Julia Rushing

Cartilage injuries: A review of 31,516 knee arthroscopies

Although articular cartilage injuries of the knee are common, injured cartilage has a limited ability to heal. Recent data suggest that articular cartilage grafting may provide treatment for these injuries. To define the patient population that might benefit from cartilage grafting, 31,516 knee arthroscopies were reviewed. Between June 1991 and October 1995, 53,569 hyaline cartilage lesions were documented in 19,827 patients. The majority were articular cartilage lesions; grade III lesions of the patella were the most common. Grade IV lesions were predominantly located on the medial femoral condyle. Patients under 40 years of age with grade IV lesions accounted for 5% of all arthroscopies; 74% of these patients had a single chondral lesions (4% of the arthroscopies). No associated ligamentous or meniscal pathology was found in 36.6% of these patients.

Validity and Reproducibility of a Food Frequency Interview in a Multi-Cultural Epidemiologic Study

PURPOSE: There is limited support for the validity and reproducibility of dietary assessment in culturally diverse populations. The goal of this study was to evaluate the comparative validity and reproducibility of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used in the observational, multi-cultural Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). METHODS: Women (n = 186) were approximately equally distributed by ethnicity from one urban center (African Americans and non-Hispanic whites) and one rural center (Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites). The IRAS FFQ was modified from the National Cancer Institute Health Habits and History Questionnaire to include ethnic and regional foods. Validity was assessed by comparing dietary values, including supplements, obtained from the FFQ to the average intake estimated from a series of 8 24-hour dietary recalls collected by telephone over the same 1-year period. Reproducibility was assessed among women who reported no change in their usual diet (n = 133) by comparing data from the original IRAS FFQ (in-person) with the FFQ administered for the validity study (two to four years later, by telephone). RESULTS: Correlation coefficients for validity were statistically significant for most nutrients (mean r = 0.62 urban non-Hispanic white, 0.61 rural non-Hispanic whites, 0.50 African American, 0.41 Hispanic) and did not differ among subgroups of obesity or diabetes status. The median correlation coefficient for the total sample was 0.49. Correlations were lower for women with less than 12 years of education (mean r = 0.30; median r = 0.25). The lower correlations among Hispanics was largely explained by the lower educational attainment in that sample. For reproducibility, the mean correlation for nutrients evaluated was r = 0.62 (median r = 0.63) and did not differ for subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Although educational attainment must be considered, the IRAS FFQ appears to be reasonably valid and reliable in a diverse cohort.

Racial differences in knowledge, attitudes, and cancer Screening practices among a triracial rural population

Low‐income, minority, and rural women face a greater burden with regard to cancer‐related morbidity and mortality and are usually underrepresented in cancer control research. The Robeson County Outreach, Screening and Education Project sought to increase mammography use among low‐income, minority, and rural women age > 40 years. The current article reports on racial disparities and barriers to screening, especially those related to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

Effect of a 24-Month Physical Activity Intervention vs Health Education on Cognitive Outcomes in Sedentary Older Adults: The LIFE Randomized Trial

IMPORTANCE Epidemiological evidence suggests that physical activity benefits cognition, but results from randomized trials are limited and mixed. OBJECTIVE To determine whether a 24-month physical activity program results in better cognitive function, lower risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, or both, compared with a health education program. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A randomized clinical trial, the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study, enrolled 1635 community-living participants at 8 US centers from February 2010 until December 2011. Participants were sedentary adults aged 70 to 89 years who were at risk for mobility disability but able to walk 400 m. INTERVENTIONS A structured, moderate-intensity physical activity program (n = 818) that included walking, resistance training, and flexibility exercises or a health education program (n = 817) of educational workshops and upper-extremity stretching. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prespecified secondary outcomes of the LIFE study included cognitive function measured by the Digit Symbol Coding (DSC) task subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (score range: 0-133; higher scores indicate better function) and the revised Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R; 12-item word list recall task) assessed in 1476 participants (90.3%). Tertiary outcomes included global and executive cognitive function and incident MCI or dementia at 24 months. RESULTS At 24 months, DSC task and HVLT-R scores (adjusted for clinic site, sex, and baseline values) were not different between groups. The mean DSC task scores were 46.26 points for the physical activity group vs 46.28 for the health education group (mean difference, -0.01 points [95% CI, -0.80 to 0.77 points], P = .97). The mean HVLT-R delayed recall scores were 7.22 for the physical activity group vs 7.25 for the health education group (mean difference, -0.03 words [95% CI, -0.29 to 0.24 words], P = .84). No differences for any other cognitive or composite measures were observed. Participants in the physical activity group who were 80 years or older (n = 307) and those with poorer baseline physical performance (n = 328) had better changes in executive function composite scores compared with the health education group (P = .01 for interaction for both comparisons). Incident MCI or dementia occurred in 98 participants (13.2%) in the physical activity group and 91 participants (12.1%) in the health education group (odds ratio, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.80 to 1.46]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among sedentary older adults, a 24-month moderate-intensity physical activity program compared with a health education program did not result in improvements in global or domain-specific cognitive function. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01072500.

