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Objectives. – To assess the test-retest reliability and the construct validity of a modified version of the Lequesne index.Methods. – Patients with symptomatic knee osteo-arthritis fulfilling the revised criteria of the american college of rheumatology completed the Lequesne index twice at a 3 h interval. Impairment outcome measures and patients’ perceived discomfort in walking and handicap were recorded. An item by item analysis was performed. Items having insufficient psychometric properties were excluded. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was investigated using Spearman rank correlation coefficient and a factor analysis was performed.Results. – Eighty-eight patients were included. One question assessing pain (question IE) had a weak reliability (Kappa = 0.39) and was excluded. The test-retest reliability of the modified questionnaire was excellent (ICC = 0.95). Expected convergent and divergent correlations were achieved excepted for Vas pain and Vas handicap (0.46 and 0.40 respectively), and the “a priori” double stratification was confirmed by factor analysis, explaining 48.7% of the variance.Conclusion. – The modified form of the Lequesne index has sufficient psychometric properties to be used to assess pain and function in knee osteo-arthritis in a french population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common spinal condition and the most frequent indication for spinal surgery in elderly people. General practitioners (GPs) are on the 1st line for its diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to assess how GPs diagnose and treat people with LSS in France.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a primary care setting. French GPs were selected by a random draw from the French Medical Board. The questionnaire was designed by 3 physicians specialized in physical and rehabilitation medicine and a resident in general practice. A provisional questionnaire was tested in a pilot survey of 11 French GPs. Participants' feedbacks served to build the final questionnaire. This latter was submitted by e-mail or mail to 330 GPs. GPs were surveyed about the 3 main domains relevant to the management of people with LSS in primary care: 1/ diagnosis, 2/ pharmacological treatments and 3/ non-pharmacological treatments, using self-administered open- and closed-ended questions and visual analog scales.Results: Overall, 90/330 (27.3%) GPs completed the survey. 51/89 (57.3%) GPs were confident with managing people with LSS. Low back pain 51/87 (58.6%), neurogenic claudication 38/87 (43.7%) and paresthesia in the lower limbs 31/87 (35.6%) were the 3 most frequently cited clinical signs leading to the diagnosis of LSS. Improvement with lumbar flexion was mentioned by 9/87 (10.3%) GPs. 85/86 (98.8%) would consider prescribing lumbar imaging, 60/84 (71.4%) corticoid spinal injections and 42/79 (53.2%) would never prescribe lumbar flexion-based endurance training. All GPs would refer people with LSS to another specialist.Conclusions: French GPs lack confidence with diagnosing LSS and prescribing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for people with LSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Modic 1 changes are usually associated with degenerative disc disease (DDD). We aimed to compare Modic 1 changes with advanced degenerative disc disease (>50%-intervertebral space narrowing [IVSN]) to Modic 1 changes with less advanced lumbar degenerative disc disease (≤50%-IVSN).Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. The computerized MRI database from a French tertiary care hospital was searched. Patients were included if they were ≥ 18 years old and had a lumbar MRI between January 1, 2006 and January 31, 2008, that showed a Modic 1 signal at a single level. The strength of the magnet was 1.5 T. MRI were reviewed by 2 assessors. Age and gender were recorded. MRI changes involving the intervertebral disc and the vertebral endplate subchondral bone were assessed for Modic 1 signal, intervertebral space narrowing, asymmetrical degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, anterior and posterior intervertebral disc herniation, and anterior and lateral osteophytes. These outcomes were compared between >50%-IVSN Modic 1 and ≤50%-IVSN Modic 1 groups. For bivariate analysis, comparisons involved nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test for quantitative variables and nonparametric Fisher's exact test for qualitative variables. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine factors independently associated with <50%-IVSN Modic 1 changes by backward stepwise regression. Informed consent and formal approval from Institutional Review Board is not required for this type of study. This statement was confirmed by our Institutional Review Board.Results: MRI for 101 individuals were eligible. Patients' mean (SD) age was 56.6(13.4) years, and 41/101(40.6%) were men. Modic 1 were most frequently observed at L4/L5 and L5/S1 (37[36.6%] cases each). As compared with >50%-IVSN Modic 1 patients, ≤50%-IVSN Modic 1 patients were younger (mean[SD] age 51.5[14.1] vs 58.8[12.6] years, p = 0.019), Modic 1 were more frequent at L5/S1 level (19[61.3%] vs 18[25.7%], p = 0.001), and anterior and lateral osteophytes were less frequent (13[41.9%] vs 55[78.6%], p < 0.001, and 11[35.5%] vs 48[68.6%], p = 0.002, respectively).Conclusions: ≤50%-IVSN Modic 1 are rather found in young men at L5/S1 level and are associated with less frequent osteophytes than >50%-IVSN Modic, while >50%-IVSN Modic 1 are rather found in older women at L4/L5 level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess changes over time and responsiveness of the Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS) and Mouth Handicap In Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS) scale in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Design: This was a prospective longitudinal study. Participants: Participants were drawn from a convenience sample of individuals with SSc, who were attending the annual Congress of the Association des Sclérodermiques de France, the French SSc patients' association. Methods: Participants were evaluated twice by the CHFS, MHISS scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire, McMaster-Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire, and other outcome measures. Differences in measures over time were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Responsiveness was assessed by the effect size and standardized response mean. Nonparametric Spearman rank correlation (r) was used to assess correlation between outcome measures. Results: Forty-nine patients were assessed. The CHFS and MHISS scores worsened overtime (mean [SD] differences 2.7 [10.7], P=0.08, and 3.5 [9.8], P= 0.14, respectively). The CHFS effect size and standardized response mean values were -0.1 6 and -0.24, respectively, and MHISS values were -0.53 and -0.52, respectively. The correlation between change in the CHFS score and change in Health Assessment Questionnaire and McMaster-Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire scores was fair to moderate, whereas changes in MHISS score were poorly or not correlated to other measures. For patients considering their state deteriorated, the MHISS scale was the most responsive instrument. Conclusions: The CHFS and MHISS scores may be useful in detecting changes in location-specific limitations in activity for SSc patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Representative national data on disability are becoming increasingly important in helping policymakers decide on public health strategies. We assessed the respective contribution of chronic health conditions to disability for three age groups (18-40, 40-65, and >65 years old) using data from the 2008-2009 Disability-Health Survey in France. Methods: Data on 12 chronic conditions and on disability for 24,682 adults living in households were extracted from the Disability-Health Survey results. A weighting factor was applied to obtain representative estimates for the French population. Disability was defined as at least one restriction in activities of daily living (ADL), severe disability as the inability to perform at least one ADL alone, and self-reported disability as a general feeling of being disabled. To account for comorbidities, we assessed the contribution of each chronic disorder to disability by using the average attributable fraction (AAF). Findings: We estimated that 38.8 million people in France (81.7% [95% CI 80.9;82.6]) had a chronic condition: 14.3% (14.0;14.6) considered themselves disabled, 4.6% (4.4;4.9) were restricted in ADL and 1.7% (1.5;1.8) were severely disabled. Musculoskeletal and sensorial impairments contributed the most to self-reported disability (AAF 15.4% and 12.3%). Neurological and musculoskeletal diseases had the largest impact on disability (AAF 17.4% and 16.4%, respectively). Neurological disorders contributed the most to severe disability (AAF 31.0%). Psychiatric diseases contributed the most to disability categories for patients 18-40 years old (AAFs 23.8%-40.3%). Cardiovascular conditions were also among the top four contributors to disability categories (AAFs 8.5%-11.1%). Conclusions: Neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular chronic disorders mainly contribute to disability in France. Psychiatric impairments have a heavy burden for people 18-40 years old. These findings should help policymakers define priorities for health-service delivery in France and perhaps other developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Objectifs: L’Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) a publié des recommandations internationales sur la prise en charge de la gonarthrose et de la coxarthrose fondées sur la preuve scientifique et les avis d’experts. Nous proposons une traduction de ces recommandations, ainsi que des commentaires tenant compte des pratiques médicales en vigueur en France, Belgique et Suisse francophone. Ce travail a été réalisé par les membres de la section Arthrose de la Société française de rhumatologie. Méthodes: La traduction a été effectuée par une société spécialisée dans la traduction d’articles médicaux, avec la collaboration d’un groupe multidisciplinaire d’experts français, belges et suisses. Le document final est le résultat d’un processus de traduction/contre-traduction et d’une comparaison des documents intermédiaires entre eux et avec le document original. La traduction concernait la liste des 25 recommandations et non l’ensemble du document publié par l’OARSI. Il s’agit d’un abrégé du document original. Le détail des méthodes et l’analyse des résultats publiés dans le document original n’ont pas été traduits dans leur intégralité. Résultats: Ce document présente la version française des 25 recommandations de l’OARSI. Elles concernent les traitements pharmacologiques, non pharmacologiques et chirurgicaux de la coxarthrose et de la gonarthrose. Ces recommandations ont été commentées par des experts francophones, en tenant compte des pratiques médicales régionales et nationales. Conclusions: La traduction en français, selon une méthodologie rigoureuse, des 25 recommandations proposées par l’OARSI, a pour but de servir d’aide aux professionnels de santé, ainsi qu’aux patients et aux décideurs politiques dans la prise en charge des patients souffrant de coxarthrose et de gonarthrose. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Despite the burden of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), these conditions probably deserve more attention from public health authorities in several countries including developed ones. We assessed their contribution to disability., Methods: Data on disabilities associated with RMDs were extracted from the national 2008-2009 Disability-Health Survey of 29,931 subjects representative of the population in France. We used the core set of disability categories for RMDs of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for analysis. Diagnosis and disabilities were self-reported. We assessed the risk of disability associated with RMDs using odds ratios (ORs) and the societal impact of RMDs using the average attributable fraction (AAF)., Results: Overall 27.7% (about 17.3 million people) (95% CI 26.9-28.4%) of the population reported having RMDs. The most prevalent RMDs were low back pain (12.5%, 12.1-13.1) and osteoarthritis (12.3%, 11.8-12.7). People reporting osteoarthritis were more disabled in walking (adjusted OR 1.9, 1.7-2.2) than those without. People reporting inflammatory arthritis were more limited in activities of daily living (from 1.4, 1.2-1.8 for walking to 2.1, 1.5-2.9 for moving around). From a societal perspective, osteoarthritis was the main contributor to activity limitations (AAF 22% for walking difficulties). Changing jobs was mainly attributed to neck pain (AAF 13%) and low back pain (11.5%)., Conclusion: RMDs are highly prevalent and significantly affect activity limitations and participation restrictions. More effort is needed to improve care and research in this field.

