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BMJ Open May 2024To explore the views of patients and healthcare providers on current rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery (LFS) to fuel the development of a novel rehabilitation...
OBJECTIVES
To explore the views of patients and healthcare providers on current rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery (LFS) to fuel the development of a novel rehabilitation care pathway.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional, qualitative study with an interpretive descriptive design.
SETTING
Academic and non-academic hospital setting in Belgium.
PARTICIPANTS
31 caregivers from (non)-academic settings and 5 patients with LFS were purposefully sampled and in-depth interviewed.
RESULTS
Out of the data of all interviews, participants reported opinions on 23 thematic clusters that were expressed in a time-contingent manner from the preoperative, perioperative to postoperative phase. Afterwards, themes were mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, with a larger role for concepts related to the innovation, inner and individual domain. As an overarching theme, the importance of an 'individualised, patient-centred rehabilitation built on a strong therapeutic alliance with an accessible interprofessional team' was stressed for patients undergoing LFS. Specifically, participants stated that a biopsychosocial approach to rehabilitation should start in the preoperative phase and immediately be continued postoperatively. No consensus was observed for movement restrictions postoperatively. Uniform communication between the involved caregivers was considered essential for optimal therapeutic alliance and clinical outcome. The precise role and competence of each member of the interprofessional team needs, therefore, to be clearly defined, respected and discussed. An accessible case manager to guide the patient trajectory and tackle problems could further support this. Interestingly, only patients, psychologists and physiotherapists addressed return to work as an important outcome after LFS.
CONCLUSIONS
This qualitative study identified key experiences and points to consider in the current and future rehabilitation pathway for LFS. Future research should incorporate these findings to build a novel rehabilitation pathway for LFS and evaluate its feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03427294).
Topics: Humans; Spinal Fusion; Qualitative Research; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Belgium; Lumbar Vertebrae; Aged; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Health Personnel; Patient-Centered Care; Interviews as Topic
PubMed: 38816040
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077786 -
PloS One 2024Depending on the degree of fracture, pelvic fracture can be accompanied by vascular damage, and in severe cases, it may progress to hemorrhagic shock. Pelvic radiography...
Depending on the degree of fracture, pelvic fracture can be accompanied by vascular damage, and in severe cases, it may progress to hemorrhagic shock. Pelvic radiography can quickly diagnose pelvic fractures, and the Association for Osteosynthesis Foundation and Orthopedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification system is useful for evaluating pelvic fracture instability. This study aimed to develop a radiomics-based machine-learning algorithm to quickly diagnose fractures on pelvic X-ray and classify their instability. data used were pelvic anteroposterior radiographs of 990 adults over 18 years of age diagnosed with pelvic fractures, and 200 normal subjects. A total of 93 features were extracted based on radiomics:18 first-order, 24 GLCM, 16 GLRLM, 16 GLSZM, 5 NGTDM, and 14 GLDM features. To improve the performance of machine learning, the feature selection methods RFE, SFS, LASSO, and Ridge were used, and the machine learning models used LR, SVM, RF, XGB, MLP, KNN, and LGBM. Performance measurement was evaluated by area under the curve (AUC) by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic curve. The machine learning model was trained based on the selected features using four feature-selection methods. When the RFE feature selection method was used, the average AUC was higher than that of the other methods. Among them, the combination with the machine learning model SVM showed the best performance, with an average AUC of 0.75±0.06. By obtaining a feature-importance graph for the combination of RFE and SVM, it is possible to identify features with high importance. The AO/OTA classification of normal pelvic rings and pelvic fractures on pelvic AP radiographs using a radiomics-based machine learning model showed the highest AUC when using the SVM classification combination. Further research on the radiomic features of each part of the pelvic bone constituting the pelvic ring is needed.
