What do referred patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders expect of a multidisciplinary treatment and what is the perceived value?

Purpose. To describe reasons for not starting and to determine expectations and perceived value of multidisciplinary treatment among referred patients, sick-listed due to upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders

Method. Twenty-six randomly chosen referred patients who did not start the treatment were interviewed by telephone to identify their reasons for not starting and 24 randomly chosen patients who participated in the treatment were interviewed face-to-face to explore their expectations and experiences of multidisciplinary treatment.

Results. Reasons for not starting the treatment are mainly intrinsic to the treatment. The most important reason was that the treatment was thought to be too psychological in nature. Most treated patients had no prior expectations but saw it as a last resort for their complaints. The psychological (cognitive-behavioural) component was perceived as the most useful part that acquired the ability to cope with their complaints and developed an increased self-awareness. Most treated patients are satisfied, although some said the treatment did not meet their expectations, because their complaints had not disappeared.

Conclusion. The most important reason for not starting the treatment was the assumption that the treatment is too psychological in nature, while in treated patients the psychological sessions were perceived as most useful treatment component.     

Adhesion molecules in peritoneal dissemination: function,prognostic relevance and therapeutic options

Peritoneal dissemination is diagnosed in 10–25 % of colorectal cancer patients. Selected patients are treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. For these patients, earlier diagnosis, optimised selection criteria and a personalised approach are warranted. Biomarkers could play a crucial role here. However, little is known about possible candidates. Considering tumour cell adhesion as a key step in peritoneal dissemination, we aim to provide an overview of the functional importance of adhesion molecules in peritoneal dissemination and discuss the prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic options of these candidate biomarkers. A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. In 132 in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies published between 1995 and 2013, we identified twelve possibly relevant adhesion molecules in various cancers that disseminate peritoneally. The most studied molecules in tumour cell adhesion are integrin α2β1, CD44 s and MUC16. Furthermore, L1CAM, EpCAM, MUC1, sLe^x and Le^x, chemokine receptors, Betaig-H3 and uPAR might be of clinical importance. ICAM1 was found to be less relevant in tumour cell adhesion in the context of peritoneal metastases. Based on currently available data, sLe^a and MUC16 are the most promising prognostic biomarkers for colorectal peritoneal metastases that may help improve patient selection. Different adhesion molecules appear expressed in haematogenous and transcoelomic spread, indicating two different attachment processes. However, our extensive assessment of available literature reveals that knowledge on metastasis-specific genes and their possible candidates is far from complete.     

Relationships between work-related factors and musculoskeletal health with current and future work ability among male workers

Purpose

The purpose was to increase job-specific knowledge about individual and work-related factors and their relationship with current and future work ability (WA). We studied cross-sectional relationships between mental demands, physical exertion during work, grip strength, musculoskeletal pain in the upper extremities and WA and the relationships between these variables and WA 11 years later.

Methods

We used a dataset of a prospective cohort study (1997–2008) among employees of an engineering plant (n?=?157). The cohort was surveyed by means of tests and written questions on work demands, musculoskeletal health, WA score (WAS; 0–10), and mental and physical WA. Spearman correlation coefficients and logistic regression analysis were used.

Results

Among manual workers, we found weak correlations between grip strength and current and future physical WA. We did not find predictors for future poor WA among the manual workers. Among the office workers, we found that musculoskeletal pain was moderately and negatively related to current WAS and physical WA. More handgrip strength related to better future WAS and physical WA. Musculoskeletal pain (OR 1.67 p?<?0.01) and lower handgrip strength (OR 0.91 p?<?0.05) predicted future poor WA among office workers.

Conclusions

Our results showed cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between musculoskeletal health and work ability depending on occupation. However, the present implies that predicting work ability in the far future based on health surveillance data is rather difficult. Testing the musculoskeletal system (grip strength) and asking workers’ about their musculoskeletal health seems relevant when monitoring work ability.

