Short Form-36 Mental Component Summary Scores Research Articles

PSAT101 Impaired Muscle Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion

Abstract Background Cushing syndrome (CS) is recognized to have multisystem morbidity, but data on the effect of mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) are limited. We hypothesized that MACS is associated with impairments in objective measures of muscle strength and self-reported measures of physical and mental functioning. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort of patients with confirmed hypercortisolism enrolled between 8/01/2019 and 12/31/2021. MACS was defined as serum cortisol greater than 1.8 mcg/dL after the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and lack of typical signs and symptoms of CS. Clinical outcomes were assessed prior to intervention. We measured hand grip strength with hand grip dynamometer and lower extremity muscle function with the chair rise test (number of sit-to-stands completed in 30 seconds). We assessed health-related quality of life with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Performance was reported using age- and sex-adjusted z-scores based on normative data from the USA population. Results A total of 81 patients with MACS (median age 55 years, 49% women) and 85 patients with CS (median age 48 years, 51% women—adrenal CS in 14, pituitary CS in 62, and ectopic CS in 9) were enrolled. In the MACS cohort, median cortisol following 1 mg DST was 3.4 µg/dL (IQR 2.6-5.7), DHEA-S 37.0 µg/dL (IQR 21.5-58.5), ACTH 8.1 pg/mL (IQR, 5.6-13.0; normal 10-60), and 24-hour urinary cortisol 25.0 µg/24h (IQR 15.8-43.3, normal <45). In the CS cohort, median cortisol following 1 mg DST was 11.2 µg/dL (IQR 5.1-15.3), 24-hour urinary cortisol 156.0 µg/24h (IQR 65.5-356.5), and late-night salivary cortisol 251.0 ng/dL (IQR 158.8-430.3; normal <100). Z-scores for hand grip strength (0.13 ± 1.1 vs. 0.07 ± 1.1, p=0.73) and chair rise test performance (-0.25 ± 1.3 vs. -0.39 ± 2.0, p=0.63) were similar between patients with MACS and those with CS. On the SF-36 questionnaire, z-scores for all subdomains were negative in both groups. Patients with CS had lower z-scores on physical functioning (-1.71 ± 1.38 vs. -0.97 ± 1.44, p=0.001), role-physical limitation (-1.75 ± 1.19 vs. -1.15 ± 1.17 p =0.002), general health (-1.54 ± 1.16 vs. -1.03 ± 1.07, p=0.004), social functioning (-1.59 ± 1.27 vs. -0.97 ± 1.28, p= 0.002), and vitality subdomains (-1.67 ± 0.87 vs. -1.28 ± 1.11, p=0.01), but similar physical and mental component summary scores compared to patients with MACS. Chair rise test performance correlated with physical but not mental component summary scores. Conclusions Patients with MACS have impaired chair rise test performance and health-related quality of life when compared to the general age and sex specific population. Remarkably, when compared to patients with CS, patients with MACS had no significant differences in muscle strength, SF-36 physical component summary score, or SF-36 mental component summary score. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Association of Health Status Metrics with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Atrial Arrhythmias.

The prognostic value of health status metrics in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) and atrial arrhythmias is unclear. In this retrospective cohort study of an ongoing national, multicenter registry (PROTECT-AR, NCT03854149), ACHD patients with atrial arrhythmias on apixaban are included. At baseline, health metrics were assessed using the physical component summary (PCS), the mental component summary (MCS) of the Short-Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, and the modified European Heart Rhythm Association (mEHRA) score. Patients were divided into groups according to their SF-36 PCS and MCS scores, using the normalized population mean of 50 on the PCS and MCS as a threshold. The primary outcome was the composite of mortality from any cause, major thromboembolic events, major/clinically relevant non-major bleedings, or hospitalizations. Multivariable Cox-regression analyses using clinically relevant parameters (age greater than 60 years, anatomic complexity, ejection fraction of the systemic ventricle, and CHA₂DS₂-VASc and HAS-BLED scores) were performed to examine the association of health metrics with the composite outcome. Over a median follow-up period of 20 months, the composite outcome occurred in 50 of 158 (32%) patients. The risk of the outcome was significantly higher in patients with SF-36 PCS ≤ 50 compared with those with PCS > 50 (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–3.84; p = 0.04) after adjusting for possible confounders. The SF-36 MCS ≤ 50 was not associated with the outcome. The mEHRA score was incrementally associated with a higher risk of the composite outcome (aHR = 1.44 per 1 unit increase in score; 95% CI, 1.03–2.00; p = 0.03) in multivariable analysis. In ACHD patients with atrial arrhythmias, the SF-36 PCS ≤ 50 and mEHRA scores predicted an increased risk of adverse events.

