Clémence Palazzo

The Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions

Objective Despite the burden of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), these conditions probably deserve more attention from public health authorities in several countries including developed ones. We assessed their contribution to disability. Methods Data on disabilities associated with RMDs were extracted from the national 2008–2009 Disability-Health Survey of 29,931 subjects representative of the population in France. We used the core set of disability categories for RMDs of the World Health Organizations International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for analysis. Diagnosis and disabilities were self-reported. We assessed the risk of disability associated with RMDs using odds ratios (ORs) and the societal impact of RMDs using the average attributable fraction (AAF). Results Overall 27.7% (about 17.3 million people) (95% CI 26.9–28.4%) of the population reported having RMDs. The most prevalent RMDs were low back pain (12.5%, 12.1–13.1) and osteoarthritis (12.3%, 11.8–12.7). People reporting osteoarthritis were more disabled in walking (adjusted OR 1.9, 1.7–2.2) than those without. People reporting inflammatory arthritis were more limited in activities of daily living (from 1.4, 1.2–1.8 for walking to 2.1, 1.5–2.9 for moving around). From a societal perspective, osteoarthritis was the main contributor to activity limitations (AAF 22% for walking difficulties). Changing jobs was mainly attributed to neck pain (AAF 13%) and low back pain (11.5%). Conclusion RMDs are highly prevalent and significantly affect activity limitations and participation restrictions. More effort is needed to improve care and research in this field.

Determinants of satisfaction 1 year after total hip arthroplasty: the role of expectations fulfilment

BackgroundBetween 7% and 15% of patients are dissatisfied after total hip arthroplasty (THA). To assess predictors and postoperative determinants of satisfaction and expectation fulfilment one year after (THA).MethodsBefore THA surgery, 132 patients from three tertiary care centres and their surgeons were interviewed to assess their expectations using the Hospital for Special Surgery Total Hip Replacement Expectations Survey (THR survey). One year after surgery, patients (n = 123) were contacted by phone to complete a questionnaire on expectation fulfilment (THR survey), satisfaction, functional outcome (Womac), and health-related quality of life (SF 12). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsPreoperative predictors of satisfaction were a good mental wellbeing (adjusted OR 1.09 [1.02; 1.16], p = 0.01) and optimistic surgeons expectations (1.07 [1.01; 1.14], p = 0.02). The main postoperative determinant of satisfaction was the fulfilment of patient’s expectations (1.08 [1.04; 1.12], p < 0.001). Expectation fulfilment could be predicted before surgery by young age (regression coefficient −0.55 [−0.88; -0.21], p = 0.002), good physical function (−0.96 [−1.82; -0.10], p = 0.03) and good mental wellbeing (0.56 [0.14; 0.99], p = 0.01). Postoperative determinants of expectation fulfilment were functional outcome (−2.10 [−2.79; -1.42], p <0.001) and pain relief (−14.83 [−22.38; -7.29], p < 0.001).ConclusionTo improve patient satisfaction after THA, patients’ expectations and their fulfilment need to be carefully addressed. Patients with low mental wellbeing or physical function should be identified and specifically informed on expected surgical outcome. Surgeons’ expectations are predictive of satisfaction and information should aim to lower discrepancy between surgeons’ and patients’ expectations.

Risk factors and burden of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint disorders worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing because of the growing aging of the population in developed and developing countries as well as an increase in risk factors leading to OA, particularly obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Risk factors of OA can be divided into person-level factors (age, gender, obesity, genetics and diet) and joint-level factors (injury, malalignment and abnormal loading of the joints) that interact in a complex manner. OA is the 11th cause of disability in the world. It is responsible for activity limitations, particularly walking, and affects participation and quality of life. Patients with OA are at greater risk of all-cause mortality, particularly for cardiovascular diseases, than the general population. This excess mortality is closely associated with disability level. Consequently, strategies to reduce burden through primary and secondary prevention programs are increasingly important.

Respective Contribution of Chronic Conditions to Disability in France: Results from the National Disability-Health Survey

Background Representative national data on disability are becoming increasingly important in helping policymakers decide on public health strategies. We assessed the respective contribution of chronic health conditions to disability for three age groups (18–40, 40–65, and >65 years old) using data from the 2008–2009 Disability-Health Survey in France. Methods Data on 12 chronic conditions and on disability for 24,682 adults living in households were extracted from the Disability-Health Survey results. A weighting factor was applied to obtain representative estimates for the French population. Disability was defined as at least one restriction in activities of daily living (ADL), severe disability as the inability to perform at least one ADL alone, and self-reported disability as a general feeling of being disabled. To account for co-morbidities, we assessed the contribution of each chronic disorder to disability by using the average attributable fraction (AAF). Findings We estimated that 38.8 million people in France (81.7% [95% CI 80.9;82.6]) had a chronic condition: 14.3% (14.0;14.6) considered themselves disabled, 4.6% (4.4;4.9) were restricted in ADL and 1.7% (1.5;1.8) were severely disabled. Musculoskeletal and sensorial impairments contributed the most to self-reported disability (AAF 15.4% and 12.3%). Neurological and musculoskeletal diseases had the largest impact on disability (AAF 17.4% and 16.4%, respectively). Neurological disorders contributed the most to severe disability (AAF 31.0%). Psychiatric diseases contributed the most to disability categories for patients 18–40 years old (AAFs 23.8%–40.3%). Cardiovascular conditions were also among the top four contributors to disability categories (AAFs 8.5%–11.1%). Conclusions Neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular chronic disorders mainly contribute to disability in France. Psychiatric impairments have a heavy burden for people 18–40 years old. These findings should help policymakers define priorities for health-service delivery in France and perhaps other developed countries.

