76 research outputs found
Ultrasound-detected pathologies cluster into groups with different clinical outcomes: data from 3000 community referrals for shoulder pain
No full textBackground Ultrasound is increasingly used to evaluate shoulder pain but the benefits of this are unclear. This study examined whether ultrasound-defined pathologies have implications for clinical outcomes. Methods We extracted reported pathologies from 3000 ultrasound scans of people with shoulder pain referred from primary care. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified whether individual pathologies clustered in groups. Optimal group number was determined by the minimum Bayesian information criterion. A questionnaire was sent to all patients scanned over a 12-month period (n=2322). Data collected included demographics, treatments received, current pain and function. The relationship between pathology-defined groups and clinical outcomes was examined. Results LCA revealed four groups: 1. bursitis with limited inflammation elsewhere (n=1280); 2. bursitis with extensive inflammation (n=595); 3. rotator cuff tears (n=558); 4. limited pathology (n=567). 777 (33%) completed questionnaires; median (IQR) duration post-ultrasound scan was 25 (22, 29) months. Subsequent injections were most common in groups 1 & 2 (groups 1-4: 76%; 67%; 48%; 61%); surgery was most common in group 3 (23%; 21%; 28%; 16%). Shoulder Pain and Disability Index scores were highest in group 3 (median 48 and 30 respectively) and lowest in group 4 (32 and 9). Patients in group 4 who had surgery reported poor outcomes. Conclusion In a community-based population, ultrasound identified clusters of pathologies. Our retrospective data suggests these groups have different treatment pathways and outcomes. This requires replication in a prospective study to determine the value of a pathology-based classification in people with shoulder pain
Ultrasound to identify systemic lupus erythematosus patients with musculoskeletal symptoms who respond best to therapy: the US Evaluation For mUsculoskeletal Lupus longitudinal multicentre study
No full textObjectives:
To determine whether SLE patients with inflammatory joint symptoms and US synovitis/tenosyovitis achieve better clinical responses to glucocorticoids compared with patients with normal scans. Secondary objectives included identification of clinical features predicting US synovitis/tenosynovitis.
Methods:
In a longitudinal multicentre study, SLE patients with physician-diagnosed inflammatory joint pain received intramuscular methylprednisolone 120 mg once. Clinical assessments, patient-reported outcomes and bilateral hand/wrist USs were collected at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. The primary outcome (determined via internal pilot) was the early morning stiffness visual analogue scale (EMS-VAS) at 2 weeks, adjusted for baseline, comparing patients with positive (greyscale ≥2 and/or power Doppler ≥1) and negative US. Post hoc analyses excluded FM.
Results:
Of 133 patients, 78 had a positive US. Only 53 (68%) of these had one or more swollen joint. Of 66 patients with one or more swollen joint, 20% had a negative US. A positive US was associated with joint swelling, symmetrical small joint distribution and serology. The primary endpoint was not met: in the full analysis set (N = 133) there was no difference in baseline-adjusted EMS-VAS at week 2 [−7.7 mm (95% CI −19.0, 3.5); P = 0.178]. After excluding 32 patients with FM, response was significantly better in patients with a positive US at baseline [baseline-adjusted EMS-VAS at 2 weeks −12.1 mm (95% CI −22.2, −0.1); P = 0.049]. This difference was greater when adjusted for treatment [−12.8 mm (95% CI −22, −3); P = 0.007]. BILAG and SLEDAI responses were higher in US-positive patients.
Conclusion:
In SLE patients without FM, those with a positive US had a better clinical response to therapy. Imaging-detected synovitis/tenosynovitis may be considered to decide on therapy and enrich clinical trials
RIPOSTE: A framework for improving the design and analysis of laboratory-based research
No full textLack of reproducibility is an ongoing problem in some areas of the biomedical sciences. Poor experimental design and a failure to engage with experienced statisticians at key stages in the design and analysis of experiments are two factors that contribute to this problem. The RIPOSTE (Reducing IrreProducibility in labOratory STudiEs) framework has been developed to support early and regular discussions between scientists and statisticians in order to improve the design, conduct and analysis of laboratory studies and, therefore, reduce irreproducibility. This framework is intended for use during the early stages of a research project, when specific questions or hypotheses are proposed. The essential points within the framework are explained and illustrated using three examples (a medical equipment test, a macrophage study and a gene expression study). Sound study design minimises the possibility of bias being introduced into experiments and leads to higher quality research with more reproducible results
A home exercise programme is no more beneficial than advice and education for people with neurogenic claudication: results from a randomised controlled trial.