Evaluating the Functional and Psychological Outcomes Following Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BackgroundA fall after total hip arthroplasty (THA) that results in a periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPF) can have devastating functional and psychological consequences in older adults. There are few studies that have evaluated both functional and psychological outcomes of PPF post-THA in the same cohort.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 130 people who underwent revision THA between 2005 and 2019 due to PPF. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC), Harris Hip Score (HHS), and Short Form-12 (SF-12) assessed physical function, hip joint function, and psychological well-being, respectively. Descriptive statistics using means and standard deviation or frequencies and percentages were used to define the sample. The association between baseline demographic, clinical, and surgical factors on WOMAC, HHS, and SF-12 scores at 1-year post-PPF surgery was modelled using multivariable linear regression. The mean age (n = 130) was 80.6 ± 9.0 years, and 55.4% (n = 72) were female. The mortality rate was 15.4% (n = 20) at 1-year post-PPF surgery. One-year follow-up data were available for 35.4% (n = 46) of patients.ResultsThe WOMAC (n = 37), HHS (n = 32), and SF-12 mental component summary (n = 46) scores at 1-year post-PPF surgery were 67.9 ± 20.3, 78.3 ± 15.0, and 52.7 ± 9.1, respectively. No significant association was found among age, gender, previous history of lower extremity surgery, Vancouver classification, and femoral bone grafting on WOMAC, HHS, and SF-12 scores.ConclusionsOur study found that patients with PPF have fair hip joint function, poor physical function and psychological well-being, and a high mortality rate at 1-year post-PPF surgery.

Sex Differences in End-Stage Ankle Arthritis and Following Total Ankle Replacement or Ankle Arthrodesis.

We investigated the influence of sex on patient-reported outcomes preoperatively and following total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis. Patients who had undergone total ankle replacement or ankle arthrodesis for the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis and who had ≥2 years of follow-up were identified from the Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Prospective Ankle Reconstruction Database. Standard surgical techniques and implantation methods were followed, and STAR, Hintegra, Mobility, and Agility prostheses were used. Data were collected on patient demographics, revisions, secondary procedures, complications, Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) scores, Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores, and expectations and satisfaction. Statistical analyses included 3-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression models controlling for inflammatory arthritis, age, preoperative scores, and surgery type. The study included 872 patients: 629 who had undergone total ankle replacement (316 men, 313 women) and 243 who had undergone ankle arthrodesis (154 men, 89 women). The mean duration of follow-up (and standard deviation) was 4.9 ± 2.4 and 4.0 ± 1.9 years for the total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis groups, respectively. Men were older than women (p ≤ 0.001). In both the total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis groups, women had higher AOS pain scores (i.e., more pain) than men preoperatively (p < 0.05). Pain was reduced significantly in both sexes postoperatively (p < 0.05), with no significant difference between sexes. In both the total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis groups, women had higher AOS disability scores (i.e., more disability) and lower SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores (i.e., worse function) than men both preoperatively and postoperatively (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, AOS disability and SF-36 PCS scores improved significantly from baseline in both sexes (p < 0.001). After controlling for covariates, sex was not a significant predictor of postoperative SF-36 MCS (Mental Component Summary), AOS pain, or AOS disability scores (p > 0.05) but explained 0.5% of variance in SF-36 PCS scores (p = 0.03). Sex did not significantly influence preoperative expectations or postoperative satisfaction. When patients with inflammatory arthritis were excluded, preoperative and postoperative outcome measures, expectations, and satisfaction were similar. Men and women with end-stage ankle arthritis benefited from total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis with similar magnitudes of improvement. Small differences in pain and function between men and women undergoing total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis mostly disappeared when controlling for potential confounding variables. Both total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis remain good options for men and women with end-stage ankle arthritis. Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Economic Benefit from Improvements in Quality of Life with Upadacitinib: Comparisons with Tofacitinib and Methotrexate in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