     

Reducing Diagnostic Errors in Musculoskeletal Trauma by Reviewing Non-Admission Orthopaedic Referrals in the Next-Day Trauma Meeting

INTRODUCTION

Diagnostic errors in orthopaedics are usually caused by missing a fracture or misreading radiographs. The aim of this study was to document the pick-up rate of the wrong diagnoses by reviewing X-rays and casualty notes in the next-day trauma meeting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The casualty notes and radiographs of 503 patients were prospectively reviewed in the daily trauma meeting between August 2002 and December 2002 in a district general hospital. The relevant data were collected and analysed by a single assessor.

RESULTS

The false positive rate for making an orthopaedic diagnosis was 12.6% (i.e.) diagnosing a fracture, when none existed). The false negative (missing) rate was 4%, while 2.4% incidental findings were missed, or at least not documented, after reading the X-rays. There were 7.8% wrong diagnoses made. The majority of the patients were seen by the senior house officers.

CONCLUSIONS

The medicolegal significance of false negative diagnosis is obviously greater. In a busy emergency department, where a large number of patients are seen, there is a greater risk. This study shows the importance in a small-to-medium sized accident and emergency unit as well, where there is no senior cover available out-of-hours for final radiological interpretation. A morning trauma meeting which covers reviewing admitted patients as well as non-admission orthopaedic referrals has an effective risk management solution to early detection of missed and wrong diagnoses.     

A preliminary study on electromyographic analysis of the paraspinal musculature in idiopathic scoliosis

The paraspinal muscles have been implicated as a major causative factor in the progression of idiopathic scoliosis. Therefore, the objectives of this preliminary study were to measure the electromyographic activity (EMG) of the paraspinal muscles to determine its relationship to progression of the scoliotic curve. Idiopathic scoliotic patients were selected and identified afterwards on curve progression. The EMG activity on both sides of the spine was measured in a set of standardized postures using bipolar surface electrodes at the apex and two end vertebrae of the scoliotic curve. An EMG ratio involving measurements of the EMG activity on the convex and concave sides of the scoliotic curve was used to evaluate the paraspinal muscles. Enhanced EMG ratios at the apex of the scoliotic curve were found in both groups during sitting and standing. The most interesting finding was that children with progression of the curve also showed enhanced EMG ratios at the lower end vertebra of the curve. The EMG ratios between the groups were significantly different from each other at the apex and end vertebrae for several test conditions. Overlap in the EMG-ratio ranges made differentiation difficult for prediction of the progression of the individual scoliosis patient. However, the EMG ratio at the lower end vertebra of the scoliotic curve is significantly higher than 1 in all test conditions in the group of children with subsequent progression of the curve, whereas it is always normal in the non-progressive group. Therefore, EMG of the paraspinal muscles might be of value for prediction of progression in idiopathic scoliosis.     

Platelet production rate predicts the response to prednisone therapy in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

The predictive value of clinical and platelet kinetic parameters for treatment outcome in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was investigated in 75 patients with platelets ≤20 × 10⁹/L. The platelet kinetic studies showed that the platelet production rate (PPR) was decreased (<100 × 10⁹/day), normal, or increased (>355 × 10⁹/day) in 33%, 48%, and 19% of patients, respectively. All patients started with prednisone at diagnosis (1 mg/kg/day). Initial complete and partial response (CR/PR) rate was 84% and a durable CR/PR (≥6 months without treatment) was attained in 44% of the patients. Durable CR/PR was noticed in 64% of the patients with decreased PPR during a median follow-up time without treatment of 81 (range 18–92) months, compared to 34% of the patients with normal or increased PPR during a median follow-up time without treatment of 141 (range 10–284) months (p = 0.03). Splenectomy was performed in 32% of patients with decreased PPR and in 62% of patients with normal or increased PPR (p = 0.03). In conclusion, ITP patients with suppressed PPR have a significant higher durable CR/PR rate to prednisone therapy and are less frequently exposed to splenectomy than those with a normal or increased PPR. Financial support was provided by a grant from the J.K. de Cock Stichting.     