Background: Between 7% and 15% of patients are dissatisfied after total hip arthroplasty (THA). To assess predictors and postoperative determinants of satisfaction and expectation fulfilment one year after (THA)., Methods: Before THA surgery, 132 patients from three tertiary care centres and their surgeons were interviewed to assess their expectations using the Hospital for Special Surgery Total Hip Replacement Expectations Survey (THR survey). One year after surgery, patients (n = 123) were contacted by phone to complete a questionnaire on expectation fulfilment (THR survey), satisfaction, functional outcome (Womac), and health-related quality of life (SF 12). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed., Results: Preoperative predictors of satisfaction were a good mental wellbeing (adjusted OR 1.09 [1.02; 1.16], p = 0.01) and optimistic surgeons expectations (1.07 [1.01; 1.14], p = 0.02). The main postoperative determinant of satisfaction was the fulfilment of patient's expectations (1.08 [1.04; 1.12], p < 0.001). Expectation fulfilment could be predicted before surgery by young age (regression coefficient -0.55 [-0.88; -0.21], p = 0.002), good physical function (-0.96 [-1.82; -0.10], p = 0.03) and good mental wellbeing (0.56 [0.14; 0.99], p = 0.01). Postoperative determinants of expectation fulfilment were functional outcome (-2.10 [-2.79; -1.42], p <0.001) and pain relief (-14.83 [-22.38; -7.29], p < 0.001)., Conclusion: To improve patient satisfaction after THA, patients' expectations and their fulfilment need to be carefully addressed. Patients with low mental wellbeing or physical function should be identified and specifically informed on expected surgical outcome. Surgeons' expectations are predictive of satisfaction and information should aim to lower discrepancy between surgeons' and patients' expectations.