IntroductionTo compare the economic benefit of upadacitinib combination therapy versus tofacitinib combination therapy and upadacitinib monotherapy versus methotrexate monotherapy from improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsData were analyzed from two trials of upadacitinib (SELECT-NEXT and SELECT-MONOTHERAPY) and one trial of tofacitinib (ORAL-Standard) that collected HRQOL measurements using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey in patients with RA. Direct medical costs per patient per month (PPPM) for patients receiving upadacitinib 15 mg once daily and methotrexate were derived from observed SF-36 Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores in the SELECT trials using a regression algorithm. Direct medical costs PPPM for patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily were obtained from a published analysis of SF-36 PCS and MCS scores observed in the ORAL-Standard trial. Short-term (12–14 weeks) and long-term (48 weeks) estimates of direct medical costs PPPM were compared between upadacitinib and tofacitinib and between upadacitinib and methotrexate.ResultsOver 12 weeks, direct medical costs PPPM were $252 lower (95% CI $72, $446) for upadacitinib-treated patients versus tofacitinib-treated patients. Medical costs PPPM at weeks 24 and 48 and cumulative costs over the entire 48-week period (difference $1759; 95% CI $1162, $2449) were significantly lower for upadacitinib than for tofacitinib. Over 14 weeks, direct medical costs PPPM were $399 lower (95% CI $158, $620) for patients treated with upadacitinib monotherapy compared with those treated with methotrexate alone. Direct medical costs at week 48 and cumulative costs over the entire 48-week period (difference $2044; 95% CI $1221, $2846) were significantly lower for upadacitinib monotherapy compared with methotrexate alone.ConclusionIn the short and long term, upadacitinib combination therapy versus tofacitinib combination therapy and upadacitinib monotherapy versus methotrexate monotherapy were associated with significantly lower direct medical costs for patients with RA.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02675426, NCT02706951, and NCT00853385.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01930-4.

REAL-WORLD PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES USING SF-12 AND EMPHASIS-10 IN PATIENTS RECEIVING ORAL TREPROSTINIL: INTERIM ANALYSIS FROM THE ADAPT REGISTRY

REAL-WORLD PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES USING SF-12 AND EMPHASIS-10 IN PATIENTS RECEIVING ORAL TREPROSTINIL: INTERIM ANALYSIS FROM THE ADAPT REGISTRY

Therapist-oriented home rehabilitation for adults with sickle cell anemia: effects on muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life

ABSTRACT Objectives Considering the advances in functional rehabilitation in recent decades, therapist-oriented home rehabilitation (TOHR) has been increasingly used in the field of physical therapy because it increases patient compliance and reduces health system costs. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of TOHR on functional capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life (QoL) in adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Methods Forty adults with SCA underwent manually guided TOHR for 12 weeks. Before and at the end of training, the following variables were assessed in the participants: distance covered in the 6-min walk test (6MWD); maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP); maximal expiratory pressure (MEP); handgrip strength (HGS); quadriceps strength (QS); and QoL using the Short Form-36 physical component summary (SF-36PCS) and the Short Form-36 mental component summary (SF-36MCS). Results After TOHR, significant increases were observed in the mean values for the 6MWD, MIP, MEP, HGS, QS, and SF-36PCS and SF-36MCS scores. The relative delta between the pre- and post-TOHR 6MWDs correlated significantly with the relative deltas of MIP (rs = 0.640, p < 0.0001), MEP (rs = 0.587, p < 0.0001), HGS (rs = 0.360, p = 0.022), and QS (rs = 0.351, p = 0.026). When the participants were separated according to their use of hydroxyurea, significant increases were observed in the relative deltas of the 6MWD, MIP and MEP values. Conclusions This study shows that TOHR can potentially increase functional capacity, muscle strength, and QoL in adults with SCA. Furthermore, there appears to be a relationship between 6MWD gains and muscle strength gains with TOHR. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04705792.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with AL Amyloidosis Treated with Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide, and Dexamethasone: Results from the Phase 3 Andromeda Study

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with AL Amyloidosis Treated with Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide, and Dexamethasone: Results from the Phase 3 Andromeda Study

A Validation of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for Cervical Spine Surgery.