No full textObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of a physiotherapy programme with a control treatment of advice and education in patients with neurogenic claudication symptoms.DesignPragmatic randomised controlled clinical trial.SettingPrimary care-based musculoskeletal service.PatientsAdults aged 50 or over with neurogenic claudication symptoms causing limitation of walking.InterventionsCondition-specific home exercises combined with advice and education, or advice and education alone.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the difference in improvement of symptom severity scores on the Swiss Spinal Stenosis Scale at eight weeks. Secondary outcomes included measures of physical function, pain and general well-being at eight weeks and 12 months.ResultsThere was no significant difference between groups in the Swiss Spinal Stenosis symptom severity scale at eight weeks (t = 0.47, p = 0.643): mean change (SD) control group -0.18 (0.47), treatment group -0.10 (0.66), difference (95% CI) 0.08 (-0.19, 0.35); baseline-adjusted difference 0.06 (-0.19, 0.31)]. An unplanned subgroup analysis suggested that for patients with the top 25% of baseline symptom severity scores, the physiotherapy exercise programme resulted in an improvement in the primary outcome, and modest but consistently better secondary outcomes at both time-points compared to the control group. The effectiveness in different subgroups requires further direct evaluation.ConclusionsIn the treatment of patients with neurogenic claudication symptoms, a physiotherapist-prescribed home exercise programme is no more effective than advice and education.Ethical approvalThe study was approved by Leeds Central Ethics Committee and informed consent was given by all participating patients.CopyrightThe Corresponding Author has the right to grant on behalf of all authors and does grant on behalf of all authors, a worldwide licence to the Publishers and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats and media (whether known now or created in the future), to i) publish, reproduce, distribute, display and store the Contribution, ii) translate the Contribution into other languages, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections and create summaries, extracts and/or, abstracts of the Contribution, iii) create any other derivative work(s) based on the Contribution, iv) to exploit all subsidiary rights in the Contribution, v) the inclusion of electronic links from the Contribution to third party material where-ever it may be located; and, vi) licence any third party to do any or all of the above.Trial registrationISRCTN 78288224 - doi10.1186/ISRCTN35836727; UKCRN 4814
Defining inflammatory musculoskeletal manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus
No full textObjective: To define the prevalence and clinical associations of clinical and imaging definitions of synovitis in unselected SLE patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms.
Methods: 112 patients with SLE (excluding RF and CCP positive patients); 88 consecutive with inflammatory MSK symptoms and 24 asymptomatic SLE controls were recruited. Patients had clinical assessment (BILAG, SLEDAI, joint counts, patient and physician visual analogue score), routine laboratory tests and US of two hands and wrists (synovitis and tenosynovitis, OMERACT definitions).
Results: Overall, 68% (60/88) of symptomatic patients had US inflammation (grey scale ⩾ 2 and/or PD ⩾ 1 or tenosynovitis) compared with 17% (4/23) of asymptomatic patients. In symptomatic patients, clinical inflammation was seen defined by BILAG A or B in 38% (34/88) or defined by the SLEDAI-MSK criterion in 32% (28/88). BILAG A/B had sensitivity (95% CI) of 56% (41, 69%) and specificity of 89% (72, 96%) for US-confirmed inflammation. SLEDAI-MSK criterion had sensitivity of 44% (31, 59%) and specificity of 89% (72, 96%). In patients with inflammatory symptoms, 27% (24/88) had subclinical inflammation (abnormal US but no clinically swollen joints) and 35% (31/88) had no clinical or US inflammation. Subclinical tenosynovitis and PD were associated with significantly higher IgG, physician visual analogue score, tender joint count.
Conclusion: In SLE patients with MSK symptoms, a large proportion of objective, clinically meaningful inflammation is only identifiable by US. The existing classification of MSK SLE using disease activity instruments based on joint swelling is inaccurate to guide patient selection for clinical trials, biologic therapy, or treat-to-target protocols
The effect of unit, depth, and probe load on the reliability of muscle shear wave elastography: Variables affecting reliability of SWE
No full textPurpose: There is currently no standardized method for muscle shear wave elastography (SWE). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of unit of measurement, depth, and probe load on the reliability of muscle SWE. Methods: The vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, biceps brachii, and abductor digiti minimi muscles were scanned on 20 healthy participants. The SWE readings were measured in shear wave velocity (m/s) and Young's modulus (kPa). Three acquisitions of varying depths were acquired from vastus lateralis. Minimal probe load was compared with the use of a standoff gel layer. Three repeated measurements were acquired to assess reliability using intraclass correlations (ICC). Results: The mean elasticity varied across muscle groups and ranged from 1.54 m/s for biceps femoris to 2.55 m/s for abductor digiti minimi (difference = 1.01 m/s [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.92, 1.10]). Reporting readings in meters per second resulted in higher ICC of 0.83 (0.65, 0.93) in comparison to 0.77 (0.52, 0.90) for kilopascal for the vastus lateralis muscle only. Variance increased proportionally with depth reaching 0.17 (equivalent to ±0.82 m/s) at 6 cm. Using a standoff gel decreased ICC to 0.63 (0.20, 0.84) despite similar mean elasticity readings to minimal probe load. Conclusions: Different acquisition and technical factors may significantly affect the reliability of SWE in skeletal muscles. Readings acquired in the unit of shear wave velocity (m/s) from depths less than 4 cm using a minimal probe load without a standoff gel yielded the best reliability
An investigation into the variability between different shear wave elastography systems in muscle
No full textAims: The reliability and agreement between shear wave elastography (SWE) systems using different acquisition methods in muscles is not yet established. The objectives were to determine the reliability of a new SWE system on normal resting muscles using different acquisition methods and to compare its performance to an established state-of-the-art system. Material and methods: Small, medium and large ROI sizes in addition to longitudinal, oblique and transverse orientations over five different locations within the rectus femoris muscle were tested using the new system. Results were compared to the established system to test for inter-system reproducibility. Results: Lowest within-subject coefficient of variance (4.3%) and shear wave velocity (1.83 m/s) were associated with the medium ROI and longitudinal orientation from the lateral location. This combination resulted in a strong internal agreement of intra-class correlation of 0.76 (0.57–0.89) for the new system and an almost perfect agreement of 0.92 (0.82–0.97) for the established. Inter-system reproducibility for the best combination was 0.71 (0.48–1) with a mean velocity difference ±95% limits of agreement of 0.07±0.49 m/s. Conclusions: Altering SWE acquisition methods can produce variable results. The new system produced reliable results that are comparable with but not as reliable as the established
Toward a clinical definition of early osteoarthritis: onset of patient-reported knee pain begins on stairs. Data from the osteoarthritis initiative.