Scheuermann's disease: An update

Scheuermanns disease is a juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine. It is a disease of the growth cartilage endplate, probably due to repetitive strain on the growth cartilage weakened by a genetic background. The radiographic aspects are related to the vertebral endplate lesions and include vertebral wedging, irregularity of the vertebral endplate, and Schmorls node (intraossous disk herniation). Disc alterations are frequent and may be secondary to dysfunction of the disc-vertebra complex. The definitions of Scheuermanns disease are varied; it can refer to the classical form of juvenile kyphosis, described by Scheuermann as well as asymptomatic radiographic abnormalities. Lumbar involvement is probably as frequent as the thoracic form and might be more painful. The first-line treatment is medical and includes rehabilitation and bracing. The earlier the start of treatment, the better the outcome, which highlights the importance of early diagnosis. Surgery is uncommon and must be limited to severe involvement after failure of conservative treatment. The natural history of Scheuermanns disease is unknown, but it might be associated with increased risk of back pain. The evolution of thoracolumbar and lumbar disease is unknown.

Rituximab: An effective treatment for rheumatologic and digestive symptoms of celiac disease?

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since mercredi 7 mars 2012

Lack of effectiveness of antibiotics in chronic low back pain with Modic 1 changes

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since samedi 1 octobre 2016

Scapula alata dynamique d’origine neuromusculaire : diagnostic clinique, électromyographique et à l’imagerie par résonance magnétique

Dyskinesia of the scapula is a clinical diagnosis and includes all disorders affecting scapula positioning and movement whatever its etiology. Scapular winging is a subtype of scapular dyskinesia due to a dynamic prominence of the medial border of the scapula (DSW) secondary to neuromuscular imbalance in the scapulothoracic stabilizer muscles. The two most common causes of DSW are microtraumatic or idiopathic lesions of the long thoracic nerve (that innerves the serratus anterior) or the accessory nerve (that innerves the trapezius). Diagnosis of DSW is clinical and electromyographic. Use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be of interest to distinguish lesion secondary to a long thoracic nerve from accessory nerve and to rule out scapular dyskinesia related to other shoulder disorders. Causal neuromuscular lesion diagnosis in DSW is challenging. Clinical examinations, combined with scapular MRI, could help to their specific diagnosis, determining their stage, ruling out differential diagnosis and thus give raise to more targeted treatment.

Kinematic patterns in normal and degenerative shoulders. Part II: Review of 3-D scapular kinematic patterns in patients with shoulder pain, and clinical implications

BACKGROUND The global range of motion of the arm is the result of a coordinated motion of the shoulder complex including glenohumeral (GH), scapulothoracic, sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints. METHODS This study is a non-systematic review of kinematic patterns in degenerated shoulders. It is a based on our own research on the kinematics of the shoulder complex and clinical experience. RESULTS For patients with subacromial impingement syndrome without rotator-cuff tears, most kinematic studies showed a small superior humeral translation relative to the glenoid and decreased scapular lateral rotation and posterior tilt. These scapular kinematic modifications could decrease the subacromial space and favor rotator-cuff tendon injury. For patients with shoulder pain and restricted mobility, the studies showed a significant increase in scapular lateral rotation generally seen as a compensation mechanism of GH decreased range of motion. For patients with multidirectional GH instability, the studies found an antero-inferior decentering of the humeral head, decreased scapular lateral rotation and increased scapular internal rotation. CONCLUSION The clinical or instrumented assessment of the shoulder complex with a degenerative pathology must include the analysis of scapula-clavicle and trunk movements complementing the GH assessment. Depending on the individual clinical case, scapular dyskinesis could be the cause or the consequence of the shoulder degenerative pathology. For most degenerative shoulder pathologies, the rehabilitation program should take into account the whole shoulder complex and include first a scapular and trunk postural-correcting strategy, then scapulothoracic muscle rehabilitation (especially serratus anterior and trapezius inferior and medium parts) and finally neuromotor techniques to recover appropriate upper-limb kinematic schemas for daily and/or sports activities.

Spinal cord ischemia in Scheuermann disease: A report of three cases

BACKGROUND Neurological complications in Scheuermanns disease are rare but serious. CASE REPORTS We report three cases of severe neurological deficit due to medullar ischemia attributable to the compression of a radiculomedullar artery by thoracic (two cases) and lumbar (one case) disc herniations associated with Scheuermanns disease. They were not treated surgically because of the absence of direct spinal cord compression or definitive spinal cord ischemia. Those young patients still have severe neurological damage. An earlier management could have prevented them. CONCLUSION When doubting about any compressive sign, MRI should be performed with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) sequences in emergency.