Marlene Hechtner

Quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in five European countries

BACKGROUND Little is known about the relationship between specific subtypes of treatment-associated motor complications and different domains of health-related Quality of Life (QoL) in patients with Parkinsons disease (PD). Larger studies that investigate these aspects within a cross-cultural setting are scarce. OBJECTIVE To assess QoL and its association with on-off fluctuations, peak-dose dyskinesias, biphasic dyskinesias, and off-dystonias in PD patients from five European countries. METHODS Data from 817 PD patients were collected cross-sectionally in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. QoL was measured with the generic EuroQoL 5-Dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the disease-specific Parkinsons Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to test the associations of motor complication subtypes with QoL. RESULTS Thirty-three percent of the patients (varying from 23% in Italy to 58% in France) suffered from motor complications, either a single subtype or a combination of different subtypes. On-off fluctuations were associated with a 7.1 percentage point decrease in the EQ-5D (p < 0.001) and a 3.6 percentage point deterioration in the PDQ-39 (p = 0.01). Dyskinesias were not seen to affect global QoL scores, but had detrimental effects on the PDQ-39 dimensions activities of daily living, cognitions, stigma, and bodily discomfort. Patients from Spain, Italy, and France had lower global QoL scores in the multivariable analyses than patients from Germany and the UK. CONCLUSION Motor complications, primarily on-off fluctuations, may impact QoL in PD patients. This substantiates the importance of clinical strategies targeting the prevention, delay of onset, and management of motor complications in PD patients.

Effectiveness of maxillary protraction using facemask with or without maxillary expansion: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesClass III therapy using a face mask is a common approach for treatment of a deficient maxilla and reverse overbite. Usually, maxillary protraction is combined with transverse palatal expansion using intraoral appliances. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of face mask therapy in combination with concepts of palatal expansion and compression.Material and methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to identify studies that address class III treatment using a face mask. The search was carried out using common electronic databases as well as hand search. Both screening and study eligibility analysis were performed with consideration of PRISMA and Cochrane Guidelines for systematic reviews. Several terms describing class III face mask treatment were searched. Particular attention was paid to new strategies of enhancing maxillary protraction.ResultsThe initial search identified 2048 studies. After a thorough selection process, a total of 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. After assessment of the individual quality scoring of each article, eight studies were provided for meta-analysis of the cephalometric parameters. The statistical analysis of treatment changes advocates a positive influence on sagittal maxillary development, which is not primarily influenced by transverse expansion. Dental side effects are more distinct when no expansion was carried out. For the concept of alternating activation/deactivation of the expansion appliance (alt-RAMEC), two articles of high methodological scoring were identified. They indicate an enhancement of face mask treatment.ConclusionsThe findings are consistent with results of previous literature studies regarding the efficiency of class III face mask treatment. A further need for more randomized controlled studies was identified especially with regard to the new concept of alternating maxillary expansion and compression, which showed a positive influence on the maxillary protraction based on two studies.Clinical relevanceClass III therapy using extraoral face mask anchorage is effective for maxillary protraction. The recently discussed new protocols potentially improve this treatment.

Endovascular treatment of head and neck arteriovenous malformations: long-term angiographic and quality of life results

Aim To present the long-term angiographic and subjective results of patients with head and neck arteriovenous malformations (HNAVMs) after endovascular treatment. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical files of 14 patients with HNAVM who were treated between 2000 and 2014. The treatment of choice was a transarterial superselective microcatheter-based approach followed by embolization using liquid embolic agents. The patients were asked to answer a quality of life questionnaire about the following symptoms before and after treatment: pain, functional impairment, cosmetic deformity, impairment in daily life, and bleeding. Results Complete or >90% closure of the AVM was achieved in 6 of 14 patients (43%). >50% shunt reduction was achieved in 10 patients (71%). Three complications were encountered in a total of 86 interventional procedures. Six patients presented with bleeding which was cured in all cases (100%). Four of the 14 patients (29%) specified pain which was resolved in two of them. Another six patients (43%) presented with functional impairment; four were cured and two noted an improvement. All 14 patients presented with cosmetic concerns; four were cured and eight experienced a clearly visible improvement. Nine of 13 patients (69%) presented with impairment in daily life which was resolved in five patients and four reported an improvement. Conclusions Endovascular embolization is a well-tolerated therapy for HNAVM with a low complication rate. Good angiographic results, positive subjective results, and improvement in different aspects of quality of life can be achieved.