Impact of an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Use and Cost of Medical Services Among Overweight and Obese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Action for Health in Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To assess the relative impact of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) on use and costs of health care within the Look AHEAD trial. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 5,121 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to an ILI that promoted weight loss or to a comparison condition of diabetes support and education (DSE). Use and costs of health-care services were recorded across an average of 10 years. RESULTS ILI led to reductions in annual hospitalizations (11%, P = 0.004), hospital days (15%, P = 0.01), and number of medications (6%, P < 0.001), resulting in cost savings for hospitalization (10%, P = 0.04) and medication (7%, P < 0.001). ILI produced a mean relative per-person 10-year cost savings of

Radius Pull Test: Predictor of Longitudinal Forearm Instability

5,280 (95% CI 3,385–7,175); however, these were not evident among individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS Compared with DSE over 10 years, ILI participants had fewer hospitalizations, fewer medications, and lower health-care costs.

Use of a Distraction Plate for Distal Radial Fractures with Metaphyseal and Diaphyseal Comminution

Background: Longitudinal instability of the forearm (the Essex-Lopresti lesion) following radial head excision may be difficult to detect. This cadaveric study examines a stress test that can be performed in the operating room to identify injury to the ligamentous structures of the forearm.Methods: Twelve cadaveric upper extremities were randomized into two groups and underwent radial head resection. Group 1 underwent sequential transection of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and the interosseous membrane. Group 2 underwent sequential transection of the interosseous membrane and the triangular fibrocartilage complex. Ulnar variance and radial migration were examined with use of fluoroscopy of the wrist before, during, and after the application of a 9.1-kg load via longitudinal traction on the proximal part of the radius.Results: Group 1 demonstrated no significant changes in proximal radial migration with load (compared with the findings after radial head resection alone) after transection of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. However, Group 2 demonstrated significant changes in proximal radial migration with load after transection of the interosseous membrane (p = 0.03; median, 3.5 mm). In both groups, transection of both the triangular fibrocartilage complex and the interosseous membrane resulted in significant changes in proximal radial migration with load (p = 0.001; median, 9.5 mm). When the load was removed, specimens were ulnar positive (median, 3.0 mm), with no specimen returning to the preload position of ulnar variance (p = 0.001).Conclusion: After radial head resection, 3 mm of proximal radial migration with longitudinal traction indicated disruption of the interosseous membrane. In all specimens, proximal radial migration of ≥6 mm with load indicated gross longitudinal instability with disruption of all ligamentous structures of the forearm.Clinical Relevance: Early detection of longitudinal instability of the forearm is essential for successful management. If radial head resection is necessary, longitudinal traction on the proximal part of the radius may provide useful information regarding the ligamentous support of the forearm and assist in deciding whether to simply excise or to repair or replace the radial head.

Antioxidant nutrient intake and diabetic retinopathy ☆: The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