Objective: To evaluate the influenza vaccination rate and factors influencing it in patients with SSc., Methods: A total of 177 SSc patients fulfilling the ACR and/or LeRoy and Medsger criteria were evaluated during annual meetings of the French patient association in 2006 (n = 71) and 2007 (n = 70) or during hospitalization in the Internal Medicine Department of Cochin Hospital in 2007 (n = 36). Information on influenza vaccination was collected by a standardized form., Results: Mean (s.d.) age and disease duration were 58.7 (12.6) and 10.5 (9.5) years, respectively. Overall, 69 (39%) patients received an influenza vaccination during the previous year. Among the 108 patients who were not vaccinated, 78 (72.2%) presented at least one indication for vaccination. The most frequent reasons for non-vaccination were absence of physician recommendation and fear of side effects. Patients who were and were not vaccinated did not differ in anxiety, depression, global disability or quality of life. Vaccination rate was significantly higher (59%) for patients who remembered receiving a letter from the French National Health Insurance Agency encouraging vaccination than among those who did not (26%, P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed the year of the last vaccination and age as two independent parameters associated with vaccination., Conclusions: Influenza vaccination coverage is low in SSc patients. Lack of information and fear of adverse effects are the most common reasons for non-vaccination. Efforts are needed to increase the influenza vaccination coverage in this population.

