Long-term followup of rheumatoid forefoot surgery

Rheumatoid forefoot deformities were treated originally at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital by metatarsal head resection (II-V) and resection of the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe. Recurrent great toe deformity with pain in numerous cases led to a comparative series of arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with resection of lesser metatarsal heads. At an average followup period of 3 years, the clinical evaluation and patient assessments were slightly in favor of arthrodesis. However, the patients' evaluation at 14 years was slightly in favor of resection. Measured in the plane of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, the recommended fusion position is 15 degrees valgus and 30 degrees dorsiflexion (females) and 25 degrees dorsiflexion (males). The position of the fusion is critical for a successful surgical outcome. Although both surgical methods give good pain relief and patient satisfaction, there is a risk of reoperation in the long term.     

Predictors for functional outcome in older rehabilitation patients.

Medical rehabilitation may serve to distinguish older adults capable of independent living from those in need of assistance. Return to independent living was evaluated in 372 older patients, all of whom lived alone before admission. For persons discharged alone, admission performance on the Functional Independence Measure was the only significant predictor of discharge self-care. For those discharged with supervision, age, memory, and depression were also significant predictors of discharge self-care. Thus, older live-alone patients may progress at different rates over rehabilitation, and psychosocial problems may foreshadow loss of independence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictors of long-term outcome in severe head injury

Potentiometric choline electrodes were developed on the basis of the mediator-free bioelectrocatalysis. The electrodes made of a composite carbon-polymer material contain choline oxidase and peroxidase coimmobilized on the surface of the electrode. The rate of the potential increase was shown to be proportional to the choline concentration within a broad range of variation. Coupling of choline-sensitive electrodes with butyrylcholinesterase makes possible both the direct detection of butyrylcholine and analysis of butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors.     

Predictors of psychopathy and release outcome in a criminal population.

Additional construct validity of R. D. Hare's (see record 1982-02477-001) Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) was sought by comparing empirically derived predictors of recidivism with PCL scores among 93 inmates who were first released on temporary absences and subsequently followed on parole. The PCL proved to be reliable and a more efficient predictor of release outcome than an empirically derived predictive index. Psychopathy ratings predicted outcome for both temporary absence and parole release. PCL scores and actuarial prediction scales of recidivism were found to be highly correlated, even after deleting overlapping items. In addition, psychopathy was significantly related to mean time before recommittal. Significant differences between nonpsychopaths and psychopaths were also found when unequal follow-up time was controlled. Psychopaths were recommitted 4 times more frequently than nonpsychopaths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictors of outcome from critical illness. Shock and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Many of our patients in ICUs suffer from shock, be it due to sepsis, trauma, arrest, or other causes. These patients continue to have a very high mortality rate in spite of very labor intensive and expensive treatment. The ability to identify patients who are likely to succumb to their illness is of utmost importance. Of the multitude of scoring systems published, the APACHE seems to accurately stratify shock patients according to severity of illness. However, these systems tend to be more useful for stratifying risk groups of patients than assessing the risk of death. Hemodynamic data can specifically assess the severity of the shock state in an individual patient. Those who maintain a relatively low cardiac index (< 4.5 L/m/M2) and oxygen delivery (< 15 mL/m/kg or 600 mL/m/M2) have persistent tissue hypoperfusion. Arterial lactate concentrations reflect the severity of this perfusion defect and correlate with outcome. Therefore, by restoring tissue perfusion, we can clearly improve mortality. CPP, although not generally obtainable during cardiac arrest, is the major physiologic determinant of outcome from CPR. ETCO2 monitoring during cardiac arrest in humans correlates with resuscitability, however, provides a rapid noninvasive monitor of cardiac output, and therefore has secured its role as an invaluable tool for assessing the effectiveness of CPR. An ETCO2 over 10 mm Hg is associated with effective CPR. A rapid rise in ETCO2 during CPR heralds recovery of spontaneous circulation. In conclusion, the use of prognostic indicators as predictors of outcome is supported as an important adjunct to the management of critically ill patients. These indicators serve as useful monitors to evaluate treatment and guide clinical management. Understanding the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the wide variety of illnesses associated with circulatory failure is crucial in our concerted effort to reduce mortality in these patients. As knowledge is gained, we hopefully will be able to develop more accurate and specific predictors of outcome to prudently select patients most likely to benefit.     

Predictors of outcome in LAAM, buprenorphine, and methadone treatment for opioid dependence.

