12-year survival analysis of 322 Hintegra total ankle arthroplasties from an independent center

Background and purpose — Total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs) have larger revision rates than hip and knee implants. We examined the survival rates of our primary TAAs, and what different factors, including the cause of arthritis, affect the success and/or revision rate.Patients and methods — From 2004 to 2016, 322 primary Hintegra TAAs were implanted: the 2nd generation implant from 2004 until mid-2007 and the 3rd generation from late 2007 to 2016. A Cox proportional hazards model evaluated sex, age, primary diagnosis, and implant generation, pre- and postoperative angles and implant position as risk factors for revision.Results — 60 implants (19%) were revised, the majority (n = 34) due to loosening. The 5-year survival rate (95% CI) was 75% (69–82) and the 10-year survival rate was 68% (60–77). There was a reduced risk of revision, per degree of increased postoperative medial distal tibial angle at 0.84 (0.72–0.98) and preoperative talus angle at 0.95 (0.90–1.00), indicating that varus ankles may have a larger revision rate. Generation of implant, sex, primary diagnosis, and most pre- and postoperative radiological angles did not statistically affect revision risk.Interpretation — Our revision rates are slightly above registry rates and well above those of the developer. Most were revised due to loosening; no difference was demonstrated with the 2 generations of implant used. Learning curve and a low threshold for revision could explain the high revision rate.

Arthritis in the ankle often develops earlier than in the hip or knee, and 70% have a traumatic etiology (Saltzman et al. 2005, Brown et al. 2006). Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) can be indicated for severe arthritis in the ankle joint, but the anatomical preconditions, like a small surface area and high stress from compression and torque (Bouguecha et al. 2011, Kakkar and Siddique 2011), makes it less durable than hip and knee prosthetics. The Hintegra TAA, a 3-component mobile bearing, uncemented implant (Hintermann et al. 2004) is widely used and results from the development center demonstrate survival rates of 94% and 84% after 5 and 10 years’ follow-up (Barg et al. 2013). This is considerably more than the survival rates from national registries. Labek et al. (2011) demonstrated that development centers report only half of the revision rate that can be found in the few existing national registers. In a systematic review of primary Agility total ankle arthroplasty (DePuy Synthes Orthopedics, Warsaw, IN, USA), the author (Roukis 2012) found that the incidence of complications increased from 7% to 12%, in studies where the inventor was excluded. Similar results were found by Prissel and Roukis (2013), who found an increased incidence of complications from 6% to 13% in studies where the inventor or faculty consultants were excluded. These studies indicated the risk of selection (inventor) and publication (conflict of interest) bias.Planning and surgical technique, including significant experience, are mandatory for a successful outcome. The better result from development centers may reflect, besides the above-mentioned bias, that there is a long learning curve and that the indication for revision surgery varies.We examined the survival rates of primary Hintegra TAAs performed at Hvidovre Hospital, with revision rate as outcome. We report primary diagnosis for primary TAA and examine whether sex, generation of the implant, preoperative angles and implant position affect the revision rate.     

Inter- and intra-examiner reliability of motion palpation for the thoracolumbar spine

An inter- and intra-examiner reliability study was conducted to determine the reliability of a standardized method of motion palpation. Eight senior students in the Palmer College Public Clinic palpated the thoracolumbar spine of 32 student volunteers. Each volunteer was palpated twice by each examiner to allow inter- and intra-examiner analysis. Each examiner had at least 1 yr of experience using the procedure. Only the most hypomobile motor unit of the spine was recorded. Analysis of the data revealed statistically significant agreement for intra-examiner reliability. Inter-examiner reliability was not statistically significant. T9-T10 was chosen significantly more often by the palpators as the most hypomobile motor unit.     

Antiestrogen chemoprevention of breast cancer: critical issues and research

Estrogenic hormones play critical roles in many aspects of women's health. Therefore, the impact of any hormonal manipulation must be carefully considered. While the evidence is good that chemoprevention, or more accurately chemosuppression, of breast cancer with tamoxifen is possible, further data are needed to support the case that hormone replacement with tamoxifen in healthy postmenopausal women would provide overall health benefits. Specifically, further data are needed regarding the biological effects of tamoxifen on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, on bone, on the liver, on the uterus, and on the coagulation system. Frequency, severity, and predictors for vasomotor, gynecologic, and depressant side effects also need to be well described. These data will allow rigorous cost-effectiveness analysis of hormone replacement therapies with tamoxifen and estrogen, as well as an analysis of the cost effectiveness of a clinical trial to prove definitively critical health benefits.     