BACKGROUND Distal radial fractures with extensive comminution involving the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction present a major treatment dilemma. Of particular difficulty are those fractures involving the articular surface. One approach is to apply a dorsal 3.5-mm plate extra-articularly from the radius to the third metacarpal, stabilizing the diaphysis and maintaining distraction across the radiocarpal joint. METHODS Twenty-two patients treated with a distraction plate for a comminuted distal radial fracture were included in the study. With use of three limited incisions, a 3.5-mm ASIF plate was applied in distraction dorsally from the radial diaphysis, bypassing the comminuted segment, to the long-finger metacarpal, where it was fixed distally. The articular surface was anatomically reduced and was secured with Kirschner wires or screws. Eleven of the twenty-two fractures were treated with bone-grafting. The plate was removed after fracture consolidation (at an average of 124 days), and wrist motion was initiated. All patients were followed prospectively with use of radiographs, physical examination, and DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) scores. RESULTS All fractures united by an average of 110 days. Radiographs showed an average palmar tilt of 4.6 degrees and an average ulnar variance of neutral (0 degrees), whereas loss of radial length averaged 2 mm. Flexion and extension averaged 57 degrees and 65 degrees, respectively, and pronation and supination averaged 77 degrees and 76 degrees , respectively. The average DASH scores were 34 points at six months, 15 points at one year, and 11.5 points at the time of final follow-up (at an average of 24.8 months). According to the Gartland-Werley rating system, fourteen patients had an excellent result, six had a good result, and two had a fair result. Grip strength and the range of motion of the wrist at one year correlated inversely with the proximal extent of fracture comminution into the diaphysis. The duration of plate immobilization did not correlate with the range of motion of the wrist or with the DASH score at one year. CONCLUSIONS The use of a distraction plate combined with reduction of the articular surface and bone-grafting when needed can be an effective technique for treatment of fractures of the distal end of the radius with extensive metaphyseal and diaphyseal comminution. A functional range of motion with minimal disability can be achieved despite a prolonged period of fixation with a distraction plate across the wrist joint.

Role of vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of pediatric lawnmower injuries.

OBJECTIVE Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in adults. Antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, may be protective of some eye disorders, such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration, but a relationship between these nutrients and DR has yet to be defined. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between dietary and supplement intakes of vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene and the risk of DR. DESIGN Both cross-sectional and longitudinal data were collected from participants in the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study, including non-Hispanic white and Hispanic adults in southern Colorado. PARTICIPANTS A total of 387 participants with type 2 diabetes completed at least 1 complete retinal examination and 24-hour dietary recall (including vitamin supplement use). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Type 2 diabetes was defined according to World Health Organization criteria. DR was assessed by retinal photographs, using the Airlie House criteria to classify DR as none, background, preproliferative, or proliferative. Data for both eyes, from up to three clinic visits per participant, were used for analysis. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used, taking advantage of multiple clinic visits by individual participants and observations from both eyes, to assess the risk for increased DR severity over time as a function of changes in intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Six categories of intake for each nutrient (first to fourth quintiles and ninth and tenth deciles) were considered to ascertain any potential threshold effect. Analyses accounted for age, duration of diabetes, insulin use, ethnicity, glycated hemoglobin, hypertension, gender, and caloric intake. RESULTS An increase over time in vitamin C intake from the first to ninth deciles was associated with a risk for increased severity of DR (odds ratio = 2.21, P = 0.01), although excess risk was not observed for the tenth decile or the second through fourth quintiles compared to the first quintile. Increased intake of vitamin E was associated with increased severity of DR among those not taking insulin (odds ratios = 2.69, 2.59, 3.33, 5.65, 3.79; P < 0.02, for an increase over time from the first to the second through fourth quintiles and ninth and tenth deciles, respectively). Among those taking insulin, increased intake of beta-carotene was associated with a risk for severity of DR (odds ratio = 3.31, P = 0.003, and 2.99, P = 0.002, respectively, for the ninth and tenth deciles compared to the first quintile). CONCLUSIONS No protective effect was observed between antioxidant nutrients and DR. Depending on insulin use, there appeared to be a potential for deleterious effects of nutrient antioxidants. Further research is needed to confirm associations of nutrient antioxidant intake and DR.

Metabolic Factors, Adipose Tissue, and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Findings From the Look AHEAD Study

Lawnmower injuries in children often present treatment challenges due to complex soft tissue damage. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), the application of controlled subatmospheric pressure to a wound surface, has been used to treat complex lacerations in many patients and has been shown to be safe and effective in children. However, VAC treatment of lawnmower injuries in children has not been reported. This study analyzes the outcomes of treatment following the use of VAC in children with lawnmower injuries and compares the results of VAC treatment to historical controls who were treated before VAC was available for wound treatment. The use of VAC demonstrated a trend toward a decrease in revision amputations and an improvement in function after treatment. There were no complications or adverse reactions related to VAC treatment. The VAC system is a safe and effective method of treating soft tissue injuries resulting from lawnmower accidents in children.