This study compares the symptomatic 90-day venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates in patients receiving aspirin to patients receiving low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or direct oral anticoagulants ...(DOACs), after total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Data were collected from a multi-centre cohort study, including demographics, confounders and prophylaxis type (aspirin alone, LMWH alone, aspirin and LMWH, and DOACs). The primary outcome was symptomatic 90-day VTE. Secondary outcomes were major bleeding, joint related reoperation and mortality within 90 days. Data were analysed using logistic regression, the Student's t and Fisher's exact tests (unadjusted) and multivariable regression (adjusted).
There were 1867 eligible patients; 365 (20%) received aspirin alone, 762 (41%) LMWH alone, 482 (26%) LMWH and aspirin and 170 (9%) DOAC. The 90-day VTE rate was 2.7%; lowest in the aspirin group (1.6%), compared to 3.6% for LMWH, 2.3% for LMWH and aspirin and 2.4% for DOACs. After adjusted analysis, predictors of VTE were prophylaxis duration < 14 days (OR = 6.7, 95% CI 3.5-13.1, p < 0.001) and history of previous VTE (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.8, p = 0.05). There were no significant differences in the primary or secondary outcomes between prophylaxis groups.
Aspirin may be suitable for VTE prophylaxis following THA and TKA. The comparatively low unadjusted 90-day VTE rate in the aspirin group may have been due to selective use in lower-risk patients.
This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, trial number NCT01899443 (15/07/2013).
Clinical quality registries and other systems that conduct routine post-discharge surveillance of patient outcomes following surgery may have difficulty surveying patients who have limited ...proficiency in the language of the healthcare provider. Interpreter proxies (family and carers) are often used due to limited access to certified healthcare interpreters (due to cost or availability). The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of engaging interpreter proxies compared with certified healthcare interpreters for the administration of patient-reported health-related surveys for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
People with LEP and due for a routine 6-month telephone follow-up post knee or hip arthroplasty were invited to participate. Participants were randomly allocated to having their first interview with an interpreter proxy or a certified healthcare interpreter followed by the second (crossover) interview within 2 weeks (range: 4 to 12 days) after the first interview using the alternative method. Agreement between the two methods was assessed using quadratic weighted Cohen's kappa, intraclass correlation and concordance correlation co-efficient where appropriate for EQ-5D health domains, total Oxford hip and knee scores, patient satisfaction, operation success, readmission, reoperation, and post-surgical complication responses. The mean of the differences between the same data items collected by each of the two methods was also calculated.
Eighty five participants (96%) completed the study. There was substantial to excellent inter-rater agreement (kappa = 0.69-0.87 and ICCs above 0.74) for all but one measure. The mean differences between family proxy and healthcare interpreter scores for each participant were small, ranging from 0.01 (score range of 1-5) to 0.72 (score range of 0-100).
These results suggest that using interpreter proxies is a reliable alternative to certified healthcare interpreters in conducting patient-reported health surveys, potentially making this process easier and cost effective for researchers and registries.
Previous reviews of the diagnostic performances of physical tests of the hip in orthopedics have drawn limited conclusions because of the low to moderate quality of primary studies published in the ...literature. This systematic review aims to build on these reviews by assessing a broad range of hip pathologies, and employing a more selective approach to the inclusion of studies in order to accurately gauge diagnostic performance for the purposes of making recommendations for clinical practice and future research. It specifically identifies tests which demonstrate strong and moderate diagnostic performance.
A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Embase Classic and CINAHL was conducted to identify studies of hip tests. Our selection criteria included an analysis of internal and external validity. We reported diagnostic performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios. Likelihood ratios were used to identify tests with strong and moderate diagnostic utility.