Retrospective. The purpose of this study is to evaluate depressive symptoms as measured by the PHQ-9 survey and correlated them with scores from the SF-12 and VR-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS). With the rising incidence of depression and the need to identify modifiable risk factors before surgery, it is increasingly important to screen for preoperative depressive symptoms in spine surgery. Although the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) has favorable characteristics as a depressive symptom screening instrument, it has not been evaluated within cervical spine surgery. A prospectively maintained surgical registry was reviewed for patients undergoing single or multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc replacement (CDR) from March 2016 until May 2019. Included patients underwent a procedure for degenerative spinal pathology. We collected demographic, baseline, and perioperative variables. The mean scores for postoperative PHQ-9, Short Form-12 (SF-12), and Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) surveys were calculated, and an average change between preoperative and postoperative scores. Scatterplots depicted the association of SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS with PHQ-9. We evaluated the relationship of PHQ-9 with SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS scores by calculating a Pearson correlation coefficient and time-independent partial correlation coefficient. One hundred fifty-two patients underwent single or multilevel level cervical spine surgery (ACDF: 73% and CDR: 27%). The average age was 42.4 and 39% were female. Compared to preoperative scores, significant increases were observed among postoperative PHQ-9, SF-12, and VR-12 MCS surveys (P ≤ 0.001). We observed strong correlations between SF-12 and VR-12 MCS with PHQ-9 scores for both assessed correlations. Patients undergoing ACDF or CDR demonstrated significant improvement with PHQ-9, SF-12 MCS, and VR-12 MCS instruments. PHQ-9 scores strongly correlated with SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS. Our findings indicate PHQ-9 is a valid tool to evaluate pre and postsurgical depressive symptoms. 4.

Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life After Total Ankle Arthroplasty Compares Well With Other Successful Orthopaedic and Nonorthopaedic Procedures.

Background. Ankle arthritis is a major cause of disability. Orthopaedic literature suggests improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). This has not been compared with improvements observed in successful orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic procedures, including anterior cervical discectomy/fusion (ACDF), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). We hypothesize that the effects after TAA are comparable to several successful surgical procedures. Methods. 500 consecutive TAA patients were included and grouped with 2 other large series. Short Form-36 (SF36) were collected at standardized intervals. A systematic literature review identified studies comparing preoperative and postoperative SF36 physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Using meta-analyses, we pooled the data for each procedure to compare with the TAA group. Results. Patients in all cohorts had preoperative SF36 MCS and PCS scores that were significantly lower than that in the general population. Improvements in HRQOL after TAA were not statistically different from improvements reported in PCS and MCS after ACDF, TKA, and OLT. However, improvement in PCS after TAA was better than that observed after CABG. Conclusions. Disability with ankle arthritis is severe. Disability associated with cervical disc disease, knee arthrosis, coronary artery disease, and liver failure is also severe, with surgical intervention providing major improvements in HRQOL postoperatively. The improvement in HRQOL after TAA did not differ statistically from ACDF, TKA, CABG, and OLT. Our investigation suggests that the HRQOL benefits of TAA meet benchmarks set by some of modern medicine's best.Levels of Evidence: Level III: Systematic review.