Topics: Humans; Machine Learning; Pelvic Bones; Fractures, Bone; Male; Adult; Female; Middle Aged; Radiography; Algorithms; ROC Curve; Aged; Area Under Curve; Radiomics
PubMed: 38814948
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304350 -
Blood Transfusion = Trasfusione Del... May 2024Elderly populations face an increased risk of anemia, leading to elevated transfusion requirements during surgery, especially major orthopedic procedures. Anemia itself... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Elderly populations face an increased risk of anemia, leading to elevated transfusion requirements during surgery, especially major orthopedic procedures. Anemia itself increases the risk of thromboembolic events, thus compounding complications in elderly individuals. Polypharmacy and the prevalent use of oral anticoagulants (OAC), particularly for atrial fibrillation, contribute to bleeding risks in this population. Data available in the literature on the peri-operative management of anemia in patients taking OAC is limited and often heterogeneous.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This narrative case-based review focuses on the peri-operative management of elderly patients on OAC undergoing major orthopedic surgery. PubMed/Medline was used to search for relevant literature.
RESULTS
With reference to two cases, we critically evaluate the literature, and focus on risk factors, and preventive and therapeutic strategies as fundamental tools to reduce bleeding and correct anemia as soon as possible in elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery.
DISCUSSION
Peri-operative management of these patients, especially those on OAC, requires a balanced approach considering bleeding and thrombotic risks. Intravenous iron therapy and tranexamic acid emerge as valuable strategies in minimizing transfusion requirements and optimizing patients' outcomes.
PubMed: 38814879
DOI: 10.2450/BloodTransfus.640 -
JAMA Network Open May 2024The decision for surgical vs nonsurgical treatment for hip fracture can be complicated among community-dwelling people living with dementia.
IMPORTANCE
The decision for surgical vs nonsurgical treatment for hip fracture can be complicated among community-dwelling people living with dementia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare outcomes of community-dwelling people living with dementia treated surgically and nonsurgically for hip fracture.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cross-sectional study undertook a population-based analysis of national Medicare fee-for-service data. Participants included community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries with dementia and an inpatient claim for hip fracture from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. Analyses were conducted from November 10, 2022, to October 17, 2023.
EXPOSURE
Surgical vs nonsurgical treatment for hip fracture.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was mortality within 30, 90, and 180 days. Secondary outcomes consisted of selected post-acute care services.
RESULTS
Of 56 209 patients identified with hip fracture (73.0% women; mean [SD] age, 86.4 [7.0] years), 33 142 (59.0%) were treated surgically and 23 067 (41.0%) were treated nonsurgically. Among patients treated surgically, 73.3% had a fracture of the femoral head and neck and 40.2% had moderate to severe dementia (MSD). Among patients with MSD and femoral head and neck fracture, 180-day mortality was 31.8% (surgical treatment) vs 45.7% (nonsurgical treatment). For patients with MSD treated surgically vs nonsurgically, the unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 180-day mortality was 0.56 (95% CI, 0.49-0.62; P < .001) and the adjusted OR was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.53-0.66; P < .001). Among patients with mild dementia and femoral head and neck fracture, 180-day mortality was 26.5% (surgical treatment) vs 34.9% (nonsurgical treatment). For patients with mild dementia who were treated surgically vs nonsurgically for femoral head and neck fracture, the unadjusted OR of 180-day mortality was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.60-0.76; P < .001) and the adjusted OR was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.63-0.79; P < .001). For patients with femoral head and neck fracture, there was no difference in admission to a nursing home within 180 days when treated surgically vs nonsurgically.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this cohort study of community-dwelling patients with dementia and fracture of the femoral head and neck, patients with MSD and mild dementia treated surgically experienced lower odds of death compared with patients treated nonsurgically. Although avoiding nursing home admission is important to persons living with dementia, being treated surgically for hip fracture did not necessarily confer a benefit in that regard. These data can help inform discussions around values and goals with patients and caregivers when determining the optimal treatment approach.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Hip Fractures; Female; Male; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Retrospective Studies; Independent Living; Aged; United States; Medicare; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38814642
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13878 -
Journal, Physical Therapy Education May 2024Evidence-based practice (EBP) results in high-quality care and decreases unwarranted variation in practice.
INTRODUCTION
Evidence-based practice (EBP) results in high-quality care and decreases unwarranted variation in practice.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Few performance criteria related to EBP are included in physical therapy clinical education (CE) performance measures, despite EBP requirements in Doctor of Physical Therapy education. The purpose of this study was to develop EBP-specific competencies that may be used for Doctor of Physical Therapy students for use throughout CE.