This study examined (1) predictors of treatment outcome for opioid-dependent participants in a single-site controlled trial comparing methadone, buprenorphine, and LAAM treatments and (2) the extent to which various subpopulations of patients may have more successful outcomes with each medication. The relationships between patient demographics, drug use history, and psychological status and outcome measures of treatment retention, opiate use, and cocaine use were assessed. We believe this study to be the first to demonstrate that predictors of treatment success appear to be largely similar in LAAM, buprenorphine, and methadone treatment for opioid dependence. We did not find any factors that would strongly guide selection of one medication over others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factors determining the long-term outcome of surgery for acromegaly

Seventy-nine patients with acromegaly were investigated before and after transsphenoidal adenomectomy, to determine the immediate and late outcome, the pre-operative features associated with a good result, and the accuracy of post-operative testing in predicting outcome. Pre-operative evaluation included basal growth hormone (GH), GH response to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), GH response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH), tests of pituitary reserve, and pituitary scanning to assess tumour size. A few weeks after surgery, these tests were repeated. The patients were recalled for late assessment 1-13 years (median 86 months) after the operation. At the immediate postoperative testing, minimum GH after oral glucose was < or = 2 mU/l in 48.7%, < 5 mU/l in 76.3% and < 10 mU/l in 84.2%. Only 12 patients had GH > 10 mU/l. Basal GH was < or = 2 mU/l in 21%, < 5 in 59.2%, < 10 in 73.6% and < 20 in 90.8%. A minimum GH of < or = 2 mU/l during an OGTT was achieved in 67.4% of patients with intrasellar tumours, compared with 27.3% with extrasellar tumours. Basal GH and post-glucose GH correlated with the late outcome. GH response to TRH showed no correlation with outcome. IGF-1, which could not be assessed in detail, correlated with GH but was not a reliable indicator of outcome. Transsphenoidal adenomectomy is thus a very satisfactory treatment for acromegaly. Postoperative levels of basal growth hormone < 5 mU/l and post-glucose GH < or = 2 mU/l can be regarded as a biochemical cure. Postoperative radiotherapy is not required in patients who achieve a good result. The preoperative factors which significantly influenced the final outcome were basal GH, post-glucose minimum GH, tumour size and impaired pituitary reserve.     

Role of saphenous vein surgery in the treatment of venous ulceration

We present 19 ray lengthenings in 14 patients done with a small external fixator. In six cases the thumb was lengthened and in the other 13 cases, other digital rays. The most frequent reason for lengthening was an amputation sustained in a work accident. All the lengthenings were done by an osteotomy and subsequent gradual distraction with a small external fixator. The mean lengthening achieved was 20 mm (range, 0-32). An iliac-crest graft was needed in nine cases, corrective osteotomy in five cases and a deepening of the web in the six cases of thumb lengthening. In five cases an additional technique was needed to achieve bony consolidation. We have analysed the functional results and the ability to perform activities of daily living and resume employment. Although most of the patients had multiples injuries, the results have been very favourable, achieving a very high level of patient satisfaction.     

Predictors of transfusion risk in elective knee surgery

Two hundred seventy-nine patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee replacement and 280 patients undergoing primary bilateral total knee replacements were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' height, weight, hemoglobin level before donation, hemoglobin level before surgery, autologous donation, number and type of transfusions whether autologous or allogeneic, and hemoglobin at discharge were collected from hospital and clinic records. The average drop in hemoglobin was 3.85 g/dL in the group of patients undergoing unilateral total knee replacement and 5.42 g/dL in the group of patients undergoing bilateral total knee replacements. The preoperative hemoglobin and blood volume seemed to be very strong, statistically significant predictors of transfusion risk in single and bilateral knee replacements. In unilateral total knee replacement, patients with a hemoglobin of greater than 13 g/dL had only an 8% chance of transfusion and if they donated autologous blood, 66% of the blood was wasted. Preoperative anemia was a strong predictor of transfusion risk in patients undergoing unilateral and bilateral total knee replacements and carried a very high allogeneic transfusion exposure risk, even in patients who had donated blood preoperatively. A nomogram was developed using blood volume and predonation hemoglobin to predict transfusion risk and need to predeposit autologous blood in patients undergoing unilateral and bilateral total knee replacements.     