Factors associated with supportive care needs in glioma patients in the neuro-oncological outpatient setting

Objective of this study aimed at assessing glioma patients’ supportive care needs in a neurosurgical outpatient setting and identifying factors that are associated with needs for support. In three neuro-oncological outpatient departments, glioma patients were assessed for their psychosocial needs using the Supportive Care Needs Survey short-form (SCNS-SF34-G). Associations between clinical, sociodemographic, treatment related factors as well as distress (measured with the distress thermometer) and supportive care needs were explored using multivariable general linear models. One-hundred and seventy three of 244 eligible glioma patients participated, most of them with primary diagnoses of a high-grade glioma (81%). Highest need for support was observed in ‘psychological needs’ (median 17.5, range 5–45) followed by ‘physical and daily living needs’ (median 12.5, range 0–25) and ‘health system and information needs’ (median 11.3, range 0–36). Needs in the psychological area were associated with distress (R2 = 0.36) but not with age, sex, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), extend of resection, currently undergoing chemotherapy and whether guidance during assessment was offered. Regarding ‘health system and information needs’, we observed associations with distress, age, currently undergoing chemotherapy and guidance (R2 = 0.31). In the domain ‘physical and daily living needs’ we found associations with KPS, residual tumor, as well as with distress (R2 = 0.37). Glioma patients in neuro-oncological departments report unmet supportive care needs, especially in the psychological domain. Distress is the factor most consistently associated with unmet needs requiring support and could serve as indicator for clinical neuro-oncologists to initiate support.

Frequency of a positive family history of colorectal cancer in general practice: a cross-sectional study

Background. Evidence on the frequency of a positive family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) among individuals aged <55 years is lacking. General practice setting might be well suited for the identification of individuals in this above-average risk group. Objective. To determine the frequency of a reported positive family history of CRC among patients aged 40 to 54 years in a general practice setting. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 21 general practices in Germany. Patients aged 40 to 54 years were identified by means of the practice software and interviewed by health care assistants using a standardized four-item questionnaire. Outcome was occurrence of a positive family history of CRC, defined as at least one first-degree relative (FDR: parents, siblings, or children) with CRC. Further measurements were FDRs with CRC / colorectal polyps (adenomas) diagnosed before the age of 50 and occurrence of three or more relatives with colorectal, stomach, cervical, ovarian, urethel or renal pelvic cancer. Results. Out of 6723 participants, 7.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.6% to 7.8%) reported at least one FDR with CRC and 1.2% (95% CI 0.9% to 1.5%) reported FDRs with CRC diagnosed before the age of 50. A further 2.6% (95% CI 2.3% to 3.0%) reported colorectal polyps in FDRs diagnosed before the age of 50 and 2.1% (95% CI 1.8% to 2.5%) reported three or more relatives with entities mentioned above. Conclusion. One in 14 patients reported at least one FDR with CRC. General practice should be considered when defining requirements of risk-adapted CRC screening.

Endovascular therapy for vasospasm after aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract Introduction: Balloon angioplasty and/or selective intra-arterial vasodilator therapies are treatment options in patients with vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We analyzed the effect of balloon angioplasty and/or selective intra-arterial vasodilator therapy in our patients. Methods: Twenty-six patients (vasodilation group, VDT) were treated with intra-arterial nimodipine. The balloon angioplasty with nimodiopine-group (BAP-N group) comprised 21 patients. The primary endpoint of this study was successful angiographic vessel dilation in vasospastic vessels after balloon angioplasty, together with nimodipine (BAP-N group), compared to intra-arterial vasodilator therapy (VDT group) with nimodipine alone. Results: A significant effect of angioplasty plus nimodipine was found in the central arteries (composite endpoint) with an OR of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4–4.2], p = 0.002), indicating a chance of improvement of the BAP-N group of more than twice compared to nimodipine infusions alone. Significant advantages for BAP-N-therapy were also encountered in the internal carotid artery (OR 5.4, p < 0.001) and basilar artery (OR 29.7, p = 0.003). A joint analysis of all arteries combined failed to show significant benefit of BAP-N therapy (OR 1.5, p = 0.079), which was also true for cerebral peripheral arteries (OR 0.77, p = 0.367). There was no difference in clinical outcome between both groups. Conclusions: In SAH patients with vasospasm, a combination therapy of balloon angioplasty and intra-arterial nimodipine resulted in a more than doubled vasodilative effect in the central cerebral arteries compared to the sole infusion of nimodipine. Regarding the ICA and BA arteries, this beneficial effect was even more pronounced. Although there was a tendency of better effects of the BAP-N group, regarding the overall effect in all territories combined, this failed to reach statistical evidence. In cerebral peripheral arteries, no differences were observed, and there was no difference in clinical outcome, too.

