Peter Newcombe

Factors Involved in the Development of Osteoarthritis after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

Background The incidence of osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is disturbingly high, with reports of nearly 50% of patients developing mild to moderate osteoarthritis 6 years after surgery. Few studies have assessed the factors involved in the development of osteoarthritis. Hypothesis: The following 10 factors will be found to be predictive of osteoarthritis meniscectomy, chondral damage, patellar tendon grafting, age at surgery, time delay between injury and surgery, type and intensity of postsurgery sport, quadriceps strength, hamstring strength, quadriceps-to-hamstring strength ratio, and residual joint laxity. Study Design Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 1. Methods Fifty-six subjects with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were followed for 6 years after surgery. Assessment included KT-1000 arthrometer testing, isokinetic strength testing, a return-to-sport questionnaire, and a radiograph assessment. A discriminant analysis was performed to assess which of the 10 factors could discriminate between those patients who developed tibiofemoral and patellofemoral osteoarthritis and those who did not. Results Five factors were found to be predictive of tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. Meniscectomy (r = .72) and chondral damage (r = .41) were the strongest discriminators, followed by patellar tendon grafting (r = .37) (χ2 [7, n = 56] = 25.48; P = .001). Weak quadriceps (r = .39) and low quadriceps-to-hamstring strength ratios (r = .6) were very close discriminators (χ2 [8, n = 42] = 15.02; P = .059). For patellofemoral osteoarthritis, meniscectomy (r = .45), chondral damage (r = .75), and age at surgery (r = .65) were predictors or close predictors (χ2 [7, n = 54] = 13.30; P = .065). Conclusion As not all 10 factors studied were predictive of osteoarthritis, the hypothesis was only partially proven. Preventing further meniscal and chondral damage in patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency is critical. Grafting using the hamstring tendons and restoration of quadriceps-to-hamstring strength balance are associated with less osteoarthritis.

A 6-Year Follow-up of the Effect of Graft Site on Strength, Stability, Range of Motion, Function, and Joint Degeneration After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Patellar Tendon Versus Semitendinosus and Gracilis Tendon Graft

Background The choice of graft material for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction remains controversial. Despite the need for well-controlled, long-term outcome studies comparing patellar tendon with hamstring grafting, few studies have followed results for more than 5 years. Hypothesis Graft source will not affect outcome 6 years after reconstruction. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Sixty-two patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and 18 uninjured control subjects were studied over 6 years. Thirty-one patients received patellar tendon grafts, and 31 received hamstring tendon grafts. Assessment included knee joint stability, range of motion, muscle strength, subjective function, objective function (running, sidestepping, carioca, and hop tests), and joint degeneration. Results Clinical stability was restored to all patients other than to the 2 hamstring graft recipients who suffered reinjuries. The KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side differences were similar in the patellar tendon (1.9 mm) and hamstring tendon (2.0 mm) groups but were significantly greater than that of uninjured control subjects (P < .001). There were no significant strength differences between surgical and control groups, although a 6% quadriceps deficit existed after patellar tendon grafting. In the more demanding functional tests (hop and triple-hop indices and carioca), the hamstring graft recipients performed similarly to the control group, whereas a significant difference (P < .05) existed between the patellar tendon graft and the control group. The incidence of early tibiofemoral osteoarthritis was significantly greater after reconstruction using patellar tendon (62%) than after hamstring tendon grafting (33%; P = .002). Conclusion Six-year outcomes were very satisfactory irrespective of graft source. However, reconstruction using the hamstring tendons resulted in improved functional performance and a lower incidence of osteoarthritis.

The relationship between knee strength and functional stability before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Functional stability of the knee is dependent on an intact ligamentous system and the timely and efficient contraction of supporting musculature. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between muscle strength and functional stability in 31 patients pre‐ and post‐operatively, following a unilateral anterior cruciate ligament rupture. All subjects underwent reconstructive surgery using semitendonosis and gracilis tendons. Isokinetic strength assessment of quadriceps and hamstring muscles was performed at a rate of movement of 60°/s and 120°/s. Functional stability was determined by performance during five functional stability tests that included the shuttle run, side step, carioca, single and triple hop tests. Pearsons correlation coefficient statistics were applied to pre‐operative and post‐operative data respectively. These analyses demonstrated a significant positive correlation between quadriceps strength indices at both testing speeds and the two hop tests pre‐operatively (ps<0.007) and between quadriceps strength indices at both speeds and all five functional tests post‐operatively (ps<0.01). Assessed using Steigers formula, there was a significant increase in the correlation between quadriceps strength indices and three functional tests post‐operatively compared to pre‐operatively (p<0.05). No significant correlation between hamstring strength indices and functional scores existed pre‐ or post‐operatively. This study has shown a significant correlation exists between quadriceps strength indices and functional stability both before and after surgery, this relationship does not reach significance between hamstring strength indices and functional stability.