Predictors of outcome in patients with chronic back pain and low-grade spondylolisthesis

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors influencing symptom relief after uninstrumented posterolateral spinal fusion with or without decompression in adult patients with chronic back pain and previously asymptomatic low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The role of previously asymptomatic low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis in chronic adult low back pain is unclear. Operative intervention in this setting is controversial. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive adult patients with chronic low back pain and low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis first detected during routine work-up of new onset low back pain underwent spinal fusion with or without decompression. The influence of active worker's compensation or litigation claims, radicular pain, concomitant laminectomy, age, gender, fusion to L4, intervertebral disc bulge, and pseudarthrosis were investigated. RESULTS: All 13 patients involved in worker's compensation claims or pending litigation had fair or poor results. Nine of 11 patients without such issues had good or excellent results. Although the strong association of worker's compensation with poor results made it difficult to assess the importance of other risk factors, the data suggest that good results may be more likely in patients with radiculopathy who undergo laminectomy. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation, although limited by a number of factors including small sample size and retrospective, unblinded review, suggests that active worker's compensation and litigation issues are associated strongly with poor results of operative management for chronic low back pain in adult patients with low-grade spondylolisthesis.     

Predictors of rate of return to work after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of patient demographics, clinical features, and job-related factors on the time until return to work after carpal tunnel release surgery. METHODS: We employed a cross-sectional community-based study of 59 patients who had undergone carpal tunnel release surgery. Sociodemographic, clinical, and job-related characteristics and time to return to work were obtained by interview and from medical records. Exposure to ergonomic risk was derived from an independently validated job matrix. Time to return to work after surgery was analyzed by survival techniques. RESULTS: Median time to return to work was 5 weeks. After adjustment, the relative rate (RR) of return to work per week after surgery was most strongly decreased by the receipt of workers' compensation, RR 0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1-0.5), and by the exposure to bending and twisting of the hand prior to surgery, RR 0.7 (95% CI 0.5-0.9) per hour. Female gender was another predictor of decreased return to work, RR 0.5 (95% CI 0.3-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving workers' compensation, those exposed to higher levels of bending and twisting of their hands and wrists, and women were slower to return to work after carpal tunnel release surgery.     

Behavioral treatment for smokers with a history of alcoholism: Predictors of successful outcome.

This study examined baseline predictors associated with smoking abstinence among 205 smokers (113 men, 92 women) with a past history of alcoholism. Their mean age was 41.8 years, and 93% were Caucasian. Participants were randomly assigned to standard treatment (ST), behavioral counseling plus exercise (BEX), or behavioral counseling plus nicotine gum (BNIC). Factors multivariately associated with point-prevalence smoking abstinence at posttreatment (1 week after target quit date) were a longer duration of prior smoking abstinence and an interaction between treatment group and having an active 12-step sponsor. ST was more effective for those with an active sponsor, whereas both BEX and BNIC were more effective for those without an active sponsor. At 1-year follow-up, independent predictors of point-prevalence smoking abstinence were a lower Fagerstr6m Tolerance Questionnaire score (K. O. Fagerstrom, 1978) and fewer years of smoking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term clinical outcome of surgery for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

BACKGROUND: When severe symptoms of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome persist despite medical management, surgery may be necessary. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of 81 patients undergoing surgery for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in the 10-year period from 1984 to 1993 to determine the long-term outcome at a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Of the 81 patients, 15 were excluded from further analysis (11 were followed up for less than 12 months, two died and two were lost to follow-up). Sixty-six patients were studied (median age 38 (range 15-77) years; 53 female). Of these, 49 underwent rectopexy, nine Delorme's operation, two anterior resection and four creation of a stoma as the initial operation. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 90 (range 12-177) months, the rectopexy had failed in 22 of 49 patients; 19 of these patients underwent further surgery, including rectal resection with coloanal anastomosis (four with three failures), colostomy (11) and other procedures (four). Ultimately, 14 required a stoma. Constipation was the indication for a stoma in nine of the 11 patients who had colostomy as the first procedure after failure of rectopexy. Nine patients had Delorme's operation as the first procedure. At median follow-up of 38 (range 19-107) months, there were four failures. Two of these ultimately required a stoma. Of the seven patients who underwent anterior resection as the initial or subsequent procedure, a stoma was finally necessary in four. Anterior resection used as a salvage procedure was not successful. The overall stoma rate was 30 per cent (20 patients). Of 11 symptoms assessed before operation only incontinence and incomplete evacuation were related to a poor outcome following surgery. CONCLUSION: Antiprolapse operations result in a satisfactory long-term outcome in about 55-60 per cent of patients having surgery for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Results of anterior resection are disappointing.