SUBJECTS
Thirteen subject matter experts (SME) participated in this study.
METHODS
Subject matter experts were asked to rank each core EBP competency, from a previously described framework, using a 3-point Likert scale, which included "Not Essential," "Essential," and "Not Sure." A consensus of 70% or greater for the "Essential" rating advanced the competency to the final Delphi round, whereas a consensus of 70% or greater for the "Not Essential" rating was required for competency elimination. Subject matter experts voted to either "Accept" or "Modify" the competencies that had reached the inclusion consensus threshold. All competencies that reached consensus for inclusion after all 3 rounds were included in the final EBP Domain of Competence.
RESULTS
Consensus was achieved in round one for 38% (n = 26) of items. In round 2, a consensus was achieved for 20% (n = 8) of items. Of the items remaining after rounds 1 and 2, 6 overarching competencies were identified, and all remaining items served as descriptions and specifications in the final EBP Domain of Competence.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The 6 competencies developed from this study constitute the EBP Domain of Competence and may be used throughout CE to assess students' EBP competency in clinical practice.
PubMed: 38814571
DOI: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000350 -
Aging May 2024Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease, involves synovial inflammation, subchondral bone erosion, and cartilage degeneration. Ferroptosis, a regulated...
Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease, involves synovial inflammation, subchondral bone erosion, and cartilage degeneration. Ferroptosis, a regulated non-apoptotic programmed cell death, is associated with various diseases. This study investigates ferroptosis-related molecular subtypes in OA to comprehend underlying mechanisms. The Gene Expression Omnibus datasets GSE206848, GSE55457, GSE55235, GSE77298 and GSE82107 were used utilized. Unsupervised clustering identified the ferroptosis-related gene (FRG) subtypes, and their immune characteristics were assessed. FRG signatures were derived using LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms, forming models to evaluate OA's ferroptosis-related immune features. Three FRG clusters were found to be immunologically heterogeneous, with cluster 1 displaying robust immune response. Models identified nine key signature genes via algorithms, demonstrating strong diagnostic and prognostic performance. Finally, qRT-PCR and Western blot validated these genes, offering consistent results. In addition, some of these genes may have implications as new therapeutic targets and can be used to guide clinical applications.
PubMed: 38814177
DOI: 10.18632/aging.205875 -
Aging May 2024Low back pain stands as a significant factor in disability, largely resulting from intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). High glucose (HG) levels have been implicated...
Low back pain stands as a significant factor in disability, largely resulting from intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). High glucose (HG) levels have been implicated in the pathogenesis of IVDD. However, the detailed mechanism of HG in IVDD is largely unknown. Our clinical results revealed that fibrosis markers such as CTGF, Col1a1, ATF4, and EIF2 are highly expressed in advanced-stage IVDD patients. Stimulation of human annulus fibrosus cells (HAFCs) with HG, but not mannitol, promotes fibrosis protein production. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis in the GSE database found that the mTOR, PKCδ, and NF-κB pathways were significantly changed during IVDD. The mTOR, PKCδ, and NF-κB inhibitors or siRNAs all abolished HG-induced fibrosis protein production. In addition, treatment of HAFCs with HG enhances the activation of mTOR, PKCδ, and NF-κB pathways. Thus, HG facilitates fibrosis in IVDD through mTOR, PKCδ, and NF-κB pathways. These results underscore the critical role of HG as a fibrotic factor in the progression of IVDD.
PubMed: 38814172
DOI: 10.18632/aging.205876 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery (Hong... 2024A fundamental understanding of plantar pressure distribution is important for prescribing an appropriate orthosis and applying nonoperative methods, such as stretching...