Aims of the Study: To examine the clinical and demographic correlates of pain intensity in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA)., Patients and Methods: In a national cross-sectional survey, 1811 general practitioners recruited and assessed 5324 patients with hip and knee OA. The patients rated the intensity of pain at rest, on movement over the last 24 hours, and during the last 8 days on 11-point numeric rating scales. The patients also completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Clinical and demographic correlates of pain intensity and function were investigated by univariate, stepwise multiple logistic regression and odds ratio analyses., Results: Data for 4598 patients were analyzed (86.4% of surveyed patients). The mean pain intensity was 4.1+/-2.2 at rest, 5.9+/-1.8 on movement during the last 24 hours, and 5.1+/-1.7 during the last 8 days. Pain on movement during the last 24 hours and during the last 8 days showed a strong positive correlation (r=0.78; P<0.0001), which suggests that the most of the latter pain was related to movement. Patients with knee or hip OA did not differ in pain intensity, but patients with both joints affected rated pain intensity significantly higher than did those with only 1 affected joint [4.6+/-2.1, 6.3+/-1.8, and 5.5+/-1.6, for the 3 pain assessments, respectively (P>0.01)]. Patients with high pain ratings were more likely to be women, be older than 75 years, and have a body mass index of greater than 40 kg/m. In addition, patients who were retired, unemployed, farmers, or widowed, or had a long duration of OA gave high pain ratings. Patients with regular physical activities reported less intense pain., Conclusions: Pain intensity ratings for patients with lower limb OA differed significantly with respect to sex, age, body mass index, physical activity, professional activity, marital status, and conditions of assessment.