No full textOBJECTIVE: Early detection of osteoarthritis (OA) would increase the chances of effective intervention. We aimed to investigate which patient-reported activity is first associated with knee pain. We hypothesized that pain would occur first during activities requiring weight bearing and knee bending. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), a multicenter, longitudinal prospective observational cohort of people who have or are at high risk of OA. Participants completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; Likert scale) annually for up to 7 years. Rasch analysis was used to rank the WOMAC pain questions (activities) in order of affirmation as the pain score increased from 0. For each total WOMAC score category (0-20) we selected 25 individuals at random based on their maximum score across all visits. Fit to the Rasch model was assessed in this subset; stability of question ranking over successive visits was confirmed in the full OAI. RESULTS: WOMAC data on 4,673 people were included, with 491 selected for subset analysis. The subset data showed good fit to the Rasch model (χ(2) = 43.31, P = 0.332). In the full OAI, the "using stairs" question was the first to score points as the total pain score increased from 0 (baseline logit score ± 95% confidence interval -4.74 ± 0.07), then "walking" (-2.94 ± 0.07), "standing" (-2.65 ± 0.07), "lying/sitting" (-2.00 ± 0.08), and finally "in bed" (-1.32 ± 0.09). This ordering was consistent over successive visits. CONCLUSION: Knee pain is most likely to first appear during weight-bearing activities involving bending of the knee, such as using stairs. First appearance of this symptom may identify a group suitable for early intervention strategies
The usefulness of ultrasound in predicting outcomes in patients with shoulder pain: a prospective observational study
No full textObjectives
Shoulder pain is common but current clinical classification has limited utility. We aimed to determine whether groups of ultrasound-based shoulder pathologies exist and to evaluate outcomes according to identified groups and individual pathologies.
Methods
This was a prospective study of a community-based cohort with shoulder pain referred for their first ultrasound scan at a single radiology unit, with subsequent routine clinical care. Patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline, 2 weeks and 6 months; standardized ultrasound reporting was employed. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified ultrasound pathology–based groups. Multiple linear regression analysis explored associations between baseline pathologies, subsequent treatment and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Short-term response to corticosteroid injections was investigated.
Results
Of 500 participants (mean age 53.6 years; 52% female), 330 completed follow-up. LCA identified four groups: bursitis with (33%) or without (27%) acromioclavicular joint degeneration, rotator cuff tear (21%) and no bursitis/tear (19%). Total SPADI was higher at baseline for cuff tears (mean 55.1 vs 49.7–51.3; overall P = 0.005), but accounting for this, groups did not differ at 6 months (43.5 vs 38.5–40.5; P = 0.379). Baseline SPADI was the only predictor of 6-month SPADI retained by penalized modelling; neither LCA-derived ultrasound groups nor individual pathologies were selected. Response to baseline injection at week 2 did not differ between groups (mean SPADI 40.1–43.8; P = 0.423).
Conclusion
Ultrasound-based classification (groups or individual pathologies) of shoulder pain did not predict medium-term outcomes using current treatments. The role of routine diagnostic ultrasound for shoulder pain needs consideration; it may be useful to establish evidence-based therapies for specific pathologies
Changes in secondary and exploratory outcomes in a subgroup of patients with symptom severity scores exceeding the 75<sup>th</sup> percentile at baseline.
No full text<p>Changes in secondary and exploratory outcomes in a subgroup of patients with symptom severity scores exceeding the 75<sup>th</sup> percentile at baseline.</p
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