K.E. Dreinhöfer

SCOPE: a scorecard for osteoporosis in Europe

SummaryThe scorecard summarises key indicators of the burden of osteoporosis and its management in each of the member states of the European Union. The resulting scorecard elements were then assembled on a single sheet to provide a unique overview of osteoporosis in Europe.IntroductionThe scorecard for osteoporosis in Europe (SCOPE) is an independent project that seeks to raise awareness of osteoporosis care in Europe. The aim of this project was to develop a scorecard and background documents to draw attention to gaps and inequalities in the provision of primary and secondary prevention of fractures due to osteoporosis.MethodsThe SCOPE panel reviewed the information available on osteoporosis and the resulting fractures for each of the 27 countries of the European Union (EU27). The information researched covered four domains: background information (e.g. the burden of osteoporosis and fractures), policy framework, service provision and service uptake e.g. the proportion of men and women at high risk that do not receive treatment (the treatment gap).ResultsThere was a marked difference in fracture risk among the EU27. Of concern was the marked heterogeneity in the policy framework, service provision and service uptake for osteoporotic fracture that bore little relation to the fracture burden. For example, despite the wide availability of treatments to prevent fractures, in the majority of the EU27, only a minority of patients at high risk receive treatment for osteoporosis even after their first fracture. The elements of each domain in each country were scored and coded using a traffic light system (red, orange, green) and used to synthesise a scorecard. The resulting scorecard elements were then assembled on a single sheet to provide a unique overview of osteoporosis in Europe.ConclusionsThe scorecard will enable healthcare professionals and policy makers to assess their country’s general approach to the disease and provide indicators to inform future provision of healthcare.

Moving from evidence to practice: Models of care for the prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions

With musculoskeletal conditions now identified as the second highest cause of the morbidity-related global burden of disease, models of care for the prevention and management of disability related to musculoskeletal conditions are an imperative. Musculoskeletal models of care aim to describe how to operationalise evidence-based guidelines for musculoskeletal conditions and thus support implementation by clinical teams and their health systems. This review of models of care for musculoskeletal pain conditions, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and musculoskeletal injuries and trauma outlines health system and local implementation strategies to improve consumer outcomes, including supporting access to multidisciplinary teams, improving access for vulnerable populations and levering digital technologies to support access and self-management. However, the challenge remains of how to inform health system decision-makers and policy about the human and fiscal benefits for broad implementation across health services. Recommendations are made for potential solutions, as well as highlighting where further evidence is required.

Patient preoperative expectations of total hip replacement in European orthopedic centers.

Patient expectations have been identified as a factor that may account for individual differences in recovery after total hip replacement (THR) surgery. However, patient expectations have not been studied within a valid theoretical framework. This study employed the World Health Organizations model of health, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), to classify the content of preoperative patient expectations of THR.

Entwicklung des Lernzielkatalogs „Muskuloskelettale Erkrankungen, Verletzungen und traumatische Notfälle“ für Orthopädie-Unfallchirurgie im Medizinstudium