We assessed the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the French short version of the scale Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-Disability/Symptom (F-QuickDASH-D/S) in patients with shoulder disorders. We extracted QuickDASH item responses from the responses to the full-length DASH questionnaire completed by 153 patients. In addition to collecting demographic and clinical data, subjective assessment of activities of daily living (ADL), active range of motion (ROM), and measurement of abduction strength (strength) were recorded by use of the Constant scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.89. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.94, which suggested excellent test-retest reliability. Correlation of the F-QuickDASH-D/S score with scores for F-DASH-D/S (r=0.96), handicap (r=0.79), ADL (r=-0.73), pain during activities (r=0.63), strength (r=-0.58), pain at rest (r=0.57) and ROM (r=-0.51) indicated good construct validity. Factor analysis identified 2 factors accounting for 59.1% of the variance. The responsiveness of F-QuickDASH-D/S was excellent, with standardized response mean and effect size values of 1.09 and 1.23, respectively. The F-QuickDASH-D/S has good reliability, construct validity and responsiveness. The strong correlation of its score with the full-length DASH-D/S scale score suggests that the QuickDASH-D/S could be the preferred scale because it is easier to use.

Objective: To assess the responsiveness of the French version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-Disability/Symptom (F-DASH-D/S) scale in patients with shoulder disorders., Methods: This prospective study involved 2 groups of patients attending a tertiary care rehabilitation unit for treatment; an orthopaedic group of 47 patients with nonsurgical impacted proximal humeral fracture and a medical group of 26 patients with degenerative shoulder disorders. At 6 and 12 weeks after fracture in the orthopaedic group and at baseline and at a mean of 7.8 (SD 3.9) weeks after treatment in the medical group, patients underwent testing for the F-DASH-D/S scale, pain, active range of motion (ROM) and patient's perceived handicap. Sensitivity of the F-DASH-D/S was determined by the use of the standardized response mean (SRM) and effect size (ES). Clinical relevance was assessed by correlating the change in all outcome measures individually with change in patient's perceived handicap as an external indicator., Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in the F-DASH-D/S score, active ROM and patient's perceived handicap. The sensitivity of the F-DASH-D/S was excellent, with SRM and ES values of 1.7 and 1.2 for the orthopaedic group and 1.2 and 1.3 for the medical group, respectively. For both groups, the F-DASH-D/S score gave the best correlation between change in patients' perceived handicap and change in other outcome parameters., Conclusion: The French version of the DASH-D/S scale is responsive and appropriate for assessing the effects of local and physical treatments on disability in orthopaedic and degenerative shoulder disorders.

Background: Knee arthroplasty is increasing exponentially due to the aging of the population and to the broadening of indications. We aimed to compare physical disability and its evolution over two years in people with knee arthroplasty to that in the general population. A secondary objective was to compare the level of disabilities of people with knee to people with hip arthroplasty., Methodology/principal Findings: 16,945 people representative of the French population were selected in 1999 from the French census and interviewed about their level of disability. This sample included 815 people with lower limb arthroplasty. In 2001, 608 of them were re-interviewed, among whom 134 had knee arthroplasty. Among the other participants re-interviewed, we identified 68 who had undergone knee arthroplasty and 145 hip arthroplasty within the last two years (recent arthroplasty). People with knee arthroplasty reported significantly greater difficulties than the general population with bending forward (odds ratio [OR] = 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7, 12.6), walking more than 500 meters (OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 1.5, 24.7) and carrying 5 kg kilograms for 10 meters (OR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 16.4). However, the two years evolution in disability was similar to that in the general population for most activities. The level of mobility was similar between people with recent knee arthroplasty and those with recent hip arthroplasty. Nevertheless, people with recent knee arthroplasty reported a lower level of disability than the other group for washing and bending forward (OR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.6 and OR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.9, respectively)., Conclusions/significance: People with knee arthroplasty reported a higher risk of disability than the general population for common activities of daily living but a similar evolution. There was no relevant difference between recent knee and hip arthroplasties for mobility.

