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Summary/Rationale: We identified a knowledge gap in the non-pharmacological and non-surgical management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Main results: This international consensus process established multidisciplinary biopsychosocial recommendations on pain, nutrition, safe movement, and exercise for individuals with acute and chronic vertebral fractures. Significance: These recommendations will guide clinical practice and inform interventions for future research. Purpose: To establish international consensus on recommendations for the non-pharmacological and non-surgical management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Methods: We adopted a five-step modified Delphi consensus process: (1) literature search and content analysis, (2) creation of the survey, (3) selection of the expert panel, (4) first round of the rating process, and (5) second round of the rating process. The first round included 49 statements and eight open-ended questions; the second round included 30 statements. Panelists were asked to rate their agreement with each of the statements using a 9-point scale, with the option to provide further comments. Consensus for each statement was determined by counting the number of panelists whose rating was outside the 3-point region containing the median. Results: We invited 76 people with degree in medicine, physiotherapy, kinesiology, and experience in the management of osteoporotic vertebral; 31 (41%) and 27 (36%) experts agreed to participate to the first and the second round, respectively. The mean percentage agreement after the first and second rounds was 76.6% ± 16.0% and 90.7% ± 6.5%, respectively. We established consensus on recommendations on pain, early satiety, weight loss, bracing, safe movement, and exercise for individuals with acute and chronic vertebral fractures. Conclusion: Our international consensus provides multidisciplinary biopsychosocial recommendations to guide the management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and inform interventions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction for the article "International consensus on the non-pharmacological and non-surgical management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures" is presented, which is published in the April 10, 2023 issue of the periodical.

The objective of this study was to address the impact of heterogeneity of infectious period and contagiousness on Salmonella transmission dynamics in dairy cattle populations. We developed three deterministic SIR-type models with two basic infected stages (clinically and subclinically infected). In addition, model 2 included long-term shedders, which were defined as individuals with low contagiousness but long infectious period, and model 3 included super-shedders (individuals with high contagiousness and long infectious period). The simulated dynamics, basic reproduction number (R0) and critical vaccination threshold were studied. Clinically infected individuals were the main force of infection transmission for models 1 and 2. Long-term shedders had a small impact on the transmission of the infection and on the estimated vaccination thresholds. The presence of super-shedders increases R0 and decreases the effectiveness of population-wise strategies to reduce infection, making necessary the application of strategies that target this specific group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Hospital-based medical records are abstracted to create International Classification of Disease (ICD) coded discharge health data in many countries. The 'main condition' is not defined in a consistent manner internationally. Some countries employ a 'reason for admission' rule as the basis for the main condition, while other countries employ a 'resource use' rule. A few countries have recently transitioned from one of these approaches to the other. The definition of 'main condition' in such ICD data matters when it is used to define a disease cohort to assign diagnosis-related groups and to perform risk adjustment. We propose a method of harmonizing the international definition to enable researchers and international organizations using ICD-coded health data to aggregate or compare hospital care and outcomes across countries in a consistent manner. Inter-observer reliability of alternative harmonization approaches should be evaluated before finalizing the definition and adopting it worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospital-based medical records are abstracted to create International Classification of Disease (ICD) coded discharge health data in many countries. The ‘main condition’ is not defined in a consistent manner internationally. Some countries employ a ‘reason for admission’ rule as the basis for the main condition, while other countries employ a ‘resource use’ rule. A few countries have recently transitioned from one of these approaches to the other. The definition of ‘main condition’ in such ICD data matters when it is used to define a disease cohort to assign diagnosis-related groups and to perform risk adjustment. We propose a method of harmonizing the international definition to enable researchers and international organizations using ICD-coded health data to aggregate or compare hospital care and outcomes across countries in a consistent manner. Inter-observer reliability of alternative harmonization approaches should be evaluated before finalizing the definition and adopting it worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A postal survey of all registered cattle and sheep farmers in East Anglia was carried out from July 2008 to determine bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) vaccine uptake in the region. The vaccine was available to farmers in this region from May 2008. The survey was repeated in Cumbria and Northumberland at the beginning of 2009. In these regions, the vaccine was not available until September 1, 2008. Holding-level vaccine uptake was estimated to be 85 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 83 to 87 per cent, n=1623) in East Anglia and 36 per cent (95 per cent CI 32 to 40 per cent, n=633) in northern England. A telephone follow-up of non-responders reduced these estimates to 79 and 29 per cent in East Anglia and northern England, respectively. In both regions, vaccine coverage was higher in sheep than in cattle, with 92 per cent of sheep in East Anglia having been vaccinated. The proportion of holdings that had applied the vaccine or were intending to apply the vaccine in 2009 in the northern region was 51 per cent (95 per cent CI 47 to 54 per cent, n=664), with a further 37 per cent undecided at the time of response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The validity of administrative data may be vulnerable to how well physicians document medical charts. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between chart documentation quality and the validity of administrative data. The charts for patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were re-abstracted and rated for the quality of documentation. Poorly and well-documented charts were compared by patient, physician, and hospital variables, as well as on agreement between the administrative and re-abstracted data. Of the 2061 charts reviewed, 42.6 per cent were rated well documented. The proportion of charts well documented varied from 14.6 to 87.5 per cent across 17 hospitals, but did not vary significantly by patient characteristics. The kappa statistic was generally higher for well-documented charts than for poorly documented charts, but varied across comorbidities. In conclusion, poorly documented hospital charts tend to be translated into invalid administrative data, which reduces the communication of clinical information among healthcare providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between life satisfaction and dimensions of religiosity/spirituality was explored in an ethnically and denominationally diverse sample of 615 adolescents using the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/ Spirituality (BMMRS). Results indicate that most dimensions of religiosity and spirituality are associated with life satisfaction, but that Daily Spiritual Experiences accounts for the largest amount of variance in the models, and attenuates the relationship of other dimensions with life satisfaction when entered into simultaneous regressions. Dimensions of the BMMRS were more predictive than single-item measures of religious service attendance, frequency of prayer, or degree of religiousness/spirituality. Results are discussed in the context of previous adolescent research in the positive psychology of religiosity/spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A qualitative study was conducted to explore spiritual development in adolescents, particularly as intertwined with Openness to Experience and social contexts characterized by openness. A religiously and ethnically heterogeneous sample of adolescents (N = 130) completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. The contribution of openness to spiritual development in adolescents was interpreted at the level of the self, family, and peer group. Implications of the findings are understood against the extant literature on adolescent development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. Conventional treatment (i.e., the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs) is associated with well-documented adverse effects. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a traditional South African herbal remedy used for rheumatic conditions, may be a safer treatment option. To date, 14 clinical trials have assessed its efficacy/ effectiveness in OA. AIM: To address the two main questions of importance to clinicians: (1) Does Devil's Claw work for the treatment of OA, and (2) Is it safe? METHODS: A review of the literature on Devil's Claw and OA from 1966 to 2006 was performed using multiple search databases, monographs, and citation tracking. Relevant trials in all languages were identified and included. Both internal validity (i.e., adequacy of the dosage and period of treatment for this condition, reporting of randomization, rates of dropout, blinding, and statistical analysis) and external validity (i.e., inclusion/ exclusion criteria, baseline characteristics of the study populations, trial setting, and the appropriateness of the outcome measures of the trials) were assessed. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were identified: eight observational studies; 2 comparator trials (1 open, the other randomized to assess clinical effectiveness); and 4 double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials to assess efficacy. Many of the published trials lacked certain important methodological quality criteria. However, the data from the higher quality studies suggest that Devil's Claw appeared effective in the reduction of the main clinical symptom of pain. The assessment of safety is limited by the small populations generally evaluated in the clinical studies. From the current data, Devil's Claw appears to be associated with minor risk (relative to NSAIDs), but further long-term assessment is required. CONCLUSIONS: The methodological quality of the existing clinical trials is generally poor, and although they provide some support, there are a considerable number of methodologic caveats that make further clinical investigations warranted. The clinical evidence to date cannot provide a definitive answer to the two questions posed: (1) Does it work? And (2) is it safe? A definitive high-quality trial that addresses the necessary methodologic improvements noted is needed to answer these important clinical questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic reviews suggest that homeopathy has a greater effect than placebo, however, the mechanisms of its action are unknown. The clinical effects of homeopathy could be attributed to the specific effects of the remedy and/or to the contextual effects of the consultation process; these factors have not been critically evaluated. We have developed a model that attempt to separate the consultation effects from the specific effects because of the remedy. We propose to investigate this design in a chronic condition, rheumatoid arthritis, for which previous research has evaluated both classical and complex homeopathic interventions. The following protocol describes the study design. The aims of this exploratory trial are to assess the feasibility of the study design, identify effect sizes of the consultation, the complex treatment, and the individualized remedy, as well as possibly efficacy, for the two types of homeopathic treatment and the homeopathic consultation. Data collection will take place in 2004. Copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vertebral fractures are the most prevalent fractures among individuals living with osteoporosis, affecting at least 20% of the older population. Our objective was to understand health care professionals' (HCPs) experiences and perceptions of post-vertebral fracture rehabilitation, use of non-pharmacological strategies, and virtual rehabilitation. Methods: We performed a thematic and content analysis of semi-structured interviews that were conducted over web conference/telephone with HCPs within Canada. Criterion, purposeful, and snowball sampling was used to recruit HCPs that have experience treating patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Questions for the interview guide were centred on current practices, non-pharmacological treatments, and virtual rehabilitation. Results: 13 HCPs (7F, 6M, aged 46 ± 12 years) were interviewed. Two major themes emerged from our interviews: (1) rehabilitation of vertebral fractures is dependent on the acuity of fracture, and (2) care gaps in referral and access to rehabilitation. Early rehabilitation interventions included pain and osteoporosis medicine, education on harmful and high-risk movements, and non-pharmacological strategies to help reduce patient pain and increase early mobilization. Rehabilitation in the chronic stage of vertebral fractures incorporated more exercise-based strategies to help increase strength, mobility and functionality and was informed by a comprehensive assessment. Regardless of the stage of recovery, barriers such as delayed identification of fracture, delayed or no referral to physiotherapy, and lack of knowledge of osteoporosis or vertebral fracture among HCPs may reduce the access to or effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions. HCPs believed that virtual rehabilitation that includes an online educational component, an online assessment, and online exercise classes in groups tailored to individuals could be a feasible alternative. Conclusion: We have identified that rehabilitation provided by HCPs was dependent on the acuity or stability of fracture, and that non-pharmacological interventions were facilitated by physiotherapy. To select and individualize physical therapy interventions, physiotherapists emphasized using assessments to determine patient goals, physical functioning, and identify comorbidities. To improve access and address barriers, virtual rehabilitation could be a feasible and effective alternative for patients but may require further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]