To analyse the impact of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) on spinal radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Patients with AS in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management cohort ...with up to 10 years of follow-up and radiographic assessments every 2 years were included. Radiographs were scored by two readers according to the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) with known chronology. The relationship between TNFi use before a 2-year radiographic interval and progression within the interval was investigated using binomial generalised estimating equation models with adjustment for potential confounding and multiple imputation of missing values. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) was regarded as mediating the effect of TNFi on progression and added to the model in a sensitivity analysis.
A total of 432 patients with AS contributed to data for 616 radiographic intervals. Radiographic progression was defined as an increase in ≥2 mSASSS units in 2 years. Mean (SD) mSASSS increase was 0.9 (2.6) units in 2 years. Prior use of TNFi reduced the odds of progression by 50% (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.88) in the multivariable analysis. While no direct effect of TNFi on progression was present in an analysis including time-varying ASDAS (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.08), the indirect effect, via a reduction in ASDAS, was statistically significant (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.97).
TNFis are associated with a reduction of spinal radiographic progression in patients with AS. This effect seems mediated through the inhibiting effect of TNFi on disease activity.
Background
The accuracy of surgeon-defined assessment (SDA) of soft tissue balance in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is poorly understood despite balance being considered a significant determinant of ...surgical success. The study’s hypothesis was that intra-operative SDA is a poor predictor of coronal balance in TKA.
Methods
A prospective, multicenter study assessing accuracy of SDA of balance was conducted in 250 patients (285 TKAs). Eight surgeons and thirteen trainees participated, and all were blinded to sensor measurements. The primary outcome was test accuracy of SDA measured at 10°, 45° and 90° compared to sensor measures as the gold standard test. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was calculated to determine chance-corrected agreement. Secondary outcomes include the relationship of SDA to level of surgical experience, analysis of between-surgeon differences, and the influence of patient and operative factors on SDA accuracy.
Results
Average accuracy of SDA was 58.3%, 61.2% and 66.5% at 10°, 45° and 90° respectively. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was 0.18 at all angles and rated as “slight agreement”. SDA sensitivities to correctly identify a balanced knee (76.2% at 10°; 82.6% at 45°; 83.2% at 90°) were approximately twice specificities to correctly identify an unbalanced knee (42.6% at 10°; 34.1% at 45°; 41.4% at 90°). Surgical experience (surgeon versus trainee) had no effect on capacity to determine balance. Considerable between-surgeon variability was found (33–65% at 10°, 41–73% at 45°, 55–89% at 90°).
Conclusion
SDA was a poor predictor of balance, particularly when assessing the unbalanced TKA. Surgeon experience had no effect on test accuracy and considerable between-surgeon variability was recorded. These findings question the accuracy of SDA in TKA.
Trial Registration Number
: ACTRN# 12618000817246.
The effect of strict blood pressure control on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear.
To compare the outcomes associated with a treated systolic blood pressure ...(SBP) of less than 120 mm Hg vs those associated with the currently recommended SBP of less than 140 mm Hg in a national CKD database of US veterans.
Historical cohort study using a nationwide cohort of US veterans with prevalent CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), and uncontrolled hypertension, who then received 1 or more additional blood pressure medications with evidence of a decrease in SBP. Propensity scores were calculated to reflect each individual's probability for future SBP less than 120 vs 120 to 139 mm Hg.
The effect of SBP on all-cause mortality was evaluated by the log-rank test, and in Cox models adjusted for propensity scores.
Using a database of 651,749 patients with CKD, we identified 77,765 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria. A total of 5760 patients experienced follow-up treated SBP of less than 120 mm Hg and 72,005 patients had SBP of 120 to 139 mm Hg. During a median follow-up of 6.0 years, 19,517 patients died, with 2380 deaths in the SBP less than 120 mm Hg group (death rate, 80.9/1000 patient-years 95% CI, 77.7-84.2/1000 patient-years) and 17,137 deaths in the SBP 120 to 139 mm Hg group (death rate, 41.8/1000 patient-years 95% CI, 41.2-42.4/1000 patient-years; P < .001). The mortality hazard ratio (95% CI) associated with follow-up SBP less than 120 vs 120 to 139 mm Hg was 1.70 (1.63-1.78) after adjustment for propensity scores.
Our results suggest that stricter SBP control is associated with higher all-cause mortality in patients with CKD. Confirmation of these findings by ongoing clinical trials would suggest that modeling of therapeutic interventions in observational cohorts may offer useful guidance for the treatment of conditions that lack clinical trial data.
Hypertension is the most important treatable risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes. Many patients with CKD are elderly, but the ideal BP in these individuals is unknown.