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of the French version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-Disability/Symptom (F-DASH-D/S) scale in patients with shoulder disorders., Methods: We included 150 patients (98 women) with shoulder conditions intending to undergo medical and/or physical therapy at our institution. Parameters recorded were age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, pain scores at rest and during activities, and perceived disability on a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100mm). Subjective assessment of activities of daily living (ADL), active range of motion (ROM), and measurement of abduction strength (Strength) were assessed using the Constant scale. Internal consistency was evaluated with the Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was investigated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and a factor analysis was performed., Results: Internal consistency was high, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.96. The ICC value (0.95) suggested excellent test-retest reliability. Correlation of the F-DASH-D/S score with VAS score of disability (r=0.78), ADL score (r=-0.76), VAS score of pain during activities (r=0.64), Strength score (r=-0.63), ROM score (r=-0.57), VAS score of pain at rest (r=0.52), disease duration (r=0.38), age (r=0.28), and body mass index (r=0.24) indicated good construct validity. Factor analysis identified five factors accounting for 66.5% of the total variance. Each factor could be easily clinically interpreted., Conclusion: The French version of the DASH-D/S scale is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of disability in shoulder disorders.

Objective: Mass-media campaigns have been known to modify the outcome of low back pain (LBP). We assessed the impact on outcome of standardized written information on LBP given to patients with acute LBP., Design: A 3-month pragmatic, multicenter controlled trial with geographic stratification., Setting: Primary care practice in France., Participants: 2752 patients with acute LBP., Intervention: An advice book on LBP (the "back book")., Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measure was persistence of LBP three months after baseline evaluation., Results: 2337 (85%) patients were assessed at follow-up and 12.4% of participants reported persistent LBP. The absolute risk reduction of reporting persistent back pain in the intervention group was 3.6% lower than in the control group (10.5% vs. 14.1%; 95% confidence interval [-6.3% ; -1.0%]; p value adjusted for cluster effect = 0.01). Patients in the intervention group were more satisfied than those in the control group with the information they received about physical activities, when to consult their physician, and how to prevent a new episode of LBP. However, the number of patients who had taken sick leave was similar, as was the mean sick-leave duration, in both arms, and, among patients with persistent pain at follow-up, the intervention and control groups did not differ in disability or fear-avoidance beliefs., Conclusions: The level of improvement of an information booklet is modest, but the cost and complexity of the intervention is minimal. Therefore, the implications and generalizability of this intervention are substantial., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00343057.

Objectives: English classes were made compulsory in French medical schools by a 1992 statute. The aim of this work is to describe current characteristics of this teaching program., Methods: A questionnaire designed by experts in the teaching of medical English was sent to the 41 medical schools in metropolitan France. The questionnaire covered five different areas (the number of class hours, students, and teachers; evaluation and marking methods; curriculum content and pedagogical methods, student and teacher profiles, and the teaching of English to postgraduate students)., Results: Twenty-six questionnaires were returned and evaluated, and all reported teaching English. Duration of instruction averages 88+/-30 hours. English is compulsory in 96% of responding school and is taught mainly during the second and third years. Medical English is taught most often (68%). Permanent or temporary instructors teach relatively small classes. In 52% of cases, a doctor participates in the class. In 36% of cases, advanced postgraduate classes are organized for doctors., Conclusion: The teaching of English is now widely accepted in French medical schools, and it is developing. Nevertheless, we can hope that it will benefit from a wider range of pedagogical tools, notably by combining the existing classroom methods with training periods in English-speaking countries.

Objective: To describe disability in individuals with hip arthroplasty and its evolution over 2 years compared with that in the general population, and to compare the degree of disability between subjects with recent and older hip arthroplasty., Methods: We selected a national representative sample of 16,945 subjects from the 1999 French population census. This sample, interviewed in 1999 and 2001 about their level of disability, included 527 subjects with hip arthroplasty (i.e., representing 424,000 individuals in the French noninstitutionalized population): 145 who underwent the procedure between 1999 and 2001 (recent hip arthroplasty) and 382 with an older hip arthroplasty., Results: Subjects with hip arthroplasty reported more difficulty in bending forward (odds ratio [OR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.1-6.6), climbing stairs (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.1), walking >300 meters (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.03-2.6), dressing (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.1-4.2), and getting in and out of a chair (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.7-3.6) than the general population. However, the evolution in disability was similar to that of the general population. Compared with subjects with older hip arthroplasty, those with recent hip arthroplasty reported more difficulty walking >300 meters (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.6), washing (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.6-5.4), dressing (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2), and getting in and out of a chair (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-3.9)., Conclusion: This study describes the potential future disability in the more elderly population, with implications for health-related planning.

