of mastery was associated with higher physical and mental QOL. A stronger sense of self-esteem was associated with higher kidney-specific QOL. Depression was associated with a lower mental QOL, but only in those who were accepted for transplant. Having low levels of external locus of control was associated with better mental QOL in those who were not accepted for transplant. Higher anxiety was associated with poorer kidney-specific QOL among those who were not accepted for KT, but trust in physician was only associated with greater satisfaction in transplant clinic service for those who were accepted for KT. Targeting interventions to increase patient mastery and external locus of control, and reduce depression and anxiety in patients undergoing kidney transplant evaluation may be useful approaches to improve their experience during this stressful period.

Evaluating methodological quality of prognostic prediction models on patient reported outcome measurements after total hip replacement and total knee replacement surgery: a systematic review protocol

BackgroundPrediction models for poor patient-reported surgical outcomes after total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) may provide a method for improving appropriate surgical care for hip and knee osteoarthritis. There are concerns about methodological issues and the risk of bias of studies producing prediction models. A critical evaluation of the methodological quality of prediction modelling studies in THR and TKR is needed to ensure their clinical usefulness. This systematic review aims to (1) evaluate and report the quality of risk stratification and prediction modelling studies that predict patient-reported outcomes after THR and TKR; (2) identify areas of methodological deficit and provide recommendations for future research; and (3) synthesise the evidence on prediction models associated with post-operative patient-reported outcomes after THR and TKR surgeries.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL electronic databases will be searched to identify relevant studies. Title and abstract and full-text screening will be performed by two independent reviewers. We will include (1) prediction model development studies without external validation; (2) prediction model development studies with external validation of independent data; (3) external model validation studies; and (4) studies updating a previously developed prediction model. Data extraction spreadsheets will be developed based on the CHARMS checklist and TRIPOD statement and piloted on two relevant studies. Study quality and risk of bias will be assessed using the PROBAST tool. Prediction models will be summarised qualitatively. Meta-analyses on the predictive performance of included models will be conducted if appropriate. A narrative review will be used to synthesis the evidence if there are insufficient data to perform meta-analyses.DiscussionThis systematic review will evaluate the methodological quality and usefulness of prediction models for poor outcomes after THR or TKR. This information is essential to provide evidence-based healthcare for end-stage hip and knee osteoarthritis. Findings of this review will contribute to the identification of key areas for improvement in conducting prognostic research in this field and facilitate the progress in evidence-based tailored treatments for hip and knee osteoarthritis.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO registration number CRD42021271828.

Paper 51: Multiple Prior Dislocations Lead to Poorer Outcomes of Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objectives:Patellar dislocation is a common knee injury and up to 35% who dislocate can develop recurrent patellar instability. In the setting of recurrent instability, medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) often restores knee stability. There has been recent interest in the evaluation of patient and surgical factors that may influence the outcomes of isolated MPFLR. Much of the previous work has focused on influences of anatomical measures; however, patient and injury characteristics may also impact surgical outcomes. We hypothesize that patients who suffer > 2 patellar dislocations prior to MPFLR will demonstrate poorer patient-reported outcomes (PROs) than those who experience ≤ 2 prior dislocations.Methods:Records were reviewed to identify patients who underwent MPFLR at a single academic institution in the United States between 2008 and 2016. Patients were excluded if they underwent concomitant tibial tubercle osteotomy or fixation of an osteochondral fracture. Patient demographics (age, sex, BMI), number of prior patellar dislocations, and patient anatomical measures (Caton-Deschamps index, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance, and trochlear sulcus angle) were collected. PROs were assessed with Norwich Patellar Instability (NPI) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Marx activity score. Outcomes of those with > 2 or ≤ 2 patellar dislocations were compared using linear regression analysis.Results:A total of 160 patients were identified who underwent isolated MPFLR. Ninety-five patients (60%) were available to complete PROs at a mean follow-up of 4.8 years post-operation. Patients with < 2 dislocations were younger (≤ 2 dislocations: 20.7 ± 9.4yrs, > 2 dislocations: 27.4 ± 9.4yrs; p < 0.001), though there were no other differences between groups in terms of demographics or radiographic anatomical measures (Table 1). Controlling for age, sex, BMI, and anatomical factors linear regression analysis found that patients with > 2 dislocations had lower KOOS pain (p = 0.003), ADLs (p = 0.025), Sports/rec (p = 0.009), and knee related QOL (p = 0.008) subscales (Table 2).Conclusions:Patients who suffer > 2 patellar dislocations prior to MPFLR demonstrate poorer PROs at 4.8 years post-operation than those who suffer < 2 dislocations prior to surgery. To our knowledge, no other study has investigated the relationship between the number of pior patellar dislocations and outcomes following MPFLR. Our findings emphasize the role patient and injury factors may play in determining outcomes following MPFLR.Table 1.Comparison of patients based on number of prior dislocations controlling for age, sex, BMI, CDI, TT-TG distance, and sulcus angleTable 2.PROs for patients with ≤ 2 or > 2 patellar dislocations prior to MPFLR, controlling for age, sex, BMI, CDI, TT-TG distance, and sulcus angle

