Nigel S. Broughton

The substantial personal burden experienced by younger people with hip or knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE To compare Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and psychological distress in younger people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) to age- and sex-matched population norms, and evaluate work limitations in this group. METHOD People aged 20-55 years with hip or knee OA were recruited from major hospitals (n = 126) and community advertisements (n = 21). HRQoL was assessed using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instrument (minimal important difference 0.06 AQoL units) and compared to population norms. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the prevalence of high/very high distress (K10 score ≥22) was compared to Australian population data. Work limitations were evaluated using the Workplace Activity Limitations Scale (WALS). RESULTS Considering most participants had a relatively recent OA diagnosis (<5 years), the extent of HRQoL impairment was unexpected. A very large reduction in HRQoL was evident for the overall sample, compared with population norms (mean difference -0.35 AQoL units, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.31). Females, people aged 40-49 years, and those with hip OA reported average HRQoL impairment of almost 40% (mean reductions -0.38 to -0.39 AQoL units). The overall prevalence of high/very high distress was 4 times higher than for the population (relative risk 4.19, 95% CI 3.53-4.98) and 67% reported moderate to considerable OA-related work disability, according to WALS scores. CONCLUSIONS These results clearly demonstrate the substantial personal burden experienced by younger people with hip or knee OA, and support the provision of targeted services to improve HRQoL and maximise work participation in this group.

Preferences for disease‐related education and support among younger people with hip or knee osteoarthritis

To explore the usefulness and accessibility of different delivery modes of disease‐related education and support, as perceived by younger people with osteoarthritis (OA).

The Popularity of Outcome Measures for Hip and Knee Arthroplasties

BACKGROUND The optimal methods of determining outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty remain controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine the most frequently used outcome measures in randomized controlled trials (RCT) and study protocols registered with clinical trials registries (CTR) on hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS A systematic search strategy was undertaken to identify the outcome measures used in RCT and CTR following joint arthroplasty. Databases searched included Embase, Ovid MEDLINE (including In-Process), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL Plus, clinicaltrials.gov, ISRCTN registry, and ANZCTR. Differences in the use of outcome measures between RCT and CTR were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS There were 291 RCT and 113 CTR on hip arthroplasty and 452 RCT and 184 CTR on knee arthroplasty that met the inclusion criteria. The most popular outcome measures were the Harris Hip Score and the Knee Society Score. Multiple outcome measures were used in greater than 50% of the included studies. The Oxford Hip Score, Oxford Knee Score, EuroQol-5D, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (all P < .001) were used in significantly more CTR than RCT. CONCLUSION There is a clear preference for the use of the Harris Hip Score and Knee Society Score, contrary to existing international guidelines and reviews on the topic. Both measures require clinician input, which potentially influences their validity and increases their overall administration cost. Some patient-reported outcome measures, such as the Oxford Hip and Knee Scores, EuroQol-5D, and KOOS, appear to be increasing in popularity.

Why do surgeons receive more complaints than their physician peers

Compared with other doctors, surgeons are at an increased risk of medicolegal events, including patient complaints and negligence claims. This retrospective study aimed to describe the frequency and nature of complaints involving surgeons compared with physicians.

Accuracy of peripheral nerve assessment in junior medical staff: is our knowledge of anatomy sufficient for practice?

Orthopaedic injuries are a frequent cause of emergency department visits, and essential to their evaluation is the peripheral nerve examination. Altered neurology can influence the urgency of orthopaedic assessment and management. Unrecognized neurology can have serious consequences, and lack of anatomical knowledge in junior doctors has an association with medico-legal liability and litigation. A recent shift in teaching methods towards problem-based learning (PBL) has resulted in substantial changes to anatomy education. Since this transition, there has been an 80% reduction in basic anatomy teaching across Australasian medical schools. Concern regarding this trend is growing, with 61% of UK consultants believing the standard of anatomy teaching is now below an acceptable level for safe practice. Junior doctors share similar concerns, indicating that a much greater emphasis should be placed on this aspect of the medical curriculum. Our primary aim was to assess the knowledge of peripheral nerve function in junior medical staff. This has not been previously examined. Our secondary aim was to assess participant’s satisfaction with medical school anatomy teaching.

Exploring the personal burden of shoulder pain among younger people in Australia: protocol for a multicentre cohort study

Introduction Persistent musculoskeletal conditions can impact profoundly on younger people’s quality of life, psychological distress and capacity to work, as shown by previous research involving younger people with osteoarthritis. The personal impacts, in particular, work and parenting impacts, of other musculoskeletal conditions (such as persistent shoulder pain) on younger patient groups remain poorly understood. Furthermore, the personal financial burden associated with managing musculoskeletal conditions is rarely documented. This study aims to investigate well-being, work participation and productivity, shoulder-related parenting disability and out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure among younger people with shoulder pain and evaluate changes over 12 months. Methods and analysis One hundred and fifty people aged 20–55 years with shoulder pain of more than 6 weeks’ duration (excluding those with recent history of fracture or dislocation) will be recruited for this cohort study. Participants will be recruited from three major public hospitals in Victoria, Australia, following screening of orthopaedic outpatient clinics lists and referrals. Participants will be asked to complete a baseline questionnaire and 2-week healthcare costs diary, with follow-up data collected at 12 months. Patient-reported outcomes will be collected, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), shoulder pain and function, psychological distress, shoulder-related parenting disability and work productivity. Information on sociodemographics, employment, health services utilisation and shoulder-related healthcare expenditure will also be collected. Descriptive analysis of baseline data will provide a comprehensive snapshot of the personal burden of shoulder pain. Baseline HRQoL and psychological distress data will be compared with Australian population norms to provide context around well-being. Associations between sociodemographic factors and patient-reported outcomes will be evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Changes in patient-reported outcomes from baseline to 12 months will be analysed using paired t-tests. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been obtained. The study findings will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant scientific meetings.

Two and a half years on: data and experiences establishing a ‘Virtual Clinic’ for joint replacement follow up

We use a ‘Virtual Clinic’ for follow up of hip and knee replacement patients. The aim of this study was to investigate patient compliance, pain and function, revision rates and surgeon experience using this system.

Quantifying the lumbar spine movements of surgeons during surgical lists in a teaching hospital: Surgeon's lumbar spine movement

Low back pain (LBP) is a common occupational musculoskeletal complaint among health professionals. No research has quantified lumbar movement patterns in the surgical workplace, identifying ‘at risk’ behaviours with objective measures. This project aimed to identify lumbar movement patterns and change in LBP of surgeons and surgical trainees during a surgical list.