Postoperative Analgesie nach Knie-TEP

BACKGROUND Postoperative pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a great challenge even today. In the context of new fast-track concepts, the importance of multimodal therapies for the effective treatment of pain and the reduction of side effects, as well as for the rapid ambulation of patients is increasing. Therefore, new continuous intra-articular catheter-systems (IAC) are under investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 120 patients receiving total knee replacement were included in a prospective randomized comparative study. In a standardized treatment regime 60 patients received an IAC (group A), while in 60 patients a continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) was applied (group B). All other perioperative therapy components were identical for all patients. In the first 5 days after surgery pain intensity (VAS), passive and active flexion, opioid requirements, and self-initiated or hallway ambulation were investigated and documented. The initiation time, operation time, and length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS Regarding pain intensity no significant differences occurred (mean 5.1 ± 2.5 vs. 4.6 ± 2.6; p = 0.27). Also, additional opioid requirements and range of motion (ROM) showed no relevant distinctions of therapy. In the IAC group a much more rapid independent mobilization was achieved (p < 0.001). The mean initiation time before surgery decreased markedly compared to the FNB group by 11.9 min (p < 0.001). With respect to the operation time and duration of hospital stay there was no noticeable difference. The failure rate and the rate of dislocation of FNB appear to be increased. CONCLUSION The perioperative treatment with an IAC system is an easy technique, which ensures a markedly faster ambulation following TKA compared to the treatment with continuous FNB. Hence, its usage, especially in fast-track concepts can be recommended. In this study, a comparison of pain intensity, the additional requirement of opioids and early range of motion (ROM) offers no benefits compared to FNB. Due to time savings cost reduction can be achieved.

[Postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty: Continuous intra-articular catheter vs. continuous femoral nerve block].

BACKGROUND Postoperative pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a great challenge even today. In the context of new fast-track concepts, the importance of multimodal therapies for the effective treatment of pain and the reduction of side effects, as well as for the rapid ambulation of patients is increasing. Therefore, new continuous intra-articular catheter-systems (IAC) are under investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 120 patients receiving total knee replacement were included in a prospective randomized comparative study. In a standardized treatment regime 60 patients received an IAC (group A), while in 60 patients a continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) was applied (group B). All other perioperative therapy components were identical for all patients. In the first 5 days after surgery pain intensity (VAS), passive and active flexion, opioid requirements, and self-initiated or hallway ambulation were investigated and documented. The initiation time, operation time, and length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS Regarding pain intensity no significant differences occurred (mean 5.1 ± 2.5 vs. 4.6 ± 2.6; p = 0.27). Also, additional opioid requirements and range of motion (ROM) showed no relevant distinctions of therapy. In the IAC group a much more rapid independent mobilization was achieved (p < 0.001). The mean initiation time before surgery decreased markedly compared to the FNB group by 11.9 min (p < 0.001). With respect to the operation time and duration of hospital stay there was no noticeable difference. The failure rate and the rate of dislocation of FNB appear to be increased. CONCLUSION The perioperative treatment with an IAC system is an easy technique, which ensures a markedly faster ambulation following TKA compared to the treatment with continuous FNB. Hence, its usage, especially in fast-track concepts can be recommended. In this study, a comparison of pain intensity, the additional requirement of opioids and early range of motion (ROM) offers no benefits compared to FNB. Due to time savings cost reduction can be achieved.

Psychological distress in lung cancer survivors at least 1 year after diagnosis-Results of a German multicenter cross-sectional study

Despite the high incidence of lung cancer, little is known about distress in lung cancer survivors and patients who have survived diagnose for at least 1 year. We investigated distress prevalence and associated factors.

The learning curve in short-stem THA: influence of the surgeon’s experience on intraoperative adjustments due to intraoperative radiography

IntroductionShort-stem THA has become increasingly popular over the last decade. However, implantation technique differs from conventional THA and thus possibly involves a distinct learning curve. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of intraoperative radiography and the influence of the surgeon’s experience on intraoperative adjustments in short-stem THA.MethodsA total of 287 consecutive short-stem THAs, operated by a total of 24 senior consultants, consultants and residents in training, were prospectively included. Intraoperative radiography was performed after trial reduction. Preoperative planning and intraoperative outcome with regard to positioning, sizing of components as well as resulting offset and leg length were compared. Frequency, reason and type of intraoperative adjustments were documented in relation to the surgeon’s experience. Operation time was assessed.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-six (54.4%) procedures were carried out by one of three senior consultants, and a total of nine consultants and 12 residents in training performed 105 (36.6%) and 26 (9.0%) operations, respectively. In 121 cases (42.2%), intraoperative adjustments were made following intraoperative radiography. Intraoperative adjustments of one or more components were made by senior consultants in 51 cases (32.7%), by consultants in 53 cases (50.5%) and by residents in 17 cases (65.4%), respectively. The most common cause was undersizing of the stem. Operation time varied markedly between groups of surgeons.DiscussionShort-stem THA involves a learning curve. Intraoperative radiography is decisive for prevention of malpositioning and undersizing of components, as well as loss of offset and leg length discrepancies. Hence, it should be considered mandatory, especially for less experienced surgeons.