Only a small proportion of tests reported in the literature have been assessed in methodologically valid primary studies. 16 studies were included in our review, producing 56 independent test-pathology combinations. Two tests demonstrated strong clinical utility, the patellar-pubic percussion test for excluding radiologically occult hip fractures (negative LR 0.05, 95% Confidence Interval CI 0.03-0.08) and the hip abduction sign for diagnosing sarcoglycanopathies in patients with known muscular dystrophies (positive LR 34.29, 95% CI 10.97-122.30). Fifteen tests demonstrated moderate diagnostic utility for diagnosing and/or excluding hip fractures, symptomatic osteoarthritis and loosening of components post-total hip arthroplasty.
We have identified a number of tests demonstrating strong and moderate diagnostic performance. These findings must be viewed with caution as there are concerns over the methodological quality of the primary studies from which we have extracted our data. Future studies should recruit larger, representative populations and allow for the construction of complete 2×2 contingency tables.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in models with or without an inpatient rehabilitation component.
Design, setting and participants: A ...propensity score‐matched cohort of privately insured patients with osteoarthritis who underwent primary, unilateral TKA in one of 12 Australian hospitals between August 2013 and January 2015 were included. Those discharged to an inpatient facility because of poor progress or who experienced significant complications within 90 days of surgery were excluded.
Intervention: Discharge after surgery to an inpatient rehabilitation facility or home.
Main outcome measures: Patient‐reported knee pain and function (Oxford Knee Score; at 90 and 365 days after surgery) and health rating (EuroQol “today” health scale; at 35, 90 and 365 days). Inpatient and community‐based rehabilitation provider charges were also assessed.
Results: 258 patients (129 pairs) from a sample of 332 were matched according to their propensity scores for receiving inpatient rehabilitation; covariates used in the matching included age, sex, body mass index, and markers of health and impairment. The only significant difference in outcomes was that EuroQol health scores were better on Day 35 for patients not undergoing inpatient rehabilitation (median difference, 5; IQR, –10 to 19; P = 0.01). Median rehabilitation provider charges were significantly higher for those discharged to inpatient therapy (total costs: median difference, $9500; IQR, $7000–11 497; P < 0.001; community therapy costs: median difference, $749; IQR, $0–1980; P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Rehabilitation pathways incorporating inpatient rehabilitation did not achieve better joint‐specific outcomes or health scores than alternatives not including inpatient rehabilitation. Given the substantial cost differences, better value alternatives should be considered for patients after uncomplicated TKA.
There remains a lack of randomized trials investigating aspirin monotherapy for symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis following total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty ...(TKA).
To determine whether aspirin was noninferior to enoxaparin in preventing symptomatic VTE after THA or TKA.
Cluster-randomized, crossover, registry-nested trial across 31 hospitals in Australia. Clusters were hospitals performing greater than 250 THA or TKA procedures annually. Patients (aged ≥18 years) undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty procedures were enrolled at each hospital. Patients receiving preoperative anticoagulation or who had a medical contraindication to either study drug were excluded. A total of 9711 eligible patients were enrolled (5675 in the aspirin group and 4036 in the enoxaparin group) between April 20, 2019, and December 18, 2020. Final follow-up occurred on August 14, 2021.
Hospitals were randomized to administer aspirin (100 mg/d) or enoxaparin (40 mg/d) for 35 days after THA and for 14 days after TKA. Crossover occurred after the patient enrollment target had been met for the first group. All 31 hospitals were initially randomized and 16 crossed over prior to trial cessation.
The primary outcome was symptomatic VTE within 90 days, including pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (above or below the knee). The noninferiority margin was 1%. Six secondary outcomes are reported, including death and major bleeding within 90 days. Analyses were performed by randomization group.
Enrollment was stopped after an interim analysis determined the stopping rule was met, with 9711 patients (median age, 68 years; 56.8% female) of the prespecified 15 562 enrolled (62%). Of these, 9203 (95%) completed the trial. Within 90 days of surgery, symptomatic VTE occurred in 256 patients, including pulmonary embolism (79 cases), above-knee DVT (18 cases), and below-knee DVT (174 cases). The symptomatic VTE rate in the aspirin group was 3.45% and in the enoxaparin group was 1.82% (estimated difference, 1.97%; 95% CI, 0.54%-3.41%). This failed to meet the criterion for noninferiority for aspirin and was significantly superior for enoxaparin (P = .007). Of 6 secondary outcomes, none were significantly better in the enoxaparin group compared with the aspirin group.