Muscle strength and function before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using semitendonosus and gracilis.

This study assessed the quadriceps and hamstring strength before and 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery using the hamstrings and related the findings to functional performance. Six months after surgery is a critical time for assessment as this is when players are returning to sport. Maximum isokinetic strength of 31 patients with complete unilateral ACL ruptures was measured at speeds of 60 degrees and 120 degrees per second. Functional assessment included the single hop, the triple hop, the shuttle run, side-step and carioca tests. All patients underwent a controlled quadriceps emphasized home-based physiotherapy program both before and after surgery. Results show that before surgery there was a 7.3% quadriceps strength deficit at 60 degrees per second compared to the uninjured leg but no hamstring strength deficit. After surgery there was a statistically significant but relatively small loss of muscle strength. The quadriceps strength deficit had increased to 12% and there was a 10% hamstring deficit. Post-operatively there was an 11% and 6.3% improvement in the hop tests, a 9% (P < 0.01) improvement in the shuttle run, a 15% (P < 0.001) improvement in the side step and a 24% (P < 0.001) improvement in the carioca tests (P < 0.001) despite the loss of muscle strength.

Development of a Parent-Proxy Quality-of-Life Chronic Cough-Specific Questionnaire: Clinical Impact vs Psychometric Evaluations

BACKGROUND Chronic cough affects at least 7% of children, and the impact of this on families is significant. Although adult cough-specific quality-of-life (QOL) instruments have been shown to be a useful cough outcome measure, no suitable cough-specific QOL for parents of children with chronic cough exists. This article compares two methods of item reduction (clinical impact and psychometric) and reports on the statistical properties of both QOL instruments. METHOD One hundred seventy children (97 boys and 73 girls; median age, 4 years; interquartile range, 3 to 7.25 years) and one of their parents participated. A preliminary 50-item parent cough-specific QOL (PC-QOL) questionnaire was developed from conversations with parents of children with chronic cough (ie, cough for > 3 weeks). Parents also completed generic QOL questionnaires (eg, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, version 4.0 [PedsQL4.0] and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey, version 2 [SF-12v2]). RESULTS The clinical impact and psychometric method of item reduction resulted in 27-item and 26-item PC-QOL questionnaires, respectively, with approximately 50% of items overlapping. Internal consistency among the final items from both methods was excellent. Some evidence for concurrent and criterion validity of both methods was established as significant correlations were found between subscales of the PC-QOL questionnaire and the scales of the SF-12v2 and PedsQL4.0 scores. The PC-QOL questionnaire derived from both methods was sensitive to change following an intervention. CONCLUSION Chronic cough significantly impacts on the QOL of both parents and children. Although the PC-QOL questionnaires derived from a clinical impact method and from a psychometric method contained different items, both versions were shown to be internally consistent and valid. Further testing is required to compare both final versions to objective and subjective cough measures.

The role of catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations and panic self-efficacy in predicting panic severity

This study investigated the role of both negative and positive cognitions in predicting panic severity in an international sample of patients diagnosed with panic disorder (with and without agoraphobia). One hundred and fifty-nine patients were administered the Brief Bodily Sensations Interpretation Questionnaire (BBSIQ), the Self-efficacy to Control Panic Attacks Questionnaire, and the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) prior to receiving treatment. Regression analyses indicated that both catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations and panic self-efficacy independently predicted panic severity. The influence of panic self-efficacy upon panic severity remained significant even after controlling for the presence or absence of agoraphobia. There was no evidence to suggest a moderating relationship between the two cognitive factors. Results are discussed in terms of the need to consider both negative and positive cognitions in cognitive accounts of panic disorder.

Cognitive Mediation of Panic Severity: The Role of Catastrophic Misinterpretation of Bodily Sensations and Panic Self-Efficacy

This study examined the differential role of negative and positive cognitions in mediating treatment outcome in CBT for Panic Disorder through comparison of a Standard CBT (n = 36) versus a Waitlist Condition (n = 24). Regression analyses indicated that, relative to the Waitlist Condition, patients in the Standard CBT condition reported significantly greater shifts both towards higher panic self-efficacy and lower catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations during treatment, as well as a significantly lower level of panic severity at posttreatment. Changes in catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations and panic self-efficacy contributed significantly more to prediction of panic severity than did assignment to either Standard CBT or a Waitlist Condition. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of including both negative and positive cognitions in demonstrating cognitive mediation.