ZusammenfassungHintergrundMit der Entwicklung des gemeinsamen Faches Orthopädie-Unfallchirurgie bedarf es neben der Zusammenführung und Überarbeitung der Weiterbildungsinhalte des ärztlichen Nachwuchses auch der Erstellung eines für Deutschland einheitlichen Lernzielkatalogs, der die Grundlage der studentischen Lehre in der Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie an den deutschen Fakultäten und Lehrkrankenhäusern bilden soll.Material und MethodeAusgehend vom Frankfurter Lernzielkatalog für Unfallchirurgie und dem Ulmer Lernzielkatalog für Orthopädie wurde von einer Expertenkommission der gemeinsame Katalog für das Fach Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie entwickelt. Durch Vertreter beider Fächer erfolgte die Definition der Lernziele und anschließende Gliederung und Priorisierung in sog. Ebenen und Bereiche des kognitiven Wissens, Kompetenzstufen psychomotorischer Fertigkeiten (Skills) sowie emotionales Wissen und Kompetenz.ErgebnisInsgesamt wurden 283 Lernziele formuliert. Der „allgemeine Teil operativer Fachgebiete“ umfasst 120 Lernziele, die sich in 39 Items kognitiven Inhalts und 83 Skills unterteilen, 2 Lernziele beinhalten gleichzeitig sowohl Wissen als auch Skills. Der „spezielle Teil Orthopädie/Unfallchirurgie“ umfasst insgesamt 141 Lernziele unterteilt in 138 Lernziele mit Wissensinhalten sowie 6 Skills, 3 Lernziele beziehen sich auf Wissen sowie Skills. 22 Lerninhalte beziehen sich auf den Bereich „emotionales Wissen und Kompetenz“.SchlussfolgerungTrotz der erst jungen Verbindung der beiden Fächer Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie konnte nicht nur eine „Themensammlung“, sondern ein gemeinsamer Lernzielkatalog für die studentische Lehre erarbeitet werden. Dieser hat nach der Verabschiedung durch die Ordinarienkonvente der Unfallchirurgen und Orthopäden bundesweiten Empfehlungscharakter. Mit der Konsentierung von Lernzielen sind die Weichen für eine zukunftorientierte moderne Lehre gestellt. Anhand der im Lernzielkatalog enthaltenen Empfehlungen zur Gewichtung der Inhalte, zur Verknüpfung mit anderen Fächern und zum Einsatz geeigneter Lehrmethoden, können die einzelnen Lernziele an den jeweiligen Fakultäten pragmatisch und unter Wahrung der Freiheit der Lehre umgesetzt werden.AbstractBackgroundThe development towards a combined speciality of orthopaedic and trauma surgery requires not only consolidation and revision of the postgraduate education training programme but also the development of a catalogue of learning objectives as a uniform basis for undergraduate medical training in the new speciality at German medical schools and teaching hospitals. Materials and methodsBased on the Frankfurt catalogue of learning objectives for trauma surgery and the Ulm catalogue of learning objectives for orthopaedics, a task force of experts developed a combined catalogue of learning objectives for the new speciality. Experts from both specialities classified the learning objectives into two levels of knowledge and four grades of skills competence, in addition to objectives for attitudes and social competence.ResultsThe section on general operative specialities contains 120 items classified into 39 learning objectives for knowledge and 83 for skills. Two learning objectives comprise both knowledge and skills. The section on orthopaedic and trauma surgery comprises 141 learning objectives, including six items for skills and 138 for knowledge, as well as three learning objectives for both knowledge and skills. In addition, 22 learning objectives deal with aspects of attitude and social competence.ConclusionAlthough this alliance of orthopaedics and trauma surgery is recent, the commission has developed not only a collection of topics but a joint catalogue of learning objectives for undergraduate training that can be used nationwide. This catalogue paves the way for modern education that looks to the future. The integrated recommendations for content prioritisation, links to other subjects and specialities, and the integration of didactic methods facilitate local implementation of the learning objectives without loss of academic freedom.BACKGROUND The development towards a combined speciality of orthopaedic and trauma surgery requires not only consolidation and revision of the postgraduate education training programme but also the development of a catalogue of learning objectives as a uniform basis for undergraduate medical training in the new speciality at German medical schools and teaching hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on the Frankfurt catalogue of learning objectives for trauma surgery and the Ulm catalogue of learning objectives for orthopaedics, a task force of experts developed a combined catalogue of learning objectives for the new speciality. Experts from both specialities classified the learning objectives into two levels of knowledge and four grades of skills competence, in addition to objectives for attitudes and social competence. RESULTS The section on general operative specialities contains 120 items classified into 39 learning objectives for knowledge and 83 for skills. Two learning objectives comprise both knowledge and skills. The section on orthopaedic and trauma surgery comprises 141 learning objectives, including six items for skills and 138 for knowledge, as well as three learning objectives for both knowledge and skills. In addition, 22 learning objectives deal with aspects of attitude and social competence. CONCLUSION Although this alliance of orthopaedics and trauma surgery is recent, the commission has developed not only a collection of topics but a joint catalogue of learning objectives for undergraduate training that can be used nationwide. This catalogue paves the way for modern education that looks to the future. The integrated recommendations for content prioritisation, links to other subjects and specialities, and the integration of didactic methods facilitate local implementation of the learning objectives without loss of academic freedom.

A comprehensive fracture prevention strategy in older adults: The European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) statement

Prevention of fragility fractures in older people has become a public health priority, although the most appropriate and cost-effective strategy remains unclear. In the present statement, the Interest Group on Falls and Fracture Prevention of the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS), in collaboration with the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics for the European Region (IAGG-ER), the European Union of Medical Specialists (EUMS), the International Osteoporosis Foundation - European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, outlines its views on the main points in the current debate in relation to the primary and secondary prevention of falls, the diagnosis and treatment of bone fragility, and the place of combined falls and fracture liaison services for fracture prevention in older people.

A comprehensive fracture prevention strategy in older adults: the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) statement.