Among patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, aspirin compared with enoxaparin resulted in a significantly higher rate of symptomatic VTE within 90 days, defined as below- or above-knee DVT or pulmonary embolism. These findings may be informed by a cost-effectiveness analysis.
ANZCTR Identifier: ACTRN12618001879257.
This study compares aspirin to enoxaparin for symptomatic VTE prophylaxis within 90 days of any type of hip or knee arthroplasty performed for any diagnosis, in patients enrolled in the CRISTAL ...trial.
CRISTAL was a cluster-randomised crossover, registry-nested non-inferiority trial across 31 hospitals in Australia. The primary publication was restricted to patients undergoing primary total hip or knee arthroplasty for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. This report includes all enrolled patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty procedures (partial or total, primary or revision) performed for any indication. Hospitals were randomized to administer patients aspirin (100mg daily) or enoxaparin (40mg daily), for 35 days after hip arthroplasty and 14 days after knee arthroplasty. Crossover occurred after the patient enrolment target had been met for the first group. The primary outcome was symptomatic VTE within 90 days. Analyses were performed by randomization group.
Between April 20, 2019 and December 18, 2020, 12384 patients were enrolled (7238 aspirin group and 5146 enoxaparin). Of these, 6901 (95.3%) given aspirin and 4827 (93.8%) given enoxaparin (total 11728, 94.7%) were included in the final analyses. Within 90 days, symptomatic VTE occurred in 226 (3.27%) aspirin patients and 85 (1.76%) enoxaparin patients, significant for the superiority of enoxaparin (estimated treatment difference 1.85%, 95% CI 0.59% to 3.10%, p = 0.004). Joint-related reoperation within 90 days was lower in the enoxaparin group (109/4827 (2.26%) vs 171/6896 (2.47%) with aspirin, estimated difference 0.77%; 95% CI 0.06% to 1.47%, p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the other secondary outcomes.
In patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty (of any type, performed for any indication) enrolled in the CRISTAL trial, aspirin compared to enoxaparin resulted in a significantly higher rate of symptomatic VTE and joint-related reoperation within 90 days. These findings extend the applicability of the CRISTAL trial results.
Anzctr.org.au, identifier: ACTRN12618001879257.
IntroductionVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication following hip arthroplasty (HA) and knee arthroplasty (KA). This study aims to determine whether aspirin is non-inferior to low ...molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in preventing symptomatic VTE following HA and KA.Methods and analysisThis is a cluster randomised, crossover, non-inferiority, trial nested within the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). The clusters will consist of Australian hospitals performing at least 250 HA and/or KA procedures per annum. All adult patients undergoing HA or KA will be included. The intervention will be aspirin, orally, 85–150 mg daily. The comparator will be LMWH (enoxaparin) 40 mg, subcutaneously, daily. Both drugs will commence within 24 hours postoperatively and continue for 35 days after HA and 14 days after KA. Each hospital will be randomised to commence with aspirin or LMWH and then crossover to the alternative treatment after meeting the recruitment target. Data will be collected through the AOANJRR via patient-reported surveys. The primary outcome is symptomatic VTE within 90 days post surgery, verified by AOANJRR staff. The primary analysis will include only patients undergoing elective primary total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Secondary outcomes will include symptomatic VTE for all HA and KA (including partial and revision) within 90 days, readmission, reoperation, major bleeding and death within 90 days and reoperation, death and patient-reported pain, function and health status at 6 months. If aspirin is found to be inferior, a cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted. The study will aim to recruit 15 562 patients from 31 hospitals.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been granted. Trial results will be submitted for publication. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618001879257, pre-results) and is endorsed by the Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Network.
Ischemic heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality following hip and knee arthroplasty. Due to its antiplatelet and cardioprotective properties, aspirin has been proposed as an agent that ...could reduce mortality when used as venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis following these procedures.