Validity of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Retrospective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among patients undergoing minimally invasive (MIS) lumbar interbody fusion. Few studies have evaluated the utility and concurrent validity of the PHQ-9 survey in patients undergoing spinal procedures. Patients undergoing a one- or two-level MIS lumbar interbody fusion were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-reported outcome surveys were completed preoperatively and at 6-week, 12-week, 6-month, and 1-year timepoints. Postoperative survey scores were compared to preoperative values using paired t tests. PHQ-9 scores were compared with the Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores of the Short Form-12 (SF-12) and the Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) surveys at each timepoint using the Pearson correlation coefficient. A total of 215 patients were included in the analysis. The mean preoperative scores for the PHQ-9, SF-12 MCS, and VR-12 MCS were 6.78, 49.55, and 50.39, respectively. Significant improvements in each survey outcome measure were observed at all postoperative timepoints. Strong correlations with PHQ-9 scores were identified for SF-12 MCS scores and VR-12 MCS scores at preoperative and postoperative timepoints (|r| ≥ 0.5 and P < 0.05 for each). This study demonstrated that mental health, as measured by the PHQ-9, SF-12 MCS, and VR-12 MCS surveys, improves significantly after MIS lumbar fusion. In addition, PHQ-9 scores were strongly correlated with SF-12 and VR-12 scores. These results suggest that PHQ-9 can be a valid assessment of baseline mental health and postoperative improvement after MIS lumbar fusion. Concordant results among PHQ-9, SF-12 MCS, and VR-12 indicate that the simultaneous utilization of multiple survey instruments may not be necessary. Limiting the number of questionnaires that are administered in the evaluation of mental health could also help reduce survey burden placed on patients. 3.

Changes in health-related quality of life with intensive behavioural therapy combined with liraglutide 3.0 mg per day.

This study examined the effects of intensive behavioural therapy (IBT) for obesity (IBT-alone), IBT plus liraglutide 3.0 mg/day (IBT-liraglutide), and IBT-liraglutide combined with 12 weeks of a portion-controlled diet (Multicomponent) on changes in general health-related (HR) quality of life (QoL) and weight-related QoL. Adults with obesity (79.3% female; 54.0% white; 44.7% black; mean age = 47.6 ± 11.8 years and body mass index = 38.4 ± 4.9 kg/m2 ) were randomized to IBT-alone (n = 50), IBT-liraglutide (n = 50) or Multicomponent (n = 50). General HRQoL was measured with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and weight-related QoL was assessed with the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite scale. At week 52, participants in the three groups lost 6.1 ± 1.3%, 11.5 ± 1.3% and 11.8 ± 1.3% of initial body weight, respectively. Both liraglutide-treated groups were significantly more likely than IBT-alone to achieve clinically meaningful improvements in total weight-related QoL. They also both achieved greater improvements than IBT-alone in weight-related public distress and in general mental health, as measured by the SF-36 mental component summary score. Independent of treatment group, greater categorical weight loss was associated with greater improvements in several domains of both general and weight-related QoL. The addition of liraglutide to IBT appeared to improve aspects of both general HRQoL and weight-related QoL.

Predictors of patient satisfaction after reverse shoulder arthroplasty

The aims of this study were to determine patient satisfaction and to identify predictors of satisfaction after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). We hypothesized that the majority of patients would be satisfied after RSA and that patients with worse preoperative mental and physical health would be less satisfied. Satisfaction was assessed 2 years after primary RSA with domains for pain, work, activities, quality of life, and overall satisfaction. Preoperative and postoperative patient-reported factors were measured using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, Shoulder Activity Scalescore, Short Form 12 (SF-12) mental and physical component summary scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain, fatigue, and general health scores. Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship between patient-reported factors and satisfaction. Multivariate regression was performed to control for potential confounding variables. A total of 161 patients were evaluated at 2 years postoperatively. Patients were "very satisfied" in an average of 3.3 of the 5 domains. Improvements in ASES, Shoulder Activity Scale, VAS pain, and SF-12 physical component summary scores were associated with higher satisfaction, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.27 to 0.49. On multivariate analysis, patients with higher preoperative ASES scores were less satisfied after surgery (P = .005). In addition, patients with worse VAS fatigue (P = .011) and SF-12 mental (P = .034) and physical (0.011) component summary scores preoperatively had lower satisfaction. Improvements in pain and outcome scores are associated with increased satisfaction. Patients with higher shoulder function, worse physical health, and worse mental health prior to surgery are more likely to have lower satisfaction after RSA.