From among 339,887 patients ...with incident eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), we examined associations of systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) with all-cause mortality, incident coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic strokes, and ESRD from the time of developing CKD until the end of follow-up (July 26, 2013, for mortality, CHD, and stroke, and December 31, 2011, for ESRD) in multivariable-adjusted survival models categorized by patients' age.
Of the total cohort, 300,424 (88%) had complete data for multivariable analysis. Both SBP and DBP showed a U-shaped association with mortality. SBP displayed a linear association with CHD, stroke, and ESRD, whereas DBP showed no consistent association with either. SBP>140 mmHg was associated with higher incidence of all examined outcomes, but with an incremental attenuation of the observed risk in older compared with younger patients (P<0.05 for interaction) The adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with SBP≥170 mmHg (compared with 130-139 mmHg) in patients <50, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years were 1.95 (1.34 to 2.84), 2.01 (1.75 to 2.30), 1.68 (1.49 to 1.89), 1.39 (1.25 to 1.54), and 1.30 (1.17 to 1.44), respectively. The risk of incident CHD, stroke, and ESRD was incrementally higher with higher SBP in patients aged <80 years but showed no consistent association in those aged ≥80 years (P<0.05 for interaction for all outcomes).
In veterans with incident CKD, SBP showed different associations in older versus younger patients. The association of higher SBP with adverse outcomes was present but markedly reduced in older individuals, especially in those aged ≥80 years. Elevated DBP showed no consistent association with vascular outcomes in patients with incident CKD.
Abstract
Background
Previous studies reported that compared with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with a reduced risk of mortality and ...repeat revascularization in patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Information about outcomes associated with CABG versus PCI in patients with advanced stages of CKD is limited. We evaluated the incidence and relative risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with CABG versus PCI in patients with advanced CKD.
Methods
We examined 730 US veterans with incident ESRD who underwent a first CABG or PCI up to 5 years prior to dialysis initiation. The association of CABG versus PCI with AKI was examined in multivariable adjusted logistic regression analyses.
Results
A total of 466 patients underwent CABG and 264 patients underwent PCI. The mean age was 64 ± 8 years, 99% were male, 20% were African American and 84% were diabetic. The incidence of AKI in the CABG versus PCI group was 67% versus 31%, respectively (P < 0.001). The incidence of all stages of AKI were higher after CABG compared with PCI. CABG was associated with a 4.5-fold higher crude risk of AKI {odds ratio OR 4.53 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.28–6.27; P < 0.001}, which remained significant after multivariable adjustments OR 3.50 (95% CI 2.03–6.02); P < 0.001.
Conclusion
CABG was associated with a 4.5-fold higher risk of AKI compared with PCI in patients with advanced CKD. Despite other benefits of CABG over PCI, the extremely high risk of AKI associated with CABG should be considered in this vulnerable population when deciding on the optimal revascularization strategy.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with better survival than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage ...renal disease (ESRD). However, the optimal strategy for coronary artery revascularization in patients with advanced CKD who transition to ESRD is unclear.
We examined a contemporary national cohort of 971 US veterans with incident ESRD who underwent first CABG or PCI up to 5 years before dialysis initiation. We examined the association of a history of CABG versus PCI with all-cause mortality following transition to dialysis using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for time between procedure and dialysis initiation, sociodemographics, comorbidities, and medications.
In total, 582 patients underwent CABG and 389 patients underwent PCI. The mean age was 64 ± 8 years, 99% of patients were male, 79% were white, 19% were African American, and 84% had diabetes. The all-cause post-dialysis mortality rates after CABG and PCI were 229 per 1000 patient-years (95% confidence interval CI, 205-256) and 311 per 1000 patient years (95% CI, 272-356), respectively. Compared with PCI, patients who underwent CABG had 34% lower risk of death (multivariable adjusted hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51-0.86, P = .002) after initiation of dialysis. Results were similar in all subgroups of patients stratified by age, race, type of intervention, presence/absence of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.
CABG in patients with advanced CKD was associated lower risk of death after initiation of dialysis compared with PCI.
In this large nationally representative cohort of US veterans with incident ESRD, pre-ESRD history of coronary artery revascularization with CABG was associated with a 34% lower multivariable adjusted risk of death after initiation of dialysis compared with PCI. CKD, Chronic kidney disease; CABG, coronary artery bypass grafting; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention. Display omitted
Objective
Accurate insertion of a guidewire under image intensifier guidance is a fundamental skill required by orthopaedic surgeons. This study investigated how image intensifier distortion, which ...is composed of pin-cushion and sigmoidal components, changed the apparent trajectory of a guidewire, and the resulting deviation between the intended and actual guidewire tip position.