The objectives of this cross-sectional study conducted in primary care practice in France were to describe general practitioners' (GPs) fear-avoidance beliefs about low back pain (LBP), investigate the impact of these beliefs on their following guidelines for bed rest, physical activities, and sick leave, and uncover factors associated with GPs' fear-avoidance beliefs. A total of 864 GPs completed a 5-part self-administered questionnaire. Parts 1, 2, and 3 concerned demographic, professional data, and personal history of back pain, respectively. Part 4 dealt with GPs' education about LBP and practice for LBP. Part 5 assessed GPs' fear-avoidance beliefs on the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ). GPs' mean age was 48.2+/-7.0 years, 80% were male, 88% had been practicing for more than 10 years, and 52% reported a previous personal episode of acute LBP. Forty-six percent had participated in an educational session on LBP during the last 3 years. Mean scores for the FABQ Phys and Work were 9.6+/-4.8 and 17.5+/-6.7, respectively. Sixteen percent of participants had high rating on the FABQ Phys (FABQ Phys score>14). FABQ Phys score was associated with recommendation of bed rest or rest during sick leave (p<0.0001) for acute LBP and less advice to maintain maximum bearable physical activities (p<0.001) for chronic LBP. FABQ Work score was associated with prescribing sick leave during painful periods (p<0.005) for acute LBP and less advice to maintain maximum bearable physical activities (p<0.001) for chronic LBP. GPs' fear-avoidance beliefs about LBP negatively influence their following guidelines concerning physical and occupational activities for patients with LBP.

Objective: To assess the sensitivity to change of three algofunctional scales for neck pain., Methods: Observational, prospective study. Patients with neck disorders were included. Pain and patients' perceived handicap assessed on visual analogue scales (VAS Pain, VAS Handicap), and functional disability measures (Neck Disability Index, Neck Pain and Disability Scale, Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire) were recorded twice, at baseline and at an 11-month follow-up assessment. Sensitivity to change was assessed using the effect size (ES) and the standardised response mean (SRM), and the non-parametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between quantitative variable changes and patients' overall opinion. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Tukey-test was performed to determine if the scales distinguished improved, stable, and deteriorated patients., Results: Seventy-one patients (43 women, mean age 49 years) were included and evaluated twice at an interval of 11 +/- 2 months. The three scales showed good sensitivity to change. The ANOVA showed a group effect, and individual changes in the scales scores were statistically different in two-by-two comparisons (improved, stable or deteriorated patients). Changes in NPDS scores had the highest correlation with patient's overall assessment (r = 0.592)., Conclusion: The three scales can detect changes in patients with neck disorders. Changes in NPDS score had the best correlation with patients' overall opinion concerning their neck disorder and this questionnaire should be given preference in clinical trials.

Study Design: Observational prospective study., Objective: To assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the French version of the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire., Summary of Background Data: Fear, avoidance attitudes, and belief play pivotal roles in disability perceived by patients with chronic low back pain. The Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire is a two-part questionnaire assessing fear, avoidance, and beliefs about professional activity and physical activity., Methods: The Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire was translated by use of the forward and backward translation procedure. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 31 patients (Group 1) with the intraclass correlation coefficient and the Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was assessed in two groups of patients (Group 2, n = 147; Group 3, n = 70) with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient and factor analysis. Responsiveness was assessed in Group 3, after they underwent a functional restoration program, by the effect size and the standardized response mean., Results: Test-retest reliability was good, with an intra-class correlation coefficient value of 0.88 and 0.72 for fear, avoidance, and beliefs about professional activity and physical activity, respectively. Use of the Bland and Altman method produced a homogeneous distribution of the differences, with no systematic trend observed. The expected divergent validity was observed in Groups 2 and 3. Factor analysis extracted four factors in Group 2 and the two original factors of the English Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire in Group 3. The lowest effect size and standardized response mean values (0.30 and 0.31, respectively) were observed with the fear, avoidance, and beliefs about professional activity., Conclusions: The psychometric properties (test-retest reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness) of the French version of the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire are acceptable, and fear, avoidance, and belief can now be assessed in French-speaking patients with low back pain.