Just-in-Time Evidence-Based E-mail “Reminders” in Home Health Care: Impact on Patient Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of two information-based provider reminder interventions designed to improve self-care management and outcomes of heart failure (HF) patients. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Interview and agency administrative data on 628 home care patients with a primary diagnosis of HF. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were treated by nurses randomly assigned to usual care or one of two intervention groups. The basic intervention was an e-mail to the patient's nurse highlighting six HF-specific clinical recommendations. The augmented intervention supplemented the initial nurse reminder with additional clinician and patient resources. DATA COLLECTION: Patient interviews were conducted 45 days post admission to measure self-management behaviors, HF-specific outcomes (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-KCCQ), health-related quality of life (EuroQoL), and service use. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Both interventions improved the mean KCCQ summary score (15.3 and 12.9 percent, respectively) relative to usual care (p< or =.05). The basic intervention also yielded a higher EuroQoL score relative to usual care (p< or =.05). In addition, the interventions had a positive impact on medication knowledge, diet, and weight monitoring. The basic intervention was more cost-effective than the augmented intervention in improving clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the positive impact of targeting evidence-based computer reminders to home health nurses to improve patient self-care behaviors, knowledge, and clinical outcomes. It also advances the field's limited understanding of the cost-effectiveness of selected strategies for translating research into practice.     

Factors relating to the sensory acuity of limbs with peripheral vascular insufficiency

We examined several possible causes for the high incidence of poor sensory acuity in the limbs of 176 patients with moderate to severe peripheral vascular insufficiency. We investigated the relationships of diabetes, alcoholism, and smoking, as well as the severity of peripheral vascular disease, to the integrity of basic sensory modalities such as two-point discrimination and perception of light touch. The presence or absence of diabetes exerted the strongest effect on peripheral sensation. In patients who did not have diabetes, sensation in the limbs was most strongly affected by whether the patient was an alcoholic. Smoking did not have a significant effect on limb sensation. Among nondiabetic, nonalcoholic patients, there was a weak residual effect related to the severity of the peripheral vascular insufficiency. Even among these patients, however, systemic factors predominated in determining the loss of sensation. We also examined the extent to which loss of sensation might be related to the development of ulcers. Among patients who were not diabetic, there was a highly significant relationship between loss of sensation and the presence of limb ulceration. Surprisingly, however, there was no discernable relationship between the presence of ulcers in diabetic patients and the degree of loss of peripheral sensation. This result suggests that a large percentage of ulcers seen in diabetic patients are not of neurogenic origin.     

推动医疗改革应制定分区医疗系统战略

医疗改革是一个世界性难题，各国在医疗改革中都会遇到各自相关的问题。改革艰巨，但并不是不可能完成，本文作者认为，通过关注以分区的方式提供医疗服务可以让医疗改革取得实效。本文从划定分区边界的方式出发，介绍了制定分区医疗战略的五个步骤，并讨论了各医疗系统成功实施各自战略所需采取的措施，这也可以为我国正在推行的医疗改革提供一定的借鉴和参考。     

Americans' Awareness, Knowledge, and Behaviors Regarding Fats: 2006-2007

In recent years, epidemiologic and clinical studies, public and regulatory policy activity, and media coverage have focused on issues related to trans fats. To help increase awareness and understanding of trans fats and other fats, the American Heart Association (AHA) launched the “Face the Fats” national consumer education campaign in April 2007. The AHA commissioned a quantitative tracking survey between 2006 and 2007 to measure changes in consumer awareness, knowledge, and behaviors related fats and oils and their perceived impact on heart disease. The survey was conducted by Cogent Research. Data were collected during March 2006 and May 2007. At both time points, the survey included a representative sample of the American population age 18 to 65 years (n=1,000). The sampling plan for the survey was designed based on the 2000 and 2003 US Census. The margin of error was ±3.10 percentage points. Awareness of trans fats increased during the 1-year study period. In 2007, 92% of respondents were aware of trans fats, an increase from 84% in 2006 (P<0.05). The 2007 level was similar to the awareness of saturated fats (93%). Perceptions that certain fats and oils heighten the risk of heart disease increased for trans fats (73% in 2007 vs 63% in 2006; P<0.05), saturated fats (77% in 2007 vs 73% in 2006; P<0.05), and partially hydrogenated oils (56% in 2007 vs 49% in 2006; P<0.05). Knowledge about food sources of different fats remained low. On an unaided basis, 21% could name three food sources of trans fats in 2007, up from 17% in 2006 (P<0.05). Knowledge of food sources of saturated fat remained unchanged at 30% in 2007. Significantly more respondents in 2007 reported behavioral changes related to trans fat information, such as buying food products because they show “zero trans fat” on labels or packages (37% in 2007 vs. 32% in 2006; P<0.05). Between 2006 and 2007, consumer awareness about trans fats increased and attained awareness levels similar to saturated fats. The increased awareness is associated with improved self-reported behaviors in grocery shopping. Nonetheless, overall knowledge, especially regarding food sources of saturated and trans fats, remains relatively low, underscoring the need for heightened consumer education activities. The positive change in consumer awareness about trans fats is likely attributable to the wide range of messages available to them, including the AHA “Face the Fats” national consumer education campaign.