Prevention of fragility fractures in older people has become a public health priority, although the most appropriate and cost-effective strategy remains unclear. In the present statement, the Interest Group on Falls and Fracture Prevention of the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society, in collaboration with the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics for the European Region, the European Union of Medical Specialists, and the International Osteoporosis Foundation–European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, outlines its views on the main points in the current debate in relation to the primary and secondary prevention of falls, the diagnosis and treatment of bone fragility, and the place of combined falls and fracture liaison services for fracture prevention in older people.

Diagnostic value of lumbar facet joint injection: a prospective triple cross-over study.

The diagnosis “lumbar facet syndrome” is common and often indicates severe lumbar spine surgery procedures. It is doubtful whether a painful facet joint (FJ) can be identified by a single FJ block. The aim of this study was to clarify the validity of a single and placebo controlled bilateral FJ blocks using local anesthetics. A prospective single blinded triple cross-over study was performed. 60 patients (31 f, 29 m, mean age 53.2 yrs (22–73)) with chronic low back pain (mean pain persistance 31 months, 6 months of conservative treatment without success) admitted to a local orthopaedic department for surgical or conservative therapy of chronic LBP, were included in the study. Effect on pain reduction (10 point rating scale) was measured. The 60 subjects were divided into six groups with three defined sequences of fluoroscopically guided bilateral monosegmental lumbar FJ test injections in “oblique needle” technique: verum-(local anaesthetic-), placebo-(sodium chloride-) and sham-injection. Carry-over and periodic effects were evaluated and a descriptive and statistical analysis regarding the effectiveness, difference and equality of the FJ injections and the different responses was performed. The results show a high rate of non-response, which documents the lack of reliable and valid predictors for a positive response towards FJ blocks. There was a high rate of placebo reactions noted, including subjects who previously or later reacted positively to verum injections. Equivalence was shown among verum vs. placebo and partly vs. sham also. With regard to test validity criteria, a single intraarticular FJ block with local anesthetics is not useful to detect the pain-responsible FJ and therefore is no valid and reliable diagostic tool to specify indication of lumbar spine surgery. Comparative FJ blocks with local anesthetics and placebo-controls have to be interpretated carefully also, because they solely give no proper diagnosis on FJ being main pain generator.

Outcomes bei Alterstrauma

The number of elderly and old patients with fractures is steadily increasing. Identification of relevant functional deficits and comorbidities is crucial for an efficient treatment strategy and outcome assessment in this patient group. For this reason the integration of a geriatric assessment in every orthopedic traumatology practice seems recommendable. Assessing the outcome of frequent fragility fractures (hip, radius) requires instruments oriented to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) which allow analysis of bodily function and structure as well as activity and participation. A combination of disease and body region-specific scores with generic scores seems to be reasonable. It can also be sensible to include instruments for health economic analyses.ZusammenfassungDie Zahl älterer Patienten mit Fragilitätsfrakturen nimmt stetig zu. Die Berücksichtigung relevanter funktioneller Einschränkungen und Komorbiditäten ist bei dieser Patientengruppe von großer Bedeutung für die Behandlungsstrategie und die Beurteilung des Behandlungsergebnisses. Aus diesem Grund erscheint die routinemäßige Einführung eines geriatrischen Basisassessments in jeder orthopädisch-traumatologischen Abteilung sinnvoll. Bei der Analyse der Ergebnisse nach den häufigen Fragilitätsfrakturen (Hüfte, Radius) sollten Instrumente zum Einsatz kommen, die die verschiedenen Komponenten der Internationalen Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF) abbilden: neben Methoden zur Messung der Schädigung von Körperfunktionen und -strukturen bieten sich Analysen zur Abschätzung der Beeinträchtigung der Aktivitäten und der Partizipation an. Hierbei erscheint der kombinierte Einsatz krankheits- bzw. körperregionenspezifischer Scores mit generischen Scores empfehlenswert. Zudem kann es sinnvoll sein, Instrumente zur gesundheitsökonomischen Analyse einzusetzen.AbstractThe number of elderly and old patients with fractures is steadily increasing. Identification of relevant functional deficits and comorbidities is crucial for an efficient treatment strategy and outcome assessment in this patient group. For this reason the integration of a geriatric assessment in every orthopedic traumatology practice seems recommendable. Assessing the outcome of frequent fragility fractures (hip, radius) requires instruments oriented to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) which allow analysis of bodily function and structure as well as activity and participation. A combination of disease and body region-specific scores with generic scores seems to be reasonable. It can also be sensible to include instruments for health economic analyses.