Materials and methods
Intraoperative image intensifier images for 220 consecutive patients with hip fractures were retrospectively corrected for distortion using a global polynomial method. The deviation between the intended and actual guidewire tip positions was calculated. Additional distortion parameters were tested using an image intensifier produced by a different manufacturer, and a flat-panel c-arm.
Results
Deviation was approximately 1 cm if the guidewire was aimed from the extremity of the image and almost 0 if the entry point was only 20% from the centre (
p
< 0.001). The direction of deviation was different for left and right hips, with average deviations measuring 3 mm proximal and 5 mm distal respectively (
p
< 0.001). The flat-panel c-arm almost completely eliminated distortion.
Conclusions
Image intensifier distortion significantly altered the intended trajectory of a guidewire, with guidewires aimed from the image periphery more affected than guidewires aimed from the centre. Furthermore, for right hips, guidewires should be aimed distal to their intended position, and for left hips they should be aimed proximal to achieve their desired position. The flat-panel c-arm eliminated the effect of distortion; hence, it may be preferable if precision in guidewire positioning is vital.
Maturation of the human fetal brain should follow precisely scheduled structural growth and folding of the cerebral cortex for optimal postnatal function
. We present a normative digital atlas of ...fetal brain maturation based on a prospective international cohort of healthy pregnant women
, selected using World Health Organization recommendations for growth standards
. Their fetuses were accurately dated in the first trimester, with satisfactory growth and neurodevelopment from early pregnancy to 2 years of age
. The atlas was produced using 1,059 optimal quality, three-dimensional ultrasound brain volumes from 899 of the fetuses and an automated analysis pipeline
. The atlas corresponds structurally to published magnetic resonance images
, but with finer anatomical details in deep grey matter. The between-study site variability represented less than 8.0% of the total variance of all brain measures, supporting pooling data from the eight study sites to produce patterns of normative maturation. We have thereby generated an average representation of each cerebral hemisphere between 14 and 31 weeks' gestation with quantification of intracranial volume variability and growth patterns. Emergent asymmetries were detectable from as early as 14 weeks, with peak asymmetries in regions associated with language development and functional lateralization between 20 and 26 weeks' gestation. These patterns were validated in 1,487 three-dimensional brain volumes from 1,295 different fetuses in the same cohort. We provide a unique spatiotemporal benchmark of fetal brain maturation from a large cohort with normative postnatal growth and neurodevelopment.
IntroductionSoft tissue imbalance is considered to be a major surgical cause of dissatisfaction following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Surgeon-determined manual assessment of ligament tension has ...been shown to be a poor determinant of the true knee balance state. The recent introduction of intraoperative sensors, however, allows surgeons to precisely quantify knee compartment pressures and tibiofemoral kinematics, thereby optimising coronal and sagittal plane soft tissue balance. The primary hypothesis of this study is that achieving knee balance with use of sensors in TKA will improve patient-reported outcomes when compared with manual balancing.Methods and analysisA multicentred, randomised controlled trial will compare patient-reported outcomes in 222 patients undergoing TKA using sensor-guided balancing versus manual balancing. The sensor will be used in both arms for purposes of data collection; however, surgeons will be blinded to the pressure data in patients randomised to manual balancing. The primary outcome will be the change from baseline to 1 year postoperatively in the mean of the four subscales of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4) that are most specific to TKA recovery: pain, symptoms, function and knee-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes will include the surgeon’s capacity to determine knee balance, radiographic and functional measures and additional patient-reported outcomes. Normality of data will be assessed, and a Student’s t-test and equivalent non-parametric tests will be used to compare differences in means among the two groups.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Approval (HREC/18/POWH/320). Results of the trial will be presented at orthopaedic surgical meetings and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberACTRN#12618000817246
The combination of imageless computer-aided surgery (CAS) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not been reported. This study presents the initial 30 procedures ...in which imageless CAS was combined with MIS for TKA by the senior author. Coronal alignment of femoral and tibial components with respect to the mechanical axis of the lower limb was measured when patients could achieve full extension. Component position was acceptable for all implants. The mean coronal tibial alignment was 90.35 degrees (range, 88 degrees -93 degrees ) and mean coronal femoral alignment 90.10 degrees (range, 88 degrees -93 degrees ) to the mechanical axis. Tourniquet time averaged 90 minutes (range, 60-118 minutes). There was no significant reduction in tourniquet time with increasing familiarity with the technique. Our results demonstrate that CAS combined with MIS for TKA maintains the accuracy of component alignment despite the minimally invasive approach. These initial results demonstrate no significant learning curve associated with the technique.
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