To compare aspirin with enoxaparin in reducing 90-day mortality for patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty procedures.
This study was a planned secondary analysis of the CRISTAL cluster randomized, crossover, registry-nested trial performed across 31 participating hospitals in Australia between April 20, 2019, and December 18, 2020. The aim of the CRISTAL trial was to determine whether aspirin was noninferior to enoxaparin in preventing symptomatic VTE following hip or knee arthroplasty. The primary study restricted the analysis to patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis only. This study includes all adult patients (aged ≥18 years) undergoing any hip or knee arthroplasty procedure at participating sites during the course of the trial. Data were analyzed from June 1 to September 6, 2021.
Hospitals were randomized to administer all patients oral aspirin (100 mg daily) or subcutaneous enoxaparin (40 mg daily) for 35 days after hip arthroplasty and 14 days after knee arthroplasty procedures.
The primary outcome was mortality within 90 days. The between-group difference in mortality was estimated using cluster summary methods.
A total of 23 458 patients from 31 hospitals were included, with 14 156 patients allocated to aspirin (median IQR age, 69 62-77 years; 7984 56.4% female) and 9302 patients allocated to enoxaparin (median IQR age, 70 62-77 years; 5277 56.7% female). The mortality rate within 90 days of surgery was 1.67% in the aspirin group and 1.53% in the enoxaparin group (estimated difference, 0.04%; 95% CI, -0.05%-0.42%). For the subgroup of 21 148 patients with a nonfracture diagnosis, the mortality rate was 0.49% in the aspirin group and 0.41% in the enoxaparin group (estimated difference, 0.05%; 95% CI, -0.67% to 0.76%).
In this secondary analysis of a cluster randomized trial comparing aspirin with enoxaparin following hip or knee arthroplasty, there was no significant between-group difference in mortality within 90 days when either drug was used for VTE prophylaxis.
http://anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12618001879257.
Background: Seven adults who attended six or more art psychotherapy sessions explore the role art psychotherapy played in their individual mental health recovery.
Aims: For lived experience voices to ...speak to the value of art therapy, attending to what is useful to individuals at the time of therapy and beyond.
Methods: A private practice art therapist shared information with service users regarding IJAT's call for collaborative papers. The art therapist invited interested authors to focus on how one artwork from their time in therapy was useful to them in their personal journey. Authors used their artworks and personal writings to explore the unique ways they used creativity to express hidden and sometimes unspoken aspects of their experiences.
Results: Authors drew a variety of conclusions regarding the impact of their art making. The authors explore using their art as a way of making meaning and gaining a greater understanding of themselves and their lived experiences of adversity.
Conclusions: The impact of art making in the context of art psychotherapy is useful in supporting individuals to create meaning and self-awareness in relation to adverse experiences. Authors conclude that their art had positive impacts at the time of therapy and beyond, creating support and meaning over time.
Implications: The value of follow-up research after a person has attended therapy is implied in the reflections shared by the authors. The relevance over time of a particular piece of artwork or imagery undertaken in art therapy is an area for further research.
Plain-language summary
The authors consist of seven people who attended art psychotherapy sessions and one therapist. The seven authors with lived experience of a range of adverse experiences have contributed personal written works and images; the therapist has contributed research and reflection. Authors have chosen a single piece of artwork undertaken at some point in the course of their art psychotherapy journey with the art therapist. The authors have written about what this artwork meant to them, both at the time of the therapy and upon reflection. The authors explore themes of: making meaning from visual expression, new understandings of life experiences and the long-term role imagery can play in recovery. The authors explore the ways that art making undertaken in art psychotherapy sessions impacted them as individuals and helped them to make meaning in mental health recovery. The therapist has chosen supportive literature from the field of fine art and art psychotherapy that highlights the observations and experiences made by the authors. The contributing art therapist adds discussion about the capacity for art psychotherapy processes to create meaning from adverse experiences.
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