Reducing the global burden of musculoskeletal conditions

Musculoskeletal conditions include more than 150 diagnoses that affect the locomotor system. These conditions are characterized by pain and reduced physical function, often leading to significant mental health decline, increased risk of developing other chronic health conditions and increased all-cause mortality.1 Many musculoskeletal conditions share risk factors common to other chronic health conditions, such as obesity, poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Musculoskeletal conditions account for the greatest proportion of persistent pain across geographies and ages.2 Back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fractures are among the most disabling musculoskeletal conditions and pose major threats to healthy ageing by limiting physical and mental capacities and functional ability. Although the prevalence of major musculoskeletal conditions increases with age, they are not just conditions of older age. Regional pain conditions, low back and neck pain, musculoskeletal injury sequelae and inflammatory arthritides commonly affect children, adolescents and middle-aged people during their formative and peak income-earning years, establishing trajectories of decline in intrinsic capacity in later years. While point prevalence estimates vary with respect to age and musculoskeletal condition, approximately one in three people worldwide live with a chronic, painful musculoskeletal condition. Notably, recent data suggest that one in two adult Americans live with a musculoskeletal condition, a prevalence comparable to that of cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases combined, which cost 213 billion United States dollars in 2011 (or 1.4% of gross domestic product).3 Data from lowand middle-income countries are fewer, yet comparable.4 Musculoskeletal health is critical for human function, enabling mobility, dexterity and the ability to work and actively participate in all aspects of life. Musculoskeletal health is therefore essential for maintaining economic, social and functional independence, as well as human capital across the life course. Impaired musculoskeletal health is responsible for the greatest loss of productive life years in the workforce compared with other noncommunicable diseases,5 commonly resulting in early retirement and reduced financial security. In subsistence communities and lowand middle-income economies, impaired musculoskeletal health has profound consequences on an individual’s ability to participate in social roles and in the prosperity of communities.4

Anwendung der Internationalen Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF) in der Traumatologie

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive and structured treatment management and outcome evaluation in trauma care based on specific ICF core sets and the ICF-based Rehab-CYCLE. The Rehab-CYCLE allows the problem-based assessment of functioning in a multi-professional team under physician-guidance and the definition of long-term, intervention and cycle goals. Defined intervention goals are assigned to the appropriate intervention principles and techniques as well as the specific evaluation instruments. Together with the patient additional intervention goals are identified, intervention principals adapted and the further treatment setting planned based on a multi-professional outcome evaluation. The standardized documentation is reported multi-professionally on the ICF assessment sheet which reflects the patient perspective with all their problems and needs as well as the perspective of the treatment team.ZusammenfassungDie Internationale Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF) ermöglicht mit spezifischen ICF Core Sets und dem ICF-basierten Rehab-CYCLE einen umfassenden und strukturierten Ansatz für das Versorgungsmanagement und die Outcomeevaluation in der Traumatologie. Mit dem Rehab-CYCLE werden im multiprofessionellen Team unter ärztlicher Leitung die Beeinträchtigung der Funktionsfähigkeit problemorientiert im Assessment erfasst und die Langzeit-, Interventionsprogramm- und Zyklusziele definiert. Im Assignment erfolgen die Zuweisung der definierten Interventionsziele zu den jeweiligen Interventionsprinzipien, im weiteren Verlauf zu den entsprechenden Interventionstechniken und die Festlegung der spezifischen Messinstrumente. Basierend auf einer multiprofessionellen Outcomeevaluation werden gemeinsam mit dem Patienten Interventionsziele ergänzt, Interventionsprinzipien gewechselt und das weitere Therapiesetting des Patienten geplant. Die standardisierte Dokumentation erfolgt berufsgruppenübergreifend auf dem ICF-Modellblatt, das die Patientenperspektive mit ihren Problemen und Bedürfnissen und die Perspektive des Behandlungsteams berücksichtigt.AbstractThe International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive and structured treatment management and outcome evaluation in trauma care based on specific ICF core sets and the ICF-based Rehab-CYCLE. The Rehab-CYCLE allows the problem-based assessment of functioning in a multi-professional team under physician-guidance and the definition of long-term, intervention and cycle goals. Defined intervention goals are assigned to the appropriate intervention principles and techniques as well as the specific evaluation instruments. Together with the patient additional intervention goals are identified, intervention principals adapted and the further treatment setting planned based on a multi-professional outcome evaluation. The standardized documentation is reported multi-professionally on the ICF assessment sheet which reflects the patient perspective with all their problems and needs as well as the perspective of the treatment team.