Objective: To assess the test-retest reliability and the construct validity of a modified version of the French-Canadian version of the WOMAC index., Methods: Open prospective study conducted in departments of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Orthopedic surgery of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Eighty-eight patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) fulfilling the revised criteria of the American College of Rheumatology were included. The French-Canadian version of the WOMAC index was completed twice at a 3-h interval. Impairment outcome measures, patients' perceived discomfort in walking and handicap were recorded. An item-by-item analysis was performed. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was investigated using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient and a factor analysis was performed., Results: Eight questions assessing function (section C) and the two questions assessing stiffness (section B) had insufficient psychometric properties and were excluded. Although test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was fair to good (0.82, 0.85, for the WOMAC section A, and modified section C, respectively), construct validity could not be demonstrated. Factor analysis of the modified form of the WOMAC extracted four factors, which differed from the a priori stratification. However, factor analysis of the modified section C extracted two factors explaining 68.4% of the variance, which could be clinically characterized., Conclusion: Despite its good test-retest reliability, the modified WOMAC index is not valid for assessing pain and disability induced by knee OA in a French population. Section A and modified section C could be used separately to assess, respectively, pain and function.

Objectives: To assess the test-retest reliability and the construct validity of a modified version of the Lequesne index., Methods: Patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) fulfilling the revised criteria of the American College of Rheumatology completed the Lequesne index twice at a 3-h interval. Impairment outcome measures and patients' perceived discomfort in walking and handicap were recorded. An item-by-item analysis was performed. Items having insufficient psychometric properties were excluded. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was investigated using Spearman rank correlation coefficient and a factor analysis was performed., Results: Eighty-eight patients were included. One question assessing pain (question IE) had a weak reliability (Kappa (kappa) = 0.39) and was excluded. The test-retest reliability of the modified questionnaire was excellent (ICC = 0.95). Expected convergent and divergent correlations were achieved except for visual analog scale pain (VAS P) and VAS handicap (VAS H) (0.46 and 0.40, respectively), and the "a priori" double stratification was confirmed by factor analysis, explaining 48.7% of the variance., Conclusion: The modified form of the Lequesne index has sufficient psychometric properties to be used to assess pain and function in knee OA in a French population.

Objective: To translate and assess the reliability and the construct validity of 3 functional disability scales for neck pain., Design: Reliability and validity study., Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital and outpatient clinic., Participants: One hundred one patients (mean age, 49 y)., Intervention: French translations were obtained by using the "translation-backward translation" method. Adaptations were made after a pilot study., Main Outcome Measures: Impairment outcome measures (visual analog scale [VAS] pain, neck range of motion, morning stiffness, score of neck sensitivity, radiologic score of Kellgren) and patients' perceived handicap (VAS) were recorded at the baseline visit. Three functional disability scales (Neck Disability Index [NDI], Neck Pain and Disability Scale [NPDS], Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire [NPQ]) were recorded twice, at baseline visit and 24 hours later. Reliability was assessed by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method. Construct (convergent and divergent) validity was investigated by using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient and a factor analysis was performed., Results: Test-retest was excellent for the NPDS and NDI (ICC =.91,.93, respectively) and good for the NPQ (ICC =.84). The Bland and Altman method showed no systematic trend. Expected convergent and divergent validity were observed only for the NPDS; 3 main factors were extracted by factor analysis and explained 78% of the cumulative variance., Conclusion: The 3 translated scales are valid, but the NPDS seems to have the best construct validity., (Copyright 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)