Mitochondrial adaptations within chronically ischemic swine myocardium

Experimental evidence has emerged that myocardial ischemic preconditioning can prime the mitochondria into a "stress-resistant state", so that cell death is reduced following prolonged severe ischemia and reperfusion. Using a swine model of chronically ischemic myocardium, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondria within the ischemic territory have also acquired a protective phenotype. Eleven swine underwent a left thoracotomy with placement of an external constrictor around the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery. By 10 weeks, a severe stenosis of the LAD artery was documented by quantitative coronary angiography (92 +/- 2%). Animals were sacrificed and myocardium was extracted from the LAD and remote regions. Mitochondria were isolated from subendocardium and subepicardium from LAD and remote regions and state 2 (substrate alone) and state 3 (+ADP) respiration were assessed with a Clark electrode. Within the LAD subendocardium, the respiratory control index was 2.68 +/- 0.17 and was lower than the remote subendocardium (3.64 +/- 0.08; P < 0.05). When exposed to 20 min anoxia with reoxygenation, the LAD region demonstrated a more preserved state 3 respiration compared with the remote region (99 +/- 14 versus 65 +/- 9 nmol O2/mg, respectively; P < 0.05). In parallel mitochondrial experiments, chemiluminescence was detected with the probe coelenterazine and superoxide generation in the LAD region in the presence of antimycin A was 574 +/- 108 RLU/30 s/microg and was nearly 50% lower than the remote region (979 +/- 175 RLU/30 s/microg; P < 0.05). Within the mitochondria, the expression of uncoupling protein (UCP) 2 by western gels was 20% higher in the LAD region compared with the remote region (P < 0.05) with no differences noted in UCP-3. In this swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia, isolated mitochondria from the ischemic tissue demonstrate preserved state 3 respiration following anoxia/reoxygenation, consistent with a stress-resistant state. This state is characterized by a mild degree of uncoupling under basal conditions and decreased superoxide generation. Uncoupling protein 2 expression is enhanced in the mitochondria, providing a potential mechanism for these favorable mitochondrial adaptations.     

The value of detectable thyroglobulin in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after initial ¹³¹I therapy

Objective To assess the prognostic value of detectable thyroglobulin (Tg) after initial surgery and radioactive iodine (¹³¹I) therapy by comparing patients with a negative post‐therapeutic whole body scan (WBS) with either detectable or undetectable Tg. Background Differentiated thyroid cancer has a good prognosis. However, recurrences can occur up to 30 years after initial treatment. Because life‐long follow‐up is necessary, it is important to explore possible risk factors associated with recurrence and mortality. Design, patients and measurements We studied 539 patients who were treated between 1980 and 2007. After the last therapeutic dosage of 5550 MBq ¹³¹I, 72 patients had negative post‐therapeutic WBS and positive Tg levels (Tg+ group) and 399 patients had negative post‐therapeutic WBS and negative Tg (Tg‐ group). The 68 remaining patients had proven residual macroscopic disease. We investigated recurrences and overall mortality in the Tg+ and Tg‐ group compared with the Dutch population. Results In the Tg+ group, detectable recurrences occurred significantly earlier and more frequently than in the Tg‐ group (19%vs 13%, P = 0·024). Survival between these groups was comparable, but shorter than the general Dutch population [Standardised Mortality Rate (SMR) 1·38 (95% CI 1·12;1·63) (P = 0·003)]. Disease‐free survival in the Tg groups was comparable and not significantly different from the Dutch population [SMR = 1·09 (95% CI 0·81;1·34) (P = 0·569)]. Conclusion Patients with detectable Tg during the last ¹³¹I treatment and a negative post‐therapeutic WBS have significant earlier and more recurrences than patients without detectable Tg. Survival in both groups is comparable. After initial therapy, the combination of a negative high dose post‐therapeutic WBS with detectable Tg is a valuable predictor for earlier and more recurrences, but is not associated with survival.