Effectiveness of anabolic steroids in improving outcomes for post-operative hip fracture patients: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPost-operative elderly hip fracture patients require significant rehabilitation. Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid used to promote muscle growth. This study aims to examine the effect of nandrolone in improving rehabilitation and quality of life in elderly female patients with hip fractures undergoing hemiarthroplasty.MethodsThis is a double-blinded prospective randomized-controlled-trial consisting of female patients above the age of 65 with an isolated neck of femur fracture planned for a hip hemiarthroplasty. Participants were randomized into two arms of the study – 50 mg intramuscular nandrolone vs normal saline placebo administered on post-operative day 0, and weeks 2, 6 and 12. The participants were followed up across a 1-year period following the surgery. Clinical outcomes such as time taken to achieve rehabilitation milestones, distance of ambulation and thigh muscle girth, and functional scoring with SF-36 questionnaire were recorded at intervals of 2, 6 and 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year following the surgery.ResultsThere were a total of 23 subjects with 11 in the steroid group and 12 in the placebo group. There was no significant difference in demographics and injury patterns between both groups. There was no significant difference for time taken to achieve various rehabilitation milestones and distance of ambulation. SF-36 scores on discharge and at 1-year follow-up mark were comparable. There was no difference in the complication rate between both groups.ConclusionIntra-muscular Nandrolone after hip surgery in elderly female patients does not result in short to mid-term improved rehabilitation or functional outcomes. Nandrolone did not result in increased short-term complications after hip surgery.Level of evidenceI.     

The fate of aortic valve after rheumatic mitral valve surgery

ObjectiveDeterioration of the native aortic valve function by a late progression of rheumatic disease is not infrequent in patients who underwent rheumatic mitral valve surgery; however, this phenomenon has not been clearly quantified.MethodsA total of 1155 consecutive patients (age 52.0 ± 12.9 years; 807 female) who underwent rheumatic mitral valve surgery without concomitant aortic valve surgery from 1997 to 2015 were enrolled. The primary end point was the composite of progression to severe aortic valve dysfunction or a requirement of subsequent aortic valve replacements during follow-up. To determine the risk factors of the primary outcome, we performed the generalized linear mixed model.ResultsThe baseline severities of aortic valve were none to trivial in 880 patients (76.2%), mild in 256 patients (22.2%), and moderate in 19 patients (1.6%). The latest 1062 echocardiographic assessments (91.9%; median, 81.2 postoperative months; interquartile range, 37.3-132.1 months) demonstrated 26 cases (0.33%/patient-year) meeting the primary end point during follow-up. Cumulative incidence of the primary end point at 10 years was 0.4% ± 0.3% and 7.4% ± 2.5% depending on the presence of mild or greater aortic valve dysfunction at baseline (P < .01). In multivariable analyses, aortic valve peak pressure gradient (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.20), aortic regurgitation degree (mild over none: odds ratio, 3.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-9.23), and time (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval 1.19-1.41) were significantly associated with the occurrence of the primary end point.ConclusionsProgression of severe aortic valve dysfunction and the need for aortic valve replacement are uncommon in patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve surgery. However, such events were relatively common among those with mild or greater aortic valve dysfunction at the time of mitral valve surgery.     

Systemic therapy for hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early stage and metastatic breast cancer

Hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer is defined by the presence of the estrogen receptor and/or the progesterone receptor and the absence of HER2 gene amplification. HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer accounts for 65%–70% of all breast cancers, and incidence increases with increasing age. Treatment varies by stage, and endocrine therapy is the mainstay of treatment in both early stage and late-stage disease. Combinations with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors have reduced distant recurrence in the early stage setting and improved overall survival in the metastatic setting. Chemotherapy is used based on stage and tumor biology in the early stage setting and after endocrine resistance for advanced disease. New therapies, including novel endocrine agents and antibody-drug conjugates, are now changing the treatment landscape. With the availability of new treatment options, it is important to define the optimal sequence of treatment to maximize clinical benefit while minimizing toxicity. In this review, the authors first discuss the pathologic and molecular features of HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer and mechanisms of endocrine resistance. Then, they discuss current and emerging therapies for both early stage and metastatic HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, including treatment algorithms based on current data.     

Incidence and clinical impact of tachyarrhythmic events following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A review

1. Download : Download high-res image (206KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Modification of an extended total temporomandibular joint replacement (eTMJR) classification system

The aims of this paper were to validate a modification of an extended total temporomandibular joint replacement (eTMJR) classification system and develop a classification schematic for ease of reference. High-volume TMJ surgeons were asked to score 20 separate eTMJR devices using the updated classification system, and inter-rater variability was calculated. Using the modified classification system developed, a Conger’s kappa (κ) coefficient of 0.53 was returned, suggesting moderate to good levels of agreement. The final classification system was then developed in a series of standardised graphic illustrations as visual representations of the different subcategories of eTMJR devices.