Poster 239: Limb Malalignment Fails to Influence Clinical Outcomes of Meniscal Repair

Objectives:Lower limb malalignment causes differences in tibiofemoral contact pressures and may influence outcomes following meniscal repair. Our objective was to evaluate clinical outcomes of meniscal repair in malaligned knees to determine if limb malalignment portends an inferior outcome. We hypothesized that medial meniscus repairs performed in varus knees and lateral meniscus repairs performed in valgus knees would result in poorer patient-reported outcomes when compared to a neutrally aligned knee.Methods:Patients who underwent meniscal repair at a single institution between 2006 and 2018 were identified by retrospective chart review. Patients between the ages of 18 and 65 with full-length weight bearing lower limb radiographs were included. Patients with varus alignment (> 3 degrees) and a medial meniscus repair, or valgus alignment (>3 degrees) and a lateral meniscus repair were considered “at-risk”. Outcomes were assessed through identification of additional surgery on the index meniscus and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs): Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Marx activity score, and International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score (IKDC). Failure rates and PROMs were compared between the at-risk and not at risk groups.Results:A total of 58 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 1.6 years. A total of 12 patients were classified as “at-risk”. Repeat surgery on the index meniscus was performed in 1 of 12 “at risk” patients (8.3%) and 7 of 46 (15.2%) in the “not at risk” group (p = 1.00). There were no significant differences between the two groups in KOOS subscales: pain (82.8 vs 85.6, p = 0.55), symptoms (78.2 vs 80.8, p = 0.64), ADLs (88.4 vs 92.9, p = 0.27), Sport/Rec Function (63.8 vs 69.2, p = 0.57), or QOL (58.9 vs 62.3, p = 0.69). There was also no difference in IKDC score (66.9 vs 72.5, p = 0.41) or Marx score (4.2 vs 5.0, p = 0.63) between the two groups.Conclusions:Pre-operative knee malalignment does not appear to negatively influence clinical outcomes of meniscal repair when compared to normal knee alignment.Table 1.Patient-Reported Outcome Scores

Laparoscopic revision paraesophageal hernia repair: a 16-year experience at a single institution.

Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair (PEHr) is a safe and effective procedure for relieving foregut symptoms associated with paraesophageal hernias (PEH). Nonetheless, it is estimated that about 30-50% of patients will have symptomatic recurrence requiring additional surgical intervention. Revision surgery is technically demanding and may be associated with a higher rate of morbidity and poor patient-reported outcomes. We present the largest study of perioperative and quality-of-life outcomes among patients who underwent laparoscopic revision PEHr. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic revision paraesophageal hernia repair between February 2003 and October 2019, at a single institution was conducted. All revisions of Type I hiatal hernias were excluded. The following validated surveys were used to evaluate quality-of-life outcomes: Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health-Related QOL (GERD-HRQL). Patient demographic, perioperative, and quality-of-life (QOL) data wereanalyzed using univariate analysis. One hundred ninety patients were included in the final analysis (63.2% female, 90.5% single revision, 9.5% multiple revisions) with a mean age, BMI, and age-adjusted Charlson score of 56.6 ± 14.7years, 29.7 ± 5.7kg/m2, and 2.04 ± 1.9, respectively. The study cohort consisted of type II (49.5%), III (46.3%), and IV hiatal hernia (4.2%), respectively. Most patients underwent either a complete (68.7%) or partial (27.7%) fundoplication. A Collis gastroplasty was performed in 14.7% of patients. The median follow-up was 17.6months. The overall morbidity and mortality rate were 15.8% and 1.1%, respectively. The 30-day readmission rate was 9.5%. Additionally, at latest follow-up 47.9% remained on antireflux medication. At latest follow-up, there was significant improvement in mean RSI score (46.4%, p < 0.001) from baseline within the study population. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in QOL between patients who had a history of an initial repair only or history of revision surgery at latest review. The overall recurrence rate was 16.3% with 6.3% requiring a surgical revision. Laparoscopic revision PEHr is associated with a low rate of morbidity and mortality. Revision surgery may provide improvement in QOL outcomes, despite the high rate of long-term antireflux medication use. The rate of recurrent paraesophageal hernia remains low with few patients requiring a second revision. However, longer follow-up is needed to better characterize the long-term recurrence rate and symptomatic improvements.