The benefit of adding a physiotherapy or occupational therapy intervention programme to a standardized group-based interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic widespread pain: a randomized active-controlled non-blinded trial

Objective: To evaluate the benefit of adding occupational therapy or physiotherapy interventions to a standard rehabilitation programme targeted for chronic widespread pain. Design: Randomized active-controlled non-blinded trial. Subjects: Women with chronic widespread pain recruited in a tertiary outpatient clinic. Methods: Participants were randomized to a two-week, group-based standard rehabilitation programme followed by 16 weeks of group-based occupational therapy (Group BOT, n = 43) or 16 weeks of group-based physiotherapy (Group BPT, n = 42). Group A only received the two-week rehabilitation programme acting as comparator (n = 96). Outcomes: Primary outcomes were the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and Short Form-36 (SF36) Mental Component Summary score. Results: Mean changes in motor and process ability measures were clinically and statistically insignificant and without differences across the three groups assessed 88 weeks from baseline. Motor ability measures: −0.006 (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.244 to 0.233) in Group BOT; −0.045 (95% CI: −0.291 to 0.202) in Group BPT; and −0.017 (95% CI: −0.248 to 0.213) in Group A, P = 0.903. Process ability measures: 0.087 (95% CI: −0.056 to 0.231) in Group BOT; 0.075 (95% CI: −0.075 to 0.226) in Group BPT; and 0.072 (95% CI: −0.067 to 0.211) in Group A, P = 0.924. Mean changes in patient-reported outcomes were likewise small; clinically and statistically insignificant; and independent of group allocation, except for the SF36 mental component summary score in the BPT group: 8.58 (95% CI: 1.75 to 15.41). Conclusion: Participants were on average stable in observation-based measures of functional ability and patient-reported outcomes, except in overall mental well-being, favouring the enhanced intervention. Efficacy of additional interventions on functional ability remains uncertain.

Minimum clinically important difference in outcome scores among patients undergoing cervical laminoplasty.

Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) represents the smallest change in an outcome measure recognized as clinically meaningful to a patient and is one of the most important psychometric parameters for assessing the postoperative results of spinal surgery. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate MCIDs for four common outcome measures used for degenerative cervical myelopathy in the context of patients undergoing laminoplasty. We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of cervical laminoplasties in a single academic institution. Pre- and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ), Short Form-36 (SF-36), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and EuroQOL (EQ-5D) scores were obtained. Patients were also asked to answer the anchor question regarding satisfaction with treatment, and the anchor-based method was used to determine cut-off values for MCIDs. A total of 101 patients were included in the analysis. All outcome scores showed significant improvement postoperatively, with the exception of JOACMEQ bladder function score and SF-36 mental component summary score. Most patients (66%) were at least "somewhat satisfied" with treatment results. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed MCIDs of 2.5 for JOACEMQ cervical spine function, 13.0 for upper extremity function, 9.35 for lower extremity function, 9.5 for QOL, 3.9 for SF-36 physical component summary score, 4.2 for NDI, and 0.0485 for EQ-5D. The MCIDs of four outcome measures were determined for patients undergoing cervical laminoplasty. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Factors related to health-related quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis, overall and stratified by sex

BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) begins early in life and often leads to reduced physical function, but less is known about the impacts it has on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aims of this study were to assess HRQoL using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) in a cohort of patients with AS compared with controls and to examine associations between SF-36 scores and spinal radiographic changes, physical function, disease activity and demographic data overall and stratified by sex.MethodsA cohort of patients with AS from Western Sweden were assessed using the Modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) with spinal radiographs, clinical examination and questionnaires, including the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global (BASG) and SF-36. Each patient’s SF-36 results were compared with those of five age-matched and sex-matched persons (n = 1055) from the SF-36 Swedish normative population database. Associations between SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores and disease-related and demographic factors were investigated using univariate and multivariable ogistic regression analyses with PCS and MCS below/above their respective median values as dependent variables.ResultsA total of 210 patients, age (median, IQR) 49.0 (21.2) years, symptom duration 24.0 (21.0) years, men 57.6% and HLAB27 87.1% were included. Patients with AS scored significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to controls in all SF-36 domains and component summaries; PCS 42.4 (14.5) in AS versus 52.4 (11.8) in controls and MCS 47.9 (20.0) in AS versus 54.1 (10.1) in controls. Both men and women scored significantly lower in PCS compared with MCS. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that living without a partner (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.00–5.67), long symptom duration (year in decade OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.16–2.37), higher BASFI (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.46–2.70) and ASDAS ≥ 2.1 (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.45–7.62) were associated with worse PCS, while living without a partner (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.34–6.91), fatigue (visual analogue scale for global fatigue greater than the median (OR 6.36, 95% CI 3.06–13.19) and ASDAS ≥ 2.1 (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.41–6.25) with worse MCS. Some differences between sexes were observed in the results.ConclusionsThe patients with AS had significantly lower HRQoL compared with controls. PCS was more affected compared to MCS in both sexes. Both disease-related and demographic factors were associated with HRQoL, partly overlapping for PCS and MCS. Factors associated with HRQoL showed some differences between sexes. By modifying factors, such as ASDAS-CRP and fatigue, HRQoL may potentially be improved.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00858819. Registered on 9 March 2009. Last updated on 28 May 2015.

The Impact of Endometriosis on Quality of Life in Adolescents

PurposeWhile endometriosis is recognized to have a high patient burden for adults, the level of morbidity it causes for adolescents has been understudied, and may be minimized by clinicians. The purpose of this study was to determine whether endometriosis has a significant impact on quality of life (QOL) for adolescents and young adults. MethodsFive hundred and sixty-seven participants (360 cases and 207 controls) aged <25 years old who are enrolled in the Women's Health Study: From Adolescence to Adulthood longitudinal study were included in this analysis. Participants were enrolled from medical clinics and the communities surrounding Boston, MA. Participants completed an expanded World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonization Project standard clinical questionnaire that included the Short Form-36 (SF-36), a widely used measure of health-related QOL. We calculated SF-36 physical component summary and mental component summary scores, as well as eight subscale scores. On the SF-36, lower scores reflect greater impairment. ResultsAdolescents with endometriosis had significantly lower physical component summary (mean [standard deviation]: 43.4 [11.1] vs. 53.8 [7.6], p < .0001) and mental component summary (43.3 [12.3] vs. 46.3 [10.8], p = .008) scores compared to controls, as well as lower scores on all eight subscales. More cases than controls reported mental health diagnoses, pain medication use, and avoidance of exercise during menstruation. Among cases, earlier age at menarche, more severe pelvic pain, and longer duration of diagnostic delay were associated with poorer QOL. ConclusionsEndometriosis is associated with significantly worse reports of QOL for adolescents and young women with endometriosis compared to unaffected peers. Earlier menarche was associated with poorer physical health-related QOL among cases, whereas severe pelvic pain was associated with both poorer physical and mental health-related QOL among cases. Impairment in QOL is not limited to adults with endometriosis, but affects younger patients as well.

Preoperative Mental Health Score and Postoperative Outcome After Hallux Valgus Surgery.