The Burden of Disease in Pediatric Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

BACKGROUND The burden of disease in children with non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis is unknown. Our study aimed to identify the determinants of quality of life (QOL) and parental mental health in this group of patients and their parents and to evaluate the effect of exacerbations on these parameters. METHODS Parents of 69 children (median age 7 years) with non-CF bronchiectasis prospectively completed two questionnaires (parent-proxy cough-specific quality of life [PC-QOL] and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale [DASS]) at stable and exacerbation states. Data on clinical, investigational, and lung function parameters were also collected. RESULTS During the stable state, the median interquartile range (IQR) PC-QOL score was 6.5 (5.3-6.9) and the DASS 21-item questionnaire score was 6 (0-20). Being of a young age correlated with a worse QOL (r(5) = 0.242, P = .04) but radiologic extent, lung function, underlying cause, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, and chronic upper-airway disease did not influence these scores. Exacerbations caused significant worsening in the PC-QOL scores (median [IQR], 4.6 [3.8-5.4]; P = .001) and DASS scores (median [IQR], 22 [9-42]; P < .001; 38% with elevated anxiety, 54% with abnormal depression/stress scores during exacerbation). The presence of viral infection, hypoxia, and hospitalization did not influence the exacerbation PC-QOL and DASS scores. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant burden of disease, especially during exacerbation, on parents of children with bronchiectasis. Prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment of exacerbations are likely to reduce psychologic morbidity in this group.

The effect of taping, quadriceps strengthening and stretching prescribed separately or combined on patellofemoral pain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Quadriceps strengthening, quadriceps stretching and patellar taping are commonly prescribed together for patellofemoral pain patients. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of each of these techniques in isolation for one week and in combination for one week. METHODS A prospective double-blind randomized control study was designed involving 41 subjects with 60 knees diagnosed with patellofemoral pain. The knees were randomized in onto one of four groups (n = 15): infrapatellar taping, quadriceps strengthening, quadriceps stretching and control. The taping was worn continually for the week; the strengthening group followed a programme of non-weight-bearing terminal range quadriceps exercises, the stretching group performed rectus femoris stretches. The control group did not receive treatment. All subjects received advice. Seven pre- and post-treatment measures included isokinetic quadriceps strength, quadriceps length, pain measured during four activities and maximum eccentric, posturally controlled, pain-free knee flexion angle during a step-down. Results showed significant changes over time (p < 0.01) in two out of seven measures for the taping group, in five out of seven for the strengthening group and five out of seven for the stretching group and none in the control group. When the three modalities were combined for one week, (n = 60) all seven measures improved significantly (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION In isolation, quadriceps stretching and quadriceps strengthening resulted in more improvements than taping. Combining these treatments is recommended as the initial approach to treating patellofemoral pain but further individualized more functional, global treatment is essential.

Tools for Assessing Outcomes in Studies of Chronic Cough: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report

BACKGROUND Since the publication of the 2006 American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) cough guidelines, a variety of tools has been developed or further refined for assessing cough. The purpose of the present committee was to evaluate instruments used by investigators performing clinical research on chronic cough. The specific aims were to (1) assess the performance of tools designed to measure cough frequency, severity, and impact in adults, adolescents, and children with chronic cough and (2) make recommendations or suggestions related to these findings. METHODS By following the CHEST methodologic guidelines, the CHEST Expert Cough Panel based its recommendations and suggestions on a recently published comparative effectiveness review commissioned by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a corresponding summary published in CHEST, and an updated systematic review through November 2013. Recommendations or suggestions based on these data were discussed, graded, and voted on during a meeting of the Expert Cough Panel. RESULTS We recommend for adults, adolescents (≥ 14 years of age), and children complaining of chronic cough that validated and reliable health-related quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires be used as the measurement of choice to assess the impact of cough, such as the Leicester Cough Questionnaire and the Cough-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire in adult and adolescent patients and the Parent Cough-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire in children. We recommend acoustic cough counting to assess cough frequency but not cough severity. Limited data exist regarding the performance of visual analog scales, numeric rating scales, and tussigenic challenges. CONCLUSIONS Validated and reliable cough-specific health-related QoL questionnaires are recommended as the measurement of choice to assess the impact of cough on patients. How they compare is yet to be determined. When used, the reporting of cough severity by visual analog or numeric rating scales should be standardized. Previously validated QoL questionnaires or other cough assessments should not be modified unless the new version has been shown to be reliable and valid. Finally, in research settings, tussigenic challenges play a role in understanding mechanisms of cough.