PURPOSE
A fundamental understanding of plantar pressure distribution is important for prescribing an appropriate orthosis and applying nonoperative methods, such as stretching exercises, for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Despite existing research on plantar pressure distribution, discrepancies between affected and unaffected sides in unilateral plantar fasciitis patients warrant further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the plantar pressure distribution in patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis by comparing it with that on the contralateral unaffected side.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed records from 20 consecutive patients diagnosed with unilateral plantar fasciitis, using the unaffected side as the control. The emed pedobarographic system was used to measure the plantar pressure distribution during gait. The analysis was performed using a 4-mask configuration (toes, forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot).
RESULTS
Both sides showed no significant differences in radiographic parameters. The affected side showed a significantly higher contact area, maximum force, and force-time integrals in the midfoot. However, the unaffected side demonstrated significantly higher maximum force and force-time integrals in the hindfoot. There was no difference in the distribution of the peak pressure and pressure-time integrals between the two sides in all mask regions. The increased contact area and maximum force in the midfoot on the side with plantar fasciitis may result from heel pain-induced weight transfer from the hindfoot.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study provide a basic understanding of plantar pressure distribution in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and highlight the importance of considering inter-side differences when designing treatment interventions or orthotic devices.
Topics: Humans; Fasciitis, Plantar; Retrospective Studies; Female; Pressure; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Foot; Aged; Gait
PubMed: 38814119
DOI: 10.1177/10225536241258331 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024As a major cause of low back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease worldwide that leads to huge annual financial losses.... (Review)
Review
As a major cause of low back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease worldwide that leads to huge annual financial losses. The intervertebral disc consists of the inner nucleus pulposus, outer annulus fibrosus, and sandwiched cartilage endplates. All these factors collectively participate in maintaining the structure and physiological functions of the disc. During the unavoidable degeneration stage, the degenerated discs are surrounded by a harsh microenvironment characterized by acidic, oxidative, inflammatory, and chaotic cytokine expression. Loss of stem cell markers, imbalance of the extracellular matrix, increase in inflammation, sensory hyperinnervation, and vascularization have been considered as the reasons for the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration. The current treatment approaches include conservative therapy and surgery, both of which have drawbacks. Novel stimuli-responsive delivery systems are more promising future therapeutic options than traditional treatments. By combining bioactive agents with specially designed hydrogels, scaffolds, microspheres, and nanoparticles, novel stimuli-responsive delivery systems can realize the targeted and sustained release of drugs, which can both reduce systematic adverse effects and maximize therapeutic efficacy. Trigger factors are categorized into internal (pH, reactive oxygen species, enzymes, etc.) and external stimuli (photo, ultrasound, magnetic, etc.) based on their intrinsic properties. This review systematically summarizes novel stimuli-responsive delivery systems for intervertebral disc degeneration, shedding new light on intervertebral disc therapy.
Topics: Humans; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Drug Delivery Systems; Animals; Nanoparticles; Hydrogels; Intervertebral Disc; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 38813390
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S463939 -
The bone nonunion microenvironment: A place where osteogenesis struggles with osteoclastic capacity.Heliyon May 2024Bone nonunion is a common and serious orthopedic disorder, the occurrence of which is associated with a disruption of the dynamic balance between osteoblasts and... (Review)
Review
Bone nonunion is a common and serious orthopedic disorder, the occurrence of which is associated with a disruption of the dynamic balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts during bone repair. However, the critical molecular mechanisms affecting this homeostasis are not well understood, and it is essential to investigate the specific components of this mechanism and to restore the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts to promote bone repair. First, we defined this complex local environmental factor as the "bone nonunion microenvironment" and identified the importance of the "struggle" between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which is the most essential element in determining the process of . On this basis, we also explored the cellular factors that influence osteogenesis and the molecular signals that influence the balance between and osteoblasts, which are important for restoring homeostasis. Further, we explored other factors involved in osteogenesis, such as the biomechanical environment, the nutritional environment, the acid-base environment, and the temperature environment, which are important players in osteogenesis. In conclusion, we found that the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts is the essence of bone healing, which is based on the "bone nonunion microenvironment". Therefore, investigating the role of the bone nonunion microenvironment in the system of osteoblast-osteoclast "struggle" provides an important basis for further understanding of the mechanism of nonunion and the development of new therapeutic approaches.
PubMed: 38813209
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31314