Preoperative mental health status as a predictor of operative outcome has been a growing area of interest. In this paper, the correlation between preoperative mental health status and postoperative functional outcome following scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus correction was explored. Parameters were tabulated preoperatively and postoperatively at a minimum of 1-year follow-up. They included the Short Form 36 (SF-36), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score, hallux valgus angle (HVA), and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) measurements and the visual analog score (VAS) to quantify pain. SF-36 mental component summary (MCS) score was used as a surrogate for patient's mental health status. Seventy-six consecutive cases were analyzed at a minimum of 1-year follow-up. There were significant improvements in all 8 domains of the SF-36, with the mean MCS score increasing from 52.3 ± 7.6 preoperatively to 55.7 ± 6.8 postoperatively. Preoperative MCS scores were not correlated to changes in AOFAS score, PCS score, VAS pain score, HVA or IMA. Preoperative MCS was observed to be correlated to postoperative AOFAS ( r = 0.381, P = .001) and PCS score ( r = 0.315, P = .006). Patients with a preoperative MCS score ⩾50 had a statistically higher postoperative AOFAS and PCS score than patients with MCS score <50. There was no correlation between preoperative MCS scores and improvements in radiologic parameters. There was also no correlation between the improvements in radiologic parameters and improvements in both the AOFAS and VAS pain scores. Preoperative mental health (as measured by the MCS score) was only correlated to postoperative functional outcome (as measured by the postoperative AOFAS and PCS score), but not other postoperative outcomes (VAS pain score, radiologic parameters). Level III, comparative study.

Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations of Systolic Blood Pressure With Quality of Life and Depressive Mood in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Results From the Observational DIAST-CHF Study.

Although diagnosed arterial hypertension and antihypertensive medication usually have an adverse impact on quality of life, recent studies suggest that actual blood pressure may be positively related to better well-being. However, data in older patients with cardiovascular risk factors are lacking, for whom such an association may be of particular relevance. In 1300 adults aged 50 to 85 years with cardiovascular risk factors (51.5% men, mean age = 65.7 ± 8.2 years) participating in an observational study, we performed standardized measurements of blood pressure and assessed quality of life and depressive symptoms at baseline and 1-year follow-up using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Bivariate analysis demonstrated that systolic blood pressure was associated with higher SF-36 mental component summary scores (r = 0.100, p < .001) and reduced HADS depression (r = -0.082, p = .003). Multivariate regression models adjusting for age, sex, and disease severity confirmed that higher systolic blood pressure significantly predicted both better mental quality of life (β = 0.070, p = .012) and less depressive mood (β = -0.083, p = .003) at baseline, independently of antihypertensive medication and diagnosed hypertension. Moreover, the beneficial effects of baseline systolic blood pressure remained stable for both summary components of the SF-36 as well as HADS depression at 1-year follow-up. All results remained unchanged, when limiting the analyses to the 1072 patients with diagnosed hypertension. In older adults with cardiovascular risk factors, higher systolic blood pressure readings are independently related to better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms in both cross-sectional and longitudinal settings, although the magnitude of the effect sizes is typically small.

A comparison of psychological well-being and quality of life between spouse and non-spouse caregivers in patients with head and neck cancer: a 6-month follow-up study.

ObjectiveThe caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) may suffer from impaired psychological well-being and a decreased quality of life (QOL) related to the chronic burden of caring for patients’ physical conditions and their mood changes. In this study, we aimed to compare the psychological well-being and QOL between spouse caregivers and non-spouse caregivers of patients with HNC over a 6-month follow-up period.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted using a prospective design with consecutive sampling. We recruited study subjects from the outpatient combined treatment clinic of HNC at a medical center in Southern Taiwan. The Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition was carried out by a trained senior psychiatrist to diagnose caregivers. Furthermore, one research assistant collected the caregivers’ demographic characteristics, clinical data, and clinical rating scales, including the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Family Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration index at the patients’ pretreatment, as well as their 3- and 6-month follow-up appointments.ResultsOf the 143 subjects that successfully completed the study, two-thirds of caregivers were spouses. During the 6-month follow-up period, spouse caregivers demonstrated significantly higher rates of depression diagnosis (p=0.032), higher scores in the depression subscale of HADS (HADS-D) (p=0.010), and lower SF-36 mental component summary (MCS) scores (p=0.007) than non-spouse caregivers. Furthermore, during those 6 months, HADS-D (p=0.007) and the anxiety subscale of HADS scores (p<0.001) significantly decreased, while SF-36 MCS scores significantly increased (p=0.015).ConclusionThe mental health of spouse caregivers of HNC patients was more severely affected than that of non-spouse caregivers during the observed 6-month follow-up period. Therefore, clinicians need to pay more attention to caregivers’ psychological distress during patient care, especially for spouse caregivers.